VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER

A blood test developed by researchers at UC Davis Health and other institutions may predict the risk of severe respiratory conditions, potentially leading to earlier intervention and prevention of serious lung disease. The test, based on a risk score derived from 32 proteins, was shown to accurately predict respiratory disease risks in over 40,000 adults, factoring in sex, race, body weight, asthma, and smoking history. The study, funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and the COPD Foundation, still requires clinical trials before FDA approval.

ERS Congress 2024 presented advancements in asthma treatment, focusing on type 2 inflammation. David Jackson's SWIFT trials showed depemokimab reduced severe asthma exacerbations by 58% and 48% in SWIFT-1 and SWIFT-2, respectively, with no waning effect. Leonard Bacharier's VOYAGE study revealed dupilumab increased clinical remission rates in children with uncontrolled asthma, from 0% at baseline to 42% with dupilumab vs. 24% with placebo.

Sickle cell disease (SCD) affects 20 million globally, with standard treatments including hydroxyurea, voxelotor, pain management, and BMT. Haplo-HSCT and gene therapies offer alternatives when MSD BMTs are unavailable. SCD causes chronic hemolysis, inflammation, and premature death, with supportive care aiming to reduce disease progression. BMT is effective but has complications like GVHD, and barriers include donor availability and financial constraints. Gene therapy shows promise with reduced SCD-related complications but faces issues like cost and accessibility. Haplo-HSCT, with improved responses in trials, may serve as an alternative.

The U.S. FDA has approved QIAGEN's QIAstat-Dx Gastrointestinal Panel 2 for clinical use, enabling rapid identification of up to 16 GI pathogens in about an hour using real-time PCR technology. This advancement improves diagnosis accuracy and efficiency, reduces unnecessary testing, and supports antimicrobial stewardship by facilitating informed treatment decisions.

Norovirus cases are rising in the Northeastern U.S., with 16% of tests positive. Highly contagious, it causes vomiting and diarrhea, lasting 2-3 days. Vulnerable groups include children, the elderly, and those with weak immune systems. Prevention focuses on handwashing and cleaning surfaces. This season's outbreak aligns with typical winter trends.

Norovirus cases are rising in the Northeastern U.S., with 16% of tests positive, higher than other regions. This highly contagious virus causes vomiting and diarrhea, spreading easily through contact, food, or surfaces. Prevention includes rigorous handwashing and cleaning. Most recover in 2-3 days, but dehydration is a risk, especially for vulnerable groups.

FDA has paused AstraZeneca’s Evusheld for COVID-19 prevention in the US due to its ineffectiveness against prevalent SARS-CoV-2 variants. AstraZeneca is testing a new long-acting antibody, aiming for 2023 availability, to protect immunocompromised individuals against all tested variants.

FDA has temporarily revoked emergency use authorization for AstraZeneca's EVUSHELD for COVID-19 pre-exposure prophylaxis in the US due to its ineffectiveness against prevalent SARS-CoV-2 variants. AstraZeneca is developing a next-generation antibody, with trials underway, aiming for availability in late 2023. EVUSHELD remains authorized in other countries for COVID-19 prevention and treatment.

A NIH clinical trial concluded hydroxychloroquine offers no clinical benefit for hospitalized COVID-19 patients, despite not causing harm. The ORCHID trial, involving 479 patients, found similar outcomes between hydroxychloroquine and placebo groups, with no improvement in clinical status, mortality, or other outcomes. This finding aligns with other international trials.

AI and precision medicine converge to revolutionize healthcare by enabling personalized diagnosis and treatment through advanced data analysis and insights. Challenges include data security, model performance, and bias. The synergy aims for early disease detection and personalized care, reducing healthcare costs and improving outcomes.