Karolinska Institutet

Diamyd's Antigen-Specific Immunotherapy Shows Promise in LADA Patients

a month ago

• Diamyd Medical's Diamyd® immunotherapy demonstrates disease-modifying potential in adults with Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults (LADA) in a recent pilot trial. • The GADinLADA trial, featuring three intralymphatic injections of Diamyd®, reported no treatment-related severe adverse events, confirming the therapy's safety profile. • Results indicated preservation of insulin-producing capacity, particularly in HLA DR3-DQ2 positive patients, suggesting a precision medicine approach to LADA treatment. • All LADA patients in the trial remained insulin-independent at least 12 months post-treatment, highlighting the potential for long-term benefits.

Belimumab Shows Superior Efficacy for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in Meta-Analysis

a day ago

• A comprehensive meta-analysis of five randomized controlled trials confirms belimumab's superior efficacy over placebo in treating systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) according to BICLA criteria. • Patients receiving belimumab demonstrated significantly higher response rates regardless of baseline glucocorticoid dose, with particularly strong results in those with high disease activity or serologically active disease. • The findings validate belimumab's clinical efficacy through an additional widely used responder index, supporting its use in SLE management according to current recommendations.

HIV Vaccine Breakthrough: Clinical Trials Show Promise for Broadly Neutralizing Antibody Development

7 days ago

• Two phase 1 clinical trials demonstrate successful activation of rare immune cells needed to develop broadly neutralizing antibodies against HIV, marking significant progress in vaccine development. • The innovative stepwise vaccination strategy using mRNA technology showed 100% success rate in generating VRC01-class antibody responses in participants who received both prime and boost doses. • Results from trials conducted in North America and Africa showed similar immune responses, supporting the potential for a globally effective HIV vaccine targeting regions most affected by the pandemic.

Study Reveals Why Children's Cancer Immunotherapy Differs From Adults, Opening Path to Precision Medicine

4 months ago

• Researchers at Karolinska Institutet discovered that children's tumors are less inflammatory and have fewer mutations than adults', explaining their reduced response to immunotherapy treatments. • A comprehensive analysis of 191 children with solid tumors revealed that age, tumor type, tissue microenvironment, and embryonic origin significantly influence immune responses in pediatric cancers. • The findings suggest the need for targeted immunotherapies specifically designed for children, considering their unique immune system characteristics and tumor profiles.

Aspirin Reduces Colorectal Cancer Recurrence in PI3K-Mutated Tumors

4 months ago

• A daily 160mg dose of aspirin significantly reduces the risk of colorectal cancer recurrence in patients with PI3K mutations. • The ALASCCA trial demonstrated a 51% to 58% reduction in recurrence risk in patients with specific PI3K pathway alterations. • The study highlights the potential for repurposing aspirin as a cost-effective adjuvant therapy and emphasizes the importance of genomic testing. • While aspirin was generally safe, the study reported a slightly higher incidence of adverse events compared to placebo.

AnaCardio Raises SEK 205 Million and Reports Positive Phase 1b Data of AC01

4 months ago

AnaCardio, a portfolio company of Karolinska Development, has successfully raised SEK 205 million and announced positive results from its Phase 1b clinical trial of AC01. Karolinska Development, a Nordic life sciences investment company, focuses on advancing medical innovations into commercial products that aim to improve patients' lives while offering attractive returns to shareholders.

Sana Biotechnology's Hypoimmune Cell Therapy Shows Promise in Type 1 Diabetes

4 months ago

• Sana Biotechnology's UP421 demonstrated survival and function of transplanted pancreatic beta cells in a type 1 diabetes patient without immunosuppression. • The first-in-human study showed increased C-peptide levels, indicating insulin production, and sustained signals at the transplant site via MRI. • TD Cowen upgraded Sana Biotechnology to Buy, noting the results meaningfully derisk type 1 diabetes and other applications of the Hypoimmune platform. • The company's stock price surged following the release of the positive data, reflecting investor optimism about the potential of the new treatment.

Mifepristone as Weekly Contraceptive Shows Promising Results in Clinical Trials

4 months ago

A large clinical trial in Moldova has demonstrated that mifepristone, used as a weekly contraceptive, is highly effective with minimal side effects. The study, led by Dr. Rebecca Gomperts, shows only one pregnancy among 2,000 cycles of unprotected intercourse, highlighting its potential as a flexible and reliable contraceptive method.

Single-Dose HPV Vaccine Shows Promise in Long-Term Cervical Cancer Prevention Study

5 months ago

• A landmark 17-year Swedish study of 2.2 million females reveals that one or two doses of HPV vaccine before age 17 provide similar protection against severe cervical lesions as the standard three-dose regimen. • The findings from Karolinska Institutet strongly support WHO's recommendations for reduced HPV vaccine dosing, potentially accelerating global cervical cancer elimination efforts. • Research demonstrates comparable risk reduction for severe cervical changes across different dosing schedules, though longer-term studies are needed to confirm sustained protection.

GLP-1 Receptor Agonists Not Linked to Increased Suicide Risk, Study Finds

5 months ago

• A nationwide study in France found no increased risk of suicide or suicide attempts associated with GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs). • The research included patients with psychiatric disorders and obesity, addressing a gap in previous clinical trials. • The study used a case-time-control design to account for confounding factors and exposure-trend bias, enhancing the reliability of the findings. • Results showed a negative association between GLP-1 RA use and suicidal behaviors, suggesting short-term psychiatric safety.

Self-Collected HPV Tests Poised to Reshape Cervical Cancer Screening

5 months ago

• New guidelines propose self-collected HPV tests for cervical cancer screening, potentially increasing early detection and access to care. • A new study suggests HPV self-test results can stratify women into risk groups, optimizing follow-up and colposcopy referrals. • Risk stratification using HPV variants and viral load could streamline screening in resource-limited settings, improving efficiency. • Forecasts predict a rise in diagnosed cervical cancer cases due to increased screening, emphasizing the need for thorough data analysis.

LXR Activation Promotes Intestinal Healing and Suppresses Colorectal Cancer Growth

6 months ago

• Researchers at Karolinska Institutet discovered that activating the Liver X receptor (LXR) promotes intestinal regeneration after damage. • The study found LXR activation can simultaneously suppress tumor growth in colorectal cancer, offering a dual therapeutic effect. • The findings suggest LXR activation could lead to new treatments for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and prevent bowel disorders post-cancer therapy. • Advanced technologies, including 3D organoids and spatial transcriptomics, were used to identify and validate the therapeutic potential of LXR.

Common Heart Drugs Linked to Lower Dementia Risk in Long-Term Use

6 months ago

• A new study reveals that long-term use of diuretics, hypertension drugs, cholesterol-lowering medications, and blood thinners may reduce dementia risk. • Individuals taking these heart medications for over five years showed approximately 25% lower odds of developing dementia compared to non-users. • Antiplatelet drugs, commonly prescribed to prevent blood clots, were surprisingly associated with a higher risk of dementia in the study. • The research underscores the complex interplay between cardiovascular and brain health, suggesting potential preventive measures against dementia.

Semaglutide Shows Promise in Reducing Alcohol Consumption and Cravings

6 months ago

• A new study reveals that semaglutide, known as Ozempic and Wegovy, significantly reduces alcohol cravings and consumption in individuals with alcohol use disorder. • Participants on semaglutide experienced fewer heavy drinking days and decreased alcohol intake during lab tests compared to those on a placebo, indicating potential therapeutic benefits. • The research suggests semaglutide's effects on alcohol cravings may surpass existing treatments, offering a promising avenue for addressing the unmet needs in alcohol use disorder. • Further studies are warranted to explore semaglutide's long-term efficacy, optimal dosages, and safety, particularly for individuals without obesity or diabetes.