Lymphatic Filariasis: Centre rolls out mass drug administration campaign in 13 endemic states

The Indian government has launched an ambitious nationwide campaign to combat Lymphatic Filariasis across 13 states. Union Health Minister JP Nadda announced a massive drug administration program covering 111 endemic districts and targeting over 17.5 crore people. The initiative aims to distribute free anti-filaria medications to prevent the mosquito-transmitted parasitic disease known locally as "Hathi Paon". The campaign is a critical step towards the government's goal of eliminating Lymphatic Filariasis by 2027.

"An LF-free India is our commitment" - JP Nadda, Union Health Minister

Lymphatic Filariasis: Centre rolls out mass drug administration campaign in 13 endemic states

Reiterating its commitment to eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis by 2027, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare J P Nadda on Monday launched the annual nationwide Mass Drug Administration (MDA) campaign in 13 identified endemic States.

Key Points

1 Mass drug administration targeting 17.5 crore population

2 Campaign covers 13 states with high filariasis prevalence

3 Free medication to prevent mosquito-transmitted parasitic disease

4 Aims to eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis by 2027

The MDA campaign will cover 111 endemic districts across 13 states -- Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal.

Beginning today, the filaria prevention medications will be administered door-to-door and "free of cost to over 17.5 crore population across 111 endemic districts," Nadda said while launching the campaign via a video conference.

LF, commonly known as "Hathi Paon", is a parasitic disease transmitted by infected mosquitoes. It can lead to physical disabilities such as lymphoedema (swelling of the limbs) and hydrocele (scrotal swelling) and impose long-term burdens on affected individuals and families.

"An LF-free India is our commitment, and achieving this goal requires the participation of every citizen and with active community involvement. With a shared sense of responsibility, we can eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis, ensuring protection for crores," said Nadda.

Led by the National Center for Vector Borne Diseases Control (NCVBDC) under the Ministry of Health, the MDA campaign involves medication regimens: double Drug Regimen (DA): Diethylcarbamazine Citrate (DEC) and Albendazole; and triple Drug Regimen (IDA): Ivermectin, Diethylcarbamazine Citrate (DEC), and Albendazole.

The medicines work to reduce the spread of LF by eliminating the microscopic filarial parasites present in the bloodstream of infected individuals, thus preventing further transmission by mosquitoes.

The Union Health minister urged residents living in these areas "to consume the medicines, protecting themselves and their families from this debilitating disease".

"The endemic districts must ensure that over 90 per cent of the eligible population consume anti-filaria medicines. Our collective commitment and determination will help transform lives and ensure a future free from Lymphatic Filariasis," Nadda said.

While the MDA medication is extremely safe and effective, it should not be consumed on an empty stomach. Children below 2 years of age; pregnant women and seriously ill individuals should not consume the drugs.

https://www.newkerala.com/news/o/lymphatic-filariasis-centre-rolls-out-mass-drug-administration-campaign-611

Clot-busting meds can boost stroke patients' recovery by over 50 pc: Study

A groundbreaking study by Chinese researchers has revealed a potential game-changer in stroke treatment, showing that clot-dissolving medication can improve patient recovery by over 50%. The research, presented at the International Stroke Conference, demonstrates that alteplase can be effectively used up to 24 hours after stroke onset, dramatically extending the previous treatment window. By comparing patients receiving alteplase versus standard care, the study found 40% of treated patients showed minimal disability after 90 days, compared to just 26% in the standard care group. While the treatment carries a slightly higher risk of brain bleeding, researchers believe this is a manageable concern that could revolutionize stroke care globally.

"The findings show promise to patients suffering from stroke worldwide" - Min Lou, Zhejiang University

A team of Chinese researchers has found that clot-dissolving medication – alteplase – can be key to improving stroke patients' recovery by more than 50 per cent.

Key Points

1 Alteplase medication improves stroke recovery significantly

2 Treatment window extended from 4.5 to 24 hours

3 40% patients showed little to no disability after 90 days

4 Slight increased risk of brain bleeding observed

The team from Zhejiang University, presenting the research at the American Stroke Association's recent International Stroke Conference 2025, held in Los Angeles, US, reported that the medicine is effective when given up to 24 hours after the beginning of an ischemic stroke.

The golden hour for patients with stroke, which occurs when poor blood flow to a part of the brain causes cell death, is the first 60 minutes after symptoms begin, during which treatment is most effective. Till now the known window for effective treatment was up to 4.5 hours for some patients.

The study results show promise to patients suffering from stroke worldwide, who may not be able to access clot-dissolving medications within the time period, said Min Lou, Professor at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University's School of Medicine in China.

Their study was based on 372 stroke patients whose symptoms began 4.5 hours to 24 hours earlier. The participants were randomly split into two groups. While one group received the clot-busting medication alteplase, others were prescribed standard stroke care of antiplatelet therapy.

About 40 per cent of participants treated with alteplase showed little to no disability after 90 days. Conversely, only 26 per cent of those who received standard care had no disability. The findings show a 54 per cent higher chance of functional recovery with alteplase.

However, the risk of brain bleeding was higher among those who received alteplase than among participants who did not (3.8 per cent vs. 0.5 per cent), but researchers believe this is a manageable risk.

Calling for more research, Lou explained, that the findings must be applied to other groups of people, especially in areas with different stroke risks and health care resources to understand the efficacy and safety of alteplase and other such medicines.

https://www.newkerala.com/news/o/clot-busting-meds-boost-stroke-patients-recovery-50-pc-study-322

Mitochondria may hold key to curing diabetes: Study

Mitochondria are responsible for creating energy, which fuels cells and keeps them functioning. However, mitochondrial abnormalities have been linked to the development of disorders like type 2 diabetes. Patients with this illness are unable to produce enough insulin or use the insulin produced by their pancreas to maintain normal blood sugar levels.

Mitochondria are responsible for creating energy, which fuels cells and keeps them functioning. However, mitochondrial abnormalities have been linked to the development of disorders like type 2 diabetes. Patients with this illness are unable to produce enough insulin or use the insulin produced by their pancreas to maintain normal blood sugar levels.

Researchers at the University of Michigan used mice to show that dysfunctional mitochondria trigger a response that affects the maturation and function of b-cells.

 Several studies have shown that insulin-producing pancreatic b-cells of patients with diabetes have abnormal mitochondria and are unable to generate energy. Yet, these studies were unable to explain why the cells behaved this way.

"We wanted to determine which pathways are important for maintaining the proper mitochondrial function," said Emily M. Walker, Ph.D, a research assistant professor of internal medicine and first author of the study.

To do so, the team damaged three components that are essential for mitochondrial function: their DNA, a pathway used to get rid of damaged mitochondria, and one that maintains a healthy pool of mitochondria in the cell.

"In all three cases, the exact same stress response was turned on, which caused b-cells to become immature, stop making enough insulin, and essentially stop being b-cells," Walker said. "Our results demonstrate that the mitochondria can send signals to the nucleus and change the fate of the cell."

The researchers also confirmed their findings in human pancreatic islet cells.

 Their results prompted the team to expand their search into other cells that are affected by diabetes.

Losing your b-cells is the most direct path to getting type 2 diabetes. Through our study we now have an explanation for what might be happening and how we can intervene and fix the root cause," said Scott A. Soleimanpour, M.D.

"Diabetes is a multi-system disease--you gain weight, your liver produces too much sugar and your muscles are affected. That's why we wanted to look at other tissues as well," said Scott A. Soleimanpour, M.D., director of the Michigan Diabetes Research Center and senior author of the study.

The team repeated their mouse experiments in liver cells and fat-storing cells and saw that the same stress response was turned on. Both cell types were unable to mature and function properly.

"Although we haven't tested all possible cell types, we believe that our results could be applicable to all the different tissues that are affected by diabetes," Soleimanpour said.

Regardless of the cell type, the researchers found that damage to the mitochondria did not cause cell death.

This observation brought up the possibility that if they could reverse the damage, the cells would function normally.

To do so, they used a drug called ISRIB that blocked the stress response. They found that after four weeks, the b-cells regained their ability to control glucose levels in mice.

"Losing your b-cells is the most direct path to getting type 2 diabetes. Through our study we now have an explanation for what might be happening and how we can intervene and fix the root cause," Soleimanpour said.

The team is working on further dissecting the cellular pathways that are disrupted and hopes that they will be able to replicate their results in cell samples from diabetic patients. (ANI)

https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/health/mitochondria-may-hold-key-to-curing-diabetes-study/

What to look for when finding a sperm donor online

In just 2022, sperm sourced via one private Facebook group reportedly resulted in 692 births

People looking for a sperm donor can go to a fertility clinic, ask a friend to donate or look for a donor online, including on an app or via social media.

Women in same-sex relationships, single women and others are choosing the online option for a number of reasons.

But this brings with it various challenges and risks. Here's what to know first.

It's a popular choice

Up to 4,000 children are estimated to have been born over the past ten years via one Australian sperm donation website alone.

In just 2022, sperm sourced via one private Facebook group reportedly resulted in 692 births.

Some donors and recipients choose to use online platforms because they want to form connections and friendships with the other party early on. In some cases, donors choose to remain in the lives of the recipient and any child born from their donation.

But some sperm donors go online to remain anonymous, an option not usually possible when donating through a fertility clinic.

Some people might use online sperm donation because the cost of accessing donor sperm at fertility clinics is too high in Australia. Some clinics charge a sperm donation management fee of about AUD 2,000.

This allows people to access information about the donors they can choose from.

Then there is the cost of insemination and of the sperm itself, which is about USD 2,500 out-of-pocket per cycle. Online sperm donation in Australia tends to be altruistic and does not cost anything.

People in rural or regional areas may live far from fertility clinics, making access challenging.

Then there's often a shortage of donor sperm at clinics. In particular, there's a lack of ethnic and cultural diversity in donors.

Whatever the reason for seeking sperm online, here are some issues to consider first.

Medical unknowns

Sperm donors at fertility clinics undergo medical, physical and psychological screening to reduce the risk of transmitting disease to a child.

However, online sperm donors may provide people with unscreened sperm that might be carrying sexually transmitted infections or inheritable genetic conditions.

This puts the recipient and the potential child at risk because of the lack of medical information about the donor.

Psychological, personal, social risks

People might be placed at risk when they agree to meet a potential online sperm donor in person. There have been reported cases where potential donors have pressured people into natural insemination (sexual intercourse) once they meet.

This is despite donors initially agreeing to provide sperm for home insemination (using a syringe to inject the donor sperm into the vagina).

These safety and exploitation concerns are especially pertinent in cases of same-sex female couples and people who are same-sex attracted who might feel coerced or compelled to have sexual intercourse with a man to try to conceive a child.

In fertility clinics, state laws limit the number of individuals or families that can use a single donor's sperm (from five to ten families depending on the state).

The nature of online sperm donation means there are no records kept about the number of children a donor contributes to conceiving. With no formal record keeping, one donor could potentially provide sperm to hundreds of people. This increases the chances of donor-conceived siblings unknowingly having children together later in life.

There might be cases where donors do not tell the truth about their identity or background, as happened in a case in Japan when a donor allegedly lied about his identity and education.

There might also be psychological harm when an agreement has been made about contact between the parties and that agreement is later disputed or disregarded.

Legally, it's a grey area

A man who donates sperm to a fertility clinic has no legal rights or obligations to a child born as a result of this donation in Australia.

However, conceiving a child using informally donated sperm can be legally precarious. We are not aware of any reported cases in Australia of legal disputes about parentage that have involved online sperm donation.

However, if the practice continues to grow, the courts may need to intervene if a donor is seeking to exercise some rights relating to the donor-conceived child against the mother's wishes.

There was, however, a 2019 case that relates to sperm donation by a friend. Here, the High Court ruled a man who donated sperm informally to his friend was deemed the legal parent of a child. This resulted in the mother and her same-sex partner being prevented from relocating to New Zealand with the child and their sibling.

As each potential case will depend on its own set of unique circumstances, it's best to take legal advice first.

What's best for the child?

Many donor-conceived people want information about, and contact with, their donor. A lack of information, including medical information, can contribute to psychological, medical and social harms.

So people should carefully consider how this arrangement might impact any child conceived. This includes their potential desire to meet any siblings conceived using the same donor's sperm.

Where to from here?

The decision to have a child using donor sperm is complex. When deciding how to access donor sperm, people may benefit from speaking to an accredited fertility counsellor about their options.

This may include accessing donor sperm through a fertility clinic, which are strictly regulated and licensed, and need to comply with state laws and ethical guidelines.

While accessing donor sperm through a regulated fertility clinic may be more costly and time-consuming, it is also markedly safer than online sperm donation.

However, some people may not want to access donor sperm through a fertility clinic, or this might not meet their needs. We need to understand why so we can try to do something about it.

If a person decides to access donor sperm online, they should have open and honest discussions with the potential donor about:

-       their medical history

-       what role they envisage in the future life of a child born using their sperm

-       how all parties can keep records and contact information.

Before seeing a potential donor in person, they should also tell a family member, close friend or someone they can confide in about the meeting to ensure they are safe.

Taking these measures may help make accessing donor sperm online a positive experience for all involved.

https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/health/what-to-look-for-when-finding-a-sperm-donor-online/

Intestinal-womb connection successfully repaired through innovative endoscopic surgery

Using a novel approach, the medical team employed a cardiac occluder device, typically used in heart surgeries, to seal the fistulas, offering a new treatment option for this challenging condition.

In a groundbreaking medical achievement, a team of doctors at New Delhi Private Hospital has successfully treated two women suffering from complex fistulas, an abnormal connection between the large intestine and womb--using an innovative cardiac occluder fistula closure device.

Using a novel approach, the medical team employed a cardiac occluder device, typically used in heart surgeries, to seal the fistulas, offering a new treatment option for this challenging condition.

The patients, both in their 60s, had been experiencing severe symptoms, including the passage of stool from the vagina, due to radiation therapy and previous surgeries. Despite undergoing multiple surgeries, they found no relief until they were referred to Dr Anil Arora and Dr Shivam Khare.

"The first patient, a 61-year-old woman, had been suffering from the passage of stool from the vagina due to a rectovaginal fistula for years, following radiation therapy for cervical cancer. The second patient, a 65-year-old woman, was experiencing the passage of stool from the vagina because of an abnormal connection between the small intestine and the vagina, known as an enterovaginal fistula. Both patients had previously undergone unsuccessful surgeries and faced limited treatment options until they were referred to Anil Arora and Shivam Khare," said the hospital in a statement.

The innovative procedure was performed by Dr Arora and Dr Khare, with the assistance of Dr Neeraj Agrawal, a pediatric cardiologist. By adopting the cardiac occluder device, the team successfully sealed the fistulas using a minimally invasive approach, ensuring a quicker recovery and a high likelihood of long-term success.

"The procedure was performed by Dr Anil Arora and Dr Shivam Khare, with the assistance of Dr Neeraj Agrawal, pediatric cardiologist at the Hospital. For these complex fistula cases, Agrawal played a crucial role in adapting the cardiac occluder device, which is typically used in heart patients. Together, the Gastro Endoscopy team successfully sealed both fistulas minimally invasively, offering the patients a quicker recovery and a high likelihood of long-term success." It said.

This pioneering achievement marks a significant advancement in the field, offering new hope to patients who had previously run out of options.

Shivam Khare, Consultant, Gastroenterologist, SGRH said, "Using a cardiac occluder device in these cases is a novel approach that minimizes risk and recovery time while providing an effective solution to complex fistulas. This marks a major advancement in the field, especially for patients who have previously run out of options."

Anil Arora, Chairman, of the Institute of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Pancreatobiliary Sciences, added, "The ability to adapt this device to treat fistulas is an example of the collaboration between multiple specialities and the role of collaborative innovation in modern medicine." (ANI)

https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/health/intestinal-womb-connection-successfully-repaired-through-innovative-endoscopic-surgery/

New treatment offers quick cure for common cause of high blood pressure

Doctors at Queen Mary University of London, Barts Health NHS Trust, and University College London have led the development of Targeted Thermal Therapy (Triple T), a simple, minimally invasive procedure that has the potential to revolutionise medical management of a common but often overlooked cause of high blood pressure.

England [UK], February 10 (ANI): Doctors at Queen Mary University of London, Barts Health NHS Trust, and University College London have led the development of Targeted Thermal Therapy (Triple T), a simple, minimally invasive procedure that has the potential to revolutionise medical management of a common but often overlooked cause of high blood pressure.

This breakthrough could with additional testing, benefit millions of people worldwide who are currently undiagnosed and untreated.

In the UK, Triple T, known scientifically as endoscopic ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation, was rigorously tested, in collaboration with researchers from University College London, University College Hospital NHS Trust, Cambridge University NHS Trust, and the University of Cambridge.

High blood pressure affects one in three adults, of whom a hormonal condition called primary aldosteronism accounts for one in twenty cases. However, fewer than one per cent of those affected are ever diagnosed.

The condition occurs when tiny benign nodules in one or both adrenal glands produce excess aldosterone, a hormone that raises blood pressure by increasing salt levels in the body. Patients with primary aldosteronism often do not respond well to standard blood pressure medications and face higher risks of heart attacks, strokes, and kidney failure.

Until now, the only effective cure for primary aldosteronism has been surgical removal of the entire adrenal gland, requiring general anaesthesia, a two-to three-day hospital stay, and weeks of recovery. As a result, many patients go untreated.

Triple T offers a faster, safer alternative to surgery, by selectively destroying the small adrenal nodule without removing the gland. This is made possible by recent advances in diagnostic scans, using molecular dyes that accurately identify and locate even the smallest adrenal nodules. Those in the left adrenal gland are seen to be immediately adjacent to the stomach, from where they can be directly targeted.

The new treatment harnesses the energy of waves, adapting two well-established medical techniques: radiofrequency or microwaves generate heat in a small needle placed into the malfunctioning tissue, causing a controlled burn; ultrasound uses reflected sound waves to create a real-time video of the procedure.

In Triple T, as in routine endoscopy, a tiny internal camera--in this case using ultrasound as well as light--is passed by mouth into the stomach. The endoscopist visualises the adrenal gland and guides a fine needle from the stomach precisely into the nodule. Short bursts of heat destroy the nodule but leave the surrounding healthy tissues unharmed. This minimally invasive approach takes only 20 minutes and eliminates the need for internal or external incisions.

The study is called FABULAS, the name being an acronym for a Feasibility study of radiofrequency endoscopic ABlation, with ULtrasound guidance, as a non-surgical, adrenal-sparing treatment for aldosterone-producing adenomas.

FABULAS tested Triple T in 28 patients with primary aldosteronism, whose molecular scan had pinpointed a hormone-producing nodule in the left adrenal gland. The new procedure was found to be safe and effective, with most patients having normal hormone levels six months later. Many participants were able to stop all blood pressure medications, with no recurrence of the condition.

Professor Morris Brown, co-senior author of the FABULAS study and Professor of Endocrine Hypertension at Queen Mary University of London, said, "It is 70 years since the discovery in London of the hormone aldosterone, and, a year later, of the first patient in USA with severe hypertension due to an aldosterone-producing tumour.

This patient's doctor, Jerome Conn, predicted, with perhaps only minor exaggeration, that 10-20% of all hypertension might one day be traced to curable nodules in one or both glands. We are now able to realise this prospect, offering 21st-century breakthroughs in diagnosis and treatment."

"Before the study, I suffered from debilitating headaches for years despite multiple GP visits. As a full-time worker and single parent, my daily life was severely affected. This non-invasive treatment provided an immediate recovery--I was back to my normal routine straight away. I'm incredibly grateful to the team for giving me this choice."

The success of FABULAS has led to a larger randomised trial called 'WAVE', which is comparing Triple T with traditional adrenal surgery. The results are expected in 2027.

Professor Stephen Pereira, Chief Investigator of FABULAS and Professor of Hepatology & Gastroenterology at UCL Institute for Liver and Digestive Health, added, "With appropriate training, this less invasive technique could be widely offered in endoscopy units across the UK and internationally."

Clinical Endocrinology Lead at Addenbrooke's Hospital and Professor of Clinical Endocrinology at the University of Cambridge, Professor Mark Gurnell, said, "This breakthrough was made possible thanks to the collaborative development of novel PET tracer molecules, which enable non-invasive diagnosis by allowing us to precisely locate and treat adrenal nodules for the first time.

"Thanks to this work, we may finally be able to diagnose and treat more people with primary aldosteronism, lowering their risk of developing cardiovascular diseases and other complications, and reducing the number of people dependent on long-term blood pressure medication," he added.

For the millions of people suffering from undiagnosed primary aldosteronism, this research offers new hope. Safely targeted thermal therapy, delivered by mouth, could replace major surgery, allowing faster recovery and better outcomes.

With further studies underway, this breakthrough treatment could soon become a standard procedure worldwide, transforming care for patients with this curable form of hypertension. (ANI)

https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/health/new-treatment-offers-quick-cure-for-common-cause-of-high-blood-pressure/

Exposure to passive smoking can induce changes in children's genes, similar to active smoke: Study

While genes in one's DNA act as an instruction manual for the body, environmental factors, such as tobacco smoke, can affect 'gene expression', or how the manual is read

A second-hand or passive exposure to cigarette smoke could change how children's genes express themselves, similar to that in active smokers, thereby making them more vulnerable to disease as adults, according to a study.

The findings, published in the journal Environment International, highlighted why children's exposure to second-hand smoke needs to be reduced.

“Our study shows that second-hand smoke during childhood leaves its mark at the molecular level and can alter the expression of genes that influence disease susceptibility in adulthood”, first author Marta Cosin-Tomàs, a researcher at the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), said.

While genes in one's DNA act as an instruction manual for the body, environmental factors, such as tobacco smoke, can affect 'gene expression', or how the manual is read.

Gene expression is how information in a gene translates into observable behaviour. 'DNA methylation' is one of the main processes involved that can turn a gene 'on' or 'off'.

In certain cases, DNA methylation can silence specific genes and contribute to disease development.

Analysing blood samples of nearly 2,700 children aged 7-10 years from across eight European countries, including Spain and France, the team found an increased DNA methylation in 11 regions on the genome -- one's entire DNA -- among children exposed to passive smoking.

Most of these regions have been previously linked to a direct or first-hand exposure to tobacco in active smokers or during pregnancy, the researchers said.

Further, six of these 11 regions were found to be associated with diseases, such as asthma or cancer, the risk of which is known to increase with smoking.

“The results suggest that second-hand smoke in childhood leads to epigenetic changes (changes in gene expression) similar to those observed with intrauterine exposure to tobacco or active smoking,” senior author Mariona Bustamante, an ISGlobal researcher, said.

“This underlines the urgency of implementing comprehensive measures to reduce childhood exposure to tobacco smoke, both at home and indoors,” Bustamante said.

The participants were recruited from the 'Pregnancy and Childhood Epigenetics' (PACE) Consortium.

https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/health/exposure-to-passive-smoking-can-induce-changes-in-childrens-genes-similar-to-active-smoke-study/

IIT Madras launches Bharat cancer genome atlas, check what experts have to say

Ahead of World Cancer Day, The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras on Monday launched Bharat cancer genome atlas.

Bharat cancer genome atlas will "help identify cancer-specific biomarkers in India to enable early detection of breast cancers and identify novel drug targets for developing better treatment strategies specific to the Indian population."

The cancer genome program was initiated by IIT Madras in 2020. Under this program, the 960 whole exome sequencing from 480 breast cancer patient tissue samples collected across the country has been completed.

The institute has made this database publicly accessible at bcga.iitm.ac.in to researchers and clinicians in India and abroad.

Speaking about it in detail, Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras told ANI, "So today we are making a very big move in releasing the data of breast cancer atlas, genomic atlas for India...So what we have done here is that we have collected more than around 1,000 samples across 500 patients. And this data basically will tell us what are the changes in the DNA, specifically with respect to breast cancer. Our strong belief is that every region of India, the reason for a breast cancer, the type of mutation it will bring out would be different. And that, to a large extent, they are seeing it. And the medicine that is necessary for a particular mutation is different from medicine that will be needed for another mutation."

"So we are now looking at specific three important things that could come out of this data. One thing is we have 1.4 billion population. We are around now thousands of samples, and this can be probably a few more thousands can be added, which will be a representative of all possible sequences for all the genomes that we could have and all the mutations that are possible. So first and foremost, we can start doing, as a part of a master health checkup, probably we can do this and check for this mutation, especially among mid-age ladies. And then if we find out that there is some mutation, this can be a prevention before cure. Because the mutation, the strong belief that we see as a part of this research is the mutation may start much before the actual cancer is seen out, where you can detect it through a mammogram or through a biopsy, et cetera. This is number one. So this can lead to a prevention before cure. "

As per Sridhar Sivasubbu - Chief Diagnostics and Research Officer , "this data set is a preliminary indication of what is ailing our population."

" Second, what does it do when you find a mutation? You create a diagnostic kit. Now there is a discussion about costing. Doing genomes for everybody in Indian population is probably not the solution. But a diagnostic kit becomes much cheaper. We have seen in COVID, from 5000 rupees RT-PCR, we came down to 150 rupees. So, lot of mechanisms can be built in where you can bring down the cost of the diagnosis. Once the diagnosis is there, you can do mass scale screening," he shared.

https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/health/iit-madras-launches-bharat-cancer-genome-atlas-check-what-experts-have-to-say/

IIT Guwahati develops multi-stage clinical trial method for personalised medical care

Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati, in partnership with leading institutions around the world, have devised an innovative multi-stage clinical trial method that aims to revolutionise personalised medical care.

This cutting-edge approach customises treatment regimens in real time based on each patient's individual responses during trials, resulting in highly customised and effective healthcare solutions, as per the press release.

The research aims to enhance patient-specific treatment plans, improve outcomes, reduce trial-and-error in medication, and foster a more efficient, personalised healthcare approach

The research, conducted in partnership with Duke-NUS Medical School, the National University of Singapore, Singapore, and the University of Michigan, USA, focuses on Dynamic Treatment Regimes (DTRs) designed through Sequential Multiple Assignment Randomised Trials (SMARTs).

Together, these frameworks tackle the critical challenge of optimising treatment strategies, a sequence of treatments, for patients with varying responses to therapies over time.

DTRs are advanced decision rules that adapt treatments dynamically as a patient's condition evolves. For example, if a diabetes patient does not respond well to an initial medication, the DTR might recommend switching drugs or combining therapies. By incorporating intermediate outcomes, such as changes in blood sugar levels, DTRs move beyond the one-size-fits-all model, tailoring care to individual progress and needs.

Multi-stage clinical trials are essential for developing effective DTRs, and SMART methodology enables researchers to test various treatment sequences to find the best fit for each patient. Unlike traditional trials, SMART involves multiple stages of treatment, where patients are reassigned based on their responses to earlier interventions.

Traditional SMART trials assign patients to treatment arms in equal numbers, even when some treatments prove less effective, based on interim data. This often leads to unnecessary treatment failures. Dr Palash Ghosh and his team have developed an adaptive randomisation method that dynamically assigns patients to treatment arms based on real-time trial data by optimally changing the patient allocation ratios in favour of a better-performing treatment sequence at that point time of the trial.

This innovation ensures that more patients receive effective treatments while maintaining scientific rigour. By focusing on both short-term and long-term outcomes, the method improves the entire treatment process, reducing failures and enhancing patient care.

Speaking about the research Dr. Palash Ghosh, Assistant Professor, Department of Mathematics, IIT Guwahati, said in a statement, "Adaptive designs like this would encourage more patient participation in clinical trials like SMART. When patients see they are receiving treatments tailored to their needs, they are more likely to stay engaged. This approach also has vast potential for public health interventions, such as tailoring substance abuse recovery plans to individual needs as well as in other chronic diseases."

The findings of this research have been published in the esteemed journal Biometrics in a paper coauthored by Dr Palash Ghosh, along with his research scholar Rik Ghosh from IIT Guwahati, Dr Bibhas Chakraborty from Duke-NUS Medical School, National University of Singapore, along with Dr Inbal Nahum-Shani and Dr Megan E. Patrick, from the University of Michigan.

This new adaptive multi-stage clinical trial method represents a major stride toward more effective, patient-centric healthcare, potentially transforming public health interventions and advancing the global pursuit of personalised medicine. As a next step, the research team is collaborating with Indian medical institutions to conduct SMART trials for the effective management of mental health issues using traditional Indian medicines, as per the press release. (ANI)

https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/health/iit-guwahati-develops-multi-stage-clinical-trial-method-for-personalised-medical-care/

Lung cancer cases in never-smokers on the rise: Lancet study

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths

Compared to the other sub-types of lung cancer, risk of adenocarcinoma is considered to be weakly related with cigarette smoking, the authors explained.

Cases of lung cancer among those who never smoked is on the rise and air pollution could be contributing to the increase, according to a new study.

The study was published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine journal on World Cancer Day on Tuesday.

Researchers, including those from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), World Health Organisation, analysed data, including those from the Global Cancer Observatory 2022 dataset, to estimate national-level lung cancer cases for four subtypes -- adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, small- and large-cell carcinoma.

They found that adenocarcinoma -- a cancer that starts in glands that produce fluids such as mucus and digestive ones -- has become the dominant subtype among both men and women.

The sub-type of lung cancer was also found to account for 53-70 per cent of lung cancer cases in 2022 among never-smokers around the world.

Compared to the other sub-types of lung cancer, risk of adenocarcinoma is considered to be weakly related with cigarette smoking, the authors explained.

"As smoking prevalence continues to decline in many countries worldwide, the proportion of lung cancer in people who have never smoked has increased," they wrote.

"Changes in smoking patterns and exposure to air pollution are among the main determinants of the changing risk profile of lung cancer incidence by subtype that we see today," lead author Freddie Bray, head of the cancer surveillance branch at IARC, said.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths.

However, "lung cancer in people who have never smoked is estimated to be the fifth leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, occurring almost exclusively as adenocarcinoma and most commonly in women and Asian populations," the authors wrote.

"In 2022, we estimated that there were 908 630 new cases of lung cancer worldwide among female individuals, of which 541 971 (59.7 per cent) were adenocarcinoma," they wrote.

Further, among the women diagnosed with adenocarcinoma, 80,378 could be traced to ambient particulate matter (PM) pollution in 2022 globally.

"The diverging trends by sex in recent generations offer insights to cancer prevention specialists and policy-makers seeking to develop and implement tobacco and air pollution control strategies tailored to high-risk populations," Bray said.

As of 2019, almost everyone in the world is estimated to live in areas not meeting the WHO air quality criteria.

https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/health/lung-cancer-cases-in-never-smokers-on-the-rise-air-pollution-could-be-driver-lancet-study/

IIT Madras launches first-of-its-kind cancer genome database to boost research

In the absence of genomic architecture of cancers prevalent in India, specific genetic variants from Indian cancers are not adequately captured and catalogued for any diagnostic kits and drug development

Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Madras on Monday launched a first-of-its-kind cancer genome database to help research on the disease in the country.

According to IIT Madras Director V Kamakoti, despite having a high cancer incidence, India has been under-represented in global cancer genome studies.

In the absence of genomic architecture of cancers prevalent in India, specific genetic variants from Indian cancers are not adequately captured and catalogued for any diagnostic kits and drug development.

“In order to fill the gap in the genomic landscape for different cancers in India, IIT Madras initiated the cancer genome programme in 2020. Under this programme, 960 whole exome sequencing from 480 breast cancer patient tissue samples collected across the country has been completed.

“We are releasing yet another health-related data, the second this academic year, the cancer genome data after brain data. We hope that this will provide deep insights on reasons leading to this deadly disease and help prevent the same with early interventions,” he said.

Kamakoti informed that Bharat Cancer Genome Atlas (BCGA) will fill the gap in the genomic landscape from different cancers in the country.

“It provides a compendium of genetic variants representing the contemporary Indian breast cancer population to classify variants involved in early diagnostics, disease progression, and treatment outcomes,” he said.

IIT Madras in collaboration with Karkinos Healthcare, Mumbai, Chennai Breast Clinic and Cancer Research and Relief Trust, Chennai analysed the data and assembled the anonymised summary of genetic variants from Indian breast cancer samples.

The research was led by the institute’s Centre of Excellence on Cancer Genomics and Molecular Therapeutics, which was funded under the central government’s “Institutions of Eminence” initiative.

“This database will be an invaluable resource to identify cancer-specific biomarkers in India, which will enable early detection of breast cancers. Further, it will also be very useful to identify novel drug targets for developing better treatment strategies specific to the Indian population,” S Mahalingam, head, Centre of Excellence on Cancer Genomics and Molecular Therapeutics, IIT Madras.

“BCGA also aims to host data from researchers working on cancer genomics across cancer types and would be open to accepting submissions. The data will be utilised towards identifying biomarkers to identify high-risk groups, monitor cancer progression, design strategies for personalised treatment and understand treatment outcomes,” he added.

Mahalingam explained that the genome database also provides knowledge on the genetic basis of cancer progression and evolution and may help the biomedical research and healthcare system in India shift toward a vision of “personalised medicine” which may improve the standard of medical care by including an individual’s genetic and molecular information in the clinical decision-making process.

A recent Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) report indicated that the number of people living with cancer continues to rise.

The National Cancer Registry Programme reported that one in nine persons in India are likely to develop cancer in their lifetime and 14,61,427 persons were currently living with cancer. There is a 12.8 per cent increase in cancer incidence every year since 2022.

https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/health/iit-madras-launches-first-of-its-kind-cancer-genome-database-to-boost-research/

Study decodes how drinking sugary beverages raises diabetes risk

In addition to changes in gut microbiota, researchers also found associations between sugary beverage consumption and 56 serum metabolite

A team of US researchers has decoded the role of gut microbes in increasing the risk of diabetes after consuming sugary drinks.

The study, published in the paper appearing in the journal Cell Metabolism, shows that metabolites produced by gut microbes might play a role.

In the study, the team identified differences in the gut microbiota and blood metabolites of individuals with a high intake of sugar-sweetened beverages. They found that high sugary beverage intake—defined as two or more sugary beverages per day—led to changes in nine species of bacteria.

Four of these species are known to produce short-chain fatty acids—molecules that are produced when bacteria digest fibre. These are known to positively impact glucose metabolism.

The altered metabolite profile seen in sugary beverage drinkers was associated with a higher risk of developing diabetes in the subsequent 10 years, said the researchers.

“Our study suggests a potential mechanism to explain why sugar-sweetened beverages are bad for your metabolism,” said Qibin Qi, an epidemiologist at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York.

“Although our findings are observational, they provide insights for potential diabetes prevention or management strategies using the gut microbiome,” Qi added.

The researcher noted that more than in solid foods, added sugar in beverages “might be more easily absorbed, and they have a really high energy density because they’re just sugar and water”.

The team examined data from over 16,000 participants. In addition to changes in gut microbiota, the researchers also found associations between sugary beverage consumption and 56 serum metabolites. This includes several metabolites that are produced by gut microbiota or are derivatives of gut-microbiota-produced metabolites.

These sugar-associated metabolites were associated with worse metabolic traits, including higher levels of fasting blood glucose and insulin, higher BMIs and waist-to-hip ratios, and lower levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (“good” cholesterol).

“We found that several microbiota-related metabolites are associated with the risk of diabetes,” said Qi. “In other words, these metabolites may predict future diabetes.”

https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/health/study-decodes-how-drinking-sugary-beverages-raises-diabetes-risk/

Budget's health provisions to reduce financial burden on cancer patients, boost care: Expert

The new Union Budget has introduced some groundbreaking healthcare provisions specifically targeting cancer patients. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced the creation of 200 day-care cancer centres across India, making treatment more accessible. Tax exemptions on lifesaving medicines and medical equipment will significantly reduce the financial strain on patients. These initiatives represent a major step forward in making cancer treatment more affordable and available to millions of Indians.

"There is no need to be afraid of cancer. Consult a doctor if symptoms appear." - Dr. Sudeep Gupta

Health benefits announced in the Union Budget are expected to reduce the financial burden as well as boost care for patients with cancer, according to an expert on Monday.

Key Points

1 Cancer day-care centres to be established in all district hospitals

2 Tax relief on 36 lifesaving medicines

3 Reduction in medical equipment costs

4 Improved accessibility to cancer treatment

 

The Union Budget was tabled in the Parliament by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on February 1. She announced several measures such as 200 cancer day-care centres and tax relief on about 36 lifesaving medicines including for cancer, and on medical equipment.

Speaking to IANS, Dr. Sudeep Gupta- Director of Tata Memorial Hospital said that day-care centres provide chemotherapy -- an important part of cancer treatment -- to patients.

"Many patients have to travel 1,000s of kilometres to get this treatment, where they have to be away from their house, which also affects their livelihood. It is a good decision to establish daycare centres for cancer patients," Gupta said.

The Finance Minister announced that "all district hospitals will have day care cancer centres. About 200-day care cancer centre will be established in 2025-26". The expert noted that these cancer daycare centres can administer chemotherapy to patients suffering from breast and oral cancers.

Further, Sitharaman also announced exemptions on basic customs duty on 36 lifesaving drugs against cancer, rare diseases, and other severe chronic diseases.

Lauding the decision, Gupta told IANS that cancer medicines are often expensive and that the move will reduce the "financial burden on the patient".

On Budget's exemptions on basic custom duties on some medical equipment, Gupta said "It will reduce the capital cost of establishing both private and public healthcare facilities. The money saved will definitely benefit the patients".

Meanwhile, ahead of World Cancer Day on February 4, Gupta urged people to not be afraid of cancer.

"My message to the citizens is that there is no need to be afraid of cancer. Consult a doctor if symptoms appear. If the cancer is in the first or second stage, then there are more chances of recovery from it," the doctor said.

https://www.newkerala.com/news/o/budgets-health-provisions-reduce-financial-burden-cancer-patients-boost-133