NRG oncology trial of metformin for non-small cell lung cancer

Initial results of NRG-LU001 indicate that, although the diabetes agent metformin was well-tolerated by patients, the agent has not clearly improved progression-free survival (PFS) or overall survival (OS) for trial participants with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). These results are based on local center reported outcomes. Trial participants will continue to be followed…

Ribociclib plus hormone therapy extends survival for patients with premenopausal advanced hormone receptor-positive breast cancer

IMAGE: This is Debu Tripathy, M.D. view more  Credit: MD Anderson Cancer Center ABSTRACT LBA1008 Adding the targeted therapy ribociclib to hormone therapy significantly improved overall survival (OS) in premenopausal patients with advanced hormone receptor-positive (HR+) breast cancer, according to results of the MONALEESA-7 Phase III clinical trial led by researchers at The University of Texas…

App helps improve pain control and reduce opiate use after surgery

Patients who underwent total knee replacement and used a smartphone app (PainCoach) at home after surgery consistently reduced opiate painkiller use and improved pain control, according to new research being presented at this year’s Euroanaesthesia Congress (the annual meeting of the European Society of Anaesthesiology) in Vienna, Austria (1-3 June). The more the study participants…

Virtual reality improves tolerance of anaesthesia procedures and reduces need for intravenous sedation by at least 50%

Giving patients virtual reality sessions before and during locoregional anaesthesia for orthopaedic procedures substantially reduces pain and the need for intravenous sedation, according to new research being presented at this year’s Euroanaesthesia congress (the annual meeting of the European Society of Anaesthesiology) in Vienna, Austria (1-3 June). The randomised trial suggests that virtual reality hypnosis…

‘Screen Time’ Is Over

The debate over screen time is typically accompanied by a good deal of finger-wagging: The digital experience is a ruinous habit, akin to binge-eating curly fries, gambling on cock fights or drinking whiskey with breakfast. Meanwhile, social scientists who are trying to study the actual psychological effects of screen time are left in a bind.…