VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY

AI-assisted SHG/TPEF imaging improves inter-pathologist agreement on MASH fibrosis staging, enhancing clinical trial reliability and patient care.

Viltolarsen treatment in the Galactic53 trial showed improved respiratory and motor function in DMD patients amenable to exon 53 skipping, with higher FVC%p and stable upper limb function in both ambulatory and nonambulatory participants compared to controls. The study, presented at AANEM 2024, had limitations including small sample size and lack of placebo control.

Lawmakers decided not to advance legislation that could expand veteran access to breakthrough therapies for mental health, including psilocybin. Bills proposed an advisory council to study and recommend how these therapies could help prevent veteran suicide. Psilocybin, classified as a Schedule I substance, has shown potential in treating PTSD and depression, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. Veterans have testified to the benefits of psilocybin, and the VA announced funding for research on its use in treating PTSD and depression.

Bill Allen, a Black prostate cancer survivor, shares his experience with clinical trials, emphasizing the importance of trust and community impact. He advocates for the PAN Foundation, which provided financial support for his costly medication, allowing him to continue an active lifestyle.

Semaglutide 2.4 mg showed significant improvements in liver fibrosis and resolution of steatohepatitis in MASH patients, with supportive secondary endpoints including liver enzyme improvements and the Enhanced Liver Fibrosis (ELF)™ test. One in 20 US adults live with MASH, which can progress to cirrhosis in 20% of cases.

GENFIT presents pre-clinical data on ACLF treatments at The Liver Meeting 2024, including VS-01, SRT-015, CLM-022, and NTZ, and leads key ACLF events. The company anticipates data from four clinical trials by end of 2025, focusing on VS-01, NTZ, and SRT-015. GENFIT also presents NIS2+® data for MASH monitoring.

The FDA granted breakthrough therapy status to Boehringer Ingelheim's survodutide for MASH, based on Phase 2 trial results showing significant MASH reduction without fibrosis worsening. Two global Phase 3 trials, LIVERAGE and LIVERAGE-Cirrhosis, are underway to further assess survodutide's safety and efficacy in MASH patients with moderate to advanced liver fibrosis and compensated cirrhosis, respectively.

The Board of Regents will discuss healthcare workforce education, AI in higher education, and budget requests. MN Cup celebrates 20 years of fostering entrepreneurship. U of M researchers collaborate with local organizations to address health issues. The U of M Climate Adaptation Partnership provides climate data for communities. Research and Outreach Centers upgrade weather stations for local farmers. High school students enroll in U of M college courses. U of M Crookston hosts Indigenous Peoples Day events. UMD is recognized for high student voter turnout. UMR celebrates scholarship recipients and benefactors. Twin Cities campus features events on democracy, Homecoming, and family legacies at the U of M.

Hypofractionated lymph node irradiation did not reduce lymphedema incidence in breast cancer treatment, with 29% incidence in 3-week RT vs. 36% in 5-week RT (P=0.24). Physician-reported lymphedema and grade ≥2 toxicity were lower with hypofractionated RT. Additional follow-up needed to establish non-operative cancer control.