News

Treatment with the cancer immunotherapy Keytruda (pembrolizumab) can lead to the development of cold agglutinin disease (CAD), the case of a lung cancer patient demonstrates. The report, “Pembrolizumab-Induced Cold Agglutinin Disease,” was published in the American Journal of Case Reports. While the immune system…

Cold agglutinin disease (CAD) seems to be the least common form of autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) in India, affecting about 15% of patients with the rare disorder, a study has found. The study, “Immunohematological work‐up, severity analysis and transfusion support in autoimmune hemolytic anemia patients,”…

Researchers in the U.K. have described the case of an 81-year-old woman who was diagnosed with secondary cold agglutinin disease (CAD) only after falling and being treated at the hospital for several broken bones. The woman’s fall reactivated a cytomegalovirus…

Physicians should consider testing patients with COVID-19 and thrombosis for different forms of autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA), including cold agglutinin disease (CAD), which may underlie their blood clotting issues, a case report says. In severe cases, doctors should also consider starting treatment for AIHA immediately to…

Same but Different, a U.K. nonprofit that uses the arts to bring communities together, is holding a calendar photography competition to raise awareness for rare diseases. Under the theme “A Glimmer of Hope,” the competition is a means to “visually express the hope that exists for people affected by…

The presence of cold agglutinin disease (CAD) without red blood cells’ destruction in patients with COVID-19 should prompt clinicians to test for Mycoplasma pneumoniae, as this type of bacteria also is associated with CAD, a case report says. The study, “Cold agglutinin disease following…

Therapies that contain Rituximab may be effective for people with cold agglutinin disease (CAD), a study suggests. The study, “Rituximab-containing therapy for cold agglutinin disease: a retrospective study of 16 patients,” was published in Scientific Reports. CAD is caused by cold agglutinins — a…

Raremark, an online rare disease patient community, has launched a digital platform called Xperiome, aimed at streamlining the search for new medicines for rare disorders and incorporating more patient input into research. The goal is to help the pharmaceutical industry deliver innovative new therapies faster and smarter, the…

The EveryLife Foundation for Rare Diseases has launched a scholarship fund in the U.S. to support individuals with rare disorders who are pursuing personal goals through training and education. The initial phase of the five-year, $1-million #RAREis Scholarship Fund will include 32 scholarships — each totaling $5,000 —…

When the COVID-19 pandemic forced the postponement of a rare disease film festival originally slated for May, its organizers set out to find a new way to bring the films to an audience.  Co-founders Daniel DeFabio and Bo Bigelow, who are both fathers of children with…