News (1)
Novel coronavirus genome analysis finds 16 new variants of SARS-CoV-2 in South Africa
Reporter Zhang Mengran / Publisher : Science & Technology / http://news.sciencenet.cn/htmlnews/2021/2/452802.shtm / Translation, editing : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA
According to an epidemiological study published on the 3rd in the British journal "Nature Medicine", a near-whole genome analysis of SARS-CoV-2 (covi, novel coronavirus) isolated during the South African new crown pneumonia pandemic has found 16 new variants of the virus, all with previous Variations not found elsewhere. This genome monitoring method can also be used on a large scale in Africa to identify new variants of the novel coronavirus.
Genomic epidemiology can be used to understand the evolution of the novel coronavirus and track global transmission dynamics. KwaZulu, South Africa—Researchers from the University of Natal, Hollia Tegri, Turio de Oliveira and their colleagues, conducted a survey of 1,365 new coronaviruses collected in the first six months of the new crown epidemic in South Africa. A near-whole genome analysis was performed, and 16 new variants were found.
The research team believes that most of these variants have unique variants that have not been found elsewhere. Among them, three variants B.1.1.54, B.1.1.56 and C.1 were widespread in the first wave of outbreaks in South Africa. The spread caused about 42% of the infections in the country at that time. The newly discovered C variant C.1 is the most widely distributed species in South Africa as of the end of August 2020.
This finding clarifies the spread of SARS-CoV-2 throughout South Africa from 6 March to 26 August 2020. The researchers concluded that this genomic monitoring method can be used on a large scale in Africa to identify new covi variants and provide information for controlling the spread of the virus.
It is worth mentioning that this genomic monitoring is essential for the discovery of 501Y.V2 variants. The 501Y.V2 mutant strain was first discovered in South Africa in mid-October last year, and it became the main local virus strain in early November 2020. Earlier news said that the new strain 501Y.V2 aggravated the pandamic -in the second wave of outbreaks in South Africa at the end of last year, up to 90% of the new cases were infected by this strain. According to a report earlier in the British "Guardian", South African scientist Richard Lessel believes that the South African mutant strain is more transmissible than the new local strain in the UK and has a greater impact on young people. Experts from the World Health Organization also believe that the spread and pathogenicity of the South African mutant strain needs further research.
News (2)
Bayer's new prostate cancer drug "Nobigo" approved
Reporter : Li Huiyu / Publisher : China Science News / http://news.sciencenet.cn/htmlnews/2021/2/452788.shtm / Direct translation
On February 3, Bayer announced that the National Medical Products Administration had approved the oral administration of a new generation of androgen receptor inhibitor "Nobigo" (dalotamide) for the treatment of non-metastatic castration resistance with high risk of metastasis Adult patients with prostate cancer (NM-CRPC). The phase III ARAMIS study and its final analysis showed that compared with placebo combined with ADT, Nobigol combined with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) has significantly improved overall survival and metastasis-free survival (MFS), and its safety reliable.
Currently, the incidence of prostate cancer ranks sixth among the most common malignant tumors among Chinese men. Huang Jian, chairman of the Chinese Medical Association Urology Branch and professor at Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, pointed out that after prostate cancer is treated with ADT, the disease will progress even if the testosterone content in the body drops to a very low level. At this time, traditional imaging methods No distant metastasis was found. This stage is called castration-resistant prostate cancer (nmCRPC). He emphasized that about one-third of nmCRPC patients developed metastasis within less than two years of treatment with ADT alone. Once nmCRPC enters the stage of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), the disease will progress rapidly.
"Early diagnosis and timely intervention in the nmCRPC stage are of great significance for effectively preventing the metastasis of prostate cancer and prolonging the overall survival of patients." Huang Jian said, "nmCRPC patients usually have no symptoms and are living in a very positive life. For them, the primary goal of treatment is to delay the progression of the disease and minimize the impact of treatment on life."
It is reported that Nobigo is a new type of oral androgen receptor inhibitor with a unique molecular structure and high affinity to the receptor, thereby inhibiting the receptor function and the growth of prostate cancer cells. At the same time, Nobigo passes through the blood-brain barrier. Low sex and few adverse reactions limit the burden of treatment on patients' daily life.
This approval is based on the results of the pivotal Phase III ARAMIS trial, which evaluated the effectiveness and safety of Nobigo combined with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) versus placebo combined with ADT. The results showed that the primary effectiveness endpoint of Nobigo combined with ADT-metastasis-free survival (MFS) has a very significant improvement, with a median value of 40.4 months, while the placebo combined ADT group is only 18.4 months (p< 0.0001), and the safety is good.
In addition, the final analysis data of the ARAMIS trial just published in the New England Journal of Medicine in September of this year showed that compared with the placebo combined with ADT group, patients who received Nobigo combined with ADT had significantly improved OS and the risk of all-cause death Decrease by 31% (HR=0.69, 95% CI 0.53-0.88; p=0.003).
"The approval of Nobigo in China is another solid step that Bayer has taken in the field of prostate cancer treatment. We provide doctors and Chinese patients at the important stage of nmCRPC with a new treatment option." Bayer Group prescription drugs Jiang Wei, Global Executive Vice President of Business Unit and President of China and Asia Pacific, and President of Bayer Group Greater China, said that Dofigo and Nobigo have been approved in China successively, so that Chinese prostate cancer patients at different stages will be able to obtain innovation treatment plan.
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