{"title":"Approved medications for opioid use disorder : current update.","authors":"Michael Soyka","doi":"10.1080/14656566.2025.2507124","DOIUrl":"10.1080/14656566.2025.2507124","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Opioid use disorder (OUD) is recognized as a chronic, relapsing disorder with a high mortality and psychiatric and somatic comorbidity.</p><p><strong>Areas covered: </strong>Existing guidelines and meta-analyses on pharmacotherapy of opioid use disorder were reviewed. Opioid maintenance treatment (OMT) is the generally accepted first line treatment in OUD with oral methadone and buprenorphine being the gold standard. In recent years a number of novel opioids have been introduced into clinical practice including depot formulations of buprenorphine, retarded morphine and heroin (diacetylmorphine). The review refers to the different drugs available and gives an overview on clinical use, side effects, and efficacy in certain subgroups.</p><p><strong>Expert opinion: </strong>OMT is a success story with emerging new pharmacological options available. While oral methadone or buprenorphine still are the most suitable medications for many patients, depot formulations of buprenorphine may improve adherence and facilitate clinical management of many patients. Diacetylmorphine and retarded morphine are second line medications for treatment refractory patients. Future research may focus on responder characteristics for certain medications and efficacy in special subgroups as well as interaction of psychosocial and pharmacological treatments.</p>","PeriodicalId":12184,"journal":{"name":"Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy","volume":" ","pages":"1055-1069"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144076724","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":"Improving the treatment of Pompe disease with enzyme replacement therapy: current strategies and clinical evidence.","authors":"Alberto Corsini","doi":"10.1080/14656566.2025.2491508","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/14656566.2025.2491508","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Pompe disease (PD) is a rare genetic disorder that leads to intralysosomal glycogen accumulation because of a deficiency in the lysosomal enzyme acid α-glucosidase (GAA), which is required to break down glycogen to glucose. Enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) with recombinant human GAA (rhGAA) supplies exogenous GAA to reduce glycogen deposits, thereby improving motor and respiratory functioning.</p><p><strong>Area covered: </strong>The first approved ERT for PD was the rhGAA alglucosidase alfa. Limitations associated with this treatment led to the development of two other rhGAAs: avalglucosidase alfa and cipaglucosidase alfa. This review describes the limitations of alglucosidase alfa and focuses on the strategies used to overcome these limitations, including the conjugation of multiple synthetic bis-M6P - containing hexasaccharides to sialic acids present on the enzyme, thus enhancing M6PR targeting, enzyme uptake, glycogen clearance, and therapeutic outcomes. Efficacy and safety of avalglucosidase alfa in late-onset and infantile-onset PD are also discussed. A brief overview of the newest ERT, cipaglucosidase alfa, is also provided.</p><p><strong>Expert opinion: </strong>While ERT for PD continues to improve with more effective enzymes like avalglucosidase alfa, the future lies in integrated approaches that combine different therapeutic modalities (gene therapy, substrate reduction therapy) and the use of biomarkers to individualize treatment.</p>","PeriodicalId":12184,"journal":{"name":"Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy","volume":"26 7","pages":"835-848"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143971591","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}
Sameer S Deshmukh, Kaustubh S Chaudhari, Arnab Basu, Guru P Sonpavde
{"title":"Current update on pharmacological strategies of penile cancer.","authors":"Sameer S Deshmukh, Kaustubh S Chaudhari, Arnab Basu, Guru P Sonpavde","doi":"10.1080/14656566.2025.2492335","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/14656566.2025.2492335","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Penile cancer considered an orphan malignancy - due to its low incidence - makes research and clinical development challenging. The limited understanding of molecular biology and genetic landscape adds to the complexity of developing effective therapies.</p><p><strong>Areas covered: </strong>This review takes a closer look at how penile cancer treatment has evolved - from traditional modes like surgery and radiation to now vaccines - over the period of time. Breakthroughs in immunotherapy offer a ray of hope alongside treatments like adoptive T-cell therapies (ATCT), anti-angiogenic agents, Antibody-Drug Conjugates (ADCs), and Bispecific Antibodies (BsAbs).</p><p><strong>Expert opinion: </strong>The integration of immunotherapy and targeted therapy has demonstrated promising results, particularly in patients with advanced or metastatic disease. While these advancements bring hope, more research is needed to refine treatment strategies to benefit patients from these novel approaches.</p>","PeriodicalId":12184,"journal":{"name":"Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy","volume":"26 7","pages":"863-878"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144000751","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":"Past, present and future of respiratory syncytial infection prevention in infants and young children.","authors":"Susanna Esposito, Nicola Principi","doi":"10.1080/14656566.2025.2495091","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/14656566.2025.2495091","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":12184,"journal":{"name":"Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy","volume":"26 7","pages":"783-786"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143963900","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":"Developments in pharmacotherapy for the preservation of ovarian function during cancer treatment.","authors":"Volkan Turan, Kutluk Oktay","doi":"10.1080/14656566.2025.2495090","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/14656566.2025.2495090","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Cancer is one of the major causes of human death, and anti-cancer therapy often results in premature ovarian failure and infertility, depending on factors such as age, initial ovarian reserve, and chemotherapy type and dose. Fertility preservation procedures, such as oocyte, embryo, and ovarian cortex cryopreservation, can help women achieve pregnancy after cancer treatment. However, the development of pharmacological therapies to protect ovarian function during chemotherapy would represent a significant advancement.</p><p><strong>Areas covered: </strong>We searched the published articles in PubMed up to December 2024, containing key words '\"chemotherapy\",' 'cancer,' '\"ovarian protection\",' '\"pharmacological therapy\",' '\"ovarian reserve\"' and '\"fertility\".' Chemotherapeutic agents act via various mechanisms in the human ovary, including direct DNA damage leading to oocyte apoptosis, as well as damage to ovarian stroma and microvascular architecture. In recent years, numerous protective agents have emerged, showing promise in protecting ovaries from chemotherapy-induced damage. However, most studies have relied on animal models, and only a limited number have directly tested these agents in human ovarian tissue. At present, no pharmacological treatment has been conclusively proven effective for preserving fertility.</p><p><strong>Expert opinion: </strong>A comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms underlying chemotherapy-induced ovarian damage is critical for the development of efficient and targeted pharmacological therapies.</p>","PeriodicalId":12184,"journal":{"name":"Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy","volume":"26 7","pages":"897-907"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144005215","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":"Osivelotor for the treatment of sickle cell disease.","authors":"Giovanna Cannas","doi":"10.1080/14656566.2025.2489123","DOIUrl":"10.1080/14656566.2025.2489123","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Despite advances in the treatment of sickle cell disease (SCD), an inherited disorder leading to abnormal sickle hemoglobin (HbS) polymerization, patients continue to have a shorter life expectancy comparatively to the general population. Increase in the concentration of oxygenated HbS in red blood cells (RBCs) has been considered as a novel approach to inhibit HbS polymerization and reduce RBC sickling and their complications, raising interest for novel oxygen affinity modulators.</p><p><strong>Areas covered: </strong>This review summarizes the characteristics and primary results obtained with osivelotor, a novel oxygen affinity modulator, for the treatment of SCD. Osivelotor is presented with improved pharmacokinetic properties comparatively to voxelotor. It may enable higher hemoglobin (Hb) occupancy at lower doses potentially leading to significant improvements of clinical outcomes.</p><p><strong>Expert opinion: </strong>The first clinical phase 2/3 trial with osivelotor reported increases of Hb levels and RBC counts, and decrease of RBC sickling. The treatment was apparently well tolerated. However, osivelotor shares the same mechanism of action as voxelotor, and therefore similar limitations regarding its efficacy for which the improvement in Hb level appears misleading. Several issues remain to be resolved before considering any drug approval.</p>","PeriodicalId":12184,"journal":{"name":"Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy","volume":" ","pages":"801-808"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143779527","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}
Matthias Ocker, Christian Mayr, Petra Huber-Cantonati, Tobias Kiesslich, Daniel Neureiter
{"title":"New frontiers in the pharmacological management of biliary tract carcinomas: the emerging role of drug conjugates.","authors":"Matthias Ocker, Christian Mayr, Petra Huber-Cantonati, Tobias Kiesslich, Daniel Neureiter","doi":"10.1080/14656566.2025.2493892","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/14656566.2025.2493892","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Biliary tract cancer (BTC) is a human malignancy with a poor prognosis. However, significant progress has been made in understanding the molecular mechanisms of carcinogenesis, leading to the development of targeted therapy strategies in recent years. The challenge now is to develop new therapeutic concepts to further increase the efficacy of BTC treatments in the coming years.</p><p><strong>Areas covered: </strong>This review covers the emerging and advanced approaches of highly sophisticated antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) and non-ADCs, particularly in relation to BTC. Additionally, the potential advantages and disadvantages of ADCs and non-ADCs regarding toxicities, bioavailability, and efficacy are presented and discussed.</p><p><strong>Expert opinion: </strong>Given the poor prognosis of BTCs, new targeted and precision therapy strategies using drug conjugates - with and without antibodies as drug carriers - have the potential to overcome the limitations of conventional chemotherapy by improving treatment specificity and efficacy while reducing systemic toxicity. However, several open questions remain regarding ADCs and non-ADCs, including chemical design, drug delivery, related diagnostic and therapeutic biomarkers, and combinatory application strategies.</p>","PeriodicalId":12184,"journal":{"name":"Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy","volume":"26 7","pages":"887-896"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143960759","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":"Challenges of anticoagulation in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.","authors":"Luigi Zolio, Hannah Cohen, David Isenberg","doi":"10.1080/14656566.2025.2491509","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/14656566.2025.2491509","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Anticoagulation is frequently required for patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), given their high prevalence of cardiovascular disease and thrombosis, due to the complexity of disease pathophysiology, some overlap with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), comorbidities, prevalent cardiovascular risk factors and treatment complications.</p><p><strong>Areas covered: </strong>This article outlines the epidemiology and pathophysiology of cardiovascular disease and arterial and/or venous thrombosis in SLE, with/without APS. We discuss common cardiovascular comorbidities and thrombotic disorders that may present as a complication of SLE and/or APS and highlight recommendations in current guidelines for anticoagulation management, alongside relevant disease-specific considerations. We specifically comment on the use of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) for venous thromboembolism (VTE) in these patients.</p><p><strong>Expert opinion: </strong>Assessment of cardiovascular risk and aPL profile is paramount in SLE patients. While warfarin is preferred in high-risk APS patients, DOACs can be used in a selected group of SLE and/or APS patients with VTE and no prior history of arterial thrombosis. Initiating anticoagulation in the setting of Catastrophic APS (CAPS) can be extremely challenging. Knowledge gaps remain regarding the management of patients with recurrent arterial and/or venous thrombosis despite anticoagulation. Research is needed to optimize strategies to reduce thrombotic events in APS patients.</p>","PeriodicalId":12184,"journal":{"name":"Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy","volume":"26 7","pages":"849-862"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143963898","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}
Anush Shashidhara, Syed Haider Tahir, Zain Abbas Syed, Jeffrey Lee, Hasan Tahir
{"title":"An update on the pharmacotherapy of osteoporosis.","authors":"Anush Shashidhara, Syed Haider Tahir, Zain Abbas Syed, Jeffrey Lee, Hasan Tahir","doi":"10.1080/14656566.2025.2489122","DOIUrl":"10.1080/14656566.2025.2489122","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Osteoporosis is a chronic metabolic bone disease characterized by progressive bone loss and structural deterioration, increasing fracture risk and morbidity. As the global population ages, its incidence is rising, underscoring the urgent need for more effective prevention and treatment strategies.</p><p><strong>Areas covered: </strong>This review synthesizes the latest evidence and guidelines from leading international societies, establishing a contemporary framework for osteoporosis pharmacotherapy. It emphasizes best practices and explores future directions in treatment optimization and fracture prevention.</p><p><strong>Expert opinion: </strong>To optimize outcomes, enhancing early detection, refining treatment strategies, and prioritizing patient-centered care are essential. Improving diagnosis through increased use of bone mineral density (BMD) assessments and identifying secondary causes are critical steps to addressing underdiagnosis, particularly in men. Pharmacotherapies play a vital role in management; while bisphosphonates serve as a cost-effective first-line treatment, denosumab and anabolic agents like Teriparatide and romosozumab are essential alternatives for high-risk patients. Future directions in osteoporosis management emphasize advancing treatment strategies through novel drug targets and innovative delivery systems, alongside personalized medicine approaches considering individual genetic and comorbidity profiles. Enhanced adherence strategies and further research into combination therapies and monitoring tools are crucial for improving prevention and treatment outcomes, ultimately reducing the fragility fracture burden worldwide.</p>","PeriodicalId":12184,"journal":{"name":"Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy","volume":" ","pages":"821-833"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143779524","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":"Vepdegestrant for the treatment of HR+/HER2- breast cancer.","authors":"Toru Mukohara","doi":"10.1080/14656566.2025.2488456","DOIUrl":"10.1080/14656566.2025.2488456","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>The treatment of advanced hormone receptor-positive (HR+) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HER2-) breast cancer has been improved through the development of endocrine therapy (ET) and targeted agents. However, resistance to ET, particularly caused by <i>ESR1</i> mutations, has not been fully addressed.</p><p><strong>Areas covered: </strong>Vepdegestrant is a first-in-class, selective, and orally bioavailable PROteolysis TArgeting Chimera (PROTAC) estrogen receptor (ER) degrader. Preclinical studies have suggested promising activity of vepdegestrant irrespective of <i>ESR1</i> genotypes. Phase I and II clinical studies have revealed a favorable safety profile and encouraging efficacy of vepdegestrant as a single agent and in combination with other targeted agents.</p><p><strong>Expert opinion: </strong>The results of the phase III VERITAC-2 study, comparing vepdegestrant with fulvestrant, are expected to be available in 2025, and will provide the first data on the true clinical significance of vepdegestrant. Several phase III studies of combinations with vepdegestrant including + atirimociclib (a cyclin-dependent kinase 4 inhibitor) have been or are planned to be conducted. The results of these may not only transform the treatment landscape for advanced HR+/HER2- breast cancer but may pave the way for PROTAC as a new class of anti-cancer drugs that may make previously undruggable targets druggable.</p>","PeriodicalId":12184,"journal":{"name":"Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy","volume":" ","pages":"791-799"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143771623","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}