Cancer

New strategy for lung cancer

Treating advanced small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) with chest radiation therapy in addition to standard treatment significantly prolongs long-term survival and reduces cancer recurrence in the chest by almost 50 per cent, according to a new research published in The Lancet . The authors say that as the chest radiotherapy is well tolerated, it should be routinely offered to all SCLC patients with extensive disease whose cancer responds to chemotherapy.

Push for strategy on Autism

The World Health Organisation and its partners have called for a comprehensive and coordinated response to the spectrum of autism disorders in the South-East Asia region. An initiative by the Health Ministry of Bangladesh, it was launched at a side event during the recently concluded 67th session of the WHO Regional Committee for South-East Asia, a WHO note said.

DRUG

Weight management drug

The US FDA has approved Contrave as a treatment option for chronic weight management in addition to a reduced-calorie diet and physical activity. Contrave is a combination of two FDA-approved drugs, naltrexone and bupropion. Since Contrave contains bupropion, that is linked with suicidal thoughts, it comes with a boxed warning.

Drug safety

Project on adverse drug reactions

UK's Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency, is leading a consortium of organisations in a three-year project – WEB-RADR – to develop new ways of gathering information on suspected adverse drug reactions (ADRs). The project leverages the rapid adoption of smartphones, apps, and social media for discussing issues with medicines and health, an MHRA note said.