GLG News by Infectious Diseases Physicians (US)

Peter BornsteinEpidemiologist HEALTHEAST CARE SYSTEM

Documenting What We Knew All Along

July 13, 2011

Analysis of:A Little Placebo Effect For the Common Cold | online.wsj.com

This article from the Wall Street Journal discusses a randomized, double-blind placebo controlled trial on the effectiveness of echinacea and placebo for the common cold. Unsurprisingly, it demonstrated that taking a pill--any pill, including a placebo--reduces symptom severity and duration, compared to "doing nothing."

Daniel BergerClinical Associate Professor of MedicineUNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO

Anticipation Surrounds New Single Regimen Tablet, Containing Rilpivirine for HIV

November 17, 2010

Analysis of:Rilpivirine (TMC 278) in Combination with Truvada is Non-Inferior to an Atripla Like Regimen | positivelyaware.com

It has now been some months since 2010 ICAAC; results of the two phase III trials combined, has been sinking in. Rilpivirine when combined with Truvada (Gilead Sciences) was non- inferior to Atripla (Bristol Myers Squibb and Gilead Sciences). Now the salient details are being put into new perspective. We are about to begin a new trial (phase IV) with this new single-tablet formulation which will add to our body of knowledge and examine further use and importance of this single pill regimen.

Daniel BergerClinical Associate Professor of MedicineUNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO

Egrifta Gains FDA Approval for HIV

November 11, 2010

Analysis of:Egrifta Becomes the First Agent Approved for HIV-Associated Lipodystrophy | www.thebody.com

Egrifta was evaluated in two clinical trials. 816 HIV infected adults with lipodystrophy and excess abdominal fat. 543 patients received Egrifta. In both studies, patients treated with Egrifta experienced greater reductions in abdominal fat (15-17%) measured by CT scan, vs. placebo. . The most commonly reported side effects in the studies included joint pain (arthralgia), skin redness and rash at the injection site (erythema and pruritis), stomach pain, swelling, and muscle pain (myalgia).

Peter BornsteinEpidemiologist HEALTHEAST CARE SYSTEM

Exodus to where?

May 28, 2010

For physicians to exodus from government programs, they must have someplace to go to. The practice style and location of physicians will dictate whether they stay or leave government programs. Some physicians will find they cannot leave government programs, so will either have to accept lower payment; close, sell or merge their practice; or leave medical practice altogether.

Peter BornsteinEpidemiologist HEALTHEAST CARE SYSTEM

The good news is that these drugs are already approved

October 28, 2009

Analysis of:Triple-combo Drug Shows Promise Against Antiviral Resistant H1N1 | www.medicalnewstoday.com

Adamas has a proprietary mixture of three drugs: amantadine, oseltamivir and ribavirin to treat antiviral resistant strains of novel H1N1 Influenza A.

Jeffrey WeinbergDirector of Clinical Research - DermatologyST LUKE'S-ROOSEVELT HOSPITAL CENTER

Starpharma gets US patent for use of VivaGel for protection against STIs

September 29, 2009

Analysis of:Starpharma gets US patent for use of VivaGel for protection against STIs | www.pharmabiz.com

Starpharma's lead product, is a vaginal microbicide gel under development for the prevention of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including genital herpes and HIV infection. The VivaGel® product concept is designed to offer a safe, convenient and affordable means for women to protect themselves from infection with genital herpes and HIV during sex. Surveys show that there is substantial demand in North America and Europe for such a product with an estimated billion dollar market for STI prevention products in the developed world.

Jeffrey WeinbergDirector of Clinical Research - DermatologyST LUKE'S-ROOSEVELT HOSPITAL CENTER

Stelara new Option for Psoriasis

September 26, 2009

Analysis of:Stelara Approved to Treat Moderate to Severe Plaque Psoriasis in Adults | www.webmd.com

The FDA approved Stelara based on three studies of 2,266 patients who either got shots of Stelara or a placebo. Patients who got Stelara were more likely to achieve the studies' benchmark for reduction in psoriasis.In a news release, the FDA notes that because Stelara reduces the immune system's ability to fight infections, the product poses a risk of infection. "Serious infections have been reported in patients receiving the product and some of them have led to hospitalization. These infections were caused by viruses, fungi, or bacteria that have spread throughout the body. There may also be an increased risk of developing cancer," the FDA states.

Peter BornsteinEpidemiologist HEALTHEAST CARE SYSTEM

Potential game changer for patients and hospitals regarding C. difficile colitis

July 18, 2009

Analysis of:Rapid DNA Test to Detect Clostridium difficile Infection Approved by FDA Today | www.medscape.com

Clostridium difficile-associated colitis is a disabling, and potentially life-threatening infection.  Moreover, hospitals spend great resources in isolating patients with this disease to prevent infection within the hospital. This new technology from Cepheid offers faster, and more accurate diagnosis, leading to potentially quicker treatment for patients, but potentially huge savings for hospitals, that can shorten isolation periods for these patients. 

Peter BornsteinEpidemiologist HEALTHEAST CARE SYSTEM

18 months too late for this outbreak, but may be the way toward the future.

July 8, 2009

Analysis of:Cadila Pharma-Novavax JV to produce swine flu vaccine | www.business-standard.com

The referenced article states that the joint venture would begin producing swine flu vaccine in two years, possibly based on viral-like particle (VLP) technology.  While this is too late to have significant impact in the current pandemic, it points to possible future technologies for vaccine development.

Peter BornsteinEpidemiologist HEALTHEAST CARE SYSTEM

Better Tuberculosis vaccine is desperately needed, but will a vaccinia-based vaccine be safe and embraced?

April 23, 2009

Analysis of:TB vaccine enters advanced clinical trials at Oxford | timesofindia.indiatimes.com

The decades old BCG vaccine needs to be replaced.  It offers at best 50% efficacy, can at times cause severe reaction, and renders subsequent tracking of active TB difficult to impossible. This article describes a trial in South Africa to assess the effectiveness of a new candidate vaccine in infants already immunized with BCG. There is a significant reason why there are so few specifics in the press release.

Page : 1234Next1 to 10 of 31