Rucaparib in the landscape of PARP inhibition in ovarian cancer

Introduction: The landscape of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibition in ovarian cancer is rapidly evolving and becoming increasingly complex. Ovarian cancer is leading therapeutic innovation by providing the proof of concept for DNA repair as a target. Three different PARP inhibitors have now received approvals in the US and Europe in different indications. Subtle but crucial differences can be found among the licensed indications for each PARP inhibitor in terms of histology, type of BRCA mutation (germline and/or somatic), number of prior lines of chemotherapy and whether the indication is in the treatment or maintenance settings.

Areas covered: We review the latest clinical data regarding the PARP inhibitor rucaparib in ovarian cancer, provide an update on the evolving landscape of PARP inhibition in ovarian cancer, and summarize avenues of ongoing and future research.

Expert opinion: All eligible patients should be offered a PARP inhibitor. SOLO1 trial results demonstrated an unprecedented benefit maintenance with PARP inhibitors in first line. Results from trials evaluating PARP inhibitors as maintenance in first line regardless of BRCA status and from trials evaluating combinatorial strategies are eagerly awaited.     

Twelve tips for developing,implementing, and sustaining medical education fellowship programs: Building on new trends and solid foundations

Medical education fellowship programs (MEFPs) are a form of faculty development contributing to an organization’s educational mission and participants’ career development. Building an MEFP requires a systematic design, implementation, and evaluation approach which aligns institutional and individual faculty goals. Implementing an MEFP requires a team of committed individuals who provide expertise, guidance, and mentoring. Qualified MEFP directors should utilize instructional methods that promote individual and institutional short and long term growth. Directors must balance the use of traditional design, implementation, and evaluation methodologies with advancing trends that may support or threaten the acceptability and sustainability of the program. Drawing on the expertise of 28 MEFP directors, we provide twelve tips as a guide to those implementing, sustaining, and/or growing a successful MEFP whose value is demonstrated by its impacts on participants, learners, patients, teaching faculty, institutions, the greater medical education community, and the population’s health.     

Assessing the impact of blood alcohol concentration on the rate of in-hospital mortality following traumatic motor vehicle crash injury: A matched analysis of the National Trauma Data Bank

Background

The purpose of this study was to compare the outcomes of trauma patients who were injured in a motor vehicle crash and tested positive for alcohol upon hospital arrival versus those who tested negative.

Novel vaccination strategies and approaches against human tuberculosis

Tuberculosis (TB) remains one of a major health problem worldwide. Tuberculosis vaccine research has made an extraordinary progress over the past few years. However, there is still no replacement for the Bacillus Calmette‐Guérin vaccine, the only TB vaccine licensed for human use. Therefore, the discovery and development of new TB vaccines remains a priority. This article discusses current strategies used to diversify TB vaccines and includes discussion of the status of efforts to improve protection against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M tb) infection or TB disease by developing new and safe TB vaccines. This article also highlights the current research efforts in immune‐enhancing approaches to improve vaccination efficacy. The development of more effective TB vaccines might have significant impact on global TB control.