Respirology

Adjuvant atezolizumab improves DFS in early-stage NSCLC

Roshini Claire Anthony, 3 hours ago

In patients with completely resected stage II–IIIA non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who had previously received adjuvant cisplatin chemotherapy, adjuvant atezolizumab extended disease-free survival (DFS), particularly in those with PD-L1 expression ≥1 percent on tumour cells, interim results of the phase III IMpower010 trial showed.

Helmet-CPAP safely improves oxygenation in pregnant women with COVID-19 respiratory failure

Tristan Manalac, 12 hours ago

Administrating continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) through a helmet (h-CPAP) device safely improves oxygenation in women with moderate-to-severe acute respiratory failure (ARF) due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), a recent study has found.

Durvalumab + tremelimumab + chemo: A new first-line SoC for mNSCLC?

Roshini Claire Anthony, Yesterday

The combination of durvalumab, tremelimumab, and chemotherapy in the first-line setting improved progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in patients with metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer (mNSCLC), according to results of the phase III POSEIDON trial.

Baricitinib prevents death in critically ill COVID-19 patients

Pearl Toh, Yesterday

The oral selective JAK1/2 inhibitor baricitinib significantly reduces the risk of death in critically ill COVID-19 patients who are on invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) or ECMO*, when used in combination with standard care, according to the addendum study of the COV-BARRIER trial presented at IDWeek 2021.

FDA clears Moderna, J&J booster shots: Which one is right for you?

Elvira Manzano, Yesterday

The US Food and Drug Administration has given the green light to Moderna and Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 booster shots for eligible populations amid reports of waning immunity and breakthrough infections.

Molnupiravir pill: A game-changer in COVID-19?

Pearl Toh, 3 days ago

The investigational oral antiviral pill molnupiravir significantly slashed the risk of hospitalization or death by half in nonhospitalized adults with mild-to-moderate COVID-19, according to interim data from the phase III MOVe-OUT trial.

Rapid antigen test: Don’t let perfect be the enemy of good

Pearl Toh, 23 Oct 2021

While rapid antigen test is less sensitive than conventional nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) such as RT-PCR* in detecting SARS-CoV-2 virus, “a test does not have to be perfect to be clinically useful,” said Professor Angela Caliendo during a session in IDWeek 2021 — echoing the maxim that perfect should not be the enemy of good in the pandemic era.

Rapid COVID-19 testing: Is it as good in kids?

Roshini Claire Anthony, 20 Oct 2021

A large retrospective study from the US, presented at IDWeek 2021, has shown that the Abbott ID NOW rapid molecular COVID-19 assay is highly sensitive and specific at detecting SARS-CoV-2 infection in a paediatric population.

Antigen rapid tests: The new COVID-19 strategy moving forward?

Roshini Claire Anthony, 31 Jul 2021

Same-day pre-event screening for SARS-CoV-2 using antigen-detecting rapid diagnostic tests (Ag-RDT) may enable the resumption of large-scale indoor events which were halted or had their attendance capacity reduced during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a study from Spain presented at ECCMID 2021.

Combined Ag/Ab rapid testing boosts case-finding in COVID-19

Elvira Manzano, 29 Jul 2021

A rapid and affordable test for diagnosing COVID-19 outside the walls of the healthcare units could improve case-finding, contact tracing, and infection control, says an expert during a pre-ECCMID 2021 session.

Antigen rapid test vs RT-PCR for COVID-19: What you need to know

Pearl Toh, 29 Jul 2021

While RT-PCR is the current gold standard to confirm a SARS-CoV-2 infection, antigen rapid test (ART) for COVID-19 allows for quick detection of SARS-CoV-2 and thus fast triaging of infected patients requiring isolation at the population level, according to studies presented at ECCMID 2021.

Durvalumab + tremelimumab + chemo: A new first-line SoC for mNSCLC?

Roshini Claire Anthony, 26 Oct 2021

Baricitinib prevents death in critically ill COVID-19 patients

Pearl Toh, 26 Oct 2021

Rapid antigen test: Don’t let perfect be the enemy of good

Pearl Toh, 23 Oct 2021

mAb combo therapy cuts death risk in COVID-19 outpatients, even in late users

Pearl Toh, 21 Oct 2021

The monoclonal antibody (mAb) combination therapy comprising BRII-196 and BRII-198 significantly reduced the risk of hospitalization and death by more than three-quarters in non-hospitalized COVID-19 patients who were at high risk of worsening illness, according to an interim analysis of the ACTIV*-2 trial presented at IDWeek 2021.

Rapid COVID-19 testing: Is it as good in kids?

Roshini Claire Anthony, 20 Oct 2021