Researchers found that mannitol improved the movement of fruit flies with Parkinson's-like symptoms by reducing misfolded protein aggregation. Further studies are needed to confirm these results in humans, but the findings suggest a possible novel therapeutic direction.
A phase I trial involving 29 patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer found one complete response and four partial responses to the antibody-drug conjugate DMUC5754A. The drug targets high-expression MUC16 protein in ovarian cancer cells, reducing adverse effects on healthy tissues.
Researchers used advanced amplification technology to detect abnormal DNA in blood samples from patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST). The new blood test found secondary resistance mutations in the KIT gene, which were missed by traditional tissue analysis.
A new two-step immunotherapy approach, combining dendritic cell vaccination and adoptive T-cell therapy, showed a 75% clinical benefit in 31 ovarian cancer patients. The treatment preserved tumor cells alive and used them to manufacture personalized vaccines that taught the immune system to attack the tumor.