Researchers found that flu vaccines with adjuvants do not work as well in obese mice, highlighting the urgent need to understand vaccine response in obese humans. Obesity leaves individuals at increased risk for flu-related complications, including hospitalization and death.
Researchers developed a measurement called cumulative burden to capture chronic disease in childhood cancer survivors, showing that Hodgkin lymphoma patients have more cardiovascular conditions and severe heart problems than adults without childhood cancer. This method should aid efforts to reduce and better manage late effects of canc...
A study led by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital found that wild ducks and other aquatic birds do not carry highly pathogenic flu viruses, which caused widespread poultry outbreaks in North America. The research suggests that existing immunity in wild birds may explain why these viruses do not persist in their populations.
Experts have established a common vocabulary in pharmacogenetics to advance precision medicine. The standardized terms will help guide clinicians, laboratory staff, and patients in interpreting clinical pharmacogenetic test results. The goal is to improve medication safety and effectiveness by individualizing patient care.
A study of childhood cancer survivors found that most had no reported psychological symptoms, but those who did often experienced multiple symptoms and distinct profiles. The researchers emphasize the need for robust screening efforts and identification of appropriate treatments to help prevent behavioral, emotional, and social problems.
A team of researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital discovered that the loss of essential protein Alix leads to hydrocephalus in mice by compromising the epithelial barrier and disrupting tight junctions. This study provides new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying brain homeostasis.
Paul A. Northcott, a researcher at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, has been selected as a Pew-Stewart Scholar to tackle medulloblastoma, the most common malignant pediatric brain tumor. The award includes four years of funding and aims to develop much-needed therapies for patients who relapse.
Pediatric leukemia patients exposed to higher concentrations of methotrexate are more likely to struggle with mental flexibility, organization, and related skills as long-term survivors. Brain imaging revealed changes in brain regions associated with executive functioning, including increased activity in the frontal lobe region.
Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital are presenting promising preliminary results from clinical trials of an experimental monoclonal antibody for treating high-risk pediatric patients with neuroblastoma. Additionally, studies suggest that high-dose methotrexate may leave some survivors at risk for attention problems, wh...
A Phase II clinical trial has shown an 80% success rate in shrinking tumors in newly diagnosed, high-risk neuroblastoma patients treated with a new monoclonal antibody. The experimental agent was found to have reduced treatment-limiting pain compared to other anti-GD2 monoclonal antibodies.
The study reveals ULK1 and ULK2 control protein movement from the endoplasmic reticulum to the Golgi apparatus, maintaining cellular homeostasis. Restoring this process quelled ER stress response in cells deficient in the two enzymes.
Researchers used pharmacologic modeling and simulation to calculate optimal drug doses for a clinical trial of ependymoma patients. The approach led to the development of a successful phase I clinical trial with a recommended dose of 500mg/m2 body surface area administered weekly.
A targeted antibiotic, Debio 1452, was found to minimize disruptions to the gut microbiome in mice compared to broad-spectrum antibiotics. The study suggests that pathogen-selective approaches to antibiotic development can help preserve beneficial bacteria and prevent secondary infections.
Researchers identified a rare genetic variation associated with an increased risk of severe acute pancreatitis in ALL patients treated with asparaginase. Native American ancestry and older age were also found to be risk factors for the condition.
A novel gene therapy developed at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital has shown promising results in rebuilding the immune system of young adults with X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency disease (SCID-X1). The treatment, which combines lentivirus gene therapy with busulfan conditioning, resulted in improved health and reduced c...
Researchers found that defects in LC3-associated phagocytosis (LAP) may contribute to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), the most common form of lupus. LAP ensures proper digestion and disposal of dead cells, which was found to be impaired in SLE-prone mice.
Researchers will report on newly identified gene variants that impact breast cancer risk in childhood cancer survivors treated with radiation therapy. A novel analytical approach also detected pathogenic germline mutations predisposing carriers to develop cancer.
Scientists have discovered a key mechanism controlling the production of daughter cells in the immune system, which could lead to more effective vaccines and cancer treatments. Asymmetric cell division generates two types of cells with distinct properties, influenced by the distribution of c-Myc signaling protein.
Researchers developed insights to guide powerful new anti-influenza drug development by analyzing artificially created drug-resistant flu strains' molecular details. The compounds target the endonuclease active site, a region where viruses can mutate to evade existing drugs.
Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital found that maternal bacterial infections trigger abnormal proliferation of neurons in the fetal brain, leading to changes in cognitive functioning and increased risk of autism. Treatment with antibiotics like ampicillin may exacerbate these effects.
Scientists at St Jude Children's Research Hospital discovered a new pathway for mitochondrial cell death involving the BCL-2 ovarian killer protein. This mechanism is linked to cellular stress and may lead to new cancer treatments.
The protein NPM1 is revealed as the 'glue' that holds proteins and RNA together in the nucleolus, enabling phase separation and retention of key molecules. This structure makes it ideal for its role in ribosome assembly.
Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital identified an enzyme that aids pneumococcus survival by removing its capsule, making it harder to be detected and destroyed by the immune system. This discovery has profound implications for treatment and vaccine strategies to combat invasive pneumococcal disease.
Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and the German Cancer Research Center have identified four new subtypes of a rare childhood brain tumor using molecular techniques. This discovery is expected to improve diagnosis accuracy and treatment options for these hard-to-treat cancers.
A study led by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital scientists has identified four inherited NUDT15 gene variations that alter thiopurine metabolism, leaving patients sensitive to the drugs and at risk for treatment-disrupting toxicity. The research paves the way for personalized chemotherapy tailored to each patient's genetic makeup.
Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital have identified 17 new genes that regulate hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in mice. The study found that the Foxa3 gene plays a crucial role in repopulating blood-forming stem cells after transplantation, offering hope for improving transplant outcomes and reducing mortality.
Researchers found that pediatric ALL patients treated with chemotherapy alone remain at risk for attention and learning problems, even after treatment ends. The study, published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, suggests that early intervention is crucial to prevent academic difficulties.
Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital have discovered a unique mechanism underlying Ph-like ALL, a particularly aggressive form of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The findings reveal that chromosomal rearrangements lead to the activation of a truncated EPOR gene, driving white blood cells to proliferate out of control.
Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital found that adult survivors of childhood brain tumors exhibit significant cognitive deficits in intelligence, educational achievement, and employment. The study also showed that hydrocephalus is associated with poor cognitive function, even decades after treatment.
Researchers have identified the cells responsible for childhood brain tumor subtype Group 4 medulloblastoma, a breakthrough that may lead to more effective treatments. By studying the epigenome, scientists found that these tumors originate from neural stem cells in the developing cerebellum.
Regulatory T cells use autophagy to maintain stability and function during their task of preventing autoimmune disease. Eliminating this process can lead to excessive cell death and loss of identity in the cells.
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital scientists identified a molecular property of the hemagglutinin protein that contributed to the emergence of the 2009 H1N1 pandemic influenza virus. The study found that the adaptation increased the protein's stability in acidic conditions, allowing airborne transmission.
Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital have identified diacylglycerol kinase alpha as a potential therapeutic target for X-linked lymphoproliferative disease. Inhibition of this enzyme restored sensitivity to cell death in X-linked lymphoproliferative T cells and curtailed T cell expansion in virus-infected mice.
Changes in childhood cancer treatment and follow-up care have reduced deaths from late effects and extended lives of long-term survivors. Better screening guidelines and reduced radiation therapy have contributed to the decline in deaths.
Researchers identified a pivotal role of the Miz1 protein in determining tumor identity and its interaction with Myc proteins driving group 3 medulloblastoma. The study suggests targeting the Miz1-Myc complex may suppress the spread of group 3 tumors.
The St. Jude Children's Research Hospital has developed ProteinPaint, a web application and dataset that provides an interactive tool for researchers worldwide to advance their understanding of pediatric cancer mutations. The tool offers critical information unavailable with existing visualization tools, allowing users to see the impac...
Researchers discovered that aggressive tumors hijack an export pathway in cells to lay the groundwork for cancer progression and resistance to chemotherapy. Blocking this pathway may help restore tumor vulnerability to chemotherapy.
Research from St. Jude Children's Research Hospital found genetic variations associated with an 8-to-15-fold increased risk for osteonecrosis in young ALL patients. These variants were more common in patients who developed osteonecrosis, particularly near the BMP7 gene important for bone development.
Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital identified a small molecule that inhibits the function of 'disordered' protein p27, which may aid regeneration of sensory hair cells to combat hearing loss. The discovery raises broader hopes for drug development targeting disordered proteins in various diseases.
Researchers analyzed genomic data from 1,120 pediatric cancer patients and found that 8.5% had pathogenic germline mutations in cancer predisposition genes. This study suggests that comprehensive genomic screening may be necessary for all pediatric cancer patients, not just those with a family history of cancer.
Researchers identified an inherited ETV6 gene variation associated with an increased risk of childhood leukemia. The study found that the variation, which disrupts DNA binding function, may play a significant role in inherited predisposition to cancer.
Childhood cancer survivors showed significant improvements in working memory, attention, and processing speed after completing computer-based cognitive training. The training program, using Cogmed, improved performance comparable to stimulant medications and showed changes in brain activity suggesting neuroplasticity.
Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital have identified a mechanism underlying the formation of stress granules in cells under stress, which are linked to degenerative diseases such as ALS. The study reveals that mutations in proteins involved in stress granule assembly can lead to toxic fibrils and disease progression.
The study reveals that C9ORF72 mutations block the transfer of information between the nucleus and cytoplasm, leading to neuron deterioration. The research provides insight into developing targeted therapies for ALS and FTD.
Researchers have discovered a new pathway that tumor suppressor protein p53 uses to induce apoptosis and kill cancer cells. The process involves a shape change in one of p53's amino acids, which activates the BAX protein and triggers cell death.
A targeted therapy called vismodegib is effective against the SHH subtype of medulloblastoma in adults, which accounts for about 60% of tumors. The drug blocks a key protein in the sonic hedgehog signaling pathway and has been shown to shrink or disappear tumors in four adult participants.
Researchers developed new diagnostic criteria to differentiate between malignant and benign mediastinal masses in children. The criteria use symptoms, laboratory tests, and CT scans to identify a better way to refine diagnoses, potentially leading to earlier detection of cancers like lymphomas and neuroblastomas.
Researchers used new methods to compare two stem cell types and found one superior at producing retinal cells. The study demonstrates a standardized method for quantifying effectiveness, which could advance treatments for age-related macular degeneration and other vision loss disorders.
Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital have found a way to prevent or slow progression of colorectal cancer by boosting the activity of a protective gene called AIM2 and giving patients healthy donor bacteria.
Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital have created a second-generation antibiotic that effectively combats common bacterial infections resistant to commonly used antibiotics. The spectinomycin analogs block the growth of strains and demonstrate increased antibacterial activity against various pathogens.