STANFORD UNIVERSITY

Kite presents data at ASH showing Yescarta's 71% overall survival rate in second-line treatment for R/R LBCL, with decreasing CRS and ICANS trends, and stable long-term quality of life.

Studies at the 66th ASH Annual Meeting highlight progress in preventing and treating blood cancers, including daratumumab reducing disease progression risk by half in high-risk multiple myeloma patients, acalabrutinib and venetoclax combination improving progression-free survival in untreated CLL patients, epcoritamab showing promise in relapsed/refractory CLL, genetic changes and elevated leukemia risk in Ground Zero first responders, and socioeconomic factors limiting access to stem cell transplants for AML patients.

The push to mainstream psychedelic ibogaine for PTSD treatment gained momentum during the 2024 election, with advocates hopeful about Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s nomination as Secretary of Health and Human Services. Ibogaine, derived from the Gabonese shrub Tabernanthe iboga, has shown promise in reducing PTSD, anxiety, and depression symptoms by over 80% in a Stanford study. Despite legal barriers, companies like mPath Therapeutics aim to produce GMP-certified ibogaine in Jamaica for global use, addressing the urgent need for innovative PTSD treatments among veterans and opioid addicts.

Wirulda Pootakham, Director of Thailand's National Omic Centre, discusses genomic conservation in Thailand's mangroves, emphasizing the importance of genetic diversity for resilience against climate change and habitat destruction. MGI's sequencing technology aids in understanding mangrove adaptations and supports conservation efforts.

Mission Bio announces 20+ presentations at ASH 2024 showcasing Tapestri Platform's impact on hematology, including new datasets on Multiple Myeloma, AML, and CAR-T therapy development.

A mysterious flu-like illness has killed 79 people and sickened 376 in Congo, with symptoms including fever, headache, and difficulty breathing. Health officials are working to identify the cause, with initial tests for common infections and potential genetic sequencing if necessary. The outbreak raises concerns due to Congo's high human-wildlife interaction, which could facilitate zoonotic disease transmission.

The FDA approved acoramidis (Attruby), developed at Stanford Medicine, for treating transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM). Originally AG10, it stabilizes transthyretin, preventing misfolding and aggregation in the heart, offering improved survival rates and quality of life for patients. The drug's development was supported by Stanford's SPARK program.

Pregnancy challenges for women with epilepsy include medication risks like valproate's link to autism and lower IQ, and the need for dose adjustments due to faster metabolism. A study followed 298 children of women with epilepsy to age 6, finding no difference in verbal abilities compared to healthy women's children, though medication levels in the third trimester had nuanced effects. Folate supplementation was beneficial, while acetaminophen showed risks. Further research is needed to understand the long-term effects of various epilepsy drugs and genetic factors influencing outcomes.