A new combination of immunotherapy and chemotherapy has caused tumors to shrink in 83% of patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer. The treatment, involving a CD40 antibody, checkpoint inhibitor, and standard-of-care chemotherapy, showed manageable side effects, suggesting a durable response.
A new study found that using an electronic dashboard linked to patients' medical records increased the prescription of preventive therapy by 18% among cardiac patients. The study suggests that education alone is not enough and that technology-assisted nudge approaches can be effective in improving prescribing rates.
Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania have found that a single population of stem cells generates new neurons throughout life in the hippocampus. This process is crucial for healthy learning, memory, and mood adjustment.
Researchers found that mailing FIT kits directly to patients increased completion rates by 24-29% within two-six months. Financial incentives did not significantly improve results. The study suggests framing and context of incentives can be more important than their dollar value, highlighting the principles of behavioral economics.
A new study published in Lancet HIV shows that a naltrexone implant was more effective in reducing relapse and improving HIV-related outcomes for HIV-positive patients with opioid addiction. The implant helped patients maintain their ART regimen, lower viral loads, and remain in addiction treatment without relapsing.
A new study found seven bacteria and immune factors in the vagina and cervix that increase or decrease the risk of spontaneous preterm birth, particularly in African-American women. Higher levels of β-defensin-2 lowered the risk of sPTB associated with cervicovaginal microbiota.
Researchers at University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that hepatocytes orchestrate cancer spread to liver by activating protein STAT3, which increases production of SAA proteins. This 'soil' allows cancer cells to 'seed' and establish in the liver.
Studies show that longer shifts do not lead to chronic sleep loss in first-year doctors, nor reduce safety for patients. However, interns working flexible overnight shifts experience lower alertness and more subjective sleepiness due to acute sleep loss.
A new study from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine reveals that states with strict gun laws experience higher homicide rates when neighboring states have more lenient laws. The research suggests that gun trafficking across state lines plays a significant role in this relationship.
Fracture injuries linked to dog walking have more than doubled in patients 65 and older between 2004 and 2017, with hip and upper extremity breaks being the most common. Researchers emphasize the importance of considering risks for falls in lifestyle recommendations to minimize such injuries.
A recent study found that disclosing bed bug infestations to potential tenants can lead to cost savings for landlords within five years. The legislation also aims to reduce the spread of bed bugs by promoting prompt treatment and respect for tenant rights, ultimately benefiting public health.
Researchers found that a single dose of PD-1 inhibitor before surgery can lead to complete remission and cancer-free follow-up for more than two years. Immune responses from this therapy can peak within seven days, allowing for earlier guidance on the most effective treatment approach.
Researchers at Penn Medicine have successfully cured nine patients of Hepatitis C after receiving heart transplants from deceased donors who were infected with the disease. The study suggests that using HCV-infected organs may be a viable option for patients awaiting a heart transplant.
Researchers found that patients often search health-related terms multiple times before visiting the hospital, highlighting a need for more effective communication between clinicians and patients. By analyzing patients' Google search histories with their electronic health records, physicians can adjust how they present information to b...
A recent study published in PNAS reveals that specialized lung cells appear early in fetal development, potentially offering future opportunities to treat lung damage caused by prematurity. The research team investigated the fetal signaling pathways active in these cells and found that they begin their specialized roles very early in p...
Research found that patients taking furosemide diuretic who also take prescription potassium supplements experience a 9.3% lower risk of death compared to those not taking potassium, especially during high temperatures. Further studies are needed to understand the generalizability of these findings to other patient populations.
A study by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania found that between 10-23% of respondents lied about their eligibility to participate in a survey when offered payment for flu vaccination status. The study suggests that offering money can encourage deception, and that lower payments may not prevent it.
A study by University of Pennsylvania researchers found that patients' words, such as 'told', frequently convey frustrations with poor communication. These feelings are strongly associated with low ratings and negative reviews.
Researchers found that chimpanzees' highly variable CD4 receptors block HIV and SIV entry into cells. This natural defense mechanism could inform the development of more effective HIV vaccines.
Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania have found a single gene, nemuri, that increases the need for sleep in fruit flies. The NEMURI protein fights germs with its antimicrobial activity and drives prolonged, deep sleep after an infection, promoting survival.
Researchers found incomplete and outdated compendia lists of medications and their uses, leading to denied coverage decisions without appeals. Dermatologists face challenges due to the lack of transparency in approval processes.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have identified a method to fuel macrophages with energy needed to attack and eat cancer cells. By rewiring macrophage metabolism, macrophages can overcome signals that prevent them from attacking tumors, leading to tumor shrinkage and prolonged survival in mice.
A proposed working group would study and monitor poorly regulated products, addressing potential health risks and efficacy concerns. The group aims to provide guidance and back up or refute claims made by companies, ultimately protecting consumers from harm.
A study at the University of Pennsylvania found a significant increase in opioid prescriptions for small animals, driven by complex procedures and pain management needs. The results suggest that veterinary opioids could contribute to the human opioid epidemic if misused.
A Penn study reveals that individual genetic variation can predict how well patients respond to certain anti-diabetes drugs, including thiazolidinediones. The researchers identified a specific genetic variation associated with increased cholesterol levels in response to rosiglitazone treatment.
In a breakthrough discovery, researchers found that compacted regions along the genome increase at protein-coding genes in mouse embryos, leading to rapid 'decisions' about which genes should be made into proteins. This study provides new insights into how genes are controlled in early animal development.
Research identifies chain reaction in cells that helps cancer survive BRAF and MEK treatment. A new process called ER translocation connects two common resistance mechanisms, increasing autophagy and drug resistance.
A new injection treatment has shown success in improving vision in children with a form of congenital retinal blindness. The treatment, which targets CEP290 mutations, restored visual acuity and allowed patients to read letters on an eye chart within months.
A team led by Kiran Musunuru used a stem-cell-based assay to determine the impact of a TNNT2 gene variant on a patient's health. The test successfully identified the variant as benign, allowing the patient and her family to avoid unnecessary genetic screening.
Researchers at University of Pennsylvania have developed new diagnostic tools to measure PARP-1 and glutamine levels in breast cancers. These biomarkers can help identify patients most likely to benefit from targeted therapies, offering a non-invasive way to guide treatment.
A global clinical trial has shown that chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy can lead to long-lasting remissions in patients with relapsed/refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. The treatment, known as Kymriah, modified patients' own immune T cells to target cancer cells and achieved high remission rates.
A study by University of Pennsylvania researchers reveals that Dickkopf 2 (DKK2) is a naturally occurring protein that blocks the WNT pathway, controlling hair growth. The discovery has significant implications for hair loss treatment and wound healing.
Research from the Abramson Cancer Center presents findings on CAR T combinations, timing of therapy, and patient access. Studies evaluate effectiveness in multiple myeloma patients, Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) patients, and lymphoma patients with high-risk profiles.
A multidisciplinary team at Penn successfully demonstrated the feasibility of 'engineered living tissue' disc replacement in a large animal model. The study showed that bioengineered spinal discs can restore native disc structure, biology, and mechanical function, offering new hope for treating spinal pain.
Researchers have identified the molecular target of anti-malarial drugs used in cancer treatment, providing a new pathway for potential treatments. A potent form of the drug DC661 has been developed to target PPT1 and slow tumor growth in mice.
A new Penn Medicine study found that intensive behavioral therapy (IBT) is effective in achieving clinically significant weight loss in adults with obesity, with participants losing an average of 6.1% of their initial body weight at one year. The study also showed improvements in blood pressure and cardiovascular risk factors.
A study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that black patients remain at significantly higher risk for sudden cardiac death even after adjusting for income, education, smoking, and other risk factors. The researchers suggest that unknown genetic factors may be contributing to these disparities.
A study analyzed over 100,000 Yelp reviews to identify key themes in emergency department and urgent care center ratings. Emergency departments received high marks for bedside manner but low marks for speed of care, while urgent care centers excelled in ease of prescription refills but struggled with patient confidence.
A research team led by M. Kit Delgado will investigate strategies to reduce cell phone use while driving, including smartphone-based 'nudges' and usage-based insurance programs. The goal is to develop insights on how safe driving discounts could be redesigned to reward safer drivers with lower insurance premiums.
A recent cluster of cocaine-fentanyl overdoses highlights the need for more readily available testing strips to identify fentanyl in patients. The outbreak prompted a coordinated public health response, including law enforcement investigation and education of residents on the dangers of fentanyl.
A study of 1,278 adults found that atopic dermatitis affects 7.3% of the population, with 6.6 million cases being moderate-to-severe. The condition can significantly impact quality of life and may change over time, highlighting the need for innovative therapies.
Researchers have found a way to grow human stem cells destined to become mature sperm, providing fertility options for males diagnosed with childhood cancer. The breakthrough could help patients who are infertile due to chemotherapy and radiation treatments.
A new study published in JAMA Internal Medicine finds that community health workers can significantly improve clinical outcomes among chronically ill patients. By providing hands-on support, coaching, and social services, community health workers reduced hospital stays by 65% and improved patient satisfaction with primary care.
A new study from the University of Pennsylvania found that cancer patients can safely use topical skin treatments during radiation therapy without increasing the radiation dose to their skin. The study challenged common advice given to patients and debunked the myth that these treatments increase radiation damage.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have discovered that viral vectors used in gene therapy undergo spontaneous changes during manufacturing, affecting their structure and function. The team has developed new ways to prevent these changes, leading to more efficient and safer delivery of gene therapies.
Researchers found that a blood test identified significantly more treatable mutations in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) than a tissue biopsy alone. Patients with actionable mutations detected by the liquid biopsy responded favorably to targeted therapies, achieving high clinical response rates.
Researchers have gained fresh insights into how kidney stones form using cryo-electron microscopy to capture the 3D structure of an ion channel protein called TRPV5. The study reveals a unique mechanism of TRPV5 inhibition that could be useful for finding novel binding partners and drug discovery.
Researchers at University of Pennsylvania have developed a new method to sequence epigenetic marks on DNA, allowing for more precise detection of disease earlier and with increased precision. The method uses APOBEC DNA deaminases to differentiate between two common epigenetic marks, methylation and hydroxmethylation.
Scientists have performed prenatal gene editing in laboratory animals to prevent a lethal metabolic disorder, offering the potential to treat human congenital diseases before birth. Using CRISPR-Cas9 and base editor 3, researchers reduced cholesterol levels and improved liver function in mice with genetic mutations.
OncoLink, Penn Medicine's patient education program, received the 2018 CPEN Excellence in Patient Education Award for its creative approaches to cancer education. The team has produced a survivorship care-plan builder and expanded OncoLink's library of resources, benefiting millions of patients.