Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
The Good Kind Of Side Effect: Anti-Inflammatory Drug Also Sharply Cuts Rates Of Lung Cancer
Stat: A Welcome Side Effect: Novartis Anti-Inflammatory May Cut Risk Of Lung Cancer, Study Finds
It was big news earlier this summer when a groundbreaking study of 10,000 patients found that an anti-inflammatory drug significantly reduced the risk of cardiovascular complications in heart attack survivors. Now, the researchers have found that the drug had a surprising (and welcome) side effect: It also sharply cut the rates of lung cancer. (Keshavan, 8/27)
The New York Times: Drug Aimed At Inflammation May Lower Risk Of Heart Disease And Cancer
Researchers outside the study say the findings represent a major milestone — proof of a biologic concept that opens the door to new ways of treating and preventing cardiovascular disease in people who are still at risk despite standard therapies. “This is fantastic,” said Dr. David J. Maron, the director of preventive cardiology at Stanford University School of Medicine. “The green light just went on for full-fledged investigation and development of effective and cost-effective new therapies.” (Grady, 8/27)
