Plasma Exchange May Slow Alzheimer’s Disease Cognitive and Functional Decline: Phase 2b/3 Clinical Study Findings
This trial suggests that plasma exchange with albumin replacement could slow cognitive and functional decline in Alzheimer’s disease, although further studies are warranted.
Lower, More Frequent Dosing of IVIG-Dependent CIDP Patients Does Not Improve Efficacy or Safety in CIDP
The investigators concluded lower, more frequent dosing does not further improve the efficacy of IVIG in stable IVIG-dependent CIDP patients, or result in fewer side effects.
Low Serum Albumin Level Strongly Associated with Severe COVID-19
University of Toledo investigators conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine whether there may be an association between hypoalbuminemia and severe COVID-19.
Infection Rates in PI Patients Decline with Increasing IVIG Dosages and IgG Trough Level
Titrating the IgG trough level up to 960 mg/dL progressively reduces the infection rate in PI patients, but there is less incremental benefit above this trough level.
HHS Extends COVID-19 Public Health Emergency
At the end of July, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services extended the national public health emergency declared for the COVID-19 pandemic, which grants COVID-19 payment and regulatory fl exibilities, for another 90 days.
Judge Rules Against Hospitals’ Suit Challenging New Price Transparency Rules
A federal judge ruled against the American Hospital Association and other hospital groups that filed suit in December contesting a finalized rule by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that requires hospitals to disclose price information, including negotiated prices with insurers.
$1.95M Grant Awarded to Study Autoimmune Diseases
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has awarded a $1.95 million federal grant to researchers investigating the underlying cause (molecular mechanisms) of autoimmune diseases.
FDA Implements New Warnings for Cigarette Packages and Advertisements
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a final rule to require new health warnings on cigarette packages and in cigarette advertisements, which feature textual statements with photo-realistic color images depicting some of the lesser-known, but serious health risks of cigarette smoking, including impact to fetal growth, cardiac disease, diabetes and more.
Stable and Durable Factor VIII Expression in Subjects Dosed with Investigational Hemophilia A Gene Therapy
More than two years after receiving Spark Therapeutics’ investigational adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated gene therapy (SPK-8011), five adult subjects with hemophilia A exhibited stable factor VIII (FVIII) expression, with no evidence of FVIII inhibitors or a cellular immune response.
New Site Tracks Vaccines and Drugs/Treatments in Development for COVID-19
BioRender, an online tool for creating scientific figures, has created a robust, interactive COVID VacTracker that is maintained regularly and updated daily.
