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New method to label proteins could help track disease

Scientists at the Francis Crick Institute developed a new method to study proteins released by cells, which could lead to tracking diseases like cancer. The Bio-Orthogonal Cell line-specific Tagging of Glycoproteins (BOCTAG) method identifies proteins uniquely made by diseased or cancerous cells, even in complex environments.

SourceThe Francis Crick Institute·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 25, 2022

CRTAC1 is a promising biomarker of osteoarthritis

A study published in Arthritis & Rheumatology has identified CRTAC1 as a specific biomarker of osteoarthritis, associated with both prevalent and incident knee and hip OA. The protein is also a strong predictor of progression to joint replacements, holding promise for early diagnosis and treatment.

SourcedeCODE genetics·JournalArthritis & Rheumatology·TypeMeta-analysis·DateOct 17, 2022

Study validates diagnostic assay for Asian cancers

A Singapore research team has validated a cancer diagnostic assay designed with Asian-centric biomarkers, showing high precision and sensitivity in measuring four major classes of biomarkers. The assay's performance was validated with clinical specimens, indicating its promise for reliable deployment in a clinical setting.

SourceSingHealth·JournalFrontiers in Molecular Biosciences·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateOct 12, 2022

Thirdhand smoke can trigger skin diseases

A UC Riverside-led study found that acute THS exposure initiates mechanisms of inflammatory skin disease and elevates urinary biomarkers of oxidative harm. The researchers discovered elevated molecular biomarkers in blood associated with early-stage activation of contact dermatitis, psoriasis, and other skin conditions.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalEBioMedicine·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 11, 2022

Detecting Alzheimer’s disease in the blood

Researchers at Hokkaido University have developed a biosensing technology to detect amyloid β build-up in the brain from biomarkers in blood samples. The Digital ICA TM technology can detect Aβ-binding exosomes in mice, increasing with age and disease progression.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalAlzheimer s Research & Therapy·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 6, 2022

C-path to lead pre-consortium aimed at transforming, accelerating medical product development in alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency

The Critical Path Institute has launched a pre-consortium collaboration with the FDA's CBER and CDER to accelerate medical product development in alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. The collaboration aims to define unmet needs in drug development and lay the groundwork for specific solutions.

SourceCritical Path Institute (C-Path)·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 6, 2022

National Institutes of Health Awards Cleveland Clinic $10.7 Million to expand national consortium studying Dementia with Lewy Bodies

The National Institutes of Health has awarded a $10.7 million grant to Cleveland Clinic to expand a national research consortium focused on improving diagnosis and treatments for Dementia with Lewy Bodies. The consortium, which includes multiple clinical sites, aims to identify biomarkers for disease and develop new therapies.

Lipids in blood predict nerve damage risk among patients with type 2 diabetes

A study at Michigan Medicine found multiple lipid biomarkers linked to diabetic neuropathy in patients with type 2 diabetes. High scores for neuropathy were associated with changes in lipids reflecting impaired energy metabolism, suggesting a potential target for testing and managing the condition.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalAnnals of Clinical and Translational Neurology·TypeObservational study·DateSep 29, 2022

Kidney disease measures are associated with structural brain damage across different domains of etiology

Reduced kidney function and increased urine albumin excretion are associated with brain volume reduction in regions typically affected by Alzheimer's disease and other dementia etiologies. Cognitive decline is common in patients with kidney disease, and this study provides new insights into the etiology and localization of brain damage.

SourceNational Kidney Foundation·JournalAmerican Journal of Kidney Diseases·DateSep 27, 2022

VHIO-led study unveils predictive biomarker of response to therapy in patients with microsatellite stable BRAFV600E metastatic colorectal cancer

A new predictive biomarker, RNF43 mutations, has been identified as a significant predictor of response to anti-BRAF/EGFR combinatory therapy in patients with microsatellite stable BRAF V600E metastatic colorectal cancer. This biomarker is associated with improved progression-free and overall survival rates.

SourceVall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology·JournalNature Medicine·DateSep 27, 2022

Collaborative network led by Cincinnati Children’s receives $8 million grant to fund rheumatic heart fever research

A collaborative network led by Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center has received an $8 million grant to identify and validate biomarkers for acute rheumatic fever. This will enable the development of a sensitive and specific diagnostic test, crucial for diagnosing rheumatic heart disease, which is caused by a slow but progress...

Wistar scientists identify key biomarkers that reliably predict response to immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy for melanoma

Researchers found mutations in leukocyte and T-cell proliferation regulation processes that contribute to ICI treatment response and resistance. The study provides a framework to develop predictors for melanoma, potentially enhancing responses and increasing patient numbers.

SourceThe Wistar Institute·JournalNature Communications·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 19, 2022

C-Path awarded FDA grant to establish public-private partnership to advance treatments for rare neurodegenerative diseases

The Critical Path Institute (C-Path) has established a public-private partnership with the FDA and NIH to advance treatments for rare neurodegenerative diseases. The partnership will leverage C-Path's expertise in data management, quantitative analytics, and regulatory science to accelerate medical product development.

Patients with some forms of aggressive esophageal cancers may benefit from treatment targeting how cells self-regulate

A study by Case Western Reserve University has identified a promising path to developing therapies for esophageal tumors. The research team linked the TGFβ-pathway, a cell signaling mechanism, to tumor development and found that a protein-coding gene called HNF4α is a predictive biomarker of cancer.

SourceCase Western Reserve University·JournalGastroenterology·DateSep 7, 2022

Regulation is the name of the game

A new study by Kyoto University found that Regnase-1 gene expression is low in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), mirroring the pathology of humans. The protein's mRNA degradation leads to PAH inhibition, offering a potential new treatment for heart failure and premature death.

SourceKyoto University·JournalCirculation·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 6, 2022

Risk of non-typhoidal salmonella vascular infection increases with atherosclerosis, find NCKU researchers

A study by Taiwanese researchers found that patients with atherosclerosis are at higher risk for life-threatening vascular infections from non-typhoidal Salmonella bacteremia. The study suggests the use of a scoring system to predict infection risk and identifies interleukin-1 beta as a potential biomarker.

SourceCactus Communications·JournalJournal of Microbiology Immunology and Infection·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 30, 2022

Researchers visualize α-synuclein pathology in living patients with a neurodegenerative disorder

Researchers have successfully visualized α-synuclein aggregates in the brains of patients with multiple system atrophy (MSA) using a new positron emission tomography (PET) imaging agent. The agent, 18F-SPAL-T-06, shows high specificity and potential for MSA diagnosis.

SourceThe National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology·JournalMovement Disorders·TypeImaging analysis·DateAug 30, 2022

Early plasma antigen levels predict illness severity and clinical outcomes in hospitalized patients with COVID-19

A large cross-sectional study found that baseline plasma antigen levels are highly associated with both the severity of pulmonary illness and clinically important patient outcomes in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Higher antigen levels were linked to increased risk of pulmonary worsening and delayed hospital discharge.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateAug 29, 2022

Eye test could screen children for autism

Researchers have found that children with autism show significant differences in their pupillary light reflexes, which can be used as a potential screening biomarker. The study demonstrates the parameters of interest that matter for detecting autism and validates earlier findings using monocular technology.

SourceWashington State University·JournalNeurological Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 22, 2022

Early blood tests predict death, severe disability for traumatic brain injury

Researchers developed a blood test that predicts poor outcomes in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI), allowing clinicians to make decisions earlier on possible treatment. The test, which measures protein biomarkers GFAP and UCH-L1, showed high accuracy in predicting death and severe disability six months after injury.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalThe Lancet Neurology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateAug 19, 2022

Oncotarget | Kinase activity in renal cell carcinoma, benign renal tissue and in response to tyrosine kinase inhibitors

Researchers identified differences in PTK activity between normal and cancer kidney tissue, with Src family kinases and PI3K pathways exhibiting high activity. Ex vivo treatment of clear cell RCC with TKIs revealed that tivozanib and cabozantinib were more potent inhibitors than sunitinib or pazopanib.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalOncotarget·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 17, 2022

Smart contact lenses for cancer diagnostics and screening

Scientists have developed a smart contact lens that can capture and detect exosomes, nanometer-sized vesicles found in bodily secretions, which hold promise for cancer diagnostics. The lens was designed to bind to antibodies capturing exosomes found in tears, offering a potential platform for non-invasive cancer screening.

SourceTerasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 11, 2022

Research identifies, exploits vulnerability in certain high-risk cancers

A recent study published in Cancer Research identified a unique vulnerability in certain high-risk cancers that can be exploited for targeted therapy. Researchers found that cancer cells with alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) have a common weakness, leading to resistance to DNA-damaging agents and chemotherapy.

SourceTexas Tech University Health Sciences Center·JournalCancer Research·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 10, 2022

Hibernation slows biological aging in bats

A study led by UMD researchers found that hibernating big brown bats experience slower epigenetic aging, with their biological clock extending by nearly a year. The study established the link between hibernation and longer lifespans in small mammals.

SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·DateAug 9, 2022