News &amp; Updates

In the phase III REMAIN-2 trial, add-on recaticimab – a novel, long-acting anti-PCSK9 monoclonal antibody (mAb) – led to reductions in bad cholesterol and other lipids in patients with non-familial hypercholesterolaemia (non-FH) and mixed hyperlipidaemia inadequately controlled on background statin therapy.

Add-on recaticimab cuts bad cholesterol in non-FH, mixed hyperlipidaemia patients

HPV self-sampling with isothermal amplification detection may become part of cervical cancer screening

A prospective study in women attending a colposcopy clinic in Hong Kong supports the use of self-sampling with an isothermal amplification (AmpFire)–based assay for human papillomavirus (HPV) detection in cervical cancer screening, showing substantial agreement with clinician sampling using either the AmpFire-based or polymerase chain reaction (PCR)–based reference assay.

HPV self-sampling with isothermal amplification detection may become part of cervical cancer screening

05 Dec 2023

Fezolinetant superior to other non-HTs at reducing bothersome VMS due to menopause

Treatment with fezolinetant 45 mg outperforms other nonhormone therapies (non-HTs) in terms of minimizing the frequency of moderate-to-severe vasomotor symptoms (VMS) in women undergoing menopause, according to a study from the US.

Fezolinetant superior to other non-HTs at reducing bothersome VMS due to menopause

HPV ctDNA testing identifies cervical cancer patients at high risk of relapse after CRT

Detection of human papilloma virus (HPV) circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) after completion of chemoradiation therapy (CRT) is independently associated with inferior progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with cervical cancer, a prospective multicentre study has shown. According to the researchers, early HPV ctDNA testing after CRT can identify patients at high risk of relapse.

HPV ctDNA testing identifies cervical cancer patients at high risk of relapse after CRT

05 Dec 2023

Intermittent dosing of dual HIV therapy for HIV disappoints in DUETTO trial

Four-day-a-week dosing of dual therapy for HIV performs similarly to daily doses in terms of sustaining viral suppression in the DUETTO trial. However, virological failure (VF) and drug resistance rates were higher with the 4-day/week dosing regimen.

Intermittent dosing of dual HIV therapy for HIV disappoints in DUETTO trial

LIBRETTO-431: Selpercatinib as 1L SoC for RET fusion–positive NSCLC

Selpercatinib, a selective RET kinase inhibitor, showed superior efficacy vs chemotherapy and pembrolizumab as first-line (1L) treatment in patients with stage IIIB–IV nonsquamous non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with RET gene fusions, according to results of the open-label phase III LIBRETTO-431 study presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology Congress 2023 (ESMO 2023).

LIBRETTO-431: Selpercatinib as 1L SoC for RET fusion–positive NSCLC

Inflammation, disease duration and delayed diagnosis associated with hypertension in axial spondyloarthritis

Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) patients with a higher inflammatory burden, longer delay in diagnosis and longer baseline disease duration (BLDD) have an increased risk of developing incident hypertension after adjusting for traditional cardiovascular (CV) risk factors, a retrospective cohort study by the Chinese University of Hong Kong has shown.

Inflammation, disease duration and delayed diagnosis associated with hypertension in axial spondyloarthritis

Empagliflozin of little benefit in patients hospitalized for COVID-19

In patients who are hospitalized for COVID-19, treatment with empagliflozin does not appear to have any positive impact on outcomes such as 28-day mortality, duration of hospital stay, or risk of progressing to invasive mechanical ventilation or death, as shown in the open-label RECOVERY trial.

Empagliflozin of little benefit in patients hospitalized for COVID-19

04 Dec 2023

Pertuzumab plus high-dose trastuzumab shows promise for selected patients with HER2-positive MBC

Treatment with pertuzumab plus high-dose trastuzumab appears to confer survival benefits in patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer (MBC) with progressive central nervous system (CNS) metastases following radiotherapy, according to the phase II PATRICIA study.

Pertuzumab plus high-dose trastuzumab shows promise for selected patients with HER2-positive MBC

Ciprofloxacin on par with metronidazole for pouchitis

A propensity-matched study has found no significant difference in the effectiveness of ciprofloxacin, metronidazole, or combination therapy in the real-world setting for an initial episode of pouchitis after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis for ulcerative colitis.

Ciprofloxacin on par with metronidazole for pouchitis