University Of California, San Francisco

FDA accepts Telix Pharmaceuticals' new drug application for glioma-imaging agent Pixclara (TLX101-CDx), granting priority review with a decision deadline of April 26, 2025. Pixclara, already with orphan drug and fast track designations, targets LAT and LAT2 proteins in solid tumors, potentially improving brain cancer imaging in the U.S.

The 2024 Tau Consortium Investigators Meeting in Denver featured updates on ReD-Lat's expansion and neurodegenerative research in Latin America, presentations on population genetics and dementia experiences, and discussions on 4R-tau PET ligand development, tauopathy mechanisms, biomarkers, and clinical trials, highlighting collaborative progress since the Tau Consortium's inception in 2009.

The FDA granted priority review to TLX101-CDx for PET imaging in progressive or recurrent glioma, with a decision set for April 26, 2025. TLX101-CDx targets LAT and LAT2 proteins, potentially serving as a companion diagnostic for TLX101, an anti-glioblastoma therapy. Clinical trials IPAX-2 and IPAX-Linz are assessing TLX101's safety and efficacy.

NAM elected 90 regular and 10 international members, recognizing outstanding achievements in health and medicine. New members include Carlos L. Arteaga, Nina Bhardwaj, Bob S. Carter, Stephen Jacob Chanock, George Coukos, Lisa M. Coussens, Silvia C. Formenti, Joseph Heitman, Nola M. Hylton, Reshma Jagsi, Peter Anthony Jones, Funda Meric-Bernstam, Deborah Schrag, and Mitchell J. Weiss. Victor J. Dzau, NAM President, highlighted their contributions to health equity and public health challenges.

Poor sleep in middle age linked to nearly 3 years of additional brain aging, according to a UCSF study published in 'Neurology'.

Zelenectide pevedotin (BT8009), a bicycle toxin conjugate (BTC) targeting nectin-4, demonstrated a 45% objective response rate (ORR) in a phase 1/2 trial for metastatic urothelial carcinoma, with a median duration of response of 11.1 months. The phase 2/3 Duravelo-2 trial is currently enrolling patients to evaluate the agent both as monotherapy and in combination with pembrolizumab. Early safety data shows promise, with common treatment-related adverse effects including nausea and fatigue. The BTC's novel mechanism of action, targeting nectin-4 with a low molecular weight and short plasma half-life, aims to improve efficacy and safety over existing ADCs.

Abortions in the U.S. have increased since Roe v. Wade was overturned, with telehealth access to medication abortion playing a significant role, especially in states with bans.

New research in JAMA Network Open finds no significant neurodevelopmental differences in children exposed to COVID-19 in the womb at 12, 18, and 24 months. However, an accompanying editorial cautions that definitive conclusions may be premature due to limitations in screening tools and conflicting studies.

Artera, developer of MMAI-based cancer tests, received California lab license from CDPH, enabling ArteraAI Prostate Test availability in the U.S. This test predicts therapy benefit and long-term outcomes in localized prostate cancer, available in California from October 10, 2024.

New research in the Journal of the American Medical Association finds hormonal IUDs may increase breast cancer risk by 40%, though absolute risk remains low, with 14 additional diagnoses per 10,000 women. Experts emphasize the benefits of IUDs outweigh the risks and advise informed discussions with healthcare providers.