University of Ottawa

FDA placed a clinical hold on PepGen's phase 2 CONNECT2-EDO51 study for PGN-EDO51 in DMD patients. CONNECT1-EDO51 study continues in Canada, showing promising exon skipping and dystrophin production at 5 mg/kg dose with good tolerability.

Blood draw before liver surgery halves transfusion risk; hypovolemic phlebotomy lowers liver blood pressure, is safe, simple, and inexpensive. 446 patients in trial showed 8% transfusion rate with blood draw vs. 16% without. Procedure now standard in trial hospitals, recommended for other surgeries with substantial blood loss.

A study led by Angela T.H. Kwan, MD, found ketamine effective for PTSD and OCD, with significant symptom reduction, though more research is needed for long-term use. Ketamine also showed promise for alcohol use disorders, cocaine dependence, and anxiety disorders, but data for other psychiatric conditions was insufficient.

Psychedelic drug users have a 21-fold higher risk of developing schizophrenia after ER visits, with a 3.5-fold increased risk even after controlling for existing substance use and mental health disorders, according to a Canadian study. The study, published in JAMA Psychiatry, highlights the potential risks of hallucinogen use outside clinical trial settings.

ESMO Congress 2024 reported mixed results for adjuvant therapies in cancer treatment. Pembrolizumab in endometrial cancer showed no overall benefit but significant improvement in dMMR tumors. IMbrave050's adjuvant atezolizumab plus bevacizumab in hepatocellular carcinoma failed to maintain early benefits. CCTG BR.31 trial found no significant improvement in disease-free survival with adjuvant durvalumab in early-stage NSCLC.

Women with breast cancer who exercised aerobically during chemotherapy reported better cognitive function and quality of life than those who did not, according to the ACTIVATE trial. Despite neuropsychological test results showing no significant difference, self-reported improvements suggest exercise's potential benefits. Future research should explore longer interventions, multicomponent approaches, and virtual options to enhance accessibility.

Psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) merges psychotherapy with psychedelic states, facilitated by substances like LSD, psilocybin, and MDMA, showing potential in treating PTSD, TRD, MDD, and other conditions. Despite being classified as Schedule I drugs, their therapeutic potential is increasingly recognized, leading to FDA Breakthrough Therapy designations for MDMA and psilocybin. Recent research suggests these substances reopen a 'critical period' in the brain, enhancing social reward learning and brain plasticity. Methodologically rigorous clinical research indicates substantial long-term symptom alleviation, with single sessions leading to significant symptom reduction and remission lasting up to twelve months. Despite regulatory challenges, ongoing research and clinical trials continue to explore and validate the therapeutic benefits of PAT.

Aerobic exercise may alleviate 'brain fog' in breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, according to a Canadian clinical trial. Participants reported improved mental clarity and quality of life. Lead researcher Jennifer Brunet advocates for exercise to be a routine part of cancer care.

Research from the University of Ottawa suggests edaravone, used for ALS, could fight glioblastoma by targeting brain tumor stem cells, enhancing radiation's effectiveness. The study, published in Stem Cell Reports, shows edaravone disrupts key pathways in cancer stem cell self-renewal, potentially reducing therapy resistance and recurrence.

Clinical trial reporting rates have improved, with 83.4% of EU trials and 77.4% of US trials meeting deadlines, though compliance varies by country. Efforts to enhance transparency include fines and public pressure, aiming to ensure all trial results are published, regardless of outcome.