New data from a closely tracked, mid-stage study of the Amgen obesity drug, called MariTide, showed that it helped participants lose a substantial amount of weight, but questions about how competitive it could be appear to be shaping the response to the news, with the company’s share price falling on the announcement. MariTide led to...
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Brain shrinkage associated with Alzheimer’s immunotherapies may show effectiveness rather than harm
by Poppy Tombs, University College London Credit: CC0 Public Domain A loss of brain volume associated with new immunotherapies for Alzheimer’s disease may be caused by the removal of amyloid plaques, rather than the loss of neurons or brain tissue, finds a study led by UCL researchers. The research published in The Lancet Neurology, analyzed data from a dozen...
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Small RNAs might drive COPD progression: Research lays foundation for potential new diagnostics and therapies
by Roni Dengler, Thomas Jefferson University Graphical abstract. Credit: Molecular Therapy—Nucleic Acids (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2024.102285 Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) affects nearly 12 million people in the U.S. alone and is the third leading cause of death worldwide. High levels of immune molecules known as cytokines, which can damage the lungs, are a hallmark of COPD. Now, molecular...
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Chromosomal chaos promotes therapy resistance in leukemia cells and opens up new treatment approaches
by German Cancer Research Center CK-AML is characterized by different modes of clonal dynamics and ongoing instability. Credit: Nature Genetics (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41588-024-01999-x Chromosomal instability plays a crucial role in the progression of cancer: it shapes the properties of tumor cells and drives the development of therapy resistance. Scientists from the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), the Heidelberg...
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Bioengineering strategy uses immune-protected beta cell transplant to advance type 1 diabetes care
by Shawn Oberrath, Medical University of South Carolina Credit: Cell Reports (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.114994 Regenerative medicine holds the extraordinary promise that future patients in need of new cells, tissues or organs will no longer have to rely on donors. Organ shortages and cell type mismatches will become past problems, replaced by safe, on-demand options for anyone who needs...
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Nasal spray drug shows promise in Alzheimer’s research
by Catholic University of the Sacred Heart PET scan of a human brain with Alzheimer’s disease. Credit: public domain A future treatment for Alzheimer disease may involve a nasal spray. Researchers at Università Cattolica and Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS have discovered that by inhibiting the brain enzyme S-acyltransferase (zDHHC) through a nasal-spray drug, they...
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Study reveals new neuropeptide involved in controlling calorie expenditure
by Maria Fernanda Ziegler, FAPESP In the image, neuropeptide Y binds to mural cells, precursors of a specific type of adipose tissue that is essential for regulating metabolism. Credit: Ana Domingos/Oxford University An international team of researchers has discovered a new component of the peripheral nervous system that acts by increasing energy metabolism in the body....
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Researchers identify gene signature for high-risk form of T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia
by Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Arrest states of T-ALL subtypes in reference to human hematopoiesis. Credit: Nature Cancer (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s43018-024-00863-5 Researchers from Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) have discovered the underlying biology that identifies a subset of patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia who have a higher risk version of the disease and are more likely to relapse...
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Popular diabetes and obesity drugs also protect kidneys, study shows
by George Institute for Global Health Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain The biggest and most comprehensive analysis of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists on kidney and cardiovascular outcomes shows they have significant benefits in people with and without diabetes. The findings were published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology. Originally developed to treat diabetes, GLP-1 receptor agonists mimic the...
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Study reveals genetic drivers of early onset type 2 diabetes in South Asians
by Queen Mary, University of London Credit: CC0 Public Domain A genetic predisposition to having lower insulin production and less healthy fat distribution are major causes of early-onset type 2 diabetes in British Asian people. According to new research from Queen Mary University of London, these genetic factors also lead to quicker development of health complications,...