NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH

Engineered nonpathogenic E. coli displaying decoy-resistant IL18 show potent anti-tumor responses, boosting CAR-NK cell therapy and demonstrating safety in hard-to-treat tumors.

Engineered nonpathogenic E. coli expressing immune-activating cytokines on their surfaces demonstrated potent anti-tumor responses and enhanced CAR-NK cell therapy efficacy, with a 50-60% cure rate in mice, suggesting potential as a 'tumor GPS' for NK cells.

A study by Johns Hopkins and Tufts University shows synthetic THC (dronabinol) reduces agitation in Alzheimer’s disease patients by 30%, without common adverse effects. The trial involved 75 patients, with dronabinol significantly lowering agitation scores compared to placebo.

The radiopharmaceuticals market was valued at USD 5.0 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 16.6 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 10.4%. The market is driven by increasing cancer cases and advancements in diagnostic and therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals. Technetium-99m dominates the market due to its wide diagnostic applications. North America holds the largest market share, while Asia Pacific is the fastest-growing region. Key players include GE Healthcare, Curium Pharma, and Lantheus.

The body roundness index (BRI), which uses waist and hip circumference with height, is gaining interest as a potentially more accurate measurement for weight distribution and health risks than BMI. A recent study in JAMA Network Open found high and low BRI scores associated with increased risk of death, suggesting BRI could be a viable screening tool if validated. However, replacing BMI would require strong validation across various groups and demonstration of the effects of different interventions on BRI.

Dr. Oriana Damas will use an R01 grant to test a culturally tailored, anti-inflammatory diet for Hispanic/LatinX patients with ulcerative colitis, focusing on South Florida dietary tendencies and involving foods with anti-inflammatory properties.

Gomez et al. found that spiritual beliefs and historical distrust of clinical research influence Black patients' participation in cancer trials. Black patients were more likely to believe health outcomes are determined by God's will and expressed distrust in research due to historical unethical practices. The study suggests addressing these factors to improve recruitment and ensure trial results are generalizable to diverse populations.

FDA approves Cologuard Plus™ test, offering 95% sensitivity for colorectal cancer and 43% for advanced precancerous lesions at 94% specificity, aiming to reduce unnecessary colonoscopies. Expected launch with Medicare coverage in 2025.