{"title":"Current and emerging pharmacotherapies in Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.","authors":"Debopam Samanta, Manan Nath","doi":"10.1080/14656566.2025.2516630","DOIUrl":"10.1080/14656566.2025.2516630","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) is a severe childhood-onset developmental and epileptic encephalopathy characterized by multiple drug-resistant seizures, cognitive impairments, and distinctive EEG patterns. Given its profound impact on patients' quality of life, developing effective pharmacotherapies remains a critical clinical challenge.</p><p><strong>Areas covered: </strong>This review examines FDA-approved medications for LGS (clonazepam, felbamate, lamotrigine, topiramate, rufinamide, clobazam, cannabidiol, and fenfluramine), commonly used off-label antiseizure medications, emerging treatments in clinical trials, and precision therapeutics targeting etiology-specific mechanisms. The literature encompasses randomized controlled trials, observational studies, and expert consensus statements on treatment approaches and challenges.</p><p><strong>Expert opinion: </strong>Despite therapeutic advances, most patients with LGS lack individualized treatment plans with regular adjustments. Current management requires a multimodal approach integrating pharmacotherapy with other interventions. Future progress depends on improved natural history studies, standardized data collection, advanced preclinical models, innovative trial designs, and addressing healthcare inequities. While emerging precision therapies targeting genetic causes show promise, the field urgently needs better strategies to optimize existing treatments while developing disease-modifying approaches that address both seizures and non-seizure outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":12184,"journal":{"name":"Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy","volume":" ","pages":"1133-1147"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144224874","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Predicting treatment response to GLP-1 receptor agonists: still tossing the coin or doing better?","authors":"Maria Apostolopoulou, Theocharis Koufakis","doi":"10.1080/14656566.2025.2517802","DOIUrl":"10.1080/14656566.2025.2517802","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":12184,"journal":{"name":"Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy","volume":" ","pages":"1113-1115"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144233653","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Advancing care in primary biliary cholangitis: emerging insights and novel therapies.","authors":"Marius Vögelin, Andreas E Kremer","doi":"10.1080/14656566.2025.2516622","DOIUrl":"10.1080/14656566.2025.2516622","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is a chronic, cholestatic liver disease, is associated with fatigue and pruritus and can progress to cirrhosis if left untreated. Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) has been the mainstay of therapy for over 40 years. However, 30-40% of PBC patients do not adequately respond to UDCA or have risk factors for disease progression and require second-line treatment.</p><p><strong>Areas covered: </strong>Recent international cohort analyses have provided new insights that enable early identification of high-risk PBC patients and suggest that stricter treatment goals may lower mortality and reduce the need for liver transplantation. Alongside established second-line agents, several promising substances have progressed to phase 2 and 3 trials. Notably, seladelpar and elafibranor, two selective agonists of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors, achieved high rates of biochemical response and good tolerability, leading to their recent approval for second-line treatment of PBC. Moreover, dedicated clinical trials addressed fatigue and pruritus, the two main symptoms of PBC.</p><p><strong>Expert opinion: </strong>Personalized treatment approaches for PBC are both feasible and essential to improve biochemical response, extend transplant-free survival and alleviate symptom burden. Well-tolerated novel therapies are poised to reshape the treatment landscape in the near future.</p>","PeriodicalId":12184,"journal":{"name":"Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy","volume":" ","pages":"1149-1162"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144257672","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"New strategies for the management of biofilms formed by Gram-negative bacteria.","authors":"Cristina Ortega-Portas, Jaime Esteban","doi":"10.1080/14656566.2025.2519692","DOIUrl":"10.1080/14656566.2025.2519692","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>The global rise of multidrug-resistant (MDR) Gram-negative bacteria (GNB) has intensified the threat of chronic and hard-to-treat infections, many of which are associated with biofilm formation. These biofilms confer enhanced resistance to antimicrobials and immune responses, posing a major clinical challenge.</p><p><strong>Areas covered: </strong>This review summarizes the biological mechanisms of biofilm formation in GNB and explores both traditional and novel strategies for their prevention and eradication. The literature search covered peer-reviewed articles from major databases, focusing on therapeutic approaches such as quorum sensing inhibitors, EPS matrix disruptors, phage therapy, nanotechnology, and synergistic drug combinations. The novelty of this review lies in its effort to understand biofilm biology to identify key intervention points and organize therapeutic strategies according to their biological, chemical or physical nature. Emphasis is also placed on combined approaches that simultaneously target multiple components of the biofilm structure.</p><p><strong>Expert opinion: </strong>Despite significant in vitro progress, most antibiofilm strategies remain experimental. Translating these findings into clinical applications requires standardization, in vivo validation, and regulatory alignment. A multidisciplinary approach integrating different agents and targeted drug delivery systems holds promise for improving patient outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":12184,"journal":{"name":"Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy","volume":" ","pages":"1191-1203"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144293607","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The effectiveness and safety of administering antiplatelet medications following reperfusion therapy in patients with ischemic stroke.","authors":"Xiaoning Ju, Ningfen Wang, Yubin Wu, Guoqing Wang","doi":"10.1080/14656566.2025.2521371","DOIUrl":"10.1080/14656566.2025.2521371","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Ischemic stroke is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Although reperfusion therapy enhances patient outcomes, the ideal antiplatelet regimen post-treatment remains unclear. This study investigates the efficacy and safety of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) versus triple antiplatelet therapy (TAT) in ischemic stroke patients after reperfusion.</p><p><strong>Research design and methods: </strong>A retrospective observational analysis was conducted on 730 patients treated at a single institution from January 2018 to December 2023. Patients were divided into two groups: DAPT (aspirin and clopidogrel) or TAT (aspirin, clopidogrel, and tirofiban). Outcomes included neurological improvement via NIHSS scores, functional recovery using mRS, and bleeding complications.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>TAT demonstrated significantly better neurological recovery, with more patients achieving NIHSS ≤ 3 (<i>p</i> < 0.001). All TAT patients had mRS ≤ 2 at 30 days. However, TAT was associated with higher bleeding rates (37.4% vs. 18.8%, <i>p</i> < 0.05). Intravenous thrombolysis increased bleeding risk (OR = 3.95, 95% CI: 1.26-12.44, <i>p</i> = 0.02).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>TAT may enhance neurological recovery but increases bleeding risk. Patient selection and monitoring are crucial, and long-term studies are needed to fully evaluate its risk-benefit profile.</p>","PeriodicalId":12184,"journal":{"name":"Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy","volume":" ","pages":"1245-1254"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144301458","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Eosinophilic esophagitis in children: new kids on the block.","authors":"Cosimo Ruggiero, Giovanna Alfano, Lucy Jackman, Giusy Russo, Danila Volpe, Edward Gaynor, Leanne Goh, Salvatore Oliva, Osvaldo Borrelli","doi":"10.1080/14656566.2025.2517801","DOIUrl":"10.1080/14656566.2025.2517801","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is an immune-mediated disease characterized by esophageal dysfunction and eosinophil rich inflammatory infiltrate. Its incidence is rising globally due to increased awareness, improved diagnostics, and environmental and genetic factors. EoE is driven by a Th2-mediated immune response to food and environmental allergens, leading to chronic inflammation, epithelial barrier dysfunction and progressive esophageal remodeling.</p><p><strong>Areas covered: </strong>This review explores pediatric EoE, focusing on epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and both standard and new treatment strategies. Symptoms vary by age, from feeding difficulties in infants to dysphagia and food impaction in older children. Diagnosis relies on clinical symptoms, endoscopic findings and histologic assessment. Standard treatments include dietary elimination, proton pump inhibitors and topical corticosteroids, while biologic therapies such as dupilumab offer targeted alternatives for refractory cases.</p><p><strong>Expert opinion: </strong>Future research focuses on optimizing treatment sequencing (step-up and step-down approach), exploring non-eosinophil-mediated inflammation, and enhancing noninvasive test to predict disease severity and phenotypes for better long-term management.</p>","PeriodicalId":12184,"journal":{"name":"Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy","volume":" ","pages":"1117-1132"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144257673","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Massimiliano Carassiti, Alessandro Massè, Luca Miceli, Filomena Puntillo, Giuseppe Solarino, Giuseppe Teori, Patrizia Romualdi
{"title":"Expert-based recommendations on acetaminophen for musculoskeletal pain: insights from the Italian MOST pain panel.","authors":"Massimiliano Carassiti, Alessandro Massè, Luca Miceli, Filomena Puntillo, Giuseppe Solarino, Giuseppe Teori, Patrizia Romualdi","doi":"10.1080/14656566.2025.2523976","DOIUrl":"10.1080/14656566.2025.2523976","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Musculoskeletal (MSK) pain remains a prevalent cause of disability and healthcare burden. Acetaminophen is widely used for its safety and accessibility, but its positioning within multimodal pain strategies varies across healthcare systems. The manuscript addresses current prescribing practices, organizational barriers, and opportunities for optimizing acetaminophen use across clinical settings.</p><p><strong>Areas covered: </strong>This expert-based position paper aims to offer practical reflections on the role of acetaminophen in managing acute MSK pain, based on the experience of a multidisciplinary panel of Italian clinicians. The manuscript addresses current prescribing practices, organizational barriers, and opportunities for optimizing acetaminophen use across clinical settings.</p><p><strong>Expert opinion: </strong>Rather than presenting a systematic review, this paper synthesizes experiential knowledge and clinical reasoning drawn from routine practice. The insights may be particularly relevant for healthcare systems undergoing reform or seeking to strengthen pain management strategies for managing acute musculoskeletal pain across all age groups.</p>","PeriodicalId":12184,"journal":{"name":"Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy","volume":" ","pages":"1-10"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144527031","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Yizhuo Xue, Mohammad Hassan Sohouli, Nathalia Sernizon Guimarães
{"title":"The effect of dopamine agonists on cardiometabolic risk factors: a systematic review and meta-analysis.","authors":"Yizhuo Xue, Mohammad Hassan Sohouli, Nathalia Sernizon Guimarães","doi":"10.1080/14656566.2025.2525363","DOIUrl":"10.1080/14656566.2025.2525363","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Despite investigating the various effects of dopamine agonists (DA) on cardiometabolic-related factors, there are conflicting findings in this field. This study aimed to investigate the effect of DA on changes in various factors related to cardiometabolic diseases.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Comprehensive search was performed across five databases using predefined keywords to identify randomized controlled trials investigating the impact of DA on cardiometabolic factors. The combined weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were analyzed using a random-effects model.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Findings from 22 studies demonstrated significant reductions in fasting blood sugar (FBS) (WMD: -16.95 mg/dl; 95% CI: -23.59, -10.31), insulin (WMD: -2.02 µU/ml; 95% CI: -3.63 to -0.40), HOMA-IR (WMD: -0.82; 95% CI: -1.51 to -0.13), and HbA1c (WMD: -0.73; 95% CI: -0.96 to -0.49) as well as Systolic (SBP) (WMD: -3.75 mg/Hg; 95% CI: -6.25, -1.25) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (WMD: -3.45 mg/Hg; 95% CI: -5.55, -1.36) levels following intervention with DA compared to the control group. Subgroup analyses provided additional insights, revealing that bromocriptine had a more pronounced effect on glucose metabolism markers than other DA.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>It appears that DA, along with other lifestyle factors, can lead to significant improvements in some factors associated with cardiometabolic.</p>","PeriodicalId":12184,"journal":{"name":"Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy","volume":" ","pages":"1-11"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-06-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144474405","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Victor M Samperio, Ifeoma Ike, Constantin A Dasanu
{"title":"Selecting optimal therapy for large granular lymphocytic (LGL) leukemia: current state and future prospects based on molecularly-defined characterization.","authors":"Victor M Samperio, Ifeoma Ike, Constantin A Dasanu","doi":"10.1080/14656566.2025.2522811","DOIUrl":"10.1080/14656566.2025.2522811","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":12184,"journal":{"name":"Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy","volume":" ","pages":"1-3"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-06-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144324898","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}