Theresa Pablos[email protected]Breast CancerShould genetic testing for breast cancer stop at 65?The average age of breast diagnosis is 62, and women older than 65 account for a large portion of women with breast cancer. Despite this fact, women in this age group often do not qualify for genetic testing. Presenter Nicholas Boddicker, PhD, a research associate at the Mayo Clinic, explored whether the data supported stopping genetic testing when someone reaches their mid-60s.October 26, 2020Heart DiseaseHeart association offers advice on who should get genetic testingPublished on July 13 in Circulation: Genomic and Precision Medicine, the statement provides information on what the scientific community does and doesn't know about genes and genetic combinations that may influence heritable heart disease risk.July 23, 2020Diagnostic TechnologiesIs blood sugar testing needed for all COVID-19 patients?Researchers from Wuhan, China assessed 28-day mortality outcomes for 605 patients with COVID-19 at two hospitals in the province. Patients with high fasting glucose levels at admission were far more likely to die than those with normal readings, leading the researchers to recommend blood sugar testing for all COVID-19 patients.July 13, 2020ImmunoassaysSiemens coronavirus antibody test beats rivals in Public Health England studyThe U.K. Department of Health and Social Care commissioned its executive agency Public Health England to evaluate commercially available antibody tests manufactured by Abbott, DiaSorin, Roche, and Siemens. The agency and a team of academic researchers compared the performance of the four immunoassays in a three-week, head-to-head study in May and June.July 10, 2020SarcomaInsurance coverage of liquid biopsies for cancer surgesThe study evaluated private insurance and Medicare coverage trends for tests that identify circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), cell-free DNA fragments shed by tumors that contain information about the tumor's genetic properties. Clinicians can use the ctDNA data from liquid biopsies to make treatment decisions.July 9, 2020InfectiousUltrasound autopsies help São Paulo doctors understand COVID-19Using a technique called ultrasound-based minimally invasive autopsies (MIA-US), an ultrasound examiner and technologist took tissue samples from the most affected parts of each patient's organs. The findings confirmed that COVID-19 affects multiple organs and tissues, including the kidneys, spleen, lymph nodes, brain, testicles, and skin.June 2, 2020Page 1 of 1Top StoriesArtificial IntelligenceAI model could prevent unnecessary treatment for breast cancer patients, says studyBreast cancer patients could be spared unnecessary chemotherapy with the use of a new artificial intelligence (AI) tool that helps predict survival risk, say researchers.FDA ClearanceKSQ Therapeutics receives FDA clearance for trial of CRISPR-Cas9 engineered tumor therapyVascular DiseasePotential drug target to prevent small vessel disease identified in studyTrends and FinanceCandel Therapeutics to lay off 50% of workforce, refocus on advanced oncology immunotherapiesRheumatoid ArthritisScipher Medicine, Quest Diagnostics collaborate on RA diagnostics
