Weight management with Tirzepatide in people with obesity
TOPIC: DIABETES & ENDOCRINOLOGY
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Reviewed by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
Translated by An Duc Thien Le |
Posted on March 31st, 2023
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Tirzepatide had previously been approved by the Food and Drug Administration to manage type 2 diabetes. The agent mimics the insulinotropic effect of the naturally produced gastric inhibitory polypeptide. Since weight loss was a side effect of the medication when used to manage type 2 diabetes, Eli Lilly had sponsored a study to investigate the potential usage of tirzepatide in managing obesity.
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Reduce the incidence of bone fracture in women with osteopenia with zoledronate
Topic: ORTHOPEDIC
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Reviewed by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
Translated by An Duc Thien Le |
Posted on March 29th, 2023
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Bisphosphonate, such as zoledronate, is widely used to prevent fractures in those who are experiencing osteoporosis by disrupting the bone resorption process of osteoclasts. Thus, it is possible that bisphosphonate can slow down the rate of bone degradation in patients with osteopenia. Thus, the Health Research Council of New Zealand had sponsored a study, with medication provided by Novartis, to investigate the possible usage of zoledronate to prevent fractures in patients with osteopenia.
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Preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection with monoclonal antibodies combination of tixagevimab and cilgavimab
Topic: COVID-19
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Reviewed by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
Translated by An Duc Thien Le |
Posted on March 27th, 2023
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To prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection, immunization is the most effective method. However, certain individuals cannot be vaccinated due to immunocompetency problems. Thus, the AstraZeneca pharmaceutical company had sponsored a study to assess the effectiveness of the monoclonal antibody combination of tixagevimab and cilgavimab in preventing COVID-19.
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Combining Lebrikizumab and Topical Corticosteroids to Treat Moderate-to-Severe Atopic Dermatitis
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Reviewed by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
Translated by An Duc Thien Le |
Posted on March 24th, 2023
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Atopic dermatitis is currently being treated with topical corticosteroids to varying degrees of effectiveness. The disease severity is inversely correlated with the level of Interleukin-13 production. Lebrikizumab is an antibody that can bind to and neutralize the proinflammatory Interleukin-13. Thus, a study, with funding from the pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly, was conducted to assess the effectiveness using lebrikizumab to treat atopic dermatitis.
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The effectiveness and safety of spironolactone in treating acne
Topic: DERMATOLOGY
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Reviewed by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
Translated by An Duc Thien Le |
Posted on March 22nd, 2023
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Spironolactone is a steroid-based diuretic that has been widely used to treat hypertension. Due to its structural similarity with other hormones such as aldosterone and estrogen, many had hypothesized that it can be utilized to treat acne vulgaris. Thus, the National Institute for Health and Care Research of the United Kingdoms had sponsored a study that investigated the effect of spironolactone in treating acne.
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Testing two different metronidazole treatment schedule for trichomoniasis
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Reviewed by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
Translated by Nhi Phuong Quynh Le, B.A |
Posted on March 20th, 2023
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Trichomoniasis is the most common non-viral sexually transmitted infection, and Metronidazole is the preferred treatment for trichomoniasis. However, there is a lack of consensus on what is the most appropriate dose. Thus, the National Institute of Health sponsored a study to compare the effectiveness between the one day high-dose vs. the 7-day-dose of Metronidazole in treating trichomoniasis.
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Testing the usage of a short regimen therapy to treat tuberculosis
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Reviewed by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
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Posted on March 13th, 2023
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The current regimen most commonly used to treat tuberculosis includes rifampin for 6 months. This strategy is highly effective when implemented perfectly; however, the long-term duration of the treatment limits the effectiveness in underdeveloped areas. Thus, the Singapore National Medical Research Council had conducted a study to assess the effectiveness of a shorter regimen in treating tuberculosis.
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Possible usage of nicotinamide to prevent skin cancer in transplant recipients
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Reviewed by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
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Posted on March 10th, 2023
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To lower the odds of graft rejection, organ transplant recipients must be placed in an immunosuppressive state. However, this inhibits the body’s anti-tumor capability and increases the risk of skin cancer. In vitro, Nicotinamide (Vitamin B3) can enhance the efficiency of the DNA repair mechanism after damage from UV radiation. Thus, the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council had sponsored a study to investigate the possible usage of nicotinamide in preventing keratinocyte cancer in organ transplant recipients
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Using hydrochlorothiazide diuretics to prevent nephrolithiasis
Topic: UROLOGY
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Reviewed by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
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Posted on March 8th, 2023
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Thiazide diuretics, such as hydrochlorothiazide, are frequently given to prevent recurrent nephrolithiasis. However, there is a lack of evidence on the effectiveness of this treatment and what the most appropriate dose would be. Thus, a study, funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation, was conducted to investigate the clinical effect of various hydrochlorothiazide doses in preventing kidney stone formation.
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Investigate the appropriate antibiotic therapy for severe scrub typhus
Topic: ONCOLOGY
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Reviewed by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
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Posted on March 6th, 2023
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Pembrolizumab is an antibody that can bind to PD-1 and lead to an antitumor response. The agent had been used as an adjuvant after tumor resection surgery to eliminate any remaining cancerous cells. As PD-1 inactivates antitumor T-cell, it might also be beneficial to provide pembrolizumab as a neoadjuvant before surgery. A study comparing the effectiveness of using the neoadjuvant plus adjuvant combination to just using adjuvant.
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Investigate the appropriate antibiotic therapy for severe scrub typhus
Topic: INFECTIOUS DISEASE
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Reviewed by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
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Posted on March 3rd, 2023
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Severe scrub typhus is an emerging zoonotic infection caused by the bacteria Orientia tsutsugamushi. The bacteria is spread by a mite that has been found in many regions in Southeast asia. Globally, there are approximately 1 million cases of severe scrub typhus which resulted in 150,000 deaths every year. Despite the great disease burden, there has not been any consensus about the most appropriate antibiotic. Thus, a study funded by the Wellcome Trust was conducted to compare the effectiveness of doxycycline, azithromycin, or both in treating severe scrub typhus.
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Treating castration-resistant, metastatic prostate cancer with rucaparib
Topic: ONCOLOGY
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Reviewed by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
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Posted on March 1st, 2023
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Rucaparib is an inhibitor of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) which can be used to suppress tumor cells. The PARP inhibitor disables the DNA repair mechanism that tumor cells used to survive. Thus, a study had been conducted to assess the effectiveness of Rucaparib in treating prostate cancers with mutations to either the BRCA or ATM genes.
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Experimental ultrasound ablation of the globus pallidus to manage Parkison’s disease
Topic: NEUROLOGY
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Reviewed by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
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Posted on February 27th, 2023
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Recently, deep brain stimulation has been utilized to treat Parkinson’s disease. However, this procedure requires open brain surgery and frequent visits to the hospital for maintenance of the device. Thus, a less invasive method and requires less upkeep would be more efficient. A recent study sponsored by the medical device company Insightec had published their findings on the effectiveness of using ultrasound ablation to manage Parkinson’s.
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Using the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) to prevent pneumonia in the elderly population
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Reviewed by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
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Posted on February 24th, 2023
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In 2013, the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) was approved for pediatric usage in the United States. After 3 years of implementation, there was a steep decline in the incidence of invasive pneumococcal disease. Thus, the vaccine was recommended for the elderly population and the surveillance study conducted since 2014 had published their findings in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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The safety profile and efficacy of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine (BNT162b2) in children younger than 5 years old
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Reviewed by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
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Posted on February 22nd, 2023
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In most cases, SARS-CoV-2 causes mild to moderate disease in children under the age of 5. However, there have been many severe infections in the form of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) which can lead to death. However, there is no research on the effectiveness and safety of the vaccine in young children. Thus, the pharmaceutical companies Pfizer and BioNTech had conducted a study to investigate the effect of the BNT162b2 vaccine in children below 5 years old.
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RSVPreF3 OA, a novel vaccine to prevent respiratory syncytial virus infection
Topic: INFECTIOUS DISEASE, RESPIRATORY
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Reviewed by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
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Posted on February 20th, 2023
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Annually, many elderly people experience severe and lethal infection with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). There is currently no available vaccine to prevent this infection; thus, the pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline had created one that targets the F glycoprotein on RSV. This structure is essential for viral binding and cell entry, so the study theorized that the AS01E-adjuvanted RSV prefusion F protein–based candidate vaccine (RSVPreF3 OA) can be effective at preventing RSV infection.
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Using interferon lambda as a potential antiviral against SARS-CoV-2
Topic: COVID-19
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Reviewed by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
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Posted on February 17th, 2023
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As a defense against the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the cells in the human upper respiratory tract produce Interferon Lambda to inhibit viral replication. The cytokine had previously been utilized to help patients with Hepatitis B and C. A group of scientists had recently tested the effect of pegylated interferon lambda in treating patients that had been diagnosed with COVID-19 infection.
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The effectiveness of 4CMenB vaccine in preventing invasive meningococcal disease in children
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Reviewed by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
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Posted on February 17th, 2023
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Neisseria meningitidis is the major bacterial cause behind invasive meningitis in children. The four-component protein-based meningococcal B vaccine (4CMenB) is sold by the pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline under the brand name Bexsero and has been widely used worldwide. A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine had published their finding on the effectiveness of the 4CMenB vaccine on preventing infection in young children.
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Possibility of using VV116, a Remdesivir analogue, to treat COVID-19
Topic: ONCOLOGY
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Reviewed by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
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Posted on February 15th, 2023
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The antiviral combination of Nirmaterlvir and Ritonavir is currently being recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) to treat mild-to-moderate COVID-19. However, worldwide access to this medication is very limited, and it cannot be widely used due to the high amount of drug-to-drug interactions. Remdesivir is another antiviral recommended by the WHO, but its usage is restricted to inpatient settings because the agent needed to be administered intravenously. VV116 is an analogue to Remdesivir that can be taken orally; a recent study conducted by manufacturing pharmaceutical company, Vigonvita Life Sciences, had compare the clinical efficacy and safety profile of VV116 to the Nirmaterlvir and Ritonavir combination
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Comparing the efficacy and safety of zanubrutinib to ibrutinib, the current first line treatment for chronic lymphocytic leukemia and small lymphocytic lymphoma
Topic: COVID-19
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Reviewed by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
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Posted on February 13th, 2023
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Ibrutinib is a first generation BKT inhibitor that has been used as a first-line treatment for chronic lymphocytic leukemia and small lymphocytic lymphoma. However, the medication is not well tolerated due to its severe adverse effects. Zanubrutnib is a second generation molecule that has greater specificity to BKT. A recent study had been conducted to investigate whether the higher specificity of Zanubrutinib translated to a higher degree of efficacy and better tolerated side effects.
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The effectiveness of using sotorasib to treat pancreatic cancer with G12C KRAS mutation
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Reviewed by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
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Posted on February 10th, 2023
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The KRAS protein is extremely essential for the intracellular signaling required for cellular development. Mutations in this protein frequently disrupt the cell cycle and increase the risk of cancer. A glycine-to-cysteine mutation at amino acid position #12 (G12C) of the KRAS protein is the underlying cause behind 1% to 2% of all pancreatic cancer cases. Due to the high toxicity of the current treatment, a new therapy is needed. Sotorasib is a small molecule that can bind to and inactivate the mutated G12C KRAS, and a recent study conducted by Amgen had recently released their findings on the medication’s effectiveness.
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Potential usage of anti-amyloid beta antibody to prevent Alzheimer’s progression
Topic: NEUROLOGY
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Reviewed by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
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Posted on February 8th, 2023
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Alzheimer’s is caused by the over-accumulation of aggregated amyloid beta protein inside the brain. These amyloid plaque can interfere with the normal function of neurons and lead to dementia. Lecanemab is an antibody that can bind to these amyloid beta proteins which can result in the clearance of these clumps. A recent study had examined the effectiveness of Lecanemab in preventing the progression of Alzheimer’s disease
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Effectiveness of using bivalent Pfizer booster vaccine in neutralizing SARS-CoV-2 in the elderly
Topic: COVID-19
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Reviewed by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
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Posted on February 6th, 2023
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As more people are immunized against SARS-CoV-2, and the virus mutated to be less lethal, COVID-19 has transformed from a pandemic to an endemic, like influenza. Despite this shift, it is still important to maintain high vaccination rates to reduce the risk of mutation that can generate new variants and to protect members of vulnerable groups such as the elders. The two pharmaceutical companies, Pfizer and BioNTech - the manufacturers of the BNT162b2 vaccine - had recently released their finding on the effectiveness of a bivalent vaccine vs. the current vaccine in neutralizing SARS-CoV-2.
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Combination therapy of Adagrasib and Cetuximab in treating metastatic colorectal cancer with G12C KRAS mutation
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Reviewed by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
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Posted on February 3rd, 2023
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KRAS is a major oncogene that contributes to the development of approximately half of all colorectal cancer cases. The glycine-to-cysteine mutation at amino acid position #12 (G12C) causes the KRAS protein to be stuck in its active form, leading to continuous signaling that can lead to cancerous development. This form of KRAS mutation is responsible for 3% - 4% of all colorectal cancer cases. Adagrasib is a small-molecule agent that can selectively bind to and inhibit G12C KRAS signaling. Thus, Adagrasib monotherapy is promising, but cancer cells can utilize signaling through the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) pathway to reactivate G12C KRAS. The KRYSTAL-1 study had investigated the effectiveness of combining Adagrasib with an anti-EGFR monoclonal antibody, in the form of Cetuximab.
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Comparing the usage of aspirin and heparin in preventing blood clot in patient who had experienced fracture
Topic: ORTHOPEDIC
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Reviewed by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
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Posted on January 27th, 2023
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Patients who had suffered an orthopedic trauma experienced an increased risk of venous thromboembolism. Low-molecular-weight heparin is recommended as prophylaxis to prevent blood clot for patients who have had a fracture. A recent study found that aspirin can also be used as an effective thromboprophylaxis with less adverse effects. But there has not been any direct comparison between heparin and aspirin in preventing blood clot. The Major Extremity Trauma Research Consortium (METRC) had recently published their findings on the effectiveness of aspirin versus heparin.
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Using delay-released linaclotide (MD-7246) to manage irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea
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Reviewed by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
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Posted on January 27th, 2023
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A previous phase 3 clinical trial had shown that linaclotide can alleviate abdominal discomfort in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) with constipation. The agent acts on the guanylate cyclase-C on intestinal epithelial cells to increase fluid secretion. The delayed-release formulation 2 of linaclotide (MD-7246) was designed to act in the distal region of the ileocaecal junction and cecum, and a recent study had investigated its effectiveness in treating IBS with diarrhea.
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The effectiveness and safety of tofacitinib in treating ulcerative colitis
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Reviewed by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
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Posted on January 25th, 2023
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Tofacitinib is an oral Janus Kinase (JAK) inhibitor that interferes with the STAT activation needed for pro-inflammatory cytokine production. After the positive results from the OCTAVE clinical trial, the agent was approved to manage ulcerative colitis. However, the observation period of the initial trial was too short, and it lacked generalizability. Thus, a recent study was conducted to assess the long-term efficacy and safety of Tofacitinib.
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Investigating the possible benefit of Astegolimab and Efmarodocokin Alfa in treating severe COVID-19 pneumonia
Topic: COVID-19
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Reviewed by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
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Posted on January 23rd, 2023
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Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) had been associated with severe and lethal COVID-19. The syndrome was characterized with an hyperexpression of the pro-inflammatory IL-33 and a downregulation of the protective IL-22. Thus, a recent study sponsored by Genetech had been conducted to investigate the possibility of using an anti-IL-33 immunoglobulin (Astegolimab) and an IL-22-like particle (Efmarodocokin alfa) to treat patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia
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