News

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…

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) could cause cold agglutinin disease (CAD), a case report of two patients from France suggests. The cases were described in a letter to the editor of the journal Annals of Hematology. The letter, submitted by researchers from the University…

Daratumumab, a therapy used to treat myeloma patients, effectively eased painful and disabling symptoms in a man with cold agglutinin disease (CAD) who failed to respond to rituximab, a case report showed. If this therapeutic response is confirmed in other patients, daratumumab — sold by…

Japanese patients with cold agglutinin disease (CAD) are almost three times more likely to develop blood clots compared with people without this autoimmune disorder, a study reports. These findings are in agreement with the results for non-Asian populations, according to the researchers. The study, “Demographic characteristics, thromboembolism…

A case report from Michigan suggests that coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) could cause cold agglutinin disease (CAD). Results showed that appropriate treatment, including folic acid and a steroid, lowered inflammation and nearly corrected levels of blood cells. The report, “Cold agglutinin disease and autoimmune hemolytic…