The Future of ART Regimens for HIV Is in Long-Acting Agents
Recent developments in antiretroviral therapy (ART) include longer-acting therapies that don’t require a daily oral pill and two-drug regimens that could decrease toxicity associated with standard triple-drug regimens. The approval of cabotegravir plus rilpivirine (Cabenuva) in January 2021 was the first to provide both benefits as a monthly ART injection. The approval was expanded to […]
FDA Panel Gives Thumbs Up to Earlier Use of CAR T-Cell Therapy in Multiple Myeloma
Two CAR T-cell therapies for multiple myeloma won favorable recommendations for earlier use in the disease during a day-long meeting of the FDA Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee (ODAC). By an 11-0 vote, ODAC recommended that FDA approve ciltacabtagene autoleucel (cilta-cel, Carvykti) for use as second-line therapy in certain patients with myeloma. Later in the day, […]
AGA Backs Fecal Microbiota-Based Therapies for Recurrent C. Diff
The American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) endorsed the use of fecal microbiota-based therapies for recurrent Clostridioides difficile infections (CDIs) in new guideline recommendations, but advised against such therapies for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The guideline panel first noted that immunocompetent adults with recurrent CDIs should receive fecal microbiota-based therapies upon completion […]
Novel Anti-HER2 Drugs ‘Impressive’ in Advanced Biliary Cancer
CHICAGO — In a pair of mid-stage trials, newer targeted therapies demonstrated meaningful levels of activity against HER2-positive biliary tract cancers in pretreated patients with advanced disease. Cohort 1 of the global HERIZON-BTC-01 study, which included 80 treatment-refractory patients, showed that 41.3% (95% CI 30.4-52.8) responded to zanidatamab, an investigational bispecific monoclonal antibody that targets […]
Can Oncologists Reduce the Suicide Risk in Their Prostate Cancer Patients?
SAN DIEGO — Whether it’s due to the side effects of local and systemic therapies, or the diagnosis itself, men with prostate cancer are at increased risk of mental distress and suicide. The mental health burden associated with a diagnosis and treatment is substantial, pointed out Zachary Klaassen, MD, of the Georgia Cancer Center at […]
‘Resetting’ the injured brain offers clues for concussion treatment: In mice, ‘turning over’ cells reverses cognitive, behavior problems
New research in mice raises the prospects for development of post-concussion therapies that could ward off cognitive decline and depression, two common conditions among people who have experienced a moderate traumatic brain injury. The study in mice clarified the role of specific immune cells in the brain that contribute to chronic inflammation. Using a technique […]
What Makes a Drug Addiction Treatment Effective? Substance Abuse
A combination of various drug addiction therapies works hand in hand to make treatment effective, which is often tailored to a patient’s specific requirements. Various types of drug addiction treatment programs are available. However, the patient may find it difficult to select the one that is beneficial for them. In reality, not one type of […]
Year in Review: HIV
Long-acting therapies headlined a year of continued drug development, both in the treatment and prevention of HIV. Meanwhile, CDC recommended a third dose of a COVID-19 mRNA vaccine for certain patients living with advanced or untreated HIV to boost their protection. Cabotegravir’s Big Year The year started with the approval of cabotegravir-rilpivirine (Cabenuva), the first […]
Regular Blood Work After Gene Therapy Warranted by Rare Condition
Recipients of certain adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector-based gene therapies should be monitored closely for signs of thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA), FDA advisors agreed. “Frequent laboratory assessments are necessary,” said Barry Byrne, MD, PhD, of the University of Florida in Gainesville, based on his observations that patients on onasemnogene abeparvovec (Zolgensma) tend to first show IgM presence […]
Lawmakers Press FDA on Getting ALS Therapies to Patients
House lawmakers urged the FDA to be more flexible in reviewing potential therapies for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and other neurodegenerative diseases, during a hearing of the House Energy & Commerce Health Subcommittee on Thursday. Members also stressed the need to increase diversity in and improve access to clinical trials. Each year, 50 million people […]