Clinical

Editorials that appeared during the run-up to the FDA advisory committee meetings noted the lack of long-term cardiovascular data and the need to be cautious about lowering cholesterol at any cost.

Developed jointly by Sanofi and Regeneron, alirocumab (Praluent) was approved 13-3 by an FDA advisory committee.

A preliminary review of Amgen's evolocumab antibody (Repatha) by the Endocrinologic and Metabolic Drugs Advisory Committee, raises a few safety concerns and a call for ongoing monitoring, especially in patients with a high-risk of cardiovascular disease.

Results are the first from a cardiovascular safety trial in the GLP-1 agonist class. A commentator at the 75th Scientific Sessions of the American Diabetes Association asked whether the FDA-mandated studies are giving physicians the right information.

In a packed session at the 75th Scientific Sessions of the American Diabetes Association, the lead investigator told attendees how a matchstick-size device delivered exenatide, producing lower blood glucose levels.

A recently published study evaluated patients admitted in hospitals in Canada and in the United States for their risk of death within a year of hospitalization.

Patients who received canagliflozin from their health plan showed significant A1C improvement, even though the study group had poor glycemic control despite treatment with multiple therapies. The study period covered the months immediately following FDA approval.

However, not everyone supports the bill's provisions that promote the development of pediatric rare disease drugs through the "voucher" incentive.

The study found that certified diabetes educators were able to act quickly on intensifying therapy, resulting in improved A1C and cholesterol.

In the United States, where 1 in 680 people between 20 and 50 years old are survivors of childhood cancer, the impact of long-term health consequences is a cause for concern, and even more so because this population is increasing.

The study published in The Lancet found a 45% rise in global diabetes during a study period that spanned more than a decade, between 1999 and 2013.

Studies presented at the 2015 American Diabetes Association Scientific Sessions take different approaches on what percentage of carbohydrates should be part of a diet for persons with type 2 diabetes.

Osama Hamdy, MD, PhD, and other researchers at Joslin Diabetes Center showed that patients with obesity and diabetes who lost at least 7% of their weight the first year stood a better chance of keeping it off.

Data represented May 18, 2015, at the American Urological Association annual meeting in New Orleans, certainly grabbed headlines.

BMS has submitted phase 3 results from the CheckMate-066 trial, comparing nivolumab with dacarbazine in treatment-naïve advanced melanoma patients.

Evidence-Based Oncology's editor in chief introduces the special issue on cardio-oncology.

A US appeals court has blocked Novartis from selling the first biosimilar to be approved in the United States.

The program gathers real-world data from patient registries and through health insurers as well as care facilities to monitor long-term safety of prescription medications.

Published in Diabetes Care, the study found that earlier detection, and importantly, initiating treatment early, can reduce cardiovascular risks.

Will Sandoz' biosimilar, first ever in the US, ever see the light of day?

Authors of an accompanying editorial said the real issue is lowering LDL cholesterol, not necessarily which medication is used.

While the 21st Century Cures Act that was recently approved is full of promise for healthcare innovation, experts warn against some of the Act's provisions.

A study from the RAND corporation, published in JAMA, found clinical decision support tools increased the proportion of tests for Medicare fee-for-service patients rated as appropriate.

A session at the 64th Annual Scientific Session of the American College of Cardiology evaluated the cardiotoxic outcomes of treatment in cancer survivors.

On the first day of the NCCN 20th Annual Conference in Hollywood, Florida, March 12-14, 2015, panelists took a look back at the last 20 years of the NCCN and why it succeeded when others had failed before.

Participants on the second day of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network 20th Annual Conference in Hollywood, Florida, March 12-14, 2015, spent a long time defining value in cancer care and how it can be incorporated into healthcare decision making.

During the session "Principles of Immunotherapy" at the National Comprehensive Cancer Network 20th Annual Conference in Hollywood, Florida, Anthony J. Olszanski, RPh, MD, from the Fox Chase Cancer Center, described the complex interplay between the immune system and cancer.

Implementing a pre-operative infection prevention "bundle" was associated with a significant reduction in serious S aureus surgical site infections.

Biomarker-directed regimens in cancer not only ensure treatment for the right patient population, it also makes economic sense, especially in today's climate of high-cost specialty medications like the novel immunooncology agents, nivolumab and pembrolizumab.