Until law, GLP-1 drugs were used to treat diabetes, obesity and even the recent evidences suggest that it could as well be used to treat chronic kidney problems. There is yet another research, published in JAMA Psychiatry on February 25, titled Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults With Alcohol Use Disorder: A Randomized Clinical Trial that explores if GLP-1 receptor agonist semaglutide reduce alcohol consumption and cravings in adults with alcohol use disorder.

What Do Studies Say?

The research was conducted over a period of 9 weeks, where in the randomized clinical trial, the participants who were administered semaglutide, it led to reductions in some but not all measures of weekly consumptions. It also reduced weekly alcohol and craving related to placebo, and also led to a greater relative reduction in cigarettes per day.

The research also found that weekly injections of semaglutide, which is the active ingredient in weight loss drugs like Wegovy also helped reduce cravings in people with alcohol use disorder.

The lead author Christian Hendershot said that these findings will help in developing new approaches to treat alcoholism. "Two drugs currently approved to reduce alcohol consumption aren't widely used. The popularity of Ozempic and other GLP-1 receptor agonists increases the chances of broad adoption of these treatments for alcohol use disorder," said Hendershot in news release by the University of Southern California's Institute for Addiction Research, where he is the director.

The study is government-funded research and was funded by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, part of the National Institutes of Health.

How Was The Study Conducted?

The study was small, and took in account for only 48 adults over two months, thus experts say that it is not yet clear how safe these drugs are for people who do not need to lose weight. Though the results do add up with the evidence form animal studies on drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy on how it helps manage cravings, not just for food, but also for tobacco and alcohol. Scientists are also studying these drugs on smokers, people with opioid addiction and cocaine users.

Co-author Dr Klara Klein of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill who treats people with obesity and diabetes said, "This is such promising data. And we need more of it. We frequently will hear that once people start these medications that their desire to drink is very reduced, if not completely abolished."

Why Does It Work So Well Against Alcoholism?

The GLP-1 receptor agonists work by mimicking hormones GLP-1 in the gut and brain that regulates appetite and feelings of fullness. This response is what helps one lose weight, and what helps one curb their craving for alcohol. These drugs that mimic the functioning of your brain, which is responsible to tell your body when to stop consuming, are the same hormones that tell your body about other kinds of consumptions, including alcohol. Therefore by consuming the weight loss drugs one can treat alcohol use disorder.

However, the researchers have pointed out on the limited data on the research and have suggested to continue using the three approved drugs by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, namely, Disulfiram, Naltrexone, and Acamprosate to treat alcohol use disorder until large studies confirm these findings.

People who have had COVID-19 may be more likely to need allergy medications months after initial infection, according to a large Japanese study.

The study analysed health records of more than 778,000 people, suggesting that the effects of COVID-19 may extend beyond the respiratory illness and could be related to immune function after infection.

The study, published in BMC Public Health, examined whether people diagnosed with COVID-19 were more likely to receive new prescriptions for allergy medications than individuals who had not contracted the infection.

Researchers analysed health insurance records for 778,362 people diagnosed with COVID-19 and compared them to a group of individuals who were not infected.

They tracked new prescriptions for four categories of allergy medications, including antihistamines, leukotriene receptor antagonists, eye drops for allergic conditions and nasal sprays used to treat rhinitis.

Over a median follow-up period of seven months, people who had COVID-19 were 21% more likely to receive a new prescription for allergy medication than those in the comparison group.

The association was stronger among older adults and people with pre-existing health conditions. The researchers also found that elevated prescription rates remained detectable beyond one year after infection in a few high-risk groups.

However, the study merely identifies an association between infection and subsequent use of allergy medications and does not establish a causal link.

How Could COVID-19 Affect Allergy Risk?

Also read: XFG Variant In Spain: COVID-19 Cases Rise Amid Respiratory Infection Surge

Allergies occur when the immune system overreacts to substances that are usually harmless, like pollen, dust mites or certain foods. This response can trigger symptoms including sneezing, itching, a runny nose, skin rashes and watery eyes.

Antihistamines work by blocking the effects of histamine, a chemical that is released during these allergic reactions. Leukotriene receptor antagonists target inflammatory elements involved in conditions like asthma and allergic rhinitis.

Researchers believe that infections caused by respiratory viruses can sometimes alter immune responses, affecting processes involved in allergic inflammation.

COVID-19 has been known to cause changes in immune system that can last beyond the initial illness. Damage to the lining of the respiratory tract and changes in inflammatory response could influence how the body responds to allergens.

However, these mechanisms were not directly established by the Japanese study. The researchers used prescription records rather than laboratory tests to confirm newly developed allergic diseases.

Who Is At Greater Risk?

Also read: Long COVID: Mouth And Lung Bacteria May Offer Clues

The association between COVID-19 and new allergy medication prescriptions was more pronounced among people aged 65 and older.

In this group, the rate of new prescriptions was 33% higher among those who had contracted COVID-19 than among their matched counterparts. Among people with substantial pre-existing illnesses, the rate was 35% higher.

The researchers also found that it lasted more than one year in these groups, although it gradually weakened over time.

These findings suggest that older adults and people managing multiple health conditions may warrant closer attention to new symptoms following COVID-19.

The study's large sample size provides useful evidence about patterns in allergy medication use after COVID-19. But a prescription does not always mean a new allergy diagnosis. Some medications included in the analysis can be prescribed for conditions other than allergies, and people recovering from COVID-19 may have more opportunities to consult doctors or receive prescriptions.

The findings also come from Japan and may not apply equally to populations with different healthcare systems, demographics or patterns of medication use. Further research is needed to determine whether COVID-19 contributes to the development of new allergic conditions.

Pope Leo XIV recently underwent lung cancer surgery to have the lower lobe of his right lung removed. According to the Vatican, the 71-year-old pontiff's recovery is on track. But doctors are awaiting further test results to determine whether he needs further treatment. The pope has resumed eating, walking and celebrating Mass but he is not fit to take a trip just yet.

The pope underwent surgery at Rome's Gemelli Hospital on October 13 after doctors identified a suspicious lung nodule. The procedure confirmed lung adenocarcinoma, the most common type of lung cancer, and surgeons removed the lower lobe of his right lung.

In a update on October 14, the pope's personal physician, Dr Luigi Carbone, and thoracic surgeon Professor Stefano Margaritora said, "The Holy Father underwent respiratory physiotherapy and has begun walking in his room. He resumed his regular diet and had breakfast and lunch." They added, "Recovery is proceeding as planned."

Blood tests and a chest X-ray indicated that the pope was recovering normally after the operation. He also celebrated Mass with his secretaries in a private hospital chapel.

However, doctors have not yet disclosed whether the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes or other parts of the body. That will help determine if further treatment is needed.

Surgery For Lung Lobe

The lungs are divided into sections called lobes. The right lung has three lobes, while the left lung has two. When cancer is confined to a particular area, surgeons may remove the affected lobe in an operation called a lobectomy.

The procedure aims to remove the tumour along with surrounding tissue to reduce the likelihood of cancer remaining in the lung. Nearby lymph nodes may also be removed and examined to check whether cancer cells have spread.

Pope Leo underwent surgery assisted by video, a minimally invasive technique that uses a camera and small surgical incisions to operate inside the chest.

Dr PierCarlo Gentile, head of radiation oncology at Rome's San Pietro Fatebenefratelli Hospital, told The Associated Press that this type of surgery typically requires around 15 to 20 days of recovery. He also said that in this case postoperative complications, including infections, is rare.

Also read: Pope Leo XIV, Diagnosed With Lung Cancer, Undergoes Surgery As His Brother Battles Relapsed Multiple Myeloma

Recovery After Lung Lobe Removal

After a lobectomy, the remaining lung tissue can help compensate for some of the lost lung capacity. However, recovery varies depending on a person's age, overall health, lung function before surgery and the extent of the operation.

In the initial days, patients are encouraged to get out of bed and walk as soon as medically appropriate. Early movement helps reduce the risk of blood clots and other complications associated with prolonged bed rest.

Respiratory physiotherapy is also a part of recovery. Breathing exercises help patients expand their remaining lung tissue, improve ventilation and clear secretions from the airways. Some patients may also need oxygen support temporarily.

Pain management, proper nutrition and slow and gradual increases in physical activity are important. Breathlessness and fatigue can persist for weeks, and full recovery may take longer than the initial hospital stay.

Although the remaining lung tissue can adapt, it does not mean lung capacity automatically returns to its previous level. The extent of recovery depends on the individual's baseline respiratory health and how much functioning lung tissue remains.

Also read: Pope Leo XIV’s Lung Cancer Diagnosis: When Should You Worry About Lung Nodules?

Additional Cancer Treatment

The need for additional treatment for Pope Leo will depend on the final results, including the tumour's size and whether cancer cells are present in the lymph nodes.

If the cancer is localised and has been completely removed, surgery may be sufficient in some cases. If tests show that the disease has spread or carries features associated with a higher risk of recurrence, doctors may consider chemotherapy, immunotherapy or targeted therapy, depending on the tumour's characteristics.

Dr Stephen Liu, a lung cancer expert at Georgetown University's Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center who is not involved in the pope's care, told The Associated Press, "While we know the diagnosis, we now need to know the stage."

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently expanded the approval of Anktiva (nogapendekin alfa inbakicept-pmln), a bladder cancer treatment, to include adults with high-grade papillary bladder cancer that has not responded to Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) therapy.

The decision provides a new treatment option for patients whose cancer persists or returns despite standard immunotherapy.

The approval specifically covers BCG-unresponsive, high-grade papillary-only non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). Anktiva was already approved in April 2024 for certain patients with BCG-unresponsive NMIBC involving carcinoma in situ, with or without papillary tumours.

The latest development is significant because patients with high-grade papillary-only disease previously had fewer approved bladder-preserving treatment options after BCG failed.

The FDA based its decision on evidence supporting Anktiva's earlier approval, alongside scientific similarities between the two forms of bladder cancer.

“We listen to patients, clinicians, and researchers, and we act when the science supports a new approach,” said R. Angelo de Claro, MD, director of the FDA's Oncology Center of Excellence.

“For Anktiva, our review of the similarities between these cancers allowed us to build on the results in patients with CIS and expand treatment options for people with high-grade papillary tumors alone. This approach may also help guide the development of future treatments.”

What Is BCG-Unresponsive Bladder Cancer?

Also read: Pope Leo XIV’s Lung Cancer Diagnosis: When Should You Worry About Lung Nodules?

BCG is a form of immunotherapy used to treat high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer. Although the name comes from a bacterium originally used in tuberculosis vaccination, BCG is administered directly into the bladder to initiate an immune response against cancer cells.

NMIBC refers to bladder cancer that has not grown into the muscle layer of the bladder wall. Treatment often involves removing visible tumours through a procedure called transurethral resection of bladder tumour (TURBT), followed by BCG therapy to destroy remaining cancer cells and reduce the risk of recurrence.

However, some cancers return despite treatment. These are described as BCG-unresponsive, and patients may need alternative therapies or surgery to remove the bladder.

More About Anktiva

Also read: Can A Blood Test Predict Childhood Cancer Years Before Diagnosis? Study Gives Clues

Anktiva is an interleukin-15 receptor agonist, a type of immunotherapy designed to strengthen the body's immune response against cancer.

It activates and expands immune cells, including natural killer cells and T cells, which help recognise and attack abnormal cells. When administered with BCG, Anktiva provides an additional immune stimulus to help the body fight cancer within the bladder.

The medicine is delivered directly into the bladder through a catheter, a procedure known as intravesical instillation. This allows treatment to act locally rather than being administered through an intravenous infusion.

Treatment begins with weekly doses for six weeks. Depending on the patient's response, additional induction and maintenance treatment may be given, with the overall treatment period extending up to 37 months.

FDA's Approval For Anktiva

The FDA's original approval was supported by the QUILT-3.032 clinical trial, which included 77 adults with BCG-unresponsive, high-risk NMIBC involving CIS, with or without papillary tumours.

The study found a complete response rate of 62%. This means that no high-grade cancer was detected during the relevant assessments. Among patients who achieved a complete response, 58% maintained it for at least 12 months, while 40% maintained it for at least 24 months.

For the expanded approval, the FDA considered these findings alongside laboratory evidence indicating that CIS and high-grade papillary-only tumours share key biological features. Both can recur or progress when BCG treatment fails.

The agency concluded that the earlier evidence of effectiveness could be applied to patients with high-grade papillary-only disease.