MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL

Lipophilic statins reduce HCC risk; hydrophilic statins, aspirin, and metformin do not. A clinical trial (NCT05028829) is ongoing to confirm benefits of atorvastatin.

Trimodal therapy shows potential as an alternative to radical cystectomy for recurrent high-grade T1 bladder cancer, with 88% of patients avoiding cystectomy at 3 years post-treatment. The therapy, involving radiation with radiosensitizing chemotherapy following repeated transurethral resection, reported overall survival rates of 69% at 3 years and 56% at 5 years, with 12% and 19% distant metastasis rates, respectively. Despite limitations in cohort size and participant heterogeneity, the study suggests this approach could be considered in place of cystectomy.

A study by Krishna Reddy and Nancy Rigotti found that immediate availability of cytisine, a tobacco cessation medication, could lead to 71,000 more people quitting smoking and gaining over 500,000 life-years. Each year of FDA delay reduces these gains by 10,000 life-years, emphasizing the need for timely review and approval.

AG Mednet expands leadership with Catherine Tyner as Head of Clinical Strategy and Jamie Russo as Head of Product to meet growing demand for Judi platform, which is used in over 2,000 clinical trials globally.

Intravenous glibenclamide (CIRARA) combined with endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) significantly improves independent ambulation in patients with large hemispheric infarction (LHI), according to phase 3 CHARM trial data. Patients with lesion volumes under 125 mL showed an odds ratio of 4.1 for achieving modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores of 0-3 (P < .01), and an overall OR of 18.5 for better functional outcomes (P = .03). Despite early termination, CIRARA demonstrates potential as a breakthrough treatment in stroke recovery.

Alzamend Neuro partners with Massachusetts General Hospital for a Phase 2 trial of AL001, an oral therapy for Alzheimer’s-related dementia. The trial aims to determine the minimum effective dose and safety profile of AL001, a novel lithium-delivery system, compared to marketed lithium. Preclinical studies show AL001 prevents cognitive impairment and improves learning and memory in mouse models of Alzheimer’s. A completed Phase 1/2 trial suggests AL001 is well-tolerated and achieves similar blood lithium levels to marketed lithium at lower doses.

eGenesis secures $191 million to advance genetically edited pig kidneys for human transplantation, addressing the organ shortage crisis. The company's EGEN-2784 candidate, featuring genetic modifications to prevent rejection and viral transmission, achieved the world's first successful transplant of a genetically modified porcine kidney in a human in 2024.

A $75.4 million grant-funded clinical trial at UCSF will test three drugs concurrently for progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), aiming to slow its progression. The trial, emphasizing diverse enrollment and offering financial support, uses an innovative platform model to efficiently test new therapies, offering hope for PSP patients.

Aficamten, a cardiac myosin inhibitor, improved exercise tolerance in patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy in the SEQUIOA-HCM trial, enhancing peak oxygen uptake and cardiac function, as published in JAMA Cardiology.

ASTRO announced seven studies to be highlighted at the 2024 Annual Meeting, with researchers discussing findings in news briefings on September 30 and October 1, both in-person and via webcast. Topics include trials on radiation therapy for breast cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer, and oropharyngeal cancer, among others.