Publications by authors named "Lisa Rannigan"

Article Synopsis
  • The Omicron variant (B.1.1.529) of SARS-CoV-2 has many mutations that make it highly transmissible and partially able to evade neutralizing antibodies, but vaccinated individuals still have some protection against severe disease due to strong cellular immunity.
  • In a study involving healthcare workers who received three doses of the BioNTech mRNA vaccine, it was found that their B and T cell responses were enhanced against older variants but less effective against the Omicron spike protein.
  • Those previously infected with earlier variants (like Alpha) had reduced antibody responses against Omicron, while uninfected individuals who got infected with Omicron showed improved immunity to earlier variants but weaker responses against Omicron itself.
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Systemic AL amyloidosis, a disease with improving outcomes using novel therapies, is increasingly recognized in the elderly but treatment and outcomes have not been systematically studied in this group of patients in whom comorbidities and frailty may compound morbidity and mortality. We report the outcomes of 295 patients with systemic AL amyloidosis ≥75 years seen at the UK National Amyloidosis Centre from 2005-2012. The median age was 78.

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The outcomes and responses to treatment remain poorly studied among patients with systemic AL amyloidosis who require further treatment following prior novel agent-based therapy. We report here treatment with lenalidomide-dexamethasone in 84 AL amyloidosis patients with relapsed/refractory clonal disease following prior treatment with thalidomide (76%) and/or bortezomib (68%). On an intention-to-treat (ITT) basis, the overall haematological response rate was 61%, including 20% complete responses.

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Treatment outcomes of patients with cardiac stage III light chain (AL) amyloidosis remain poorly studied. Such cases have been excluded from most clinical studies due to perceived dismal prognosis. We report treatment outcomes of 346 patients with stage III AL amyloidosis from the United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, and Greece.

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Bortezomib has shown great promise in the treatment of amyloid light-chain (AL) amyloidosis. We present our experience of 43 patients with AL amyloidosis who received cyclophosphamide, bortezomib, and dexamethasone (CVD) upfront or at relapse. Of these, 74% had cardiac involvement and 46% were Mayo Cardiac Stage III.

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