Scientists are optimistic that mRNA vaccines will improve survival rates in many cancers that are currently hard to beat
The same mRNA technology used in COVID vaccines can significantly increase the survival of patients with an aggressive form of skin cancer, according to new results.
Data released by the biotech company Moderna show that melanoma patients given an existing immunotherapy drug called Keytruda were 44% less likely to die or suffer a recurrence of the cancer if they were also given the vaccine. The personalised jab was made using genetic material from individual patients' tumour cells, priming their immune system to be on the watch for the first signs of the cancer returning.
The phase 2 trial involved 157 patients with advanced stage 3 or 4 melanoma who had previously had surgery to remove the tumour.Moderna and Merck, the company that makes Keytruda, will forge ahead with a larger late-stage clinical trial starting next year. Stéphane Bancel, Moderna's chief executive officer, said:"Today's results are highly encouraging for the field of cancer treatment.
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What is the prevalence of COVID-19 detection by PCR among deceased individuals in Lusaka, Zambia? A postmortem surveillance studyObjectives To determine the prevalence of COVID-19 postmortem setting in Lusaka, Zambia. Design A systematic, postmortem prevalence study. Setting A busy, inner-city morgue in Lusaka. Participants We sampled a random subset of all decedents who transited the University Teaching Hospital morgue. We sampled the posterior nasopharynx of decedents using quantitative PCR. Prevalence was weighted to account for age-specific enrolment strategies. Interventions Not applicable—this was an observational study. Primary outcomes Prevalence of COVID-19 detections by PCR. Results were stratified by setting (facility vs community deaths), age, demographics and geography and time. Secondary outcomes Shifts in viral variants; causal inferences based on cycle threshold values and other features; antemortem testing rates. Results From 1118 decedents enrolled between January and June 2021, COVID-19 was detected among 32.0% (358/1116). Roughly four COVID-19+ community deaths occurred for every facility death. Antemortem testing occurred for 52.6% (302/574) of facility deaths but only 1.8% (10/544) of community deaths and overall, only ~10% of COVID-19+ deaths were identified in life. During peak transmission periods, COVID-19 was detected in ~90% of all deaths. We observed three waves of transmission that peaked in July 2020, January 2021 and ~June 2021: the AE.1 lineage and the Beta and Delta variants, respectively. PCR signals were strongest among those whose deaths were deemed ‘probably due to COVID-19’, and weakest among children, with an age-dependent increase in PCR signal intensity. Conclusions COVID-19 was common among deceased individuals in Lusaka. Antemortem testing was rarely done, and almost never for community deaths. Suspicion that COVID-19 was the cause of deaths was highest for those with a respiratory syndrome and lowest for individuals |19 years. Data are available upon reasonable request.
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Scientists’ understanding of long covid is improvingOur podcast on science and technology. This week, we examine the latest research into what may be causing long covid, and ask whether the hunt for answers could shed light on other chronic conditions
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How the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the treatment pancreatic cancer patientsHow the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the treatment pancreatic cancer patients Cancer Coronavirus Disease COVID PancreaticCancer Pandemic medrxivpreprint OpenSAFELY UniOfSurrey UniofOxford ucl
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Brain fog of post-COVID-19 condition and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, same medical disorder? - Journal of Translational MedicineBackground Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) is characterized by persistent physical and mental fatigue. The post-COVID-19 condition patients refer physical fatigue and cognitive impairment sequelae. Given the similarity between both conditions, could it be the same pathology with a different precipitating factor? Objective To describe the cognitive impairment, neuropsychiatric symptoms, and general symptomatology in both groups, to find out if it is the same pathology. As well as verify if the affectation of smell is related to cognitive deterioration in patients with post-COVID-19 condition. Methods The sample included 42 ME/CFS and 73 post-COVID-19 condition patients. Fatigue, sleep quality, anxiety and depressive symptoms, the frequency and severity of different symptoms, olfactory function and a wide range of cognitive domains were evaluated. Results Both syndromes are characterized by excessive physical fatigue, sleep problems and myalgia. Sustained attention and processing speed were impaired in 83.3% and 52.4% of ME/CFS patients while in post-COVID-19 condition were impaired in 56.2% and 41.4% of patients, respectively. Statistically significant differences were found in sustained attention and visuospatial ability, being the ME/CFS group who presented the worst performance. Physical problems and mood issues were the main variables correlating with cognitive performance in post-COVID-19 patients, while in ME/CFS it was anxiety symptoms and physical fatigue. Conclusions The symptomatology and cognitive patterns were similar in both groups, with greater impairment in ME/CFS. This disease is characterized by greater physical and neuropsychiatric problems compared to post-COVID-19 condition. Likewise, we also propose the relevance of prolonged hyposmia as a possible marker of cognitive deterioration in patients with post-COVID-19.
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China warned to accelerate approval of updated jabs to tackle Covid ‘tsunami’\n\t\t\tKeep abreast of significant corporate, financial and political developments around the world.\n\t\t\tStay informed and spot emerging risks and opportunities with independent global reporting, expert\n\t\t\tcommentary and analysis you can trust.\n\t\t
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Severe COVID-19 causes aging-like changes in the human brainSevere COVID-19 causes aging-like changes in the human brain Aging Brain Coronavirus Disease COVID Neurology harvardmed BIDMChealth BrighamWomens NatureAging
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