Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Disulfiram Shows Promise As Covid Treatment
An FDA-approved drug that has been in clinical use for more than 70 years may protect against lung injury and the risk of blood clots in severe COVID-19 and other disorders that cause immune-mediated damage to the lungs, according to a preclinical study. (Weill Cornell Medicine, 2/8)
Gilead Sciences Inc.’s GILD -0.31% revenue fell in the fourth quarter, as sales of its Covid-19 treatment remdesivir waned amid greater vaccine availability and declining hospitalization numbers. The biopharmaceutical company posted $7.24 billion in revenue for the quarter, above analysts’ expectations of $6.62 billion. Gilead reported $7.42 billion in revenue for the same period last year. (Jacob, 2/1)
A review and meta-analysis of studies from more than 40 countries found that individuals misuse antibiotics regardless of their education level, researchers reported yesterday in Antimicrobial Resistance & Infection Control. The researchers conducted a meta-analysis of 85 studies that measured the association between education and any aspect of antibiotic misuse, including use of antibiotics that were not prescribed, non-adherence to treatment guidelines, and storage of leftover antibiotics for future use. The studies encompassed a total of 85,789 subjects from 42 countries of different socioeconomic status, of whom 24,579 had misused antibiotics. Summary odds ratios (ORs) were estimated using a random effects model. (2/4)
First-line chemotherapy for advanced esophageal squamous-cell carcinoma results in poor outcomes. The monoclonal antibody nivolumab has shown an overall survival benefit over chemotherapy in previously treated patients with advanced esophageal squamous-cell carcinoma. (Doki, M.D., et al, 2/3)
Lenvatinib plus pembrolizumab led to significantly longer progression-free survival and overall survival than chemotherapy among patients with advanced endometrial cancer. (Funded by Eisai and Merck Sharp and Dohme [a subsidiary of Merck]; Study 309–KEYNOTE-775 ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT03517449. opens in new tab.) (Makker, M.D., et al, 2/3)
