OHSU, Thomas Jefferson University and University at Buffalo will recruit participants for a study of the benefits and harms of cannabis use over time among cancer patients treated with immunotherapy.

While presenting at TCT 2023, Firas Zahr, M.D., shared “high rates of device and procedural success” in the Medtronic-sponsored early feasibility study of the Intrepid transcatheter mitral valve replacement system.

Amala Soumyanath, Ph.D., says laboratory research indicates the botanical supplement ashwagandha provides potential neurological benefits and that larger doses or longer use of the supplement can result in side effects like gastrointestinal discomfort and drowsiness.

While discussing OHSU’s ongoing contract negotiations with insurer Aetna, and a recent message that notified patients who currently have Aetna coverage that OHSU may not participate in Aetna’s network beginning in 2024, Jeff Conklin says: “What we're asking for from Aetna is not unusual or inconsistent with what we're asking from others, and others have stepped up.”

In a story about the American Society for Reproductive Medicine redefining infertility and how that could expand insurance coverage of infertility treatment, Paula Amato, M.D., says the change could prompt a change in Oregon law, which currently doesn’t require infertility coverage, adding “infertility is a disease and as such should be treated like any other."

Research by Erick Turner, M.D., and Rosa Ahn-Horst, M.D., M.P.H., suggests that the sedative alprazolam, also known as Xanax XR, may be less effective than believed. Turner says: “Our study throws some cold water on the efficacy of this drug.”

OHSU and the Oregon Nurses Association have reached an agreement for a new, three-year contract.

OHSU and other hospitals have been sued by workers for their workforce COVID-19 vaccination requirements.

Research by David Lieberman, M.D., found multitarget stool RNA tests compare favorably with colonoscope to detect advanced adenomas and colorectal cancer in average-risk individuals. Lieberman says: “This is the first large study to include the 45- to 49-year-old population, for whom screening is now recommended.”

Coverage of a clinical trial for clear-cell renal cell carcinoma, which has now found participants who were at very high risk of recurrence experienced statistically significant improvement, notes Christopher Ryan, M.D., published earlier study results that found the difference between recurrence-free survival time for participants taking everolimus and those on placebo narrowly missed being statistically significant.