CDC ENTEBBE

The FDA granted orphan-drug designation to crofelemer for cholera diarrhea treatment. Cholera, a WHO grade 3 emergency, causes 1.3-4M cases and 21k-143k deaths annually. Crofelemer, from the Croton lechleri tree, aims to treat severe dehydration in cholera patients, offering development incentives and 7-year marketing exclusivity upon approval.

Icovamenib showed significant HbA1c reduction in T2D patients, with Arm B achieving a 1.47% reduction in severe insulin-deficient patients. The drug was well-tolerated, with no serious adverse events. Biomea Fusion plans to discuss these results with the FDA for further development.

FDA grants orphan-drug designation to Jaguar Health's crofelemer for cholera diarrhea treatment, offering development incentives and 7-year market exclusivity upon approval.

A misdiagnosis of advanced kidney disease in Japan led to an exploration of genetic adaptations to sodium levels, revealing how ancestral environments influence health. The author connects this to her work in genomic history, highlighting the importance of understanding ancestral gene variants and their functionality in modern contexts.

Roswell Park experts at the 2024 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium aim to clarify lifestyle factors affecting breast cancer outcomes. Dr. Rikki Cannioto highlighted evidence that exercise during treatment reduces fatigue, anxiety, and improves quality of life, with adherence to CDC guidelines linked to lower mortality and recurrence risks. Despite recommendations, less than 15% of survivors meet exercise guidelines. Poster sessions also featured new findings on breast cancer research.

A new blood test, the Stockholm3 test, may reduce unnecessary prostate biopsies and detect prostate cancer with similar sensitivity to standard screening across racial and ethnic groups. The study, led by Adam B. Murphy, involved over 2,100 patients from 17 U.S. sites, finding the test reduced benign and low-grade biopsies by 45% overall and 42-52% across subgroups, with similar sensitivity to PSA tests and higher specificity.

Mike Plante lost 65 pounds using semaglutide, a diabetes drug also used for weight loss, despite insurance not covering it due to non-diabetic status. A Biden proposal aims to expand Medicare and Medicaid coverage for weight loss drugs, potentially benefiting hundreds of thousands in West Virginia. However, the rule change is pending approval by President-elect Donald Trump. Dr. Bisher Mustafa highlights the drugs' success in weight loss and health benefits, advocating for broader insurance coverage to prevent future health issues. Despite success stories, access remains a challenge due to high costs and limited insurance coverage.

University of Utah Health announced the development of lenacapavir, a promising HIV drug named 2024 breakthrough by Science. Developed by Gilead Sciences, it offers six-month protection, 96% effective in trials. Wesley Sundquist's research on HIV's molecular structure led to its discovery, targeting the viral protein shell to prevent reproduction. Clinical trials in South Africa and Uganda showed no HIV transmission among women, with follow-up trials confirming efficacy in men and nonbinary individuals.

Aaron Siri, lawyer for Robert F. Kennedy Jr., petitioned the FDA to revoke polio vaccine approval, following earlier petitions to pause 13 other vaccines. Both Siri and Kennedy, through the Informed Consent Action Network, spread false claims about vaccine dangers. Kennedy praised Siri's contributions to the 'medical freedom movement.' Anti-vaccine sentiments have led to polio outbreaks, with Dr. Jonas Salk's son expressing confusion over the anti-vaccine movement.