Rajat N Agrawal, MD, MS’ Post

We are pleased to share a significant milestone in our journey at Cirrus Therapeutics, an ocular immunology-focused company my partner in crime Andrew Dick and I co-founded. Our recent research, published in #ScienceTranslationalMedicine, introduces a pioneering approach to treating age-related macular degeneration (#AMD). By enhancing IRAK-M protein levels in retinal cells, we have developed a promising new therapy for AMD, the leading cause of vision loss in older adults. This discovery, made in collaboration with esteemed researchers from the University of Bristol and the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, including the super talented Jian Liu and Dave Copland, represents a pathway-agnostic solution offering comprehensive treatment options for dry AMD. This innovative approach aims to address the complex pathophysiology of AMD, providing hope to millions affected by this debilitating condition. We extend our gratitude to the Rosetrees Trust, Stoneygate Trust, Underwood Trust, Macular Society, Sight Research UK, NIHR Moorfields Biomedical Research Centre, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, our other supporters who have made this research possible. Many thanks to our incredible advisors James Handa, Frank G. Holz, Brian Mansfield and Maritza McIntyre for their unwavering support and expert guidance. As we continue to advance our lead program and engage with investors, we remain committed to our mission of developing cutting-edge treatments for long-term eye diseases that can cause blindness. Read more about the publication here: https://lnkd.in/gFvJkdCE #Ophthalmology #VisionCare #ScientificResearch #CirrusTherapeutics #HealthcareInnovation

🌟 Exciting Announcement! 🌟 We are thrilled to share the publishing of our article: "Protocol of the LATFIA Trial (Laser Assisted Treatment of Fistula in Ano): A Multicentre, Prospective, Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Fistula-Tract Laser Closure (FiLaC™) with Rectal Advancement Flap for High Trans-sphincteric Fistulas." 🔬 The LATFIA Trial represents a significant advancement in the field of proctology, offering insights into innovative treatment approaches for high trans-sphincteric fistulas. 📝 This meticulously planned and executed trial protocol provides a comprehensive framework for comparing the efficacy and safety of two prominent techniques: Fistula-Tract Laser Closure (FiLaC™) and Rectal Advancement Flap. 💡 By conducting a multicentre, prospective, randomized controlled trial, the LATFIA Trial aims to deliver robust evidence that will guide clinicians in making informed decisions regarding the optimal management of complex fistula-in-ano cases. 👥 We extend our gratitude to all the researchers, clinicians, and participants involved in making this trial possible. Your dedication and commitment to advancing medical science are truly commendable. 📖 Dive into the details of the LATFIA Trial protocol and join us in celebrating this milestone in the quest for improved treatments for fistula-in-ano. #MedicalResearch #FistulaTreatment #LATFIATrial #Coloproctology #ColorectalDisease #HealthcareAdvancement Colorectal Disease. https://lnkd.in/eQ4SEzd5 Jasper Stijns, Van den Broeck Sylvie,Bert Houben, Ben Gys, Els Van Dessel, Gabriele Bislenghi, Niels Komen, M.D., Ph.D

During Dry Eye Awareness month, I am excited to spotlight Oculis’ pioneering efforts in advancing innovative solutions for Dry Eye patients worldwide. With an estimated 300 million individuals affected by DED, a staggering 87% of patients express dissatisfaction with current treatment options due to the disease's heterogeneity. Aligned with Oculis commitment to Rethinking Ophthalmology, we recently shared promising data from the RELIEF trial for signs of DED. This represents a significant stride towards potentially transforming DED treatment through #PrecisionMedicine with OCS-02 (licaminlimab), an innovative anti-TNF-α antibody eye drop tailored for topical administration. The trial showed efficacy across various DED signs, with a remarkable 5 times greater treatment effect in signs for patients with a specific TNFR1-related genotype, which was consistent with the 7 times greater effect in symptoms observed in a previous trial in the same genotype population underscoring the unprecedented benefits of a predictive and personalized medicine approach. As we tackle the substantial unmet needs in DED, recognizing the disease's complexity and the diverse patient population, our primary focus remains on advancing #innovation in precision medicine to step change outcomes for patients. #DryEyeAwareness #Biotech #ClinicalTrials #EyeHealth #EyeDisease

Unlock the diagnostic power of MRI with our enlightening infographic on '5 Key Conditions Detected by Abdominal MRI.' Here's what you need to know: Cancers and Tumors: MRI can detect tumors with a high degree of accuracy, significantly improving treatment success rates. For instance, early detection of liver cancer through MRI has a potential 5-year survival rate increase of up to 70%. Inflammatory Diseases: Conditions like Crohn's disease, often elusive in early stages, can be accurately identified with MRI, leading to timely and effective treatment. Liver Disorders: Early MRI detection of liver cirrhosis can lead to interventions that may reduce liver failure risks by up to 30%. Pancreatic Conditions: Detecting pancreatic abnormalities early through MRI can increase the success rate of surgical interventions by over 40%. Gastrointestinal Obstructions: Timely MRI identification of obstructions can prevent complications, reducing emergency surgery rates by up to 50%. Discover how advanced MRI technology is transforming the landscape of abdominal health diagnostics and improving patient outcomes. #earlydetection

Opthea announced the publication of a scientific review in the peer-reviewed journal Ophthalmology and Therapy. The publication, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) C and D Signaling Pathways as Potential Targets for the Treatment of neovascular (wet) AMD supports the scientific rationale for sozinibercept (OPT-302) as a potential treatment for wet AMD: https://bit.ly/3Lhxwig

We are thrilled to announce that our recent abstracts presented at #ARVO2024 have been published in the Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science 2024 Abstract Issue. 🎉 Our two groundbreaking abstracts, titled "Tear Fluid Proteomic Analysis with Improved LC-MS/MS Protocol" and "Quantitative Measurement of Lacritin in the Tear Fluid of Patients with Dry Eye Disease," showcase our team's dedicated efforts to advance tear fluid proteomic analysis. 🧬 These studies highlight our commitment to enhancing diagnostic methods and leveraging tear fluid as a valuable source for diagnosing various ocular conditions. By improving LC-MS/MS protocols and quantifying key biomarkers like lacritin, we are paving the way for more accurate and reliable diagnostic tools for Dry Eye Disease and beyond. 👁️💧 A huge thank you to our incredible team for their hard work and innovation, and to #ARVO2024 for the opportunity to share our research with the global ophthalmology community. 🌍 Stay tuned for more updates on our journey to revolutionize ocular diagnostics! 🚀 #Ophthalmology #MedicalResearch #Proteomics #DryEyeDisease #LCMSMS #TearFluidAnalysis #Innovation #Healthcare

Transforming Eye Care: Oculis Advances Precision Medicine for Dry Eye Disease Oculis is advancing it’s precision medicine approach for treating dry eye disease with plans for a phase 3 study of its anti-TNFα eye drop, licaminlimab (OCS-02). Recent phase 2b results showed promising treatment effects, especially in patients with a specific TNFR1-related genotype. This innovative approach could revolutionize ophthalmology by tailoring treatments to individual genetic profiles. What are your thoughts on this advancement? Oculis CEO Riad SHERIF, M.D., said in a statement that the precision medicine approach could “transform the way we develop drugs and treat patients in ophthalmology.” Read more in the article in the comment below. #Biotech #PrecisionMedicine #Ophthalmology #ClinicalTrials #DryEyeDisease #Innovation #Healthcare

There is an old saying that goes, "if you torture the data long enough, it will confess to anything".  Is this abstract, presented at ASCO GU 2024, one of those instances?  A major question with adjuvant trials is whether we are actually curing more patients, or only delaying disease recurrence.  In CheckMate 274, which looked at 1 year of adjuvant nivolumab vs placebo in muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma after surgery, one of the concerns was that it only demonstrated a ~12-month improvement in disease-free survival (DFS), with no overall survival data published because the data was not mature.   This abstract attempted to answer these concerns by estimating the cure rate using a mixture cure model, with cure defined as 5 years of DFS.   The result isn't surprising (nivolumab cured more patients) because it was based off the DFS data.  It's hard to see what audience this abstract was intended for, because clinicians who are waiting on the overall survival data wouldn't be convinced by these extrapolation methods.  There are some genuine positives to the trial - the DFS curves remained separated with longer follow-up, and the PD-L1 ≥ 1% and neoadjuvant cisplatin subgroups showed much better DFS improvement.  Nivolumab may eventually demonstrate overall survival, especially in the subgroups with very significant DFS benefit, but it's better to wait for the results to mature rather than extrapolating them. #opdivo #bladdercancer https://lnkd.in/eNtuz9p2

Mitochon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is fascinated by how many indications are rooted mitochondrial dysfunction. At Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) today, ground breaking glaucoma research in the laboratory of renown vision expert, Dr. Adriana Di Polo, University of Montreal is being unveiled (Abstract #: 670 - B0074). Research headed by Dr. Heberto Quintero, Ph.D. presented “Mitochondrial uncoupler MP201 promotes retinal ganglion cell neuroprotection in experimental glaucoma”. Data shows striking protection of retinal ganglion cells (RGC) survival (ANOVA & Dunnett's **p=0.003) by mitochondrial uncoupler, MP201, post ocular hypertension. MP201 lowered free radicals and calcium overload. Research was sponsored by funding from BrightFocus Foundation and compliments prior research in Optic Neuritis (pre-MS) in the laboratory of Dr. Kenneth Shindler, MD, Ph.D., Penn Medicine, of MP201 protection of RGC and demyelination of optic nerve. MP201 is moving towards the clinic with a focus on Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and TBI, and now enabled for glaucoma, the leading causes of blindness! #glaucoma #mitochondria

📃Scientific paper: Intraluminal extension of papillary thyroid carcinoma into the Internal Jugular Vein; a case report Abstract: Background Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), being the most common thyroid malignancy, is a slow-growing tumor and is usually limited to the thyroid. Extra thyroid extension is uncommon; besides, invasion to the vasculature seems to be extremely rare and usually indicates aggressive nature of the disease. Case presentation We present a case of a 40-year-old lady who referred with a palpable neck mass a month after total thyroidectomy which its histopathologic examination revealed follicular variant of PTC; the same variant as prior thyroidectomy. Preoperative ultrasonography failed to comment on the intravascular component of the mass. Surgical procedure confirmed a mass attaching and infiltrating to the internal jugular vein, which turned out to be persistent disease. Conclusions Awareness of this entity is important for surgeons, oncologists and radiologist as it can influence patient management. Continued on ES/IODE ➡️ https://etcse.fr/cPS ------- If you find this interesting, feel free to follow, comment and share. We need your help to enhance our visibility, so that our platform continues to serve you.