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Safety and Efficacy of Dexamethasone Ophthalmic Insert (Dextenza®) in the Management of Clinically Significant Dry Eye

Safety and Efficacy of Dexamethasone Ophthalmic Insert (Dextenza®) in the Management of Clinically Significant Dry Eye

Status
Terminated
Phases
Phase 4
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT04498468
Enrollment
77
Registered
2020-08-04
Start date
2021-03-16
Completion date
2023-03-03
Last updated
2024-03-15

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Dry Eye

Keywords

ocular surface disease, dexamethasone, ophthalmic steroids, keratoconjuntivitis sicca, dry eye

Brief summary

To determine efficacy and safety profile of dexamethasone 0.4mg lacrimal insert in dry eye related ocular surface inflammation.

Detailed description

Previous studies showed that dexamethasone and loteprednol topical drops have led to favorable results. However, the requirement of frequent instillation of drops by the patients is problematic causing discomfort and blurring of vision and requires remembering and dexterity for instillation, poor compliance is not uncommon. In addition Investigators believe that instillation of drops disturbs the homeostasis of the natural tear film due to physical and chemical trauma due to large drop volume (50 microliters) hammering on the eye surface (which can only hold 7 to 10 microliters). Particularly washing away of the mucin layer that holds all the good ingredients in the tears is harmful to the ocular surface. Therefore, dropless treatment of dry eye is desirable. Dextenza® (dexamethasone ophthalmic insert, Ocular Therapeutix Inc., Bedford, MA) is a corticosteroid intracanalicular insert approved by US-FDA in November 2018 for the treatment of post-surgical ocular inflammation and pain. It is inserted into the lower lacrimal punctum and into the canaliculus. A single insert releases a 0.4 mg dose of dexamethasone for up to 30 days following insertion. Dextenza® is resorbable and does not require removal. Investigators hypothesize that Dextenza® could mimic short-term topical steroid use in a tapering manner in patients with clinically significant dry eye and show efficacy in improving its symptoms and signs, as was previously shown with other steroid preparations. If proven, the use of Dextenza® may shift paradigms in the management of the clinically significant ocular surface disease. To test this hypothesis, investigators propose to study the effects of Dextenza® in the treatment of clinically significant dry eye.

Interventions

DRUGSustained Release Dexamethasone, 0.4 mg

dexamethasone 0.4mg lacrimal insert

OTHERE-Caprolactone-L-Lactide copolymer (PCL) punctal plug

Control eye will receive a tear duct plug without the dexamethasone (EXTENDED WEAR SYNTHETIC ABSORBABLE PUNCTAL PLUG made of E-Caprolactone-L-Lactide copolymer (PCL). Absorbs in 60 to 180 days. Size 0.5mm which is comparable to the study treatment)

Sponsors

Johns Hopkins University
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Outcomes Assessor)

Masking description

The patient and the examining physician/outcomes accessor will be masked. The treating physician cannot be masked.

Intervention model description

Prospective, Double Masked, Interventional Study.

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 100 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

A patient's study eye must meet the following criteria to be eligible for inclusion in the study: * Male or Female Age 18-100 * Capacity to give informed consent * Ability to follow study direction and complete all study visits * A previous or current diagnosis of dry eye by an eye care specialist, whereas treatment is requiring the use of a topical steroid * Able to have a lacrimal plug placement into both lower puncta. If lower puncta are already plugged or cauterized/sealed, upper puncta will be used * Females of childbearing potential unwilling to use reliable form(s) of birth control throughout study period * Clinical diagnosis of dry eye syndrome (DES) or keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS), in which the following has been bilaterally documented in the ophthalmic and medical histories: i. history/diagnosis of dry eye ii. has taken or is on prescription drops (including but not limited to topical steroids, cyclosporine or lifitegrast) * Presence of all of the following in both eyes at Baseline (Day 1): i. Total OSS of 3 or more with at least 2+ corneal staining (0-6) ii. Unanesthetized Schirmer level of \<10 mm at 5 minutes iii. Presence of significant symptoms defined as 30mm or higher score of (1) eye dryness, or (2) eye fatigue, or (3) eye discomfort as measured using VAS, in both eyes. At the baseline visit, the most bothersome symptom (of the three) will be determined and used as the main symptom outcome measure throughout the study.

Exclusion criteria

A patient who meets any of the following criteria will be excluded from the study: * Use of Contact lenses within 1 week of screening visit or during the study * Any ocular surgery (including tear duct cauterization) within the 3 months * Inability to place a lacrimal device into upper or lower puncta of both eyes (if upper in R eye should be upper in the left eye and vice versa) * Inability to participate in the wash out period * Use of topical glaucoma medications (With exception of rescue medication) * Pregnancy, nursing or intention of pregnancy or nursing in the study period. * Monocular patients * Uncontrolled systemic disease (defined as frequent or recent change in the medication regimen) * Patients who are currently on with stable doses of oral steroids, topical cyclosporine or lifitigrast, topical tacrolimus or pimecrolimus are eligible as long as there has been no change in the dose in the last 3 months * Patients who are on topical steroids (With exception of rescue medication) (Patients who have used steroids recently but have been off for at least 2 weeks will be eligible.) * Current enrollment in any other investigational drug or device study or participation of study within 30 days of baseline visit. * Known allergy or sensitivity to any of the clinical or experimental drugs used in this study including history of steroid response.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Efficacy Endpoint as Assessed by Dry Eye Sign Using Ocular Surface Scale (OSS)28 daysOSS will be graded according to the Sjögren's International Collaborative Clinical Alliance (SICCA) grading system. Maximum possible fluorescein score (the punctate epithelial erosions grade + any extra points for modifiers \[central staining, confluent staining, and filaments\]) will be 6 and minimum of 0. Maximum possible conjunctival staining score (the punctate epithelial erosions grade on the temporal and nasal sides) will be 6 and minimum of 0. The total possible maximum OSS, derived by summing the corneal and conjunctival scores, will be 12 for each eye, and minimum OSS will be 0. Higher corneal, conjunctival, and staining scores represent worse outcomes. The difference between the average corneal staining in the treated arm versus the average corneal staining in the sham arm will be compared statistically.
Patient Reported Symptom28 Days(1)eye dryness, (2)eye discomfort, or (3)eye fatigue will be measured using visual analogue scale (0 to 100). The difference between the average bothersome symptom in the treated arm versus the average most bothersome symptom in the sham arm will be compared statistically. Higher VAS scores indicate worse eye dryness, discomfort, or fatigue.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Percentage of Subjects Achieving 2 Severity Grade Improvement in Corneal Staining42 daysCorneal staining responder analysis. Responder is defined as two full severity grade improvement in corneal staining. The percentage of subjects achieving two severity grades improvement in corneal staining (responders) in the treated arm versus sham arm will be compared statistically.
Percentage of Subjects Achieving Improvement in Their Most Bothersome Symptom42 daysSymptom responder analysis. Responder is defined as 30% or more improvement in the most bothersome symptom (VAS score is decreased by 30 points or more). The percentage of subjects achieving a 30% improvement in their most bothersome symptom (responders) in the treated arm versus the sham arm will be compared statistically.

Other

MeasureTime frameDescription
Percentage of Participants With Intraocular Pressure IncreaseAt day 30 and day 42Intraocular Pressure (IOP) measurement obtained using applanation tonometry

Countries

United States

Participant flow

Recruitment details

Single-center, participant- and outcome assessor-masked, randomized controlled trial at the Ocular Surface Disease Clinic of Wilmer Eye Institute, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland, USA.

Participants by arm

ArmCount
All Study Participants
All participants received treatment and control. Treatment: Commercially available Sustained Release Dexamethasone, 0.4 mg intracannalicular insert (DEXTENZA® - Ocular Therapeutix, Bedford, MA) Sustained Release Dexamethasone, 0.4 mg: dexamethasone 0.4mg lacrimal insert Control: FCIProlong® made of E-Caprolactone-L-Lactide copolymer (PCL) (FCI Ophthalmics Inc., Pembroke, MA) E-Caprolactone-L-Lactide copolymer (PCL) punctal plug: Control eye will receive a tear duct plug without the dexamethasone (EXTENDED WEAR SYNTHETIC ABSORBABLE PUNCTAL PLUG made of E-Caprolactone-L-Lactide copolymer (PCL). Absorbs in 60 to 180 days. Size 0.5mm which is comparable to the study treatment)
75
All Study Participants
All participants received treatment and control. Treatment: Commercially available Sustained Release Dexamethasone, 0.4 mg intracannalicular insert (DEXTENZA® - Ocular Therapeutix, Bedford, MA) Sustained Release Dexamethasone, 0.4 mg: dexamethasone 0.4mg lacrimal insert Control: FCIProlong® made of E-Caprolactone-L-Lactide copolymer (PCL) (FCI Ophthalmics Inc., Pembroke, MA) E-Caprolactone-L-Lactide copolymer (PCL) punctal plug: Control eye will receive a tear duct plug without the dexamethasone (EXTENDED WEAR SYNTHETIC ABSORBABLE PUNCTAL PLUG made of E-Caprolactone-L-Lactide copolymer (PCL). Absorbs in 60 to 180 days. Size 0.5mm which is comparable to the study treatment)
150
Total225

Withdrawals & dropouts

PeriodReasonFG000
Overall StudyLost to Follow-up3

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicAll Study Participants
Age, Customized
Age Categories of Participants
18-29 years
2 Participants
Age, Customized
Age Categories of Participants
30-39 years
8 Participants
Age, Customized
Age Categories of Participants
40-49 years
10 Participants
Age, Customized
Age Categories of Participants
50-59 years
19 Participants
Age, Customized
Age Categories of Participants
60-69 years
23 Participants
Age, Customized
Age Categories of Participants
70-79 years
12 Participants
Age, Customized
Age Categories of Participants
80 years or older
1 Participants
Anterior Blepharitis
No
44 Participants
Anterior Blepharitis
Yes
31 Participants
Conjunctival Scarring/Punctal stenosis
No
69 Participants
Conjunctival Scarring/Punctal stenosis
Yes
6 Participants
Corneal Haze/Scarring
No
72 Participants
Corneal Haze/Scarring
Yes
3 Participants
Corneal Vascularization
No
74 Participants
Corneal Vascularization
Yes
1 Participants
History of Corneal Ulceration
No
73 Participants
History of Corneal Ulceration
Yes
2 Participants
Posterior Blepharitis
No
6 Participants
Posterior Blepharitis
Yes
69 Participants
Pseudophakia
No
60 Participants
Pseudophakia
Yes
15 Participants
Punctal plugs
No
48 Participants
Punctal plugs
Yes
27 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
American Indian or Alaska Native
1 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Asian
6 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Black or African American
10 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
More than one race
0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
3 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
White
55 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
65 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
10 Participants
Sjögren's
No
48 Participants
Sjögren's
Yes
27 Participants
Visually Significant Cataract
No
40 Participants
Visually Significant Cataract
Yes
35 Participants

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
EG001
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
0 / 770 / 77
other
Total, other adverse events
19 / 7710 / 77
serious
Total, serious adverse events
1 / 771 / 77

Outcome results

Primary

Efficacy Endpoint as Assessed by Dry Eye Sign Using Ocular Surface Scale (OSS)

OSS will be graded according to the Sjögren's International Collaborative Clinical Alliance (SICCA) grading system. Maximum possible fluorescein score (the punctate epithelial erosions grade + any extra points for modifiers \[central staining, confluent staining, and filaments\]) will be 6 and minimum of 0. Maximum possible conjunctival staining score (the punctate epithelial erosions grade on the temporal and nasal sides) will be 6 and minimum of 0. The total possible maximum OSS, derived by summing the corneal and conjunctival scores, will be 12 for each eye, and minimum OSS will be 0. Higher corneal, conjunctival, and staining scores represent worse outcomes. The difference between the average corneal staining in the treated arm versus the average corneal staining in the sham arm will be compared statistically.

Time frame: 28 days

Population: Only 75 (150 eyes) patients' data were analyzed as 2 patients were lost to follow-up before 28 days.

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Treatment ArmEfficacy Endpoint as Assessed by Dry Eye Sign Using Ocular Surface Scale (OSS)Day 28 Corneal Staining Mean Staining - Subgroup 60+2.13 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.36
Treatment ArmEfficacy Endpoint as Assessed by Dry Eye Sign Using Ocular Surface Scale (OSS)Day 28 Conjunctival Staining Mean Staining3.01 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 1.89
Treatment ArmEfficacy Endpoint as Assessed by Dry Eye Sign Using Ocular Surface Scale (OSS)Day 28 Corneal Staining Mean Staining - Subgroup 18-592.14 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 1.29
Treatment ArmEfficacy Endpoint as Assessed by Dry Eye Sign Using Ocular Surface Scale (OSS)Day 28 Conjunctival Staining Mean Staining - Subgroup 18-593.50 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 2.35
Treatment ArmEfficacy Endpoint as Assessed by Dry Eye Sign Using Ocular Surface Scale (OSS)Day 28 Corneal Staining Subgroup analysis by Sjögren's status - Yes2.54 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 1.2
Treatment ArmEfficacy Endpoint as Assessed by Dry Eye Sign Using Ocular Surface Scale (OSS)Day 28 Conjunctival Staining Mean Staining - Subgroup 60+2.69 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 1.89
Treatment ArmEfficacy Endpoint as Assessed by Dry Eye Sign Using Ocular Surface Scale (OSS)Day 28 Conjunctival Staining Subgroup analysis by Sjögren's status - Yes3.31 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 2.39
Treatment ArmEfficacy Endpoint as Assessed by Dry Eye Sign Using Ocular Surface Scale (OSS)Day 28 Corneal Staining Subgroup analysis by Sjögren's status - No1.82 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 1.43
Treatment ArmEfficacy Endpoint as Assessed by Dry Eye Sign Using Ocular Surface Scale (OSS)Day 28 Conjunctival Staining Subgroup analysis by Sjögren's status - No2.88 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 1.93
Treatment ArmEfficacy Endpoint as Assessed by Dry Eye Sign Using Ocular Surface Scale (OSS)Day 28 Corneal Staining Mean Staining2.15 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 1.31
Control ArmEfficacy Endpoint as Assessed by Dry Eye Sign Using Ocular Surface Scale (OSS)Day 28 Conjunctival Staining Subgroup analysis by Sjögren's status - No3.59 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 1.41
Control ArmEfficacy Endpoint as Assessed by Dry Eye Sign Using Ocular Surface Scale (OSS)Day 28 Corneal Staining Mean Staining2.70 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 1.33
Control ArmEfficacy Endpoint as Assessed by Dry Eye Sign Using Ocular Surface Scale (OSS)Day 28 Corneal Staining Mean Staining - Subgroup 18-592.64 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 1.55
Control ArmEfficacy Endpoint as Assessed by Dry Eye Sign Using Ocular Surface Scale (OSS)Day 28 Corneal Staining Mean Staining - Subgroup 60+3.06 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 1.12
Control ArmEfficacy Endpoint as Assessed by Dry Eye Sign Using Ocular Surface Scale (OSS)Day 28 Corneal Staining Subgroup analysis by Sjögren's status - Yes3.23 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 1.42
Control ArmEfficacy Endpoint as Assessed by Dry Eye Sign Using Ocular Surface Scale (OSS)Day 28 Corneal Staining Subgroup analysis by Sjögren's status - No2.59 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 1.23
Control ArmEfficacy Endpoint as Assessed by Dry Eye Sign Using Ocular Surface Scale (OSS)Day 28 Conjunctival Staining Mean Staining3.69 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 1.69
Control ArmEfficacy Endpoint as Assessed by Dry Eye Sign Using Ocular Surface Scale (OSS)Day 28 Conjunctival Staining Mean Staining - Subgroup 18-592.69 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 1.89
Control ArmEfficacy Endpoint as Assessed by Dry Eye Sign Using Ocular Surface Scale (OSS)Day 28 Conjunctival Staining Mean Staining - Subgroup 60+3.88 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 1.41
Control ArmEfficacy Endpoint as Assessed by Dry Eye Sign Using Ocular Surface Scale (OSS)Day 28 Conjunctival Staining Subgroup analysis by Sjögren's status - Yes4.09 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 1.55
Comparison: Corneal staining sub-group analysis, day 28, 60+ year old subgroup.p-value: 0.04795% CI: [-1.86, -0.02]t-test, 2 sided
Comparison: Corneal staining sub-group analysis, day 28, Sjogren's subgroup.p-value: 0.0895% CI: [-1.49, 0.1]t-test, 2 sided
Comparison: Corneal staining analysis, day 28.p-value: 0.00395% CI: [-0.91, -0.19]t-test, 2 sided
Comparison: Corneal staining sub-group analysis, day 28, 18-59 year old subgroup.p-value: 0.1995% CI: [-1.28, 0.28]t-test, 2 sided
Comparison: Corneal staining sub-group analysis, day 28, non-Sjogren's subgroup.p-value: 0.0995% CI: [-1.67, 0.14]t-test, 2 sided
Comparison: Conjunctival staining analysis, day 28p-value: <0.00195% CI: [-1.05, -0.3]t-test, 2 sided
Comparison: Conjunctival staining sub-group analysis, day 28, 18-59 year old subgroup.p-value: 0.5895% CI: [-1.04, 0.61]t-test, 2 sided
Comparison: Conjunctival staining sub-group analysis, day 28, 60+ year old subgroup.p-value: 0.02195% CI: [-2.17, -0.21]t-test, 2 sided
Comparison: Conjunctival staining sub-group analysis, day 28, Sjogren's subgroup.p-value: 0.1695% CI: [-1.88, 0.34]t-test, 2 sided
Comparison: Conjunctival staining sub-group analysis, day 28, non-Sjogren's subgroup.p-value: 0.09795% CI: [-1.55, 0.14]t-test, 2 sided
Primary

Patient Reported Symptom

(1)eye dryness, (2)eye discomfort, or (3)eye fatigue will be measured using visual analogue scale (0 to 100). The difference between the average bothersome symptom in the treated arm versus the average most bothersome symptom in the sham arm will be compared statistically. Higher VAS scores indicate worse eye dryness, discomfort, or fatigue.

Time frame: 28 Days

Population: Only 75 (150 eyes) patients' data were analyzed as 2 patients were lost to follow-up before 28 days.

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Treatment ArmPatient Reported SymptomDay 28 Eye Fatigue VAS Mean Score43.7 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 27.5
Treatment ArmPatient Reported SymptomDay 28 Eye Dryness VAS Mean Score49.3 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 26.4
Treatment ArmPatient Reported SymptomDay 28 Eye Discomfort VAS Mean Score50.3 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 27.7
Control ArmPatient Reported SymptomDay 28 Eye Dryness VAS Mean Score54.8 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 23
Control ArmPatient Reported SymptomDay 28 Eye Discomfort VAS Mean Score50.6 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 26
Control ArmPatient Reported SymptomDay 28 Eye Fatigue VAS Mean Score45.0 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 26.7
Comparison: Eye dryness, day 28p-value: 0.06995% CI: [-11.4, 0.4]t-test, 2 sided
Comparison: VAS Eye discomfort, Day 28p-value: 0.9295% CI: [-7, 6.3]t-test, 2 sided
Comparison: VAS eye fatigue, day 28p-value: 0.5595% CI: [-5.8, 3.1]t-test, 2 sided
Secondary

Percentage of Subjects Achieving 2 Severity Grade Improvement in Corneal Staining

Corneal staining responder analysis. Responder is defined as two full severity grade improvement in corneal staining. The percentage of subjects achieving two severity grades improvement in corneal staining (responders) in the treated arm versus sham arm will be compared statistically.

Time frame: 42 days

Population: 74 (148 eyes) patients' data were analyzed as 3 patients were lost to follow-up before 42 days.

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
Treatment ArmPercentage of Subjects Achieving 2 Severity Grade Improvement in Corneal Staining32 Percentage of responders
Control ArmPercentage of Subjects Achieving 2 Severity Grade Improvement in Corneal Staining26 Percentage of responders
p-value: 0.4295% CI: [0.8, 2]McNemar
Secondary

Percentage of Subjects Achieving Improvement in Their Most Bothersome Symptom

Symptom responder analysis. Responder is defined as 30% or more improvement in the most bothersome symptom (VAS score is decreased by 30 points or more). The percentage of subjects achieving a 30% improvement in their most bothersome symptom (responders) in the treated arm versus the sham arm will be compared statistically.

Time frame: 42 days

Population: 74 (148 eyes) patients' data were analyzed as 3 patients were lost to follow-up before 42 days.

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
Treatment ArmPercentage of Subjects Achieving Improvement in Their Most Bothersome Symptom38 Percentage of responders
Control ArmPercentage of Subjects Achieving Improvement in Their Most Bothersome Symptom37 Percentage of responders
p-value: 195% CI: [0.76, 1.42]McNemar
Other Pre-specified

Percentage of Participants With Intraocular Pressure Increase

Intraocular Pressure (IOP) measurement obtained using applanation tonometry

Time frame: At day 30 and day 42

Population: 75 (150 eyes) patients' data were analyzed at day 30. 74 (148 eyes) patients' data were analyzed at day 42.

ArmMeasureGroupValue (NUMBER)
Treatment ArmPercentage of Participants With Intraocular Pressure IncreaseDay 30 : Raised intraocular pressure (increase by 5-10 mm Hg from baseline)12 percentage of subjects with IOP increase
Treatment ArmPercentage of Participants With Intraocular Pressure IncreaseDay 30 : Raised intraocular pressure (increase by >10 mm Hg from baseline)0 percentage of subjects with IOP increase
Treatment ArmPercentage of Participants With Intraocular Pressure IncreaseDay 42 : Raised intraocular pressure (increase by 5-10 mm Hg from baseline)11 percentage of subjects with IOP increase
Treatment ArmPercentage of Participants With Intraocular Pressure IncreaseDay 42 : Raised intraocular pressure (increase by >10 mm Hg from baseline)3 percentage of subjects with IOP increase
Control ArmPercentage of Participants With Intraocular Pressure IncreaseDay 42 : Raised intraocular pressure (increase by >10 mm Hg from baseline)1 percentage of subjects with IOP increase
Control ArmPercentage of Participants With Intraocular Pressure IncreaseDay 30 : Raised intraocular pressure (increase by 5-10 mm Hg from baseline)1 percentage of subjects with IOP increase
Control ArmPercentage of Participants With Intraocular Pressure IncreaseDay 42 : Raised intraocular pressure (increase by 5-10 mm Hg from baseline)4 percentage of subjects with IOP increase
Control ArmPercentage of Participants With Intraocular Pressure IncreaseDay 30 : Raised intraocular pressure (increase by >10 mm Hg from baseline)0 percentage of subjects with IOP increase

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026