Dr. Amir Iravani brings expertise in molecular imaging and radiopharmaceutical therapy to UCLA Health, expanding research and clinical cancer care. He aims to integrate theranostics into cancer care, expand clinical trials, and develop new treatments for solid tumors and hematologic malignancies.
A phase 3 trial shows infigratinib treatment significantly improves growth in children with achondroplasia, a skeletal condition causing disproportionate short stature. The oral treatment option is particularly suitable for early intervention in infants, who are most likely to benefit from pharmacologic treatment.
Two UCLA studies published in Cell and Science uncover the role of metabolism and physical signals in guiding radial glia to produce specific cell types in the developing human cortex. Metabolic research found that the pentose phosphate pathway influences cell fate, while thalamic projections make direct physical contact with radial gl...
A review led by UCLA investigators found that AI can identify subtle signs of breast cancers missed during routine mammograms, but its clinical benefit is uncertain. AI may also identify patterns associated with an increased risk of cancer before it becomes visible on a mammogram.
A new study suggests that estrogen hormone treatment combining estriol and progesterone may help alleviate 'brain fog' symptoms in menopausal women. The study found significant reductions in cognitive symptoms such as memory, concentration, and problem-solving after 12 months of treatment.
A UCLA study found that patients with cancer who used biosimilars had lower average monthly costs for insurers and patients, with savings of $3,820 for insurers and $39.50 for patients. The study also found that biosimilar entry led to lower prices and declining market share for the original branded biologic drugs.
Dr. Mina Sedrak has received a $3.6 million NIH grant to develop strategies for improving physical recovery and reducing frailty in older adults after hematopoietic cell transplantation. The grant will support a multisite randomized clinical trial testing the effectiveness of combining exercise with a senolytic therapy in improving phy...
A new UCLA study found that teenage girls who experienced the highest levels of childhood trauma showed the largest gains in social connectedness after participating in a breathwork course combined with social-emotional learning. The program, developed by the International Association for Human Values, increased social connectedness by...
Researchers analyzed patient data from five clinical trials to evaluate the impact of adding hormone therapy on postoperative radiation outcomes. While traditional pathological features can identify patients at higher risk of recurrence, they do not predict treatment benefit.
Researchers at UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center are developing drug-based strategies to enhance cancer immunotherapy for melanoma and potentially other cancers. They identified two promising compounds that could strengthen T cell interaction with cancer cells or make tumor cells more susceptible to destruction by T cells.
Researchers found the nucleocapsid protein amplifies inflammatory pathways in macrophages, fueling tissue-damaging immune responses. The study suggests a possible mechanism for cardiac injury seen in severe COVID-19 cases and points to targeted treatments
Researchers used real human brain tissue samples to test the underlying mechanisms of deep brain stimulation. They found that brain cells became more synchronized in communicating, similar to memory formation, while altering gene expression across different types of brain cells.
Adults with type 2 diabetes have a high risk of fragility fractures, but new research found GLP-1 receptor agonists reduce this risk by 21% compared to DPP-4 inhibitors. The largest reductions occurred in hip, femur, and spine fractures.
Researchers at UCLA created a 'cell village' approach to study the genetics of brain cell fitness, which revealed that individuals with autism are more likely to have faster-dividing cells. This discovery could lead to early mechanistic understanding of how autism develops and improve personalized treatment.
Researchers have identified a promising strategy to improve the effectiveness of targeted therapies in advanced prostate cancer. By combining ADCs with a drug that blocks BCL-XL, they triggered greater cancer cell death and slowed tumor growth. The approach could offer a new strategy for improving antibody-drug conjugates against metas...
Researchers found that a single dose of rapamycin rapidly improved symptoms in adult mice with autism-like changes, reversing abnormal brain signaling and behavior within two hours. The study suggests the adult brain's functional circuitry, not just its physical structure, as a target for future treatment approaches.
A new UCLA Health study found that female ER physicians request more imaging and laboratory tests and admit more patients to the hospital than their male counterparts. However, the additional testing was just as likely to uncover important findings, suggesting clinically appropriate care.
Breast cancers diagnosed during the first three years after childbirth are biologically more aggressive than similar cancers in women who have never given birth. The Oncotype DX Breast Recurrence Score suggests biological features associated with a higher risk of recurrence among these patients, including higher-grade tumors.
Researchers estimate that relabeling Grade Group 1 prostate cancer as a precancerous condition could reduce unnecessary treatment and prevent nearly 2,400 prostate cancer deaths annually. This change may encourage more men to get screened, potentially leading to fewer deaths from aggressive prostate cancer.
Researchers found that field-based homeless healthcare programs can improve the management of high blood pressure among homeless individuals, leading to a significant reduction in mortality and disability. The study suggests that these programs can have a positive impact on the health of people experiencing homelessness.
Lili Yang and her team aim to develop a universal CAR-NKT cell immunotherapy for multiple sclerosis, providing a sustained therapeutic effect that daily or weekly medications cannot match. The approach targets the core biological mechanisms of MS, offering a potentially more significant delay or even cure.
Researchers at UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center receive $1.7M grant to advance CAR T-cell therapies for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. They will investigate a new approach combining engineered nanovial technology with single-cell analysis to rapidly evaluate and optimize dual-targeted CAR T-cell therapies.
Researchers led by Dr. Nima Nassiri have successfully transplanted a human bladder for the first time, with patient Oscar Larrainzar thriving a year after the operation. The breakthrough procedure has paved the way for a new field of surgery and offers hope to patients with end-stage bladder disease.
The project aims to systematically map how individual pairs of cells influence each other, with the goal of understanding cell-cell communication in health and disease. By characterizing the cellular dyad, scientists can determine which cell influenced which partner, when the interaction began and what changed as a result.
Dr. Nowicki's research aims to develop a next-generation CAR-T cell therapy targeting GD2, a protein found on osteosarcoma cells, with enhanced immune-signaling molecule TNF-alpha. The grant will support preclinical studies to evaluate safety and effectiveness in laboratory and animal models.
Researchers developed an AI-powered platform to track drug responses across thousands of patient-derived organoids, enabling real-time monitoring and analysis of tumor heterogeneity. The platform successfully measured how tumor organoids responded to drug treatment, providing a detailed view of treatment responses at the level of indiv...
A new study found that individuals with anorexia nervosa may struggle to detect subtle stomach sensations and update their expectations when signals are present, which can lead to higher relapse risk. The vibrating pill could help doctors identify patients at higher risk of relapse and track treatment effectiveness.
A new study found associations between cardiac remodeling and higher risks of breast and colorectal cancers, with left ventricular mass index linked to breast cancer risk and reduced peak left atrial strain predictive of colorectal cancer risk. The study suggests that early heart changes may serve as an early marker for identifying ind...
Researchers at UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center have been awarded a $3.2 million NIH grant to develop advanced imaging and surgical strategies for improving glioblastoma outcomes. The team aims to use pH-based imaging to guide precise tumor removal and explore targeted therapies that target the tumor's acid-regulating systems.
Researchers found that people using illicit fentanyl regularly consume quantities equivalent to hundreds of times higher than hospital doses, contributing to high opioid tolerance and overdose deaths. The study aims to provide a more accurate understanding of fentanyl exposure and inform treatment protocols.
A new UCLA study reveals that creatine supplementation significantly slows tumor growth in mice by fueling dendritic cells, a critical class of immune cells. The findings suggest that creatine may be used to enhance the immune response of patients receiving immunotherapy or improve the quality of dendritic cell-based vaccines.
UCLA researchers are developing an AI-enhanced imaging platform to improve yttrium-90 radioembolization planning for patients with liver cancer. The new approach uses dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI scans to better characterize tumor blood flow and predict microsphere distribution.
Dr. Mina Sedrak has been selected to co-lead the Cancer in the Older Adult Committee of The Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology, focusing on improving care and outcomes for older adults with cancer. As a leading expert on aging and cancer, Sedrak aims to expand research on this population and address their unique needs.
A new UCLA-led study found that nursing homes in states with COVID-19 malpractice lawsuits protections had 2.5% fewer staff members compared to those without such protections. This resulted in an average of almost 8 hours less staff conducting clinical care and other duties per nursing home.
A new study shows that targeted cancer drug selpercatinib can significantly reduce the risk of lung cancer returning in patients with a rare genetic subtype. After two years, 92% of patients remained cancer-free, compared to 61% who received a placebo.
A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine shows an investigational targeted therapy, daraxonrasib, significantly extends overall survival for patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer, reducing death risk by 60%, compared to standard chemotherapy.
Researchers at UCLA Health have identified a brain region called the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) that regulates memory integration. The vmPFC acts as a quality control checkpoint, preventing memories from getting mixed up when they are significantly different or far apart in time.
UCLA researchers have found that patients with severe Valley Fever had abnormal immune responses, including overactive or underactive T cells. The team discovered two underlying immune programs that contribute to life-threatening disseminated Valley Fever and developed a new treatment approach using immunomodulation.
A new cytokine-armored CAR-T cell therapy has been developed to attack aggressive brain tumors in mice while reducing side effects. The approach recruits the body's immune system using IL-12 and DR-18 proteins, strengthening the anti-cancer response and improving tumor control.
Dr. Sandra Orsulic has received two federal awards totaling nearly $2 million to advance research aimed at improving outcomes for women with ovarian cancer. Her team will examine the body's inflammatory response after surgery and develop AI-powered tools to guide personalized treatment.
Scientists have identified a new drug target for treating Fragile X syndrome by blocking the EPAC2 brain protein, which improves abnormal brain activity and behavioral symptoms. The study uses genetically engineered mice to simulate the condition and finds that EPAC2 levels rise gradually as the brain matures.
Patients with prior C-sections are more likely to succeed in a vaginal birth at predominantly Black-serving hospitals, new research reveals. However, Black patients still face lower success rates compared to white patients.
A three-year research project aims to identify the molecular pathways linking exposure to pesticides and air pollution to Parkinson's disease development and progression. The study will analyze human stem cells, animal models, and genetic analyses to understand how environmental toxins trigger disease onset.
Prescriptions for ivermectin and benzimidazole increased significantly following a high-profile podcast endorsement, with the highest rates among men, White patients, and those in the US South. The study raises concerns about celebrity endorsements influencing people to turn to unproven treatments.
A study by UCLA Health researchers linked low immune responses to higher mortality rates in patients, using tuberculosis screening tests as a tool. The results suggest that these tests can predict mortality in various patient groups, including those undergoing organ transplants and cancer patients on immunotherapy.
A new study found that telemedicine has not led to increased visits and medical spending across all payer types, easing concerns about ballooning costs. However, it also found that rural areas and commercially insured patients had higher spending, but these changes were not statistically significant.
Glioblastoma is a highly aggressive brain tumor that has seen modest improvements in survival rates over the past decade. Researchers at UCLA's Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center are part of a national effort to develop more personalized approaches to care, combining advanced imaging and analysis of tumor tissue samples and blood test...
Researchers at UCLA Health have discovered that transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) selectively targets specific brain cells to restore communication channels in the brains of stressed mice. The study found that TMS repairs damaged dendritic spines, leading to enhanced activity and rapid improvements in stress-related behaviors.
Dr. Aparna Bhaduri receives $750k Pershing Square Sohn Cancer Prize for her innovative glioblastoma research. Her advanced human organoid models reveal how tumors interact with the immune system and brain cells, driving tumor aggressiveness.
Researchers found significant loss of neurons in the locus coeruleus, a second critical region involved in arousal and muscle tone regulation. This finding suggests an immune-mediated process and challenges the prevailing explanation for narcolepsy with cataplexy.