The University of Western Ontario

Global Clinical Trial Launches to Test Sipavibart as Potential Long COVID Treatment

a month ago

• Nova Southeastern University researchers have begun a clinical trial testing AstraZeneca's monoclonal antibody sipavibart as a potential treatment for Long COVID, funded by the Schmidt Initiative for Long COVID. • The double-blind, randomized controlled trial will enroll 100 patients to evaluate whether sipavibart, already approved for COVID-19 prevention in Japan and the EU, can improve cognitive dysfunction, autonomic nervous system effects, and exercise tolerance. • This trial is one of three Long COVID treatment studies launching in 2025, alongside another global study testing anti-inflammatory drugs upadacitinib and pirfenidone across seven locations on four continents.

Heavy Cannabis Use Linked to Triple Mortality Risk and Rising Psychosis Cases, Studies Find

a month ago

• People diagnosed with cannabis use disorder (CUD) face nearly triple the risk of death over five years compared to the general population, with a tenfold increase in suicide risk, according to a large Canadian study. • Since Canada's 2018 cannabis legalization, cases of psychosis and schizophrenia linked to CUD have significantly increased, with young adults aged 19-24 most vulnerable to these effects. • Medical marijuana users show equal or higher addiction rates than recreational users, with researchers finding no evidence that medical cannabis carries reduced addiction risk.

Sorriso's Oral TNFa/IL-23 Inhibitor SOR102 Shows Promise in Ulcerative Colitis Phase 1b Trial

5 months ago

• Sorriso Pharmaceuticals' SOR102, an oral dual-acting biologic, demonstrated a favorable safety and tolerability profile in a Phase 1b trial for ulcerative colitis. • The high-dose SOR102 group achieved statistically significant separation from placebo across multiple clinical endpoints, including Mayo Score and symptomatic remission. • SOR102 targets both TNFa and IL-23, two validated pathways in inflammatory bowel disease, offering a potential convenient oral treatment option. • Sorriso plans to advance SOR102 into a Phase 2 clinical trial in 2025 to further evaluate its efficacy in a larger patient population.

CLEAR Trial: Lenvatinib-Pembrolizumab Efficacy Consistent Across Biomarker Subgroups in Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma

5 months ago

• The CLEAR trial's biomarker analysis reveals that lenvatinib plus pembrolizumab (L+P) consistently improves outcomes in advanced renal cell carcinoma (aRCC) regardless of RCC driver mutations, PD-L1 expression, or gene expression signatures. • No significant association was found between PD-L1 levels and best overall response or progression-free survival (PFS) within either the L+P or sunitinib treatment arms. • High proliferation and MYC signature scores were associated with shorter PFS in the sunitinib arm, while high angiogenesis scores correlated with longer PFS. • The study defined six new molecular subtypes of aRCC, but no correlation was found between these subtypes and PFS in patients treated with L+P or sunitinib after adjusting for KPS and gene signatures.

ORATOR Trial: Radiotherapy and Transoral Robotic Surgery Show Similar Outcomes in Oropharyngeal Cancer

8 months ago

• The phase II ORATOR trial compared radiotherapy and transoral robotic surgery for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma, revealing similar oncologic outcomes at 5 years. • While overall survival and progression-free survival were comparable, the study identified differing toxicity and quality of life profiles between the two treatment approaches. • Radiotherapy was associated with higher rates of neutropenia and dry mouth, whereas transoral robotic surgery led to more dysphagia and pain. • The study emphasizes shared decision-making between patients and providers when choosing between radiotherapy and transoral robotic surgery for oropharyngeal cancer.

Tulisokibart Shows Promise in Treating Moderate to Severe Ulcerative Colitis

8 months ago

• A Phase 2 trial of tulisokibart, an anti-TL1A monoclonal antibody, demonstrated superior efficacy compared to placebo in inducing clinical remission in patients with moderate to severe ulcerative colitis. • The study utilized a genetic-based diagnostic test to identify patients more likely to respond to tulisokibart, showing improved remission rates in this subgroup. • Tulisokibart modulates inflammation and the body's anti-inflammatory mechanisms, offering a novel approach compared to existing IBD treatments that can exacerbate inflammation. • The safety profile of tulisokibart appeared comparable to placebo, with similar rates of adverse events, supporting its potential as a valuable new treatment option.

Alicaforsen Shows Promise in Treating Inflammatory Bowel Disease

8 years ago

Alicaforsen, an ICAM-1 inhibitor, has demonstrated effectiveness in treating ulcerative colitis and shows potential for pouchitis, with ongoing phase 3 trials. Its safety profile in UC patients is favorable, and it has received orphan designation for pouchitis treatment.