News & Updates

Benefits of 1L ribociclib extend across MONALEESA studies

First-line (1L) treatment with the CDK4/6 inhibitor ribociclib plus endocrine therapy (RIB + ET) confers consistent benefits in patients with hormone receptor-positive/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HR+/HER2−) advanced breast cancer in the pooled analysis of the MONALEESA-2, -3, and -7 studies presented at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS) 2022.

CAR T-cell therapy for relapsed/refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most frequently occurring subtype of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Although curability is high following first-line immunochemotherapy, around 40 percent of patients will relapse or exhibit refractory disease, which dramatically reduces life expectancy. [Best Pract Res Clin Haematol 2018;31:209-216] Despite salvage chemo-immunotherapy and stem cell transplantation, patients with relapsed/refractory (R/R) DLBCL have a dismal prognosis. In the SCHOLAR-1 study, the median overall survival (OS) for refractory DLBCL was 6.3 months, the complete response rate was 7 percent, and the 1-year OS rate was 28 percent. [Blood 2017;130:1800-1808]

Waning immunity against COVID-19 reinfections: Lessons from Singapore cohort study

A retrospective national cohort study in Singapore assessed hybrid immunity from previous infection and monovalent vaccination against medically attended symptomatic BA.4, BA.5, and XBB reinfections.

Role of multimodal analgesia in postoperative pain management

Pain management following surgery remains suboptimal, with many patients suffering from severe pain after surgery and still others developing chronic pain after surgery. [Pain Rep 2017;2:e588] Postoperative pain reduces patients’ quality of life, interferes with daily functioning, and has economic consequences in terms of longer recovery times and extended hospital stays. [Clinicoecon Outcomes Res 2019;11:169-177] At a recent scientific symposium held in Bangkok, Thailand, Associate Professor Sasikaan Nimmaanrat from the Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, discussed the role of multimodal analgesia in managing postoperative pain.

Managing MDR gram-negative bacterial infections: Key lessons from 5 years of using ceftazidime-avibactam

The rapid emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens is a major and persistent global healthcare problem. In a Pfizer-sponsored symposium held during the 33rd European Congress of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases (ECCMID), experts shared lessons drawn from over half a decade of using ceftazidime-avibactam in the management of MDR gram-negative bacterial infections. Prof David Paterson from the National University of Singapore and Dr Maddalena Giannella from Bologna University, Italy chaired the session. 

Among the highlights were real-world evidence (RWE) with ceftazidime-avibactam and how it has shaped the anti-infective therapeutic landscape, the importance of early, appropriate treatment and its place in antimicrobial stewardship strategies, and the roles of microbiology and diagnostics in optimizing treatment strategies.

Oral anticoagulant therapy for acute VTE in obese patients

Although direct-acting oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are widely recommended for first-line treatment of venous thromboembolism (VTE), their use in obese patients remains controversial due to the limited representation of such patients in clinical trials. As the prevalence of obesity continues its upward trend, clinicians increasingly have to make treatment decisions for obese patients. MIMS Doctor interviewed Adjunct Assistant Professor Pankaj Kumar Handa, Senior Consultant at Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore, to gain his perspectives on oral anticoagulation in obese patients.

Efficacy of Bivalent Boosters Against Severe Omicron

Bivalent boosters provide substantial additional protection against severe COVID-19 caused by the Omicron variant. On August 31, 2022, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved bivalent COVID-19 vaccines for use as a single booster dose.

Apixaban may be the DOAC of choice for AF patients at risk for GI bleeding

While current guidelines recommend using direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) over warfarin in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF), there is a lack of head-to-head trial data to guide the choice of DOAC. Esteemed expert Dr Teo Wee Siong, Consultant Cardiologist & Cardiac Electrophysiologist from Mount Elizabeth Medical Centre, Singapore, reviewed the latest data on the comparative effectiveness and safety of DOACs in AF, provided valuable insights on considerations for the selection of DOACs, and shared his clinical experience with apixaban (Eliquis, Pfizer).

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Expert perspectives on diagnosis and monitoring of transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy in Asia

Transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM) is a significantly underdiagnosed, life-threatening condition with a heterogeneous clinical presentation. Recently, clinical recommendations to diagnose and monitor ATTR-CM patients in Asia were published. Dr Chan Wan Xian, Cardiologist at the Asian Heart & Vascular Centre, Gleneagles Hospital, Mount Elizabeth Hospitals, and Parkway East Hospital, Singapore, reviews these guidelines and shares practical tips for diagnosing and assessing ATTR-CM patients.