UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON

BLINK2 Study: Myopia Control Benefits Persist After Multifocal Lens Discontinuation in Teens

4 months ago

• The BLINK2 study demonstrated that the myopia control benefits of multifocal contact lenses in teenagers persist even after discontinuing their use, with eye growth returning to age-expected rates. • Axial elongation increased slightly after switching to single-vision lenses, but the overall rate of eye growth remained consistent with age-related expectations, indicating no rebound effect. • Starting myopia control treatment with multifocal lenses at a younger age and continuing until the late teenage years is a promising strategy for durable benefits. • The high-add multifocal lens group maintained shorter eyes and less myopia compared to the medium-add and single-vision groups, highlighting the long-term efficacy of early intervention.

Research Explores Molecular Dynamics of CAR T Cells in Cancer Treatment

4 months ago

A recent study published in Science Advances provides new insights into the molecular dynamics of CAR T cells in cancer treatment, focusing on how different types of CAR T cells kill cancer cells. The research, conducted by a team from Baylor College of Medicine and other institutions, examines the immune synapse's role in enhancing CAR T cell efficacy against hard-to-treat malignancies.

Fentanyl Vaccine Poised for Clinical Trials, Offering Hope in Opioid Crisis

9 months ago

• A fentanyl vaccine developed at the University of Houston is set to enter clinical trials in mid-2025, aiming to prevent the opioid from reaching the brain. • The vaccine uses an adjuvant to stimulate the immune system to produce antibodies against fentanyl, preventing overdose by keeping the drug out of the brain. • Clinical trials will face challenges in recruiting participants with opioid use disorder and determining the vaccine's long-term effectiveness and optimal dosage. • Experts emphasize that the vaccine is not a standalone solution but a crucial addition to existing treatments like buprenorphine, potentially enhancing their efficacy.

NIH Grant Supports Development of Patient-Specific Breast Reconstruction Molds

9 months ago

• A multi-institutional research team secured a $2.7 million NIH grant to develop patient-specific molds for breast reconstruction after mastectomy, aiming to improve efficiency and psychosocial outcomes. • The project will create clinical decision-support algorithms for designing these molds, potentially reducing the number of revision surgeries needed and associated costs. • The team will conduct a randomized controlled clinical trial to rigorously evaluate the impact of the patient-specific molds on breast reconstruction outcomes. • The new algorithm-driven breast molds consider the patient's desired breast form after mastectomy, which is an improvement over simple molds that merely copy the preoperative shape and size.