Tuberculosis in Spain: An opinion paper / Tuberculosis en España: Un documento de opinión

This document is the result of the deliberations of the Committee on Emerging Pathogens and COVID-19 of the Il lustrious Official College of Physicians of Madrid (ICOMEM) regarding the current situation of tuberculosis, particularly in Spain. We have reviewed aspects such as the evolution of its incidence, the populations currently most exposed and the health care circuits for the care of these patients in Spain. We have also discussed latent tuberculosis, the reality of extrapul monary disease in the XXI century and the means available in daily practice for the diagnosis of both latent and active forms. The contribution of molecular biology, which has changed the perspective of this disease, was another topic of discussion. The paper tries to put into perspective both the classical drugs and their resistance figures and the availability and indications of the new ones. In addition, the reality of direct observa tion in the administration of antituberculosis drugs has been discussed. All this revolution is making it possible to shorten the treatment time for tuberculosis, a subject that has also been reviewed. If everything is done well, the risk of relapse of tuberculosis is small but it exists. On the other hand, many special situations have been discussed in this paper, such as tuberculosis in pediatric age and tuberculosis as a cause for concern in surgery and intensive care. The status of the BCG vaccine and its present indications as well as the future of new vaccines to achieve the old dream of eradicating this disease have been discussed. Finally, the ethical and medicolegal impli cations of this disease are not a minor issue and our situation in this regard has been reviewed (AU)

El presente documento es el resultado de las deliberacio nes del Comité sobre Patógenos Emergentes y COVID-19 del Ilustre Colegio Oficial de Médicos de Madrid (ICOMEM) en re lación a la situación actual de la tuberculosis, particularmente en España. Hemos revisado aspectos tales como la evolución de su incidencia, las poblaciones actualmente más expuestas y los circuitos sanitarios para la atención a estos pacientes en España. Se ha discutido también la tuberculosis latente, la rea lidad de la enfermedad extrapulmonar en el siglo XXI y los me dios de que en la práctica diaria se dispone para el diagnóstico tanto de las formas latentes como de las activas. La aportación de la biología molecular que ha cambiado la perspectiva de es ta enfermedad ha constituido otro de los temas de debate. El documento trata de poner en perspectiva tanto los fármacos clásicos y sus cifras de resistencia como la disponibilidad e in dicaciones de los nuevos. Junto a esto, se ha discutido la rea lidad de la observación directa en la administración de fárma cos antituberculosos. Toda esta revolución está posibilitando el acortamiento del tiempo de tratamiento de la tuberculosis tema que ha sido igualmente revisado. Si todo se hace bien, el riesgo de recaída de la tuberculosis es pequeño pero existen te. Por otra parte, muchas situaciones especiales han merecido discusión en este documento como por ejemplo la tuberculosis en edad pediátrica y la tuberculosis como causa de preocupa ción en cirugía y cuidados intensivos. Se ha discutido tanto la situación de la vacuna BCG y sus indicaciones presentes, co mo el futuro de nuevas vacunas que permitan alcanzar el viejo sueño de erradicar esta enfermedad. Finalmente, las implica ciones éticas y medicolegales que esta enfermedad plantea no son un tema menor y se ha revisado nuestra situación en este particular (AU)

Perspectivas con dianas para el tratamiento de la artritis reumatoide / Perspectives with targets for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis

La artritis reumatoide se clasifica como una enfermedad articular autoinmune crónica poliarticular sistémica que afecta principalmente a manos y pies. El objetivo de este trabajo es mostrar información publicada que contribuye a direccionar el manejo de la artritis reumatoide con nuevos fármacos, a partir del conocimiento de aspectos novedosos relacionados con la fisiopatología y los avances recientes sobre un grupo importante de dianas para el tratamiento de esta enfermedad. Las modificaciones epigenéticas pueden regular la expresión génica sin alterar la secuencia del ADN. La regulación de los ARN no codificantes (ncRNA), la metilación del ADN, la metilación del ARN y las modificaciones de las histonas se consideran los principales mecanismos de las regulaciones epigenéticas. Numerosas investigaciones han establecido que varias anomalías en estos mecanismos terminan en el desarrollo de la AR. Este trabajo resume nuevas dianas, que incluyen proteínas, pequeños metabolitos moleculares y reguladores de la epigenética. Son dianas moleculares prometedoras para el descubrimiento de fármacos que alivien la aparición de enfermedades y resuelvan la falta de respuesta y las respuestas parciales, así como los efectos adversos de los FARME actuales. Es innegable que aún se necesitan mayores esfuerzos para definir con mayor precisión las vías de señalización subyacentes afectadas por estas moléculas recién descubiertas y para desarrollar métodos de terapia apropiados(AU)

Rheumatoid arthritis is classified as a systemic polyarticular chronic autoimmune joint disease that mainly affects the hands and feet. The objective of this work is to show published information that contributes to directing the management of RA with new drugs. Epigenetic modifications can regulate gene expression without altering the DNA sequence. Regulation of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), DNA methylation, RNA methylation, and histone modifications are considered the main mechanisms of epigenetic regulations. Numerous investigations have established that various abnormalities in these mechanisms lead to the development of RA. This work summarizes new targets, including proteins, small molecular metabolites and regulators of epigenetics. They are promising molecular targets for drug discovery to alleviate disease onset and resolve non-response and partial responses, as well as adverse effects of current DMARDs. It is undeniable that further efforts are still needed to further define the underlying signaling pathways affected by these newly discovered molecules and to develop appropriate therapy methods(AU)

Importancia del cuadro básico de medicamentos en la prescripción médica / Importance of the list of essential medicines in medical prescription

Resumen La implementación en instituciones de salud de un cuadro básico permite adquirir y administrar una larga lista de medicamentos que presenta a los médicos las alternativas de tratamiento, así como la descripción académica colegiada de indicaciones, dosis, efectos secundarios, interacciones y análisis de costo-beneficio, con lo que se facilita la prescripción médica y la administración de insumos para la salud. El Comité de Ética y Transparencia en la Relación Médico-Industria emite diversas recomendaciones para la optimización de los beneficios generados por los cuadros básico de medicamentos.

Abstract The implementation of an essential medicines list in health institutions allows acquiring and administering a long list of drugs that offers treatment alternatives to physicians, as well as a collegiate academic description of indications, doses, side effects, interactions and cost-benefit analyses, thus facilitating medical prescription and administration of health products. The Committee of Ethics and Transparency in the Physician-Industry Relationship issues several recommendations for optimizing the benefits generated by essential medicines lists.

Importance of the list of essential medicines in medical prescription.

The implementation of an essential medicines list in health institutions allows acquiring and administering a long list of drugs that offers treatment alternatives to physicians, as well as a collegiate academic description of indications, doses, side effects, interactions and cost-benefit analyses, thus facilitating medical prescription and administration of health products. The Committee of Ethics and Transparency in the Physician-Industry Relationship issues several recommendations for optimizing the benefits generated by essential medicines lists.La implementación en instituciones de salud de un cuadro básico permite adquirir y administrar una larga lista de medicamentos que presenta a los médicos las alternativas de tratamiento, así como la descripción académica colegiada de indicaciones, dosis, efectos secundarios, interacciones y análisis de costo-beneficio, con lo que se facilita la prescripción médica y la administración de insumos para la salud. El Comité de Ética y Transparencia en la Relación Médico-Industria emite diversas recomendaciones para la optimización de los beneficios generados por los cuadros básico de medicamentos.

[Early clinical trials in paediatric oncology in Spain: a nationwide perspective]. / Ensayos clínicos precoces en oncología pediátrica en España: una perspectiva nacional.

INTRODUCTION: Cancer is the leading cause of death between the first year of life and adolescence, and some types of diseases are still a major challenge in terms of cure. There is, therefore, a major need for new drugs. Recent findings in cancer biology open the door to the development of targeted therapies against individual molecular changes, as well as immunotherapy. Promising results in adult anti-cancer drug development have not yet been translated into paediatric clinical practice. A report is presented on the activity in early paediatric oncology trials (phase I-II) in Spain. MATERIAL AND METHODS: All members of the Spanish Society of Paediatric Haematology Oncology (SEHOP) were contacted in order to identify early clinical trials in paediatric cancer opened between 2005 and 2015. RESULTS: A total of 30 trials had been opened in this period: 21 (70%) in solid tumours, and 9 (30%) in malignant haemopathies. A total of 212 patients have been enrolled. The majority was industry sponsored (53%). Since 2010, four centres have joined the international consortium of Innovative Therapies for Children with Cancer (ITCC), which has as its aim to develop novel therapies for paediatric tumours. A significant number of new studies have opened since 2010, improving the treatment opportunities for our children. Results of recently closed trials show the contribution of Spanish investigators, the introduction of molecularly targeted agents, and their benefits. CONCLUSIONS: The activity in clinical trials has increased in the years analysed. The SEHOP is committed to develop and participate in collaborative academic trials, in order to help in the advancement and optimisation of existing therapies in paediatric cancer.

Agentes antitrombóticos en Terapia Intensiva: manejo práctico de los nuevos anticoagulantes orales directos / Antithrombotic agents in Intensive therapy: management practical of the new oral oral anticoagulants

Los nuevos anticoagulantes orales compiten actualmente, con alguna ventaja, con la terapéutica tradicional en la prevención de la cardioembolia en fibrilación auricular, y en la prevención y el tratamiento de la enfermedad tromboembólica venosa. Estudios recientes han demostrado una eficacia equivalente a la de los antagonistas de la vitamina K, con un mejor perfil de seguridad. Además, superan algunos inconvenientes de estos antagonistas, como la necesidad de ajuste de dosis y el monitoreo frecuente de la RIN, las múltiples interacciones farmacológicas y los cuidados con la dieta. Pero con los nuevos agentes debemos ser cautos, porque el riesgo de sangrado puede aumentar significativamente en ciertos grupos de pacientes con insuficiencia renal, añosos o muy frágiles. Aunque se emplean usualmente en dosis fijas, en casos especiales (peso <50 kg, edad avanzada, disfunción renal, alto riesgo de sangrado), esta dosis se debe modificar. Si bien, en la práctica clínica, no es necesario hacer pruebas de monitoreo de la coagulación, no contamos con pruebas adecuadas para evaluar su eficacia clínica y tampoco tenemos hoy, en nuestro medio, un antídoto eficaz en caso de sangrado importante. Sin embargo, se están realizando estudios con nuevas pruebas de hemostasia que pueden ayudarnos a interpretar el nivel de anticoagulación en estos pacientes y ya se han desarrollado antídotos para algunos de los anticoagulantes de acción directa que pronto estarán disponibles en nuestro medio.(AU)

New oral anticoagulants represent an interesting alternative to traditional therapy for the prevention of stroke in atrial fibrillation, and the thromboprophylaxis and treatment of venous thromboembolic disease. Several studies demonstrated equivalent efficacy to that of vitamin K antagonists with a more favourable safety profile. New oral anticoagulants overcome some of the main problems of these antagonists: the need of tailoring dosing, frequent interactions with other drugs and diet. But physicians have to keep in mind that new oral anticoagulants are not absolutely free of complications, and must be cautious with patients at high risk of bleeding. Also in special cases (<50 kg, advanced age, renal impairment) the usual dose must be adapted. At present there are not specific tests to evaluate the effect of these new anticoagulants, although it is usually not necessary to do any coagulation test in clinical practice. Another concern regarding new oral anticoagulants is the absence of specific antidotes, although specific antidotes are under clinical investigation and are soon going to be available in our country.(AU)

[Contributions of SGLT-2 and new drugs under investigation]. / Aportaciones de los SGLT-2 y nuevos fármacos en investigación.

DeFronzo spoke of the "ominous octet", in which he referred to the existence of distinct pathways and organs related to the physiopathology of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2). One of these key organs is the kidney, which plays an important role in regulating glucose metabolism through gluconeogenesis and through glomerular filtration and glucose reabsorption in the proximal convoluted tubules. Approximately 180 g of glucose are filtered to the renal tubule from the blood stream through the glomerulus. The filtrate is subsequently reabsorbed from the tubules to the peritubular capillaries through the action of sodium glucose cotransporters (SGLT). There are 2 main cotransporters in the kidney, SGLT1 and SGLT2, which reabsorb the glucose (10% and 90%, respectively) and return it to the blood. In persons with DM2, SGLT2 is increased, leading to greater renal absorption of glucose, which has adverse effects as it contributes to the maintenance of hyperglycemia. Selective pharmacological SGLT2 inhibition increases renal glucose excretion and secondarily reduces its plasma values. SGLT2 inhibitors act exclusively on the kidney, reduce glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) by about 0.66%, decrease blood pressure, and induce a weight loss of approximately 1.8 kg. These drugs have a low risk of hypoglycemia but carry an increased risk of genitourinary infections. Several clinical trials have shown that dapagliflozin (10mg/day), the first SGLT2 inhibitor commercialized in Spain, produces a statistically significant reduction in HbA1c of 0.82-0.97%, both in monotherapy and in combination with metformin, glimepiride, pioglitazone, or insulin. Its use produces a weight loss of between 2 and 3 kg and reduces both systolic and diastolic blood pressure, while the risk of hypoglycemias is low.

[New drugs in the treatment of multiple myeloma]. / Nuevos fármacos en el tratamiento del mieloma múltiple.

Progress in the treatment of multiple myeloma in the last decade has been able to delay, but ultimately not to prevent, the development of resistances and most patients still die of the disease or its related complications. New drugs have been developed including new alkylating agents, proteasome inhibitors and immunomodulators but also monoclonal antibodies and drugs with new mechanisms of action. Hopefully, this new generation of targeted agents will improve the results of the initial therapy, avoid relapses and development of resistances and provide better and less toxic options for the relapsed and refractory patient.

[New tuberculosis drugs in resistant and multiresistant tuberculosis]. / Nuevos fármacos antituberculosos en la tuberculosis resistente y multirresistente.

Drug-resistant tuberculosis is a globally emerging problem with a rising incidence. According to the WHO in 2008, 17% of strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, in untreated cases were resistant to at least one drug and 3.6% were resistant to rifampicin and isoniazid, which is called multidrug-resistant tuberculosis. The problem is greater in patients previously treated and in some countries, where rates of multidrug resistance reach 60%. Approximately 5% of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis patients are also resistant to any fluoroquinolone and at least one injectable drug, being called extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis. The treatment of these forms of tuberculosis requires the use of second-line drugs, which causes higher cost, higher toxicity and a longer duration of treatment. There is a need for new compounds with efficacy and safety profiles better than those currently used to treat these forms of tuberculosis. In the last decade different drugs have being reassessed and appeared, which are at different stages of development.