Use of the targeted agent pacritinib significantly reduced the symptoms and burden of advanced myelofibrosis in patients, says a researcher who co-led PERSIST-1, the worldwide phase 3 clinical trial that tested the therapy. Specifically, pacritinib substantially reduced severe enlargement of the spleen, a typical feature of advanced myelofibrosis, in more than 20 percent of patients and alleviated debilitating side effects in more than 46 percent.
Category: HEALTHCARE/MEDICAL
Phase 2 trial identifies genetic dysfunction that makes many types of cancer vulnerable to an immunotherapy
A team of researchers has identified a genetic malfunction that predicts the effectiveness of response to a groundbreaking immunotherapy. The results of their Phase 2 clinical trial reveal that, regardless of its tissue of origin, tumors whose cells are deficient in repairing mismatched DNA sequences–and so preventing mutations–are far more susceptible to the checkpoint inhibitor pembrolizumab than those that retain this ability.
The cost and quality of cancer care in Health Affairs’ April issue
1. Cancer Mortality Reductions Were Greatest Among Countries Where Cancer Care Spending Rose The Most, 1995-2007.Warren Stevens of Precision Health Economics, Dana P.
Researchers engineer E. coli to produce new forms of popular antibiotic
In Science Advances, University at Buffalo researchers will report that they have managed to turn E. coli into tiny factories for producing new forms of the popular antibiotic erythromycin — including three that were shown in the lab to kill drug-resistant bacteria.
Research Roundup: RUC And Medicare Pay; Rx For Marketplace Patients; Who’s Homebound?
SOURCE: Kaiser Health News – Read entire story here.
Happier Patients, Ban Bad Reviews: Healthcare Career Insights
(MedPage Today) — Must-reads about the latest news and trends in healthcare careers
Dr. Collins interview with NEJM
NEJM interviews Dr. Collins on what can be expected from the Precision Medicine Initiative.
Freezing human eggs a growing US trend
A growing number of US women are choosing to freeze their eggs to give themselves the chance to have children in the future, but questions about the trend remain.
Hybrid ships will soon be on the market
Hybrid cars have been a success. The shipping industry is now moving in the same green direction.
PEPRR intervention successfully reduces stress of cancer caregivers
Stem cell transplant is essential in the care of many blood cancers, but leaves patients requiring in-home care for months after.