Researchers at MUSC discovered that thioredoxin, a powerful antioxidant molecule, can extend the life of adoptive T-cells and improve anti-tumor activity. This finding suggests that treating human T-cells with thioredoxin before administration may increase cell viability and improve the effectiveness of immune-based therapies.
The Hollings Cancer Center has received a $3 million grant from the National Cancer Institute to continue its research on a novel immunotherapy combination for treating lung cancer. The team, led by Mark Rubinstein and John Wrangle, aims to understand why some patients respond better to this treatment than others.
Hollings Cancer Center researchers used a whole-organism approach to study cell division cycles, revealing two modules that work similarly in all cell types and organs. The findings confirm previous knowledge and address new questions about the regulation of E2F transcription factors.
Researchers at MUSC found that older men with scleroderma have higher estrogen levels than postmenopausal women, which is linked to more severe disease and heart involvement. This discovery provides evidence for the role of estrogen in scleroderma and may lead to new therapeutic approaches.
A study published in the Journal of Perinatology found that pregnant black women with low vitamin D levels have higher levels of bacteria associated with preterm delivery. In contrast, white women with higher vitamin D levels had more lactobacilli, a type of bacteria that promotes vaginal health.
Research by Medical University of South Carolina investigators reveals genetic variations in fetal heart valve cells can cause mitral valve prolapse later in life. The study found that defects in primary cilia contribute to the disease, which can be present early but remains benign until decades later.
Researchers at Medical University of South Carolina identified a metabolic Achilles heel in cancer, exploiting glutamine addiction. A new combination treatment has shown promise in treating drug-resistant esophageal cancer cells.
A team of researchers at Medical University of South Carolina developed a natural language processing software that identified socially isolated prostate cancer patients with 90 percent accuracy. This technology can help physicians provide care informed by an awareness of their patients' social determinants of health, including social ...
A recent study found that over 7% of surveyed children in Puerto Rico exhibited clinically significant symptoms of PTSD, with 45% having damage to their own homes and 58% experiencing a friend or family member leaving the island. Social connections and timing of surveys may be protective factors against higher PTSD rates.
Researchers at MUSC have identified a critical lipid-binding pocket on the SET protein that can be targeted with rational drug design to develop better cancer therapeutics. Fingolimod and other FDA-approved drugs bind this pocket, restoring PP2A's growth-suppressive function and killing cancer cells.
A pilot study at the Medical University of South Carolina found that peppermint oil improved symptoms of esophagus disorders, including difficulty swallowing and non-cardiac chest pain. The study showed a significant improvement in symptoms among patients with spastic disorders of the esophagus.
Jasper Heinsbroek, a recent MUSC graduate, receives the DP5 award to pursue independent addiction research and develop new therapeutics. The grant will enable him to establish himself as an independent researcher and follow up on his doctoral research.
Researchers at MUSC found that procedure time is vital in thrombectomy success, with diminishing returns after the 60-minute mark. The study suggests that surgeons should pause and reassess if a procedure is worth continuing beyond this point.
Researchers at MUSC discovered that silencing the gene Ccdc117 impedes rapid growth of precursor cells, leading to abnormal heart development. Exercise and improved nutrition may lessen the likelihood of heart malformations in fetuses.
A study published in JAMA Network Open found that continued smoking after a cancer diagnosis increases the risk of cancer treatment failure and adds $11,000 to treatment costs per patient. The research estimates $3.4 billion in national additional cancer treatment costs if patients continue to smoke.
Researchers found a link between 'leaky gut' and autoantibody production in HIV-positive patients, with high levels of Staphylococcus products in the blood. A 'leaky gut' allows bacteria to enter the bloodstream, triggering an immune response that can lead to autoimmunity.
Thierry Pécot, a Hollings Cancer Center researcher, has received a $1.1 million grant from the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative to develop deep learning tools for biomedical image analysis. The goal is to enable biologists to apply these tools to their images and accelerate disease research.
Researchers at MUSC have shown that restoring the enzyme's ability to produce nitric oxide can help protect against heart disease in lupus patients. The study suggests that this approach could also be relevant to heart disease more broadly, by promoting endothelial cell function and reducing inflammation.
A team of researchers at the Medical University of South Carolina has identified a critical brain circuit involved in cocaine-seeking behavior during relapse. Targeting neurons in this circuit could offer a new approach to treating cocaine addiction.
Researchers have identified GARP, a protein on immune cells, as a potential new target for immunotherapy against colorectal cancer. Disrupting GARP reduces tolerance and inhibits Treg cell migration to the gut, leading to reduced colon cancer development.
A study recommends innovative strategies to address underrepresentation of racial and ethnic minorities in clinical trials, highlighting the need for tailored approaches. The study identifies key components such as strategic engagement with providers, community leader engagement, and dedicated input from minority patients and caregiver...
Researchers at Medical University of South Carolina found that marijuana and tobacco co-users with a close link between their use were more dependent on tobacco and smoked more cigarettes per day. This study highlights the need for personalized cessation programs to address the unique challenges faced by co-users.
A research team at the Medical University of South Carolina has discovered a novel binding site for E1 inhibitors, which could lead to the design of more efficient anti-cancer drugs. The study reveals a new mechanism for promoting drug design and specificity.
Researchers at Hollings Cancer Center have discovered a new sub-cellular complex called ceramidosomes, which form in the cell membrane and induce cancer cell death. The complexes are made up of lipid molecules called ceramide and two protein components, and their formation is integral to drug-induced cancer cell death.
A new study suggests that estrogen plays a crucial role in the brain's response to methamphetamine, with female rats showing a stronger response due to higher levels of estrogen. This finding has important implications for developing more effective male- and female-specific treatments for addiction.
Researchers at MUSC created an online software package to train health care workers using simulation in safe Ebola disease response, increasing knowledge of effective prevention by up to 19% and reducing critical errors. The program aims to reduce the number of critical errors and risky actions committed when treating an Ebola patient.
Researchers at MUSC identified targeting Sirt-1 as a promising approach to controlling Graft-VS-Host Disease (GVHD) in patients undergoing bone marrow transplants. This study showed that inhibiting Sirt-1 can suppress T cells leading to GVHD without affecting tumor relapse, offering new hope for improved patient outcomes.
A recent study published in Nicotine & Tobacco Research found that female smokers experience more stress and craving after viewing cellphone-delivered stress-inducing images than male smokers. This suggests that improving quit outcomes in women may require gender-specific cessation strategies. Researchers hope to use the data from this...
Researchers at MUSC sound the alarm about hydrocephalus associated with long-term spaceflight (HALS), a brain condition that affects astronauts during extended space missions. The study, published in JAMA Neurology, highlights the need for more research into HALS to understand its effects on the human brain and develop countermeasures.
Researchers at Medical University of South Carolina found that antibiotic disruption of the gut microbiome leads to increased osteoclast activity, dysregulating post-pubertal skeletal development. The study also revealed changes in immune cell populations, including an increase in myeloid-derived suppressor cells.
Researchers have discovered that laryngeal symptoms such as hoarseness and dysphoric breathing can be caused by compression of cranial nerves 9 and 10 at the brain stem. Neurosurgical decompression has been shown to significantly improve quality of life for patients with these symptoms.
Medical University of South Carolina researchers found that advanced glycation end products (AGEs) can hamper response to tamoxifen therapy for ER-positive breast cancer patients. Lifestyle interventions, such as exercise and dietary counseling, may help reduce AGE levels and improve treatment outcomes.
Researchers at Medical University of South Carolina identify insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 5 (IGFBP-5) as a potential therapeutic target for lung fibrosis. The protein promotes fibrosis by turning on profibrotic genes and increasing levels of profibrotic factors.
In a breakthrough study, researchers successfully delivered a microRNA called miR-126 via a nanocarrier to improve survival rates in a preclinical model of sepsis. The treatment resulted in over 67% of mice being alive at seven days compared to just 25% of untreated mice.
A triple combination regimen including adoptive T cell therapy, a PIM kinase inhibitor, and a PD-1 inhibitor boosts T cell persistence and improves survival in a mouse model of melanoma. This treatment doubles the migration of anti-tumor T cells to the tumor site and quadruples survival compared to ACT alone.
A neuroimaging study reveals that the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) shows increased activity when patients are shown drug cues, indicating a potential target for addiction treatment. The study aims to develop a novel non-invasive therapy using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to modulate neural networks.
A new study found that cessation fatigue, emotional exhaustion and reduced coping resources, increases in the first six weeks of a quit attempt, leading to worse performance on smoking cessation milestones. High cessation fatigue scores predicted lower chances of going a full week without smoking at two months.
Researchers at Medical University of South Carolina identified nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) as a compound that restores mitochondrial function and energy production in Mitochondrial DNA Depletion Syndromes (MTDPS) liver-like cells. NAD was found to increase ATP levels by activating a transcription cascade that results in inc...
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients who receive timely care have better survival rates compared to those with delayed care. MUSC researchers found that African American patients are disproportionately affected by delays in treatment, highlighting the need for coordinated action to address this issue.
Neuroene Therapeutics is developing a vitamin K analogue to improve seizure control in patients with drug-resistant epilepsy. The company will test the efficacy and safety of its lead compounds with assistance from the University of Utah's Anticonvulsant Drug Development Program.
Researchers discovered a new compound that enhances the efficacy of proteasome inhibitors, commonly used to treat multiple myeloma. The compound targets protein disulfide isomerases, making it effective against drug-resistant cells. This breakthrough offers hope for patients with this cancer.
Researchers at MUSC Hollings Cancer Center aim to find a less toxic, more effective treatment for metastatic breast cancer using a novel therapeutic antibody and innovative molecular imaging tools. The study will investigate the calcineurin/NFAT pathway's role in tumor growth and its potential inhibition by the antibody.
Researchers at MUSC have developed a novel AI method that analyzes the neural networks of epilepsy patients to predict seizure-free outcome post-surgery. The technique, which maps the whole-brain connectome, achieved an accuracy rate of 79-88%, outperforming current clinical methods.
Researchers found a relationship between high FGF23 levels and structural compromise in the brain, particularly in the frontal lobes, which control learning and complex cognitive functions. Elevated FGF23 levels were also associated with increased disconnection in the brain, indicating problems with brain health in those areas.
A study by Medical University of South Carolina found that breast cancer patients who received a second opinion at an NCI-designated center experienced a significant change in diagnosis, with 43% of cases altered. The review by a multidisciplinary tumor board led to the identification of additional cancers in 16 patients and changes in...
Scientists at the Medical University of South Carolina discovered that over-expression of VRK1 actually slows down cancer cell migration and invasion, but enables cells to form colonies under 3D conditions. High levels of VRK1 are associated with aggressive breast cancers and poor prognoses in patients with metastatic breast cancer.
Researchers at USC and MUSC found that transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) significantly improved naming exercises in stroke patients with long-term aphasia. The study shows tDCS coupled with speech therapy is a promising new treatment for these patients.
A $2 million phase 2 grant will be used to further develop a compound that has shown efficacy in preclinical studies against treatment-resistant multiple myeloma. The goal is to create a one-two punch when administered with proteasome inhibitors, making it an effective treatment option for patients.
Researchers at MUSC and Ohio State University have discovered an unexpected mechanism that underlies cardiomyopathy in DMD. Inhibiting NF-κB normalizes calcium handling and significantly increases calcium gene expression, leading to improved heart function.
Researchers found liver cells do not need ORC1 to replicate DNA, a key component of cell division. This process, called an endocycle, allows cells to copy their DNA multiple times without dividing, resulting in larger cells with more DNA. Understanding this mechanism could help explain how cancer arises and how it spreads.