Health HonorHealth Enrolls First Patient in the Southwest for Phase 3 Clinical Trial of Novel Drug to Battle COVID-19
H
onorHealth Research Institute has begun enrolling participants in a clinical trial at three hospitals within the HonorHealth system in Phoenix and Scottsdale to study an investigational drug to treat patients with COVID-19. The randomized controlled Phase 3 trial compares the safety and efficacy of two different doses of the drug ruxolitinib to placebo in participants with COVID19-associated acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) who are on a ventilator. In a recently published article, the Journal of the American Medical Association reported that of the patients with COVID-19 who were hospitalized, 14.2% were treated in the intensive care unit and of those patients, 85.9% received mechanical ventilation. “For our sickest patients with COVID-19 infection, those in intensive care on ventilators, we are sorely in need of new options, this study could potentially reduce the duration of time that patients are intubated on ventilators,” stated Michael S. Gordon, MD, principal investigator of the study. Researchers throughout the country expect to enroll approximately 500 participants with confirmed COVID-19 infection that must have been confirmed two weeks prior to randomization. Participants must also be intubated and receiving mechanical ventilation at the time of randomization, among other criteria. Prior studies have shown that many patients with severe respiratory disease due to COVID-19 have features consistent with cytokine release syndrome
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(CRS), or “cytokine storm,” an uncontrolled and overwhelming release of pro-inflammatory proteins throughout the body.
Righting the Ship After a Financial Setback
Ruxolitinib is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of adult patients with intermediate or high-risk myelofibrosis, polycythemia vera after resistance or intolerance to hydroxyurea, and steroid refractory acute graft versus host disease. Ruxolitinib is not approved for the treatment of patients with COVID-19 ARDS who are on a ventilator, but positive clinical trial results could lead to a pathway for FDA approval for this use.
By Renee A. Hanson, Private Wealth Advisor Affinity Wealth Advisory Group, a private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC
The study will compare two doses of ruxolitinib – 5 mg and 15 mg twice daily – plus standard of care to placebo for a period of up to 28 days. The study, “A Phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter study to assess the efficacy and safety of ruxolitinib in participants with COVID-19-associated ARDS who require mechanical ventilation (RUXCOVID-DEVENT),” is sponsored by Incyte Corporation, the manufacturer of the drug in the U.S. For more information on this study, including eligibility criteria visit ClinicalTrials.gov or email covidtrials@ honorhealth.com. HonorHealth Research Institute continues to assess possibilities for improving the management of patients infected with COVID-19. The HonorHealth Research Institute is focused on expanding its portfolio of treatment options to help support patients and their families fighting COVID-19 in the community.
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020 has proven to be a challenging year in many ways, not the least of which has been a less than hospitable financial environment. Events ranging from a significant bear market in stocks earlier in the year to a dramatic increase in job layoffs have put many Americans in difficult financial positions. If you find yourself in these circumstances, you may be wondering what it will take to get back on track. A recent study by Ameriprise Financial shows that with or without a pandemic, financial setbacks are more common than you might think. More than three-quarters of those surveyed experienced at least one major financial setback in their lives and this does not include events since COVID-19 emerged.1 According to the study, more than half of respondents faced setbacks costing them at least $50,000, and for one-third of respondents the losses exceeded $100,000. The impact was experienced across a wide range of households regardless of age or income level. But persistence paid off – a full 90 percent of respondents who experienced a serious setback say they have recovered from it. What can we learn from their experiences? Here are three key takeaways: #1 BE READY FOR ANYTHING Financial setbacks can occur for a variety of reasons. Based on survey results, those range from investment market declines to earnings that did not meet expectations, to a job loss. Other events that created negative financial consequences include making a bad financial decision, having to provide support to family members, and divorce or illness. In short, there are any number of obstacles that could put a wrench in your financial plans. Having a contingency plan in place to respond to these types of emergencies can help you weather the immediate financial stress.
lasted from one-to-five years. For others, it took longer, even more than 10 years in some cases. Their experiences show that overcoming a financial setback typically requires a deliberate approach. For half of survey respondents, that included finding ways to cut back on spending. Tied to that, some (37%) say they changed their practices around saving money. A quarter of respondents decided that adding work hours or delaying retirement was a necessary step. Others found that having emergency reserve funds in place helped deal with their sudden financial shortfall. #3 YOU MAY BE BETTER PREPARED AS A RESULT Despite the stress of suddenly facing a financial struggle, there may be a bright side. More than half of survey respondents said they ultimately felt stronger as a result of the experience. And almost all (97%) say they have focused on improving their ability to withstand a repeat event. They decided to boost their emergency savings, many accumulating more than $50,000 in cash reserves, or enough to fill a six-month income gap should they face another setback in the future. GETTING BACK ON TRACK Whether the economic fallout from COVID-19 or some other factor has resulted in a financial setback for you this year, remember that you are not alone. Take the matter seriously but keep a level head. You’ll want to closely examine your financial situation to determine the most appropriate steps to take to get your recovery underway. Talking with a financial advisor may be a good place to start. 1 Financial Comebacks study conducted online on behalf of Ameriprise Financial by Artemis Strategy Group among 3,042 Americans ages 30-70 with $100,000 or more in investable assets. Study conducted Jan. 2-20, 2020.
Renee A. Hanson, CFP®, ChFC®, CEP®, CDFA®, CFS®, BFA®, APMA®, is a Private Wealth Advisor with Affinity Wealth Advisory Group, a private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. in Phoenix, Arizona. She specializes in fee-based financial planning and #2 PATIENCE AND PERSISTENCE ARE asset management strategies and has been in practice for 28 years. To REQUIRED contact her visit www.affinitywealthadvisor.com or call (602) 923-9800. Her office is located at 7010 E. Chauncey Lane, Suite #200, Phoenix, While most people who suffered a significant loss AZ85054-3115. Putting to the needs of clients firstyour is the approach in. I’ll work with you to find managed overcome it, don’t expect comeback to I believe Investment advisory products and services are made available through happen overnight. A consistent finding among those who the right financial solutions to help you plan for yourAmeriprise uniqueFinancial goals.Services, And together, we’llinvestment adviser. LLC, a registered participated the surveyover is that it takes time to rebound. Ameriprise LLC. you Member FINRA and SIPC. track yourinprogress time, adjusting your plan along theFinancial way toServices, help get where For about two-thirds of the group, the recovery period © 2020 Ameriprise Financial, Inc. All rights reserved.
you want to go.
Renee A. Hanson CFP®, CEP®, CDFA®, CFS®, ChFC®, APMA® Private Wealth Advisor Affinity Wealth Advisory Group A private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc.
602.923.9800 7010 E. Chauncey Ln Ste 200 Phoenix, AZ 85054 renee.a.hanson@ampf.com affinitywealthadvisor.com
Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. Member FINRA and SIPC.
THE SCOTTSDALE STANDARD • November 2020 • 19
