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.

2017 MPN Challenge

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The 2017 MPN Challenge is a grant program from the MPN Research Foundation that aims to change the trajectory and prognosis for patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms.

Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) are a closely related group of blood cancers that occur when the bone marrow overproduces one of the mature blood elements. While the discovery of JAK2 inhibitors has led to significant improvements in patient care, new approaches are sought in order to better understand and control the progression of MPNs from chronic to life-threatening stages.

This year’s challenge focuses on the elimination of the mutant stem cells which promote the diseases. In addition to the 3 topic areas indicated (eliminating the mutant stem cell directly, eliminating the mutant stem cell indirectly, disrupting the microenvironment), proposals aimed at more clearly understanding the pathogenesis and progression of MPNs will also be reviewed.

Proposals will be accepted starting February 1, 2017 and are due on April 1, 2017. For more information and instructions, see the 2017 MPN Challenge website.

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.