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Study explains why diabetic retinopathy is difficult to treat

Researchers investigated how drug treatment affects signal carriers in diabetic retinas, finding half of proteins normalized by metformin treatment. However, other essential proteins remained unchanged despite improved blood glucose levels, suggesting a need for further combination therapies to effectively treat diabetic retinopathy.

Drug swap drives down costs

Researchers found that generic substitutions result in $127-$160 annual savings, while therapeutic substitutions yield $389-$452 per beneficiary. Therapeutic substitutions have the potential to double or triple annual cost savings compared to generic substitutions.

SourceSpringer Science+Business Media·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateAug 21, 2013

A lifespan-extending drug has limited effects on aging

Rapamycin treatment improved memory, reduced thyroid follicle size, and decreased cancer rates in older mice. However, its effects were age-independent, with similar benefits seen in young mice, suggesting a potential use for relieving some age-related conditions.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJul 25, 2013

Test tube children develop mentally normal

A new research project from Aarhus University found that test-tube children are generally as mentally healthy as naturally conceived children. However, children born to mothers who received hormone stimulation treatment for infertility have a small but increased risk of developing mental disorders such as autism or ADHD.

Retrospective study suggests that patients with lung cancer who carry specific HER2 mutations may benefit from certain anti-HER2 treatments

A retrospective study suggests that patients with lung cancer carrying specific HER2 mutations may experience tumor shrinkage and delayed disease progression when treated with anti-HER2 drugs. The study found 1.7% of NSCLC patients in Europe had these rare mutations, which can lead to continuous activation of the HER2 protein.

SourceAmerican Society of Clinical Oncology·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·DateApr 22, 2013

Preclinical study shows potential of new technologies to detect response to cancer therapy earlier

A preclinical study uses ultrasonic molecular imaging and Dynamic Contrast Enhanced-Perfusion Imaging to measure response to pancreatic cancer therapy. The study reveals that these new technologies can detect molecular signs of tumor response after just 2 days, improving the early identification of therapeutic response.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina Health Care·JournalTechnology in Cancer Research & Treatment·DateFeb 20, 2013

Black and Hispanic patients less likely to complete substance abuse treatment, Penn study shows

A new study from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that black and Hispanic patients are less likely to complete substance abuse treatment programs compared to white patients. The study suggests that socioeconomic factors, such as unemployment and housing instability, contribute to these disparities.