NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH

A UC Riverside mouse study published in *Archives of Toxicology* found that probiotic supplementation with *Limosilactobacillus reuteri* can mitigate the negative impacts of PBDEs on neurodevelopment, behavior, and metabolism. PBDE exposure during the perinatal period caused autistic-like behavior and metabolism syndrome in mice, but probiotic therapy corrected most of these abnormalities. The study suggests that maternal probiotic therapy may protect against developmental and adult diseases linked to toxic exposures.

The FDA missed its deadline to ban formaldehyde in hair-straightening products linked to hormonal cancers, despite proposing the ban in 2023. Some Oregon women have used these products for decades, and beauty companies face lawsuits over their carcinogenic effects.

TME Pharma's NOX-A12 shows synergistic effect with immune checkpoint inhibition in brain cancer models, enhancing anti-tumor immune responses. Different combination strategies for brain and pancreas cancer are supported by data presented at the 2024 SNO Annual Meeting.

NIH researchers introduced TrialGPT, an algorithm that expedites matching individuals to clinical trials, aiming to accelerate medical research and enhance clinician efficiency.

AI in healthcare can improve efficiency and access but requires careful validation and integration. Generative AI aids administrative tasks, while predictive AI predicts patient outcomes, both needing human oversight. AI's reliability in clinical settings is limited by data complexity and patient variability. Future advancements in data validation and clinical integration could significantly enhance healthcare delivery.

Sarah Abramowitz's research on polygenic risk scores (PRSs) variability in predicting coronary artery disease (CAD) risk was published in JAMA and presented at the AHA Scientific Sessions. The study found significant individual-level variability across PRSs, suggesting caution in their use for personalized medicine.

FDA advisors debated the full approval of andexanet alfa (Andexxa), citing uncertainties about optimal dose and patient suitability, despite its demonstrated ability to control hematoma volume in acute intracerebral hemorrhage patients on factor Xa inhibitors. Concerns included lack of clinical benefit evidence and increased thrombotic risks, with no vote on further regulatory action.

Nobel Laureate Dr. Harold Varmus spoke at HudsonAlpha Institute, discussing his career, discoveries of oncogenes, and principles for a life in science. He emphasized the societal benefits of science and the potential of combined therapies in cancer treatment.

EZH2 enzyme drives aggressive tumor growth in treatment-resistant prostate cancers by bypassing PKCλ/ι inhibition, promoting rapid protein production and activating growth factors like TGF-β, suggesting new therapeutic approaches combining EZH2 and TGF-β inhibitors with androgen receptor therapies.