Bamlanivimab cuts risk of COVID in nursing homes and assisted living, study finds
By
Alicia Lasek
Jun 08, 2021
The investigation was conducted before the FDA revoked emergency use of the drug — a monoclonal antibody — due to the impact of genetic variants on efficacy. But it still can be used in combination...
Clinical briefs for Tuesday, June 8
By
Alicia Lasek
Jun 08, 2021
People who never wear masks are twice as likely to get COVID, poll shows … CDC: mRNA vaccines found to reduce COVID severity in breakthrough infections among vaccinated people … Knowledge of palliative...
FDA approves first drug to slow Alzheimer’s in controversial decision
By
Alicia Lasek
Jun 07, 2021
The evidence convincingly shows that aducanumab (Aduhelm) removes beta amyloid — a hallmark of Alzheimer’s — from the brain, slowing the disease’s progression and giving patients and families much-needed...
Large VA study reveals ease of COVID-19 transmission among unvaccinated healthcare staff
By
Alicia Lasek
Jun 07, 2021
Investigators found nearly 20 times the rate of COVID-19 infection in unvaccinated healthcare staff, plus signs that transmission clusters were linked to those workers.
Antibiotic treatment sky-high in COVID-19 cases; formal guidelines reduce rates, studies show
By
Alicia Lasek
Jun 07, 2021
The findings highlight the challenge faced by clinicians who wish to avoid overusing these drugs, but at the same time require access to potentially lifesaving treatment for a new respiratory disease.
Two new drugs show promise for hard-to-treat breast, prostate cancers
By
Alicia Lasek
Jun 07, 2021
Cancer drug Lynparza (olaparib) reduced the risk of disease recurrence or death in certain aggressive breast cancers by 42% after surgery, while a new prostate cancer treatment improved survival by tracking...
Clinical briefs for Monday, June 7
By
Alicia Lasek
Jun 07, 2021
NIC: Nursing homes among ‘safest places’ for seniors following 98% drop in COVID cases … Vaccination is not a risk factor for sudden hearing loss: Johns Hopkins … U.S. population estimate foresees...
State variation in chronic opioid use drops by a third among nursing home residents: study
By
Alicia Lasek
Jun 04, 2021
Changes in state-level variation may reflect the response to national guidelines and federal policies on opioid use, investigators say.
Feds identify promising and ‘urgently needed’ COVID antiviral drug
By
Alicia Lasek
Jun 04, 2021
The experimental drug TEMPOL has shown promise in early studies, halting the activity of a viral enzyme and limiting the severity of SARS-CoV-2 infections.
Use the ‘5 C’s’ to tackle COVID vaccine hesitancy, physicians say
By
Alicia Lasek
Jun 04, 2021
The reasons for vaccine hesitancy — a delay in acceptance or refusal to be vaccinated — can be boiled down to five important factors that may help clinicians understand and better approach this issue,...