Weekly News

4 Supplements You Shouldn’t Be Taking If You Have High Cholesterol, According to a Dietitian “Treatment for high cholesterol includes changes in diet, exercise, smoking cessation and sometimes medications. But, can supplements help?” Health Coaching Program Shows Promise for Managing Student Stress “North Carolina State University researchers found in a recent study that before disruptions from the COVID-19 outbreak, a group of college students had higher average physical activity in a pilot wellness program that combined health coaching with exercise and sleep tracking. And while students’ average physical activity declined in the program after pandemic restrictions began, student feedback showed the program provided important wellness insights.” Stress Can Affect Your Ability to Think Clearly, Study Finds “According to a new study Trusted Source just published in JAMA Network Open, people with elevated stress levels may have worsened cognitive function, affecting their memory, concentration, and ability to learn.” Study: Non-discriminatory state-level insurance can improve access to gender-affirming care “COLUMBUS, Ohio – Implementation of a state-level insurance policy that prohibits discrimination based on gender identity or gender expression can increase access to gender-affirming surgical care, according to a new study by The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and College of Medicine.” How Mindfulness Affects the Brain and Body “Mindfulness – a moment-to-moment, nonjudgmental awareness of one’s internal states and surroundings – boasts benefits ranging from stress reduction to enlightenment. However, scientific investigations of mindfulness paint a complex picture. Yes, it can boost physical and psychological well-being. But it is not a panacea and can even be counter-indicated for certain individuals. Despite significant progress over the past two decades, research on mindfulness is still riddled with various conceptual and methodological challenges. This is why, according to Vago, the question What does mindfulness really do? has no simple answer.” How meditation can teach us to love ourselves and others “We have this little inner narrator that chases us out of bed in the morning and is yammering at us all day long, constantly sort of wanting stuff, not wanting stuff, judging people, judging ourselves, comparing ourselves to other people instead of focusing on what’s happening right now.” Video: Teachers, Try This: Strengthen Students’ Emotional Intelligence in 1 Minute a Day “Mari Monroe is a high school teacher in San Diego who’s also a yoga instructor. When she started to incorporate elements around mindfulness from her yoga practice into the classroom, she realized just how eager students were for that type of instruction. Here, she explains how she teaches and incorporates mindfulness through daily lessons she’s dubbed the ‘Mindful Minute,’ and offers advice for teachers looking to do the same, regardless of their comfort or familiarity with the topic.”

Oregon Opioid Settlement Board approves $17 million to fight addiction crisis “Oregon will put $17 million from opioid settlement money toward efforts to research, prevent and treat addiction and provide free supplies to community organizations that help people reverse overdoses and avoid diseases, state officials announced Friday.” Triple Infection With HIV, HBV and HCV Raises Risk for Liver Failure “People who are living with HIV as well as hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) are more likely to develop end-stage liver disease compared with those who have HIV and HCV coinfection, according to study results published in AIDS. What’s more, people HIV and HBV coinfection had a lower risk of liver failure than those with HIV and HCV.” Higher Liver Stiffness Scores Linked to Liver Cancer in People With Hepatitis C or NAFLD “Advanced fibrosis, as measured by liver stiffness scores, is associated with a greater likelihood of liver cancer among people with chronic hepatitis C or fatty liver disease, according to findings published in PLOS One.” In case you missed the big news last week National hepatitis C elimination program represents an historic opportunity, according to White House “The development of direct-acting antivirals that can cure hepatitis C in 95% of infected people represents one of the most dramatic medical achievements in recent history, according to a viewpoint article co-authored by Dr. Francis Collins and Rachael Fleurence, PhD, both of whom represent the White House Executive Office of the President.” New Hepatitis B Guidelines!

Lung Cancer Research Foundation Announces New Research Collaboration with Daiichi Sankyo and AstraZeneca
“NEW YORK, March 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — The Lung Cancer Research Foundation (LCRF) today announced a collaboration with Daiichi Sankyo and AstraZeneca to fund up to three research grants focused on antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) to improve outcomes for people with lung cancer. Applications for these grants are being accepted through May 31, 2023.”

Lung Cancer: How a Drug Combination May Help Reduce Tumors
“Lung cancer is the second most common type of cancer among adults in the United States, with almost a quarter of a million new diagnoses each year.”

Upfront Atezolizumab Poses Lower Risk of Hyperprogression in NSCLC
“The risk of hyperprogression is lower when atezolizumab is given upfront to patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), according to an analysis published in The Oncologist.”

IO/Chemo Associated With Higher Toxicity Risk in ES-SCLC
“In patients with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC), treatment with immunotherapy and chemotherapy was associated with a worse risk of toxicity and the likelihood of treatment discontinuation, according to results from a meta-analysis published in Thoracic Cancer.”

Outcomes in Extensive-Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer Based on Trial Eligibility
“A study in Japan involving patients with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC) indicated that pivotal clinical trial outcomes were comparable to those of patients receiving chemoimmunotherapy in the clinical practice setting. However, the study investigators also determined that clinical trial eligibility criteria may be relevant to outcomes. Results of this study were reported in JAMA Network Open.”

Updates in Targeted Therapies, Management Strategies for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
“Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the leading cause of cancer related deaths in the United States. Most patients have advanced metastatic disease at diagnosis. Historically, platinum-based chemotherapy was the first-line therapy based on histologic subtype.”

Husain Discusses Role of Osimertinib in Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer
“During a Targeted Oncology™ Case-Based Roundtable™ event, Hatim Husain, MD, discussed data on targeted adjuvant therapy for non–small cell lung cancer.”

Double lung transplants successfully treat late-stage lung cancer, in a first with new technique
“(NEW YORK) — A new double lung transplant technique was successful for two patients with lung cancer, Northwestern Medicine announced. The hospital said it’s leveraging that success into a new clinical program that will offer transplants to patients with end-stage lung cancer.”

Study reveals ‘paradigm shift’ in non-small cell lung cancer during past decade
“A study of more than 20,000 patients with non-small cell lung cancer in Korea showed improvements in survival outcomes across all stages of disease between 2010 and 2020 amid increased use of molecular testing and targeted treatments.”

Another study finds increase in coal miner lung ailments
“CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A recent study by the University of Chicago found a trend upward of coal miners suffering higher incidents of black lung and of lung cancer.”

MARCH IS NATIONAL NUTRITION MONTH “ORLANDO, FL – The Florida Department of Health in Orange County encourages the community to make informed food choices and develop healthy eating and physical activity habits during March, which is National Nutrition Month®. This year’s theme, “Fuel for the Future,” which focuses on eating with sustainability in mind, is a tasty way to nourish ourselves during every phase of life (https://www.eatright.org/). A Registered Dietitian Nutritionist can assist you with creating healthy habits that are sustainable and celebrate your unique needs.” Exercising Just Once a Month Can Help Keep Your Brain in Shape, Study Finds “You don’t have to be a marathon runner or a triathlete to keep your mind in tiptop shape as you get older. In fact, a new study shows that being physically active even once a month, compared to being inactive, is associated with higher brain functions later in life.” Online mindfulness therapy improves sarcoidosis-related fatigue “Twelve weeks of online mindfulness-based cognitive therapy better alleviated sarcoidosis-related fatigue than standard care, according to study results published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine.” Keto-like diet may be associated with elevated risk of cardiovascular events “The ketogenic or “keto” diet, which involves consuming very low amounts of carbohydrates and high amounts of fats, has been gaining popularity. However, a new study presented at the American College of Cardiology’s Annual Scientific Session Together With the World Congress of Cardiology suggests that a “keto-like” diet may be associated with higher blood levels of “bad” cholesterol and a twofold heightened risk of cardiovascular events such as chest pain (angina), blocked arteries requiring stenting, heart attacks and strokes.” Go ahead and sigh. According to a new study, it’s good for you “CNN —Sighs — those long, exhales of breath often accompanied with a bit of a whimper — have long been seen as a sigh of melancholy, frustration or even despair, leading us to ask the sighing person, “What’s wrong?” A recent study turns that notion on its head. Instead of seeing sighs as sadness or exasperation, recognize them for what they accomplish — stress relief, said Dr. David Spiegel, a professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences and director of the Center on Stress and Health at Stanford University School of Medicine.” A Guide for Parents Distinguishing Non-Impairing Health Anxiety from Illness Anxiety Disorder “Since 2020, children have been exposed to media about the rapid spread of a virus that can lead to unpredictable health issues. In the context of a global health crisis, it is more important now than ever to be mindful of your child’s mental health and to understand and be aware of early indicators of an anxiety disorder. It’s important for parents to recognize the differences between two common forms of anxiety: Illness Anxiety Disorder (IAD) and non-impairing health anxiety.” What an expert says about taking magnesium for sleep “When people struggle to fall asleep, it’s no surprise they seek solutions. Options can range from prescription medications to sleep therapy, good habits and an abundance of supplements. Taking magnesium for sleep is something some say has real benefits, but does it really?” WHO Chief: Too Much Salt Can Kill You “GENEVA — Sodium is essential for the smooth functioning of muscles and nerves and maintaining the proper balance of water and minerals. But too much sodium in the diet can kill. “Almost 2 million deaths each year are associated with excessive sodium intake,” said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the World Health Organization.” Mediterranean, MIND diets linked to fewer Alzheimer’s signs in brain, study finds “People who follow a Mediterranean or MIND diet may have fewer signs of Alzheimer’s disease in their brain tissue, according to a new study. Published Wednesday in the online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology, the study found those who follow these plant-focused diets may have fewer amyloid plaques and tau tangles in their brain than people who don’t eat this way.” Study explores how community engagement can help improve clinical trial diversity “COLUMBUS, Ohio – Despite racial and ethnic minority groups making up nearly half of the United States population, underrepresentation in clinical trials remains a critical challenge. In an effort to improve clinical trial diversity, researchers at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, College of Medicine and College of Nursing partnered with The African American Male Wellness Agency, Genentech Inc. and Pfizer, Inc. to engage with almost 450 community members in 25 states and five countries to create solutions to barriers of access, awareness, discrimination and racism and workforce diversity.” Bring your kids into the kitchen during National Nutrition Month “OKLAHOMA CITY – National Nutrition Month is observed in March to encourage healthy eating habits. An easy way to get children excited about nutrition is by preparing healthy meals together.”

Imfinzi-Based Treatment Before, After Surgery May Significantly Improve Survival in Resectable NSCLC “Patients with early-stage resectable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with Imfinzi (durvalumab) and chemotherapy before surgery and as a standalone therapy after surgery demonstrated a significant improvement in event-free survival compared to patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy and surgery, according to high-level results from a clinical trial.” UAMS Contributes to Groundbreaking Lung Cancer Clinical Trial March 10, 2023 | “The long-awaited results of a 10-year lung cancer clinical trial that UAMS contributed to were recently published in the New England Journal of Medicine.” Osimertinib extends survival in early EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer “Osimertinib conferred a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in OS compared with placebo among patients with early-stage EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer, according to the agent’s manufacturer.” Depression May Be Linked to Higher Levels of Inflammation, Poorer Outcomes in Patients With Lung Cancer “Patients with lung cancer who have moderate to severe depression may be two to three times more likely to have inflammation levels that predict poor survival rates, according to a new study published by Andersen et al in PLOS One.” Burns Compares Therapies Approved for NSCLC With an EGFR Exon 20 Insertion Mutation “During a Targeted Oncology™ Case-Based Roundtable™ event, Timothy F. Burns, MD, PhD, discussed the trials supporting the use of mobocertinib and amivantamab for patients with non–small cell lung cancer and an EGFR exon 20 insertion.” Expanded lung cancer screening eligibility criteria could benefit women, Black individuals “An expansion of lung cancer screening criteria to include those who are younger and with less smoking exposure would increase eligibility for women and Black individuals who could benefit, results of a retrospective study showed.” Penn State Cancer Institute now using robot to detect lung cancer earlier “Penn State Cancer Institute is now using a robot-assisted bronchoscopy system that can diagnose lung cancer at its earliest stages. The Monarch Platform robot-assisted bronchoscopy is a minimally invasive procedure that is able to reach small nodules better than traditional methods and can lead to earlier diagnosis of lung nodules.” Cancer will cost the world $25 trillion over next 30 years And five types of cancer will account for almost half of the disease’s economic burden. “The total cost of cancer to the global economy will reach 25.2 trillion international dollars between 2020 and 2050, according to an analysis of 29 cancers across 204 countries. Of that, five types of cancer will account for roughly half of that cost.” Finley Highlights His Hopes for Future SCLC Treatment Options “Gene G. Finley, MD, a medical oncologist at Allegheny Clinic Medical Oncology of Allegheny Health Network, discusses some of the treatment options that have been used in the small cell lung cancer (SCLC) space, including intensive chemotherapies and targeted agents.” Video: Overview on ALK+ Metastatic Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer “Expert panelists open their discussion on ALK+ non–small cell lung cancer and reflect on the impact of CNS metastasis in this setting.” New Drugs for Cancer, Rare Disease Can Now Cost More Than $20,000 a Month “Trend follows rising pressure on companies to rein in repeat or annual price hikes for older drugs” How Robotic Bronchoscopy Helps Diagnose Lung Cancer “When caught early, lung cancer can often be successfully treated. The problem, however, is that there typically aren’t any symptoms in its early stages. That makes the early detection of lung cancer all the more important.”

Hepatitis C is ‘not something you wish on anybody.’ Biden has a plan to end it
“For decades, many Americans with hepatitis C have struggled to get tested or died waiting for a cure that remained inaccessibly expensive within the nation’s fractured health care system. President Joe Biden’s new proposed budget to Congress seeks to change that with a $5 billion plan to end hepatitis C nationwide by 2030.”

To read more details on the budget proposal click here and here.

Screening and Testing for Hepatitis B Virus Infection: CDC Recommendations — United States, 2023
“New recommendations include hepatitis B screening using three laboratory tests at least once during a lifetime for adults aged ≥18 years. The report also expands risk-based testing recommendations to include the following populations, activities, exposures, or conditions associated with increased risk for HBV infection: persons incarcerated or formerly incarcerated in a jail, prison, or other detention setting; persons with a history of sexually transmitted infections or multiple sex partners; and persons with a history of hepatitis C virus infection. In addition, to provide increased access to testing, anyone who requests HBV testing should receive it, regardless of disclosure of risk, because many persons might be reluctant to disclose stigmatizing risks.”

New CDC Universal Screening Recommendations will save lives, Hepatitis B Foundation president says
““The Hepatitis B Foundation is grateful for the advocacy work on this issue by our Hep B United Coalition partners, the many individual advocates nationwide who have been engaged on this issue and the Congressional Hepatitis Caucus, which has been very supportive over the years of hepatitis B initiatives and decreasing HBV-related disparities,” Dr. Cohen said.”

Consensus recommendations on the management of hepatitis C in Australia’s prisons
“Australia has set the goal of eliminating hepatitis C as a public health threat by 2030, in line with World Health Organization targets. Most Australians living with hepatitis C virus (HCV) have acquired their infection through injecting drug use. However, people who inject drugs are often marginalised and experience high levels of stigma and other barriers to engagement with health care. Therefore, a major challenge to Australia achieving its hepatitis C elimination goals is to increase health service engagement and HCV testing and treatment in this underserved population.”

Four Weeks May Be Too Short for Treatment of Recent Hepatitis C
“A shorter four-week course of Mavyret (glecaprevir/pibrentasvir) for people with recent hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection led to a lower cure rate than treatment for six weeks or longer, according to study results presented at the 30th Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections.”

Direct-Acting Antivirals, an Effective Treatment for HCV
“Treating patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) is associated with improved liver and non-liver outcomes, as well as overall survival rates, according to data from a large retrospective cohort study. The study included data from 245,596 patients with HCV from 2010 through 2021, drawn from a database of about 60 million people with private insurance in the United States (JAMA Intern Med 2023;183[2]:97-105).”

Arizona hospital uses Meditech tool to fight hepatitis C outbreak
“Kingman (Ariz.) Regional Medical Center is using Meditech to create patient registries for monitoring patients in a hepatitis C treatment program. Mohave County, Ariz., is among the top 5 percent of counties nationwide considered to be susceptible to a hepatitis C outbreak. The health system created a disease management clinic and tapped the Meditech tool for the clinic, according to a March 9 Meditech news release. Since starting the program, the lab has screened 164.5 patients per month, with a 6.5 percent positivity rate.”

This Colorado woman donated part of her liver to a stranger. Now, she’s trying to get others to do it, too
“No one likes to undergo surgery — let alone a major one — so Rachel Davis worried people might think she was a bit strange when they found out she planned to donate part of her liver to a stranger.”

Consistent Sleep Is Essential for Heart Health, Just Like Diet and Exercise “Getting seven to nine hours of sleep is essential for adults, but what’s even better is keeping a consistent bedtime schedule every day. A new study found a link between sleep irregularity and atherosclerosis, a buildup of plaque on artery walls that can lead to stroke, heart attack, or kidney disease.” Exercise could be the first line of attack in mental health treatment “Linking exercise with improved mental health outcomes is certainly not a new concept, with previous individual studies looking at the effects of physical activity on schizophrenia, anxiety and depression, as well as analysis of the duration and type of workouts. But researchers have now undertaken the most comprehensive meta-analysis of its kind, looking at nearly 100 studies featuring all modes of physical activity on depression, anxiety and psychological distress across broad adult populations to conclude that it’s as effective, if not more so, than psychotherapy or pharmacotherapy as an initial treatment.” Be well: Add an egg (or 3) to your daily diet for heart health “Eggs used to get a bad rap because of their high cholesterol content. Yet a new study shows they may actually be good for heart health. The study, which was recently published in the journal Nutrients, found that eating one to three eggs per week could reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by up to 60%.” Doctor Stresses Screening for Colorectal Cancer “WRNMMC, Bethesda, MD  –  March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. U.S. Army Lt. Col. (Dr.) Mary O’Donnell, chief of the Colon and Rectal Surgery for the National Capital Region and Cancer Liaison Physician at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, says that screening for the disease, especially if the cancer is caught early, has been shown to save lives.” Mediterranean lifestyle, not just diet, may greatly improve health “Much is known about the heart-health benefits of adopting a Mediterranean-style diet, with its heavy focus on whole grains, fruits, vegetables, fish and healthy oils. But what about the rest of the Mediterranean lifestyle? Short of lounging on the beaches of southern Italy or an island in Greece, could adopting the focus on relaxed, familial dining, afternoon naps and strong communal bonds also improve health?” Plant-based low-carbohydrate diet linked with lower risk of premature death for people with type 2 diabetes “Boston, MA—Following a low-carbohydrate diet comprised primarily of plant-based foods was significantly associated with lower risk of premature death among people with type 2 diabetes, according to a new study led by researchers at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. It is the first prospective cohort study to examine the relationship between low-carbohydrate diet patterns and mortality among people with diagnosed type 2 diabetes.” New York State Bill targets predatory food marketing “Statement of CSPI Senior Policy Scientist DeAnna Nara Families in New York and around the country are faced with the difficult task of trying to navigate a challenging food environment that works against us with aggressive, targeted marketing of unhealthy foods and drinks. Parents need more tools in the toolbox to protect children from that kind of predatory food marketing. That’s why the Center for Science in the Public Interest stands in strong support of the Predatory Marketing Prevention Act introduced today in the New York state legislature.” NIH Releases 2020-2021 Nutrition Research Report “The mission of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is to seek fundamental knowledge about the nature and behavior of living systems and the application of that knowledge to enhance health, lengthen life, and reduce illness and disability. NIH supports and conducts a broad array of transformative and impactful research studies to better understand nutrition and how it relates to human health and disease. This research focuses on understanding how nutrients and food components are ingested, digested, absorbed, metabolized, stored, and excreted and their overall impact on the body. It also includes research studies to better understand the effects of behavior, including eating and food choice, and environmental exposures on nutritional status.”

Lung Cancer Rates Are Soaring Among Unlikely Groups — an Oncologist Explains Why “When many people think of an average lung cancer patient, they often imagine an older man smoking. But the face of lung cancer has changed. Over the past 15 years, more women, never smokers, and younger people have been diagnosed with lung cancer.” Annual Lung Cancer Screening Adherence Poor After Initial Screening, Study Finds “Adherence to annual lung cancer screening (LCS) with low-dose CT (LDCT) imaging was only 22.3% among more than 1 million patients who underwent baseline screening between 2015 and 2019, according to study findings published in CHEST.I” University of Houston AI Project Aims to Improve Lung Cancer Diagnostics “The new project will develop a framework for radiologists to collaborate with artificial intelligence systems to enhance lung cancer diagnosis.” Merck Announces Phase 3 KEYNOTE-671 Trial Met Primary Endpoint of Event-Free Survival (EFS) in Patients With Resectable Stage II, IIIA or IIIB Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer “In pivotal study, KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) in combination with chemotherapy before surgery and continuing as a single agent after surgery showed a statistically significant improvement in EFS versus pre-operative chemotherapy.” Trial of Plinabulin, Keytruda, Docetaxel Kicks Off in Lung Cancer “The first patient was enrolled in the phase 2 clinical trial investigating plinabulin plus Keytruda (pembrolizumab) and docetaxel in patients with previously treated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose disease got worse after immunotherapy (PD-1 or PD-L1 inhibitors) with or without platinum-doublet chemotherapy, according to BeyondSpring, the manufacturer of plinabulin.” Living in the ‘Granite State’ means elevated risk for radon exposure, and in turn, lung cancer “New Hampshire may be celebrated as the “Granite State,” but the centuries-old nickname also bears caution.” Video: Traveling Through the Lung Cancer Treatment Paradigm: Managing irAEs With Corticosteroids “In this fourth episode of OncChats: Traveling Through the Lung Cancer Treatment Paradigm, Aaron Franke, MD, discusses the management of immune-related adverse effects and the goal of mitigating steroid use for patients with lung cancer.” Special Feature: Join host Hildy Grossman, singer, producer and President of Upstage Lung Cancer and her co-host, WBZ radio’s Jordan Rich on the Backstage @ Upstage podcast. Episodes feature guests in the entertainment, medical and research community, discussing pertinent, inspiring and joyful topics. The latest episode, Wending Her Way to Wellness features Susan Smedley, Founder, Resilient Souls. Susan discusses her process of transitioning from the shock of learning she had lung cancer at such an early age, with an 11-month-old child, to looking for healthy ways to cope using mindfulness, joining advocacy efforts and now creating her own organization to focus on wellness. Listen to Backstage @ Upstage now at upstagelungcancer.org/podcasts and on all podcast platforms.

Response to antiviral therapy for chronic hepatitis C and risk of hepatocellular carcinoma occurrence in Japan: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies “In conclusion, our systematic review on the association between response to antiviral therapy for chronic hepatitis C and HCC occurrence in a Japanese population suggests that eradication of HCV using antiviral therapy for chronic hepatitis C reduces HCC occurrence.” Chronic Hepatitis C Linked to Faster Biological Aging “People with chronic hepatitis C experience faster biological aging, but sustained response to antiviral therapy partial reverses this acceleration, according to study results published in the Journal of Hepatology. However, people who go on to develop liver cancer even after being cured do not experience this reversal in epigenetic aging.” IDPH Launches Coalition in Effort to Eliminate Viral Hepatitis in Illinois “The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has launched a new effort to eliminate viral hepatitis in Illinois. Viral hepatitis is the leading cause of liver cancer and the most common reason for liver transplantation. Although it is a preventable disease, recent data indicates that the cases of hepatitis B and C have continued to rise in Illinois.” Efficacy and Safety of Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors Alone or Combination with Programmed Death-1 Inhibitors in Treating of Hepatitis C-Related Hepatocellular Carcinoma “Conclusion: The patients having HCV-related uHCC after being treated with the TKI and PD-1 inhibitor combination therapy exhibited a better prognosis and manageable toxicity compared to the patients who underwent TKI monotherapy.” Proposals in US for prisoners to be offered short sentences for organ donations “Massachusetts is considering a Bill allowing current prisoners to donate their organs or bone marrow in exchange for a reduction in their sentence of 60 to 365 days. This raises serious concerns and a number of questions about the capability of prisoners to provide free and informed consent while incarcerated. Massachusetts argues that allowing living prisoner organ donation provides for the restoration of bodily autonomy for those incarcerated. Fundamental ethical questions arise here because providing prisoners with the choice between continued incarceration, or early release is not free consent.”

Making Hepatitis C care easier when treatment seems impossible “A health care team at Oregon Health & Science University is trying a different approach to caring for patients who have, or are at risk for, Hepatitis C, helping overcome barriers that can otherwise make receiving testing and treatment seem impossible.” Baby Boomers and Hepatitis C: High-Risk Group with Low Rate of Testing “Baby Boomers have been identified as a high risk group for Hepatitis C but only a small percentage have been tested. What are some of the reasons and what can be done to change that?” 4 Ways to Reduce Health Stigma and Why We Need To “Dealing with a health condition is difficult enough, but when the condition is stigmatized, it’s even harder. Stigma occurs when people assume someone caused their own illness by behaving irresponsibly or immorally. But no one should be blamed for a disease they didn’t choose to have.” Organization receives $169,000 for Hepatitis C care “Positive Resource Connection in Fort Wayne has received a $169,000 grant to expand Hepatitis C services in northeast Indiana, the organization announced Wednesday. The grant from Health Foundation of Greater Indianapolis will allow the organization to hire two Hepatitis C care coordinators.” Project ECHO Recognized for Rural Partnerships “Specialized health care is scarce in rural communities. When treatment can’t be provided by a community doctor, patients are referred to hospitals that are often miles away. To assist these patients, Project ECHO connects medical practitioners working in remote areas with University of Utah Health specialists.” A check-in on LCDHD’s syringe exchange program “It has been some time since we checked in on the Lake Cumberland District Health Department’s Harm Reduction Syringe Exchange Program. The month of January saw 96 total visits with 58 repeat visitors and 12 new visitors in Russell County. A total of 3,270 syringes were dispensed and 3,907 collected for a 119 percent collection ratio.” Phoenix center reveals new harm reduction vending machine “SPRINGFIELD, Il. (WAND) – A new vending machine located right next to the Phoenix Center provides harm reduction materials like needles, fentanyl strips, and narcan. This is the newest part of the Springfield Harm Reduction Initiative. The Phoenix Center hopes by providing safe materials for those struggling with drug addiction, the number of HIV and Hepatitis cases will decrease. “Where we come in is creating safety in use,” said Sara Bowen, Assistant Director of the Phoenix Center.  “Like using new needles, not having abscesses, not sharing supplies with others who might have HIV or Hepatitis C, linking people to Hepatitis C treatment so that it doesn’t go from one person to next. There is a ton of safety in what we do and we will continue to do it.”” Video Hepatitis C cases grow amidst San Diego homeless population “SAN DIEGO (KUSI) – Another outbreak of hepatitis is spreading across San Diego, but this time it’s hepatitis C that’s making headlines. The sexually transmittable virus is also spreadable via injections and tattoo equipment. The outbreak is greatest in El Cajon where hundreds of the county’s homeless are being housed via homeless voucher programs.” Hepatitis C, The Disease, Epidemiology, Treatment, Eradication Part 2: Global Epidemiology “The World Health Organization currently estimates the global burden of Hepatitis C to be between 130 and 170 million people. Ideally, this figure, as well as stratifications by location, age, and gender, would be more precisely determined based on data from community-based studies.”