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Using a molecular scissors to improve CAR-T cell therapy

CAR-T cell therapy, a regenerative immunotherapy, has shown promise in treating blood cancers but struggles with T-cell exhaustion. Researchers have discovered that overproduction of the IL-4 protein causes this exhaustion and used CRISPR gene-editing technology to remove it, improving CAR-T cell therapy outcomes.

SourceMayo Clinic·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 12, 2024

UBCO study explores access to psychedelics for therapeutic use

A UBCO study found that patients face barriers when discussing psychedelics with physicians due to stigma and perceived lack of knowledge. The study analyzed data from 800 adults who use psychedelics, revealing that nearly 60% felt less satisfied with communication about psychedelics compared to previous conversations.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia Okanagan campus·JournalPsychedelic Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateSep 10, 2024

FDA issues ‘letter of support’ encouraging use of synuclein-based biomarker, αSyn-SAA, in clinical trials in Parkinson’s and related diseases

The FDA Letter of Support recognizes the potential of αSyn-SAA to accelerate clinical trial design in Parkinson's and related disorders. This biomarker can objectively detect early biology related to these diseases, enabling research toward tailored therapies and potentially delaying or preventing disease onset.

SourceCritical Path Institute (C-Path)·JournalThe Lancet Neurology·DateSep 9, 2024

New study seeks to develop a new treatment strategy to prevent/delay relapse of myeloid leukemia associated with Down syndrome

A four-year grant will help researchers find new clues to the interplay between Down syndrome and myeloid leukemia, focusing on enhancing antileukemic activity of chemotherapy drug cytarabine. The goal is to identify a novel treatment strategy to improve patient outcomes and prevent relapses in ML-DS patients.

New Chinese Medical Journal Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine study provides key insights into pathogenesis mechanisms of lung fibrosis

A literature review examines key cell-cell interactions driving pulmonary fibrosis, revealing complex interplay between diverse lung cell types and intricate processes. The study highlights potential ligands involved in PF, including tumor necrosis factor, interleukin 1β, and ADAM17, and suggests targeting CCIs for novel therapies.

SourceChinese Medical Journals Publishing House Co., Ltd.·JournalChinese Medical Journal - Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine·TypeLiterature review·DateSep 5, 2024

Promising treatment for incurable prostate cancer

Researchers at Flinders University and University of South Australia have discovered a potential breakthrough in treating the most aggressive forms of prostate cancer using CDKI-73, a novel drug inhibitor. The study found that CDKI-73 effectively blocks the growth of prostate cancer cells while sparing normal cells.

SourceFlinders University·JournalBritish Journal of Cancer·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateSep 1, 2024

Study combines data, molecular simulations to accelerate drug discovery

Researchers have developed a new method to increase speed and success rates in drug discovery by combining data from the Library of Integrated Network-based Cellular Signatures with targeted docking simulations. This approach can accelerate the drug research process, identifying potentially effective compounds more efficiently.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalScience Advances·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 30, 2024

Gene therapy gets a turbo boost from University of Hawaii researchers

Researchers at the University of Hawaii have developed a new gene editing technology that can efficiently deliver healthy genes to the body. This method addresses limitations of current methods and has shown success rates of up to 96%, potentially leading to faster and more affordable treatments for various genetic diseases.

SourceUniversity of Hawaii at Manoa·JournalNucleic Acids Research·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 29, 2024

UVA research cracks the autism code, making the neurodivergent brain visible

A multi-university research team led by University of Virginia engineering professor Gustavo K. Rohde has developed a system that can accurately spot genetic markers of autism in brain images. The system uses generative computer modeling technique called transport-based morphometry, which reveals brain structure patterns that predict v...

UVA engineers design lookalike drug carrier to evade lung’s lines of defense

Researchers at the University of Virginia School of Engineering and Applied Science have designed a drug-carrying molecule that can slip past the lung's natural defenses. The nanocarrier, called PEG-BB, is shaped like a bottlebrush and mimics the properties of mucus, allowing it to move quickly through the airway.

Precision therapy for metastatic prostate cancer improves survival

A new study published in Nature Medicine shows that precision therapy can improve survival for men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. The treatment, which involves analyzing the genetic profile of the tumor, has been shown to be more effective than chemotherapy in patients whose tumors have specific mutations.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalNature Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateAug 20, 2024

Korea University offers new breakthrough for Hepatitis C to improve life expectancy

A new study by Korea University College of Medicine shows that direct-acting antivirals significantly reduce liver-related clinical outcomes and lower the risk of disease progression to cancer or cirrhosis, increasing life expectancy for patients with Hepatitis C. The treatment approach has a high effectiveness rate of 90%.

SourceKorea University College of Medicine·JournalEClinicalMedicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 20, 2024

Preliminary study shows potential of Manuka honey as a nutraceutical for breast cancer

A new study by UCLA investigators found that Manuka honey contains compounds that can help reduce tumor growth in preclinical models. The research suggests that Manuka honey could potentially be developed into a natural supplement or standalone treatment for ER-positive breast cancer, which accounts for most breast cancer cases.

A wearable sensor supported by machine learning models is used to monitor and quantify freezing of gait (FOG) episodes in people with Parkinson's disease

A wearable sensor supported by machine learning models can continuously monitor and quantify FOG episodes, providing an accurate picture of a patient's condition. This technology has the potential to support the development of new treatments and improve the lives of people with Parkinson's disease.

SourceTel-Aviv University·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 18, 2024

Science in Space to Cure Disease on Earth—the International Space Station National Lab and NASA announce new funding opportunity

The International Space Station National Laboratory is collaborating with NASA to fund up to $4 million in research addressing significant diseases like cancer, cardiovascular disease, and neurodegenerative disease. The joint solicitation aims to leverage microgravity to improve existing or develop new technologies for health problems ...

Sex and the flu

A team of researchers, led by Jason Shoemaker, are studying the effects of hormones on the immune system's response to the flu. Their goal is to develop targeted therapies based on a person's sex or hormone levels. The study aims to identify the molecules or pathways that affect the cells and begin to develop personalized treatments.

UMass Amherst researchers ID body’s ‘quality control’ regulator for protein folding

UMass Amherst researchers have identified the 'quality control' regulator for protein folding, a crucial process that ensures essential cellular functions. The discovery of this regulator, Sep15, could lead to new treatments targeting misfolded proteins associated with diseases like Alzheimer's and cystic fibrosis.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 12, 2024

From fungi to pharmaceuticals: a milestone for the production of eutyscoparol A and violaceoid C

Researchers from Tokyo University of Science have developed an efficient method to synthesize eutyscoparol A and violaceoid C, two compounds with potential therapeutic properties. The new approach improves yields and simplifies synthesis steps, enabling further research into their pharmacological effects.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalAsian Journal of Organic Chemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 9, 2024

Drug shows promise for treating brain tumors resulting from breast cancer, UT Health San Antonio trial reports

A trial at UT Health San Antonio found that Sacituzumab Govitecan was well-tolerated and showed signs of effectiveness for patients with breast cancer who had progressed to brain tumors. The drug has been shown to deliver a topoisomerase inhibitor into tumors, providing promising clinical signals of efficacy.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio·JournalNature Communications·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateAug 8, 2024

How fungi elude antifungal treatments

Researchers at Michigan State University characterized how fungi restructure their cell walls to thwart current antifungal medications. The study found that fungi enhance their survival odds by making specific changes to the structure and organization of the components in their cell walls, rendering existing drugs ineffective.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 7, 2024

Subclinical hypothyroidism during first half of pregnancy is associated with hypothyroidism 1-5 years after delivery

A new study found that subclinical hypothyroidism diagnosed before 21 weeks of pregnancy is associated with higher rates of overt hypothyroidism or thyroid replacement therapy within 5 years after delivery. Women with high TSH values and elevated TPO antibodies were at increased risk.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalThyroid·TypeObservational study·DateAug 2, 2024

Published research from the Parkinson’s Foundation shows genetic variants are more common in people with Parkinson’s disease than originally thought

The PD GENEration study has found that 13% of participants have a genetic form of Parkinson's disease, significantly higher than previous estimates. The study, which reached its goal of 15,000 participants ahead of schedule, provides insights into the genetics of the disease and its potential for precision medicine.

SourceParkinson's Foundation·JournalBrain·TypeObservational study·DateJul 29, 2024

'Gene misbehavior' widespread in healthy people

A recent study found that 'gene misbehaviour' is a common phenomenon in the healthy human population, with over half of inactive genes showing misexpression. The researchers used advanced techniques to analyze blood samples from 4,568 healthy individuals and identified mechanisms behind these gene activity errors.

SourceWellcome Trust Sanger Institute·JournalAmerican Journal of Human Genetics·TypeObservational study·DateJul 24, 2024

New England Journal of Medicine publishes outcomes from practice-changing E1910 trial for patients with BCR::ABL1-negative B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia

The E1910 trial demonstrated a significant survival advantage with blinatumomab immunotherapy, improving overall and relapse-free survival in patients with BCR::ABL1-negative B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia. This finding contributed to the recent FDA approval of blinatumomab for these patients.

SourceECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJul 24, 2024