More than half of clinical trials do not report race/ethnicity data

Clinical trials represent one the largest investments of collective resources in science. These studies, which recruit participants and rigorously evaluate new interventions and therapeutics, aim to advance scientific knowledge and improve patient treatment. Including diverse and representative patient populations in clinical trials is essential to accurately predict how well therapies will work in the real world. For several decades, the United States has taken steps to try to increase enrollment of minority populations in clinical trials, but it's remained unclear if these initiatives have improved representation. A new study led by investigators from Brigham and Women's Hospital examined two decades worth of data from over 20,000 clinical trials and looked for changes over time. The team found that less than half of trials reported race/ethnicity data. Among those that did, minorities remained underrepresented, but there were improvements among certain groups over time. Results are published in Lancet Regional Health —The Americas.

Lung cancer patients with a genetic variant linked to autoimmune disease may respond better to immunotherapy

A variant of the CTLA-4 gene associated with autoimmune disease was found to be more frequent in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients who experienced an exceptionally high response to anti-PD-1 immunotherapy and higher immune-related side effects than in a comparable cohort of lung cancer patients and healthy individuals, according to data presented during the AACR Annual Meeting 2022, held April 8-13.

NHS patients requiring fertility freezing treatments face a postcode lottery, study finds

Depending on where some people live in the UK could mean they are denied an NHS treatment which helps patients with medical needs, such as cancer and transgender issues, become parents in the future.

Children older than 5 at higher risk of COVID-19-related multisystem inflammatory syndrome

A new study found that older children and those with high blood markers for inflammation (ferritin) were at highest risk of severe multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) and admission to the intensive care unit (ICU). The research is published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).

Older Black adults with cancer have higher rates of frailty and functional impairments

Despite efforts to address racial disparities related to cancer, Black Americans are more likely to die from cancer than most other groups. New research suggests that a partial explanation may be higher rates of frailty and functional impairments among older Black patients with cancer. The findings are published by Wiley online in Cancer journal.

Indonesia tech giant GoTo soars on market debut

Indonesia's biggest tech firm soared in Jakarta trade Monday after a billion-dollar IPO that was the world's fifth-biggest this year, defying recent heavy weather for Asian tech stocks.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/indonesia-tech-giant-goto-soars-on-market-debut

Elon Musk no longer joining Twitter's board of directors

Tesla CEO Elon Musk won't be joining Twitter's board of directors as previously announced. The tempestuous billionaire remains Twitter's largest shareholder.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/elon-musk-no-longer-joining-twitters-board-of-directors

Musk suggests Twitter changes, including accepting Dogecoin

As Twitter's newest board member and largest shareholder, Elon Musk is already floating suggestions for changes he'd like to see on the social media platform.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/musk-suggests-twitter-changes-including-accepting-dogecoin