Pembrolizumab Boosts Survival Rates For Some Head, Neck Cancers
Read about the biggest pharmaceutical developments and pricing stories from the past week in KHN's Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
ScienceDaily:
Immunotherapy Drug Bolsters Head And Neck Cancer Treatment
A University of Cincinnati clinical trial that added an immunotherapy drug to standard of care treatment regimens has shown increased survival rates for head and neck cancer patients with intermediate risk features. (University of Cincinnati, 2/28)
ScienceDaily:
New 'Cocktail' Drug Could Benefit Up To 45 Per Cent Of Patients With Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
A new 'cocktail' drug under development could provide an effective and economical treatment to lessen symptoms for up to 45 per cent of patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), a chronic muscle-wasting disease. (University of Alberta, 2/23)
The Lancet:
Safety And Efficacy Of Aspirin, Unfractionated Heparin, Both, Or Neither During Endovascular Stroke Treatment
Aspirin and unfractionated heparin are often used during endovascular stroke treatment to improve reperfusion and outcomes. However, the effects and risks of anti-thrombotics for this indication are unknown. We therefore aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of intravenous aspirin, unfractionated heparin, both, or neither started during endovascular treatment in patients with ischaemic stroke. (van der Steen, MD, et al, 2/28)
New England Journal of Medicine:
Reliever-Triggered Inhaled Glucocorticoid In Black And Latinx Adults With Asthma
Among Black and Latinx adults with moderate-to-severe asthma, provision of an inhaled glucocorticoid and one-time instruction on its use, added to usual care, led to a lower rate of severe asthma exacerbations. (Israel, M.D., et al, 2/26)
CIDRAP:
Stewardship In US Nursing Homes Tied To Less Antibiotic Use
A new study of more than 400 US nursing homes found that participating in a quality improvement program that frames antibiotic use as a patient safety issue was associated with a reduction in antibiotic use and urine culture collection, researchers reported yesterday in JAMA Network Open. (Dall, 3/1)
ScienceDaily:
Plant Product Shows Promise In Mouse Model Of Parkinson’s Disease
A natural product from the dried root of a pea-family plant, potentially combined with an enzyme inhibitor, may provide hope in alleviating neuroinflammation in Parkinson's disease. (University Of California - Davis, 2/22)
The Lancet:
Comparing Methotrexate Monotherapy With Methotrexate Plus Leflunomide Combination Therapy In Psoriatic Arthritis
Conventional synthetic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) are the preferred first-line treatment in patients with psoriatic arthritis, although there is a paucity of evidence for the efficacy of conventional synthetic DMARDs and especially their combination. We aimed to investigate whether a combination of methotrexate plus leflunomide is superior to methotrexate monotherapy at improving disease activity in patients with psoriatic arthritis. (Mulder, MD, et al, 2/28)
Jama Network:
Association Between Generic-To-Generic Levothyroxine Switching And Thyrotropin Levels Among US Adults
Is switching among generic levothyroxine sodium products made by different manufacturers associated with changes in serum thyrotropin (TSH) levels? (Brito, MD, Msc, et al, 2/28)
Jama Network:
Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement Vs Supportive Group Therapy For Co-Occurring Opioid Misuse And Chronic Pain In Primary Care
Successful treatment of opioid misuse among people with chronic pain has proven elusive. Guidelines recommend nonopioid therapies, but the efficacy of mindfulness-based interventions for opioid misuse is uncertain. (Garland, PhD, et al, 2/28)
