News & Updates

Phone-based strategy supports BP control after a stroke

A nurse-led mobile health (mHealth) intervention that utilizes basic phones improves blood pressure (BP) control among stroke survivors in Ghana, as shown in the phase III PINGS-2 trial.

PFS, OS in unresectable HCC prolonged with anlotinib plus penpulimab

In the treatment of patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), anlotinib plus pepulimab appears to significantly increase progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) compared with sorafenib, as shown in the results of the phase III APOLLO study conducted in China.

CAR T-cell therapy offers survival benefits in refractory B-cell ALL

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy in patients with relapsed/refractory B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (r/r B-ALL) demonstrates efficacy with high rates of durable remissions, as shown in a recent meta-analysis.

Simvastatin confers no additional antidepressant benefit when added to escitalopram

In patients with comorbid major depressive disorder (MDD) and obesity, adding simvastatin to escitalopram does not appear to produce additional antidepressive effects despite improving the cardiovascular risk profile, according to a study.

Protecting the vulnerable: The role of oral antivirals in COVID-19 management

At the Asia Vaccines and Antivirals Summit (AVAS) 2025 held in Bangkok, Thailand, two expert-led sessions provided valuable perspectives on the expanding role of oral antivirals in COVID-19 management. Dr Daniel Griffin, an infectious disease specialist and Clinical Instructor of Medicine at Columbia University, New York, US, focused on protecting high-risk populations through the timely use of antiviral therapy. Complementing this, Professor Ching-Tai Huang of Chang Gung University and Memorial Hospital in Taiwan offered practical guidance on clinical management strategies, including patient risk stratification and therapeutic selection.

GCSF plus prednisolone extends survival in severe alcohol-associated hepatitis

The addition of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (GCSF) to prednisolone results in improved steroid responsiveness and prolonged survival with fewer infections and new-onset complications among patients with severe alcohol-associated hepatitis (SAH), a study has shown.

Sustained weight loss with semaglutide 2.4 mg for management of obesity in STEP 4 & 5 trials

Semaglutide 2.4 mg supports transformative weight loss when used in the long term, with ≥20% weight loss in 1 in 3 patients.

This was the key finding from the STEP 5 trial of adults with overweight or obesity treated with semaglutide 2.4 mg vs placebo.

V-ERAT trumps antibiotics for uncomplicated acute appendicitis

Patients with uncomplicated acute appendicitis may opt for visual endoscopic retrograde appendicitis therapy (V-ERAT) as a safe and effective alternative to antibiotic treatment to reduce the risk of recurrence, according to a study.