Researchers at Houston Methodist have identified a compound that prevents breast cancer cells from spreading to the brain. Edelfosine, an investigational leukemia treatment, has been shown to stop cancer stem cells from growing once they reach the brain. This finding offers new hope for treating metastatic brain disease.
A Houston Methodist researcher has made a groundbreaking discovery by sharing his recipe for making nanoparticles. The new method eliminates the need for expensive equipment and allows laboratories worldwide to produce these tiny particles. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient delivery of biotherapeutic drugs and new treatments.
A leading cardiologist has criticized the new hypertension guidelines, which he says could lead to more harm than benefit for certain individuals. The guidelines recommend intensive treatment for patients at a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, but Dr. Robert Phillips argues that those with lower risk may face unnecessary harm.
Researchers at Houston Methodist have identified an interaction between two molecules that can be manipulated to prevent airway closure in asthma. By targeting super-enhancers, they may develop more efficacious treatments than current steroids.
A Houston Methodist research team has identified a critical switch controlling T-cell function and discovered a pathway to target it, potentially solving autoimmune diseases and organ transplant rejection. By inhibiting IRF4 expression in activated T-cells, the researchers found they could render them irreversibly dysfunctional.
Researchers created 3D mini brains using bioengineered 'asteroids' to study neural connections and accelerate disease research. The model allows for rapid screening of drugs and analysis of mutations, paving the way for potential treatments and clinical trials to improve or regenerate impaired nervous systems.
A new study finds that a 70-year-old malaria drug can block immune cells in the liver, allowing nanoparticles to reach cancer cells. The research showed improved drug delivery to breast tumors and accumulation in mouse tumors and lungs.
Researchers at Houston Methodist discovered a new pathway in cholesterol elimination, revealing that it is eliminated from the body in just two minutes, challenging the current 40-year model. This finding has significant implications for developing new drugs to lower cholesterol and improving cardiovascular health.
Researchers at Houston Methodist have discovered a critical target for developing a potential Group A Streptococcus vaccine or antibiotic. By blocking the production of streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin B (SpeB), they hope to reduce disease severity and prevent necrotizing fasciitis, also known as flesh-eating disease.
Researchers led by Mauro Ferrari, Ph.D., develop injectable nanoparticle generator polymeric doxorubicin (iNPG-pDox) to target cancer cells in lungs and liver with limited toxicity. The therapy aims to improve long-term survival and quality of life for triple-negative breast cancer patients.
Researchers at UTMB and Houston Methodist are growing lungs in space to understand how lung cells react to the change in gravity and extreme space environment. The goal is to develop therapeutics that could help astronauts and people on Earth with autoimmune diseases, hormone deficiencies, and other issues.
Houston Methodist researchers have identified a distinct group of circulating tumor cells associated with breast cancer brain metastasis. This finding could lead to the development of more sensitive screening tools and real-time monitoring of disease progression and response to therapy.
Scientists at Houston Methodist have developed a technology that can rejuvenate human cells by lengthening telomeres, the timekeepers of chromosomes. This breakthrough has the potential to improve cell function and extend lifespan in individuals with progeria, a rare condition marked by rapid aging.
Researchers sequenced genomes of over 1,700 strains, discovering an especially strong group of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in a city of six million people. The strain, clone type 307, has been identified in parts of Europe and other continents but not previously documented as a common cause of infections in one city.
A study by Houston Methodist researchers found that the surface protein OX40, which helps keep T-cells alive, can trigger the death of liver immune cells. This leads to a chain reaction causing liver inflammation and disease. The research suggests a potential new avenue for intervention, such as OX40 inhibitors or blockers.
The SURTAVI trial shows that TAVR is comparable to surgical aortic valve replacement for intermediate-risk patients, with similar all-cause mortality rates and better mean aortic valve gradient at two years. Near-term results also indicate improved outcomes for TAVR patients, including lower stroke rates and quicker hospital discharge.
Activating innate immunity enhances nuclear reprogramming, leading to induced pluripotent stem cells that can regenerate into various tissues. This discovery could revolutionize transplantation and improve wound healing or recovery after a heart attack.
Researchers have identified a gene mutation driving the formation of metaplastic breast cancer, a subtype of triple negative breast cancer. A therapeutic compound has been validated to slow tumor growth and increase chemotherapy efficacy.
Houston Methodist researchers identified a set of immune proteins that facilitate long-lasting immunity against malaria. The study found that elevated production of specific proteins regulating the immune system within 24 hours of infection was required for sustained anti-malaria immunity.
The Houston Methodist Research Institute has established a research center focused on the physics of cancer immunotherapy, exploring physiological changes during cancer progression. The CITO will combine cancer immunology, biotechnology, and transport oncophysics to reveal how immunotherapy works in cancer patients.
Researchers at Houston Methodist developed an AI software that reliably interprets mammograms to predict breast cancer risk. The software achieves 99% accuracy in 30 times human speed, reducing unnecessary biopsies and saving physician hours.
Researchers have developed an implantable device that can deliver HIV prevention drugs sustainably for up to 60 days. The transcutaneously refillable device utilizes nanochannel delivery systems to control the release of pre-exposure prophylaxis drugs, addressing a significant challenge in current treatments.
Researchers at Houston Methodist created nanoparticles called leukosomes that target inflamed tissues using a patient's own immune cells. The treatment shows promise in resolving inflammation and reversing the immune response, suggesting potential applications beyond cancer and cardiovascular diseases.
Research found chronic use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) accelerates vascular aging in humans, leading to increased cardiovascular disease, vascular dementia, and renal failure. PPIs like esomeprazole are widely used but not approved for long-term use.
A team led by John P. Cooke identified reactive oxygen species as critical to the transformation of adult somatic cells into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). The researchers discovered that a 'Goldilock's zone' of free radical generation is optimal for iPSC production, with too little or too much ROS impaireding colony formation.
A team of researchers at Houston Methodist developed an injectable nanoparticle generator that successfully eliminated lung metastases in mice, achieving a 50% cure rate for breast cancers. The innovative treatment strategy enables sequential passage through biological barriers to deliver the killing agent directly into cancer cells.
A new hospital-based rapid detection test for the Zika virus is now available, allowing for quicker diagnosis and testing in a large metropolitan area. The test can detect Zika virus-specific RNA sequences directly, enabling healthcare providers to offer rapid answers to anxious patients.
A recent study at Houston Methodist Hospital showed that multiple small doses of highly focused radiation therapy is more effective and safer than a single larger dose in destroying pituitary gland tumors. The findings support the use of fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (FSRT) as a best practice for treating slow-growing pituitar...
Researchers found that high-volume centers had significantly better outcomes, including lower rates of recurrence and mortality, after 30 days and 2 years. Patients also had superior blood pressure and cholesterol control at these centers.
Researchers at Houston Methodist Hospital developed a suicide gene therapy that combines radiation treatment with a genetically modified virus to target and destroy cancer cells. The treatment shows high five-year overall survival rates of 97% and 94%, improving upon historical studies by 5-20%.
Researchers have isolated four distinct circulating tumor cell subsets, one of which marks genes known to be directly implicated in tumor cell dormancy. These findings may lead to a preventive treatment for metastatic cancer cells and provide insights into the mechanisms of breast cancer recurrence.
The Department of Defense has awarded a nearly $6 million grant to Houston Methodist to further bone fracture repair research. Researchers aim to develop technologies that can help mend broken bones faster and more efficiently.
Researchers developed a single, self-contained medical device that can detect liver toxicity in 30 minutes, reducing current testing times to several days. The lab in a needle approach integrates sample preparation and analysis into one device, enabling doctors and patients to discuss treatment options immediately.
Researchers have found a way to mobilize immune cells to attack and destroy malignant tumors by using a cell surface receptor called GITR. This protein can switch immature T-cells from becoming regulatory T-cells to tumor killers called Th9 cells, which produce the cancer-fighting protein interleukin 9.
Researchers found genetic changes in group A streptococcus that increase toxin production, contributing to large epidemics. The study provides new insights into the molecular basis of epidemic bacterial infections and potential strategies for developing novel therapeutics.
A new study by Houston Methodist researchers finds that artificially added phosphates in dairy and cereal products cause bigger spikes in blood phosphorus levels than natural phosphates. This can lead to increased kidney function problems and heart damage, especially for people with healthy kidneys.
A massive new study by Houston Methodist and Stanford University scientists found that adults using proton pump inhibitors are at a higher risk of experiencing a heart attack. The study examined 16 million clinical documents representing 2.9 million patients and showed no increased heart attack risk for those taking H2 blockers.
Scientists from Houston Methodist report that porous silicon microparticles can potentiate anti-tumor immunity by enhancing cross-presentation and inducing a type I interferon response. This approach shows promise for treating HER2+ breast cancer patients, with potential applications for other types of cancers.
Researchers found hundreds of possible new genes that could transform benign skin growths into deadly melanomas when combined with the Braf V600E mutation. The discovery provides new targets for slowing or stopping cancer growth.
Researchers at Houston Methodist have developed a new, ex vivo lung cancer model that mimics the process of tumor progression. The '4-D' model allows for the study of cancer metastasis, including the growth of primary tumors and formation of circulating tumor cells, providing insights into tumor progression and potential new therapies.
Researchers have designed a drug called MP-MUS that targets the energy source of brain tumor cells, crippling their ability to grow and divide. In animal models and human tissue cultures, MP-MUS destroyed 90-95% of malignant glioma cells without affecting healthy brain cells.
Researchers at Houston Methodist have developed magnetic nanoparticles that can destroy blood clots 100 to 1,000 times faster than a commonly used clot-busting technique. The nanoparticles are coated in albumin and loaded with the drug tPA, allowing it to reach the clot more effectively.
Researchers at Houston Methodist develop a new approach to regrow damaged blood vessels using trans-differentiated fibroblasts, improving blood flow and oxygenation. The technique shows promise for treating cardiovascular damage and injuries with minimal risk of chromosome damage.
Researchers at Houston Methodist have created a handheld single-cell pipette that can accurately pick up individual cells using a modified pipette. The technology, known as the hSCP, has potential to revolutionize single-cell research and make it more accessible to biologists worldwide.
Scientists have identified two genes, MLF2 and RPL39, that may affect the most lethal type of breast cancer. Suppressing these genes can reduce tumor formation and metastasis by interfering with blood vessel formation and recruitment.
A phase I study found that alisertib inhibited aurora A kinase, a target for aggressive lymphoma treatment, in about one-third of patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia. The oral drug showed manageable side effects, paving the way for advanced trials.
A new therapy has been developed to treat atrial fibrillation by targeting misbehaving nerves that cause the condition. The therapy, which involves adding four or fewer injections of 98% ethanol to radio wave ablation, appears to be more effective than standard surgical therapies.
Researchers have developed a new live-cell printing technology called BloC-Printing that can print living cells onto any surface in a grid-like formation. The technology, which manipulates microfluidic physics to guide cells into hook-like traps, produces high survival rates of over 100% compared to traditional inkjet printing.
Researchers at Houston Methodist have developed a technology that can detect breast cancer biomarkers in blood samples, potentially leading to early diagnosis. The technology uses carboxypeptidase N enzyme to separate and detect peptides created by the enzyme in blood serum proteins.
A study found profound changes in mouse eyes after a 13-day spaceflight, including oxidative stress, DNA damage repair genes, and apoptotic pathways. These changes were partially reversible upon return to Earth.