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A new 3D bioprinted model offers a novel tool to study common liver disease, and perhaps find an effective treatment

A new 3D bioprinted liver tissue model has been developed to study nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a serious complication of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The model, created using liver cells from healthy or NASH-diseased donors, displays all characteristics of the disease, including fibrosis.

SourceSanford Burnham Prebys·JournalAmerican Journal Of Pathology·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 23, 2024

Miami Cancer Institute publication analyzes role of tissue-agnostic therapies for the treatment of primary brain tumors

Researchers from Miami Cancer Institute published a study analyzing the use of tissue-agnostic therapeutics in patients with primary brain tumors. The publication discusses data from clinical trials and additional tissue-agnostic targets that hold promise for benefiting patients with PBTs.

SourceBaptist Health South Florida·JournalTrends in Cancer·TypeLiterature review·DateJan 19, 2024

Infusion of bone marrow mononuclear cells results in decreased intensive care needs and white matter preservation for children with severe traumatic brain injury

Researchers found that bone marrow mononuclear cell infusion in children within 48 hours of severe traumatic brain injury reduced intensive care needs and preserved white matter. The treatment also enhanced connectivity in the corpus callosum, a midline structure in the brain.

Progression of ALS linked to a membrane and an enzyme: mitochondria-endoplasmic reticulum disruption and loss of TBK1 activity

Researchers at Nagoya University have discovered a relationship between ALS progression and the disruption of mitochondria-associated membranes (MAM) and TBK1 activity. Decreased activation of TBK1 is linked to motor neuron death in ALS patients and mice with disrupted MAM.

SourceNagoya University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 17, 2024

Molecular ‘super-glue’ shows promise of cancer drug discovery platform

Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital have developed a molecular glue that sticks to the cancer-related protein casein kinase 1 alpha (CK1α), leading to its destruction. The compound, SJ3149, displays broad anti-cancer activity and may have clinical utility as an alternative to conventional small molecule inhibitors.

SourceSt. Jude Children's Research Hospital·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 16, 2024

Pioneering study indicates a potential treatment for corneal endothelial disease, reducing the need for corneal transplants

A pioneering study published in The American Journal of Pathology reveals the cytoprotective and proregenerative effects of neuropeptide α-MSH in promoting corneal healing after eye injury. The treatment has shown impressive therapeutic potential in reducing the need for corneal transplants.

SourceElsevier·JournalAmerican Journal Of Pathology·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 2, 2024

Treatment with bendamustine prior to CAR T-cell therapy in patients with refractory large B-cell lymphoma associates with poorer treatment outcomes

A study found that patients with refractory large B-cell lymphoma who received bendamustine before CAR T-cell therapy had a shorter progression-free survival and overall response rate compared to those who did not receive bendamustine. The use of bendamustine should be avoided in these patients when possible.

SourceVall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·DateDec 19, 2023

Novel therapeutic target overcomes resistance to radiation therapy

Researchers discovered a novel therapeutic target BAMBI that suppresses immune cells, reducing the effectiveness of radiation therapy and inducing therapy resistance in cancer patients. BAMBI's expression is associated with improved survival rates, suggesting it as a promising approach to overcome radiation therapy resistance.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Medical Center·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 15, 2023

Three articles in the Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis uncover previously unknown drug and disease mechanisms

Researchers have identified promising treatment candidates for morphine tolerance and cancer, as well as a biomarker for kidney injury. A monoclonal antibody targeting the mu-opioid receptor has been shown to alleviate morphine tolerance and physical dependence, while inducing excessive mitochondrial fission in tumor cells. Additionall...

SourceCactus Communications·JournalJournal of Pharmaceutical Analysis·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 14, 2023

U of M-led study presents a promising alternative to viral vectors for cancer immunotherapy

A U of M-led study introduces an innovative genetic engineering method that avoids cost and safety concerns associated with viral vectors. The method combines CRISPR-Cas9 precision genome editing and a novel DNA integration mechanism, integrating large DNA sequences into human T-cells with high efficiency.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota Medical School·JournalNature Biomedical Engineering·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 13, 2023

Understanding the risk of cell therapy for heart repair

A recent study found that human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes interact negatively with myofibroblasts, leading to electrical instability and arrhythmogenic potential. Blocking Interleukin-6 signalling reduced these negative effects, suggesting a promising therapeutic strategy for safe regenerative treatments.

SourceUniversity of Surrey·JournalCellular and Molecular Life Sciences·DateDec 13, 2023

Third-generation anti-CD19 CAR T-cells demonstrate efficacy without neurotoxicity in B-cell lymphoma phase 1 clinical trial

A phase 1 clinical trial demonstrates the efficacy of third-generation anti-CD19 CAR T-cells in treating relapsed or refractory B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas without causing neurotoxicity. The study also shows a robust response rate of 52% and improved safety profile compared to previous CAR T-cell therapies.

SourceMalaghan Institute of Medical Research·JournalBlood·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 11, 2023

First-in-human clinical trial of CAR T cell therapy with new binding mechanism shows promising early responses

A Phase I clinical trial of AT101, a new CAR T cell therapy targeting CD19 through a distinct binding mechanism, has shown a 100% complete response rate in patients with relapsed or refractory B cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The treatment was found to be safe with manageable side effects and is expected to build upon the effectiveness o...

Chinese Medical Journal review dives deep into probiotics for colorectal cancer

Researchers found that probiotics can limit CRC-promoting bacteria, rebalance the microbial profile, and induce targeted cancer cell death. Postbiotics derived from probiotic bacteria have also been shown to prevent CRC by limiting tumor proliferation and modulating the balance of anti-apoptotic and pro-apoptotic factors.

SourceCactus Communications·JournalChinese Medical Journal·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 7, 2023

Glial tone of aggression

Researchers at Tohoku University found that Bergmann glial cells in the cerebellar vermis regulate the volume of aggression in mice. The study suggests that adjusting glial activity in the cerebellum could lead to therapeutic strategies for managing anger and aggression.

SourceTohoku University·JournalNeuroscience Research·DateDec 5, 2023

SMART researchers pave the way for faster and safer T-cell therapy through novel contamination-detection method

A novel contamination-detection method enables faster and safer T-cell therapy production, reducing the risk for patients and speeding up treatment. The method uses cutting-edge technology to identify harmful microorganisms within 24 hours.

SourceSingapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART)·JournalMicrobiology Spectrum·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateNov 27, 2023

Scientists engineer potent immune cells for ‘off-the-shelf’ cancer immunotherapy

Researchers at UCLA have developed a new method to engineer more powerful immune cells that can potentially be used for 'off-the-shelf' cell therapy to treat challenging cancers. Gamma delta T cells with high expressions of CD16 surface marker exhibited increased ability to recognize and kill cancer cells.

Obesity linked to neurodegeneration through insulin resistance

Researchers found that a high-sugar diet causes insulin resistance in the brain, reducing its ability to remove neuronal debris and increasing the risk of neurodegenerative diseases. This study provides insight into how obesity-inducing diets contribute to disease risk.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·TypeObservational study·DateNov 7, 2023

Researchers identify the mutations that drive resistance to PI3K inhibitors in breast cancer that can be overcome by next generation agents

Mutations in the PIK3CA gene lead to elevated production of the PI3Ka protein, found in approximately 40% of hormone receptor-positive breast cancers. Next-generation PI3Kalpha inhibitors targeting a different region of the mutant protein show promise in overcoming resistance.

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalCancer Discovery·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 2, 2023