NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH

Cancer incidence in the US is rising, with 2024 expected to see over 2 million new cases. A study in the Journal of Clinical Oncology found that industry-sponsored cancer trials have an 8.1 times higher enrollment than federally sponsored ones, highlighting an increasing reliance on industry for cancer research and a potential underinvestment in federally sponsored research.

The UNM Cancer Center Route 66 SPORE clinical trial aims to identify biomarkers for hormone therapy response in early-stage uterine cancer, exploring non-surgical treatments and lifestyle factors. The trial, involving over 100 women, seeks to improve treatment outcomes and preserve fertility.

University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus receives $7 million federal award to establish a Biostatistics Research Center (BRC) focused on understanding the roots of Type 2 diabetes. The BRC, led by four researchers, will support a consortium of four study sites and aims to subtype diabetes based on patient characteristics, incorporating social factors and exploring new biomarkers for better prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.

36% of registered interventional malaria studies from 2010 to 2020 were not published, highlighting a significant gap in medical knowledge dissemination. Despite this, the publication rate for malaria research (64%) is slightly higher than the average across various fields. Industry-funded trials were less likely to publish within the WHO's 24-month timeframe, often due to suppressed unfavorable outcomes. Malaria trials, predominantly conducted in resource-limited regions, face unique logistical challenges that contribute to delays in reporting results. The study emphasizes the need for improved registry practices, timely publication, and ethical considerations to mitigate biases and enhance the integrity of malaria research.

Patient advocates successfully lobbied Congress to increase DOD funding for rare cancer research, leading to a $7.5 million grant for a rare cancers program. This funding supports multi-omics characterization, preclinical model development, and web-based resources for rare liver tumors, fostering collaboration among researchers to accelerate rare cancer research.

Updated LITESPARK-004 trial findings in The Lancet Oncology show belzutifan's sustained efficacy over 3 years in treating VHL disease–associated CNS hemangioblastomas, with 44% objective response and 46% stable disease. Grade ≥ 3 adverse events occurred in 46% of patients.

Scientists have made breakthroughs in regrowing damaged neural connections, leading to promising clinical trials for spinal cord injury patients. However, recent tax law and patent regulation changes threaten to derail these treatments, potentially stifling medical innovation. A bipartisan bill aims to repeal harmful Section 174 changes, emphasizing the need for policies that support innovation.

Black patients' decisions on cancer trial participation may be influenced by spiritual beliefs and historical distrust in clinical research, according to surveys at Baltimore medical centers. Despite trust in their medical teams, lingering distrust in research persists, stemming from historical unethical practices. Researchers suggest addressing these factors to improve recruitment and ensure trials reflect diverse populations.

Capricor Therapeutics signed a deal with Nippon Shinyaku for European commercialization of deramiocel, a DMD treatment, receiving $20 million upfront and potential $715 million in milestones. The partnership aims to bring deramiocel to market, addressing a disease with no cure, and extends Capricor's cash runway into 2026.

Case Western Reserve University researchers, with a $3.3M NIH grant, study if brain proteins like Eph receptors contribute to Alzheimer's, focusing on the blood-brain barrier's role. Collaborating with Texas Tech, UT, and Memorial Sloan Kettering, they aim to understand these proteins' functions in disease development.