Search

News Efficacy and Safety of Dual Bronchodilator Therapy for COPD –⁠ From Randomized Clinical Trials to Real-World Clinical Practice

Dual bronchodilator therapy (LAMA + LABA) represents one of the mainstays of treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The aim of the recent systematic review presented below was to assess the efficacy and safety of this dual therapy compared to monotherapy or other combinations in the context of clinical trials and real-world clinical practice.

Source: Treatment of Asthma and COPD 18. 11. 2021

News Efficacy and Safety of Teriflunomide in the Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis in Children –⁠ Results of the TERIKIDS Study

Therapeutic options for multiple sclerosis in the pediatric population are limited. However, in June 2021, teriflunomide was approved for the treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) in pediatric patients aged 10–17 years in the European Union. The basis for this registration was the favorable results of the TERIKIDS study, which we summarize below. Teriflunomide thus became the first oral medication for 1st line treatment of RRMS in children and adolescents within the EU.

Source: Multiple Sclerosis 1. 6. 2022

News How to Prevent and Treat Thromboembolic Disease in Cancer Patients

Malignancy is one of the risk factors for the development of thromboembolic disease (TED). Venous thromboembolism is considered the second most common cause of death in cancer patients, with the top cause being the cancer itself. Therefore, optimal treatment and timely prevention of these complications is very important.

Source: Thromboprophylaxis 6. 3. 2021

News Ocrelizumab in the treatment of multiple sclerosis in real-world practice –⁠ a systematic review of published studies

In controlled study programs, ocrelizumab has demonstrated beneficial effects on improving clinical parameters in patients with multiple sclerosis, such as the annual relapse rate or confirmed disability progression. However, to get a complete picture of its clinical benefit, real-world evidence in a broad patient population is also needed. A systematic review of real-world clinical practice studies with ocrelizumab, published in March 2023, demonstrates its benefits in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) and primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS) in terms of relapse frequency, disease activity on MRI, disability, absence of disease activity (NEDA), and quality of life.

Source: Neurology - Multiple Sclerosis 27. 9. 2023

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.

Source: 27. 3. 2024

News Pharmacokinetics of Concentrates for the Treatment of von Willebrand’s Disease

Von Willebrand's disease (vWD) is characterized by a deficiency or reduced functional capacity of von Willebrand factor (vWF) and, in more severe cases, by a deficiency of coagulation factor VIII (FVIII). Treatment usually requires repeated infusions of vWF and FVIII concentrate, with available products having different factor ratios. Repeated infusions of concentrates can lead to different FVIII exposures when using different products. The pharmacokinetics of two products with varying vWF and FVIII ratios have been compared in experimental preclinical and clinical studies.

Source: Von Willebrand Disease 14. 11. 2022

News Technology as an Aid in Home Oral Care

Good oral hygiene is a prerequisite for good health, both in the mouth area and in terms of overall condition. To make it more effective and easier, it is now possible to use technologically advanced tools that allow users to achieve and maintain high hygiene standards in regular daily care.

Source: Dental Care 22. 2. 2023

News Does olaparib improve overall survival in patients with recurrent ovarian cancer and BRCA mutation?

Olaparib, a poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) enzyme inhibitor, in tablet form is indicated, among other things, for the maintenance treatment of adult patients with platinum-sensitive recurrent high-grade epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer who respond (complete or partial response) to platinum-based chemotherapy. Its efficacy in this indication in terms of prolonging progression-free survival and overall survival was addressed by the phase III study presented below.

Source: Ovarian and Breast Cancer 13. 2. 2021

News Effects of Telmisartan on Vascular Endothelial Functions, Inflammation Parameters, and Insulin Resistance in Patients with CHD and DM

Patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) and diabetes mellitus (DM) often have dysfunctional vascular endothelium, increased inflammatory markers, and insulin resistance. The study presented below investigated the effects of telmisartan on these parameters associated with disease progression and worse prognosis.

Source: Sartans in the Treatment of Hypertension 2. 3. 2020

News Monitoring of Joint Health is an Important Part of Hemophilia Care

Joint health has become a key aspect of the quality of life for people with hemophilia. The possibilities of monitoring early joint damage in hemophiliacs were evaluated in a recently published British study.

Source: Hemophilia 18. 8. 2021

News Do Beta-Blockers Increase the Risk of Hypoglycemia in Patients with Diabetes and Atherosclerosis?

Given that a large portion of patients with diabetes have proven cardiovascular disease, several clinical studies or their subsequent analyses address the effects of beta-blockers in these patients. One such analysis was the post-hoc analysis of the TECOS study, which among other things, attempted to evaluate the connection between the use of beta-blockers in type 2 diabetics with proven atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and the incidence of hypoglycemic episodes.

Source: Cardiovascular Continuum 18. 5. 2020

News What Did the Patent for the Synthesis of Highly Purified Trazodone Bring?

Trazodone is a modern antidepressant that is used in the treatment of various types of depression, including those accompanied by anxiety, sleep disorders, or sexual dysfunction. Angelini's invention, with patent protection valid until 2028, presents several methods for the preparation of purified trazodone, or trazodone hydrochloride, which guarantees high purity of this substance and a low content of unwanted residues.

Source: Depression and Anxiety 5. 10. 2020

News Effectiveness of Compression Therapy in Patients with Leg Ulcers

Up to 2% of the population suffers from leg ulcers. The standard treatment for ulcers of venous etiology is compression. The following French study, whose results were recently published in the International Journal of Angiology, examined its effectiveness and safety in patients with mixed (arteriovenous) etiology ulcers.

Source: Wound Healing 8. 11. 2022

News New Era in Migraine Therapy

Migraine is the most common type of primary headache. It affects about 10% of the world population. Recurring migraine attacks significantly reduce quality of life. Therefore, research in pharmacotherapy in recent years has logically focused on preventing attacks. The result is the latest possibility of biological treatment for migraines using monoclonal antibodies against CGRP receptors.

Source: Migraine 4. 5. 2020

News Effectiveness of Dietary Intervention in Irritable Bowel Syndrome –⁠ Results of a Network Meta-Analysis

A low FODMAP diet is often recommended to alleviate symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Although several randomized studies have been conducted to assess the effectiveness of this diet, a systematic evaluation has yet to be available, and individual studies have used various control interventions. Therefore, an international team of researchers decided to prepare a systematic literature review with a network analysis, recently published in the journal Gut.

Source: Irritable Bowel Syndrome 12. 10. 2022