Respirology

Top Medical News
COVID vs non-COVID ARDS: Are both mentally distressing for patients’ kin?
Audrey Abella, 11 hours ago
Mental health symptoms of family members of patients hospitalized for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) were similar at 12 months regardless of whether it was caused by COVID-19 or not, a prospective cohort study suggests.
Serplulimab-chemo shows promise for squamous NSCLC
Audrey Abella, Yesterday
Patients with previously untreated, locally advanced, or metastatic squamous non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) may derive benefit from the addition of the novel anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody serplulimab to chemotherapy, according to the final analysis of the phase III ASTRUM-004 study.
Real-world insights on comparative effectiveness of mRNA COVID-19 boosters
Yesterday

Two target trials were emulated to compare the effectiveness of third doses of mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines among US veteran population and across at-risk US veteran populations.

Nirmatrelvir, molnupiravir effective against Omicron in high-risk patients
Jairia Dela Cruz, 2 days ago
Treatment with either nirmatrelvir or molnupiravir helps reduce mortality and hospitalization in COVID-19 patients infected with the Omicron variant and are at high-risk of progressing to severe disease, as shown in a study.
Low visceral fat area predicts poor survival in cancer patients
Stephen Padilla, 2 days ago
Visceral fat area (VFA) is a reliable prognostic indicator of muscle mass and is associated with nutritional, immune, and inflammatory status in patients with diverse types of cancer, such as gastric, colorectal, and nonsmall-cell lung cancers (NSCLC), claims a recent study.
Living near a major road may accelerate lung function decline in IPF patients
Stephen Padilla, 2 days ago
People with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) who live near a major road tend to have a faster decrease in lung function, according to a study in Australia. Likewise, increased exposure to fine particulate matter (<2.5 μm, PM2.5) is associated with a higher rate of annual decline in diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide (DLco).
Iruplinalkib trumps crizotinib for ALK TKI-naïve NSCLC
Audrey Abella, 2 days ago
In the phase III INSPIRE study, the novel, potent ALK tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) iruplinalkib conferred a progression-free survival (PFS) benefit in patients with TKI-naïve, locally advanced, or metastatic ALK+ non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Special Reports
Real-world insights on comparative effectiveness of mRNA COVID-19 boosters
03 Oct 2023

Two target trials were emulated to compare the effectiveness of third doses of mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines among US veteran population and across at-risk US veteran populations.

Product Highlight - VAXIGRIP TETRA
12 Sep 2023
Inactivated quadrivalent influenza vaccine (split virion) 0.5 mL suspension for injection
Product Highlight - ZAVICEFTA
12 Sep 2023
Ceftazidime 2 g, avibactam 0.5 g powder for concentrate for solution for infusion
Approaches to diagnosis and management of invasive aspergillosis and mucormycosis
31 Aug 2023
Invasive aspergillosis and mucormycosis are two of the most common mould infections, and a growing problem worldwide, particularly amongst those who are immunocompromised. Despite recent advances in the clinical understanding of these mould infections, the mortality rate can increase significantly if these infections are left untreated. Therefore, there is a need for early diagnosis and timely therapeutic intervention. However, diagnosis remains a major challenge owing to atypical or insidious clinical presentation in patients. In this symposium, Professor Cornely shares his insights on the diagnosis and management of invasive aspergillosis and mucormycosis and his recommendations for optimising patient outcomes, including his preferred evidence-based treatment options.
Vaccination reduces risks of long-COVID and death
23 Aug 2023

COVID-19 vaccination can reduce the risk of long COVID if given before SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Findings suggest that vaccination before infection confers only partial protection in the post-acute phase of the disease. Hence, reliance on vaccination as a sole mitigation strategy may not optimally reduce long-term health consequences of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Case study: Lessons on managing invasive mould disease in the ICU
Dr. Paula Ramirez, Prof. Gennaro De Pascale, 05 Aug 2023
In conjunction with the 42nd International Symposium on Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine (ISICEM), Pfizer sponsored a symposium addressing the complex challenges of managing invasive mould disease (IMD) in the intensive care unit (ICU), emphasizing the importance of a proactive mindset among intensivists. Using a real-life patient case study, Dr Paula Ramirez from La Fe University and Polytechnic Hospital, Valencia, Spain highlighted the significance of early suspicion, swift diagnosis, and timely treatment in critically ill patients with IMD. Professor Gennaro De Pascale from the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy discussed effective management strategies and the clinical evidence for various antifungals in treating IMD in critically ill patients.
Waning immunity against COVID-19 reinfections: Lessons from Singapore cohort study
06 Jul 2023

A retrospective national cohort study in Singapore assessed hybrid immunity from previous infection and monovalent vaccination against medically attended symptomatic BA.4, BA.5, and XBB reinfections.

This study highlights the immune evasiveness of the XBB variants. All human viruses adapt to become more transmissible, more immune evasive, and less virulent over time, and SARS-CoV-2 is no exception.
Conference Reports
Serplulimab-chemo shows promise for squamous NSCLC
Audrey Abella, 03 Oct 2023
Patients with previously untreated, locally advanced, or metastatic squamous non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) may derive benefit from the addition of the novel anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody serplulimab to chemotherapy, according to the final analysis of the phase III ASTRUM-004 study.
Iruplinalkib trumps crizotinib for ALK TKI-naïve NSCLC
Audrey Abella, 02 Oct 2023
In the phase III INSPIRE study, the novel, potent ALK tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) iruplinalkib conferred a progression-free survival (PFS) benefit in patients with TKI-naïve, locally advanced, or metastatic ALK+ non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Acetazolamide helps patients with COPD reach new peaks
Elvira Manzano, 02 Oct 2023
Acetazolamide helps to reduce the chances of altitude-related adverse health effects (ARAHE) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in a study reported at ERS.
Tacrolimus or cyclosporine for CLAD: The better of 2 immunosuppressants
Elvira Manzano, 28 Sep 2023
Tacrolimus given once daily significantly reduced the 3-year incidence of chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD) in lung transplant patients compared with standard immunosuppressant in the open label, multicentre, ScanCLAD trial presented at ERS 2023.
Atezolizumab-chemo confers durable survival benefit in ES-SCLC
Audrey Abella, 27 Sep 2023
In the merged analysis of the IMpower133 trial and IMbrella A open-label extension study, the combination of the PD-L1 inhibitor atezolizumab and a chemotherapy regimen comprising carboplatin and etoposide (CP/ET) demonstrated potential for survival benefit of up to 5 years in patients with extensive stage-small-cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC).
Dupilumab improves lung function in children with moderate-to-severe type 2 asthma
Elaine Soliven, 26 Sep 2023

Treatment with dupilumab significantly improves lung function in children with moderate-to-severe type 2 asthma compared with placebo, according to two post hoc analyses presented at ERS 2023.

Is CPAP cardioprotective?
Audrey Abella, 25 Sep 2023
Two studies presented at ERS 2023 demonstrated the potential of a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine to address cardiovascular (CV) risks in individuals with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA).