JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY

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.

UMB announces 2024 Founders Week Award winners: Dr. Adam Puche (Educator), Kathleen Hoke (Public Servant), Dr. Luana Colloca (Researcher), Dr. Joga Gobburu (Entrepreneur), and Nicol Tugarinov (Student) for their significant contributions and achievements.

Bruce Feinberg, DO, Chief Medical Officer at Cardinal Health, is recognized for expertise in oncology and specialty healthcare, developing clinical pathways to control costs and improve quality. Scott Swain, PhD, MPH, Senior Director of Regulatory and Real-World Evidence, focuses on improving regulatory submissions using real-world evidence. Tammy Schuler, PhD, Senior Scientist at Cardinal Health, specializes in patient-reported outcomes and electronic medical records research, with a focus on cancer health outcomes.

Dr. Darrell Bigner's team discovered a point mutation in the isocitrate dehydrogenase gene in brain tumors, leading to the development of vorasidenib (Voranigo) by Servier Pharmaceuticals. The drug, approved by the FDA, treats one-third of primary brain tumor types and has shown promising results in clinical trials at Duke, with patients experiencing stable MRIs and no tumor progression.

Thomas Hartle, the first Canadian to legally use psilocybin for end-of-life distress, died at 56. Diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer, he found psychedelic-assisted therapy profoundly comforting, altering his perception of death. Despite psilocybin's illegality in Canada, Hartle advocated for its therapeutic potential beyond terminal illnesses, highlighting its impact on anxiety and depression.

FDA approved vorasidenib, a targeted drug for low-grade gliomas with IDH1/2 mutations, doubling progression-free survival to 27.7 months vs. 11.1 months for placebo. Developed through Duke and Johns Hopkins collaboration, it inhibits mutant IDH enzymes, reducing tumorigenesis. Future research explores its combination with other therapies and broader cancer applications.