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Mass General Brigham


New genetic risk score identifies individuals at risk for heart disease who may benefit most from cholesterol-lowering therapies

Researchers developed a polygenic risk score that examines genes associated with endothelial cell function to identify individuals with higher cardiovascular disease risk. The study found that individuals with intact endothelial function may have protection, while those with EC dysfunction may be more sensitive to LDL-C concentrations.

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalNature Medicine·DateFeb 26, 2025

Suicide prevention awareness campaigns are not optimized for older adults despite being at highest risk

A new study reveals that most well-known national suicide prevention organizations do not have easily accessible resources targeting older adults, who are at the highest risk of suicide. The findings highlight the urgent need for targeted campaigns and tailored prevention programs that address the unique healthcare needs of older adults.

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalAmerican Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry·TypeContent analysis·DateFeb 24, 2025

Research spotlight: Projecting the impact of funding cuts to the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR)

A study projects the impact of PEPFAR funding cuts on South Africa, finding that eliminating funding would lead to significant increases in HIV infections and related deaths. The analysis highlights the devastating consequences of abrupt funding cuts, including a $1.7 billion increase in healthcare expenditure.

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 11, 2025

New dual stem cell therapy developed to treat brain metastasis in patients with non-small cell lung cancer

Researchers have developed a novel stem cell treatment strategy for leptomeningeal brain metastasis, a severe form of metastatic brain cancer. The new therapy, which combines allogeneic dual stem cells with oncolytic herpes simplex virus and single chain variable fragment of anti-PD-1, shows promise in preclinical models.

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 23, 2025

Study identifies mechanism underlying increased osteoarthritis risk in postmenopausal females

A new study identifies the molecular mechanisms underlying increased osteoarthritis risk in postmenopausal females, revealing that menopause-induced changes in sex hormone levels contribute to joint degeneration. Restoring these hormones may protect against cartilage degeneration, paving the way for novel treatments.

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalNature Aging·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 16, 2025

Study finding Xenon gas could protect against Alzheimer’s disease leads to start of clinical trial

A study from Mass General Brigham and Washington University School of Medicine found that Xenon gas inhalation reduced brain atrophy, neuroinflammation, and improved nest-building behaviors in mouse models of Alzheimer's disease. The treatment also induced a protective microglial response associated with clearing amyloid and improving ...

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalScience Translational Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateJan 15, 2025

Research Spotlight: Lipid nanoparticle therapy developed to stop tumor growth and restore tumor suppression

Researchers developed a novel approach using lipid nanoparticles to deliver mRNA and siRNA, restoring tumor suppressors and inhibiting tumor drivers in prostate cancer cells. This technique holds promise for treating various types of cancer by targeting specific pathways related to tumor growth and suppression.

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalACS Nanoscience Au·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 9, 2025

Cancer-preventing topical immunotherapy trains the immune system to fight precancers

A new study by Mass General Brigham researchers reveals that a novel immunotherapy can eliminate precancerous spots and prevent skin cancer through the activation of specific immune cells. The therapy successfully cleared over 95% of facial lesions and showed long-term efficacy, with benefits lasting up to five years after treatment.

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJan 2, 2025

Leveraging AI to assist clinicians with physical exams

A new study found that large language models can provide useful physical exam recommendations and instructions based on patient symptoms. The researchers used GPT-4 to recommend physical exam instructions and evaluated its performance by three attending physicians, scoring at least 80% of the possible points.

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalJournal of Medical Artificial Intelligence·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateDec 18, 2024

Research Spotlight: Improving liver cancer outcomes through enhanced immunotherapy

Researchers have made significant breakthroughs in treating liver cancer, with a new study revealing the potential of anti-CXCR4 therapy to reprogram the 'cold' microenvironment. The combination of anti-CXCR4 and PD1 blockades enhances intratumoral dendritic cell activation and immune responses against hepatocellular carcinoma.

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalCancer Immunology Research·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 13, 2024

Mass General Brigham research leads to new insights on preventing brain injury after cardiac arrest

A team of researchers from Mass General Brigham has identified changes in immune cells that can predict patient recovery after cardiac arrest. The study suggests that a particular population of cells may provide protection against brain injury and a drug that can activate these cells, improving neurological outcomes in preclinical stud...

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalScience Translational Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateDec 4, 2024

Mass General Brigham researchers find too much sitting hurts the heart

A new study by Mass General Brigham researchers found that excessive sedentary behavior increases the risk of heart failure and cardiovascular death. Even among individuals who meet guideline levels of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, sitting for extended periods can still pose significant health risks. The study's findings sugg...

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·TypeObservational study·DateNov 15, 2024

Clinical trial shows positive results for potential treatment to combat a challenging rare disease

A phase 3 clinical trial has demonstrated that inebilizumab significantly reduced the risk of symptoms in patients with immunoglobulin G4-related disease (IgG4-RD) by 87%. The treatment, which depletes CD19-expressing B cells, shows promise for improving patient outcomes and reducing the need for immunosuppressive treatment.

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateNov 14, 2024