Pharmacology/Pharmaceutical Industry
China considers mixing COVID-19 vaccines to boost protection rate
13 Apr, 2021 | 05:24h | UTCChina considers mixing COVID-19 vaccines to boost protection rate – Reuters
[Press release – not published yet] Phase 3 prevention trial showed 81% reduced risk of symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infections with subcutaneous administration of monoclonal antibodies
13 Apr, 2021 | 05:26h | UTCCommentaries: Regeneron says antibody cocktail prevented Covid when given as simple injection, not an IV – STAT AND Regeneron’s Covid mAb as a prophylactic injection: Reduced risk of symptomatic infection by 81% – Endpoint News
[Preprint] Pfizer vaccine less effective for SARS-CoV-2 variant B.1.351
12 Apr, 2021 | 01:26h | UTCCommentaries: South African variant may evade protection from Pfizer vaccine, Israeli study says – Reuters AND Israeli data shows South African variant able to ‘break through’ Pfizer vaccine – The Times of Israel
Related: Another study indicates SARS-CoV-2 variant B.1.351, but not variant B.1.1.7, has partial resistance to neutralizing antibodies generated by natural infection or mRNA vaccination AND SARS-CoV-2 variants B.1.351 and P.1 can escape from therapeutic antibodies and evade antibodies induced by infection or mRNA vaccination AND B.1.351 strain of SARS-CoV-2 neutralization titer reduced 8- to 9-fold for Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccinees. Convalescent plasma and therapeutic antibodies were less effective against this variant as well.
[Preprint] Efficacy and safety of CoronaVac in healthcare professionals in Brazil
12 Apr, 2021 | 01:17h | UTC
Commentary on Twitter (thread – click for more)
https://twitter.com/hildabast/status/1381366467665391619
Papers Confirm Rare Thrombocytopenia Link to AstraZeneca Vaccine
12 Apr, 2021 | 01:20h | UTCPapers Confirm Rare Thrombocytopenia Link to AstraZeneca Vaccine – TCTMD
Study 1: Thrombotic Thrombocytopenia after ChAdOx1 nCov-19 Vaccination – New England Journal of Medicine
Study 2: Thrombosis and Thrombocytopenia after ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 Vaccination – New England Journal of Medicine
EMA Reviews Link Between Blood Clots and Johnson & Johnson Vaccine
12 Apr, 2021 | 01:18h | UTCEMA Reviews Link Between Blood Clots and Johnson & Johnson Vaccine – Health Policy Watch
See also: Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine under scrutiny at EMA after 4 ‘serious cases’ of unusual blood clots – Fierce Pharma AND J&J COVID-19 vaccine under EU review over blood clots, AstraZeneca probe grows – Reuters
Chinese COVID-19 vaccine maintains protection in variant-plagued Brazil
12 Apr, 2021 | 01:14h | UTCChinese COVID-19 vaccine maintains protection in variant-plagued Brazil – Science
Original study: [Preprint] CoronaVac is 50% effective for reducing symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection after the first dose in the setting of high P.1 variant transmission in Brazil (study and commentary on Twitter)
AstraZeneca vaccine: Blood clots are “extremely rare” and benefits outweigh risks, regulators conclude
9 Apr, 2021 | 03:33h | UTC
Phase 2 RCT: Inhaled budesonide shows promise for the treatment of early COVID-19
12 Apr, 2021 | 01:24h | UTC
Commentary on Twitter
NEW Research— Early administration of inhaled budesonide reduced the likelihood of needing urgent medical care and reduced time to recovery after early #COVID19
RCT from Mona Bafadhel & colleagues https://t.co/6cJogJs7rp pic.twitter.com/C1dhmTcexP
— The Lancet Respiratory Medicine (@LancetRespirMed) April 10, 2021
[Preprint] CoronaVac is 50% effective for reducing symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection after the first dose in the setting of high P.1 variant transmission in Brazil
9 Apr, 2021 | 03:36h | UTC
Commentary on Twitter (thread – click for more)
New 50% efficacy study of Brazil-predominant vaccine CoronaVac (by Sinovac) in Manaus 🇧🇷 among healthcare workers when #P1 ~75% dominant. Not a trial, but the study found a 1st dose >=14-days efficacy of 50% on symptomatic #COVID19, ~32% if +asymptomatic. https://t.co/YMmZ3mmSDI pic.twitter.com/jwx5R627ys
— Eric Feigl-Ding (@DrEricDing) April 8, 2021
The NIH COVID-19 Treatment Guidelines Panel’s Statement on the Emergency Use Authorization of Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Monoclonal Antibodies for the Treatment of COVID-19
9 Apr, 2021 | 03:35h | UTC
Editorial by Dr. Antony Fauci: The story behind COVID-19 vaccines
9 Apr, 2021 | 03:32h | UTCThe story behind COVID-19 vaccines – Science
Perspective | Evidence isn’t Everything – Evidence-based medicine and statin decision-making
8 Apr, 2021 | 08:41h | UTCEvidence isn’t Everything – Evidence-based medicine and statin decision-making
Commentary on Twitter
My latest substack on using EBM for medical decisions.
Mike, a middle-aged active person, has been told to take a #statin
Should he?
Mentions in the post — @AndrewFoy82 @LuisCLCorreia @ProfDFrancis @DrJHoward @RogueRad @ProfHayward https://t.co/XJ6eBQ7Zj7
— John Mandrola, MD (@drjohnm) April 7, 2021
A method for tapering antipsychotic treatment that may minimize the risk of relapse
7 Apr, 2021 | 01:25h | UTC
Commentary on Twitter (thread – click for more)
(Thread) Today we have published a paper on a way to reduce antipsychotics to minimise withdrawal effects and possibly relapse in @SchizBulletin. https://t.co/rbsBQLIuni with thanks to co-authors Robin Murray, David Taylor, @sameerjauhar and Sridhar Natesan. (1/n)
— Mark Horowitz @markhoro.bsky.social (@markhoro) March 23, 2021
UK regulator confirms that people should continue to receive the COVID-19 vaccine AstraZeneca
8 Apr, 2021 | 09:05h | UTC
Commentary on Twitter
Following suspensions by some countries of the COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca over suspected blood clots, the MHRA confirms that the benefits of the vaccine in preventing COVID-19 far outweigh the risks. People should still go and get their COVID-19 vaccine https://t.co/zse5RUIct1
— Antibiotic Steward Bassam Ghanem 🅱️C🆔🅿️🌟 (@ABsteward) April 7, 2021
WHO Interim statement: A causal relationship between the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine and the occurrence of blood clots with low platelets is considered plausible but is not confirmed
8 Apr, 2021 | 09:09h | UTC
Commentary on Twitter (thread – click for more)
🆕 Interim statement of the #COVID19 subcommittee of the WHO Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety on the AstraZeneca vaccine https://t.co/p8XMMAiUne pic.twitter.com/7DMRNFxQsX
— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) April 7, 2021
AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine: EMA finds possible link to very rare cases of unusual blood clots with low blood platelets. The benefits of the vaccine continue to outweigh the risks for people who receive it.
8 Apr, 2021 | 09:07h | UTCCommentaries: In rare instances, AstraZeneca’s Covid-19 vaccine linked to blood clots, regulators say – STAT AND Expert reaction to statements from MHRA and EMA in relation to the AstraZeneca vaccine and rare blood clots and low blood platelets – Science Media Centre
JCVI statement on use of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine: “JCVI currently advises that it is preferable for adults aged <30 years to be offered an alternative COVID-19 vaccine, if available.”
8 Apr, 2021 | 09:02h | UTCJCVI statement on use of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine: 7 April 2021 – GOV.UK
Commentaries: Covid: Under-30s offered alternative to Oxford-AstraZeneca jab – BBC AND Expert reaction to statements from MHRA and EMA in relation to the AstraZeneca vaccine and rare blood clots and low blood platelets – Science Media Centre
ACP Guidance: Appropriate Use of Short-Course Antibiotics in Common Infections
6 Apr, 2021 | 01:12h | UTCSummary for Patients: Appropriate Use of Short-Course Antibiotics in Common Infections: Best Practice Advice From the American College of Physicians
Systematic review: Selective serotonin re‐uptake inhibitors for premature ejaculation in adult men
7 Apr, 2021 | 01:10h | UTCSelective serotonin re‐uptake inhibitors for premature ejaculation in adult men – Cochrane Library
Differences in susceptibility of circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants B.1.1.7 and B.1.351 to neutralization by convalescent plasma or vaccinee (Sinopharm or Sinovac) serum
7 Apr, 2021 | 01:57h | UTCRelated studies: Another study indicates SARS-CoV-2 variant B.1.351, but not variant B.1.1.7, has partial resistance to neutralizing antibodies generated by natural infection or mRNA vaccination – Nature Medicine AND Pfizer coronavirus vaccine found to be moderately less effective against B.1.351 variant AND SARS-CoV-2 variants B.1.351 and P.1 can escape from therapeutic antibodies and evade antibodies induced by infection or mRNA vaccination AND B.1.351 strain of SARS-CoV-2 neutralization titer reduced 8- to 9-fold for Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccinees. Convalescent plasma and therapeutic antibodies were less effective against this variant as well. AND RCT: Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine does not protect against mild-to-moderate Covid-19 due to the B.1.351 variant AND New study of Coronavirus variants predicts virus evolving to escape current vaccines, treatments AND Moderna COVID-19 vaccine may be less effective against variant found in South Africa
Commentary on Twitter
https://twitter.com/hildabast/status/1379597338956603400
Guidance on syndrome of Thrombosis and Thrombocytopenia occurring after coronavirus Vaccination
7 Apr, 2021 | 01:48h | UTC
Commentary on Twitter
https://twitter.com/trishgreenhalgh/status/1379414362700517385
Antibody persistence for at least 6 months after the second dose of mRNA vaccine (Moderna) for Covid-19
7 Apr, 2021 | 01:54h | UTCCommentary: Moderna COVID Vaccine Offers Protection for at Least 6 Months: Study – HealthDay
Related: [Press release – not published yet] Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine is 91% effective for at least 6 months
Commentary on Twitter
Very good neutralizing antibody levels for at least 7 months after 2 doses of mRNA vaccine (and likely years)@NEJM today https://t.co/3KQmiuvEJq pic.twitter.com/cp2htnr76E
— Eric Topol (@EricTopol) April 6, 2021
RCT: Effect of intravitreous anti–vascular endothelial growth factor vs. sham treatment for prevention of vision-threatening complications of diabetic retinopathy
6 Apr, 2021 | 01:02h | UTCCommentaries: Preventive treatment reduces diabetic retinopathy complications – NIH News Releases AND Prevention of Severe Nonproliferative Diabetic Retinopathy Progression With More at Stake Than Visual Acuity – JAMA Ophthalmology AND Practicality of Prophylactic Aflibercept to Reduce Diabetic Retinopathy Progression – JAMA Ophthalmology
Author interview: Randomized Trial of Anti-VEGF to Prevent Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (PDR) and Diabetic Macular Edema (DME) – JAMA
Commentary on Twitter
In this study, aflibercept injections reduced the development of vision-threating complications; however, through 2 years, preventive treatment did not confer visual acuity benefit compared with observation plus aflibercept if complications developed https://t.co/q4ABSKOMVj
— JAMA Ophthalmology (@JAMAOphth) March 30, 2021
How mRNA Technology Could Change the World
5 Apr, 2021 | 01:36h | UTCHow mRNA Technology Could Change the World – The Atlantic (a few articles per month are free)