Trinity research sp Explore some of the most unexpected and intriguing research projects unfolding on campus, where innovation takes surprising turns 2 25 tlight Immunotherapy before surgery improves lung cancer survival in global clinical trial Results from a phase 3 clinical trial published in the New England Journal of Medicine in June show that patients with lung cancer who received an immunotherapy drug, nivolumab, along with standard chemotherapy before surgery had improved long-term survival compared to those who received chemotherapy alone, at five years a er completing treatment. Professor Patrick Forde of the Trinity St James’s Cancer Institute and Trinity's School of Medicine, led the CheckMate 816 trial which enrolled 358 patients globally who were diagnosed with the most common type of lung cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, at a stage where it could be removed by surgery. However, despite undergoing surgery more than 50% of patients with stage two or three lung cancer will eventually have a relapse. Immunotherapy drugs known as immune checkpoint inhibitors, in particular those that block a receptor called PD-1, have led to improved survival for patients with advanced cancers by unmasking the tumour to the patient’s immune system. Up until now, no study had shown long-term benefit to this treatment in helping to cure earlier stage lung cancer. Paws-itive news: Regular dog walking improves mobility and reduces falls in older adults New research from The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA) at Trinity has revealed the significant benefits of regular dog walking for older adults. TILDA data shows that around 30% of people in Ireland aged 70+ fall annually, and one in eight present to an emergency department with a fall each year. With increased longevity, the number of older people presenting with falls will increase considerably over the coming decades. It is imperative then that strategies are identified that reduce the risk of falls and can be employed at a population level. Researchers have now found that regular dog walking, defined as at least four times per week, is associated with improved mobility, reduced fear of falling, and a lower likelihood of unexplained falls.
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