News &amp; Updates

Supplementation with oral magnesium for 24 weeks hardly produces any change in arterial stiffness or blood pressure (BP), as do magnesium oxide and magnesium sulphate, as shown in a study.

Magnesium supplementation confers no cardiovascular benefit

Elective upper-neck irradiation an option in N0–N1 NPC

10 Mar 2022 by

Elective upper-neck irradiation provides similar regional control, with a lower incidence of late toxicity, compared with standard whole-neck irradiation in patients with N0–N1 nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), a phase III trial in China has shown.

Elective upper-neck irradiation an option in N0–N1 NPC

Prostate cancer ADT linked to worsening metabolic profile

10 Mar 2022 by

Chinese patients receiving androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) for prostate cancer are exposed to increased risk of new-onset diabetes mellitus (DM), hyperlipidaemia and hypertension (HTN), as well as a higher likelihood of step-up pharmacotherapy for these pre-existing conditions, according to a prospective multicentre cohort study by the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) and Tuen Mun Hospital.

Prostate cancer ADT linked to worsening metabolic profile

Continuing enzalutamide after progression improves PFS in mCRPC

In patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) who experience disease progression while on enzalutamide treatment, continuing enzalutamide appears to improve progression-free survival (PFS), according to results of the phase IIIb PRESIDE trial.

Continuing enzalutamide after progression improves PFS in mCRPC

09 Mar 2022

Smoking ups insulin resistance risk

Long-term smokers are at an increased risk of insulin resistance, underlining the importance of smoking cessation efforts, a recent Korea study has found. First-time smokers need to be made aware of the harms of smoking beyond addiction and respiratory problems, the researchers advised.

Smoking ups insulin resistance risk

New NSAID patch matches diclofenac gel for pain management in knee osteoarthritis

The novel topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) S-flurbiprofen plaster provides relief from pain that appears similar to that achieved with diclofenac gel in patients with knee osteoarthritis, in addition to being well tolerated, according to data from an open-label, noninferiority phase III study.

New NSAID patch matches diclofenac gel for pain management in knee osteoarthritis

09 Mar 2022

Adverse reactions affect adherence to capecitabine in GI cancer

Clinical oncology pharmacists must deliver patient information on the correct use of capecitabine, manage adverse reactions, and monitor adherence to treatment among patients with gastrointestinal (GI) cancer, suggests a study.

Adverse reactions affect adherence to capecitabine in GI cancer

Novel filter device safe to use in patients undergoing TAVI

A novel dual-filter device called the SENTINEL cerebral protection system (CPS) has been safely deployed in 95 percent of patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) with 100-percent procedural success, according to a Singapore study. No filter-related complications, stroke, or mortality has occurred at 30 days.

Novel filter device safe to use in patients undergoing TAVI

Use of alternative medicine not uncommon in melanoma patients

About one in four cutaneous melanoma patients use at least one type of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), of which herbs and turmeric are the most popular, reveals a prospective study from a tertiary cancer centre in Turkey.

Use of alternative medicine not uncommon in melanoma patients

09 Mar 2022

Point-of-care diagnostics feasible for COVID-19 border testing