Category Archives: In the News

More Data Leads to Better Outcomes, A Bold Drug Alternative, and Burnout

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A new prediction tool developed by an Interventional Radiologist team led by Dr. F. Edward Boas helps surgeons determine where and how long to position probes during cryoablation. The searchable database uses simulations to identify the best probe spacing and ablation time for different tissues and tumors. View the Prediction Tool here.
Boas, F.E., Srimathveeravalli, G., Durack, J.C. et al. Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol (2017). doi:10.1007/s00270-016-1562-4

Dr. Howard Scher joins forces with Seven Bridges biomedical data analysis company and Dr. Geoff Otto of the Foundation Center to present an update to their Cancer Moonshot project, the Blood Profiling Atlas, at the Precision Medicine World Congress in Silicon Valley. Blood profiling allows for identifying changes at the genetic level using a simple blood test instead of invasive tissue biospies. And the atlas provides access to enormous amounts of data to further research in identifying the most effective therapies for individual patients based on their blood.

Dr. Peter Bach makes the bold argument that the U.S. government should buy Gilead, the maker of the hepatitis C drugs that can cost upwards of $42,000 for a curative treatment course. By buying the company, the U.S. government can provide affordable therapy to quickly treat and cure the 2.7 million Americans who suffer from hepatitis C. This will save money in the long term, thanks to the drug’s ability to stop, and in some cases even reverse, liver damage.

Last week at the Critical Care Congress in Honolulu, Dr. Stephen Pastores moderated a session on the high risk of burnout for critical care clinicians.  Best practices were discussed during the session, including shortening the length of rotations and modifying weekend call schedules. According to Dr. Pastores, “data show that if a physician takes care of 12 or more patients or a nurse takes care of more than 2.5 to 3 patients,” the rate of burnout can increase. Providing a supportive work environment is essential, prioritizing staff self-care. MSK provides clinicians with reflection time, afternoon tea, and a meditation room to combat burnout.

Could Wearable Sensors Help Detect Illnesses Early?

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A recent NIH-supported study by the Stanford University School of Medicine, shows that wearable biosensors (for example, a fitness monitor) can play an important role in early detection of abnormalities in the body and perhaps serious medical conditions. The report in PLoS Biology, describes how these biosensors monitor heart rate and other vital signs, such as skin temperature and blood oxygen levels. This could reveal information that possibly shows the onset of infection, insulin resistance, or inflammation.

The Stanford research team collected nearly 2 billion measurements from 60 participants in the study.  Data collected from various sensors and periodic medical tests included information on weight, sleep, daily steps and exercise, caloric intake, heart rate, blood oxygen levels, skin temperature, and even exposure to gamma rays and X-rays.

The study compared the individual’s baseline data with deviations throughout the project. If algorithms are developed to pick up on these deviations, then the data could possibly be used for clinical diagnostics, research, and treatments. Specific deviations and patterns from normal baselines seem to correlate with particular health problems. The researchers hope that these tests could identify inflammations before individuals get sick from infections, cardiovascular issues, Type 2 diabetes, autoimmune diseases and even cancer.

The Latest in Cervical Cancer, Breast Cancer and More…

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Surfing the web, I uncovered these news items worth sharing

  • A recent article in the New York Times reported on the wide disparity in death rates of cervical cancer between black women and white women. The full study has been published in the journal Cancer.
  • Doctors at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus have successfully treated a 26 year old female patient diagnosed with brain cancer using the anti-malaria drug, chloroquine. Further discussion can be found in eLife.
  • A new multi-center study found that half of breast cancer patients experience at least one severe side effect from treatment. Side effects led to additional doctor’s appointments, trips to the emergency room, delays in treatment and reduced dosages.  The report was published in Cancer.
  • According to a recent study in PLoS Biology, wearable devices can serve as a health dashboard, monitoring health and sensing early signs of illness, likely even before the person wearing it does.
  • Researchers with The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) Research Network have identified genomic features of cervical cancer that may help with targeted therapies for patients. More information is available on their website.