VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION

HIV Drugs Show Promising Potential to Reduce Alzheimer's Risk by Up to 13% Annually

14 days ago

• UVA Health researchers discovered that HIV medications called NRTIs significantly reduce Alzheimer's risk, with annual decreases of 6-13% observed across two major health insurance databases. • The protective effect appears specific to NRTIs, which block inflammasomes linked to Alzheimer's development, and could potentially prevent approximately 1 million new cases worldwide each year. • Researchers are now calling for clinical trials of both existing NRTIs and a newly developed inflammasome-blocking drug called K9, which they describe as a safer and more effective alternative.

Study Shows DAA Therapy Matches Interferon in Reducing Liver Cancer Risk for HCV Patients

3 months ago

• A large VA healthcare system study reveals that direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy significantly reduces hepatocellular carcinoma risk compared to no treatment in HCV patients with cirrhosis. • The research demonstrates comparable hepatocellular carcinoma risk reduction between DAA therapy and historical interferon treatments, with DAA achieving superior cure rates of over 95%. • Among study participants, 89.39% of DAA-treated patients achieved sustained virologic response, compared to 36.55% in the interferon-treated group, supporting DAA's favorable risk-benefit profile.

INKmune Trial for Metastatic Prostate Cancer Expands to VA Medical Center

4 months ago

• INmune Bio's CaRe PC trial, evaluating INKmune in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), has expanded to the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center. • The first patient at the VA Medical Center has been dosed with the 'medium' dose of INKmune, marking the official expansion of the trial to veterans with mCRPC. • The Phase 1/2 trial assesses the safety and anti-tumor activity of INKmune across three dose levels, with a six-month follow-up to measure immune and anti-cancer responses. • Initial Phase 1 data showed changes in NK cell phenotype and function in all patients, with one patient experiencing a transient decrease in prostate-specific antigen (PSA).

GLP-1 Agonists Linked to Reduced Risk of 42 Health Conditions in Large Study

4 months ago

• A large observational study of nearly 2 million patients found that GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) are associated with a reduced risk of 42 health conditions. • The study, which included 215,000 GLP-1RA users, showed benefits beyond glucose control and weight loss, including neurological and respiratory conditions. • While GLP-1RAs demonstrated broad benefits, the study also identified increased risks for certain conditions like kidney stones and low blood pressure. • Researchers emphasize the need for further studies to confirm these findings and understand the long-term effects of GLP-1RA therapy.

Intensive Blood Pressure Control Shows Cardiovascular Benefits in CKD Patients

4 months ago

• A recent study shows intensive blood pressure control benefits chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients by reducing cardiovascular events in real-world settings. • The analysis of over 99,000 CKD patients from VHA and KPSC showed a reduced risk of major cardiovascular events with intensive BP control. • Intensive BP management was associated with a 5.1% and 3.0% reduction in cardiovascular events in VHA and KPSC populations, respectively, over four years. • While cardiovascular benefits align with SPRINT trial results, cognitive and CKD progression outcomes may vary in real-world populations.

VA Funds First Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy Study for Veterans Since the 1960s

6 months ago

• The Department of Veterans Affairs is funding a study on MDMA-assisted therapy for veterans with PTSD and alcohol use disorder, marking a significant shift in psychedelic research. • The $1.5 million study, conducted with Brown and Yale universities, will assess the effectiveness and safety of MDMA in treating veterans with mental health issues. • This initiative follows the FDA's previous rejection of MDMA-assisted therapy and aims to provide further scientific evidence on the potential benefits of psychedelics. • Virginia Senate committee advances bill to fund clinical trials investigating the benefits of federally recognized breakthrough therapies for veterans’ mental health-related issues.

Pharmacist Feedback Enhances Heart Failure Medication Management in Veterans

6 months ago

• A study at AHA 2024 reveals that pharmacists in the VHA system, when given feedback on heart failure medication rates, increased their management and adjustment of these medications. • The audit and feedback intervention led to a significant increase of 1.2 more visits per month and more heart failure medication adjustments by pharmacists. • Monthly audit and feedback emails notably increased the frequency of prescribing mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists, a historically under-prescribed heart failure medication. • Access to patient-specific information did not significantly improve outcomes beyond the benefits of audit and feedback alone.

NRx Pharmaceuticals Plans NDA Submissions for NRX-100 and NRX-101 in Suicidal Depression

6 months ago

• NRx Pharmaceuticals is on track to file NDAs for NRX-100 (IV Ketamine) for suicidal ideation in depression and NRX-101 (Oral D-Cycloserine/Lurasidone) for bipolar depression with suicidality by year-end 2024. • HOPE Therapeutics is expanding its network of Interventional Psychiatry Clinics to prevent suicide, with first revenues expected by the end of 2024. • Clinical data supports NRX-101's potential as a best-in-class medication for suicidal bipolar depression, demonstrating efficacy and significant reduction of akathisia (P=0.025). • NRx Pharmaceuticals reported a 74% reduction in net operating losses compared to Q3 2023, with profitability forecasted in 2025.

GENFIT to Initiate New ACLF Clinical Trials and Awaits Key Data Readouts in 2025

6 months ago

• GENFIT plans to launch two new clinical trials in Q1 2025 focusing on Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure (ACLF) with VS-01 and a new formulation of NTZ. • The trials will include patients with acute decompensation at high risk of progressing to ACLF, aiming to streamline trial execution and patient recruitment. • GENFIT anticipates data readouts from four clinical trials by the end of 2025, including the UNVEIL-IT Phase 2 trial and a Phase 1b trial for GNS561 in cholangiocarcinoma. • Strategic insights from real-world evidence and collaborations with experts have informed the trial designs, broadening inclusion criteria to address the ACLF continuum.

GLP-1 Receptor Agonists Linked to Reduced Cirrhosis Risk in MASLD Patients

8 months ago

• GLP-1 receptor agonists, particularly semaglutide, show promise in reducing the risk of cirrhosis and related complications in patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). • A retrospective study of over 16,000 patients indicated a 14% lower risk of cirrhosis progression in those treated with GLP-1 receptor agonists compared to DPP-4 inhibitors. • The study also found that GLP-1 agonists were associated with a 22% reduction in cirrhosis complications and an 11% decrease in all-cause mortality. • These findings suggest that GLP-1 receptor agonists may offer a preventive strategy for cirrhosis in MASLD patients, warranting further investigation through long-term clinical trials.

Global Experts Share Strategies to Enhance Lung Cancer Screening Access and Early Detection

8 months ago

• Healthcare experts at the 2024 World Conference on Lung Cancer presented innovative approaches to improve lung cancer screening uptake, emphasizing the need for tailored recruitment strategies and digital solutions. • The Veterans Health Administration has implemented a centralized screening approach with a hub-and-spoke model, mandating screening offers for all eligible veterans and establishing comprehensive precision oncology platforms. • Australia is preparing for its 2025 national lung cancer screening program by conducting pre-implementation research and addressing geographic and cultural barriers through targeted interventions and navigator models.

VA STARPORT Network Tackles Challenges in Oligometastatic Prostate Cancer Trial

9 months ago

• The Veterans Affairs (VA) Health Care System is utilizing a clinical trial network to study metastasis-directed therapy for veterans with oligometastatic prostate cancer (OMPC). • Challenges in timely site activation were addressed through project management strategies to maximize efficiency in the study start-up process. • The trial protocol was amended to include de novo OMPC patients and expand the allowed metastases from five to ten, adapting to evolving clinical paradigms. • Initiatives were developed to maintain local study team engagement, fostering collaboration and adding value to the overall clinical program through study participation.