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A study identifies a possible way to slow or block progression of age-related macular degeneration. The researchers implicated problems with cholesterol metabolism in this type of vision loss, perhaps helping explain the links between macular degeneration and cardiovascular disease, which both worsen with age. The new findings—identified using human plasma samples and mouse models of macular degeneration—suggest that increasing the amount of a molecule called apolipoprotein M (ApoM) in the blood fixes problems in cholesterol processing that lead to cellular damage in the eyes and other organs. In recent years, evidence has emerged that ApoM can serve as a protective...

Salivary gland toxicity from radiopharmaceutical therapy—particularly from alpha-emitting therapies like 225Ac-PSMA—is a critical dose-limiting side effect, often leading to debilitating dry mouth. Prior attempts to alleviate dry mouth using cold packs, single anticholinergics, or external cooling have shown minimal protective benefit. A dual-protective approach using botulinum toxin (Botox) alongside an anti-nausea patch significantly reduces salivary gland toxicity in patients with metastatic prostate cancer undergoing PSMA-targeted radiopharmaceutical therapy. The strategy led to a 30% decrease in PSMA uptake by the salivary glands without affecting the treatment's cancer-fighting efficacy. This reduction may enhance treatment adherence and improve overall patient outcomes. "In order...

A new multi-cohort study has found that exposure to certain metals, detected in urine, is associated with a higher risk of heart failure (HF). "In our analysis of over 10,000 adults we observed consistent associations between elevated urinary metal levels and increased HF risk over long-term follow-up." The study pooled data from three large cohorts with more than 20 years of follow-up. Key findings included: —Higher levels of the mixture of five metals in urine—arsenic, cadmium, molybdenum, selenium, and zinc—were associated with a 55% higher risk of heart failure in rural American Indian adults (SHS), a 38% higher risk in...

Insulin resistance detected by routine triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index can flag people with early Alzheimer's who are four times more likely to present rapid cognitive decline, according to research. Neurologists reviewed records of 315 non-diabetic patients with cognitive deficits, including 200 with biologically confirmed Alzheimer's disease. All subjects underwent an assessment of insulin resistance using the TyG index and a clinical follow-up of three years. When patients were divided according to the TyG index, those in the highest third of the Mild Cognitive Impairment AD subgroup deteriorated far more quickly than their lower-TyG peers, losing >2.5 points on the Mini Mental...

A common medication already used for autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis is effective for patients with giant cell arteritis, according to findings. Giant cell arteritis often leads to headaches, vision loss, and even aortic aneurysms. But nearly half of patients taking upadacitinib in a new Phase 3 clinical trial achieved sustained remission—while reducing their dependence on glucocorticoids (typically called "steroids"), the most common treatment. The main current treatment for giant cell arteritis includes the daily use of glucocorticoids, especially prednisone. Unfortunately, glucocorticoids can impact patients with serious side effects. However, because researchers have already determined that a cellular communication...

A new study by Toho University has revealed that gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), a fatty acid commonly found in plant oils such as evening primrose and borage, can directly relax constricted coronary arteries by blocking a key receptor involved in blood vessel contraction. This discovery offers promising implications for the prevention of coronary spasms and angina. Coronary artery spasms—sudden narrowing of the arteries supplying the heart—can lead to chest pain (angina) and increase the risk of heart attacks. The underlying cause often involves the activation of prostanoid TP receptors, which trigger vessel contraction in response to chemical signals like thromboxane A2...

The skin acts as the body's defense against external threats. However, as we age, the epidermis—the outermost layer of skin—gradually becomes thinner and loses its protective strength. To combat aging's impact on skin, numerous studies have emphasized the benefits of vitamin C (VC). Now, researchers have discovered VC helps thicken skin by directly activating genes that control skin cell growth and development. Their findings suggest that VC may restore skin function by reactivating genes essential for epidermal renewal. To investigate how VC affects skin regeneration, the team used human epidermal equivalents and applied VC at 1.0 and 0.1 mM—concentrations comparable...

Hot tubs and saunas can both soothe aching muscles and provide welcome warmth, but hot tubs might offer greater health benefits. That's the takeaway from a new study done by researchers which compared the physiological effects of soaking in a hot tub to sitting in a traditional dry heat sauna or a more modern far-infrared sauna. By raising core body temperatures, soaking in hot water can help lower blood pressure, stimulate the immune system and, over time, improve the body's response to heat stress. Moreover, those effects can last beyond the minutes spent directly in heat treatment. Researchers monitored body...

A study led by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute researchers found that combining chemotherapy and immunotherapy before surgery for patients with aggressive stage III non-small cell lung cancer that is considered difficult or impossible to surgically remove can help shrink tumors and make surgery possible. The multicenter observational study was conducted in collaboration with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute in Rome, Italy. It analyzed data from 112 patients who were treated at cancer centers across the U.S. and Italy with chemoimmunotherapy—a combination of chemotherapy and an immune checkpoint inhibitor blocking PD-1 or PD-L1. After treatment,...

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is known to be associated with the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but how and why they are connected remains unknown. Researchers from Mass General Brigham discovered that HBV does not cause liver inflammation or cancer on its own, but worsens liver inflammation and may make patients more susceptible to early cancer development caused by environmental carcinogens. Limiting carcinogen exposure or reducing inflammation could mitigate this risk. "Our research sheds light on the intricate interplay between HBV infection and carcinogen exposure to generate immune dysregulation in the liver that leads to cancer development," said corresponding...

According to a study, body composition is associated with symptoms of pelvic floor disorders in middle-aged women. Larger fat mass increases the risk of stress urinary incontinence. The risk factors include larger fat mass, especially in the waist area and around visceral organs, as well as larger waist circumference and body mass index. The prevalence of pelvic floor disorders increases as women approach their menopausal years. Estrogen deprivation, natural aging of tissues, reproductive history, and factors increasing intra-abdominal pressure may lead to structural and functional failure in the pelvic floor. In addition, lifestyle choices such as eating behavior and physical...

A straightforward nightly activity may act as a memory-boosting tool, a new study has revealed. Writing down just five events from the day significantly improved memory performance in individuals with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and healthy older adults the following day. This intervention, which involves recalling and documenting daily experiences, offers a cost-free and easily implementable approach to enhancing memory function. The RESTED-AD Study (Remote Evaluation of Sleep To Enhance Understanding in Early Dementia) investigated the effects of autobiographical recall on memory performance utilizing 26 participants in two groups—with and without early-stage Alzheimer's disease (AD) dementia or mild cognitive impairment. They...

Imagine living with a persistent, debilitating fatigue that no amount of rest can alleviate, coupled with a constellation of other symptoms such as brain fog, pain, and sleep disturbances. This is the reality for millions suffering from Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS). Now, envision a similar struggle following a viral infection, long COVID. Our recent review delves into a fascinating area that could hold a key: the intricate world of the gut microbiome and its profound influence on our health. For instance, studies in ME/CFS patients indicate changes in gut composition, including a deficiency in butyrate-producing bacteria and disturbances in...

Results from a new clinical trial suggest that a high-fiber plant-based diet could benefit patients at risk of developing multiple myeloma, the second most common type of blood cancer. Multiple myeloma is often preceded by early, non-cancerous conditions involving abnormal plasma cells. Having a high body weight, a poor-quality diet and an unhealthy balance of gut bacteria have been shown to increase the risk of developing these conditions and progressing to multiple myeloma. The pilot study, which is part of the NUTRIVENTION Trials, included 20 patients at risk of developing multiple myeloma due to precursor conditions and an elevated body...

Patients with colon cancer who consumed an anti-inflammatory diet during a Phase III clinical trial showed longer overall survival post-treatment compared to those on a proinflammatory diet, according to analysis. Engaging in higher levels of physical activity may amplify the positive influence on survival. The median 5-year survival for patients with stage III colon cancer is around 80%. The CALGB/SWOG 80702 (Alliance) trial was initiated in 2010 to reduce the risk of cancer recurrence. Patients in the trial were treated with surgery followed by either three or six months of chemotherapy, with or without celecoxib, an anti-inflammatory drug. Of 2,526...

A newly discovered mechanism that leads to liver dysfunction may be a key factor in type 2 diabetes and other metabolic disorders in individuals with obesity, according to a new study. The dysfunction identified—dysregulated hepatic coenzyme Q metabolism—leads to excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced by mitochondria at a single specific site in an enzyme called complex I. Mitochondria metabolize nutrients and generate the building blocks needed to maintain metabolic homeostasis. During this process, mitochondria also generate ROS—molecules that, in small, controlled amounts, are essential to support normal body functions, but that can be harmful when produced in large quantities....

First-line treatment with the triplet combination of encorafenib, cetuximab and mFOLFOX6 significantly improved survival compared to the standard of care in patients with BRAF V600E-mutated metastatic colorectal cancer, according to data from the Phase III BREAKWATER trial. The findings demonstrated significantly longer progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) compared to standard chemotherapy-based regimens. The median PFS was 12.8 months with the triplet combination compared to 7.1 months in the standard-of-care group, and the median OS was 30.3 months compared with 15.1 months, respectively. "The latest data from the BREAKWATER trial further confirms that targeting the BRAF V600E mutation up...

A pilot study found that the Mediterranean diet may provide symptom relief for people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Study participants were randomized into two groups, one following the Mediterranean diet and the other following the low FODMAP diet, a common restrictive diet for IBS. In the Mediterranean diet group, 73% of the patients met the primary endpoint for symptom improvement, versus 81.8% in the low FODMAP group. Irritable bowel syndrome affects an estimated 4–11% of all people, and a majority of patients prefer dietary interventions to medication. The low FODMAP diet leads to symptom improvement in more than half...

A new four-drug combination is highly effective and safe in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma, according to dats. The randomized, multi-center trial tests the effects of adding the targeted drug daratumumab to the standard three-part therapy regimen, called KRd (carfilzomib, lenalidomide and dexamethasone). The new clinical trial has its roots in the MANHATTAN trial. In that, newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients were also treated with daratumumab added to KRd, a combination called DKRd. The results of the MANHATTAN trial were "spectacular," said Landgren. Sensitive methods to assess for minimal residual disease (MRD) showed that 71% of patients had no...

A first-of-its-kind clinical trial shows that therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) combined with intravenous immunoglobulin reduced biological age on average by 2.6 years, as measured by multi-omic biomarkers. The results provide early data on the impact of TPE on biological age, supporting its potential for new disease and longevity applications. Therapeutic plasma exchange is a procedure that separates, removes, and replaces a patient's plasma to treat certain diseases. The study investigated how TPE impacts biomarkers associated with biological age, including changes across the epigenome, proteome, metabolome, glycome and immune system, alongside physical measures like balance and strength. Research participants were assigned...