HCG Cancer Hospital Bengaluru, one of India’s leading cancer care chains, is proud to announce a groundbreaking pilot study to transform the treatment landscape for head and neck cancer patients with Low Dose Immunotherapy. Known for its relentless commitment to innovation and value-based care since its inception in 1989, HCG is taking a significant step towards advancing cancer care in India and globally. The successful pilot study on Low Dose Immunotherapy Nivolumab with NACT has demonstrated remarkable efficacy and is highly cost-effective, providing an economical therapy option without additional side effects.
The multicentric, open-labeled, prospective, randomized study assesses the effectiveness of neoadjuvant therapy combining low-dose immunotherapy Nivolumab and the TPF regimen (docetaxel, cisplatin, and 5-fluorouracil) compared to NACT with the TPF regimen alone. It has a potential role in improving the quality of life and longevity of patients with locally advanced carcinoma of the buccal mucosa.
As part of the pilot study, a total of 12 cases were studied between the age group of 54 to 76 years. All twelve patients experienced significant tumor reduction of over 90%, providing an economical and side-effect-free therapy through low-dose immunotherapy. In the pilot study, standard neoadjuvant chemotherapy is combined with low-dose Nivolumab immunotherapy, administering 40 mg every two weeks, as opposed to the full dose of 3 mg per kg of body weight.
Speaking at the occasion, Dr. B S Ajaikumar,Executive Chairman of Healthcare Global Enterprises Limited, said, “HCG has been tirelessly striving to serve the larger cause of cancer care through breakthrough innovation and value-based care. Cancer is fast becoming a chronic disease, and a sea change has occurred in how we stage cancer as we adopt a multi-disciplinary approach to treatment. At HCG, head and neck cancer cases represent a significant portion of the caseload. Despite the comprehensive approach, preventing the recurrence and spread of these cancers remains a significant challenge. Today, with this announcement, we embark on a journey to revolutionize head and neck cancer treatment. This study has the potential to be a game-changer in the sphere of head and neck cancer treatment. The initiative reflects HCG’s commitment to advancing research and academia in India, positioning the organization as a leader in this vital healthcare domain.”
Dr. Satheesh C T, Consultant – Medical and Hemato Oncology, Director of Clinical Trials HCG Cancer Hospital Bangalore, said, ” Head and neck cancers pose a substantial global health issue, comprising 4.5% of total worldwide cancer cases with a mortality rate of 4.6%. The burden is exceptionally high in Asia, notably in India, where they make up nearly 35% of all cancer cases among individuals aged 40-60. We are enthusiastic about the potential benefits of combining low-dose immunotherapy with neoadjuvant chemotherapy in head and neck cancers. This study presents a cost-effective solution without compromising the quality of care. This approach not only delivers promising clinical results but also in a manner that is highly economical for patients.”
Enthused by these promising findings, HCG will initiate a study to explore the potential benefits of low-dose immunotherapy alongside neoadjuvant chemotherapy in head and neck cancers. Through this study spanning across multiple HCG centers in India, HCG will strive to unfold a highly effective and affordable cancer treatment option in the management of head and neck cancers.
On the occasion of World Literacy Day, Gurugram based NGO Heart joins hands with District Public Library, Gurugram, Bhiwani and Karnal for the noble cause of promoting literacy and education within our community. World Literacy Day book donation event was held in the District Library at Gurugram, Bhiwani and Karnal on 8th September 2023. Close to 500 books will be distributed among the specified areas.
The 21 year old founder, Shirin Batra of the charitable trust (NGO) – “Heart” initiated a book donation drive to promote the right to literacy and education within our community. This event took place on the World Literacy Day where all the avid readers and underprivileged kids will be addressed. They distributed a combination of Educational books (competitive exam books, ncerts, dictionary, atlas, discovery books and more), Novels (kids + adults) and Kids storybooks.
“We are enthusiastic about contributing to the District Public Library Gurugram and supporting the cause of literacy on World Literacy Day. To be organised at the District Public Library, it witnessed participation from avid readers and underprivileged kids. Education forms the cornerstone of our society’s advancement, and we firmly believe in providing access to high-quality reading materials that can inspire, educate, and entertain individuals from all walks of life. We hope that these books will ignite the curiosity and enthusiasm for learning among the library’s visitors”, shares Vivek Kalia, Joint Secretary Information Public Relations and Languages , Government of Haryana.
Shirin Batra, founder, Heart NGO shares, “Heart – The name that instantly struck to my mind – the idea that it has the word ‘Art’ in it and the sole reason for me to start this initiative – to make people’s heart happy & that I am doing it with all my heart, made me come up with this name. Engaging in social work made me realise the importance of kindness and compassion. It caused an impact on the way I pursue objectives and make sensitive decisions. Heart conducts various donation drives, campaigns and art exhibition fundraisers. This initiative made me realise that everything is beyond materialistic things and what matters is the happiness we can find in little things”.
Revinto’s foray into skincare signifies its dedication to growth and its vision to redefine the industry. customers can rest assured that REVINTO skincare products are backed by a deep understanding of holistic well-being.
Understanding the gentle nature of Ayurveda and its nurturing effects on the skin, Revinto made the natural decision to expand into skincare. By harnessing the power of Ayurvedic principles and combining them with pharmaceutical expertise, Revinto skincare products offer a harmonious blend of science and nature. Crafted with care, these products not only deliver visible results but also promote overall skin health. With this diversification, Revinto brings the nourishing qualities of Ayurveda to a wider audience, providing a revitalising skincare experience.
Dr Jithendra Shetty. Managing director- Revinto Said “As the Managing Director of Revinto and an Ayurvedic doctor, my unwavering vision is to unveil the hidden treasures of Ayurveda, breathing new life into forgotten Indian techniques. Our mission is to present this ancient wisdom to the modern world, empowering individuals with a range of authentic and chemical-free beauty and wellness solutions
Adding on Dr Shetty Said, “With a relentless commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction, we are dedicated to positioning Revinto as the ultimate destination for natural and high-performance skincare. Join us on this transformative journey, where tradition meets innovation and ancient beauty secrets are reimagined for the modern individual.”
Leading Revinto’s charge towards excellence is Dr Jithendra Shetty, the Managing Director and an accomplished Ayurvedic doctor. With his extensive expertise in both pharmaceuticals and traditional Ayurveda, brings a unique perspective to the skincare industry. This combination of scientific understanding and ancient wisdom gives Revinto’s skincare products an unparalleled edge, making them a trusted choice among consumers.
Cancer patients in India can now heave a sigh of relief, thanks to the availability of cryoablation technology in the country. Cryoablation is a minimally invasive image-guided (ultrasound or CT scan) treatment, that uses extreme cold to freeze and accurately destroy diseased tissue within the tumour zone. This technology is the brainchild of an Israeli company, IceCure Medical. Its flagship product, ProSense freezes tumours quickly and with minimal pain. It uses liquid nitrogen (LN2) for maximum freezing, safety, and efficacy. Novo Med Incorporation Pvt Ltd is the authorized distributor of IceCure Medical in India.
During cryoablation, a thin, needle-like probe called a cryoprobe is inserted into the target area. The cryoprobe uses liquid nitrogen as a coolant, rapidly cooling the surrounding tissue. As the tissue freezes, ice crystals form, causing cellular damage and destruction. Extreme cold temperatures essentially freeze and kill abnormal cells.
Cryoablation has several advantages over other treatment methods. It is considered a minimally invasive procedure, meaning it requires only a small incision or needle puncture, resulting in fewer traumas to the body and faster recovery times compared to open surgery. It can be performed under local anaesthesia, eliminating the need for general anaesthesia in many cases. Additionally, cryoablation is relatively precise, allowing for targeted treatment of the abnormal tissue while preserving surrounding healthy tissue. A hospital stay is not required in most cases.
The specific application of cryoablation depends on the condition being treated. It is commonly used in the treatment of benign and malignant tumours of various kinds including breast cancer, kidney cancer, liver cancer, lung cancer, bone, soft tissue, and other types of tumours.
Dr Indu sekhar Subbanna, Interventional Radiologist and Senior Consultant, HCG Hospital, Bengaluru, observed, “Cryoablation is extremely useful in pain management and very easy to handle and operate. I recently did a patient for kidney cancer and we got very good results. I am very optimistic about the future of this therapy.”
Dr Rohit Madhurkar, Lead Consultant and Interventional Radiologist, Apollo Hospitals, Bengaluru, opined, “We all are aware, minimally invasive treatment is the most opted method of healing various disease conditions in this modern healthcare system, with its obvious advantages of focused, least invasive treatment, quick recovery and many more. As Interventional Radiologists, we are able to enter the body to the desired target location, just with a needle (Pinhole surgery) & kill the tumour cells, under detailed real-time image guidance without damaging vital structures around. Cryoablation is one powerful tool, wherein we are able to freeze the tumour cell to death with accuracy under detailed visibility of the ablation zone. Cryoablation has shown immense outcomes in renal tumours & fibroadenoma of the breast with wider utility in treating various smaller tumours in the liver, lung & bone. Now that, it’s available in India, our patients can have the benefit of Cryoablation
Dr M C Uthappa, Head- of Interventional Radiology, Manipal Hospitals, Bengaluru, averred, “Having seen a few live procedures of cryoablation during my last visit to China, I can confidently say that cryoablation will become the future of cancer therapy for large number of solid cancers in the human body.”
The cryoablation therapy was also recently introduced at the Kovai Medical Center in Coimbatore. JayMehta, Director- Sales, Novo Med In corporation Pvt Ltd, stated, “We are indeed very happy to facilitate the availability of this futuristic and revolutionary technology in India. The Indian populace should take maximum advantage of the same and freeze cancer in its tracks.”
Commemorating World Thalassemia Month, Apollo Cancer Centre, Chennai, in association with the Tamil Nadu Government, celebrated the milestone of successfully treating highest number of Thalassemia affected children under the Tamil Nadu CM’s Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme. The landmark event was graced by Shri M Govinda Rao IAS – Project Director, Tamil Nadu Health System Project, Dr Ravi Babu, Joint Director – Director of Medical Services – CMCHIS Tamil Nadu Government, District Revenue Officer Mr. Mohan Chandran and Dr Preetha Reddy – Executive Vice Chairperson, Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Limited, Clinical team and Thalassemia beneficiaries under TNCMCHIS.
Among Apollo Cancer Centre’s many success stories of treating children with Thalassemia is that of 6-year-old Shreya*. Hailing from Namakkal district and belonging to an underprivileged family, she needed monthly blood transfusions to ensure her body has enough haemoglobin to supply oxygen through the body, from a very early age. BMT was the best solution to her condition, but there was no stem cell match found among family members or unrelated donors. The other option was to go with a half-matched family donor, her father. Owing to the high levels of antibodies in her blood against her father’s stem cells, that too was a challenge. But through advanced medical interventions, our expert clinical team were able to remove anti-bodies and proceeded with the BMT, which was successfully done under TNCMCHIS at Apollo Cancer Centre, Chennai. Shreya is doing well and is now thalassemia free. For many patients and their families from underprivileged sections where monthly transfusions are a significant disruption, BMT gives a new lease to their lives and timely financial aid from TNCMCHIS offers a beacon of hope.
(*Name changed to protect the identity)
Dr Revathi Raj,Senior Consultant – Paediatrics & Haematology Oncology, Apollo Cancer Centre, Chennai, quoted “Not only Shreya*, but around 165 young patients affected by Thalassemia major have benefitted from BMTs at Apollo Cancer Centre, Chennai under TNCMCHIS. Despite several challenges, with able support from Tamil Nadu Government, we have managed to treat these children who require specialized and intensive care. Every child deserves a chance to live a healthy and fulfilling life, and it’s heartening to see that the Chief Minister’s Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme in Tamil Nadu has enabled timely medical intervention for several underprivileged children suffering from Thalassemia, Primary Immune Deficiencies and genetic disorders. We shall continue collaborating with Tamil Nadu Government to provide the exceptional care to our young patients, enabling them to lead a healthy and good quality life.”
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Preetha Reddy, Vice Chairperson, Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Limited said, “It is heartening that the TNCMCHIS initiative has given new hope to so many underprivileged children requiring BMT for the treatment of Thalassemia. It has been Apollo Cancer Centre’s privilege to have successfully treated over 400 children suffering from Thalassemia of whom around 40 per cent were treated under the aegis of the TNCMCHIS. We are deeply grateful to the Ministry of Health, Government of Tamil Nadu for their continued support to us, in Apollo’s mission to bring healthcare of international standards within the reach of every individual.”
Bone marrow transplantation (BMT) is the only curative option for Thalassemia major, Aplastic Anemia, and Primary Immune Deficiencies. There are over 1.5 lakh people affected with Thalassemia in India, and over 10,000 -15,000 Thalassemia affected new births in India each year. Thalassemia carrier has no symptoms and in case both the partners are carriers, there is a 25% chance of the baby being affected with Thalassemia major. In Tamil Nadu, Thalassemia carrier status is high in Ooty, Coonoor, Sitteri, Dharmapuri, and Tirunelveli. In some geographies, Thalassemia carrier status is just 1% whereas in some geographies it is as high as 17%.
Apollo Cancer Centre recognizes the need for increased awareness about Thalassemia and is committed to providing quality healthcare and education to the public on the prevention and management of this blood disorder.
You First Services, a leading provider of innovative solutions, is thrilled to announce a ground-breaking partnership with Tops Markets, a renowned retail leader in the region. This dynamic collaboration aims to bring Lubricity Innovations’ ground-breaking product to market, revolutionizing the industry with its unparalleled capabilities.
“Unleashing the Power of Lubricity: You First Services and Tops Markets Join Forces to Redefine the Industry”
As consumer demands and market expectations continue to evolve, it has become imperative for businesses to stay at the forefront of innovation. You First Services recognizes this need and has strategically aligned itself with Tops Markets, a trusted brand known for its commitment to quality and customer satisfaction. Together, they are poised to transform the industry landscape with the introduction of Lubricity Innovations’ cutting-edge product.
Lubricity Innovations has emerged as a game-changer in the market, harnessing breakthrough technology to address a critical need within various sectors. Their revolutionary product offers unprecedented lubrication solutions that significantly enhance efficiency, reduce maintenance costs, and extend the lifespan of mechanical systems. With its unique blend of advanced science and engineering, Lubricity Innovations is poised to become the go-to solution for businesses across industries.
The partnership between You First Services and Tops Markets brings together two powerhouses, combining their expertise, resources, and distribution networks to ensure the widespread availability and success of Lubricity Innovations’ product. Tops Markets, with its extensive network of stores and loyal customer base, will play a vital role in making this revolutionary solution easily accessible to consumers.
“We are thrilled to announce our partnership with Tops Friendly Markets to bring Lubricity Oral Spray to the market,” said Dr. Amanda Turner, CEO of You First Services. “Together, we are revolutionizing oral care by providing a long-lasting solution for those suffering from dry mouth symptoms. Prepare to embark on a journey of unparalleled comfort and relief.”Lubricity Innovations’ product not only offers immense value for businesses but also promotes sustainability by reducing energy consumption and minimizing the environmental impact of mechanical systems. By optimizing performance and reducing friction, this innovative solution contributes to a greener and more sustainable future.
As the partnership between You First Services and Tops Markets gains momentum, both companies are committed to delivering exceptional customer experiences. With their combined efforts, they aim to exceed customer expectations, provide top-notch support, and drive positive change across industries.
To learn more about the revolutionary Lubricity Innovations product and the partnership between You First Services and Tops Markets, please visit https://youfirstservices.com/.
ABOUT YOU FIRST SERVICES, INC.
You First Services, Inc. was formed in May of 2013 for the purpose of acquiring and commercializing unique, healthcare-related technologies with high market potential. These technologies have been successfully developed in a research laboratory setting and have been subject to a full evaluation for commercial value potential with respect to formulations development, stability and safety testing, clinical trial completion, regulatory review, product manufacturing scalability, and product marketability.
