News from NYU Langone Health
Antiviral Treatment Benefits Patients With Eye Disease And Pain From Shingles. (CBS)
During Tuesday’s CBS This Morning (10/22), Elisabeth J. Cohen, Md, professor, Department of Ophthalmology, vice chair, academic affairs, Department of Ophthalmology, shared promising findings for the treatment of shingles of the eye, proposing the use of the antiviral drug valacyclovir for a year instead of the standard seven to ten days, which resulted in a 22 percent lower risk of developing new or worsening eye disease at 12 months and 26 percent at 18 months.
What Drugmakers Did Not Tell Volunteers in Alzheimer’s Trials. (New York Times)
The New York Times (10/23) An investigation by The New York Times revealed that drugmakers Eisai and Eli Lilly did not disclose to certain Alzheimer’s trial volunteers their increased genetic risk of brain injuries from the drugs Leqembi and Kisunla; Arthur L. Caplan, PhD, the Drs. William F. and Virginia Connolly Mitty Professor, Department of Population Health, Division of Medical Ethics, said that disclosing risks is “not even a matter of ethics, it’s a matter of common sense,” underscoring the ethical concerns surrounding the nondisclosure of genetic risks in these trials.
What Is The Recreational Drug ‘Pink Cocaine’? (AP)
The AP (10/22) Joseph J. Palamar, MPH, PhD, associate professor, Department of Population Health, described “pink cocaine,” also known as “tusi,” as a misleading term for a pink powder that typically lacks cocaine and often contains ketamine, methamphetamine, MDMA, bath salts, caffeine, and opioids, with its name and color stemming from marketing strategies rather than substance content, warning that its danger lies in users’ ignorance of its actual ingredients, which can lead to unexpected and potentially harmful effects.
Also reporting are the Washington Post (10/22), the Los Angeles Times (10/22), Newsday (NY) (10/22), and the Independent (UK) (10/22).
Engineered Antibodies Selectively Target Mutations On HER2, Kill Cancer In Mice. (Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News)
Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News (10/22) Researchers at NYU Langone Health and its Perlmutter Cancer Center have developed antibodies capable of selectively targeting HER2 protein mutations associated with cancer, without affecting the normal HER2 protein on healthy cells, through a T cell engager format that effectively kills cancer cells in vitro and in mouse models; lead author Shohei Koide, PhD, professor, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Perlmutter Cancer Center, stated, “We set out to make an antibody that can recognize a single change in the 600 amino acid building blocks that make up the exposed part of the HER2 protein, which conventional wisdom says is very difficult,” and emphasized the antibodies’ potential for clinical development with minimal side effects.
SciTech Daily (10/22) Additional NYU Langone Health “researchers involved in this study are lead author Injin Bang, PhD, postdoctoral researcher, as well as Takamitsu Hattori, PhD, research assistant professor, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Perlmutter Cancer Center, Nadia Leloup, PhD, postdoctoral researcher, Alexis Corrado, researcher, Perlmutter Cancer Center, Atekana Nyamaa, researcher, Perlmutter Cancer Center, and Akiko Koide, PhD, research assistant professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Perlmutter Cancer Center.”
Also reporting are Technology Networks (10/23) and Interesting Engineering (UK)(10/22).
Loss Of Sense Of Smell Linked To Changes In Breathing Patterns, Research Suggests. (NBC News)
NBC News (10/22) A study published in Nature Communications reveals that anosmia, or the lack of a sense of smell, affects breathing patterns and may contribute to mental health issues; Benjamin tenOever, PhD, the Jan T. Vilcek Professor of Molecular Pathogenesis, Department of Microbiology and professor, Department of Medicine, explains that the brain’s response to odors is critical for detecting danger and enhancing pleasant experiences.
What Your Mammogram Can Tell You About Your Cardiovascular Health. (NPR)
NPR (10/21) Radiologists can now offer patients the option to assess heart disease risk through breast arterial calcification (BAC) analysis during mammograms, a service provided by practices like Washington Radiology using AI software, although some experts, including Greg Sorensen of RadNet, question its value, as RadNet does not offer this service; Laura Heacock, MD, assistant professor, Department of Radiology, Perlmutter Cancer Center, remarked that while patients can already access similar information through risk calculators, “the key is that the screening provides another chance to talk about heart disease risk,” but she advocates for more studies linking BAC reporting to improved patient outcomes.
WNYW-NY (FOX)-3 (10/22) Devi E. Nampiaparampil, MD, clinical associate professor, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, discussed the potential of annual mammograms, enhanced with AI technology, to detect not only breast cancer but also indicators of heart disease by identifying artery injuries in the breast that may mirror those in heart arteries, although this dual-use technology could lead to misinterpretations if not carefully managed.
Gut Health Experts Reveal The Key To Good Digestive Health – If You Follow These 7 Daily Habits. (New York Post)
The New York Post (10/22) Lisa Ganjhu, DO, clinical associate professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, explained to SELF that movement is critical for gut motility, which aids in food breakdown, while experts advocate for a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, fiber, and whole grains to support gut health, warning against artificial sweeteners and excessive alcohol, which can disrupt the gut biome, and advising limited use of NSAIDs due to potential gastrointestinal side effects.
The Future Of Cancer Treatment: How New Therapies Can Improve Outcomes. (New Jersey Family)
New Jersey Family (10/22) Shridar Ganesan, MD, PhD, director, Center for Molecular Oncology, Perlmutter Cancer Center, discusses significant advancements in cancer treatment, including targeted therapies and immunotherapy, which are improving survival rates and quality of life for patients, saying, “The greatest advancements in cancer treatment now are targeted therapeutics and more personalized treatments.”
Rising Workloads Spur Academic Radiologists To Spend Less Time Training Residents. (Radiology Business Journal)
The Radiology Business Journal (10/22) The Neiman Health Policy Institute’s research using Medicare’s GC modifier reveals that the percentage of U.S. radiologists involved in resident teaching rose from 13.6% in 2008 to 20.4% in 2020, while the workload involving trainee participation decreased by nearly 10 percentage points to 24.5% in 2020, with Andrew B. Rosenkranz MD, professor, Departments of Radiology, and Urology, section chief, body imaging, Department of Radiology, expressing concern that increased workloads may affect teaching time and contribute to burnout.
Doctors No Longer Recommend ‘Self-Checks’ For Breast Cancer. (LiveScience)
LiveScience (10/22) Mary L. Gemignani, MD, member of the faculty, Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, chief, Division of Breast Surgery, Department of Surgery, discussed the shift from structured breast self-exams to “breast self-awareness,” which encourages individuals to be attuned to the usual appearance and feel of their breasts rather than performing formal self-examinations, advising that changes like lumps, skin discoloration, or nipple discharge should prompt follow-up testing, and emphasizes the importance of regular mammograms and MRIs for early cancer detection.
Consumer Reports Experts Look At The Best Ways To Get Rid Of Headaches. (WTVF-TV Nashville (TN))
WTVF-TV Nashville, TN (10/23) Research indicates that tension-type headaches affect about 27 percent of the population, while migraines impact approximately 15 percent, with Myrna I. Cardiel, MD, clinical professor, Departent of Neurology, advising patients to take medication immediately when a headache begins, as “time is of the essence”.
The 12 Best Skincare Fridges Of 2024, According To Experts. (People)
People (10/22) Mary L. Stevenson, MD, associate professor, the Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology, explains that “cold temperatures can help preserve products like antioxidants longer, as can proper packaging, and often dark packaging that does not let light in.”
I’m A Cleaning Expert – You’re Washing Yourself And Your Clothes Too Often. (Daily Mirror (UK))
The Daily Mirror (UK) (10/22) Mary L. Stevenson, MD, associate professor, the Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology, explained that personal factors like skin type, age, and activity level determine how often one should shower, generally recommending cleansing every two to three days.
‘Airport Malaria’ On The Rise In Europe, New Study Suggests: Here’s What Travelers Should Know. (Fox News)
Fox News (10/18) A study published in Eurosurveillance identified an increase in airport and luggage malaria cases in Europe, with 145 cases reported between 2018 and 2022; despite reduced travel during the pandemic, over a third of cases since 2000 occurred during this period, with France reporting the highest number of airport malaria cases, particularly around Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, while experts like Dr. Marc Siegel from NYU Langone Health suggest that other insect-related risks, such as bedbugs, are more concerning and that the idea of malaria-ridden mosquitoes posing an international health risk is unlikely.
In a separate embedded video, Fox News (10/22) Marc K. Siegel, MD, clinical professor, Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine and Clinical Innovation, “reacts to what is behind rising cancer cases among young adults and advises to eat a healthy diet, cut back on alcohol consumption, and get the HPV vaccine.”
American Brain Tumor Association Awards Over $1 Million In New Grants To Advance Brain Cancer Research. (BioSpace)
BioSpace (10/23) The American Brain Tumor Association (ABTA) has announced the funding of 24 new research projects, continuing its over 50-year commitment to brain tumor research, with grants supporting areas such as biomarkers, epigenetics, and immunotherapy; among the recipients is Karenna Groff, medical student, who received a Medical Student Summer Fellowship.
CDC Investigating E. Coli Outbreak Linked To McDonalds. (KPIX-TV San Francisco)
KPIX-TV (10/22) Jonathan D. LaPook, MD, the Mebane Professor of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, professor, Department of Population Health reports on how the CDC is investigating an E. coli outbreak affecting nearly 50 individuals across ten states, linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounder hamburgers, with ten hospitalizations and one death reported.
