FDA Expands Approval of Influenza Treatment to Post-Exposure Prevention

Expanded the approved indication for Xofluza (baloxavir marboxil) to include post-exposure prevention of influenza (flu) for patients 12 years of age and older after contact with an individual who has the flu.

INVESTED trial

high-dose influenza vaccine was not more effective than a standard-dose vaccine in lowering the risk for death or hospitalizations for cardiac or pulmonary events in older high-risk patients with cardiovascular disease in a new large randomized clinical trial.

Association of Troponin Levels With Mortality in Italian Patients Hospitalized With Coronavirus Disease 2019

In this study of patients with coronavirus disease 2019, elevated troponin levels on admission are associated with increased risk of in-hospital death and complications.

First-Line Lorlatinib or Crizotinib in Advanced ALK-Positive Lung Cancer

CROWN Trial

In an interim analysis of results among patients with previously untreated advanced ALK-positive NSCLC, those who received lorlatinib had significantly longer progression-free survival and a higher frequency of intracranial response than those who received crizotinib. The incidence of grade 3 or 4 adverse events was higher with lorlatinib than with crizotinib because of the frequent occurrence of altered lipid levels.

Interventions for Smoking Cessation in Cancer Patients

Intensive counseling and free medication led to higher 6-month abstinence rates than did standard care.

2020 Rhinitis Practice Parameter

Use of nasal preparations is recommended over oral medications.

PITOLISANT  IN  OBSTRUCTIVE  SLEEP APNEA

Pitolisant (selective histamine H3-receptor antagonist with wake-promoting effects) used as adjunct to CPAP therapy for OSA with residual sleepiness despite good CPAP adherence significantly reduces subjective and objective sleepiness and improves participant-reported outcomes and physician-reported disease severity.

AIR POLLUTION AND ASTHMA

Multiple epidemiological studies have shown ongoing associations between high levels of air pollution and poor early-life lung growth, development of allergic sensitisation, development of asthma, airway inflammation, acutely impaired lung function, respiratory tract infections and asthma exacerbations

CAPTAIN

In patients with uncontrolled moderate or severe asthma on ICS/LABA, adding UMEC improved lung function but did not lead to a significant reduction in moderate and/or severe exacerbations. For such patients, singleinhaler FF/UMEC/VI is an effective treatment option with a favourable risk–benefit profile.

Higher dose FF primarily reduced the rate of exacerbations, particularly in patients with raised biomarkers of type 2 airway inflammation. Further confirmatory studies into the differentiating effect of type 2 inflammatory biomarkers on treatment outcomes in asthma are required to build on these exploratory findings and further guide clinical practice.