Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Scientists Find Workaround For Troubled Prostate Cancer Treatment
Researchers have identified a receptor protein known as CHRM1 as a key player in prostate cancer cells' resistance to docetaxel, a commonly used chemotherapy drug to treat advanced cancer that has spread beyond the prostate. (Washington State University, 1/22)
Researchers describe their development of a new reagent that allows a more efficient approach to make sulfoximines, sulfonimidoyl fluorides and sulfonimidamides that may be used in medicines. (H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Centr and Research Institute, 1/22)
The U.S. health regulator has approved Vertex Pharmaceuticals and CRISPR Therapeutics' gene therapy to treat a rare blood disorder requiring regular blood transfusions, in patients 12 years and older, Vertex said on Tuesday. The decision earns the therapy, branded as Casgevy, the second U.S. approval after it was greenlighted in December for sickle cell disease, another inherited blood disorder. (Sunny, 1/16)
People living with HIV need to take antiretroviral treatment for life to prevent the virus from multiplying in their body. But some people, known as 'post-treatment controllers,' have been able to discontinue their treatment while maintaining an undetectable viral load for several years. Starting treatment early could promote long-term control of the virus if treatment is discontinued. (Institut Pasteur, 1/23)
The retail pharmacy giant has invested billions of dollars into healthcare services such as primary care provider VillageMD, specialty pharmacy Shields Health Solutions and home care company CareCentrix. But promised returns, particularly聽from VillageMD, have proved elusive.聽The healthcare segment reported a $436 million operating loss in the first quarter of Walgreens' fiscal 2024, flat with a year ago. Under heavy scrutiny from analysts and investors, Walgreens executives know聽the healthcare services division needs to deliver鈥攁nd soon. (Hudson, 1/22)
The American Red Cross must face part of a lawsuit claiming it attempted to thwart competition in the market for anti-contamination treatments related to blood clotting, a U.S. judge has ruled. Massachusetts-based Verax Biomedical Inc, which makes a blood-testing product, can move ahead with claims that the Red Cross violated a state unfair-competition law and intentionally harmed its contracts with hospitals, U.S. District Judge Patti Saris said on Friday. (Scarcella, 1/22)
