Estimated reading time: 7 minutes Clinical Trials Explained Often, we hear of new treatments becoming available, but have you ever wondered what each new treatment has to go through to get approved by a regulatory body like the FDA? Before a new treatment is approved for commercialization, it needs to go through a meticulous trial… Continue reading From Preclinical to Approval: How Clinical Trials Bring New Treatments to Market
Category: Research
Kidney Health Awareness: How Informed Are You?
Did you know kidney disease is often called a “silent disease?” This is because there aren’t usually symptoms during the early stages of disease progression. According to the National Institutes of Health, 90% of Americans with chronic kidney disease (CKD) don’t even know they have the disease until it is very advanced. According to PatientLikeMe’s… Continue reading Kidney Health Awareness: How Informed Are You?
Health Information: What Sources Do People Trust?
Finding accurate and reliable health information has become more confusing for patients than ever before. By examining where patients are getting their information — for example, from trained healthcare professionals or their peers — and their ability to determine the most reliable sources can help the industry and patients better understand the importance of providing… Continue reading Health Information: What Sources Do People Trust?
Marijuana/lung cancer: New reporting on potential risks/benefits of cannabis
Medical marijuana and cannabidiol (CBD) are getting a lot of media coverage — so what’s the latest, as it relates to lung cancer? See two recent high-profile articles that weigh the possible risks and benefits of cannabis for cancer and respiratory disease. And add your perspective. (Psst, checkout past PatientsLikeMe write-ups on medical marijuana and CBD for some background.)… Continue reading Marijuana/lung cancer: New reporting on potential risks/benefits of cannabis
Cannabidiol (CBD) oil and product FAQs: Fad or effective? Legal or not?
Trending: Cannabidiol (CBD) oil, gummies, tinctures and more. Why are cannabis products gaining popularity as medical treatments and in general? As more states have legalized medical marijuana, more people have shifted their views on cannabis treatments (like former Speaker of the House John Boehner’s recent change of heart). And last month, an advisory panel at the U.S. Food and… Continue reading Cannabidiol (CBD) oil and product FAQs: Fad or effective? Legal or not?
Probiotics for MS? The latest research
Wondering if a probiotic could help treat your MS? With 10 forum threads on the topic, you’re not the only one. From conflicting information online to recommendations from friends and new research making headlines, separating fact from fiction can be tricky. Here’s a recap of the latest research on probiotics and MS from our in-house team of health professionals.… Continue reading Probiotics for MS? The latest research
Can ketamine help when antidepressants don’t? A closer look at the off-label drug that’s in the spotlight
You may have seen ketamine making headlines recently as a promising drug therapy for treatment-resistant depression, or “TRD.” (What’s TRD? Health care professionals define it as receiving at least two different antidepressants– for at least six weeks in a row, and at an adequate dosage – but experiencing less than a 50% improvement in depressive symptoms.) So,… Continue reading Can ketamine help when antidepressants don’t? A closer look at the off-label drug that’s in the spotlight
2 immunotherapy treatments in the news: Imfinzi and Keytruda update
Two immunotherapy treatments — Imfinzi (durvalumab) and Keytruda (pembrolizumab) — have made headlines recently in relation to lung cancer treatment. What’s the latest? Here’s an update. Expanded FDA Approval For Imfinzi The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) first approved Imfinzi as a bladder cancer treatment in 2017. Imfinzi is marketed by AstraZeneca. In February 2018, the FDA approved… Continue reading 2 immunotherapy treatments in the news: Imfinzi and Keytruda update
Are we really more likely to cry when watching movies on planes? New study de-mystifies the urban legend
The Oscars have been awarded and spring travel is in full swing, which got us thinking about the urban legend that you’re more likely to cry watching a movie on a plane than on the ground. Is it just a myth or is there more to it? While celebrities, polls and pop culture have covered the phenomenon… Continue reading Are we really more likely to cry when watching movies on planes? New study de-mystifies the urban legend
What’s the right-to-try bill + possible pros and cons?
The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed legislation that could give terminally ill patients the “right to try” experimental treatments — so what’s the controversy? Catch up on the topic and share your thoughts below. “Right-to-try,” in a nutshell The “right-to-try” bill aims to give terminally ill patients who’ve exhausted all other treatment options quicker… Continue reading What’s the right-to-try bill + possible pros and cons?