University of California, Los Angeles

GCAR to evaluate AstraZeneca's AZD1390 in GBM AGILE trial for glioblastoma, aiming to expedite effective therapy identification. Recruitment for newly diagnosed patients starts Q2 next year. Data may support BLA and NDA submissions to the FDA.

New research shows rising pancreatic cancer cases in young adults are due to increased detection of early-stage endocrine cancers via more sensitive imaging scans, not an increase in lethal adenocarcinomas, leading to overdiagnosis without increased deaths.

46 polygenic risk scores (PRSs) for coronary heart disease (CHD) with similar population-level performance produced discordant individual-level risk estimates, with 20% of participants having PRSs in both the top and bottom 5th percentile at least once. This variability suggests that CHD PRSs with similar population-level characteristics may not provide consistent individual risk estimates, emphasizing the need for refined statistical methods and strategies to communicate uncertainty in clinical implementation.

Jeremie Calais, MD, PhD, discusses the Phase 2 trial comparing PSMA PET CT and planar bone scan/CT in prostate cancer patients on androgen deprivation therapy. The study, initially designed for 100 patients, was terminated early at 20 due to FDA approval of PSMA-PET, making recruitment difficult. Despite the small sample size, results showed no significant difference in detection rates between the two imaging modalities on a patient level, though PSMA-PET detected more lesions.

Childhood attention issues, combined with certain genes, may increase risk for psychosis and schizophrenia. UCLA study of 10,000 children found attention-span issues explained 4% to 16% of genetic risk for psychotic symptoms in teens. Research aims to identify early risk factors for potential preventive interventions.

The 2024 NFCR Global Summit and Award Ceremonies for Cancer Research & Entrepreneurship, co-hosted with the AIM-HI Accelerator Fund, convened top experts across cancer research, biotech entrepreneurship, pharmaceuticals, investment, and patient advocacy at the National Press Club. The event highlighted cutting-edge cancer research advancements, early detection and intervention, AI in diagnostics and personalized treatment strategies, fostering innovative collaborations, and driving breakthrough solutions. Keynotes and panels discussed immunotherapies, biomarkers, personalized approaches, and AI-powered diagnostics. The summit also featured an Innovative Oncology Company Showcase and investor perspectives, culminating in awards and a panel on the future of cancer research.

An international team, including researchers from ASU and UCLA, developed a new NMR technique to distinguish chiral molecules, potentially revolutionizing pharmaceuticals, electronics, and biological research. Published in Nature Communications, the study challenges the belief that NMR couldn't differentiate chiral molecules, revealing variations in nuclear spin coupling based on chirality. This breakthrough could lead to more accurate drug development and deeper insights into molecular behavior.

A team of philanthropists, including Gary Michelson, plans to establish the California Institute for Immunology and Immunotherapy by 2027, focusing on rapid vaccine development and the human microbiome. Michelson's $120 million commitment aims to support early-career scientists and interdisciplinary collaboration, with the institute expected to be one of the largest in the field. The project is part of a broader effort to translate scientific discoveries into real-world therapeutics, addressing diseases from cancer to COVID.

UCLA researchers aim to develop a rapid, paper-based test for detecting cancer cells in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) to diagnose leptomeningeal disease (LMD) the same day, addressing current lengthy and inaccurate detection methods.