M. Alexander Otto began his reporting career early in 1999 covering the pharmaceutical industry for a national pharmacists' magazine and freelancing for the Washington Post and other newspapers. He then joined BNA, now part of Bloomberg News, covering health law and the protection of people and animals in medical research. Alex next worked for the McClatchy Company. Based on his work, Alex won a year-long Knight Science Journalism Fellowship to MIT in 2008-2009. He joined the company shortly thereafter. Alex has a newspaper journalism degree from Syracuse (N.Y.) University and a master's degree in medical science -- a physician assistant degree -- from George Washington University. Alex is based in Seattle.
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Tucatinib improves PFS, OS in HER2+ breast cancer with brain metastases
- Author:
- M. Alexander Otto
Adding tucatinib to trastuzumab and capecitabine decreased the risk of death by 42% in HER2-positive breast...
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Nonpharmacologic ankylosing spondylitis recommendations not followed
- Author:
- M. Alexander Otto
Disease activity was measured in only 17% of office visits.
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Inflammatory back pain likely underrecognized in primary care
- Author:
- M. Alexander Otto
They “did not seem to be screening for it.”
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Medicare claims review builds case for NAFLD/NASH screening
- Author:
- M. Alexander Otto
Early disease is being missed.
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Medicare claims review builds case for NAFLD/NASH screening
- Author:
- M. Alexander Otto
Early disease is being missed.
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COVID-19 in pregnancy: Supplement oxygen if saturation dips below 94%
- Author:
- M. Alexander Otto
Use high-flow nasal cannula, not positive-pressure ventilation.
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Results from 11 AHA-funded COVID-19 studies expected within months
- Author:
- M. Alexander Otto
The AHA’s COVID-19 and Its Cardiovascular Impact Rapid Response Grant initiative awards $1.2 million in grants.
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Case series suggests biologics, JAK inhibitors safe during pandemic
- Author:
- M. Alexander Otto
Investigators saw no increase in hospitalizations versus the general population in New York City.
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Yale’s COVID-19 inpatient protocol: Hydroxychloroquine plus/minus tocilizumab
- Author:
- M. Alexander Otto
Yale cardiologist offers lessons from “the haze of battle” on fighting COVID-19 with little evidence.
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Evidence on spironolactone safety, COVID-19 reassuring for acne patients
- Author:
- M. Alexander Otto
Observations in Spain – increased prevalence of androgenic alopecia among hospitalized patients – support the androgen link.
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Global registry collects data on pediatric cancer patients with COVID-19
- Author:
- M. Alexander Otto
St. Jude and the International Society of Paediatric Oncology have launched the first global COVID-19 registry...
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Six million childhood cancer deaths could be prevented over the next 30 years
- Author:
- M. Alexander Otto
Researchers propose taking actions that could greatly reduce global childhood cancer deaths.
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Protean manifestations of COVID-19: “Our ignorance is profound”
- Author:
- M. Alexander Otto
“Make sure they didn’t die in vain.”
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COVID-19 PPE-related skin effects described in survey of Chinese doctors, nurses
- Author:
- M. Alexander Otto
Almost 75% of doctors and nurses in and around Wuhan, China, reported skin problems during a single week in early February.
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CDC: Screen nearly all adults, including pregnant women, for HCV
- Author:
- M. Alexander Otto
Screening should go beyond baby boomers.