CVD News Watch, June 26
June 26, 2009 by Raquel Billiones
Filed under HEART AND STROKE
Some sad and not-so-sad news this week…
CVD patient watch
Goodbye, Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson, King of Pop, was pronounced dead at the UCLA Medical Center on Thursday, June 25. He was reported to have suffered from cardiac arrest. The real cause of death is not known. Jackson was preparing for a comeback concert due to start next month. The 50-year old singer leaves behind three children - sons Prince Michael 7, and Michael Joseph Jackson Jr., 12, and daughter Paris Michael Katherine, 11. Next week, I’ll tackle the topic “What can cause sudden cardiac arrest?”
CVD innovation watch
New low-cost, solar-powered BP device for developing countries
Italian scientists have been testing A new, low-cost, solar-powered blood-pressure-monitoring device. The Omron M1 Plus is meant for use in low-income countries and has been tested in urban and rural settings. Accoridng to Dr Michael Alderman of Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY: “This is very exciting. There are a billion people with hypertension-soon to be a billion and a half. Most of those people are living in low-resource countries, where the ability to intervene is going to be dependent upon identifying patients, so this is a critical tool.”
Heart study questions diabetes drugs
Why do some drugs that are effective against certain types of diseases lead to heart failure? Swiss researchers may have identified the molecular pathway that explains why the diabetes drugs thiazolidinediones (TZDs) increase the risk of heart failure. The most well-known and controversial TZD is Avandia (rosiglitazone). It seems that TZDs, activate PPAR-Y, a molecule that may play a key role in heart failure.
CVD web watch
CDC Introduces New Website to Help Employers Combat Obesity and Reduce Health-Related Costs
On Thursday, June 25, the CDC introduced LEANWorks!, a website to help employers and businesses address onesity in the workplace. LEAN stands for Leading Employees to Activity and Nutrition. The site privdes a wide range of resources including an obesity cost calculator and tips for setting up a workplace obesity prevention program. More on LeanWorks in Battling Obesity next week.
CVD drug watch
EMEA issues warning on possible clopidogrel-PPI interaction, but is there really a problem?
The European Medicines Agency (EMEA) issued a warning on possible interaction between clopidogrel and proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs). Clopidogrel (Plavix, Sanofi-Aventis/Bristol-Myers Squibb) is an anti-platelet agent indicated for the prevention of blood clots in cerebrovascular disorders. PPIs are indicated for stomach problems such as ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux, and dyspepsia. Since heartburn and stomach ulcers are common side effects of clopidogrel, many users of this drug also use PPI. Recent studies report that the two drugs may interact and interefere with the efficacy of clopidogrel.
News from the cancer side, June 26
June 26, 2009 by Raquel Billiones
Filed under CANCER
It’s really summer finally! Have a great weekend!
News from the cancer victims
Remembering Farrah Fawcett
I come from a generation who grew up with the TV series Charlie’s Angels (yes, it was a series before the films!), Six Million Dollar Man and Wonder Woman. Of the three original Angels, Farrah Fawcett was probably the most glamorous and sexiest. She was very famous back then and even became more famous when she married, then later divorced “Six-Million” lead star Lee Majors. TV shows come and go. Thirty years later, I was saddened to hear about Farrah’s battle with rectal cancer. She had a successful surgery to remove the tumor but it came back and later metastasized to the liver.
Fawcett appeared in a cancer documentary film last month wherein she shared her own cancer story. Earlier this week, her long-time partner Ryan O’Neal (of the Love Story fame) asked her to marry him and she accepted. One day later, on June 26, Farrah Fawcett succumbed to cancer and moved on to a better place.
News from the cancer researchers
United States and the Republic of Chile Partner to Battle Cancer
The US National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Chile have formed alliance “to accelerate progress against cancer in Hispanic populations in the United States and Latin America.” The two institutions will closely collaborate to to advance cancer research. A 2006 estimate showed cancer as the second leading cause of mortality in Chile.
News from the legislators
Tobacco Regulation Bill Becomes Law
US President Barack Obama signed the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act granting the US FDA regulatory powers over production, sale and marketing of cigarettes and other tobacco products. According to President Obama
News from the toxicologists
EPA Estimates Cancer Risk Associated With Air Pollution
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports that some regions of the US face greater health risks from air pollution than others. The agency looked at 181 different air pollutants, including benzene, methylene chloride, and acrolein. 80 of these pollutants which may come from traffic-related or coming from industrial sources are thought to increase cancer risk. The EPA also identified about 600 neighborhoods in the US where people are exposed to higher concentrations of toxic air compared to the rest of the country.
Photo credit: stock.xchng
What’s the latest in heath care, June 20
June 20, 2009 by Raquel Billiones
Filed under HEALTHCARE
It’s a little bit late but here it is … your health care updates for this weekend.
Who’s campaigning for health care?
MomsRising.Org
This family-focused advocacy group is campaigning for a better health care system for America’s families. According to Donna Norton of MomsRising.Org, “a shocking 7 out of 10 working-age women have no insurance, are underinsured, or are in debt because of medical bills.1 And an estimated 5 million children remain without healthcare.”
Who’s been indicted?
International medical device maker and four executives charged in connection with unlawful clinical trials
The global medical device manufacturer Synthes (US entity) is charged with conducting unauthorized clinical trials. Four top executives were also charged in the case.
What’s new in research?
Hysterectomies a stem cell source
Brazilian researchers report in The Journal of Translational Medicine that fallopian tubes removed from women during hysterectomy can be a source of “politically correct” stem cells. The researchers discovered an abundant number of immature cells in the tubes. Currently other viable sources of stem cells aside from human embryos are umbilical cords, menstrual blood, teeth and fat tissue is viable.
What’s to watch out for?
Computer Injuries Show Dramatic Increase
Computer injuries are on the rise and U.S. Census Bureau’s statistics show it is not the back, eye, and finger problems associated with computer work that are increasing. It is actually the accidental injuries. “Not surprisingly children under age 5 had the highest injury rate. The leading cause of injury for children 10 and under and adults over 60 was tripping or falling over computer equipment or its wiring. The most common injuries involved extremities and lacerations were the most common at 39 percent with contusions and abrasions at 23 percent. Young children were more apt to sustain head injuries.”
What needs to be improved?
Publics’ Ignorance Of Human Anatomy Revealed
How well do you know your anatomy? British researchers report that many people are not capable of identifying the location of major body organs. This is true even if they are currently undergoing treatment for the said organ. The survey was based on an interview with 722 people who had to identify organs from pictures. Only about half of the answers were right. It is also surprising that many people could not locate properly even the supposedly well-known organs such as the heart, lungs and bladder. This has some consequences in the effectiveness of doctor-patient communication.
Have a great weekend!
Photo credit: stock.xchng
CVD News Watch, June 19
June 19, 2009 by Raquel Billiones
Filed under HEART AND STROKE
Some heart(y) news before the weekend starts…
CVD drug regulatory watch
Newly minted FDA commissioner gets an earful of prasugrel
The new US FDA commissioner Dr. Margaret Hamburg is under attack on the issue of prasugel. The regulatory body’s Cardiovascular and Renal Drugs Advisory Committee unanimously recommended the approval of the drug in February of this year based on the results of the TRITON-TIMI 38. However, many health experts are not convinced of the trial results, which they claim are “flawed” and requests the FDA to “stop considering prasugrel for approval until the completion of additional studies that aren’t flawed.” Prasugel is anti-platelet agent indicated for the treatment of acute coronary syndromes and is a product of Lilly/Daiichi Sankyo.
CVD medical advisory watch
AHA/ASA science advisory recommends use of tPA between three and 4.5 hours after stroke
The American Heart Association and the American Stroke Association jointly issued a new science advisory this month that supports the use of the clot-buster drug tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) to treat acute ischemic stroke even three to 4.5 hours after onset of symptoms. Previously, tPA treatment was only recommended within 3 hours of symptom onset. The new recommendation is based on the results of European Cooperative Acute Stroke Study 3 (ECASS 3). However, despite this “longer time window for treatment“, the advisory strong emphasizes to avoid delays in diagnosis and treatment.
CVD research study watch
Value of Genetic Testing for Preventing Blood Clots Unproven, According to New AHRQ Study
A new report by the Department of Health & Human Services’ (HHS) Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) states that there is insufficient evidence to support the benefit of genetic testing for two gene mutations Factor V Leiden (FVL) and prothrombin G20210A in people with a history of blood clots. Some researchers believe that testing for the mutation can help prevent deep-vein thrombosis by prescribing blood-thinning drugs as prophylaxis. However, the AHRQ study found current research evidence insufficient and calls for addition large, randomized clinical trials.
CVD food issue watch
Heart Attack Grill ‘a taste worth dying for’
“Caution: this place is bad for your health.” Says the sign outside the door. Yet, the Heart Attack Grill in Arizona is cashing in on food that can kill and yet people keep coming. The menu says it all: bypass burgers, flatliner fries, and jolt cola. And the waitresses are dressed like nurses. Next week, I’ll be writing an in depth post on why this overtly unhealthy restaurant is attracting lots of followers.
Photo credit: stock.xchng
What’s the latest in health care, June 15
June 15, 2009 by Raquel Billiones
Filed under HEALTHCARE
Late last week, there were several events that may have a major impact on health care so that I deemed it wise to have a special health care update post first thing on Monday morning.
What’s the latest on the H1N1 flu epidemic?
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Swine Flu (H1N1) Reaches Level 6 Pandemic
On Thursday, June 11, the World Health Organization elevated the flu pandemic level to the highest level – level 6. Level 6 means that the “spread of the virus continues and activity has become established in at least two regions in the world.” The last time this has happened was 41 years ago during the pandemic Hong Kong flu of 1968 which killed about 1 million people worldwide. As of June 12, the number of cases in the US has reached 17,855 in all states and territories. 45 deaths have been reported. Worldwide, the number of confirmed cases has reached 29,669, with 145 fatalities covering 74 countries. -
Hong Kong closes all primary schools
On June 12, Hong Kong officials ordered the closure of all kindergartens and primary schools as mitigation against the H1N1 swine flu epidemic. Several students have tested for the flu virus last week. The closure is estimated to be for two weeks and is affecting 510,640 students at 1,626 schools. -
H1N1: Origins and evolution of the current epidemic
A group of scientists have traced the evolutionary origins and genomics of the H1N1 swine flu epidemic. They found out “that the initial transmission to humans occurred several months before recognition of the outbreak.” -
Novartis says it has produced first swine flu vaccine batch
Also last week, the Swiss pharma giant Novartis announced it has pronounced its first batch of swine flu vaccine. However, the vaccine is still at the experimental stage and still need to be tested in humans for safety and efficacy.
What’s the latest health-related legislations?
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Senate passes the most sweeping tobacco-control bill
Also last week on June 11, the US Senate passed then Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, a historic and unprecedented legislation that gives the US Food and Drug Administration full authority to regulate tobacco and tobacco products. For details on the new tobacco bill, see post at Battling Cancer. -
Rhode Island Senate passes medical marijuana bill
Another medically-related legislation was passed last week. Rhode Island becomes the third state in the US to allow selling marijuana for medical purposes. The patients qualified for medical marijuana include those suffering from chronic pain, severe nausea, seizures, multiple sclerosis or Alzheimer’s disease. The marijuana will be sold by licensed dispensaries run by non-profit organizations.
Have a nice week!
Photo credit: stock.xchng
CVD News Watch, June 12
June 12, 2009 by Raquel Billiones
Filed under HEART AND STROKE
Some heart(y) news from the Baleares island of Mallorca where I am spending a week with my family. There’s nothing like jogging on the beach to pep up your health! You should try it!
CVD drug approval watch
Abbott, AstraZeneca seek cholesterol pill approval
Two pharma companies, Abbott Laboratories and AstraZeneca PLC have joined forces to apply for the approval of a combo-pill containing two cholesterol drugs TriLipix and Crestor to the US Food and Drug Administration (US FDA). Abbott is the maker of TriLipix which belong to a class of drugs called fibrates that raise the levels of “good” HDL cholesterol and lower the levels of triglycerides. Crestor, manufactured by AstraZeneca is a statin that lowers “bad” LDL cholesterol and raises HDL.
The combi drug would be a strong therapyA against dyslipidemia, a disorder characterized by elevated bad cholesterol and triglycerides, and low good cholesterol levels. If approved, the drug would be called Certriad
CVD drug and medical safety watch
Recalls and safety alerts from the US FDA
- Recalls of Digoxin and Propafenone Tablets
These two cardiac drugs were recalled because the tablet sizes were variable and may therefore not contain the amount of active ingredients declared in the labels. The digoxin was recalled by Caraco Pharmaceutical Laboratories. Propafenone was recalled by Watson Pharmaceuticals. - Recall of Medtronic Ventricular Snap Shunt Catheters
Medtronics recalled Bioglide Ventricular Snap Shunt Catheter due to danger of detachment from the base shunt system. - Recall of Zencore Plus
Zencore Plus, a nutritional supplement product, has been recalled by Bodee LLC is after aUS FDA labanalysis showed that it contains benzamidenafil. A person taking organic nitrates who also took Zencore Plus could experience a sudden and profound drop in blood pressure, which would pose a significant health risk.
CVD clinical trial watch
Avandia on the RECORD: No “overall” CV risk increase, but trial remains controversial
The story about Avandia (rosiglitazone) is not yet over. The diabetes drug does not increase cardiovascular risk, according to the RECORD (Rosiglitazone Evaluated for Cardiac Outcomes and Regulation of Glycemia in Diabetes) trial. However, sceptics remain sceptical and the drug remains controversial. Avandia is a product of GlaxoSmithKline. “Although our evidence is insufficient to rule out a small increased risk of myocardial infarction caused by rosiglitazone when compared with other glucose-lowering agents, rosiglitazone does not increase overall cardiovascular morbidity or mortality.”
News from the cancer side, June 12
June 12, 2009 by Raquel Billiones
Filed under CANCER
News from the toxicologists
Formaldehyde, pesticide increase cancer risk
Two ongoing studies indicate that exposure to certain compounds increased the risk for certain types of cancer. Formaldehyde exposure among industrial workers is associated with increased risk of cancers of the blood and lymphatic system. Pesticide use has been linked to higher risk of pre-cancerous multiple myeloma.
News from the sporty survivors
Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron James recovering from five hour operation
NBA’s Most Valuable Player LeBron James is on his way to recovery after a 5-hour surgery on his right jaw. James had a tumor in the right saliva-producing parotid gland. The growth is said to be benign.
Lance Armstrong gives strong Giro d’Italia showing
Meanwhile, another sports professional and cancer survivor Lance Armstrong showed that “he is a force to be reckoned in the mountains after a strong stage in the Giro d’Italia” last month. The next race is just around the corner. Tour de France starts on July 4 and ends on July 26.
News from the legislators
California Senate Votes to Ban Bisphenol A in Baby Food and Beverage Products
California is BPA-free! The California Senate passed the Toxics-Free Babies and Toddlers Act (SB 797) aka the Pavley Bill after its initiator Sen. Fran Pavley. If it goes through the Stae Assembly, the bill will ban the use of bisphenol A in the manufacture of food and drink containers designed for children aged 3 and younger. BPA is a potential carcinogen and endocrine disruptor. It leaches out of food containers and packaging and ends up in the human body. “Millions of babies and toddlers are exposed to the toxic hormone disruptor BPA on a daily basis through their baby bottles, formula and baby food,” said Renee Sharp, director of Environmental Working Group’s California office. “If the Pavley bill becomes law, this will finally end.”
News from the advocacy groups
June Spotlight: Pediatric Patient Resources
The Dana Farber Institute’s spotlight for this month is on resources for pediatric cancer patients. It gives information about insurance and other financial issues, school and education, recreation and other social issues that young cancer patients and their families have to face.
News from the researchers
New protein centre opens
The Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Copenhagen opened a new protein research center on June 4. The center is called the Novo Nordisk Foundation Centre for Protein Research, named after the foundation which donated the 80 million Euros neede to set it up. The Protein Centre opens up new opportunities for investigating the complicated progression from protein to disease.
News from the cancer side, June 5
June 5, 2009 by Raquel Billiones
Filed under CANCER
News from the survivors
This coming Sunday, June 7 is National Cancer Survivors Day. In commemoration of this event, the author-doctor-cancer survivor Laura Liberman will give a talk on Women Conquering Cancer: A Celebration of National Cancer Survivors Day. Place: Akbar Hall, 1174 Bedford Avenue between Putnam Avenue & Madison Street, Brooklyn; Time: 1:30-4:30 pm. Dr. Liberam is the author of the book I Signed as the Doctor: Memoir of a Cancer Doctor Surviving Cancer.
News from the drug regulators
FDA: First Drug to Treat Cancer in Dogs Approved
The US FDA has approved earlier this week the drug Palladia (toceranib phosphate), the first anti-cancer drug for canine patients. Palladia is approved to treat canine cutaneous (skin-based) mast cell tumors, a type of cancer responsible for about 1 out of 5 cases of canine skin tumors. The drug is approved to treat the tumors with or without regional lymph node involvement.
News from the cancer experts
ASCO’s Annual Meeting
The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) had their 45th Annual Meeting in Orlando, FL last May 29 to June 2. This year’s theme was “Personalizing Cancer Care.” Research highlights to be presented are
- Experimental Vaccine for Treating Advanced Melanoma
- New Class of Drugs for Treating Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
- Vaccine Appears to Slow Type of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
- Combo Chemo for Colon Cancer Appears to Work Differently Depending on Age
- Childhood Cancer Survivors Not Getting Checked for Later Cancers
About 4000 research studies are expected to be presented.
News from the statisticians
Cancer Death Rate Steadily Declining
Good news from the American Cancer Society’s annual cancer statistics report: death rates due to cancer is steadily declining. Cancer death rates dropped 19.2% among men during 1990-2005 and 11.4% among women during 1991-2005. Cancer incidence rates are also on the decline - they decreased 1.8% per year among men from 2001-2005 and 0.6% per year from 1998-2005 among women. The decrease is attributed to better preventive measures, early screening and detection techniques, and improved cancer treatment.
News from the economists
One in ten advanced colon cancer patients worry about prescription drug costs
As the financial crisis drags on, we are wondering how cancer patients are feeling the financial burden of cancer treatments. In a study by researchers at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, the number of patients with advanced colon cancer enrolled in a clinical trial are worried about financing their treatment. The researchers surveyed 409 patients with metastatic colorectal cancer who were enrolled in a Cancer Leukemia Group B (CALGB) Phase III clinical trial…”
- 10% of the patients were very worried about paying for their supportive medications
- <15% adopted a money-saving strategy (e.g. not filling a prescription, taking less than the recommended dose)
- 12% of the patients reported speaking with their physicians about drug costs.
What’s the latest in health care, June 5
June 5, 2009 by Raquel Billiones
Filed under HEALTHCARE
What’s new in health care research?
Making Hospital Discharges Safer for Seniors
This Healthcare 411 podcast at the site of U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) focuses on the welfare of elderly patients just returning from the hospitals. In many cases, these patients suffer from medications mishaps. The latest AHRQ data suggests that American hospitals spent nearly $31 billion on care that could have been prevented with more timely and effective outpatient treatment… new information technology system helps to make the transition from hospital to home safer.
New Reports Show Weak Progress on Health Quality
Good news and bad news about American health care. The good news: An AHRQ study reveals an improvement - albeit weak - in the overall health quality. The bad news: patient safety is getting worse. More details in another post!
Eating Disorder Hospitalizations Rising
The latest AHRQ figures on eating disorders show an 18% increase in hospitalizations due to eating disorders between 1999 and 2006.
What’s new in health care reform?
A Strategy for Health Care Reform - Toward a Value-Based System
Dr. Michael E. Porter of Harvard Business School gives his perspectives (published in the June issue of the New England Journal of Medicine) on how to go about reforming the US health care system. He proposes a series of critical steps, namely:
- Change the nature of health insurance competition, e.g. insurers, private ot public should only profit if they improve their subscribers’ health.
- Keep employers in the insurance system.
- Address the unfair burden on people who have no access to employer-based coverage, who therefore face higher premiums and greater difficulty securing coverage.
- Make individual insurance affordable, e.g. through statewide or multistate insurance pools.
- Give income-based subsidies to help lower-income people buy insurance.
- Require everyone to purchase health insurance so that younger and healthier people cannot opt out.
What’s new at the regulators?
FDA Awards $1 Million in Grants to Three States to Enhance Food and Feed Safety
The US FDA awarded onye-year grants to Arkansas, Nebraska, and Wisconsin Food Safety and Security Monitoring. The funds will be used to fund/set up Food Emergency Response Network (FERN) labs. FERN labs play an essential role in food safety monitoring, especially in large-scale events affecting food or food products.
FDA Forms Transparency Task Force
This task force has the job of developing recommendations that will enhance the transparency of the US FDA’s decision-making process, especially in drug approval. The agency has been criticizes before about conflicts of interest and political influences in their operations. According to Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius “Our administration is committed to making government open and transparent. The Transparency Task Force will give the American people a seat at the table and make the FDA more open and accountable.”
CVD News Watch, May 29
May 29, 2009 by Raquel Billiones
Filed under HEART AND STROKE
Can you believe that May is almost over and June is just around the corner? Here’s your heart(y) news update, by the way.
CVD tobacco watch
Showing the truth, saving lives: the case for pictorial health warnings
Sunday, May 31, 2009 is World No Tobacco Day, and “Tobacco Health Warnings” is this year’s theme for this one-day observance. It focuses on using pictures as health warnings so that people should pay more attention and be aware of the health risks of tobacco use and encourage them to quit. Current warnings in most cigarette packaging are in the form of words and are deemed to be not that effective. 9 out of 10 people live in countries where picture warnings on packaging are not required. This campaign hopes to change that.
CVD nutrition watch
Health Canada contemplates providing food industry with “discretionary” authority to fortify junk foods
The Canadian regulatory body Health Canada may just give the go signal to fortify junk food. The addition of vitamin and mineral (iron, calcium, etc.) will hopefully give nutritional value to otherwise unhealthy foods. The fortification would be left at the discretion of the food manufacturers. However, many health experts and nutritionists do not agree that this is such a good idea. Many fear that fortifying junk food will promote further the consumption of these foods.
CVD events watch
Anti Aging Effects of Diet and Exercise
The Buck Institute for Age Research in California is organizing this presentation on Thursday next week, June 4, 2009 at 6:00 pm at Mill Valley Community Center, 180 Camino Alto, Mill Valley, California.
Check out also for heart-related webchats at Cleveland Clinic this coming June!
CVD clinical trial watch
SADHART: Increased mortality in severely depressed ACS patients
The clinical trial SADHART which stands for Sertraline Antidepressant Heart Attack Randomized Trial reports that patients who do not recover depression after an acute heart attack or unstable angina have double the mortality rate of those recover. There are guidelines which recommend routine screening of cardiac patients for clinical depression.
CVD drug safety watch
Naproxen best NSAID for heart-disease patients
A large scale study compared the cardiovascular safety of different nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and found that naproxen has the best safety profile compared to diclofenac, ibuprofen, and higher doses of rofecoxib and celecoxib. NSAIDs have rather controversial safety issues in patients with heart problems, which led to the withdrawal of rofecoxib (Vioxx) from the market several years ago.
CVD drug approval watch
FDA Approves Samsca to treat Hyponatremia
Samsca (tolvaptan) has just been approved to treat hyponatremia, an abnormally low concentration of sodium in the blood (e.g. serum sodium concentration of <135 mmol/L). Hyponatremia is associated with congestive heart failure, liver cirrhosis, and the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion. Samsca is an oral selective vasopressin-receptor antagonist.
