NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH

New U.S. patent issued for a novel coronavirus pneumonia biomarker (≤60% FiO₂) prognostic for opaganib's potential efficacy in treating COVID-19. Post-hoc data from opaganib's Phase 2/3 study showed better outcomes in patients with ≤60% FiO₂ levels, including reduced need for supplemental oxygen, intubation/mechanical ventilation, and mortality.

A study by UC San Diego and Salk Institute found that time-restricted eating improved cardiometabolic health in patients with metabolic syndrome and prediabetes, reducing blood sugar, cholesterol, and abdominal fat without muscle loss. The trial, funded by NIH and others, suggests this lifestyle intervention could complement existing treatments.

The FNIH applauds the FDA's approval of Cobenfy, a novel oral medication for schizophrenia, targeting a different brain area than traditional antipsychotics to reduce side effects. The FNIH-managed AMP® Program Schizophrenia aims to develop tools for early risk stage identification and psychosis prevention.

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.