Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Research Roundup: Alzheimer's; Phage Therapy; Food Allergies; Covid; More
ScienceDaily: Cancer Chemotherapy Drug Reverses Alzheimer’s Symptoms In Mice
A drug commonly used to treat cancer can restore memory and cognitive function in mice that display symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, new research has found. The drug, Axitinib, inhibits growth of new blood vessels in the brain -- a feature shared by both cancer tumors and Alzheimer's disease. This hallmark represents a new target for Alzheimer's therapies. Mice that underwent the therapy not only exhibited a reduction in blood vessels and other Alzheimer's markers in their brains, they also performed remarkably well in tests designed to measure learning and memory. (University of British Columbia, 10/5)
CIDRAP: Scientists, Biotechs Look To Unlock The Potential Of Phage Therapy
Bacteriophages are everywhere. Considered the most abundant organisms on the face of the earth, these microscopic viruses that selectively target and kill bacteria can be found wherever bacteria exist—in soil, inside plants and animals, and in oceans, streams, and sewage water. Discovered more than a century ago, phages were at one point viewed as a potential weapon against bacterial infections. Then came the antibiotic era. Now, with antibiotic resistance spreading and the threat of a post-antibiotic future looming, scientists are again turning to the ubiquitous bacteria-killing viruses for answers. (Dall, 10/5)
ScienceDaily: One In Three Kids With Food Allergies Say They’ve Been Bullied Because Of Their Condition
Living with a food allergy can greatly impact a child's everyday life -- from limiting participation in social activities to being treated differently by peers. While previous research indicates many kids experience food allergy-related bullying, a new study found that offering kids with food allergies a multi-question assessment gives a more accurate picture of the size and scope of the problem. (Children's National Hospital, 10/5)
New England Journal of Medicine: Maintenance Or Discontinuation Of Antidepressants In Primary Care
Among patients in primary care practices who felt well enough to discontinue antidepressant therapy, those who were assigned to stop their medication had a higher risk of relapse of depression by 52 weeks than those who were assigned to maintain their current therapy. (Lewis et al, 10/1)
In covid research —
CIDRAP: COVID Variants Of Concern More Virulent, Study Says
COVID-19 variants of concern (VOCs), especially the Delta (B1617.2) variant, are more virulent than the wild type, according to an Ontario-based study published in CMAJ yesterday. The cohort included 212,326 cases of non-VOCs (22.4%) and VOCs with the N501Y mutation (76.7%), such as Alpha (B117), Beta (B1351), Gamma (P1), and Delta. The researchers found that the VOCs had a 52% increased risk of hospitalization (95% confidence interval [CI], 42% to 63%), 89% increased risk of intensive care unit (ICU) admission (95% CI, 67% to 117%), and a 51% increased risk of death (95% CI, 30% to 78%). (10/5)
CIDRAP: Convalescent Plasma Didn't Help Critical COVID-19 Patients
Convalescent plasma didn't help adults with critical COVID-19 have better outcomes, according to a randomized trial published yesterday in JAMA. The 2,011-person study was rolled out at sites in the United Kingdom (115), Canada (9), Australia (4), and the United States (1, the only location that offered delayed convalescent plasma to 11 patients). The median age was 61 years, and 32.3% were women. (10/5)
American Academy Of Pediatrics: Six Month Follow-Up Of Patients With Multi-System Inflammatory Syndrome In Children
Children with MIS-C treated with immunomodulators have favorable early outcomes with no mortality, normalization of LV systolic function, recovery of coronary abnormalities, and no inflammation or scarring on cardiac MRI. Persistence of diastolic dysfunction is of uncertain significance and indicates need for larger studies to improve understanding of MIS-C. These findings may help guide clinical management, outpatient monitoring, and considerations for sports clearance. (Capone et al, 10/1)
CIDRAP: COVID-19 Incidence May Be Higher In Irritable Bowel Disease Patients
COVID-19 incidence was 4.7 per 1,000 person-years among irritable bowel disease (IBD) patients compared with 2.8 in the general population, according to a population-based study published in PLOS One yesterday. The researchers looked at COVID-19 patients admitted to the only two hospitals covering the South-Limburg region in the Netherlands from Feb 27, 2020, to Jan 4, 2021. The total population was 597,184 people, and 4,980 were estimated to have IBD. Twenty IBD patients (0.4%) and 1,425 of the general population (0.24%) were hospitalized due to COVID-19, leading to an incidence rate ratio of 1.68 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.08 to 2.62, p = 0.019). (10/6)
