"anti-heart attack" shot -- study

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the study of Canakinumab, a human monoclonal antibody targeting interleukin-1β, and its potential role in reducing the risk of cardiovascular events, particularly second heart attacks, through anti-inflammatory effects. Participants explore the implications of the study's findings, including side effects and personal anecdotes related to elevated CRP levels.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants highlight that the four-year study demonstrated a 15% reduction in cardiovascular events among a test population of approximately 10,000 individuals with a history of heart attacks and elevated CRP levels.
  • There is mention of a noted side effect of increased rates of infection due to the anti-inflammatory treatment, raising concerns about the tradeoff between benefits and risks.
  • One participant shares a personal anecdote regarding a family member's hospitalization due to elevated CRP levels, suggesting a potential connection to the study's focus.
  • Another participant inquires about the presence of elevated Troponin levels in the same case, indicating interest in further medical details related to CRP levels.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express interest in the study and its implications, but there is no consensus on the tradeoffs of the treatment or its applicability to individual cases. The discussion remains open-ended with various perspectives on the findings and their relevance.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the dependence on specific patient populations and the potential variability in individual responses to treatment, as well as the unresolved implications of increased infection rates.

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http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1707914#t=article
Canakinumab, a human monoclonal antibody targeting interleukin-1β, has anti-inflammatory effects. These effects were used to establish a new venue for interventions against second heart attacks ( cardiovascular events): controlling the inflammatory response to prevent them.

The four year study saw a 15% reduction in cardiovascular events in a patient test population of ~10000 persons worldwide who had already had a heart attack, and who had elevated CRP levels. C-reactive protein (CRP) is a precursor in the bio pathway to interleukin-1β.

A noted side effect was increased rates of infection, since inflammation is also involved in the control of infections.

See:
http://www.sciencemag.org/news/2017/08/anti-inflammatory-cuts-risk-heart-attack
For a more popular science
 
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jim mcnamara said:
A noted side effect was increased rates of infection, since inflammation is also involved in the control of infections.
Tough tradeoff...
 
Interesting! My father in law had trouble breathing a few months ago and they kept him in the hospital because they found elevated CRP levels.
 
Greg Bernhardt said:
Interesting! My father in law had trouble breathing a few months ago and they kept him in the hospital because they found elevated CRP levels.
Did he have elevated Troponin levels as well? Just curious.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12651034
 

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