Regeneron’s COVID-19 Cocktail Prevents Hospitalization, Death
According to detailed results from the Phase 3 trial on Regeneron Pharmaceuticals’ REGEN-COV (casirivimab with imdevimab), the treatment reduces the risk of hospitalization or death in non-hospitalized patients with COVID-19. It also shortens the duration of symptoms and reduces viral load. “Despite increasing vaccination rates, many continue to be diagnosed with COVID-19 who could benefit from REGEN-COV due to underlying conditions like asthma or COPD that put them at higher risk for severe disease,” said Julie Philley, MD, chair of internal medicine at the University of Texas Health Science Center and trial investigator. Data from the trial were presented at the recent American Thoracic Society conference. Read More
Lurie Children’s Study Aims to Determine if Soy Supplement Can Prevent Asthma
Researchers at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago received a $3 million grant from the NIH for a research project to examine whether inclduing a soy supplement in infancy will prevent asthma in children who have a high-risk genetic variation called plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1). Previous work has shown that children with this genetic variation who had bronchiolitis in the first two years of life had a 17 times greater risk of developing asthma. PAI-1 increases in the airways in response to a viral infection and may cause damage. “One of the most exciting aspects of our study is that the intervention does not require medication. We know that the soy supplement is safe, easy to consume, and costs just pennies a day,” said Jacqueline Pongracic, MD. Read More
Health System CEOs Go to Bat for the Health Care Workforce
A new coalition made up of leaders at the top of the health care pyramid was formed to ensure the safety of the health care workforce, particularly in times such as what we have just experienced with the COVID-19 pandemic. The CEO Coalition was founded by 10 health system CEOs, including those from the Cleveland Clinic, Hackensack Meridian Health, HealthPartners, Henry Ford Health System, Intermountain Healthcare, Mass General Brigham, Providence, SSM Health, UCLA Hospital System, and Zuckerberg San Francisco General. The coalition will safeguard psychological and emotional safety, health justice, and the physical safety of workers. Read More
Liquid Oxygen Spray in Development for Chronic Bronchitis
CSA Medical Inc. has completed enrollment in its study to determine if its RejuvenAir Metered Cryospray System effectively reduces the density of goblet cells responsible for over-producing mucus in people with COPD with chronic bronchitis. The RejuvenAir Metered Cryospray System sprays liquid nitrogen in a circumferential pattern within the airways. The study also hopes to show that the treatment will result in the re-growth of healthy cilia in the airways. “Together with the final data from the SPRAY-CB pivotal study, we endeavor to understand not only that metered cryospray reduces the symptoms of chronic bronchitis but also answer how it works to rejuvenate airways for a better quality of life,” said Heather V. Nigro, CSA Medical senior vice president of regulatory, quality and clinical affairs. “Current medications only manage those symptoms.” The study is being conducted in 20 sites across the U.S. Read More
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Debbie Bunch is an AARC contributor who writes feature articles, news stories, and other content for Newsroom, the AARC website, and associated emailed newsletters. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, traveling, photography, and spending time with her children and grandchildren. Connect with Debbie by email or on AARConnect or LinkedIn.
