Weekend ICYMI: September 9 to September 13

Novel Silk-Derived Protein Proves Safe, Effective in Treating Severe Dry Eye Disease

Man administering eye drops / 9nong - stock.adobe.com

Dry eye disease (DED) is characterized by chronic inflammation on the ocular surface. This inflammation damages the surface by disrupting the mucin protein layer, which forms a protective tear film. Despite the importance of protein in the tear film, no commercially available eye drops incorporate the component as an ingredient. However, silk-derived protein-4 (SDP-4), a substance that mimics proteins found on the ocular surface, is a safe and effective multi-modal treatment for alleviating severe dry eye disease (DED) symptoms, according to a study published in the American Journal of Ophthalmology.

Visual Art Therapy Significantly Improved Patients’ Mental Health Outcomes

After conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials, researchers found therapeutic benefits for patients who have undergone various modes of active visual art therapy (AVAT), specifically improving their mental health. Despite authors of the review claiming that studies included in their analysis were mostly of “low quality,” AVAT has significant potential to become a standard type of medical care in the future.

Excess Abdominal Fat May Contribute to Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain

A study published in Regional Anesthesia & Pain Medicine found that abdominal adipose tissue was associated with chronic musculoskeletal pain, suggesting that excessive and ectopic fat depositions may be involved in the pathogenesis of multisite and widespread chronic musculoskeletal pain. Stronger effects observed in women than men may reflect sex differences in fat distribution and hormones. “Reducing abdominal adiposity may be considered a target for chronic pain management, particularly in those with pain in multiple sites and widespread pain,” wrote investigators.

Depemokimab Shown to Reduce Severe Asthma Exacerbations in Phase 3 Trials

Positive results have been announced from 2 phase 3 trials evaluating the efficacy and safety of depemokimab in adult patients with severe asthma and type 2 inflammation characterized by raised blood eosinophil count, GSK announced in a release. The data were presented at the European Respiratory Society International Conference. Data from SWIFT-1 (NCT04719832) and SWIFT-2 (NCT04718103) showed that depemokimab met its primary endpoint of annualized rate of clinically significant exacerbations over 52 weeks.

How the Big 3 PBMs Utilize Various Market Strategies

Regarding the 3 major pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) significantly controlling the US drug supply chain—CVS Caremark, Express Scripts, and Optum Rx—their concentration varied noticeably amongst commercial insurance, Medicare Part D, and Medicaid managed care markets. With each PBM dominating their respective markets using multiple different strategies, experts agree that federal reform is one of the few options at regulating the market power these PBMs have been wielding.

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