Researchers have developed a potent new drug called Lys05 that kills tumor cells in mouse models by clogging their recycling system. This approach has shown promise as a single-agent anti-tumor therapy with minimal toxicity to healthy cells.
Research suggests that liver fat can be beneficial if stored in tiny coated droplets, reducing glucose intolerance and insulin resistance. Circadian rhythm regulation of histone deacetylase 3 may play a crucial role in metabolic management.
Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania report that genetically modified T cells remain healthy up to 11 years after initial therapy in a decade-long study of HIV patients. The approach provides a framework for gene therapy as a powerful weapon in treating HIV, cancer, and other diseases.
A new study from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine confirms that COX-2 inhibitors, such as Vioxx and Celebrex, increase cardiovascular risk by disrupting prostacyclin production. This disruption leads to hardening of the arteries and amplifies the effects of COX-2 inhibition on the cardiovascular system.
Researchers confirm that Avastin and Lucentis yield similar improvements in vision for patients receiving monthly or as-needed treatment. The year-two results of the Comparison of AMD Treatment Trials (CATT) support the findings from the first year of the study.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have discovered a novel target for treating stress-linked disorders: a protein called HDAC6. By modulating glucocorticoid signaling in serotonin neurons, HDAC6 may provide a path towards resilience to stress.
Researchers found that ALS patients who receive feeding tubes before emergency situations fare better, with longer median survival and lower mortality rates. Patients also have polarized preferences for expensive treatments like Riluzole, which modestly prolongs length of life.
A team of researchers from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine has demonstrated that a range of diagnostic spinal fluid tests are needed to differentiate between brain diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and frontotemporal lobar degeneration. The studies found that biomarkers in cerebrospinal fluid, including tau and amy...
Researchers found that early treatment can significantly improve outcomes for a rare and often undiagnosed form of encephalitis. The study analyzed 565 cases of Anti-NMDA Receptor Encephalitis and determined that second-line therapy improves outcomes compared to repeating treatments or no additional treatments.
Researchers found that alpha-synuclein fibrils can induce normal a-syn to misfold, leading to neurodegeneration. The study suggests that the corrupted form of a-syn can be transmitted from diseased neurons to healthy ones via white-matter tracks.
Researchers at Penn Medicine caution against blocking the effects of PGD2 on DP1 in patients prone to cardiovascular disease, particularly those taking niacin. This is due to concerns that it may enhance platelet activation and lead to increased risk of heart attacks.
A new study finds that more than 60% of breast cancer survivors experience treatment-related complications even six years after their diagnosis. The study provides a comprehensive snapshot of the physical late effects of breast cancer treatment and outlines a model for monitoring and preventing these conditions.
Researchers have discovered that Rev-erb proteins play a crucial role in controlling the body's internal clock and fat metabolism. When both proteins are not functioning, the liver fills with fat, leading to metabolic disorders. The study highlights the importance of understanding the circadian rhythm of metabolism.
Researchers have discovered a way to separate the beneficial and detrimental effects of rapamycin on aging and disease, specifically targeting mTORC1 protein complexes. This breakthrough could lead to the development of new therapies that combat age-related diseases without causing insulin resistance or diabetes.
A new study from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that liver cancer patients are less likely to die or become too sick for a transplant while waiting on the list compared to non-HCC candidates. The study suggests re-examining the prioritization criteria used to determine waitlist placement.
A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine reveals that highly detailed CT scans can safely and quickly rule out heart attacks among many patients with chest pain. The study found that patients with negative CT scans can be discharged from the hospital within hours, reducing costs and emergency room crowding.
Researchers discovered that gut bacteria play a crucial role in controlling allergic inflammation by regulating basophil responses and limiting IgE production. The study's findings suggest that targeting the commensal bacterial population may be beneficial in treating allergic diseases, offering new therapeutic options for asthma and o...
A new study finds that brain insulin resistance contributes to cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease, independent of diabetes status. Insulin-sensitizing medicines may have therapeutic potential to correct insulin resistance and slow down or improve cognitive decline.
Scientists discovered that a prostaglandin called PGD2 and its derivative inhibit hair growth, targeting GPR44 as a promising therapeutic target for androgenetic alopecia. Elevated PGD2 levels were found in the bald scalp tissue of men with male pattern baldness.
A study by Penn researchers found that peer mentoring significantly improved glucose control in African American veterans with diabetes. The intervention, which included financial incentives, showed a statistically significant effect on improving HbA1c levels. The authors suggest that social support and camaraderie among veteran partic...
Researchers sequenced DNA from viruses present in healthy individuals' gut bacteria, revealing 51 hypervariable regions associated with reverse transcriptase genes. These findings suggest that viral variation could drive the evolution of the gut microbiome.
A study published in the Journal of Neuroscience shows that EpoD prevents further neurological damage and improves cognitive performance in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. The drug acts by stabilizing microtubules, potentially improving nerve-cell function in AD and other diseases.
A new study by University of Pennsylvania researchers finds that aggressive treatment for severe traumatic brain injuries significantly improves outcomes and reduces long-term costs. The study suggests that invasive interventions like ICP monitoring and decompressive craniotomies are cost-effective across all patient populations, inclu...
A recent US study found that only about 75% of HIV/AIDS patients in the United States remain in consistent care, with long gaps between appointments common. Patients with certain characteristics, such as women, white patients, and those with low CD4 counts, are more likely to stay in care.
Researchers have created a universal approach to personalized cancer therapy based on T cells, offering a highly adaptable and effective treatment option. The system uses engineered T cells capable of targeting multiple tumor antigens simultaneously or sequentially, significantly extending conventional CAR approaches.
A new study has identified a mutation in the Abraxas gene as a potential contributor to breast cancer susceptibility. The Abraxas protein interacts with BRCA1 and its mutation impairs DNA repair, increasing cancer risk.
Researchers have overturned a 'textbook' view of liver metabolism, revealing a backup pathway that governs glucose production. The discovery suggests new targets for diabetes drugs and may help bypass the block in insulin action that occurs in Type 2 diabetes.
Researchers have discovered that adding hydroxychloroquine to various cancer therapies can enhance their effectiveness in treating treatment-resistant cancers. By blocking autophagy, a process by which cells recycle damaged proteins, the combination of chemotherapy and HCQ can lead to improved outcomes for patients.
A new study found that a microRNA named miR-279 acts through the JAK/STAT pathway to regulate locomotor activity rhythms, maintaining normal patterns of wakefulness and sleep. The researchers identified a protein called Upd as a target of miR-279, which displays daily oscillations in its secretion.
Researchers report that a short course of vaccination with an anti-HER2 dendritic cell vaccine eradicates tumors in nearly 20% of women with ductal carcinoma in situ. The treatment triggers strong, lasting immune responses in over 85% of patients, potentially reducing the risk of invasive cancer.
Mice genetically engineered to lack Foxa genes show reversed gender-related incidence of liver cancer, highlighting the protective role of estrogens against liver cancer. The study suggests that genetic markers called SNPs within Foxa binding sites may contribute to increased liver cancer risk in women.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have discovered that pancreatic cancer cells in an animal model begin to spread before clinically obvious tumor tissue is detected. Inflammation plays a crucial role in enhancing cancer progression, leading to the entry of cancer cells into the bloodstream. The study used...
Researchers found that a brief adherence program improves blood sugar test results and depression symptoms in patients with Type 2 diabetes and depression. The study showed that 60.9% of patients with integrated care had improved blood sugar test results, compared to 35.7% with usual primary care.
Researchers at Penn Medicine discovered that B cells can produce unequal daughter cells through a process involving helper T cells and specific proteins. This finding may explain how lifelong antibodies are generated after vaccination, and could also shed light on the development of cancerous blood cells like leukemia.
Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania have successfully reprogrammed astrocytes into dopamine-producing neurons, a crucial step towards treating Parkinson's disease. The study demonstrates conversion efficiency of up to 18%, paving the way for novel reprogramming strategies to treat Parkinson's disease.
A new approach using an HIV drug has significantly reduced the incidence of graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) in blood cancer patients after allogeneic stem cell transplantation. Maraviroc dramatically reduced GvHD in organs such as the gut and liver without compromising the immune system.
Researchers detect hippocampal atrophy in Parkinson's patients with cognitive impairment, leading to early cognitive decline. A newly developed structural pattern identifies diffuse gray and white matter atrophy associated with dementia in Parkinson's disease.
Researchers developed a method to detect cognitive decline in Parkinson's patients using MRI brain scans, revealing higher Alzheimer's patterns of atrophy predict worsening cognition. The study found an overlap between the two neurodegenerative diseases, raising hopes for early diagnosis and treatment.
A new treatment using leukemia patients' own infection-fighting cells appears to protect them from infections and cancer recurrence after fludarabine-based chemotherapy. With a restored immune system, patients can stop taking prophylactic antibiotics and may have prolonged progression-free survival.
Researchers at Penn School of Medicine have developed a technique to expand immune cells in umbilical cord blood prior to transplants, leading to quicker immune system rebuilding and lower risk of infections. The method paves the way for future salvage therapy options and increased use of public cord blood banks.
A team led by Nancy Speck at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine has discovered a molecular marker for hematopoietic stem cells, providing insights into their origin and development. This finding could help manipulate embryonic stem cells to generate new blood cells for therapy in leukemia patients
A new study by researchers from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that contralateral prophylactic mastectomy (CPM) provides only a modest increase in life expectancy among women with unilateral breast cancer. The surgery may actually reduce quality-adjusted life expectancy for patients without hereditary factors.
A decade-long study found that rehabilitating vacant lots reduces gun assaults across most of Philadelphia and vandalism in one section. Greening also associated with residents reporting less stress and more exercise in certain sections.
Researchers found that psoriasis patients have a higher number of smaller LDL particles and reduced HDL efflux capacity compared to controls, suggesting an underlying mechanism by which the inflammatory skin disease impacts cardiovascular health.
Researchers developed a new MRI technique called Arterial spin labeling (ASL) to measure changes in brain function, potentially replacing the current standard PET scan. The study found that ASL-MRI is comparable to FDG-PET in detecting Alzheimer's disease and has the advantage of being non-invasive and widely available.
Researchers found pneumonia to be the most common serious infection after heart surgery, occurring in 6% of patients. The study also revealed that most infections occur about two weeks after surgery, contradicting previous assumptions.
A new study reveals that only 30% of US state police agencies have automated external defibrillators in their vehicles, despite the lifesaving devices being available for nearly $1,000 each. Training for officers in AED use is common, but equipment availability remains a significant issue.
Researchers at University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine discovered a new human gene, TAF15, similar to TDP-43 and FUS, that may contribute to ALS pathology. The study used yeast as a model organism to identify potential disease genes associated with the neurodegenerative disease.
Research from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that 57% of cardiac arrest patients' treatment with hypothermia involved documentation of poor prognosis, with 25% of patients having their care withdrawn within 72 hours after arrest. Despite this, over 20% of patients survived to discharge with good neurological ou...
A primary care-based weight intervention led to a significant weight loss of 10.1 pounds over two years in obese patients. The program, which included lifestyle counseling and meal replacements, also improved cardiovascular disease risk factors.