Pharmacology/Pharmaceutical Industry
The AstraZeneca vaccine and over-65s: we may not have all the data yet, but limiting access could be counterproductive
3 Feb, 2021 | 01:46h | UTC
Oxford/AstraZeneca study supports UK decision to delay second doses
3 Feb, 2021 | 01:47h | UTCOxford/AstraZeneca study supports UK decision to delay second doses – Financial Times
Original study (preprint): Single Dose Administration, And The Influence Of The Timing Of The Booster Dose On Immunogenicity and Efficacy Of ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (AZD1222) Vaccine
See also: Single dose of AstraZeneca vaccine could cut transmission by 67% – The Guardian AND Oxford vaccine could substantially cut spread – BBC
Commentary on Twitter (thread – click for more)
NEW: fresh data from trials in Brazil, South Africa and the UK shows the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine is highly effective with a 12 week gap between doses.
Efficacy is in fact much higher with a 12 week interval than a shorter gap
Story by @donatopmancini: https://t.co/PK4NHhGHeH pic.twitter.com/W3urxSECKL
— John Burn-Murdoch (@jburnmurdoch) February 2, 2021
Russia’s Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine candidate appears safe and is 91.6% effective
3 Feb, 2021 | 01:49h | UTCCommentaries: Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine candidate appears safe and effective – The Lancet AND Russia’s “Sputnik V” COVID Vaccine Makes Strong 91.6 % Efficacy Showing In Peer-Reviewed Trial Results – Health Policy Watch AND Russia’s COVID vaccine 92% effective, even in those over 60 – CIDRAP AND Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine has 92% efficacy in trial – BBC AND Expert reaction to study looking at preliminary efficacy and safety results from interim analysis of Russian COVID-19 phase 3 vaccine (Sputnik) trial – Science Media Centre
Commentary on Twitter
NEW—Interim analysis of Russian #COVID19 #vaccine phase 3 trial involving nearly 20,000 participants suggests a two-dose regimen has an efficacy of 91.6% against symptomatic #COVID19. No serious adverse events were deemed to be associated with vaccination. https://t.co/40sM7f2nbS pic.twitter.com/Hzrs34uCWr
— The Lancet (@TheLancet) February 2, 2021
Covid-19: People who have had infection might only need one dose of mRNA vaccine
3 Feb, 2021 | 01:44h | UTCCovid-19: People who have had infection might only need one dose of mRNA vaccine – The BMJ
Original preprint studies: Robust spike antibody responses and increased reactogenicity in seropositive individuals after a single dose of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine – medRxiv AND Single Dose Vaccination in Healthcare Workers Previously Infected with SARS-CoV-2 – medRxiv
Living systematic review on Cannabis and other plant-based treatments for chronic pain
2 Feb, 2021 | 01:01h | UTC
SARS-CoV-2 evolution and vaccines: cause for concern?
2 Feb, 2021 | 01:27h | UTCSARS-CoV-2 evolution and vaccines: cause for concern? – The Lancet
Commentaries on Twitter
Just to show how fast things are moving
On the same day this was published
"#SARSCoV2 evolution and vaccines: cause for concern?"@LancetRespirMed https://t.co/YE3J6tSMRV
The ? was answered, w/ a drop-off in vaccine efficacy (89%->49%) for B.1.351, (96%->86%) for B.1.1.7— Eric Topol (@EricTopol) January 31, 2021
✨✨The overall effectiveness of immunisation will correlate with rates of vaccine uptake
The ⬆️ the proportion of a population vaccinated,the ⬇️ the number of susceptible individuals, and the fewer opportunities SARS-CoV-2 will have to spread & mutate✨✨ https://t.co/hxOCkTXyB6— Antibiotic Steward Bassam Ghanem 🅱️C🆔🅿️🌟 (@ABsteward) January 31, 2021
Perspective: Are we expecting too much from our COVID-19 vaccines?
2 Feb, 2021 | 01:26h | UTCAre We Expecting Too Much from Our COVID-19 Vaccines? – HIV and ID Observations
Covid-19: Novavax vaccine efficacy is 86% against UK variant and 60% against South African variant
2 Feb, 2021 | 01:29h | UTC
Commentary on Twitter
The SARS-CoV-2 vaccine produced by Novavax is 95.6% effective against the original variant of SARS-CoV-2 but also provides protection against the newer variants B.1.1.7 (85.6%) and B.1.351 (60%), preliminary data from clinical trials show https://t.co/lhsB2UzD08
— The BMJ (@bmj_latest) February 1, 2021
Variants, 3 new Covid vaccines, and contested efficacy claims: A month of seismic shifts and confusion
2 Feb, 2021 | 01:25h | UTC
Study estimates vaccines against 10 pathogens prevented 37 million deaths in low- and middle-income countries in the last 20 years
1 Feb, 2021 | 01:44h | UTCCommentaries: Vaccines work: a reason for celebration and renewed commitment – The Lancet AND Study estimates that, without vaccination against 10 diseases, mortality in children under five would be 45% higher in low-income and middle-income countries – The Lancet AND Vaccines against 10 diseases prevented 37 million deaths in low- and middle-income countries in the last 20 years – London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
Commentary on Twitter
NEW—Study estimates from 2000-2030, #vaccination against 10 major pathogens will have prevented 69 million deaths in low/middle-income countries (LMICs). Without vaccination, mortality in children under 5 would be 45% higher in LMICS. Read: https://t.co/S4JXOqdctU pic.twitter.com/MF8W25nDJJ
— The Lancet (@TheLancet) January 28, 2021
[Not published yet] Full-dose Heparin best for moderate COVID-19 regardless of D-dimer — Data released from ACTIV-4a, ATTACC, and REMAP-CAP trials
1 Feb, 2021 | 01:58h | UTCFull-Dose Heparin Best for Moderate COVID-19 Regardless of D-dimer — Data released from ACTIV-4a, ATTACC, and REMAP-CAP trials – MedPage Today (free registration required)
Trial results: ATTACC, ACTIV-4a & REMAP-CAP multiplatform RCT Results of interim analysis – ATTACC Trial
Analysis: J&J and Novavax Data
1 Feb, 2021 | 01:54h | UTCJ&J and Novavax Data – In the Pipeline
[Press release – not published yet] Single-shot Janssen COVID-19 vaccine candidate met primary endpoints in interim analysis of its phase 3 trial
1 Feb, 2021 | 01:55h | UTCCommentaries: J&J’s one-shot COVID vaccine offers hope for faster protection – Nature AND Johnson & Johnson Executive Says Vaccine Works Where It Counts: Preventing Deaths – NPR AND Novavax’s COVID Vaccine Shows High Efficacy In Trials; J&J One-Dose Shot Less So – As Europe Feuds With AstraZeneca – Health Policy Watch AND Covid vaccine: Single-dose Johnson & Johnson jab is 66% effective – BBC AND Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 Vaccine Results Are Better Than They May Sound – TIME AND Expert reaction to Johnson & Johnson announcing that the single-shot Janssen COVID-19 vaccine candidate met primary endpoints in the interim analysis of its phase 3 ENSEMBLE Trial – Science Media Centre AND Janssen Investigational COVID-19 Vaccine: Interim Analysis of Phase 3 Clinical Data Released – NIH News Releases AND J&J one-dose Covid vaccine is 66% effective, a weapon but not a knockout punch – STAT
How to redesign COVID vaccines so they protect against variants: lineages that can evade immunity are spurring vaccine makers to explore ways to redesign their shots
1 Feb, 2021 | 01:52h | UTCHow to redesign COVID vaccines so they protect against variants – Nature
See also: Vaccine 2.0: Moderna and other companies plan tweaks that would protect against new coronavirus mutations – Science (a few articles per month are free)
Randomized trial: Effect of diacerein vs. celecoxib on symptoms in knee osteoarthritis
29 Jan, 2021 | 01:30h | UTCCommentary: Noninferiority of diacerein to celecoxib demonstrated for knee OA pain – Medwire News
Opinion: We need an equitable and coordinated global approach to covid-19 vaccination
29 Jan, 2021 | 01:57h | UTCWe need an equitable and coordinated global approach to covid-19 vaccination – The BMJ Opinion
Related: WHO chief warns against ‘catastrophic moral failure’ in COVID-19 vaccine access (commentaries on the subject)
“Until there is an international consensus and coordinated operational strategy, the virus will find new vulnerable populations and continue to spread.”
Novavax says its Covid-19 vaccine is 90% effective, but far less so against one variant
29 Jan, 2021 | 01:50h | UTCNovavax says its Covid-19 vaccine is 90% effective, but far less so against one variant – STAT
German officials say AstraZeneca vaccine shouldn’t be given to over-65s, citing lack of data
29 Jan, 2021 | 01:52h | UTCGerman officials say AstraZeneca vaccine shouldn’t be given to over-65s, citing lack of data – CNN
Randomized trial: Levonorgestrel vs. copper intrauterine devices for emergency contraception
28 Jan, 2021 | 01:27h | UTCVisual abstract: Levonorgestrel vs. Copper IUDs for Emergency Contraception
WHO recommends the Dapivirine vaginal ring as a new choice for HIV prevention for women at substantial risk of HIV infection
28 Jan, 2021 | 01:22h | UTC
Commentary on Twitter
Good news: @WHO recommends an additional #HIV prevention tool for women at substantial risk for the infection: They can now choose to use the dapivirine vaginal ring (DPV-VR) as part of a combination of prevention approaches. https://t.co/YmW6KzAojx
— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) January 27, 2021
[Preprint] Efficacy of Colchicine in Non-Hospitalized Patients with COVID-19
28 Jan, 2021 | 01:49h | UTCEfficacy of Colchicine in Non-Hospitalized Patients with COVID-19 – medRxiv
Commentary on Twitter
The large colchicine RCT for covid is preprint published.
It shows some consistent directional benefit for major outcomeshttps://t.co/gxtyKnMqZ5
Since this is a pill, it's safe, cheap & an early intervention (as tested here, before hospital) these findings are very encouraging pic.twitter.com/uzTSkjftFp— Eric Topol (@EricTopol) January 27, 2021
Editorial: Covid-19 controversies: the Tocilizumab chapter
28 Jan, 2021 | 01:46h | UTCCovid-19 controversies: the tocilizumab chapter – The BMJ
Related: Contradicting earlier trials, Tocilizumab did not improve outcomes, with signs of harm, in patients with severe Covid-19 (studies and commentaries)
Pregnancy, breastfeeding and the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine: an ethics-based framework for shared decision-making
28 Jan, 2021 | 01:29h | UTCCommentary: Offer COVID-19 vaccines to pregnant or breastfeeding people – Canadian Medical Association Journal
Opinion: Monoclonal antibodies yet to show important clinical benefit in patients with Covid-19
27 Jan, 2021 | 01:23h | UTCSee also: PulmCrit Wee – Follow-up Bamlanivimab study unmasks statistical chicanery
[Press release – not published yet] Neutralizing antibodies bamlanivimab and etesevimab together reduced risk of COVID-19 hospitalizations and death by 70 percent
27 Jan, 2021 | 01:22h | UTCCommentary: Lilly antibody combo therapy cuts risk of COVID-19 deaths – Reuters
Commentary on Twitter
1st Phase 3 trial results on #SARSCoV2 monoclonal antibody combination with very positive results
1035 patients: 11 (2%) v (7%) for death or hospitalization and 0 vs 10 deaths in high-risk patients, given early https://t.co/BXnwCd64O9 (press release).
Coincides w/ EUA criteria. pic.twitter.com/3MjE0XtEqF— Eric Topol (@EricTopol) January 26, 2021