Steve Bryson, PhD, science writer —

Steve holds a PhD in biochemistry from the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto, Canada. As a medical scientist for 18 years, he worked in both academia and industry, where his research focused on the discovery of new vaccines and medicines to treat inflammatory disorders and infectious diseases. Steve is a published author in multiple peer-reviewed scientific journals and a patented inventor.

Articles by Steve Bryson

FDA advisory committee endorses Onpattro for ATTR cardiomyopathy

A committee of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has endorsed Onpattro (patisiran) for the treatment of the ATTR amyloidosis with cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM), or heart damage. Earlier this year, Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, which is developing Onpattro, submitted a supplemental new drug application (sNDA) to the federal agency…

Amvuttra improves multiple life quality measures: Trial data

Amvuttra (vutrisiran) provided significant clinical benefits in multiple measures of quality of life and physical function in people with familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP), according to published details of the HELIOS-A clinical trial. Benefits, which also included early gains in nutritional status, were most pronounced in those in the…

Quality of life questionnaire specific to FAP, other ATTR forms created

Scientists have developed a first patient-reported questionnaire on quality of life that’s specific to transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTR). Called the Transthyretin Amyloidosis – Quality of Life Questionnaire (ATTR-QOL), it was created with significant patient involvement and guidance from a multidisciplinary group of clinical specialists, led by scientists with the Amyloidosis…

Tafamidis found to increase survival over liver transplant in hATTR

Adults with hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis (hATTR), a group of disorders that includes familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP), lived longer after treatment with tafamidis versus undergoing a liver transplant, a study reported. However, patients treated with tafamidis experienced a faster decline in neurological and heart-related outcomes than did those who…

FAP, hATTRs impact caregiver health-related quality of life: Survey

Caring for a person with hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis (hATTR), a group of conditions that includes familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP), has a considerable impact on caregivers’ health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and productivity, a survey reported. The findings were in the study, “A survey exploring caregiver burden…

Older Age, Worse Disease Predict Cognitive Issues With FAP: Study

Older age and worse disease were significantly associated with cognitive impairments in people with familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP) who underwent a liver transplant, a large study suggested. Researchers noted these cognitive findings are consistent with the natural history of the disease. “No distinct pattern was found for…

Eplontersen Slows FAP Progression, Improves Quality of Life: Trial Data

Eplontersen reduced transthyretin (TTR) protein levels, eased disease progression, and improved quality of life in adults with familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP), according to an eight-month interim analysis of the NEURO-TTRansform study. Based on these data, the investigational therapy’s co-developers Ionis Pharmaceuticals and AstraZeneca will seek regulatory approval…

Eye Problems Were 1st Symptoms of FAP for Family With Rare Mutation

Members of a Chinese family carrying a rare gene mutation causing familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP) experienced abnormal protein deposits in the eye — manifesting as “floaters” — before having any other noticeable disease symptoms, a case series reported. Such protein deposits can lead to functional abnormalities of the retina,…