Aislinn Antrim, Managing Editor

People who used positive airway pressure therapy were less likely than others to receive a new diagnosis of dementia or mild cognitive impairment over the next 3 years.

There have now been approximately 70,000 pregnant people vaccinated against COVID-19 with no evidence of harm.

The molecules act as decoy CD4 proteins, which the HIV particles preferentially attach to instead of CD4 cells at the surface of the cell.

Patients with COVID-19 and obesity were more likely to require oxygen and had a 73% greater change of requiring invasive mechanical ventilation.

The FDA has expanded its approval of short ragweed pollen allergen extract (Ragwitek; ALK) to include treatment for children and adolescents, starting at age 5 years, with short ragweed pollen-induced allergic rhinitis.

The test received FDA emergency use authorization for OTC, non-prescription, asymptomatic use for the detection of COVID-19 infection on March 31, 2021.

Fecal microbiota transplants are effective in at least 80% of C. diff cases, although until now, researchers did not know why.

Long-term societal and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic have promoted urgent responses in many sectors, which could lead to real-world efforts to improve prevention of chronic health conditions.

Nivolumab is the first and only immunotherapy in combination with chemotherapy to deliver superior overall survival compared to chemotherapy alone in this patient population.

Olaparib and niraparib both show promise in the maintenance treatment of ovarian cancer, though they may each be appropriate for different patient populations.

Pharmacokinetic differences in pediatric patients should be considered when administering direct oral anticoagulants, as should potential administration difficulties when pellets or oral solutions are not available.

Urothelial carcinoma is the sixth most common cancer diagnosis in the United States, with an estimated 81,400 new diagnoses in 2020 and 17,980 deaths.

Second-generation antihistamines are safer and just as affordable and as effective as first-generation antihistamines, according to the study authors.

Oral chemotherapies can be effective treatments for children with low-grade gliomas, although clinicians should consider available formulations and administration schedules.

Promising investigational oncology drugs include oral taxanes, small molecule drugs, and immunotherapies.

During the initial CAR T-cell therapy period, the total cost of care ranged from $350,000 to more than $2 million.

Among patients with HIV who had not been diagnosed with heart disease at the beginning of the study, the risk of developing heart disease, heart failure, or stroke for the first time was 90% higher among those taking beta-blockers.

The most common reason given for refusal of a COVID-19 vaccine was distrust of the health care system, correctional or government personnel, and institutions.

A session at the Community Oncology Alliance virtual 2021 conference noted that clinical trials have found promising new treatments for patients with breast cancer, offering opportunities for future new approvals and indications.

In patients who received early palliative care, researchers noted a lower percentage of patients with depression, improved quality of life, and, significantly, longer survival.

Panelists at the Community Oncology Alliance (COA) virtual 2021 conference said the impacts of the pandemic on their day-to-day operations were challenging, although they all said they were proud of how their staff handled the rapid changes in spring of 2020.

Findings from the phase 3 ASCENT trial demonstrate a clinically meaningful 57% reduction in the risk of disease worsening or death for patients receiving sacituzumab govitecan.

Patients with glioblastoma receiving temozolomide in the morning had an average overall survival of about 17 months, compared to an average overall survival of approximately 13.5 months for those taking the drug in the evening.

The investigators concluded that pharmacies who use the patient engagement center are likely to see efficient operations and increased productivity.

FDA grants a fast track designation to GEN-1, a DNA-mediated IL-12 immunotherapy.

Based on their findings and considering the small size and portability of the test, the investigators said it could be used for fast virus detection in schools and airports.

Two-thirds of surveyed physicians said patients are presenting with more late-stage cancers, with 73% saying patients in their practice are not receiving screenings.

The oncology space has seen rapid growth in the last decade, with new approvals and indications necessitating expertise in areas such as medication use, safe practices, and reimbursement practices.

Some drugs commonly used for psoriasis can increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases, whereas other treatments can reduce the risk.

Researchers found that viral variants expressed their genes at different rates and quantities, which likely contributes to the different timing and severity of symptoms within hosts.