UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON

Long COVID, or Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 (PASC), affects a significant number of individuals with symptoms lasting weeks to years post-infection. Research under the NIH's RECOVER initiative explores mechanisms like viral persistence, immune dysregulation, and gut dysbiosis. Therapeutic trials are underway, focusing on repurposed and novel treatments, emphasizing the need for rigorous clinical trials to address this public health challenge.

Doxy-PEP, a strategy involving doxycycline post-condomless sex, significantly reduces STIs like gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis in MSM and transgender women. Preliminary results show a minor increase in resistant bacteria strains. The approach targets individuals with recurrent STIs, aiming to decrease antibiotic use. Further studies are needed to assess long-term resistance impacts.

LOY-001, a drug aimed at extending the lifespan of large dogs, has cleared key FDA hurdles, potentially available by 2026. It targets the IGF-1 hormone, higher in large breeds, to match levels in smaller breeds. Pending further FDA approval, it could significantly impact service dogs' longevity and quality of life.

Amid increasing attacks on transgender kids, Minnesotans rallied in March 2022 to support them. Kelly Fleming, a Texas resident, shares their journey with gender dysphoria and the positive impact of gender-affirming hormone therapy. However, laws in states like Texas, Alabama, and Florida aim to restrict such care for transgender youth, despite evidence showing its benefits for mental health. Medical organizations advocate for evidence-based, age-appropriate gender-affirming care, highlighting the risks of denying it, including higher rates of depression and suicidality among transgender youth.

The Dog Aging Project (DAP) is a comprehensive, open-data study aiming to understand aging in dogs by analyzing genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. It involves tens of thousands of companion dogs, collecting extensive data to identify determinants of healthy lifespan and test interventions like rapamycin for aging. The project also focuses on creating a public resource for research, emphasizing ethical standards and community engagement.

Adding BLINCYTO (blinatumomab) to chemotherapy significantly improves disease-free survival (DFS) in newly diagnosed pediatric patients with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL), with a 3-year DFS of 96% compared to 87.9% with chemotherapy alone.

The Traumatic Brain Injury Endpoints Development (TED) Initiative, funded by the Department of Defense, aims to improve TBI clinical trials for better diagnosis and treatment. It focuses on validating clinical outcome assessments and biomarkers, engaging with the FDA, and creating a harmonized TBI Metadataset from multiple studies.

Lung cancer, primarily caused by tobacco smoking, is the leading cause of cancer deaths globally, with significant variations in mortality rates across regions. Smoking prevalence trends, lagging 20-30 years, influence lung cancer mortality rates. Effective tobacco control policies are crucial to reduce smoking prevalence and lung cancer deaths, especially in low- and middle-income countries.

Dr. Bill Hutchinson founded the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in memory of his brother Fred, a baseball legend who died of lung cancer. The center, established in 1975, has become a leading institution in cancer research, pioneering treatments like bone marrow transplants and immunotherapy, and significantly impacting the life science sector in Washington State.

The Senate hearing focused on the FDA's drug approval process, questioning its ability to balance drug safety and efficacy. Senators and experts discussed the need for rigorous oversight to ensure public confidence in FDA decisions, emphasizing the importance of post-market surveillance, clear communication of drug risks and benefits, and the necessity of legislative measures to address safety concerns. The hearing also highlighted recent controversies, such as the delayed response to safety risks associated with COX-2 inhibitors and antidepressants, underscoring the challenges in maintaining drug safety without compromising patient access to effective treatments.