UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY

University of Kentucky Researchers Explore Medical Cannabis for Late-Stage Dementia

4 months ago

• University of Kentucky researchers are conducting the LiBBY Study to assess medical cannabis for managing agitation and discomfort in late-stage dementia patients. • The study, funded by the NIH and approved by the FDA, seeks alternatives to sedatives, aiming to improve patient comfort and engagement during their final years. • Researchers emphasize the need for evidence-based treatments in palliative care, offering a monitored alternative to unsupervised self-medication with cannabis. • The LiBBY Study's findings could potentially lead to the inclusion of dementia as a condition eligible for medical marijuana prescriptions in Kentucky.

Inflammasome Therapeutics' K8 Implant Shows Promise in Geographic Atrophy Trial

4 months ago

• Inflammasome Therapeutics' K8 implant demonstrated a 66% reduction in geographic atrophy (GA) lesion growth at 3 months compared to untreated eyes in a small clinical trial. • The K8 implant, a first-in-class dual inflammasome inhibitor, showed a positive safety profile with no drug-related serious adverse events reported during the initial phase. • Based on these results, the trial has been expanded to include 30 patients (60 eyes) to further evaluate the safety and efficacy of K8 injections every 3 months. • K8's unique mechanism of action targets multiple inflammatory pathways in GA, potentially offering improved efficacy compared to existing single-target therapies.

60 Degrees Pharma's Tafenoquine Receives IRB Approval for Phase II Chronic Babesiosis Study

5 months ago

• 60 Degrees Pharmaceuticals has received IRB approval for a Phase II study evaluating Tafenoquine for chronic babesiosis. • The open-label study will assess the efficacy and safety of Tafenoquine over 90 days in patients with chronic babesiosis. • Patient enrollment is expected to commence in Q3 2025, targeting those with significant functional impairment for at least six months. • The company estimates a substantial addressable market for Tafenoquine in babesiosis, potentially exceeding 400,000 patients by 2035.

PSMD Neuroimaging Marker Shows Promise in Identifying Dementia Risk

6 months ago

• A new neuroimaging marker, peak-width of skeletonized mean diffusivity (PSMD), correlates with general cognition and may identify individuals at risk of dementia. • The study found that higher PSMD values were associated with lower general cognitive function, independent of age, sex, education and intracranial volume. • PSMD demonstrates excellent instrumental properties and biological validation, making it a potential biomarker for clinical trials related to vascular contributions to cognitive impairment and dementia (VCID). • Researchers suggest PSMD's non-invasive, automated, and reliable nature makes it ideal for assessing cerebral small vessel diseases in dementia studies.

New Alzheimer's Treatments Slow Disease Progression, Offer Hope for Early-Stage Patients

7 months ago

• Lecanemab and donanemab have received full FDA approval, demonstrating both amyloid removal and clinical benefit in slowing Alzheimer's progression. • These disease-modifying treatments are most effective in the early stages of Alzheimer's, specifically mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia. • Anti-amyloid therapies carry risks, including amyloid-related imaging abnormalities (ARIA), necessitating careful monitoring and MRI examinations. • Early recognition and triaging of appropriate patients are crucial for the successful implementation of these treatments.

2024 NCODA Summit Highlights Advances in Cancer Care and Treatment Innovation

7 months ago

• The 2024 NCODA International Fall Summit in Orlando featured keynote speaker Chaunte Lowe, a 4-time Olympian and breast cancer survivor, who emphasized the crucial role of specialists in advancing cancer care. • Dr. Joyce O'Shaughnessy presented significant developments in breast cancer treatment, focusing on CDK4/6 inhibitors and checkpoint inhibitors, providing insights into treatment selection across different cancer subtypes. • The summit addressed critical aspects of oncology care, including precision medicine in lung cancer, hazardous drug compounding safety, and evolving trends in the oncology market, emphasizing the importance of medically integrated teams.

Nivolumab and Ipilimumab Combination Therapy Shows Promise in Advanced Merkel Cell Carcinoma

8 months ago

• A phase II clinical trial demonstrated that combined nivolumab and ipilimumab, with or without stereotactic body radiotherapy, halted the progression of advanced Merkel cell carcinoma. • The study showed a 41% complete response rate in patients treated with the combination immunotherapy and stereotactic radiation arm. • The treatment offers a potential first-line therapy or an option after previous anti-PD-1 and anti-PD-L1 monotherapy failure for this aggressive skin cancer. • Patients in the trial experienced improved quality of life, allowing them to pursue personal interests and contribute to their communities.