News & Updates

Intra-arterial gemcitabine bumps up survival in locally advanced pancreatic cancer

In patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer, treatment with intra-arterial gemcitabine leads to better survival and safety outcomes compared with standard-of-care therapy with intravenous gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel, according to the first interim analysis of the phase III TIGeR-PaC trial presented at ESMO GI 2023.

Ginkgo diterpene lactone meglumine improves acute ischaemic stroke outcomes

Treatment with ginkgo diterpene lactone meglumine (GDLM) leads to favourable functional outcomes in individuals who sustained acute ischaemic stroke (AIS), as shown in a study.

Study supports extended DOAC treatment for venous thromboembolism

For patients with venous thromboembolism (VTE) who are prescribed to undergo anticoagulation beyond 6 months, continued direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) treatment is associated with a lower risk of VTE recurrence compared with continued warfarin, as reported in a study.

Standard-course antimicrobial therapy lowers treatment failure in children with UTI

A 10-day standard course of antimicrobial therapy was associated with a lower rate of treatment failure in children with urinary tract infection (UTI) than with a 5-day short course of antimicrobial therapy, according to the SCOUT* trial.

PMMTB implementation benefits cancer patients

Several cancer patients have benefitted from nonstandard of care (non-SOC) recommendations by the regional precision medicine molecular tumour board (PMMTB), reports a study. Also, additional processes have been implemented to improve the accessibility of non-SOC treatment.

Male sex, ibuprofen use tied to antibiotic-induced diarrhoea in children

A recent study has observed a low incidence of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea (AAD) among hospitalized children with no comorbid disease. In addition, most episodes of diarrhoea are mild and self-limiting, occurring usually among male patients, those aged <3 years, and those treated with ibuprofen.

Topical COX inhibitor mitigates capecitabine-associated HFS in GI cancer patients

Topical diclofenac gel significantly reduced the incidence of hand-foot syndrome (HFS) in patients with gastrointestinal (GI) cancer receiving capecitabine, according to findings from the exploratory subgroup analysis of the D-ToRCH* trial.

Vaccination reduces risks of long-COVID and death

COVID-19 vaccination can reduce the risk of long COVID if given before SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Findings suggest that vaccination before infection confers only partial protection in the post-acute phase of the disease. Hence, reliance on vaccination as a sole mitigation strategy may not optimally reduce long-term health consequences of SARS-CoV-2 infection.