NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH

UCSD researchers demonstrated GPT-4's effectiveness in automating functional genomics, achieving 73% accuracy in gene set enrichment analysis, and highlighting AI's potential in precision medicine.

Achieve Life Sciences announces successful End-of-Phase 2 FDA meeting for cytisinicline as a potential first-in-class vaping cessation therapy. The FDA agreed that one Phase 3 trial (ORCA-V2) along with the completed Phase 2 ORCA-V1 trial would suffice. The planned Phase 3 study will evaluate 3 mg cytisinicline three times daily versus placebo in approximately 800 adults who use e-cigarettes, targeting initiation in Q3 2025.

Aptose Biosciences Inc. and the National Cancer Institute collaborate on tuspetinib clinical development for AML and MDS in myeloMATCH trials, aiming to expedite tailored drug combinations.

Aptose Biosciences signs CRADA with NCI to develop tuspetinib for AML and MDS in myeloMATCH trials, aiming for tailored drug combinations. Separately, Aptose plans Phase 1/2 TUSCANY study for triple drug combo (tuspetinib, venetoclax, azacitidine) in AML patients unfit for chemotherapy, set to begin Q4.

Researchers at the University of Michigan are exploring the role of pets in the lives of LGBTQ cancer patients, aiming to understand how pets contribute to wellbeing, connectedness, and care during treatment and recovery. The study involves a multidisciplinary team and includes pilot data collection, with plans for focus groups to delve deeper into the impact of pet ownership on social isolation and health outcomes.

USF Health and Weill Cornell Medicine published the first version of their clinically validated voice dataset on an AI platform, aiming to diagnose diseases like cancer and depression through voice analysis. The dataset includes over 12,500 recordings from 306 participants and will be expanded to 10,000 voices by the end of a four-year $14 million project. The data is standardized and includes respiratory, voice, and speech tasks, crucial for validating voice algorithms and developing new diagnostic methods.

At the first Myositis Common Data Elements Consensus Conference, an international expert panel discussed developing standard data elements for myositis research, aiming to improve diagnosis and treatment. Nine core set instruments for measuring disease activity achieved over 80% consensus and were approved for the NIH CDE repository. The conference also prioritized 43 additional study forms for future inclusion, emphasizing the importance of patient input in data collection.

George Pro, Ph.D., MPH, received $275,000 from the National Institute on Drug Abuse to develop a survey assessing outcomes of new methamphetamine treatment medications, aiming to improve treatment success by considering patients' overall life, functioning, and well-being.

CBAR at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health has significantly contributed to reducing AIDS-related deaths by 69% since 2004 through clinical trials and observational studies on HIV treatments and vaccines. Notable advancements include preventing mother-to-child HIV transmission and improving combination therapies. Current research focuses on HIV viral reservoirs and potential functional cures. CBAR also trains early career investigators and continues to address the global impact of HIV.

The Pain Management Collaboratory Coordinating Center, a Yale-based research center supporting 16 large-scale pragmatic clinical trials of non-drug pain management approaches, has received a six-year funding extension. Established in 2017, the PMC aims to bridge the gap between evidence and clinical practice, focusing on veteran and military health systems. The trials investigate nonpharmacological approaches like chiropractic care and mindfulness, with over 11,000 veterans and military members engaged in studies. Early findings suggest feasibility and effectiveness, encouraging broader adoption.