The RTS,S/AS01E vaccine provides sustained protection against malaria for at least 15 months after vaccination, making it a promising public-health intervention. The vaccine works by attacking the malaria parasite in its early stages, preventing infection of red blood cells and serious symptoms.
Patients with high blood pressure respond better to combination therapy from the start of treatment, with a mean reduction in systolic blood pressure of 6.5 mm Hg. After switching to combination therapy, patients who initially received monotherapy show improvement but not to the same extent as those on combination therapy from the start.
The PARSPORT trial found that intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) spares the major salivary glands, reducing xerostomia and improving quality of life in head and neck cancer patients. IMRT significantly reduces the incidence of dry mouth and leads to recovery of saliva secretion.
India faces significant challenges in its public health-care system, including infectious diseases, maternal and child mortality, chronic diseases, and inequities. Experts call for a universal health-care system to be established by 2020, with a focus on improving infrastructure, human resources, and access to care.
A new three-drug regimen including docetaxel has been shown to significantly improve the long-term survival of patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer. The addition of docetaxel to a standard two-drug chemotherapy regimen reduced the likelihood of death by 26% over six years, according to results from the TAX 324 trial.
The Lancet Editorial backs the Academy of Medical Sciences' proposal for a single health research agency to streamline current arrangements and improve oversight. The new agency would house National Research Ethics Service and take responsibility for specialist research ethics approvals.
A study by the Rakai Health Sciences Program in Uganda found that male circumcision significantly reduced high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in female partners of HIV-negative men. The protection is partial, and safe sex practices remain essential. Circumcision also increased clearance of HPV infections in women.
A new study found that supplementing antibiotics with high-dose vitamin D can significantly reduce the time needed for TB bacteria to clear from sputum culture by almost a week in patients with specific genetic profiles. The treatment improved response in those with the tt genotype of the TaqI vitamin D receptor polymorphism.
The Lancet's Editorial in 1911 highlighted issues such as tuberculosis, occupational health, and homoeopathy, which remain relevant today. The journal has made significant advances in medicine since then, including modernizing medical education.
A new model, fullPIERS, predicts adverse maternal outcomes in pre-eclampsia with high accuracy and identifies risk categories for clinicians. The model is built on six variables and performs well in predicting outcomes within 48 hours of hospital admission.
Survival rates for breast, ovarian, colorectal, and lung cancer are higher in Australia, Canada, and Sweden compared to the UK and Denmark. International differences narrowed for breast cancer, but significant disparities remain in other cancers.
The PRIMA study found that rituximab-maintenance therapy significantly improved progression-free survival and response rates compared to no treatment in patients with follicular lymphoma. After 2 years, 71.5% of patients in the rituximab group achieved complete or unconfirmed complete response compared to 52.2% in the observation group.
A study published in The Lancet found that deworming treatment during pregnancy does not affect infant immune responses to vaccines or infectious disease incidence. The authors suggest that the value of this intervention should be re-examined, and policy recommendations be reviewed.
Patients who develop an acne-like skin rash after starting chemotherapy and cetuximab treatment have better overall survival, progression-free survival, and response rates compared to those without a rash. The study suggests that an early skin rash could be a predictor of treatment success in lung cancer patients.
The UK is experiencing a resurgence of tuberculosis, with London accounting for over 40% of all TB cases. The disease is concentrated in high-risk groups, including migrants, homeless people, and prisoners. Experts call for urgent recommendations to be implemented to control the spread.
A head-to-head trial found that the adjuvanted split-virus vaccine achieved a more rapid and stronger immune response than the whole-virus vaccine. In young adults, a single dose of the adjuvanted vaccine induced early seroprotection within one week, suggesting potential for reduced dosing frequency.
A UK doctor shares a poignant story of an elderly patient struggling with loneliness, highlighting the need for companionship and support. The Lancet argues that tackling loneliness requires a multi-faceted approach, including social clubs, workshops, and simply spending time with neighbors.
A cluster randomised trial found that a collaborative stepped-care intervention led by lay health counsellors significantly improved recovery rates from common mental disorders among patients attending public primary care facilities. The intervention showed a greater effect in public facilities compared to private ones.
A study found that transvaginal ultrasound screening can detect endometrial cancer in asymptomatic postmenopausal women with good sensitivity and specificity. The optimal cutoff for endometrial thickness was 5.15mm, detecting 80.5% of cancer cases
The Lancet criticizes Canada and Quebec governments for exporting asbestos, a cause of deadly mesothelioma, to developing countries. The export will continue due to a loan guarantee, sparking protests and concerns about the exploitation of vulnerable populations.
Women with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) who undergo radiotherapy after surgery experience a significant reduction in local cancer recurrences and invasive disease, with the effect lasting long-term. Treatment with tamoxifen also reduces recurrence rates, particularly in the opposite breast.
A study published in The Lancet found that daily low-dose aspirin reduced death rates from a range of common cancers by 21% during trials. Long-term follow-up showed that the risk of cancer death remained 20-60% lower in groups who had previously been allocated aspirin.
The internet can provide anonymous space for expressing oneself and finding sympathetic listeners, but also poses risks of bullying, cyberbullying, and exposure to harmful information. Experts call for new public health initiatives to address the complex issue of online suicide prevention.
A new study has identified promising biomarkers for Huntington's disease that could be used to track disease progression and test potential disease-modifying treatments. Biomarkers were found in brain imaging techniques, including whole-brain and striatal atrophy, which increased at a higher rate in individuals with the disease.
Critically ill patients with bloodstream infections and pneumonia face a greatly increased risk of dying, but the impact of antimicrobial resistance on patient outcomes is relatively small. The study analyzed data from over 500 intensive care units in ten European countries, finding that infections directly worsen outcomes for patients.
Global heterogeneity in HIV-1 strains affects properties like viral fitness and transmissibility. New forms will continue to emerge, necessitating updated prevention and control strategies.
A modelling study shows that rectal artesunate can avert 967 DALYs at a cost of $77 per DALY averted, making it a critical stop-gap for treating severe childhood malaria in areas with poor access to healthcare. The intervention has the potential to improve management of sick children at the household and community level.
A major report by The Lancet Commission calls for radical reforms in medical education to equip healthcare professionals with the skills needed to address 21st century challenges. Key findings include the need for competency-based curricula, interprofessional education, and the promotion of a new professionalism.
Research suggests that most women with small HER2-positive breast cancers could benefit from trastuzumab treatment due to the favorable prognosis and low risk of recurrence. The authors recommend discussing the benefits and risks of adjuvant trastuzumab with patients.
A study published in The Lancet reveals that passive smoking claims the lives of over 600,000 people each year globally, mostly among children. The research found that children are more heavily exposed to second-hand smoke than other age groups, and their exposure can have devastating effects on their health.
A new drug treatment, tribendimidine, has shown promising activity against Opisthorchis viverrini infection, with a cure rate of 70% and almost complete egg elimination. The study suggests that tribendimidine is as safe and effective as the current standard treatment, praziquantel.
Patients with abnormal liver function who receive statin treatment show improved liver function and reduced risk of cardiovascular events. Long-term statin treatment is a safe and promising strategy for patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
A recent study found that inactivated flu vaccines are effective in preventing influenza in infants under 2 years old. The research suggests that most countries' current vaccination guidelines should be reassessed to prioritize infant protection against the virus.
Researchers analyzed over 920,000 adults and found that a faster kidney filtration rate and higher protein levels in the urine increased the risk of acute kidney injury. The study suggests using both kidney function data and proteinuria to identify individuals at risk.
The Lancet Review highlights the need for targeted healthcare resources in prisons, where millions of marginalized individuals are often beyond community health services reach. Prisoners' health problems become public health concerns upon release, and reforming medical services could substantially improve public health.
Researchers report a case of an 18-year-old man experiencing asthma attacks triggered by logging into Facebook. The doctors suggest hyperventilation due to seeing his girlfriend's profile may have caused these episodes. They propose considering social networks as a potential trigger for exacerbations in depressed asthmatic individuals.
A study found that yearly mammogram screening in women under 50 with a family history of breast cancer can lead to smaller, less aggressive tumors and improved survival rates. The research suggests that this approach could prevent up to two deaths from breast cancer per 10,000 screens.
The Symplicity HTN-2 trial shows that deactivating nerves in the kidneys using radiofrequency energy can significantly reduce blood pressure in patients with treatment-resistant hypertension. The study found a large reduction in systolic blood pressure, and the technique was applied without major complications.
A study found that various types of C. difficile are now common across European hospitals, with an average incidence rate of 4.1 per 10,000 patients per day. The most prevalent types were 014/020, 001, and 078, with type 027 being less common in Europe compared to other regions.
A new study found that five avoidable causes, including birth asphyxia and pneumonia, account for nearly 1.5 million child deaths in India each year. The research suggests that improved delivery and postnatal care can reduce these deaths, with the introduction of vaccines and expanded neonatal care also shown to be effective.
Chronic disease death rates are increasing in developing countries, with 23 million deaths annually. A new framework proposes national surveillance strategies to monitor trends and improve actions on chronic diseases.
The NCD Alliance warns that ignoring chronic diseases will lead to a future where healthy people are in the minority, while unhealthy children die before their parents. The alliance calls for effective actions on diet, physical activity, risks, and determinants related to non-communicable diseases.
A growing burden of chronic disease threatens low-income and middle-income countries; weak national health systems hinder effective interventions. Strengthening health systems can improve responses to chronic diseases, benefiting other health services as well.
Experts find that adopting a healthy diet in the UK could lead to significant improvements in health outcomes, but doing so in poorer countries like Brazil may have devastating economic consequences. Reducing saturated fat consumption in these countries could result in job losses and disruption to agriculture and trade.
Global neglect of chronic diseases is a pressing issue, with low-cost solutions available for prevention. The authors recommend reframing the debate to emphasize societal determinants and mobilizing resources through cooperative approaches.
A combined approach of taxing unhealthy foods, restricting food advertising, and improving labeling is cost-effective in reducing obesity in all nations. Implementing such measures would add nearly 7 million life years to the population's health expectancy.
A trial in Kenya found that using text messages to help patients adhere to their treatment improves absolute adherence rates by 12% and numbers achieving viral load suppression by 9%. Patients who received SMS support were more likely to report adherence to ART.
A new anticoagulant drug dabigatran has been found to be equally effective as warfarin in preventing stroke in patients who have previously had a stroke or transient ischaemic attack. The study also showed that dabigatran has a lower risk of intracranial bleeding compared to warfarin.
The VITAL study found that paricalcitol reduced residual albuminuria in patients with type 2 diabetic nephropathy, particularly those with high dietary sodium intake. The study suggests that paricalcitol could be an important adjunctive treatment for kidney protection in resistant diabetes patients.
A recent study found that targeted human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination in men who have sex with men is a cost-effective intervention against anal cancer. The quadrivalent vaccine has demonstrated high efficacy against anal lesions and genital warts in young MSM. Vaccination at ages 12-26 years without previous exposure to HPV-target...