Last month, a study was published claiming that the groundbreaking CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing technique could potentially introduce hundreds of unintended mutations into an animal’s genome. Unsurprisingly, this study sent shockwaves through the scientific community, with the stock prices from several gene-editing companies falling. Critics are now calling into question the veracity of the study, claiming it is filled...
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New class of type 2 diabetes drug associated with rare, life-threatening outcome
A new class of drugs, known as SGLT2 inhibitors, is increasingly being prescribed for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, but may increase the risk of rare but serious complication known as diabetic ketoacidosis. In a new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, investigators from Brigham and Women’s Hospital quantify that risk, finding...
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Stem cell treatment for lethal STAT1 gene mutation produces mixed results
One example of STAT1 GOF Mutation phenotype. Researchers report the first-ever study assessing how patients with “gain of function” mutation of the STAT1 gene respond to stem cell transplantation. It involved 15 young patients from nine different countries, each suffering a range of complications caused by the gene’s mutation. Of these, only six survived...
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Study: Common surgical treatment for melanoma does not improve patients’ overall survival
Melanoma in skin biopsy with H&E stain — this case may represent superficial spreading melanoma. Patients who receive the standard surgical treatment for melanoma that has spread to one or more key lymph nodes do not live longer, a major new study shows. The study, published today in The New England Journal of Medicine, found...
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FBI raids offices of lab that pays doctors to promote genetic tests
The Irvine, Calif., headquarters of Proove Biosciences. Federal investigators searched a California DNA testing lab Wednesday and hauled away boxes of documents as part of a health care fraud investigation, according to former employees familiar with the matter. Proove Biosciences, an Irvine, Calif., firm that purports to determine a patient’s likelihood of becoming addicted to opioids,...
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No evidence that $40,000 ‘miracle’ drug cures hepatitis C, report finds
There is no valid evidence that direct-acting antiviral drugs cure hepatitis C The drug was hailed as a ‘miracle’ after it was able to rid the blood of the virus A report claims despite the $40,000 drug the disease can still linger in the body The virus is now the United States’ most common blood-borne infection...
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Drug coupons are costing us billions: Lawmakers seek end to slimy scheme
When Mylan’s CEO, Heather Bresch, appeared before lawmakers last September to explain the skyscraping price of life-saving EpiPens, she touted coupons that would cut out-of-pocket costs for customers rather than plans to lower prices. Executives for Turing Pharmaceuticals, Valeant, Marathon, Kaléo, and many others used the same strategy amid price-gouging claims. But the wallet-friendly deals are deceptive, lawmakers and advocates argue. They...
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Battle to stay alive: Young soldier and father with aggressive blood cancer issues urgent appeal for life-saving stem cell donors
Private Myles Brown, 27, has rare type of leukaemia which progresses fast It’s possibly spread to his brain and his only hope is a stem cell transplant Without it, he would have two years of chemo which could ravage his health Mr Brown, from Lincolnshire, wants to live for his 18-month-old daughter Lilian He has...
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Body dysmorphic disorder visual retraining program
Those with BDD have difficulty recognising faces, bodies and emotions. A world-first study is aiming to alleviate symptoms of those with body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) through a unique visual retraining program. BDD results in an exaggerated perception of aspects of personal appearance. Using eye-tracking technology, the initial stage of the study tracks the eye...
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A single molecule is missing and the cell world is empty
Dynamic remodeling in ESCRT-III polymers. Vps4 mediates turnover of ESCRT-III subunits within growing and constricting polymers – analogous to Lego figures exchanging the building blocks within a large spiral assembly. Cells multiply by duplicating themselves: they grow, replicate their components, and finally split into two. Many diseases are related to defective cell division; cancer...