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News The Benefit of Liposomal Irinotecan in the Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer in a Young Patient – A Case Study
Pancreatic tumors continue to be a challenge in modern oncology. Due to the asymptomatic nature of early stages, most cases are diagnosed in advanced stages. The five-year survival rate of patients does not even reach 10%, and up to half of patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer never make it to the second line of systemic therapy due to the rapid deterioration of their overall clinical condition. In a case study from her own practice, Dr. Marie Beneš Kočová from the Oncology Department of České Budějovice Hospital shared her experience with the treatment of a relatively early-detected disease in a young patient.
News Oral Azacitidine Prolongs Survival of AML Patients Regardless of Measurable Residual Disease
Intensive chemotherapy for patients newly diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) often achieves high remission rates, although these remissions are often only temporary. Consolidation therapy with azacitidine (AZA) extends post-remission survival and disease-free intervals.
News Teriflunomide "under the microscope" or what it's like to live with MS in the North
The Teri-LIFE study examined teriflunomide very comprehensively. How does it manage to affect the quality of life of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) according to data from real clinical practice in the Nordic countries? What is adherence to this therapy like? And what are its health-economic consequences? We briefly summarize the answers to these questions.
News Biocompatibility of 3D Printed Materials – Their Comparison, Legislation, and Practice
Printing three-dimensional (3D) objects brings new possibilities for producing personalized implants, prosthetics, and other medical devices in healthcare. One area where this technology can improve current practice is the printing of tracheostomy tubes for use in patients after laryngectomy. However, it is crucial to ensure the biocompatibility of the materials used for printing. In November 2023, a study comparing 3D printer materials in terms of their susceptibility to the growth of bacterial biofilms from Staphylococcus aureus was published in the journal 3D Printing in Medicine.
News Fixed combinations of Enerzair® and Atecura® may improve asthma treatment
The newly approved fixed triple combination Enerzair® and the fixed dual combination Atectura® have demonstrated improvements in lung function and a reduction in exacerbations in previously uncontrolled asthma patients. Administering once daily using the Breezhaler® inhaler along with the possibility of connecting a digital aid aims, among other things, to facilitate usage and proper adherence to the treatment.
News Reduction of Enthesitis in Patients with Psoriatic Arthritis Taking Tofacitinib
Inflammation in the area where a tendon, ligament, or joint capsule attaches to the bone occurs in 35–50% of patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Its presence is associated with higher activity of PsA, and its intensity correlates with the degree of joint damage. Patients with enthesitis are generally in worse functional status and report greater fatigue, pain, and decreased productivity. How can treatment with tofacitinib affect this important domain of PsA?
News Extract of Medical Cannabis Now Available for Czech Patients. What Benefits Does It Bring?
At the end of 2022, a new drug based on cannabis extract Naxiva Panaxol by Neuraxpharm was approved in the Czech Republic. It can be prescribed by specialists treating patients with chronic intractable pain. The treatment is covered by public health insurance.
News Conditions for the Use of Mucolytics in Children Are Tightening in Europe − Which Treatment Is Preferred?
There has been a long-standing discussion among experts regarding the benefits of individual mucomodulatory drugs in the treatment of productive cough in children. According to current recommendations, erdosteine remains the preferred treatment for children. At what age can mucolytic treatment be safely recommended?
News Current Therapy Options for Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a chronic progressive disease that exclusively affects adults, predominantly of middle and older age. Until recently, the disease was practically untreatable. However, this has changed with the discovery of antifibrotic drugs, which have significantly altered the prognosis for patients. Early diagnosis and initiation of therapy at a specialized center, of which there are several in the Czech Republic, are essential for success.
News Wireless Smart Devices Monitor Health by Detecting Sounds
The human body continuously emits various forms of acoustic-mechanical signals that can provide important information about its health. Researchers from Northwestern University in the USA have developed miniature wearable devices (wearables) capable of simultaneously detecting sounds from multiple locations on the body, thereby continuously monitoring the health of the wearer. In a pilot project, the devices were tested on prematurely born infants with breathing and intestinal motility disorders and on adults with chronic lung diseases.
News Key for Patients with PBC are Timely Diagnosis and Assessment of Therapy Effectiveness
Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) cannot be cured. It progresses slowly and over several decades leads to liver cirrhosis with all its potential consequences, including possible transplantation and the risk of premature death. The foundation of PBC pharmacotherapy is ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) and in recent years, obeticholic acid (OCA) has also been available, which European and Czech guidelines recommend as the second-line treatment. One of the symposiums at this year's XLVIII May Hepatology Days also focused on PBC and its therapy, including experiences from Czech practice.
News Use of Testosterone Level as a Biomarker for Quality of Life in Patients with Prostate Cancer
In the treatment of prostate cancer, in addition to surgical treatment, stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) and hormone therapy are also used. Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) blocks the action or production of male sex hormones and is indicated for the treatment of intermediate and high-risk prostate cancers, where it reduces the risk of metastasis and prolongs survival. The work of experts from several American institutions monitored testosterone levels during therapy and their connection to the development of quality of life scores.
News Maintaining Therapeutic Doses of Levothyroxine Throughout Shelf Life
Levothyroxine is the drug of choice for patients with hypothyroidism. However, it is also one of the substances with a narrow therapeutic range, which increases the risk of overdose or underdose, especially in risk groups. An innovative formulation of levothyroxine guarantees the maintenance of the drug content within the range of 95–105% throughout the shelf life of the product.
News Current Recommendations of the International League Against Epilepsy for the Treatment of Seizures in Newborns
In 2023, a team of experts in neurology, neonatology, and pediatrics, along with representatives of parents, published recommendations for the treatment of epileptic seizures in newborns. These were developed based on a systematic literature review (and in cases of insufficient evidence, based on consensus achieved using the Delphi method) and include first and second choice pharmacotherapy, dosing, duration of treatment, effects of therapeutic hypothermia, and the use of pyridoxine. We offer their summary in a nutshell (and always indicate the strength of the recommendation in parentheses).
News Classification and Management of Chronic Wounds
Chronic wounds are common comorbidities that increase the morbidity and mortality of patients. Common types of chronic wounds on the lower extremities include arterial, venous, and diabetic ulcers, as well as pressure ulcers. Despite their frequent occurrence, they are often poorly treated. In addition to diagnosing the etiology of chronic wounds and specific therapies, moist wound healing plays a crucial role in the treatment, such as the application of hydrocolloids and hydrogels.
News Noonan's Syndrome – History and Present
The genetically determined syndrome linking congenital heart defect with a typical facial phenotype is named after Jacqueline Noonan, a pediatric cardiologist who practiced in the second half of the 20th century. She was the first to recognize and describe it. In the following text, we will briefly introduce it and discuss the circumstances of its discovery.
News Prokinetics in the Treatment of Diabetic Gastroparesis
One of the common complications of diabetes mellitus is a motility disorder of the gastrointestinal tract, which can affect any part of the digestive tube, and therefore has various forms. Among these therapeutically challenging conditions is diabetic gastroparesis, which involves impaired stomach emptying.
News Geriatrics and Nutrition in Old Age - Invitation
We invite you to watch a webinar dedicated to the topic of nutrition in old age. The impetus for its creation was the fact that from September 1, 2020, physicians specializing in geriatrics are allowed to prescribe outpatient sipping to ensure early nutritional intervention for malnourished patients.
News AAD 2023: Efficacy of Bimekizumab in the Treatment of Hidradenitis Suppurativa
At the latest annual congress of the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), held March 17-22, 2023 in New Orleans, the results of the phase III BE HEARD I and II studies were presented among late-breaking presentations. The studies demonstrate the safety and high efficacy of bimekizumab in the treatment of adults with moderate to severe hidradenitis suppurativa (HS).
News What is the effectiveness of levodropropizine in the treatment of children's cough?
Levodropropizine represents an effective and safe option for the treatment of acute irritating cough in children. How does it compare to dropropizine and commonly used centrally acting antitussives?
News Fixed Combination of Candesartan/Amlodipine in the Treatment of Arterial Hypertension
Arterial hypertension is a significant cardiovascular risk factor. A variety of antihypertensives are used in therapy, both in monotherapy and combination treatment. Often, it is necessary to treat patients with a combination of multiple antihypertensives to achieve satisfactory blood pressure values. A popular fixed combination with a favorable pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic profile is the combination of candesartan and amlodipine, whose effects have been verified by numerous extensive clinical studies.
News Current Recommendations for Using SGLT2 Inhibitors in Patients with Renal or Cardiovascular Risk
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) is a serious chronic metabolic disease whose prevalence has been increasing in recent years. Currently, diabetics make up approximately 8−10% of the population. The therapy is traditionally focused primarily on suppressing the development and progression of diabetic complications, but modern antidiabetics have also brought other unprecedented benefits. The following text summarizes the role of gliflozins in the pharmacotherapy of DM2 in light of current recommendations.