MUHC in the Media - December 2, 2024

Dr. Jonathan Spicer, a thoracic surgeon at the Montreal General Hospital of the MUHC and a scientist in The Institute's Cancer Research Program, spoke about a new investigational individualized therapy that harnesses the power of RNA messenger technology and is being tested with immunotherapy in patients with stage II or III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who have undergone surgery. La Presse, City News, CJAD 800, Radio-Canada

Dr. Bertrand Lebouché, a physician at the MUHC's Chronic Viral Illness Service (CVIS) and a scientist at The Institute, commented on the increase in HIV cases in Quebec and talked about an AI-powered chatbot called MARVIN, designed to help people with HIV better manage their health. This tool was developed and evaluated by a team of scientists from The Institute and health professionals from the MUHC, in collaboration with a committee of patient experts and students from Polytechnique Montreal, under the direction of Dr. Lebouché. CTV News, Global News

A new study suggests that the use of a drug called benralizumab in patients arriving at the emergency department with an asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) attack could reduce relapses by 30%. Dr. Jean Bourbeau, a specialist in asthma and COPD at the MUHC, describes the news as a major advance, but points to certain challenges related to the cost of the drug and the accessibility of blood tests needed to identify eosinophilic-type attacks, on which the drug acts. La Presse

Dr. François De Champlain, emergency physician at the MUHC and president of the Fondation Jacques-de Champlain, is calling on the government to increase the number of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in various public places. These devices, which are quickly accessible, can truly save lives in situations where every second counts. According to the expert, the majority of cardiac arrests occur outside of hospitals, and about 30% of them happen in public spaces. TVA Nouvelles, La Presse, The Gazette

The idealized images of happy families that can be seen on social media do not always reflect reality. For many the holiday season can be a time of loneliness, grief or sadness. Dr. Jennifer Russell, a psychologist at the MUHC, emphasizes that it is crucial to manage our expectations during this time in order to avoid being overwhelmed by feelings of failure. CJAD.

Quebec is the province with the highest number of diagnoses of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children under 25. Dr. Shuvo Ghosh, Head of the Developmental Pediatrics Program at the Montreal Children's Hospital, explains why. CJAD 800

Some schools now accept allergenic foods, including peanuts, within their walls. Dr. Moshe Ben-Shoshan, a specialist in pediatric allergy and immunology at the Montreal Children's Hospital, explains. CJAD 800