7 need-to-knows about migraine as well as some updates on the latest treatment developments

The dramatic before-and-after images show eight men's incredible response to cutting-edge treatment. 

It’s believed that this immunotherapy and its dual approach to fighting cancer will be a notable complement to existing immuno-oncology treatments.

Researchers believe these differences are due to a reduced immunosuppressive tumor environment in older patients.

The latest approval renders the previous 'temporary approval' a full approval, without further results needed.

The 52% (95% CI, 41-62) ORR included a complete response rate of 40% and a partial response rate of 12%.

The FDA has approved a wearable device to treat withdrawal symptoms such as agitation, anxiety, depression, and opiate cravings.

Researchers say the addition of Keytruda (pembrolizumab) in this study almost doubled the response rate of chemo for patients with NSCLC.

The study showed that the relative survival gain almost doubled in men, compared to female patients, regardless of the type of cancer and drugs given.

Tagrisso (osimertinib) has been approved in Europe to treat Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) mutated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) as a first-line treatment. 

A new preventive migraine treatment, Aimovig (erenumab-aooe), poses promising possibilities for some migraine sufferers.

New clinical results show that Durvalumab improved survival (versus a placebo) in patients with non–small cell lung cancer.

The first-ever preventative treatment for migraine in adults, Aimovig (erenumab-aooe) is now approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

Lucemyra (lofexidine hydrochloride), now approved by the Food and Drug Administration, may offer relief (and new hope) for patients experiencing withdrawal symptoms from opioid dependence.

This will provide a much-needed alternative therapy for a debilitating disease with limited treatment options. 



Moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis can now be treated with Xeljanz (tofacitinib), following the expanded approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This will provide a much-needed alternative therapy for a debilitating disease with limited treatment options.

"We currently test for liver cancer using ultrasound and a blood protein marker called alpha fetoprotein," says John Kisiel, M.D., a gastroenterologist at Mayo Clinic. "Unfortunately, these tests are not very sensitive for curable stage liver cancers, and most patients who need this testing do not have it easily available or [are] not able to receive it often enough to be effective." The new advance by the team opens the door to further development of a DNA test. 

This new development may increase chances of patients discussing the disease with their doctor...



A new package insert that includes information/data about psoriasis in the genital area has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 

A team of researchers from the Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB) has succeeded in demonstrating experimentally (in a lab) that genetic diversity makes populations more resistant to disease.

 

Researchers have built an ingestible sensor equipped with genetically engineered bacteria that can diagnose bleeding in the stomach or other gastrointestinal problems. Ultra-low-power sensors carrying genetically engineered bacteria can detect gastric bleeding. 

 

The Entomological Society of America reports today that a new study from the CDC (Centre for Disease Control) in the USA shows that permethrin-treated clothing may stop ticks from biting. This will thus reduce transmission of diseases like Lyme disease. Lab tests showed germ-carrying ticks can't move properly after contact with treated garments, making them sluggish and likely interfering with their ability to bite. 



 

Service Announcement for price changes to 12 medicines. For 9 medicines we have negotiated lower prices for patients, 3 medicines have increases. 

 

‘Unapproved medicines’, ‘compassionate use’, ‘early access drugs’..

A personalised vaccine which boosts a patient’s own immune system has nearly doubled the number of women surviving ovarian cancer by two years.

Following an earlier negative decision, NICE is now recommending NHS use of Roche’s immunotherapy Tecentriq for lung cancer.

Rubraca (rucaparib), already approved as a treatment for BRCA positive ovarian cancer, has been approved as a maintenance therapy for ovarian cancer regardless of BRCA mutation. 

The FDA approves Blincyto (blinatumomab) for patients with B-cell ALL, who are in remission but still have minimal residual disease.

FDA approves Tasigna (nilotinib) for certain pediatric patients with Ph+ CML in chronic phase.