Vanderbilt University

2024 saw mixed progress in NSCLC treatment and screening. Sacituzumab govitecan failed to improve OS in EVOKE-01 trial. A BLA for datopotamab deruxtecan was withdrawn. Comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) was emphasized to address testing gaps. Updated guidelines expanded lung cancer screening eligibility by removing quit time and reducing pack-year criteria.

Modern and ancient advice for healthy aging includes exercise, mental health care, diet, and strong relationships. The Harvard Study of Adult Development identifies six habits: physical activity, no alcohol, no smoking, coping mechanisms, healthy weight, and stable marriage. Galen's advice aligns with these findings, emphasizing exercise, diet, and psychological well-being.

Nicholas Douville, M.D., Ph.D., and team aim to use precision medicine for better surgical care, exploring genetic factors in perioperative outcomes. Despite initial lack of strong genetic associations in acute kidney injury, they turn to the diverse All of Us Research Program dataset, proposing tools to map surgical procedures and study emergent health conditions, emphasizing genetics as one factor in precision medicine.

Metro Nashville received two SMART Grants totaling $11.9M for improving Nolensville Pike and Murfreesboro Pike. NDOT's $10M grant funds Phase II of the LADDMS initiative to enhance safety for vulnerable road users. WeGo Public Transit's $1.9M grant optimizes bus service on Murfreesboro Pike using AI, CAD, and traffic-adaptive signals.

Metro Nashville received two SMART Grants totaling $11.9M for transportation improvements. NDOT got $10M for Phase II of LADDMS to enhance safety on Nolensville Pike using LiDAR and data analytics. WeGo Public Transit received $1.9M for AI-based bus service optimization on Murfreesboro Pike, Nashville's busiest route.

Adjusting for principal components in genome-wide association studies can induce collider bias, especially in admixed populations where PCs may capture local genomic features instead of global ancestry. LD pruning is more effective than excluding high LD regions, but optimal parameters vary. Model-based ancestry inference may offer a better alternative in some cases. Careful pre-processing and checking of PCs are crucial to avoid spurious associations.

Alphabet Inc.'s quantum chip, Willow, can simulate millions of chess moves simultaneously, revolutionizing industries like healthcare and AI. Willow's computing power can complete complex tasks in minutes, compared to 10 septillion years for supercomputers, and becomes more precise with scaling. This advancement could fast-track drug development and significantly benefit advanced AI, potentially leading to artificial general intelligence (AGI) within months.

Aaron Siri, a lawyer aiding Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in selecting federal health officials, has petitioned to revoke polio vaccine approval and seeks to pause distribution of 13 other vaccines. His work, primarily for the Informed Consent Action Network, includes challenging COVID-19 mandates and suing federal agencies for vaccine approval records. Kennedy, President-elect Trump's health secretary pick, maintains he does not want to remove vaccine access but his partnership with Siri raises concerns among public health leaders.

High-profile dementia researchers, including Eliezer Masliah, have been accused of fraud, influencing neurological research and drug trials. Dr. Matthew Schrag, a neurologist, investigates such misconduct, emphasizing the need for research integrity and high-quality data. Schrag highlights the challenges in spotting fraud and the ethical concerns of running trials based on potentially fraudulent data, advocating for a broader approach to Alzheimer's research beyond the amyloid hypothesis.

Michael Matheny of Vanderbilt University presents 'Opportunities and Challenges in the Use of Large Language Models for Postmarketing Surveillance of Medical Products' at PCT Grand Rounds on December 6, 2024, at 1:00 pm eastern.