Researchers mapped the stages of T-cell development in the human thymus, revealing a high-resolution picture of human T-cell development. This knowledge could lead to insights into diseases like immunodeficiency disorders and leukemia, as well as advancements in immunotherapies like CAR-T therapy.
A preclinical study led by Children's Hospital Los Angeles surgeon Tracy Grikscheit successfully grew a fully functional gut nervous system in a pre-clinical model, offering hope for babies with Hirschsprung's disease. The study uses tissue engineering to grow the complete nervous system from scratch.
A new study led by Dr. Rohit Kohli shows that stevia extract can reduce markers of fatty liver disease, improving glucose levels and reducing cellular stress. The findings suggest potential benefits for pediatric patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
Scientists have engineered T-cells to target multiple sites on leukemia cells, offering a more effective treatment for resistant acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The new CAR-T therapy, TriCAR T-cells, targeting CD-19/20/22, demonstrate improved efficacy compared to single-antigen therapies.
A new study at Children's Hospital Los Angeles uses advanced imaging techniques to optimize a leading-edge therapy for babies with hypoxic brain injuries. The results demonstrate effective cooling in the deep areas of the brain, which are most often damaged by lack of oxygen.
A study published by Children's Hospital Los Angeles found that the carbohydrate 2'FL in breast milk positively influences neurodevelopment and enhances cognitive development in babies. The researchers analyzed breast milk composition and feeding patterns to determine the effects of 2'FL on infant cognitive development.
A new study published in Nature Medicine reveals a relationship between lead exposure risk and brain structure in children from lower-income families. The research found that an increased risk of lead exposure is associated with decreases in cognitive performance and brain volume, but not in mid- or high-income families.
Researchers at Children's Hospital Los Angeles have identified a critical role of lymphatic vessels in heart repair, which could lead to breakthroughs in treating congenital heart defects and cardiac injuries. The study provides new insights into the mechanisms of cardiac regeneration, paving the way for potential therapeutic targets.
Researchers at Children's Hospital Los Angeles have developed a novel way to biopsy retinoblastoma, allowing for more accurate diagnoses and access to studying the disease on a molecular level. This breakthrough discovery has the potential to drastically improve retinoblastoma research and clinical practice.
Researchers at Children's Hospital Los Angeles identified molecular markers that distinguish between airway and vascular smooth muscle cells. This breakthrough enables separate studies of lung disorders like COPD and asthma in premature infants.
Researchers discovered a 'wave of brain maturation' occurring in children from age 9-12, corresponding with increased social and academic demands. This neurological development is linked to improved impulse control, cognitive processing, and executive function.
A phase 2 clinical trial found that combining temsirolimus with chemotherapy improved patient outcomes for patients with relapsed rhabdomyosarcoma. The treatment resulted in a 54.6% event-free survival rate, compared to 69.1% for those receiving temsirolimus.
Researchers at Children's Hospital Los Angeles create an in vitro model of the human kidney glomerulus that filters blood and removes toxins. The breakthrough could lead to better understanding of chronic kidney disease mechanisms and development of new treatments.
Children's Hospital Los Angeles researcher Dr. Mark Frey will investigate epithelial growth and regeneration in the intestinal tract, with a focus on proteins ErbB3 and ErbB4, to minimize chemotherapy and radiation toxicity.
Researchers will follow children for 7 years to learn how their immune systems develop in response to both flu vaccination and infection. The study aims to understand immunological imprinting, which may impact the effectiveness of future flu vaccines.
Broad-spectrum genomic testing can identify genetic markers that respond to targeted therapies for specific cancer-causing mutations. This technology has connected patients with life-saving clinical trials and medications.
Researchers at Children's Hospital Los Angeles are making progress in growing small intestines using stem cells, offering hope for premature babies with severe intestinal issues. The field of tissue engineering holds promise for this population, potentially improving treatment options and quality of life.
Researcher Pat Levitt will investigate how genetic factors interact with early experiences to influence brain circuit development, with a focus on the MET receptor gene. The study aims to determine the brain cells dependent on proper MET function to form healthy connections.
The new software automates image capture and analysis, providing more accurate radiation beam targeting and refined patient positioning. This technology enhances the quality assurance strategy in radiation therapy, potentially reducing toxicity and improving treatment outcomes.
A study of 70 mothers and infants found that maternal stress impacts neurodevelopment at 2 months old. Higher maternal education acts as a protective factor against the stress effect.
Children's Hospital Los Angeles is conducting a 5-year national study of pre-pubescent transgender and gender non-conforming (TGNC) children's mental health, aiming to enroll 320 participants. The study will provide valuable insights into the interplay between mental health and gender issues in this understudied age group.
Researchers at Children's Hospital Los Angeles implemented child-parent psychotherapy in the NICU to support infant-parent relationships. The approach has been shown to reduce post-traumatic stress symptoms and promote resilience in families.
Research has led to increased understanding of genetic changes in cancer, highlighting the potential for personalized care in children with cancer. Genetic profiling can inform prognosis and treatment decisions, providing critical information about tumor progression and response.
Retinoblastoma arises from abnormal proliferation of cone cells due to a tumor-suppressing gene mutation. Dr. Cobrinik's research aims to understand how RB mutations affect cone cells, which could lead to new cancer therapies.
Children's Hospital Los Angeles has been awarded a grant to adapt a patient-driven model of care that increases treatment compliance among difficult-to-reach populations, particularly adolescents with diabetes. The goal is to improve the quality of life and manage diabetes effectively in young adults.
A study led by John Wood, MD, PhD, finds that patients with sickle cell disease experience reduced oxygen delivery to the white matter of the brain, despite normal total oxygen delivery. This disparity leads to debilitating silent strokes with significant effects on executive function.
Researchers at Children's Hospital Los Angeles found a correlation between increased blood flow and social deficits in ASD, suggesting a compensatory mechanism. They also discovered lower levels of healthy neurons were linked to higher brain activity.
Dr. Joyce Javier's innovative program, featuring a cost-effective video, significantly increased enrollment of Filipino parents in The Incredible Years parenting program. This study found that the program reduced parenting stress and promoted family connectedness, protecting against suicide rates among Asian American youth.
Researchers at Children's Hospital Los Angeles have identified a set of molecules that wire the body weight center of the brain. Blocking these signals causes connections to fail and leads to elevated body weight.
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) researchers find bone marrow stromal cells harbor leukemia cells, shielding them from chemotherapy. Yong-Mi Kim seeks integrin molecules to block treatment evasion.
Researchers at Children's Hospital Los Angeles discovered that cancer cells use Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) to manipulate healthy macrophages, changing their behavior from anti-cancer to pro-cancer. This mechanism is associated with more aggressive and difficult-to-treat cancers.
Grickscheit aims to develop an 'off-the-shelf' stem cell-based therapy that might not require immunosuppression, a substantial step forward for metabolic liver disease. The UPLiFT investigation will test the effective dose and regimen of the therapy.
A new definition of PARDS, issued by the Pediatric Acute Lung Injury Consensus Conference, has been validated through an international study. The study found that two-thirds of children with mild and moderate PARDS would not have been accurately diagnosed using adult definitions.
Researchers at Children's Hospital Los Angeles have developed a proof-of-concept study for treating recurrent metastatic neuroblastoma using dinutuximab and activated natural killer cells. The study showed significant improvement in survival rates, providing a promising lead for a clinical trial.
A phase 2 clinical trial found that combining a novel compound called alisertib with chemotherapy had anti-tumor activity in children with high-risk, relapsed neuroblastoma. The treatment resulted in an objective response rate of 21% and one-year progression-free survival of 34%.
Researchers at Children's Hospital Los Angeles have pinpointed the exact stage of development of the human retina when cells can grow out of control and form cancer-like masses. The finding could lead to future interventions in retinoblastoma, a tumor affecting children under five years of age.
A new study led by Dr. Tishya Wren at Children's Hospital Los Angeles aims to understand bone loss in ambulatory individuals with cerebral palsy. The research will assess the bone health of 148 participants, identifying critical periods for intervention and guiding future interventions to maximize bone strength.
Researchers at Children's Hospital Los Angeles investigate the impact of obesity on metabolism and body temperature control, finding that post-prandial uridine levels increase in obese individuals. The study suggests including both lean and overweight subjects in metabolic research to prevent misleading outcomes.
Researchers at Children's Hospital Los Angeles and USC have developed a minimally invasive micropacemaker system that can treat faulty heart rhythms in children and adults. The device, implanted through a single incision, offers a new approach to cardiac pacing without the need for traditional pacemakers.
Researchers found substantial overlaps in genetic risk for psychiatric disorders, including ADHD, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, and schizophrenia. In contrast, neurological disorders showed limited evidence of common genetic risk factors, suggesting greater diagnostic specificity.
Research by Children's Hospital Los Angeles reveals that gadolinium deposition in the brain is associated with brain tumors and radiation treatment, rather than the amount of contrast agent administered. The study's findings challenge previous assumptions about the dose-dependent nature of gadolinium deposition.
Researchers found that blocking tumor-associated macrophages can improve chemotherapy response in neuroblastoma, even in T cell deficient mice. This new approach may be effective for children with high-risk disease and could lead to the development of new combination therapies.
Researchers at Children's Hospital Los Angeles identified gaps in the US healthcare system that make it inadequately prepared for a surge in pediatric patients during a pandemic. The study proposes a structured and coordinated response with specific protocols addressing children's unique needs.
A landmark study reveals that maternal immune system activation can shape brain development in babies, with elevated IL-6 and CRP levels correlating with changes in the salience network. The study found significant effects on infant brain function and development into toddlerhood.
A study published in Leukemia found that starting mixed phenotype acute leukemia (MPAL) treatment with a less-toxic regimen is linked to better remission rates and long-term survival. Patients treated initially with ALL therapy were three to five times more likely to achieve complete remission than those receiving AML therapy.
A landmark study found that maternal immune system activation during pregnancy can shape brain development in infants, influencing the functioning of the salience network. Elevated inflammatory markers were correlated with changes in brain regions and persisted into toddlerhood.
A phase 1/2 trial of larotrectinib found that three-quarters of patients with advanced cancers responded to the treatment, which targets a specific genetic mutation. The therapy has shown promise in treating pediatric patients with TRK-positive cancer, including infantile fibrosarcoma, and offers a potential cure for some cases.
A global, multicenter study has found CAR T-cell therapy to be safe and effective in treating patients with relapsed or refractory B-cell ALL. The therapy achieved an overall remission rate of 81% within 3 months of treatment, with a median length of remission lasting up to 20 months.
Researchers have discovered that extracellular vesicles isolated from amniotic fluid stem cells can slow the progression of kidney damage in mice with Alport syndrome. The findings provide new insights into the mechanisms of kidney disease and point to a potential new approach for improved treatments.
Researchers aim to understand how TNF works to reduce inflammation and develop more precise treatment options for patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The study builds on previous research demonstrating TNF's dual role in promoting and reducing inflammation.