JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY

Adjuvant nivolumab after neoadjuvant nivolumab plus chemotherapy and surgery may reduce disease recurrence or mortality risk in resectable NSCLC, according to CheckMate 77T and CheckMate 816 trial data. Perioperative nivolumab showed improved event-free survival compared to neoadjuvant nivolumab plus chemotherapy alone, with greater benefit in patients with PD-L1 < 1%.

FDA meeting on PTSD treatments reignited debate over delayed approval of Lykos Therapeutics' MDMA-assisted therapy. Critics, including Dr. Robert M. Grant, argue FDA's review failed, citing inconsistent guidance and unmet needs for better PTSD treatments. Despite FDA's cautious approach, veterans and researchers advocate for urgent action, highlighting the growing disconnect between FDA's stance and the insistent needs of potential beneficiaries. MAPS plans to continue Phase 3 trials and educate healthcare providers and policymakers, aiming to provide access to treatments regardless of FDA requirements.

The Global Exosome Market: Size, Forecast, Trials, and Trends, 2024 report details the growing exosome market, highlighting advancements in diagnostics, therapeutics, and cosmetics. Exosomes, extracellular vesicles, are valuable for disease detection, diagnosis, and treatment. The market is expanding with 388 clinical trials underway, and first exosome therapeutics expected by 2029. Key players and technologies are profiled, along with market forecasts through 2030.

NIH awarded $7,722,583 to Columbia University for the NEXUS Coordinating Center to organize exposomics research. Led by Gary Miller, Chirag Patel, and Rima Habre, NEXUS aims to operationalize exposomics, integrating it into biomedical research to advance precision environmental health. Funded by five NIH Institutes, NEXUS will establish exposomics frameworks, engage multidisciplinary partners, and support learning opportunities.

Latigo Biotherapeutics appoints Tim Lugo as CFO and adds Beth Seidenberg and Jim Tananbaum to its board, aiming to advance non-opioid pain medicine development.

Latigo Biotherapeutics appoints Tim Lugo as CFO and Beth Seidenberg, M.D., and Jim Tananbaum, M.D., to its board to advance non-opioid pain medicine development.

A study led by Christos Davatzikos identifies 5 forms of cerebral atrophy linked to aging, detectable via machine learning. These patterns, influenced by biological traits and habits, predict dementia risk. Other research highlights inflammation's role in cognitive decline, suggesting exercise and tailored treatments as countermeasures. Overall, these studies aim to refine aging measurement and improve preventive actions.

Roche's fenebrutinib achieved a mid-stage win in RMS, showing near-total elimination of disease activity, while Sanofi's tolebrutinib had mixed results, missing primary endpoints in two Phase III studies but succeeding in a third, delaying disability progression in progressive MS. Both drugs face safety concerns, particularly liver injury, which will be a key focus at upcoming presentations. Despite mixed results, tolebrutinib is expected to generate $2.6 billion in sales by 2030, while fenebrutinib is projected to reach $810 million.

18 million U.S. adults may find at-home blood pressure cuffs unfit, leading to inaccurate readings. Standard cuffs cover 8.7 to 16.5 inches, but 7% of adults exceed this range. Black adults face higher risk. Researchers urge manufacturers to develop more inclusive sizes.

A Phase II trial showed AstraZeneca's Lynparza (olaparib) effective in treating recurrent prostate cancer without hormone therapy, prompting larger follow-up studies in biomarker-selected subgroups. Lynparza, a PARP inhibitor, demonstrated efficacy in patients with homologous recombination repair gene mutations, particularly BRCA2, with higher response rates than seen with hormonal suppression. The study suggests that not all prostate cancer patients need hormone therapy and highlights the need for biomarker-selected trials to identify responders.