Sahlgrenska University

FRIDAY, Sept. 27, 2024 -- Omitting biopsy in patients with negative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) results is associated with a significantly reduced relative risk for detecting clinically insignificant prostate cancer, according to a study published in the Sept. 26 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine . Jonas Hugosson, M.D., Ph.D., from Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden, and colleagues invited men aged 50 to 60 years to undergo prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening in a population-based trial that started in 2015. Men with a PSA of 3 ng/mL or higher underwent MRI of the prostate. Men were randomly assigned to the systematic biopsy group, in which they underwent systematic biopsy or targeted biopsy in the case of suspicious lesions on MRI, or to targeted biopsy only. Depending on the PSA level, men were invited for repeat screening two, four, or eight years later. After a median follow-up of 3.9 years, the researchers found that prostate cancer was detected in 185 of the 6,575 men (2.8 percent) in the MRI-targeted biopsy group and in 298 of the 6,578 men (4.5 percent) in the systematic biopsy group. Detecting clinically insignificant cancer in the MRI-targeted biopsy group versus the systematic biopsy group had a relative risk of 0.43 (95 percent confidence interval, 0.32 to 0.57) and was lower at repeat rounds of screening (relative risk, 0.25 versus 0.49). For a diagnosis of clinically significant prostate cancer, the relative risk was 0.84 (95 percent confidence interval, 0.66 to 1.07). "These results should encourage guideline committees to update recommendations around prostate cancer diagnosis and screening," the authors write.

FRIDAY, Sept. 13, 2024 -- Sulthiame (STM) is beneficial for improving symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), according to a study presented at the European Respiratory Society Congress, held from Sept. 7 to 11 in Vienna. Jan A. Hedner, M.D., Ph.D., from Sahlgrenska Academy in Sweden, and colleagues conducted a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial involving OSA patients not accepting or tolerating continuous positive airway pressure or oral splints. Polysomnography was used to evaluate three doses of STM and placebo. Overall, 298 participants were randomly allocated to 100 mg, 200 mg, and 300 mg STM or placebo (74, 74, 75, and 75, respectively). The researchers found that the primary efficacy end point of change in the apnea/hypopnea index during sleep associated with a ≥3 percent decrease in oxygen levels or an arousal from sleep from baseline to week 15 was met for –17.8, –34.8, and –39.9 percent, respectively, with 100 mg, 200 mg, and 300 mg STM. A placebo-adjusted, dose-dependent reduction of 47.1 percent in apnea/hypopnea with ≥4 percent oxygen desaturation was seen at week 15. Improvement in mean overnight oxygen desaturation of 0.95 and 0.87 percent was seen at week 15 for 200 mg and 300 mg STM, respectively. There was improvement in the total arousal index and sleep quality; effects on sleep macrostructure were neutral. For sleepy patients (Epworth Sleepiness Scale ≥11), the scale score was reduced. "People taking sulthiame in the trial had a reduction in OSA symptoms such as stopping breathing during the night and feeling sleepy during the day. Their average levels of oxygen in the blood were also improved with the treatment," Hedner said in a statement. Abstract More Information Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.

GOTHENBURG, Sweden, May 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Assar Gabrielsson was one of the founders of Volvo. In accordance with his wishes, a fund was established for clinical research of cancer diseases. The fund has existed since 1962. It primarily supports research projects that are considered promising but have not yet reached the weight that provides funding from major research funds. The Assar Gabrielsson Foundation has awarded Anna Wenger as the winner in the basic science research category and Sara Bjursten as the winner in the clinical research category. The prize recipients are rewarded with SEK 100,000 each as extra research grants, administered by the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg. "Anna Wenger is awarded the prize in the category of basic science research for advanced basic science studies on malignant gliomas in children and adults. The studies provide new knowledge about epigenetic differences and cancer stem cells different types of glioma. The results can be of great benefit for the development of better diagnostics and choice of treatment for patients with glioma," says Eva Forssell-Aronsson, professor at the University of Gothenburg and executive member of the Assar Gabrielsson Foundation in the citation. "Sara Bjursten receives the award in the category of clinical research for clinically important and well-conducted research regarding immunotherapy in cancer patients. The studies provide new knowledge about side effects in the central nervous system, especially with regard to T cells and biomarkers in the blood. The results may lead to new strategies for early detection of side effects in these patients," says Professor Eva Forssell-Aronsson. Journalists who want further information, please contact: Torbjörn Holmström, Chairman of the Assar Gabrielssons Foundation, 031 66 10 73, or Eva Forssell-Aronsson, Executive Member of the Assar Gabrielsson Foundation, 070 372 26 26. For more information, please visit volvogroup.com For frequent updates, follow us on X: @volvogroup The Volvo Group drives prosperity through transport and infrastructure solutions, offering trucks, buses, construction equipment, power solutions for marine and industrial applications, financing and services that increase our customers' uptime and productivity. Founded in 1927, the Volvo Group is committed to shaping the future landscape of sustainable transport and infrastructure solutions. The Volvo Group is headquartered in Gothenburg, Sweden, employs more than 100,000 people and serves customers in almost 190 markets. In 2023, net sales amounted to SEK 553 billion (EUR 48 billion). Volvo shares are listed on Nasdaq Stockholm. This information was brought to you by Cision The following files are available for download: SOURCE AB Volvo