Researchers develop ultra-thin, flexible device that interprets multiple signals to restore lost functions after spinal cord injury. The technology aims to bypass damaged areas, allowing for the restoration of movement, sensation, and internal body functions.
A new study found that S100–RAGE signaling is a key driver of early drug resistance in tumors, making it a promising target for treatment. Analyzing 47 patients and 109 pretreatment metastatic lesions treated with trastuzumab deruxtecan, researchers identified this pathway as a crucial factor in tumor resistance.
Scientists at Houston Methodist Research Institute have created a biodegradable implant that delivers cancer-fighting drugs directly to tumors, slowing their release over time. The device showed promising results in preclinical models of triple-negative breast cancer, eliminating tumors in 60% of cases without significant side effects.
A new study from Houston Methodist introduces a promising noninvasive imaging technique that can help doctors accurately diagnose papillary thyroid cancer. The approach, second harmonic generation microscopy, uses light to examine changes in collagen, which may signal if a thyroid nodule is cancerous.
A fast-rising SDSE bacterium causes severe infections, including muscle damage and patient death. Houston Methodist researchers identified genes essential for bacterial survival in SDSE, revealing fundamental differences with its close relative Strep A.
Malcom Brenner, a renowned physician-scientist, will lead the new center. He brings expertise in cell and gene therapy to advance therapies for various diseases.
A US-wide analysis of nearly 50 years of breast cancer data has found a major shift in outcomes and risk, highlighting gaps in prevention and treatment for specific groups. Breast cancer deaths are increasingly affecting younger women, while survival improved among older women over time.
A new study found that chemotherapy can unintentionally reshape the immune system, allowing cancer to persist. Researchers discovered that a standard chemotherapy triggers pyroptosis, releasing inflammatory signals that inhibit tumor treatment.
The AI platform, Co-Intelligent Single-cell Spatial Cell-cell Communication (iS2C2), analyzes complex data to identify communication networks in the body. It uncovers previously underappreciated pathways contributing to disease progression, potentially leading to new treatment targets.
A new study found that obesity-related changes in body fat send harmful signals to the brain, disrupting brain immune function and worsening Alzheimer's pathology. Restoring balance in phosphatidylethanolamines reduced lipid dysregulation, improved brain function and cognitive performance in Alzheimer's disease models.
A newly-developed AI-powered tool, CAMPER, helps identify peptides that target antibiotic-resistant bacteria by breaking down their outer defenses. The study found that CAMPER is effective in developing treatments against MRSA and other difficult-to-treat pathogens.
Scientists have discovered that a fast-rising strep bacterium comes in more forms than expected, with distinct variants linked to specific types of infections. The study provides critical genetic data to improve diagnosis, infection control, and future vaccine planning for this growing bacterial threat.
Researchers discovered pairing targeted treatments with CAR T-cell therapy can help control cancer recurrence in triple-negative breast cancer. The study found that using CAR T-cells shortly after surgery or radiation may prevent cancer spread to distant organs.
Researchers used AI to analyze over 15,000 patient data and identified three major clusters of BSI patients with varying levels of severity. The study found that high-risk patients, particularly older male transplant recipients, were more susceptible to infections and had higher mortality rates.
Renowned cancer clinician Dr. Daniela Matei will lead the Houston Methodist Dr. Mary and Ron Neal Cancer Center, bringing expertise in ovarian cancer treatment and therapeutics. She aims to bridge laboratory science to the clinic, advancing new concepts from bench to bedside.
Researchers at Houston Methodist found that short-term antibiotic treatment significantly reduced neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration following traumatic brain injury by altering the gut microbiome. Beneficial bacteria Parasutterella excrementihominis and Lactobacillus johnsonii drove cell repair, while reducing harmful gut bacteria.
A new study from Houston Methodist suggests that the outer area of the retina may hold clues to early Alzheimer's detection, potentially allowing for non-invasive diagnosis and monitoring. Researchers found that changes in retinal cells and blood vessels can indicate the onset of AD years before symptoms appear.
A new study from Houston Methodist Research Institute finds that brain swelling during Alzheimer's treatment may indicate a stronger treatment response. Brain regions that swell have larger drops in brain plaques than areas that never swelled.
Researchers discovered an mRNA-based therapy that instructs skin cells to produce telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT), reducing DNA damage and protecting against genomic DNA injury. This breakthrough could lead to new therapies preventing radiation burns and long-term scarring, improving quality of life for millions of cancer patie...
A Houston Methodist physician is exploring how virtual reality can treat delirium in ICU patients by immersing them in digital environments. Her project aims to reduce delirium incidence through cognitive stimulation therapy, building on prior studies that confirmed its safety and feasibility.
Scientists identify targeting B-cells as a promising strategy to improve liver cancer immunotherapy. Researchers found that tumor-associated B-cells suppress T-cell activity, allowing cancer cells to escape immune attacks.
A large-scale study found that individuals living in neighborhoods with high climate vulnerability indexes face a significantly higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes over seven years. The association remained strong even after accounting for personal health and lifestyle factors.
Researchers are developing a first-of-its-kind mRNA vaccine against severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS), a tick-borne viral disease. The vaccine is being designed using cutting-edge AI and computational techniques, aiming to accelerate response to future epidemics and pandemics.
A recent study found that the protein TDP43 regulates genes responsible for fixing DNA mistakes, which can lead to cancer when overactive. The discovery could lead to new treatments by controlling overactive DNA repair, offering a therapeutic strategy for diseases such as ALS and dementia.
A national study reveals the US 'epilepsy belt' regions with high incidence rates, influenced by factors like sleep habits, heat exposure, health care access, and household vehicle availability. The research offers critical insights into how epilepsy impacts older adults nationwide.
A recent study from Houston Methodist reveals how Alzheimer's can disrupt the connection between nerves and blood vessels in fat tissue, worsening heart and metabolic conditions. The research highlights a potential link between neurodegeneration and cardiovascular and metabolic disorders.
A new study found that adipose-derived extracellular vesicles, tiny cell messengers in obese individuals, accelerate the buildup of amyloid-β plaques in the brain, a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease. Researchers hope targeting these tiny cell messengers could reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease in people with obesity.
A new study published in Biomaterials has developed a tiny, bioengineered system to deliver anti-inflammatory proteins to specific targets in the brain. The AstroCapsules, which are 300 micrometers in diameter, were confirmed to function when implanted into the brain and reduced neuroinflammation by measuring inflammatory biomarkers.
A Houston Methodist research study reveals that 85% of astronauts on the International Space Station experienced at least one nasal or sinus issue, with 75% reporting nasal congestion. The study highlights the need for preventative measures and treatments tailored to space travel.
Chemotherapy-induced pyroptosis in bladder cancer can actually make the disease more resistant to treatment by fueling cancer stem cells. Blocking this inflammatory process with belnacasan may overcome chemoresistance in preclinical models.
Researchers have identified two inhibitor drugs, phosphoinositide 3 kinase inhibitor (P13K) and nitric oxide inhibitor (NOS), with potential to disrupt disease progression in metaplastic breast cancer. The study found that these drugs can make treatment more effective by disrupting unique signaling pathways in the cell interaction.
Researchers have identified a key protein called Apex1 as a potential therapeutic target for stopping the immune system from attacking itself. By inhibiting this protein, harmful T cells that cause autoimmune diseases and allergies can be eliminated.
Dr. Jenny Chang has been chosen to lead the Houston Methodist Academic Institute with expertise in cancer research and transformational leadership. She aims to expand clinical and translational research across the institution.
A study led by Henry J. Pownall and Khurram Nasir found a strong link between the amount of free cholesterol in HDL and its accumulation in macrophages, which can contribute to heart disease. The researchers aim to develop new diagnostics and treatments for managing heart disease using HDL-free cholesterol as a biomarker.
Researchers at Houston Methodist have identified a new strain of bacteria, Streptococcus dysgalactiae subspecies equisimilis (SDSE), linked to increasingly severe human infections. The study used integrative analysis to investigate the genome, transcriptome, and virulence of SDSE strains, shedding light on their molecular pathogenesis.
Scientists at Houston Methodist will focus on developing efficacious vaccines and therapeutic antibodies for viruses in the Nairoviridae, Hantaviridae, and Paramyxoviridae families. The goal is to prepare for potential outbreaks and develop effective medical countermeasures in response to a next pandemic.
Researchers at Houston Methodist are working on a national consortium to develop vaccines against two common and destructive strains of herpesviruses. The project aims to create prophylactic and therapeutic vaccines using a computational toolkit that could transform vaccine development.
Researchers developed a mathematical model predicting enhanced survival outcomes for NSCLC patients with novel treatment combinations. The model neutralizes the negative effects of miR-155, boosting standard-of-care treatments like cisplatin and immune checkpoint inhibitors.
Researchers at Houston Methodist have developed a more accurate way to deliver life-saving drug therapies to the brain, using an electric field to infuse medicine into specific targets. This innovation has the potential to improve gene therapy and tumor treatment, as well as treatment for traumatic brain injury and degenerative diseases.
A new study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology finds that open radical hysterectomy leads to better survival and lower recurrence rates for early-stage cervical cancer patients. The research, led by Houston Methodist researchers, builds on earlier findings that suggested minimally invasive surgery carries a higher risk of di...
Researchers discovered that the anatomical location of pancreatic tumors impacts treatment outcomes, suggesting a tumor-location-based model for improving patient care. The findings may lead to more specific treatment plans and better immunotherapy effectiveness.
A new nanofluidic implant has been shown to deliver an HIV drug with increased potency compared to existing oral medications, providing a potential breakthrough in addressing treatment nonadherence. The device is intended for long-term controlled release and avoids repeated systemic treatment, which can lead to adverse side effects.
Researchers have identified a subset of T-cells that acts like stem cells and continuously generates effector T-cells that attack transplanted organs. Targeting the transcription factor IRF4 may lead to innovative therapies for patients with chronic infections, cancers, autoimmune diseases and transplanted organs.
CEPI and HMRI collaborate to leverage AI technology for faster vaccine development. The partnership aims to identify epitopes that stimulate the immune system, enabling swift clinical testing.
A Houston Methodist study found that COVID-19 variants and severity affect heart function, with microvascular involvement seen less often after nine months. The study recommends PET scans to check for microvascular dysfunction, which may be reversible.
Researchers have developed an implantable nanofluidic device that delivers CD40 monoclonal antibodies to shrink pancreatic tumors, reducing treatment dosage by fourfold. The device's long-term controlled release avoids systemic side effects, offering a promising alternative for cancer patients.
Researchers at Houston Methodist discovered a way to reverse infertility in sterile mice by reducing high-circulating cholesterol with a bacterial protein. The study showed that this protein, called serum opacity factor, lowered HDL cholesterol levels by over 40% in three hours and restored fertility in the mice.
A wafer-thin device called NICHE has been developed to treat Type 1 diabetes by delivering islet cells and immunotherapy directly into the body. The device restored healthy glucose levels and eliminated symptoms for over 150 days, avoiding severe adverse effects of anti-rejection therapy.
Dr. Keith Chan joins Houston Methodist to enhance chemoimmunotherapy responses in bladder cancer, while also expanding research into pancreatic and skin cancers. He will lead translational research and mentor next-generation cancer researchers.
A small test group has shown that using a patient's own cells in combination with regulatory T-lymphocyte and IL-2 treatment can safely and effectively slow or halt the progression of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). This treatment approach was found to be tolerable and biologically active over a period of one year.