This week, Dr. Klotman’s video update is devoted to a discussion of brain tumors with a special focus on Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM). This is a type of brain malignancy from which few people survive more than a year. I’ve lost two good friends to this scourge. Alas!
Recent BCM research on GBM has focused on the exploration of CAR-T cell therapy. It’s promising but probably years away from being a successful treatment for GBM. Sigh.
My other clinical news feeds have provided an interesting note on COVID variant NB.1.8.1 that is currently responsible for about 30% of US COVID cases. It causes an upper respiratory infection that has been described as razor blade throat – it sounds unpleasant.
In HIV news, the FDA has approved a new prophylactic treatment for PREP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) that appears to provide 100% protection against the virus. The treatment is a medication that can be administered by injection twice a year. The drug, Lenacapavir, is a viral capsid inhibitor – a new class of anti-HIV therapy. This medication has been available outside the US since 2022. We should expect other medicines in this class to be developed in the coming years.