Discoveries in Treatment and Illness Prevention
- By Patrick M. Schmidt
Increases in chronic illnesses and comorbidities affecting a growing number of populations for whom prevention and treatment are oftentimes puzzling are shaping scientific advancements. Scientists are making discoveries that are leading to prevention and better treatments. And, clinicians are discovering new approaches to improving delivery of health services so clients receive a continuum of preventive and curative services.
Indeed, scientific discovery is an important element in determining for whom a particular therapy is appropriate. This has been especially true over the past several decades for intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) therapy. As our article “Going Up: What’s Behind the Growth in IVIG Demand” explains, IVIG treatment in the U.S. has grown 5 percent annually since the 1990s, with approved indications accounting for only one-third of its usage. The reason: While it has been observed to work in treating immune-mediated conditions, IVIG has also, inexplicably, been shown to have therapeutic effects for a growing number of other conditions, most predominantly autoimmune disorders. And, a host of additional ongoing clinical studies are beginning to shed light on how IVIG may help many more patients in the future.
Scientific research is also contributing to the treatment of a skyrocketing number of patients with cancer who succumb to cachexia, which is implicated in 20 percent to 30 percent of their deaths. As noted in our article “Interventions in the Treatment and Prevention of Adult Cancer Cachexia,” studies are starting to better explain the causes of cancer cachexia, one of which is the administration of chemotherapy, which prevents treatment of the cancer itself. Thankfully, researchers from across the world are focusing their efforts on developing promising pharmacologic, nutrition and exercise treatment options, which may help prolong cancer patients’ lives.
Gene therapy is on the forefront of prolonging lives of patients with many different diseases. In this issue, we look at how it is finally helping to save infants born with severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID). “Toward the Ultimate Cure: Gene Therapy for Severe Combined Immunodeficiency” highlights research that shows how the more than 75 percent of babies born with SCID who don’t have an HLA-identical sibling donor can now survive.
On the other end of the spectrum, populations continuing to grow and age put clinicians at the leading edge of dealing with an increased number of age-related illnesses. This is especially true today for the baby boomer generation with members 65 and older forecast to increase by 73 percent in the next decade and a half. In our article “Health Crisis 2030,” we look at the types of illnesses that will affect this generation, most notably dementia and other chronic conditions, and the healthcare paradigm shift needed to promote patient-centered care coordination.
Healthcare professionals also play a critical role in curtailing the rising opioid addiction epidemic, which has resulted in an unprecedented number of overdose deaths. Our article “Opioid Addiction: Is There a Solution?” shows there may be hope. Fortunately, government and healthcare organizations are collaborating to develop prescribing guidelines, and clinicians and patients are recognizing that treatment may require a combination of drug-related and recovery program options.
As always, we hope you enjoy this issue of BioSupply Trends Quarterly that includes many more articles on prevention and treatment discoveries, and find it both relevant and helpful to your practice.
Patrick M. Schmidt
Publisher
