A phase 2 clinical trial found that serial blood tests can identify patients who benefit from additional immunotherapies, suggesting a potential early marker of treatment response. The study also showed that ctDNA analyses correlated with tumor size and survival, making it a promising strategy for guiding therapy.
Scientists at Johns Hopkins Medicine have identified a protein mutation in CD8+ T cells that can make them more effective against cancer and infections. The mutated T cells were found to be more active when stimulated, persist longer, and expand in great numbers during the initial immune response.
Researchers have made significant progress in using immunotherapies prior to surgery, leading to better biomarkers and more effective combination therapies. This approach has shown promise in various cancer types, including lung cancer, triple-negative breast cancer, melanoma, and gastrointestinal cancers.
Researchers use Listeria bacteria to break open cell organelles and study their function in relation to shape. They found that function does not always follow form, with cells recognizing and increasing efforts to remove misshapen organelles.
A nationwide study found that early treatment with plasma from recovered COVID patients can reduce the risk of developing post-COVID conditions. The research also suggests that elevated cytokine levels, particularly interleukin-6, may contribute to long COVID symptoms.
Patients with stage 1-3 non-small cell lung cancer treated with combination immunotherapy before surgery had a better major pathological response rate than those receiving single-agent therapy alone. The NeoCOAST platform trial found that targeting multiple cancer pathways through therapy may be superior to a single treatment.
Researchers developed a molecular test to identify brain tumors by analyzing genetic material in cerebrospinal fluid. The Real-CSF test correctly identified 67% of cancerous and 96% of noncancerous brain lesions, outperforming standard cytology methods.
Johns Hopkins Medicine will improve clinical trial efficiency and quality with a $24.5M grant, reducing startup time by up to 50% and enhancing participant engagement. The Trial Innovation Center will develop new methods for multicenter trials, including AI-enhanced patient screening and gamification.
A long-term study of nearly 2,400 solid organ transplant recipients found that COVID-19 vaccination significantly reduced hospitalization rates, with a 75% decrease in later omicron waves. Despite this, post-vaccination SARS-CoV-2 viral infections remain common, highlighting the importance of vaccination in high-risk populations.
A new study demonstrates that a pill inhibiting a gut enzyme can protect mice from IBD symptoms and preserve intestinal barrier function. The experimental GCPII-inhibiting drug was shown to improve stool consistency, reduce rectal bleeding and inflammation, with no apparent side effects.
A new machine-learning method, BigMHC, can accurately predict cancer-related protein fragments that may trigger an immune system response. By leveraging massive data through transfer learning, BigMHC enables scientists to develop personalized immunotherapies and vaccines by identifying the most likely to provoke an immune response.
The GEMINI blood test uses machine learning to identify cancer-causing mutations in single molecules of cell-free DNA. The test detected over 90% of lung cancers, including stage I and II cases, in a proof-of-concept study published in Nature Genetics.
A new review paper suggests scrambler therapy can yield significant relief for approximately 80-90% of patients with chronic pain. The therapy works by capturing nerve endings and replacing pain signals with signals from adjacent areas, 'scrambling' the pain signals sent to the brain.
A study published in Annals of Neurology suggests that a protein in spinal fluid can predict mild cognitive impairment and dementia years before symptoms appear. The findings may offer new targets for treating or preventing Alzheimer's disease and other dementias.
Researchers found that expression of transcription factors contributes to different subtypes of colorectal cancers. The degree of DNA methylation varies across tissue types, with some cancers having high and others low frequency of methylation gains. Studying transcription factor expression may help determine overall survival in patien...
A study at Johns Hopkins Medicine found that people living with HIV who donate a kidney to others with HIV have a low risk of developing end-stage kidney disease or other kidney problems. The study, which monitored three donors for two to four years post-transplant, bolsters support for living donations from people with HIV.
A national estimate suggests that 795,000 Americans die or are permanently disabled by diagnostic error each year. The top causes of serious harm include stroke, sepsis, and pneumonia.
A new combination treatment of GVAX vaccine, nivolumab, and urelemab has shown to increase the amount of cancer-killing immune cells in tumors and appear effective when given two weeks prior to surgery. The study found a median disease-free survival of 33.51 months and a median overall survival of 35.5 months.
Researchers found that epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) reduces protein levels of fibronectin by 46-52% and disrupts pathways involved in fibroid tumor cell growth. EGCG supplements may provide an easily accessible and natural way to relieve symptoms and slow fibroid growth.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have identified a new target for treating HIV infection by blocking the neutral sphingomyelinase-2 (nSMase2) enzyme. Inhibiting this enzyme can prevent HIV replication and kill infected cells, offering a promising therapeutic approach.
Researchers have identified a biomarker called CXCL-9 that can be used to diagnose acute tubulointerstitial nephritis (AIN), a condition causing inflammation of the kidneys. The biomarker can be detected via a simple urine test, potentially reducing the need for kidney biopsies.
Researchers developed a biodegradable nanoparticle that reaches dendritic cells in mice with melanoma and colon cancer, activating an immune response. The nanoparticle improves survival rates for these cancers, with half of mice surviving long-term after treatment.
The Martin/Hopkins method has been shown to accurately calculate LDL cholesterol levels in over 89% of patients, surpassing other available equations. This method is particularly beneficial for identifying patients at higher risk of heart disease and strokes.
Researchers found that deaf mice have nearly normal neural activity in the auditory system for two weeks after birth, suggesting a molecular mechanism for improved outcomes with early cochlear implants. This spontaneous activity helps train the brain to process sound before the ear canal opens.
Researchers have developed a new standard for preventing graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) after stem cell transplant, showing improved efficacy and reduced side effects compared to the current gold standard. The new regimen achieved higher rates of patient survival without GVHD complications, making it a more effective option for patie...
Researchers have found a connection between high levels of cell-free mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) fragments in the blood and chronic inflammation, a known risk factor for severe aging symptoms. The study suggests that mtDNA fragments could be accurate biomarkers for predicting physical and cognitive decline with aging.
Researchers found female babies with CDH have a 32% higher risk of dying within 30 to 60 days of birth compared to males. The study, using medical records from an international registry, suggests that lower birth weights for females may be linked to the disparity in survival rates.
Researchers found that psychedelic drugs such as LSD, psilocybin, and MDMA reopen critical periods in mice, enabling them to learn from their social environment. The length of time the critical period stayed open varied among drugs, with some lasting up to four weeks.
Research from Johns Hopkins Medicine found that Black and Hispanic female breast cancer survivors have higher death rates from second cancers compared to other ethnic groups. The risk of death from a second cancer is 12% higher among non-Hispanic Black survivors and 8% higher among Hispanic survivors.
The study, published in JAMA Oncology, found that the percentage of cancer survivors reporting functional limitations has more than doubled over the past 20 years. The adjusted prevalence of functional limitation was highest among pancreatic and lung cancer survivors, while melanoma survivors had the lowest rate.
Researchers developed a method using artificial intelligence to track changes in brain synapses, enabling better understanding of how connections change with learning, aging, injury and disease. Machine learning was leveraged to enhance image quality, allowing for detection and tracking of individual synapses.
Researchers developed a method to 'tip the balance' of immune cells from bad to good, reversing MS-like symptoms in 100% of mice and achieving full recovery in 38%. The therapy uses biodegradable microparticles to deliver three key therapeutic agents, including rapamycin and a myelin peptide.
A recent study published in JAMA Neurology found that heart attacks are associated with a faster decline in cognitive function over time. The research analyzed data from six large studies and showed that individuals who had a heart attack experienced a decline in global cognition equivalent to about six to 13 years of aging.
A Johns Hopkins Medicine-led team identified protein fragments that stimulate the immune system to recognize and attack HIV. The study's technique, called reductionist cell-free antigen processing, replicates the complex events in the human immune system, enabling the identification of immunodominant epitopes.
Researchers developed an experimental drug, 32-134D, that inhibits HIF protein levels, reducing blood vessel production and leakiness in diabetic eyes. The study shows promising results in both human cell models and mice, suggesting a safer therapeutic approach for diabetic eye disease.
Researchers used AI models to predict effective peptide sequences for safe drug delivery in eye cells, promising new treatments for glaucoma and macular degeneration. The model accurately predicted a peptide sequence that bound to melanin, releasing medications over several weeks.
SpaceMarkers, a new machine learning software, can identify molecular interactions among distinct cell types in and around tumors. By analyzing spatial transcriptomics data, it reveals genes overexpressed due to cell-to-cell interactions, providing new avenues for understanding cancer progression and treatment responses.
A new Johns Hopkins Medicine study found that patients with low pain self-efficacy are more likely to use daily prescribed opioids before surgery. Surgeons can use pain self-efficacy scores to identify high-risk patients and provide education and counseling to improve post-surgery outcomes.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine found a link between chemical marks on fathers' sperm and autistic traits in their 3-year-old children. The study identified 94 regions of differential DNA methylation associated with high scores on a social responsiveness scale, indicating potential markers for autism risk.
Researchers found that spinal cord stimulation reduced pain response in rats with human lung cancer tissue without compromising paclitaxel effectiveness. The study also showed SCS improved antitumor efficacy of paclitaxel, providing evidence for its potential as a companion treatment.
A novel cell signaling pathway has been identified that could be targeted to treat aggressive pancreatic cancers. The High Mobility Group A1 (HMGA1) protein functions as a 'molecular switch' that activates genes required for tumor growth and invasion. Silencing HMGA1 or disrupting FGF19 signals in mouse models resulted in decreased tum...
A recent study published in JAMA Oncology reveals that disparities in cancer care are linked to differences between clinicians' and patients' identities. Younger, lower-income minorities were disproportionately affected by delayed care due to these identity differences.
Researchers found that dopamine availability in the brain affects people's self-assessment of physical effort and willingness to undertake future exertions. The study, which involved Parkinson's disease patients, suggests that dopamine level is a critical factor in helping people accurately assess how much effort a physical task requires.
Enoblituzumab, a monoclonal antibody, is safe in men with aggressive prostate cancer and may induce clinical activity against cancer throughout the body. The drug targets B7-H3 protein overexpressed on prostate cancer cells, blocking immune system inhibition and triggering tumor cell destruction by activating immune cells.
Researchers have identified a biomarker signature that can predict which patients with kidney cancer will respond well to immunotherapy. The signature is based on the number of immune cells in and around tumors, the amount of dead cancer tissue, and mutations to a tumor suppressor gene called PBRM1.
A study by Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers found that certain biomarkers in urine and blood can predict the risk of developing chronic kidney disease (CKD) in patients with acute kidney injury (AKI). Higher levels of KIM-1, MCP-1, and TNFRI were associated with a increased risk of CKD progression.
A new study of over 200 people with premature aging syndromes caused by abnormally short telomeres suggests that chromosomal instability may not be the reason for increased cancer risk. Instead, immune system cells that age and die prematurely may play a role in cancer predisposition.
The funding will support preclinical research using genetically modified pigs, aiming to improve compatibility and reduce immune rejection in xenotransplantation. The goal is to enable human clinical trials and address the organ shortage crisis.
Breast tumor microbes vary significantly among women of different ethnicities, with potential implications for personalized care and disease progression. Researchers identified distinct microbial biomarkers associated with genes involved in tumor aggressiveness and immune response.
Scientists have identified monocytes, a type of white blood cell, as a potential target for eliminating HIV infections. A new study found that monocytes can harbor stable HIV genomes, which may provide a new direction for efforts to improve therapies and eventually cure the disease.