Current medical research and opinion
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Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a complex, heterogeneous disease. Standard treatment of relapsing MS includes interferon beta (IFNbeta) and glatiramer acetate. These agents reduce relapse rates, and IFNbeta-1a is associated with a slowing of disease progression. Despite treatment, many patients experience disease progression, prompting neurologists to use combination therapies to delay this progression. Agents that may be considered for combination therapy are those with unique mechanisms of action that exert additive or synergistic efficacy. This article reviews combination treatment with immunosuppressive therapies and new agents for the management of MS. ⋯ Combination of standard therapies with immunosuppressive agents or with new therapies may provide synergistic effects that will likely benefit patients with MS. Larger, well-controlled trials need to be conducted.
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Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) are hormones secreted by the enteroendocrine cells of the gut in response to the ingestion of nutrients. These incretin hormones, so called because they increase insulin secretion, are key modulators of pancreatic islet hormone secretion and, thus, glucose homeostasis. The glucoregulatory effects of incretins are the basis for new therapies currently being developed for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Drugs that inhibit dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4), a ubiquitous enzyme that rapidly inactivates both GLP-1 and GIP, increase active levels of these hormones and, in doing so, improve islet function and glycemic control in T2DM. ⋯ Islet cell dysfunction is central to the pathogenesis of T2DM. Incretin-based therapies, including GLP 1 analogues and DPP-4 inhibitors, have been shown to restore glucose homeostasis and improve glycemic control. The DPP-4 inhibitors, which can be used as monotherapy or in combination with other antidiabetic drugs, are a promising new treatment option, especially for patients with early-stage T2DM and more severe hyperglycemia.
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Review Comparative Study
Potential mechanisms of stroke benefit favoring losartan in the Losartan Intervention For Endpoint reduction in hypertension (LIFE) study.
The Losartan Intervention For Endpoint reduction in hypertension (LIFE) study is the first, and, so far, the only endpoint trial in patients with hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) to show a divergent therapeutic outcome of one treatment modality over another with equivalent blood pressure control. The purpose of this article is to review post hoc sub-analyses of LIFE study data and other clinical studies that offer some insight into possible treatment-related differences contributing to the superior stroke outcome of losartan versus atenolol beyond blood pressure reduction. ⋯ Sub-analyses of the LIFE study data suggest that losartan's stroke benefit may arise from a mosaic of mechanisms rather than a single action. Further studies are expected to continue to delineate the mechanisms of differential responses to treatments in LIFE.
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Review Comparative Study
Erythropoietic therapy for the treatment of anemia in patients with cancer: a valuable clinical and economic option.
Healthcare organizations must evaluate the cost effectiveness of the alternative therapies that are available to treat anemia and improve quality of life (QoL) of patients with cancer, that is, erythropoietic protein therapy and blood transfusion. ⋯ Significant costs are incurred when anemia in cancer is not treated. Erythropoietic protein therapy is more cost effective than blood transfusion for the treatment of cancer-related anemia. Transfusion should be reserved for patients with poor responses to erythropoietic protein or for the emergency setting, when rapid improvement in Hb is required.
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To provide a comprehensive overview of the various clinical trials of drotrecogin alfa (activated) (DrotAA) completed by Eli Lilly and Company over the past 10 years. ⋯ DrotAA is indicated for the reduction of mortality in adult patients with severe sepsis (sepsis associated with acute organ dysfunction) who have a high risk of death. DrotAA is not indicated in adult patients with severe sepsis and low risk of death. The clinical plan for DrotAA continues with a focus on tailored therapy and identifying the most appropriate patients for DrotAA treatment.