MUHC in the Media - July 29, 2024

With the support of the Liam Foundation, a nonprofit organization started by a patient’s family, Dr. Kenneth Myers, a pediatric neurologist at the Montreal Children’s Hospital and a researcher at the RI-MUHC, initiated a clinical trial for a promising treatment for a severe and deadly disease caused by mutations in the POLG gene. The preliminary results of the trial, published in eClinicalMedicine, exceed all expectations. Le Devoir

In a new study published in Molecular Cancer, a research team led by Jean-Jacques Lebrun at the RI-MUHC identified genes predictive of the efficacy of palbociclib, a widely used cancer drug that works as a CDK4/6 inhibitor. The study suggests that it could be effective against triple-negative breast cancer when certain genes are present. The first author of the study, Sophie Poulet, spoke to La Presse Canadienne.

Although the virus season is not at its peak in summer, an increase in COVID cases has been observed. In interviews with a number of media outlets, Dr. Don Vinh indicates that the return of vacationing travelers may explain this increase, as many are susceptible to contracting the virus while traveling. CTV News, Radio-Canada

Dr. Marina Klein, Senior Scientist at the RI-MUHC and Director of Research at the Chronic Viral Illness Service of the MUHC, is the new National Director of the CIHR Pan-Canadian Network for HIV/AIDS and STBBI Clinical Trials Research (CTN+). She was invited to comment on the recent rise in sexually transmitted and blood borne infections (STBBI) in Canada. CTV News, CJAD

Difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, waking up, concentrating, feeling tired during the day, greater irritability - these are just some of the repercussions of sleep deprivation. There is hope for insomniacs, says Dr. Jennifer Russell, Psychologist and Director of the MUHC's Department of Psychology (adult sites). CJAD