Novel Combination Boosts Survival in Unresectable Liver Cancer
The PD-1 inhibitor camrelizumab combined with the VEGFR2-targeted inhibitor rivoceranib (also known as apatinib) significantly improved survival compared with sorafenib (Nexavar) alone for the treatment of patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a randomized phase III trial showed. At a median follow-up of 7.8 months, the median progression-free survival was 5.6 months with the two […]
Protein found to protect females against obesity
Associated with poorer mental health outcomes and reduced quality of life, obesity is on the rise in the United States. Currently, more than 30% of American adults are classified as obese. A risk factor for several diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and COVID-19, obesity is an important and growing public health concern. Using a mouse […]
Uncontrolled HIV a Risk Factor for Severe Mpox, Global Analysis Confirms
BRISBANE, Australia — The elevated risk of severe mpox in people living with HIV appeared restricted to those with uncontrolled HIV or immunosuppression from other conditions, according to an update on the global outbreak from World Health Organization (WHO) researchers. Of more than 32,000 cases of mpox (formerly monkeypox) reported worldwide where patients’ HIV status […]
Pediatric Allergic March Supported by Nationwide EHR Data
A typical allergic march started with atopic dermatitis during infancy and progressed to other allergies later in life, a multi-state study found. In total, 13.4% of pediatric study participants had two or more allergic conditions based on electronic health record (EHR) information, reported David A. Hill, MD, PhD, of Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and coauthors. […]
Transplant May Be Reasonable for Certain CRC Patients With Liver Mets
For a select group of patients with colorectal cancer and unresectable liver metastases, liver transplant may be a reasonable option, according to results from a prospective, nonrandomized controlled cohort study. Overall, among 61 patients who underwent liver transplant, the median disease-free survival (DFS) was 11.8 months (95% CI 9.3-14.2), with a 5-year DFS rate of […]
Arthritis and Long COVID: A Double Whammy
“Long COVID” lays a particularly heavy burden on people with pre-existing arthritis, a Canadian survey study indicated. Worsened pain and greater functional limitations relative to their status prior to COVID-19 infection were reported by most individuals in Laval, Quebec, who had some type of arthritis and developed post-acute COVID symptoms following initial infection, according to […]
Near-Zero Risk of HIV Transmission With Low Viral Loads
BRISBANE, Australia – The risk of sexual transmission of HIV with viral loads of less than 1,000 copies per mL was almost zero, according to a meta-analysis and systematic review. In eight studies involving 7,762 serodiscordant couples across 25 countries, there were two cases of possible transmission among patients who had detectable viral loads that […]
PPIs Linked to Worse Outcomes With Widely Used Breast Cancer Drug
Using proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) during treatment with palbociclib (Ibrance) was linked to higher risks of progression and death among patients with breast cancer, according to a retrospective cohort study from South Korea. Among over 1,300 women, the median clinical progression-free survival (PFS) in the group taking both a PPI and palbociclib was 25.3 months […]
Senate Committee Advances Pandemic Preparedness Legislation
The Senate Health, Education, Labor & Pensions (HELP) Committee voted 17-3 with relatively little fanfare Thursday to send pandemic preparedness legislation to the full Senate for a vote. “I don’t think any of us will ever forget we have lost over a million Americans from COVID,” Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), chair of the HELP Committee, […]
Circumcision May Be Protective Against HIV in Men Who Have Sex With Men
BRISBANE, Australia — Voluntary medical male circumcision appeared to protect men who have sex with men from acquiring HIV, especially those who primarily practice insertive anal sex, researchers from China reported here. Of the 124 men assigned to undergo circumcision, there were no seroconversions during the 12 months of the randomized controlled trial, while five […]