Imperial College Healthcare Nhs Trust

NHS England Approves Gene-Editing Therapy Casgevy for Severe Sickle Cell Disease

4 months ago

• NHS England approves Casgevy, a gene-editing therapy, for treating severe sickle cell disease in eligible patients aged 12 and over. • Casgevy, also known as exa-cel, modifies a patient's stem cells to produce healthy red blood cells, potentially curing the disease. • Clinical trials showed that Casgevy significantly reduced hospitalizations, offering a 'functional cure' for nearly all participants. • The treatment will be available at specialist NHS centers, providing hope for improved quality of life for sickle cell patients.

Bayer's Elinzanetant Shows Promise in Reducing Hot Flashes for Breast Cancer Patients

4 months ago

• Elinzanetant met primary endpoints in the Phase III OASIS 4 trial, significantly reducing the frequency of moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms (VMS) in women undergoing endocrine therapy for breast cancer. • The study also achieved secondary endpoints, demonstrating a reduction in the severity of VMS, improvements in sleep disturbances, and enhanced menopause-related quality of life compared to placebo. • Elinzanetant is a dual neurokinin-1 and 3 receptor antagonist, representing a potential non-hormonal treatment option for VMS in breast cancer patients and women at high risk. • Bayer is advancing regulatory submissions for elinzanetant in the US, EU, and other global markets, with potential launch expected later this year, pending regulatory approvals.

AI Model Predicts High Blood Pressure and Complications from ECGs

5 months ago

A new AI model developed by researchers at Imperial College London can predict the risk of high blood pressure and related complications using electrocardiogram (ECG) data. This technology, set for clinical trials with NHS patients, aims to enable earlier intervention and lifestyle changes to prevent hypertension and its serious consequences.

PDS Biotech to Highlight Phase 3 Trial of Versamune-HPV for HPV16-Positive Head and Neck Cancer

6 months ago

• PDS Biotech will host a Key Opinion Leader (KOL) event on December 17, 2024, to discuss HPV16-positive head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). • The KOL event will focus on the upcoming VERSATILE-003 Phase 3 clinical trial of Versamune-HPV plus pembrolizumab for first-line treatment of recurrent/metastatic HPV16-positive HNSCC. • Key experts including Dr. Francis Worden and Dr. Kevin Harrington will participate in the panel discussion, moderated by PDS Biotech's CMO, Dr. Kirk Shepard. • The event will provide insights into the pathology, prevalence, and treatment landscape of HPV16-positive HNSCC, along with details on the VERSATILE-003 trial design.

FDA Clears Philips' ROCC for Remote Radiology Operations

6 months ago

• Philips secures FDA 510(k) clearance for its Radiology Operations Command Center (ROCC), enhancing remote scanning and protocol management capabilities. • The ROCC system, compatible with various MR and CT systems, connects imaging experts with technologists across different locations. • A pilot study showed a 9% increase in scanning throughput with no exam recalls, demonstrating the system's efficiency. • The remote capabilities empower clinicians to deliver timely diagnoses and improve patient care by addressing the shortage of skilled technologists.

Moderna's mRNA Cancer Vaccine Shows Early Promise in Solid Tumors

8 months ago

• Moderna's mRNA-4359 cancer vaccine demonstrates early signs of stimulating the immune system against advanced solid tumors in a Phase I/II trial. • The vaccine was well-tolerated, with no serious side effects, and showed tumor growth stabilization in a subset of patients evaluated. • The study is now enrolling patients with melanoma and non-small cell lung cancer to assess the vaccine's efficacy in combination with pembrolizumab. • These early results represent an important step in developing new treatments for advanced cancers, though further studies are needed to confirm efficacy.

SepTiC Trial Investigates Enhanced Treatment Strategies for Sepsis Patients

8 months ago

• The SepTiC study aims to refine sepsis treatment by addressing key questions regarding rapid testing, fluid management, and immune system support. • Rapid PCR testing is being used to identify infections quickly, potentially reducing the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics and combating antimicrobial resistance. • The trial is evaluating whether reducing excess fluid in patients whose condition is improving can aid organ recovery and improve outcomes. • Researchers are also assessing if the immune-stimulating medication GM-CSF (Sargramostim) can lower the risk of subsequent infections and enhance recovery in sepsis patients.