News &amp; Updates

In infants born extremely premature, immunization with palivizumab does not confer apparent protective effects on respiratory symptoms and pulmonary function at adolescence, as reported in a recent study. Nevertheless, immunized survivors of extreme prematurity show good clinical and physiological outcomes.

Palivizumab immunization in extremely premature babies exerts null effect on pulmonary outcomes

Upadacitinib a promising treatment option in selected RA

07 May 2020 by

The oral Janus Kinase (JAK) inhibitor upadacitinib appears to be useful in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients with inadequate response to conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, with the 15-mg dose having the most favourable risk-benefit profile, according to data from the phase IIb/III SELECT-SUNRISE study.

Upadacitinib a promising treatment option in selected RA

$Fenebrutinib effective against refractory rheumatoid arthritis$

Fenebrutinib effective against refractory rheumatoid arthritis

The Bruton’s tyrosine kinase inhibitor fenebrutinib is safe and effective in the treatment of refractory rheumatoid arthritis, with the effect comparable to that observed with adalimumab, according to the results of a phase II study.

Fenebrutinib effective against refractory rheumatoid arthritis

WHO-guided hand rub formulations effective against coronavirus

Both alcohol-based hand rub formulations recommended by the WHO* are effective against SARS-Cov-2 when used correctly, a new study shows — supporting their use in healthcare settings and viral outbreaks.

WHO-guided hand rub formulations effective against coronavirus

COVID-19 progression influenced by age, timing of antiviral initiation

A retrospective study from China identified age, time between illness onset and antiviral initiation, and the presence of comorbidities as factors that increase the risk of COVID-19 progression.

COVID-19 progression influenced by age, timing of antiviral initiation

$Once-weekly better than twice-weekly carfilzomib dosing for relapsed, refractory MM$

Once-weekly better than twice-weekly carfilzomib dosing for relapsed, refractory MM

Once-weekly treatment with carfilzomib at the higher 70-mg/m2 dose appears to improve survival in patients with relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) compared with the twice-weekly 27-mg/m2 dosing regimen, regardless of patient and disease characteristics, according to data from the phase III ARROW study.

Once-weekly better than twice-weekly carfilzomib dosing for relapsed, refractory MM

Long-term PPI use does not increase GI cancer risk

Use of proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) for ≥2 years is not associated with a higher risk of gastrointestinal cancers, while the association of PPI use of ≥10 years with cancer risk remains unclear, reveals a study.

Long-term PPI use does not increase GI cancer risk

Leflunomide-hydroxychloroquine shows promise in Sjögren’s syndrome

Combination therapy using the DMARDs* leflunomide (LEF) and hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) was effective and safe in patients with primary Sjögren’s syndrome (SjS) with moderate to high disease activity, results of a Dutch trial have shown.

Leflunomide-hydroxychloroquine shows promise in Sjögren’s syndrome

Benzodiazepines, Z-drugs do not cause dementia in patients with affective disorders

Use of benzodiazepines or Z-drugs is not associated with subsequent dementia, even when exposures are cumulated or divided into long- and short-acting drugs, reveals a study.

Benzodiazepines, Z-drugs do not cause dementia in patients with affective disorders

Pharmacist presence in clinic reduces polypharmacy in multiple myeloma patients

The rate of polypharmacy is high among patients with multiple myeloma, according to a study. However, comanagement with a pharmacist reduces the number of all medications, particularly those that are not related to myeloma.

Pharmacist presence in clinic reduces polypharmacy in multiple myeloma patients