Researchers discovered that combining a new target with an old chemotherapy drug can reduce resistance and potentially improve treatment outcomes for small cell lung cancer. The study used mouse models to show that inhibiting a protein called SMYD3, along with cyclophosphamide, stopped tumors in their tracks.
Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine have discovered a new pathway that could help prevent Alzheimer's dementia. Increasing the clearance of waste products in the brain by ramping up a genetic quirk known as readthrough may be effective for other neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson's disease.
A study has revealed two key transition points in the development of pancreatic cancer, shedding light on treatment resistance and possible new therapies. The research provides insights into how normal cells become precancerous and cancerous, as well as a new strategy for checkpoint immunotherapy.
Researchers developed nanoparticles to deliver anti-inflammatory payloads directly to inflamed blood vessels, significantly increasing survival chances and delaying rupture onset. Targeting specific NF-kappaB subunits improved therapeutic effects with fewer adverse effects.
A $5.3 million grant will support a Proteogenomic Translational Research Center analyzing lung tumors from clinical trial patients to identify biomarkers for cancer recurrence. The study aims to predict which tumors are likely to return after surgery and chemotherapy, with the goal of developing new therapeutic strategies.
Researchers found that states implementing Medicaid expansion saw a slower increase in suicide rates compared to those that didn't expand access. The study estimated that 1,818 suicides were averted between 2014 and 2018, with improved mental health care playing a crucial role.
Researchers have discovered a new treatment that combines CAR-T cell therapy with interleukin-7 to enhance its effectiveness in treating blood cancers. The treatment results in significantly increased anti-tumor activity, improved survival rates, and reduced tumor growth in mice.
Researchers have developed a new tool that can quickly identify the presence of Ebola virus in blood samples, potentially leading to faster diagnosis and better outcomes. The technology uses optical microring resonators to detect tiny amounts of Ebola-related molecules at low levels.
Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine have developed an investigational drug that targets synovial sarcoma, a rare and aggressive type of cancer. The drug, ACXT-3102, works by interfering with the metabolic pathway of the tumor cells, causing them to die from the buildup of reactive oxygen species.
A new study found that unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions for nonhospitalized children resulted in 2.8 million cases of avoidable infections, costing the US at least $74 million. Children prescribed inappropriate antibiotics were up to eight times more likely to develop complications such as diarrhea and skin rashes.
Researchers have identified the genetic causes of three mitochondrial diseases and proposed 20 additional possibilities for further investigation using a new approach. The study provides a platform to better understand how mitochondria's hundreds of proteins work together, which could lead to improved diagnoses and treatments.
Researchers discovered that neurons carrying a mutation in the Nf1 gene are hyperexcitable and suppressing this hyperactivity with lamotrigine stops tumor growth in mice. The study provides an explanation for why some people with NF1 lack optic gliomas or neurofibromas, highlighting the critical role of neurons in tumor biology.
The study found that the fragile X protein regulates the opening and closing of the GABA-A receptor in neurons from the brain's memory center, influencing how such neurons process information. This nuanced understanding may hold the key to developing effective therapies for fragile X syndrome.
A new smoking-cessation program that targets cancer patients has been shown to increase the percentage of patients receiving treatment from 2% to nearly 30%, as well as improve quit rates. The program's costs are also lower than previous methods, averaging $70 per patient.
Less than half of Americans with opioid use disorder received a potentially lifesaving medication over a five-year period. Buprenorphine, which reduces overdose risk, was prescribed even less often for those with polysubstance use disorder, highlighting the underutilization of this effective treatment.
A new study reveals that recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) may be caused by an imbalance in the gut microbiome, which can lead to chronic inflammation and increased risk of future UTIs. Antibiotics given to treat UTIs can disrupt the microbiome, making it easier for disease-causing bacteria to spread.
Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine have identified a neural circuit and neuropeptide that transmit the sensation of pleasant touch from the skin to the brain. The discovery may help scientists better understand disorders such as autism spectrum disorder, which often involve impaired social development.
Researchers identified two genes associated with recovery within the first 24 hours after stroke, linking neuronal excitability to stroke outcomes. Genetic evidence suggests that calming overexcited neurons may protect the brain after a stroke.
A new study found that three experimental Alzheimer's blood tests perform differently in Black individuals compared to white individuals, putting Black patients at risk of misdiagnosis and inappropriate medical care. The PrecivityAD test was equally effective across racial groups.
A new study found that people with sleep apnea are more likely to engage in risky driving behaviors such as speeding and hard braking. The researchers monitored the driving habits of 96 older adults under real-world conditions and collected data on over 100,000 trips. They also assessed cognitive impairments and molecular signs of earl...
Research suggests that pregnant mothers' environments can influence the structure and function of their babies' brains before birth. A study found that babies born to mothers living in poverty tend to have smaller brains than those whose mothers had higher household incomes. Additionally, exposure to crime during pregnancy may affect b...
Researchers found that COVID-19 infected individuals were three times more likely to report pain, numbness, or tingling in their hands and feet compared to those with negative tests. Nearly 30% of patients who tested positive also reported neuropathy problems at diagnosis, with some symptoms persisting for up to three months.
Researchers found that targeting astrocytes, an inflammatory cell in the brain, reduces tau-related brain damage and inflammation in mice. The findings suggest suppressing inflammatory astrocytes may benefit in reducing brain inflammation and delaying Alzheimer's progression.
Researchers found that people with severe alcohol use disorder reported missing 32 days of work each year, while those without the condition missed around 13 days. The study suggests that addressing alcohol use disorder in the workplace could lead to economic incentives and improved employee health.
Brainwide association studies need thousands of individuals to yield higher reproducibility, as smaller samples often uncover strong but spurious associations. Larger sample sizes lead to more likely reproductions of correlations, with effect sizes decreasing as the number of participants increases.
Researchers have discovered a new treatment that blocks inflammation in pancreatic cancer, making it sensitive to chemotherapy and immunotherapy. The therapy more than doubled survival rates in mice with pancreatic cancer, providing promising results for future human trials.
Researchers discovered a viral infection can trigger autoimmunity in mice by disrupting the thymus's screening process for self-destructive T cells. Infection with murine roseolovirus led to autoimmune gastritis months later, highlighting a previously unknown way viruses can trigger autoimmunity.
A new study has found that azithromycin does not prevent future recurrent wheezing among infants hospitalized with RSV. The antibiotic was tested in a large clinical trial involving 200 infants, and results showed that it may actually increase the risk of wheezing.
A large-scale study aims to understand how individual brains change over time, identifying factors that increase cognitive decline risk and those that confer resilience. The Adult Aging Brain Connectome study will follow 1,000 participants across a decade, collecting brain scans, blood samples, and demographic data.
A new blood test developed at Washington University School of Medicine has proven highly accurate in detecting early signs of Alzheimer’s disease, with a 93% accuracy rate. The test assesses amyloid plaques based on the ratio of A´2 and A´0 proteins in the blood, providing a low-cost alternative to expensive brain scans and spinal taps.
Researchers tracked antibody response to COVID-19 vaccination and found that antibodies improve in quality for months after vaccination. Even low levels of antibodies provide some protection as long as the virus doesn't change.
A new class of compounds improves insulin secretion and sensitivity, lowering blood sugar levels and reducing liver fat buildup in mice with diabetes. The study's findings offer hope for developing new treatments for cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome.
A cross-disciplinary team identified a previously unknown genetic cause of interstitial lung disease in a 2-year-old child, revealing a variant in the RAB5B gene that causes surfactant dysfunction. The discovery may lead to finding answers for other patients with similar conditions.
A new study published in Cell Reports Medicine found that a cancer drug called ADI-PEG 20 improved insulin sensitivity, cholesterol levels, and reduced inflammation in mice. The treatment also caused significant weight loss in obese mice, suggesting potential benefits for human obesity treatment.
A new study shows that treating mice with glioblastoma with interleukin-7 in combination with radiation improves survival rates. The therapy increases T cell numbers and activity against cancer cells, offering promise for patients with low lymphocyte counts.
Researchers have discovered a new pathway of cell death, lysoptosis, which can be triggered in cervical cancer cells by the absence of SERPINB3 protein. This process is different from apoptosis and can be activated by chemotherapy and radiation stress.
A new study reveals that mRNA vaccines activate a type of helper cell called T follicular helper cells, which assist in creating powerful antibodies and drive the development of immune memory. This strong response helps prevent severe disease and death, even against highly mutated variants like omicron.
A new clinical trial is enrolling young people with rare genetic mutations that cause early-onset Alzheimer's disease. The study will test gantenerumab to prevent the buildup of toxic protein amyloid beta, which can slow or stop the disease.
Researchers have shown that immunotherapy using natural killer cells can help some children and young adults with recurrent AML. Four patients achieved complete remission and one remains in remission after over two years. The therapy was well-tolerated, with minimal toxicities.
Researchers found that asthma causes immune cells to behave in a way that prevents brain tumor growth, suggesting a potential new therapeutic approach. The findings suggest reprogramming T cells to act like those in asthma patients could be a new treatment for brain tumors.
Researchers have identified a drug compound that makes pancreatic cancer cells more vulnerable to chemotherapy, reducing tumor size by about half and improving survival rates. The combination of ATI-450 with chemotherapy also mitigates side effects, including nausea and fatigue, in mice with human pancreatic cancer cells.
Researchers have found that ultrashort-pulse lasers can inactivate antibiotic-resistant bacteria and bacterial spores, reducing their numbers by over 1,000 times. The technology has the potential to be used to sterilize wounds and disinfect blood products, and may also be used to treat bloodstream infections.
People taking immunosuppressants, especially TNF inhibitors, have a weaker antibody response to COVID-19 vaccines. A third dose can drive antibody levels back up, but the duration is unknown.
Researchers have developed a new method of stem cell transplantation that does not require chemotherapy or radiation. The approach uses immunotherapeutic drugs to eliminate cancer cells and prevent immune rejection. This technique has the potential to be curative for blood cancers and treat other diseases like sickle cell anemia.
Researchers are modifying an arm of a worldwide clinical trial to evaluate a combination of drugs targeting two brain proteins: amyloid and tau. The Tau NexGen Trial aims to test the effectiveness of these treatments in slowing disease progression by targeting both Alzheimer's disease pathologies.
Researchers found that restoring NXTAR expression can suppress prostate tumor growth, suggesting a new approach to treating hormone-resistant prostate cancer. The study identified an RNA molecule called NXTAR that plays a key role in regulating the androgen receptor, a protein driving prostate tumor growth.
The grant aims to engage patients, survivors, and their genomes in studying rare cancers, such as cholangiocarcinoma and multiple myeloma. Researchers hope to develop strategies to improve care for underserved communities.
A study suggests sacubitril/valsartan is no better than valsartan alone in patients with severe heart failure, but may be slightly safer. The treatment showed no improvement in biomarker levels or clinical outcomes for sickest patients.
The NIH has awarded $7.5 million to Washington University School of Medicine to study senescent cells, which are thought to contribute to aging and disease. Researchers will map the location and function of senescent cells in bone marrow and liver tissues.
A multi-year study found that both short and long sleepers experience greater cognitive decline than those who slept a moderate amount. Researchers separated out the effects of poor sleep and Alzheimer's disease on cognition, suggesting a middle range or 'sweet spot' for total sleep time where cognitive performance is stable over time....