Dig in: Sand serves up a possible cure for obesity
Engineered particles of purified sand could be the next anti-obesity therapy as new research from the University of South Australia shows that porous silica can prevent fats and carbohydrates from being adsorbed in the body. The engineered silica particles are made from purified sand and are optimally designed with a high surface area that enables […]
SGLT2 Inhibitors, GLP-1 RAs Not Cost-Effective as First-Line T2D Agents
Although using newer classes of diabetes drugs as first-line therapy can boost life expectancy, this strategy can be quite pricey, according to a cost-effectiveness study. Compared with traditional first-line metformin, first-line SGLT2 inhibitors cost $43,000 more over a lifetime, and first-line GLP-1 receptor agonists cost $49,000 more, reported Neda Laiteerapong, MD, MS, of the University […]
Gene Therapy for Degenerative Brain Disorder Wins FDA Nod
The FDA granted accelerated approval to elivaldogene autotemcel (eli-cel; Skysona), a gene therapy to treat early, active cerebral adrenoleukodystrophy (CALD) in boys ages 4 to 17 years, drugmaker bluebird bio announced Friday. Childhood CALD is a rare, neurologically debilitating form of adrenoleukodystrophy that generally occurs in young boys. It is caused by a mutation in […]
Long-Term ADT With Radiation Helps Prevent Post-Prostatectomy Metastases
PARIS — In men undergoing radiotherapy after radical prostatectomy, 2 years of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) improved outcomes when compared with a shorter course of ADT, according to results from the RADICALS-HD trial. At a median follow-up of more than 9 years, investigators found that the longer ADT duration improved metastasis-free survival (MFS) compared with […]
Maintenance PARP Inhibition Boosts OS in Two Ovarian Cancer Trials
PARIS — Olaparib (Lynparza) maintenance therapy appears to offer a long-term overall survival (OS) benefit for women with ovarian cancer, according to two phase III studies presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) annual congress. At 7 years in the SOLO-1 trial, 67% of patients with advanced BRCA-mutated ovarian cancer treated with the […]
Rezvilutamide Bests Bicalutamide in Metastatic Prostate Cancer
In combination with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), the novel androgen-receptor inhibitor rezvilutamide significantly improved radiographic progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) compared with bicalutamide (Casodex) in patients with high-volume, metastatic, hormone-sensitive prostate cancer, the phase III CHART trial showed. Among 654 mostly Asian patients, median radiographic PFS was not reached in the rezvilutamide group […]
Dual Bronchodilators No Help for Symptomatic Smokers With Preserved Lung Function
Inhaled dual bronchodilator therapy did not decrease respiratory symptoms in former or current smokers with preserved lung function, the RETHINC trial showed. Among 535 symptomatic smokers with a 10 pack-year history and preserved lung function assessed by spirometry, 56.4% in the treatment group and 59.0% in the placebo group had a least a 4-point decrease […]
ADVOR Backs Add-On Acetazolamide for Cutting Congestion in Decompensated HF
BARCELONA — The addition of IV acetazolamide to loop diuretic therapy led to a greater incidence of successful early decongestion in patients with acute decompensated heart failure (HF), according to the ADVOR trial. The primary outcome of successful decongestion within 3 days after randomization was 42.2% with acetazolamide versus 30.5% with placebo (P<0.001), reported Wilfried […]
Remote Behavioral Therapy Works for Kids With Tic Disorder
For reducing tic severity in children with Tourette syndrome, an online behavioral therapy worked as well as internet-based education alone and had better participant response, a small randomized trial found. The intervention — 10 weeks of a therapist-supported, internet-delivered exposure and response prevention (ERP) program — was associated with a mean reduction of 6.08 points […]
Bictegravir-Based Treatment Wins for HIV/HBV Co-Infections
MONTREAL — For individuals infected by both HIV and hepatitis B virus (HBV), the choice of which virus-suppressing therapy to use can make a difference in outcomes, according to 48-week results of the phase III ALLIANCE results reported here. In a head-to-head comparison, fixed doses of either bictegravir, emtricitabine, and tenofovir alafenamide (Biktarvy) or dolutegravir, […]