Lung Cancer: Implications for Immunotherapy

May 27, 2023 | Health and Wellness

By Dr. Sushatkumar Ikhar, HCG NCHRI Cancer Centre – Nagpur

Lung cancer is one of the most aggressive and deadly forms of cancer. Its most common cause of death due to cancer worldwide. Most patients have history of smoking or tobacco chewing. But some patients do not have consumption of tobacco, these may be related to air pollution or passive smoking. The most common treatment ranges from chemotherapy, radiation, TKI (tablet targeting mutation in tumor) and immunotherapy, in selected few early stage, surgery can be done. The way immunotherapy works is unlike any other. The therapy harnesses the human body’s immune system to target and destroy cancer cells. This treatment has practically changed how lung cancer is treated. It is also proven to improve the outcomes and quality of life for people battling lung cancer.

Enhancing the body’s Immune Response:

Immunotherapy stimulates the body’s immune system to recognize and attack developing cancer cells more effectively. One of the most unique mechanisms that make immunotherapy a preferred treatment method is checkpoint inhibitors. These checkpoint inhibitors work by blocking proteins that cancer cells use to get away from the immune system, this allows the immune cells to identify and destroy the tumour. Regarding lung cancer, immunotherapy stimulates cytotoxic T cells that can quickly identify and eliminate the tumours. This method can help overcome the immune suppressive environment usually found in lung tumours, making them vulnerable
to immune attacks.

Survival Rates:

Few decades ago lung cancer had very poor prognosis with survival of less than 4 to 5 months.
Using immunotherapy in Lung cancer has, over time, shown positive results, it is an effective way that has expanded the treatment options for lung cancer patients. There have been trials that have been conducted that also show greater survival rates even though the disease has reached an advanced level. With immunotherapy, some patients have miraculous response which has led to a longer life and an improved quality.

What to look out for:

Compared to traditional treatments like chemotherapy, there are many advantages when patients opt for immunotherapy. Regarding chemotherapy, the treatment tends to cause added damage because of its non-selective cell-targeting nature, while immunotherapy targets cancer cells specifically hence damage to healthy cells is minimal. However, this approach sometimes results in lesser side effects such as nausea, fatigue and hair loss, mostly associated with chemotherapy.

Immunotherapy has been known to provide durable responses, which leads to cures for some individuals. This is particularly encouraging for lung cancer patients who are typically old aged and have poor tolerance to chemotherapy alone.

A ground-breaking approach to battle lung cancer, immunotherapy represents medical advancement. This treatment enhances the immune response, minimizes toxicity, offers personalized treatments, and improves overall survival rates. With proper implementation of the therapy, this treatment provides a sigh of relief for lung cancer patients and their families.

SKAN Research Trust and Quadram Institute Bioscience to collaborate in Gut Microbiome Research

May 27, 2023 | Health and Wellness

SKAN Research Trust, promoted by Indian entrepreneur Mr. Ashok Soota and UK-based Quadram Institute Bioscience have entered into a Comprehensive Partnership Agreement to collaborate on research programmes focused on gut health and developing therapies that alleviate ageing and neurological diseases.

Areas of common interest:

The Quadram Institute Bioscience (QIB) and SKAN Research Trust direct considerable research resources towards addressing gut health and the gut-cardiovascular and gut-brain axes. Important areas on which QIB and SKAN will collaborate under the terms of the Comprehensive Partnership Agreement include:

·         undertaking joint research projects in UK and India for the development of microbiome-based products that promote human health and treat neurological and age-related ailments;

·         technology transfer between the organizations to augment cutting-edge Indian research capabilities;

·         training of young Indian research scientists with Quadram Institute Bioscience and

·         study of large Indian population cohorts to develop India-specific therapies that alleviate ageing and neurological diseases.

Prof. Ian Charles, Director of Quadram Institute Bioscience, said, “Our agreement with SKAN Research Trust signals important new collaborations between scientists in the UK and India and underlines our global reach in terms of research into the gut microbiome, gut-brain axis and human health.”

Mr. Ashok Soota, Chairman & Managing Trustee of SKAN, said, “We are delighted to be collaborating with Quadram Institute Bioscience, one of the global leaders in the field of gut microbiome research, particularly the gut-brain axis.”

The first project QIB and SKAN will undertake in terms of the Comprehensive Partnership Agreement will be “Microbiome-based Therapies to Alleviate Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease.” Prof. Arjan Narbad, Group Leader, Translational Microbiome at QIB, and Dr. Yogesh Shouche, eminent gut microbiologist of SKAN, will be the principal investigators of this research project.

Prof. Arjan Narbad, Professor of Translational Microbiome, Quadram Institute Bioscience, said, “This exciting new collaboration will accelerate our common research in modulation of the human gut microbiome for health benefits with particular focus on the Parkinson’s disease for which currently there is no cure.” 

Dr. Yogesh Shouche, Group Head, Gut Microbiology Research Division of SKAN, said, “We look forward to gaining from Quadram Institute Bioscience’s expertise in gut health research. We at SKAN hope to add value to the project findings by bringing in cohorts exposed to different environment conditions and diets.”

The India leg of the research project will commence once necessary approvals are secured from the Government of India.

Meals On Wheels South Florida Receives Grant From The Maximus Foundation

May 27, 2023 | Health and Wellness

Meals on Wheels South Florida is proud to announce that it has received a grant from The Maximus Foundation in recognition of the programs and services they provide to the senior community of South Florida. Meals on Wheels South Florida is one of the larger of 5,000 Meals on Wheels programs across the country working every day to protect seniors from the threats of isolation and hunger – an effort made possible by generous donors and volunteers who help in communities like Broward County across America.

“We are extremely grateful to Maximus Foundation for this generous grant,” said Mark Adler, Executive Director of Meals on Wheels South Florida. This funding will allow us to continue to serve South Florida’s most vulnerable population, and we are honored to be recognized for our services.”

The Maximus Foundation, which was founded by the company’s board of directors in 2000, is committed to supporting organizations and programs that promote personal growth and self-sufficiency through improved health, child, family, and community development. The nonprofits receiving grants in 2023 from the Maximus Foundation provide a wide range of critical services, programs, and training.

“In recognition of Meals on Wheels South Florida’s impact in our community, the Maximus Foundation is pleased to award a grant to support the success of the organization,” said Dr. John Boyer, Maximus Foundation Chairman. “Their work reflects our shared values- partnering with people in under-resourced communities and connecting them to the tools they need to build better lives for themselves, their families, and their neighbors. Thank you to Meals on Wheels South Florida for its collaborative approach to enriching the lives of those it serves.”

About Meals on Wheels South Florida
Meals on Wheels South Florida is a private nonprofit organization providing hunger-relief services since 1984. With the dedication of five-hundred volunteers, Meals on Wheels South Florida delivers nutritious meals, friendly visits and safety checks that enable South Florida seniors to live nourished lives with independence and dignity. Meals on Wheels South Florida serves more than 10,000 seniors and 5,000 children an estimated 1.5 million meals each year. Included in their comprehensive list of programs and services are home meal delivery, community-based dining, meals for companion pets, grocery shopping assistance, nutrition education and emergency meals. For more information, please call 954.731.8770 or visit mowsoflo.org.

Meals on Wheels South Florida Funding Statement
Meals on Wheels South Florida is funded under the Older Americans Act and Fair Share Dollars from local municipalities through the State of Florida’s Department of Elder Affairs and The Area Agency on Aging of Broward County. The generous support from The Jim Moran Foundation, Jewish Federation of Broward, United Way of Broward, the Children’s Services Council, the cities of Tamarac and Pompano and Private Donations allows us to provide meals and services to those in most immediate need who would otherwise be placed on the ever-growing waiting list for home-delivered meals.

A copy of the official registration and financial information may be obtained from the division of consumer services by calling toll free within the state. Registration does not imply endorsement, approval, or recommendation by the state. Human Services Network, Inc. D/B/A/ Meals on Wheels South Florida, Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services Registration Number: 01331.

About Maximus
As a leading strategic partner to governments across the globe, Maximus helps improve the delivery of public services amid complex technology, health, economic, environmental, and social challenges. With a deep understanding of program service delivery, acute insights that achieve operational excellence, and an extensive awareness of the needs of the people being served, our employees advance the critical missions of our partners. Maximus delivers innovative business process management, impactful consulting services, and technology solutions that provide improved outcomes for the public and higher levels of productivity and efficiency of government-sponsored programs. For more information, visit maximus.com.

About the Maximus Foundation
As the philanthropic arm of Maximus, the Foundation extends the mission of the Company by identifying and awarding grants to partners with specialized expertise to deliver results within the same populations and communities served by the public programs the Company operates. The Maximus Foundation is completely funded by Maximus and its employees, in partnership with local community organizations with programs and projects in the areas of child and youth development, health, and community development.

Why fitch has a positive outlook on prime healthcare foundation

May 27, 2023 | Health and Wellness

Fitch Ratings has affirmed its positive outlook on Prime Healthcare Foundation, an Ontario, California-based 501(c)(3) public charity healthcare provider with 45 hospitals in 14 states.

“The affirmation of the ‘BBB’ and maintenance of the Positive Outlook reflects PHF’s very solid liquidity, despite market losses last year, moderate leverage, and Fitch’s expectation that PFH’s operating performance will recover in the 2023 fiscal year to a positive territory,” Fitch wrote in its rating report. “The maintenance of the Positive Outlook is supported by management’s report of the 1Q23 trend in both expenses and some volumes that are a contrast to the prior year, which ended with a negative operating EBITDA margin.”

Fitch says an upgrade would require evidence that Prime Healthcare Foundation has returned to an operating EBITDA margin of close to or better than 7%, in addition to strong balance sheet ratios and liquidity levels.

“Historically, PHF’s weak operating risk was based on the challenges of an unfavorable payor mix, dependence on supplemental payments, and the presence of several of its hospitals in competitive markets, and several of the individual hospitals with operating losses, further exacerbated by acquisitions of undercapitalized facilities,” Fitch writes. “However, PHF had disposed two underperforming assets, and the strategy is now less focused on acquiring distressed hospitals, but rather directed at strengthening the system fundamentals through vertical integration of existing assets, supported by investment directed at ambulatory presence.”

Parkinson’s Disease: Early Signs, Causes & Risk Factors

May 13, 2023 | Health and Wellness

Dr. Manish Pattani, Neurology, HCG, Bhavnagar

Parkinson’s disease is a brain disorder that causes unintended or uncontrollable movements, such as shaking, stiffness, and difficulty with balance and coordination. It occurs when the neurons in the brain that produce dopamine (a neurotransmitter that controls movement) start to die. As a result, people with Parkinson’s disease have trouble walking and talking and may also have mental or behavioural changes, sleep problems, depression, memory difficulties, and fatigue. 

Early Signs of Parkinson’s Disease 

Parkinson’s disease is a slow and gradual disease that grows over many years. The early signs of Parkinson’s disease are often subtle and can be mistaken for normal ageing. Some of the early signs of Parkinson’s disease include: 

1. Tremors: Tremors are among the most common early signs of Parkinson’s disease. They usually start in one hand/arm and then spread to the other side of the body. Tremors can also affect the legs, chin, and other body parts. 
2. Bradykinesia: Bradykinesia is the slowness of movement that can affect people with Parkinson’s disease. It can make everyday tasks difficult, like buttoning a shirt or brushing your teeth. 
3. Rigidity: Rigidity is stiffness in the muscles, making it hard to move. People with Parkinson’s disease may feel like their arms and legs are stuck in one position. 
4. Postural instability: Postural instability is a balance problem that can make people with Parkinson’s disease more likely to fall. 
5. Changes in handwriting: People with Parkinson’s disease may notice changes in their handwriting, including smaller letters and cramped writing. 

Causes and Risk Factors 

Researchers believe a combination of genetic and environmental factors causes this disease. Some of the risk factors for Parkinson’s disease include: 

1. Age: Parkinson’s disease is more common in people over the age of 60. 
2. Genetics: People with a family history of Parkinson’s are likelier to develop the condition. 
3. Environmental factors: Exposure to certain chemicals, such as pesticides and herbicides, may increase the risk of Parkinson’s disease. 
4. Gender: Men are more likely to develop Parkinson’s disease than women. 
5. Head injuries: People with a head injury may be more likely to develop Parkinson’s disease. 

Treatment 

There is currently no cure for Parkinson’s disease, but there are treatments that can help manage the symptoms. Some of the treatment options for Parkinson’s disease include: 

1. Medications: Several medications can help manage the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, including levodopa, dopamine agonists, and MAO-B inhibitors. 
2. Surgery: In some cases, surgery may be an option to treat Parkinson’s disease. Deep brain stimulation is a surgical procedure that involves implanting electrodes in the brain to help control tremors and other symptoms. 
3. Physical therapy: Physical therapy can help improve balance, coordination, and flexibility. 
4. Occupational therapy: Occupational therapy can help people with Parkinson’s disease manage everyday tasks and maintain independence. 
5. Speech therapy: Speech therapy can help people with Parkinson’s disease improve their communication skills and reduce speech problems. 

In conclusion, Parkinson’s disease is a chronic and progressive neurological disorder that can significantly impact a person’s quality of life. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial in managing the symptoms of this disease. Suppose you or someone you know is experiencing any of these early signs of Parkinson’s disease. In that case, speaking with a healthcare provider for a proper evaluation and treatment plan is suggested.