VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER

Modern and ancient advice for healthy aging includes exercise, mental health care, diet, and strong relationships. The Harvard Study of Adult Development identifies six habits: physical activity, no alcohol, no smoking, coping mechanisms, healthy weight, and stable marriage. Galen's advice aligns with these findings, emphasizing exercise, diet, and psychological well-being.

A machine learning algorithm using 12-lead ECGs can detect pulmonary hypertension (PH) with high accuracy, including up to 5 years prior to diagnosis, potentially improving early detection and treatment outcomes.

Equitable Breakthroughs in Medicine Development selected UAB's Minority Health and Health Equity Research Center as a clinical trial site. EQBMED, funded by a $10M grant from PhRMA, aims to increase involvement of underserved communities in medical treatment research. The partnership focuses on building trust, reducing health disparities, and enhancing diversity in clinical trials.

Fostamatinib did not significantly decrease oxygen-free days or improve outcomes for hospitalized COVID-19 patients in a Vanderbilt-led international trial. Results suggest fostamatinib does not improve recovery from COVID-19 infection, possibly due to differences in patient characteristics between trials.

The 21st IMS annual meeting in Rio de Janeiro discussed MRD testing, high-risk disease, CEPHEUS trial, and off-the-shelf CAR T-cell therapy. Topics included MRD testing's impact, defining high-risk myeloma, and the potential of allogeneic CAR T-cell therapy. CEPHEUS trial showed improved MRD negativity and PFS with daratumumab in myeloma treatment.

Vanderbilt researchers used AI to identify 9 severe drug interactions missed in clinical trials, confirmed via patient records, including methadone-ciprofloxacin and ibrutinib-amiodarone combinations.

Susan G. Komen honors five leaders transforming breast cancer research and care: Christina Curtis, Fabrice André, Graham Colditz, Mina Sedrak, and Virginia Mason. Awards recognize contributions to understanding breast cancer biology, personalized treatment, risk reduction, and patient advocacy.

A clinical trial of 4-phenylbutyrate (PBA) shows significant reduction in seizure activity among children with genetic mutations causing severe epilepsy. Some children who failed multiple anti-seizure drugs have become seizure-free. The research is supported by nonprofit patient advocacy organizations, SLC6A1 Connect and Cure GABA-A, founded by mothers of children with genetic epilepsy. The trial is conducted at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Weill Cornell Medical Center, Children's Hospital Colorado, and the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.

UT Southwestern's seventh annual Leaders in Clinical Excellence Awards recognized 10 physicians and a clinical psychologist for exceptional contributions to patient care, education, and research. Miguel A. Vazquez, M.D., received the top honor for his work in nephrology and transplantation. Other awards included recognition for patient and family care, diversity, program innovation, rising stars, institutional service, and mentoring. The event also paid tribute to the late Sharon Reimold, M.D.

Six-year-old José Capablanca, with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, received a gene therapy at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, improving his balance and coordination. The treatment, Elevidys, is a single intravenous infusion of gene-bearing viral particles targeting skeletal muscle cells, enabling them to produce dystrophin, a protein essential for normal muscle function. While not a cure, it represents a significant step forward in DMD treatment, with long-term effects still unknown.