Articles
Behind the Science: A New Path to Tackling Metastatic Breast Cancer
In recent decades, advances in breast cancer treatment have helped to improve health outcomes for many patients, but scientists remain vigilant in their quest to further reduce both the incidence and impact of the disease. Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in women, with about one in eight women in the United States alone diagnosed during their lifetimes.i Metastatic breast cancer, a more advanced and invasive form of the disease, remains a particularly critical area of unmet need....
Hiding in Plain Sight: The Racial Toll of Lyme Disease
Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne illness in the United States.1 Caused by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato and spread through infected tick bites, it affects an estimated 476,000 Americans each year.1,3Yet the burden of Lyme disease, particularly the experience of a timely diagnosis, isn’t shared equally.Despite its prevalence, the face of Lyme disease in public health data is overwhelmingly white. In the United States, surveillance data shows that over 90% of Lyme....
Behind the Science: Breaking the Cycle of C. difficile
The human gut contains a variety of bacteria and other microorganisms comprising the microbiome, and that’s a good thing! A healthy microbiome helps maintain a strong immune system and aids in digestion, among other important tasks. But sometimes, too much of a specific bacterium can result in infection, with the potential to progress from an ordinary health challenge to a life-threatening ordeal.Clostridioides difficile, also known as C. difficile, is one such bacterium. It often exists....
'Science Has Kept Me Here': How Biomarker Research is Shaping the Future of Cancer Care
Debbie Pickworth developed a cough she couldn’t shake after a bout with bronchitis. She went to see her doctor multiple times, explaining that she was struggling to breathe, but nothing seemed to help.Then, tests revealed the unthinkable: Debbie had lung cancer. She was 43 years old.Lung cancer was nothing new to Debbie’s family. Just 16 years earlier, her mother died from the same disease; her grandmother also died from lung cancer. Now, Debbie was afraid she was on the same path. She thought....
Bridging the Gap: Community-Based Organizations Seek Trust, Tools and Funding to Advance Public Health
Read the full report. Community-based organizations (CBOs) are the cornerstone of community health—yet across the country they face substantial uncertainty, according to a new national survey supported by Τhe Pfizer Multicultural Health Equity Collective (The Collective).These on-the-ground, grassroot nonprofits play a vital role in improving health, particularly for historically underserved populations, as they build trust and meet local needs. As part of Pfizer’s long-term efforts to uplift....
Pursuing the Next Breakthrough in Cancer Cachexia
Cachexia, a complex wasting syndrome, impacts an estimated 9 million people worldwide.[i] In people living with cancer, cachexia can diminish the tolerance of therapies and is linked to reduced survival rates. Currently, there are no FDA-approved treatments targeting its underlying cause.Over time, the way researchers and physicians understand cachexia has evolved, with growing focus on uncovering the biology behind this devastating disease.In an effort to address a critical gap in care and help....
Brighter Together: How the Pharmaceutical Industry is Shining a Light on a Rare Cause of Heart Failure
Roughly one in three Americans is at risk for heart failure1, a condition where the heart can no longer effectively pump blood. And one in four will develop heart failure at some point in their lives1. Behind these statistics is a complex issue: the causes of heart failure differ widely among affected individuals. And identifying the underlying cause – especially if it’s rare – can be tricky.Among the less recognized causes is transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy, or ATTR-CM, which can mimic....
You’ve Still Got It: Aging with Agency to Stay on Top of Your Health Year-Round
by Aamir Malik Aamir Malik is Executive Vice President, Chief U.S. Commercial Officer, Pfizer Inc. and a member of Pfizer's Executive Leadership Team. Today, he writes about the importance of taking control of your health as you age, and shares advice from Leticia Acevedo, a North Carolina-based nursing professional and professor.Nowadays, people are striving to live their best lives — traveling, dancing, learning new skills, and embracing life with energy and purpose — all the while showing us....
Developing a Path Forward in Cancer Cachexia
Across disciplines, therapeutic areas, and even continents, Pfizer scientists have been working to advance understanding of – and potential treatments for – cachexia, a complex metabolic condition associated with certain chronic conditions, such as cancer, and characterized by severe weight loss, decreased appetite, fatigue, and muscle wasting. Its symptoms can often be misattributed, and there are currently no FDA-approved treatments targeting its root cause.But, over the past decade, the....
Behind the Science Features
What are ADCs? Targeting cancer with special drug delivery units
For centuries, humanity has hoped for a world where people with cancer live better, longer lives – and today that vision is closer than ever. Learn how antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) are emerging as one of the most powerful tools in cancer treatment.
Ever Wonder How Drugs Get Their Names?
Naming medications is not a simple process. It's a collaborative, conscientious effort, and one that is both an art and a science. Take a peek behind the curtain to see how drugs are named.
Understanding Obesity as a Complex Disease
Some people think obesity is simply caused by unhealthy eating habits and not exercising enough. But, in fact, the scientific and medical community defines obesity as a complex, multifactoral chronic disease.
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