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

Self-compassion linked with anxiety, depression in PH: Study

Self-compassion, the act of being kind to oneself, was a significant predictor of anxiety and depression in adults with pulmonary hypertension (PH), a questionnaire-based study reported. Self-compassion also predicted the burden of those who care for patients. The findings suggest psychological and supportive interventions that build self-compassion are needed…

Left heart dysfunction poses great risk for CTEPH patients: Large study

Researchers have identified a significant risk factor that affects the prognosis of people with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) in a large 26-year study. They found that elevated left ventricular filling pressure (LVFP), a measure of left heart function, was common in patients and predicted worse outcomes. Pulmonary hypertension…

Macitentan and tadalafil combo may be better than either drug alone

An investigational once-daily therapy, a single tablet combining macitentan and tadalafil, significantly improved pulmonary blood flow compared with macitentan or tadalafil alone in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) patients taking part in the Phase 3 A DUE study. Because these medications target different PAH-related pathways, current guidelines recommend initially treating…

Potential Treatments for PAH Patients With COVID-19 Identified

Dozens of medicines with the potential to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) patients ill with COVID-19 were identified through computer analyses of the biological processes shared by both conditions, a pilot study reported. Disease-related features common to COVID-19 and PAH included inflammation, fibrosis (tissue scarring), hypoxia (low oxygen), immune responses,…

Computer Finds Common Biomarkers for PAH, Metabolic Syndrome

Genes associated with both pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and metabolic syndrome have been identified using computer software tools, a study reports. Metabolic syndrome, thought to promote PAH, is a cluster of conditions marked by high blood pressure, elevated blood sugar, excess body fat around the waist, and abnormal cholesterol…

Enrollment Complete for Phase 3 Trial Testing INOpulse for PH

Enrollment is now complete in REBUILD, a Phase 3 clinical trial evaluating INOpulse, an investigational treatment for people with pulmonary fibrosis (PF) who are at risk of developing pulmonary hypertension (PH). According to the therapy’s developer, Bellerophon Therapeutics, the trial’s enrollment was completed earlier than expected. As…

Two Likely Biomarkers for PAH Diagnosis, Progression Identified

Two new biomarkers to assess pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) were discovered through large-scale analysis of gene activity profiles using computer software, a study reported. These biomarkers, the activity of the genes PNISR and HNRNPH1, may help diagnose PAH, monitor its progression, or measure responses to therapy. They also may highlight…

Care Center PAH Causes Differ from National Registry, Study Reveals

The identified cause of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in patients seen at a specialized care center differed substantially from national registry data, a study revealed. Most care center patients were diagnosed with PAH associated with connective tissue disorders and exposure to toxins, whereas idiopathic PAH (IPAH), of unknown cause,…

Study: Ang-2 Blood Test May Predict Treatment Outcomes in CTEPH

A blood test for angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2), a protein associated with forming new blood vessels, may predict treatment outcomes in people with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH), a study showed. Researchers found that the protein’s level was significantly higher in the bloodstream of patients with this rare form of…