Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE), typically used for treating liver metastases from colorectal cancer, was applied to locally advanced rectal tumors in a study. Known as transcatheter rectal arterial chemoembolization (TRACE), the treatment was administered to 111 patients with stage II or III rectal tumors. The results showed a pathological complete response in 20.7% of patients…
Xolair, a medication originally developed to treat asthma, has now been approved to prevent severe allergic reactions to food. This medication is designed to target and block the body’s immune response to specific food allergens, reducing the risk of anaphylaxis. This approval provides hope for individuals with serious food allergies, such as peanuts and tree…
A study found that Asian breast cancer patients undergoing taxane-based chemotherapy may experience skin changes and hair loss. The study emphasized the need for personalized treatment and support for these patients to manage these side effects. The findings suggest that Asian patients with breast cancer may have different experiences with chemotherapy compared to other populations,…
Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCIs) are a transformative force in healthcare, allowing for seamless integration between the human brain and external devices. They have evolved from providing basic communication for individuals with disabilities to more sophisticated applications, including assistive technology, patient monitoring, and treatment of neurological disorders. The future of BCIs in healthcare is promising, with potential…
The HSE in Ireland will offer permanent employment contracts to all nursing, midwifery, and health and social care (HSCP) graduates. This includes over 1,000 final year HSCP students and 1,600 nurses and midwives. The initiative aims to address shortages of frontline staff and is part of the HSE’s 2024 National Service Plan, which includes a…
mPulse, a conversational AI and digital engagement platform, reported a 94% growth in Q4 2023 and a 106% year-over-year growth. The company attributes this growth to acquisitions of HealthTrio and Decision Point Healthcare Solutions, as well as organic growth. mPulse partners with 19 of the top 20 health plans in the U.S. and over 300…
More than half a million Anthem Blue Cross enrollees were at risk of losing access to the University of California’s health care due to a contract dispute. UC Health accused Anthem of not negotiating in good faith, while Anthem claimed UC Health was demanding too much. The conflict was part of a trend where patients…
Alain Cribier, a pioneer of interventional cardiology, passed away at the age of 79. He performed the first tanscatheter aortic valve replacement that ushered in a new era of treatment for people with severe aortic stenosis. Throughout his career, he made numerous contributions to the field of cardiology and mentored up-and-coming interventional cardiologists. His passing…
The National Institutes of Health has launched a precision medicine initiative called “All of Us” to gather data from 1 million participants. The data aims to address the lack of diversity in genomic datasets by including individuals from different ethnic backgrounds. This initiative has gathered new genetic information from millions of DNA variants and is…
The head of UK’s infection control specialists wants more clarity from the drug regulator on recent advice to only use fluoroquinolone antibiotics when absolutely necessary. Doctors are confused and fearful of legal repercussions if patients experience side effects. The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) released an update in January stating that fluoroquinolones should…
