Researchers from Penn Medicine identified a new target for treating heart failure by reversing the stiffness of diseased heart muscle cell struts, which can improve the beating strength of cells isolated from transplant patients. The team aims to develop therapies that seek out damaged cellular struts to reverse their harmful influence.
A new study by the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that private insurers deny coverage for life-saving hepatitis C drugs at a rate of 52.4%, while Medicaid and Medicare deny treatment at 34.5% and 14.7% respectively. The high denial rates may be due to varying restrictions on reimbursements among states.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that a two-drug combination of mifepristone and misoprostol can effectively complete miscarriages, reducing the need for surgical intervention. The study showed that 91.2% of women experienced gestational sac expulsion after receiving the treatment.
A new study from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that about 25% of Americans experience acute insomnia annually, but 75% recover normal sleep within a year. The study tracked 1,435 adults nationwide and found no significant differences in recovery rates among racial, ethnic, or gender lines.
A new study from researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that hospitals receiving bundled payments for joint replacements either voluntarily or through Medicare's mandatory programs vary in size and volume but not in spending or quality. The authors suggest both programs are needed to engage more hospitals.
A new study categorizes GI bleeding outcomes by cause, revealing high readmission rates and significant differences in length of stay and mortality. The findings suggest grouping patients by type of MS-DRG and clinical conditions could provide a more accurate assessment of quality metrics.
Researchers at Penn Medicine found spironolactone as effective as antibiotics in treating women's acne, with similar patient switching rates. The study suggests spironolactone could be a safer and more cost-effective option, reducing antibiotic resistance concerns.
A new Penn study finds that microRNAs in the blood can track responses to total sleep deprivation and predict individual differences in cognitive performance. The study identified 14 miRNAs reliably predicting behavioral attention performance, 7 for cognitive throughput, and 10 for memory performance.
A Penn study highlights the value of collecting patients' sexual orientation and gender identity, but cautions medical providers against drawing conclusions from this data. The research emphasizes the need for comprehensive care and detailed questions about a patient's behaviors when clinically relevant.
Researchers developed a new approach to treat Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) with CAR T cells by removing CD33 from healthy blood-forming stem cells using CRISPR/Cas9. This makes the cancer-specific antigen unique to leukemia cells, allowing CAR T cells to attack without harming normal bone marrow.
A recent study from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that rates of inherited mutations in genes other than BRCA1/2 are twice as high in breast cancer patients with a second primary cancer. The study also investigated polygenic risk scores, which were not strongly linked to an increased risk of cancer.
A randomized, controlled trial found that 77% of patients who received remote phone or video counseling sessions underwent genetic testing, compared to just six percent in the usual care group. The study also highlights the importance of addressing disparities in genetic testing and knowledge among community practice patients.
A 2013 CLL patient achieved complete remission with a single CAR T cell infusion, sparking insights into the human genome and immune response that may enhance response rates. The successful treatment was linked to the specific location of the CAR gene within the patient's T cell DNA.
A Penn-led trial has shown that AZEDRA can significantly reduce cardiovascular side effects and stop tumor growth in patients with pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma. The drug is effective in controlling tumor size while also alleviating debilitating symptoms caused by excess hormone production.
A Penn Medicine study reveals that early-life seizures can lead to premature activation of synapses tied to learning and language skills in children with autism. The researchers found that an antiepileptic drug may keep these synapses 'silent' longer, allowing the brain to develop normally.
Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have identified the source of IL-25, an inflammatory cytokine linked to chronic rhinosinusitis and asthma. The study found that solitary chemosensory cells in the sinuses produce IL-25, which can recruit immune cells and lead to inflammation.
Researchers at Penn Medicine found a statistically significant relationship between alcohol-related social media engagement and both alcohol consumption and problems. Moderate effect sizes were observed across all 19 studies, suggesting a correlation between social media engagement and drinking behaviors.
Electronic health record systems can be transformed into platforms that allow doctors to access real-time patient information, reducing physician workloads and improving healthcare quality. This approach enables personalized alerts and notifications, similar to social media feeds, to reduce errors and delays.
A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that financial incentives significantly improve smoking cessation rates, with free e-cigarettes and cessation aids offering no additional benefit. The study enrolled over 6,000 participants and found that those receiving financial rewards remained smoke-free for at leas...
A new Penn Medicine medical school program trains students to understand life circumstances affecting patients' health care experiences. Students develop community engagement skills, confidence, and competence to overcome challenges.
A recent study from the University of Pennsylvania found that dogs born between June and August are at higher risk of heart disease. The research suggests that exposure to fine air particulates during pregnancy may play a role in later development of heart disease.
A Penn-led trial found that adalimumab, marketed as Humira, did not improve aortic vascular inflammation in psoriasis patients, but reduced markers of systemic inflammation and mild impairment in HDL function. The study suggests the drug may have cardiovascular benefits despite this finding.
Daniel J. Rader, chair of the department of Genetics at Penn Medicine, has made significant contributions to understanding lipoprotein metabolism and atherosclerosis. His research efforts have led to breakthroughs in developing new medications for serious heart-related conditions.
A phase II clinical trial suggests patients with aggressive pancreatic cancer who harbor BRCA mutations may benefit from rucaparib, a PARP inhibitor approved for ovarian cancer. The study found 32% of patients experienced a clinical benefit, including four patients with responses and two with stable disease.
Leaders from Penn's Perelman School of Medicine call for new training approaches for 21st-century doctors, emphasizing business, finance, and leadership development. The authors suggest focusing on talent mining, targeted leadership development, and deliberate onboarding processes to create a new wave of physician leaders.
Researchers have identified nine distinct clusters of exhausted T cells, known as Tex, which vary in their expression patterns and could be used to assess a patient's immune health. These clusters may help tailor immune therapies for specific types of chronic diseases.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine identified depleted metabolic enzymes as a key factor promoting tumor growth in kidney cancer. The study found that these enzymes are universally depleted in ccRCC tumors, which could lead to new treatment options for patients.
A study by the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that misfolded α-syn proteins embedded in brain cells cause different Parkinson's-related disorders, depending on the type of cell. The researchers discovered a distinct strain of α-syn protein, which is 1,000-fold more potent in causing disease in animal models.
Without protections, 'personal responsibility' policies may lead to increased health risks and financial harm among low-income individuals with chronic conditions. Experts propose basic safeguards, including continuous evaluation, protection from disproportionate penalties, and monitoring of health outcomes.
Researchers discovered changes in tiny blood vessels linked to cognitive symptoms in patients with traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). The study may lead to tailored therapies by pinpointing specific types of TBIs.
Researchers identified a subset of healthier T cells, marked by CD8 and CD27 expression, that correlate with clinical responses in CLL patients. The findings suggest a new patient-selection tool for CAR T cell therapy and potential improvements through emerging cell manufacturing techniques.
A global project is underway to map every type of cell in the human body as a resource for investigating health and disease. Penn bioinformatics researcher Casey Greene will use this funding to develop open, shared computational tools and algorithms to analyze large data sets without being instructed what features to look for.
PARP-1 levels are linked to targeted therapy resistance in ovarian cancer. Researchers have developed a method to image and measure PARP-1 using PET scans, which may predict efficacy and resistance to PARP inhibitors.
A new study by Penn Medicine neurologist Amit Bar-Or presents findings on ocrelizumab's impact on multiple sclerosis patients, including reduced inflammation and lower vaccine response levels. The research also explores the role of ocrelizumab in limiting MS attacks.
Researchers at University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have identified five strategies to reduce unplanned acute care for cancer patients, including leveraging advanced big data analytics, team-based care, and early palliative care. These best practices aim to improve patient experience and reduce hospital utilization.
A survey of teens suggests that they are willing to give up sending or reading text messages while driving, but want to retain control over music and navigation apps. Financial incentives, such as auto-insurance discounts, may encourage widespread adoption of cellphone-limiting strategies.
Researchers found that coordinated brain activity between the amygdala, prefrontal cortex, and olfactory system is linked to freeze behavior in mice. The study suggests that rhythmic breathing can help regulate emotional states and provides potential avenues for anxiety-reducing therapies.
A Penn study reveals that nuclear-import receptors can reverse the formation of disease-causing protein clumps in brain disorders like frontotemporal dementia and ALS. By increasing NIR expression, researchers were able to dissolve clumps, return functional proteins to the nucleus and extend lifespan in fruitfly models.
To address escalating costs of targeted cancer drugs, a Penn-led group proposes three solutions: defining minimum clinically meaningful effect sizes for FDA approval, Medicare negotiating prices for targeted cancer drugs, and prioritizing effective treatments by clinical benefit and price. The recommendations aim to balance clinical be...
Researchers found statins increased ApoA-I levels in patients with Friedreich's ataxia, potentially reducing cardiovascular risk. The study suggests a possible treatment for the disease, which is associated with low HDL and apolipoprotein A-I levels.
A $15.5 million NCI grant creates a center at five health systems to improve lung cancer screening and address disparities in early diagnosis, treatment, and mortality. The center will develop a shared model data for research on optimizing precision lung cancer screening.
Researchers at the Abramson Cancer Center have discovered promising immunotherapy combinations for treating glioblastoma, head and neck cancer, and pancreatic cancer. CAR T cell therapy combined with checkpoint inhibitors has shown enhanced effectiveness in glioblastoma, while targeting a novel immune checkpoint in head and neck cancer...
Researchers found that giving patients a single dose of anti-PD-1 therapy before surgery can predict tumor response and patient outcomes. The study also revealed that immune cells active against cancer were present in patients with longer recurrence-free survival.
Researchers found tumors with PTEN loss are less likely to generate an immune response, suggesting PTEN levels can predict treatment outcome. The study's findings may improve personalized medicine for BRCA-deficient ovarian cancer patients.
A new randomized clinical trial found that omega-3 fatty acid supplements were no more effective than placebo in alleviating dry eye symptoms. The study enrolled 535 participants and revealed that even the highest dose of omega-3 supplements did not improve outcomes for participants.
Researchers found that metformin reduces anxiety and cognitive deficits in mice during nicotine withdrawal. The study suggests activating AMPK in the brain could be a therapeutic target for smoking cessation.
A new type of cancer vaccine made from patients' own immune cells has yielded promising results in an initial clinical trial. The vaccine triggers a broad anti-tumor T-cell response, with half of the vaccinated patients showing signs of improved survival and one patient remaining disease-free for five years.
A promising class of drugs, known as CD40 monoclonal antibodies, could be the spark needed to light the fire in the immune system of patients who don't respond to cancer immunotherapies. These drugs activate antigen-presenting cells to prime tumor-specific T cell responses.
Researchers used machine learning to classify abnormal protein activity in tumors, identifying potential 'hidden responders' who may benefit from specific therapies. The study combined genetic data with machine learning approaches to predict response to inhibitors affecting cancer cells with overactive Ras signaling.
Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania identified three novel cell populations and understood how kidney disease develops at a single-cell level. They found that specific cell types convert to each other, leading to conditions like chronic kidney disease, which affects about 14 percent of Americans.