Author: Kaye

Thalidomide possesses immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory and antiangiogenic effects. Find out why it is effective against Myeloma cells

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Tumours harness several strategies to avoid elimination by the immune system and exploiting the programmed cell death protein (PD1) is a key component. Studies have shown that the expression of PD1 by tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes is associated with diminished effector function. The impaired proliferation, production and exhaustion of effector T-cells suppress the body’s regulatory cytotoxic response against tumour cells. Expression of the ligands for PD1, known as PD-L1 and PD-L2, has been observed in many tumour types. Notably, tumour PD-L1 expression is associated with larger tumour size or an increased risk of poorer outcomes in terms of progression-free survival (PFS) or…

Among the many new drug approved for the use of atopic dermatitis or eczema, dupilumab (Dupixent) is one of them. Find out about its evidence here.

Tumour cells harness multiple resistance mechanisms to evade the host-tumour immune system. Notably, the programmed death 1 (PD1) receptor and its ligands, PD-L1 and PD-L2, play critical roles in T-cell suppression and exhaustion. Overexpression of PD-L1 and PD1 on tumour cells and tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes, respectively, is associated with poor disease outcomes in terms of progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in some human cancers. In this article, we will dive into the profile of Nivolumab Nivolumab’s Drug Profile, Indications and Key Trials Nivolumab (Opdivo) is a human immunoglobulin monoclonal antibody designed to address tumour PD1 exploitation by binding to…

Asthma is one of the most common chronic respiratory conditions treated in the primary care setting in Singapore. Critically, it is estimated that 20% of patients with asthma have uncontrolled, moderate-to-severe disease with recurrent exacerbations and persistent symptoms despite maximal standard-of-care controller therapy. An alternative approach is therefore required, and advancements in the understanding of asthma’s immunopathogenesis have led to the development of biological targets on mediators like interleukin (IL) that play a vital role in T-helper 2 cell (Th2) inflammation. Dupilumab, an IL-4 receptor alpha antagonist (IL-4Rα), is a fully human monoclonal antibody that inhibits IL-4 and IL-13 cytokine-induced…

Disease burden and treatment landscape Breast cancer is the leading cause of death among Singaporean women and accounts for over 30% of all cancers diagnosed in women. It is a heterogenous disease comprised of distinct biological subtypes that carry both prognostic and therapeutic implications. Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) constitutes 15-20% of all breast cancer cases in Singapore and occurs more frequently among women in the 30s and 40s. The particularly aggressive and treatment-resistant subtype is characterised by an absence of oestrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and human epithelial growth factor receptor-2 (HER-2) expression. Therapeutics targeting ER, PR and…

The disease burden and current treatment landscape Atopic dermatitis (AD), or eczema, is the most common skin disorder in Singapore and is estimated to affect 20% of children and 11% of adults in Singapore. AD, a chronic condition that usually begins in childhood, is characterized by intense pruritus and recurrent eczematous lesions. It has considerable negative impact on patients’ and caregiver quality of life, creating large clinical, economic and humanistic burden.  Topical interventions are the mainstay treatment of AD and systemic therapy is recommended for patients with inadequate treatment response. However, the reality of patients living with the chronic inflammatory…

Obesity: The Disease Burden and Current Treatment Landscape Obesity is a chronic relapsing disease defined as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation resulting from an interplay of genetic and behavioral factors. Its prevalence is widespread on a global scale, with an estimated incidence of 1.9 billion overweight and 650 million obese adults as of 2016. In Singapore, the prevalence of obesity across all ages rose from 8.6 per cent in 2017 to 10.5 per cent in 2020 and is expected to surpass 15% by 2024. Despite clinical and scientific advancements that have led to a better understanding of the disease and…

The disease burden and current treatment landscape Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic inflammatory musculoskeletal disease with complex clinical manifestations such as plaque psoriasis, dactylitis and enthesitis. Patients with PsA often experience fatigue, physical function limitations, sleep disturbance, as well as diminished work capacity and social participation. The disease is also associated with several comorbidities including cardiovascular disease, uveitis, autoimmune gut disorders, depression and anxiety. The clinical burden of PsA translates to substantial costs for patients and society that result from direct medical costs, disability and lost productivity. PsA treatment is highly complex due to the heterogeneity of the disease.…