Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Research Roundup: Covid; Cancer; Hydrocephalus
A nonrandomized controlled trial yesterday in JAMA Internal Medicine shows worse outcomes for hospitalized COVID-19 patients with low oxygen levels placed in the prone (chest-down) position while awake, although a commentary cautions about study design shortcomings. (Van Beusekom, 4/19)
The monoclonal-antibody combination AZD7442 is composed of tixagevimab and cilgavimab, two neutralizing antibodies against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that have an extended half-life and have been shown to have prophylactic and therapeutic effects in animal models. Pharmacokinetic data in humans indicate that AZD7442 has an extended half-life of approximately 90 days. (Levin, M.D., et al, 4/20)
A randomized controlled trial found that suppressing androgen hormones in male COVID-19 patients hospitalized with the virus did not improve outcomes. The study was published yesterday in JAMA Network Open. (4/20)
Vaccination of lactating women against COVID-19 may protect not only themselves but also their breastfed infant through human milk. Therefore, it is important to gain insight into the human milk antibody response after immunization with the various vaccines that are currently widely used. The aim of this study is to determine and compare the antibody response in human milk following vaccination with mRNA- and vector-based vaccines up to over two months post-vaccination. (Juncker, et al, 4/20)
Cancer immunotherapy is generating huge excitement, but the future may lie elsewhere, in antibody–drug conjugates, proteolysis-targeting chimeras, and liquid biopsy for early detection. (Webster, 4/19)
Genetic studies of children with hydrocephalus ('water on the brain') combined with mouse models indicate that in certain genetic subtypes, the condition arises due to abnormal neurodevelopment that disrupts mechanical stability of the brain. Treatment strategies need to optimize brain development beyond the current standard of simply draining brain fluid. (Massachusetts General Hospital, 4/18)
Men with heart disease who took both nitrates and a phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor did not have a statistically significant increase in cardiovascular risk, a study found. Researchers from Denmark collected patient data from the country's health registries to observe trends of coprescription of nitrates and PDE5 inhibitors and to measure any association with cardiovascular outcomes. (4/19)
