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Skin-related side effects indicate better prognosis for patients taking certain cancer drugs

Patients with skin-related side effects from immune checkpoint inhibitors tend to live longer, with a 22-50% decrease in mortality. These findings suggest that skin toxicities can be an indicator of treatment efficacy and may help identify patients who are more likely to benefit from their current immunotherapy regimen.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalJAMA Dermatology·TypeObservational study·DateJan 12, 2022

New: COVAX results

A registry study found that people with inflammatory RMDs, such as rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis, tolerate their COVID vaccine well, with short-lived reactions being the most common side effect. The majority of participants were able to continue on their normal medication with no changes.

SourceEuropean Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR)·JournalAnnals of the Rheumatic Diseases·DateJan 7, 2022

Drug combination reduces narcotic use, manages pain after surgery for teens with scoliosis

A new study suggests that combining two drugs can reduce postoperative opioid use and side effects in adolescents with scoliosis. The combination of intrathecal morphine and oral gabapentin provides more effective pain control, resulting in fewer side effects and lower narcotic consumption.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalJournal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 4, 2022

Digital silver lining seen in failed COVID-19 drug trial

A clinical trial found that remote monitoring of medication's potential arrhythmic side effects is feasible and safe for patients with mild COVID-19. The study used handheld devices to transmit digital ECGs, suggesting a potential expansion of clinical research to broader populations and reducing participants' burdens.

SourceUniversity of Washington School of Medicine/UW Medicine·JournalCommunications Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateDec 20, 2021

Prescribe fewer antidepressants, and for shorter periods, doctors advised

A review suggests that doctors should prescribe fewer antidepressants and for shorter periods due to the potential severity and duration of withdrawal symptoms. The use of antidepressants is also associated with a range of side effects, but clinical trial data often don't assess outcomes that matter most to patients.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalDrug and Therapeutics Bulletin·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateDec 20, 2021

Biased signalling for better drugs

Researchers at PSI have developed a platform to measure biased signalling in G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), enabling selective therapeutic effects and fewer side effects. By testing specially designed bivalent ligands, they can bias signalling towards desired pathways.

SourcePaul Scherrer Institute·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 15, 2021

Simple surgical technique associated with significant reduction in the risk of atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery

A new study found that a simple surgical technique called posterior left pericardiotomy significantly reduces the risk of atrial fibrillation in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. The procedure, which involves draining excess fluid and small clots from the heart sac, was associated with a 56% lower incidence of irregular heart rhythm...

SourceWeill Cornell Medicine·JournalThe Lancet·DateNov 15, 2021

Long-term immune response to Sputnik-V COVID vaccine

A study published in International Journal of Molecular Sciences found that the Sputnik-V COVID vaccine elicits both robust antibody and T-cell responses. The research suggests that long-term immunity is possible, supporting the effectiveness of the vaccine against local virus variants.

SourceKazan Federal University·JournalInternational Journal of Molecular Sciences·TypeObservational study·DateOct 26, 2021

Shortened course of radiation therapy offers similar long-term side effects following prostate removal surgery

A recent clinical trial found that a shortened course of radiation therapy after prostate removal surgery does not increase long-term side effects or lower quality of life compared to conventional treatment. Patients who underwent hypofractionated, post-operative radiation therapy experienced comparable genitourinary and gastrointestin...

AI tool pairs protein pathways with clinical side effects, patient comorbidities to suggest targeted Covid-19 treatments

A new AI tool pairs protein pathways with clinical side effects and patient comorbidities to suggest targeted Covid-19 treatments. The tool, MOATAI-VIR, predicts 24 out of 26 major clinical manifestations of Covid-19 and their underlying disease-protein-pathway relationships.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalScientific Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 21, 2021

Older adults who receive additional supportive care services experience fewer side effects from chemotherapy, City of Hope study finds

A City of Hope clinical trial showed that patients over 65 experiencing significantly fewer treatment-related side effects when a multidisciplinary team analyzed each case and introduced personalized interventions. The completion of advance directives was also higher in the experimental group.

SourceCity of Hope·JournalJAMA Oncology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateSep 30, 2021

Patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors have better quality of life, Moffitt analysis shows

Patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors show better quality of life and reduced symptoms compared to those without immunotherapy. The study analyzed self-reported outcomes of 26 published studies and found that patients' global quality of life was stable or improved, but breathing difficulties increased

Pfizer jab side effects in 12-15 year olds at high risk of COVID-19 complications, mild to moderate

A small study of 27 children aged 12-15 with neurological conditions found the Pfizer jab's side effects were mild to moderate and cleared up within a week. The vaccination was taken by parents who believed their children were at high risk of COVID-19 disease, highlighting its benefits in vulnerable groups.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalArchives of Disease in Childhood·TypeObservational study·DateAug 26, 2021

Tailoring treatment of patients with the lung disease COPD

The study found that patients with low risk of exacerbations do not benefit from low to moderate dose inhaled corticosteroids, while high doses are associated with severe side effects. Tailoring treatment according to patient characteristics, such as age and blood cell count, can minimize over- and underuse of inhaled corticosteroids.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalThe Lancet Digital Health·TypeNews article·DateAug 25, 2021

Largest real-world study of COVID-19 vaccine safety published by Israel's Clalit Research Institute in The New England Journal of Medicine

A large-scale analysis of Israel's COVID-19 vaccination data found that the Pfizer/BioNTech BNT162B2 vaccine is very safe, with only a few potential side effects. The study also revealed that coronavirus infection poses a much higher risk of serious adverse events compared to vaccination.

SourceClalit Research Institute·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 25, 2021

Low doses of "laughing gas" could be fast, effective treatment for severe depression

A new study found that a one-hour inhalation session with 25% nitrous oxide gas improved depression symptoms for over two weeks, with fewer adverse side effects compared to higher concentrations. The effects were nearly as effective as 50% nitrous oxide at rapidly relieving symptoms of treatment-resistant depression.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Medical Center·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateJun 9, 2021

Vaccine science and side effects: How news messages affect views on vaccination

A study by researchers at the Annenberg Public Policy Center found that news coverage of expert scientific evidence on vaccine safety increases public acceptance of vaccines. In contrast, personal narratives about real side effects diminish the positive effect of such messages. The experiment tested six video clips featuring experts an...