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PracticeUpdate
This study analyzed 147 patients with hormone receptor-positive and HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer (HR+/HER2+ MBC) who received first-line chemotherapy and dual anti-HER2 therapy using a real-world registry dataset. The efficacy of adding endocrine therapy to dual anti-HER2 therapy after chemotherapy discontinuation was studied retrospectively. The researchers discovered that endocrine therapy resulted in statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvements in both PFS and overall survival outcomes. In the first-line treatment of HR+/HER2+ MBC, the current standard practice is to administer a CLEOPATRA trial-based regimen that includes taxane, pertuzumab, and trastuzumab until the best response is achieved and then discontinue chemotherapy. These findings, with a hazard ratio of 0.52 for overall survival with the addition of endocrine therapy, confirm that all patients with HR+/HER2+ MBC should receive endocrine therapy after achieving the best response with chemotherapy.
Oncology, Medical March 20th 2023
JAMA Network
The findings of this retrospective dual-center cohort study of diffuse malignant peritoneal mesothelioma (DMPM) patients suggest that pembrolizumab had clinical activity regardless of PD-L1 status or histology, though patients with nonepithelioid histology may have benefited more. The partial response rate of 21.0% and median OS of 20.9 months in this cohort with 75.0% epithelioid histology call for additional research to identify those most likely to respond to immunotherapy.
Renal & Urology News
At a median follow-up of 24 months following initial PSMA PET scans, 73 of the 226 patients studied had clinical recurrence (CR). The 3-year CR-free rates in the 109-person metastasis-directed therapy (MDT) group were 51% and 28% in the no MDT group (117), respectively. Men who did not receive MDT had a significantly higher rate of distant metastases at CR than those who did (86% vs. 77%). The proportion of distant metastases was significantly lower in the MDT group (67% vs. 76%).
The New England Journal of Medicine
Bempedoic acid is currently approved for two patient subgroups. This 3-year, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial examined cholesterol-lowering and CV protective effects in a broader population of approximately 14,000 patients with elevated cholesterol who were unable or unwilling to take statins. The drug was 21% more effective than placebo at reducing LDL in this trial. There was a small but significant reduction in primary events of CV-related death, MI, stroke, or coronary revascularization.
Cardiology March 15th 2023
SMA News Today
It is especially important to educate physicians who provide primary care to patients of these ages about spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and other neuromuscular diseases. Shortening diagnostic times is critical for the success of current therapies, and neonatal SMA screening programs have a high potential for identifying affected children.
Neurology March 14th 2023
British Medical Journal (The BMJ)
Many studies have a high risk of bias and significant heterogeneity, implying that results should be interpreted with caution. Nonetheless, most estimates of symptom change for general mental health, anxiety symptoms, and depression symptoms were close to zero and not statistically significant, and significant changes were of minimal to minor magnitudes. In all domains, women or female participants experienced minor negative changes.
Psychiatry March 14th 2023