Life-Threatening Rhabdomyolysis Following the Interaction of Two Commonly Prescribed Medications.
Life-threatening rhabdomyolysis following the interaction of two commonly prescribed medications.
Australas Med J. 2013; 6(3): 112-4
Fallah A, Deep M, Smallwood D, Hughes P
We report an interaction between erythromycin and simvastatin resulting in life-threatening rhabdomyolysis in an elderly patient. Drugs that inhibit CYP3A4 enzyme can cause elevated serum levels of statins which amplifies the risk of statin-induced rhabdomyolysis. Physicians should be aware of potential drug interactions of statins, which are widely used in the community. HubMed – drug
Aspirin for the next generation.
Ecancermedicalscience. 2013; 7: 300
Henderson N, Smith T
First used as an analgesic and antipyretic, investigations into aspirin’s anti-inflammatory effects led to its establishment in 1974 as a drug that altered the activity of platelets to influence the course and incidence of myocardial infarction and cerebrovascular disease. It became the standard in treatment and prevention of vascular disorders. The 25th International Scientific Meeting on aspirin held at the Royal College of Physicians in London on 24th October 2012 took aspirin into fresh fields, among them cancer, diabetes, dementia and gynaecology. HubMed – drug
Highlights from the 13th St Gallen International Breast Cancer Conference 2013. Access to innovation for patients with breast cancer: how to speed it up?
Ecancermedicalscience. 2013; 7: 299
Curigliano G, Criscitiello C, Andrè F, Colleoni M, Di Leo A
The recognition that early breast cancer is a spectrum of diseases each requiring a specific systemic therapy guided the 13th St Gallen International Breast Cancer Consensus Conference [1]. The meeting assembled 3600 participants from nearly 90 countries worldwide. Educational content has been centred on the primary and multidisciplinary treatment approach of early breast cancer. The meeting culminated on the final day, with the St Gallen Breast Cancer Treatment Consensus, established by 40-50 of the world’s most experienced opinion leaders in the field of breast cancer treatment. The major issue that arose during the consensus conference was the increasing gap between what is theoretically feasible in patient risk stratification, in treatment, and in daily practice management. We need to find new paths to access innovations to clinical research and daily practice. To ensure that continued innovation meets the needs of patients, the therapeutic alliance between patients and academic-led research should to be extended to include relevant pharmaceutical companies and drug regulators with a unique effort to bring innovation into clinical practice. We need to bring together major players from the world of breast cancer research to map out a coordinated strategy on an international scale, to address the disease fragmentation, to share financial resources, and to integrate scientific data. The final goal will be to improve access to an affordable, best standard of care for all patients in each country. HubMed – drug
Clinical evidence for the use of aspirin in the treatment of cancer.
Ecancermedicalscience. 2013; 7: 297
Langley RE
Although the anti-cancer effects of aspirin were first identified in pre-clinical models four decades ago, a clear role for the drug in either the prevention or treatment of cancer has not been established. Concerns about toxicity, particularly major haemorrhage, and a lack of randomised evidence demonstrating efficacy have limited its use in primary prevention; there was also doubt that a simple aspirin could have a significant therapeutic effect against established malignancy. Three new pieces of evidence: a series of meta-analyses focusing on cancer outcomes from randomised-controlled trials designed to assess the vascular benefits of daily aspirin; the first positive results from a randomised-controlled trial designed to demonstrate that aspirin can prevent cancer in those with a hereditary predisposition; and observational data showing that aspirin use after a cancer diagnosis improves both cancer mortality and overall survival; have led to a re-evaluation of aspirin as a potential anti-cancer agent both for the prevention and treatment of cancer. HubMed – drug