Uthealth Houston

Genprex Secures Exclusive License for REQORSA Gene Therapy in Glioblastoma Treatment

16 days ago

• Genprex has entered into an exclusive patent license agreement with UTHealth Houston for its REQORSA gene therapy to treat glioblastoma, expanding beyond its established lung cancer applications. • Preclinical studies demonstrated that REQORSA significantly reduced glioblastoma cell viability and suppressed cancer cell migration by restoring TUSC2 expression, a novel tumor suppressor for this deadly brain cancer. • The agreement grants Genprex exclusive commercial rights to REQORSA for glioblastoma, addressing a significant unmet medical need for the most common and aggressive primary brain tumor in adults.

First-in-Human Trial Tests Herpes Virus-Based Gene Therapy for Neurogenic Bladder in Spinal Cord Injury Patients

2 months ago

• A phase 1b/2a clinical trial has begun testing EG110A, a modified herpes virus vector that delivers botulinum toxin genes to treat neurogenic bladder in spinal cord injury patients. • Unlike current treatments requiring multiple bladder injections every six months, this innovative gene therapy could potentially provide relief from urinary incontinence for several years with a single procedure. • The 52-week trial is recruiting patients across four U.S. centers, with participants receiving intradetrusor injections at varying dose levels to determine safety, tolerability, and initial efficacy.

Landmark Prevention Trial Launches to Stop Alzheimer's Before Symptoms Begin in Young Adults

4 months ago

• WashU Medicine initiates groundbreaking international trial testing Eli Lilly's remternetug in young adults as young as 18, targeting Alzheimer's prevention up to 25 years before expected symptom onset. • The Primary Prevention Trial will enroll 240 participants from families with genetic mutations, focusing on removing or preventing amyloid beta plaques before cognitive symptoms develop. • The $130 million study represents a collaborative effort between academic institutions, pharmaceutical industry, and foundations, with support from NIH, Alzheimer's Association, and private donors.

23andMe Launches Discover23 Platform for Secure Access to Massive Research Cohort Data

4 months ago

23andMe has introduced Discover23, a new research platform that provides secure access to their extensive research cohort through a Trusted Research Environment developed by Lifebit. The platform offers analysis-ready genome-wide association studies across 1000+ disease cohorts, leveraging 4.7 billion phenotypic data points while ensuring participant privacy protection.

Focused Ultrasound Shows Promise in Alzheimer's Treatment

4 months ago

• A clinical trial using focused ultrasound to treat Alzheimer’s disease has shown promising results, marking a potential new direction in treating this debilitating condition. • The study, published in the Journal of Neurosurgery, highlights the noninvasive nature of focused ultrasound as a key advantage in Alzheimer's treatment. • Researchers are optimistic about the potential of this approach to offer a new therapeutic avenue for patients suffering from Alzheimer's disease. • Further research is needed to fully understand the long-term effects and optimal use of focused ultrasound in Alzheimer's treatment.

FDA Approves Organon's Vtama (Tapinarof) Cream for Atopic Dermatitis in Adults and Children

5 months ago

• The FDA has approved Vtama (tapinarof) cream 1% for treating atopic dermatitis in adults and children aged 2 years and older. • Vtama demonstrated statistically significant improvements in skin clearance and itch reduction compared to the vehicle in clinical trials. • The treatment offers a steroid-free option with no label warnings, contraindications, or restrictions on treatment duration or body surface area affected. • Long-term studies showed sustained efficacy and a favorable safety profile, with many patients experiencing extended treatment-free intervals.

EndoQuest Robotics Receives FDA IDE Approval for Flexible Robotic Colorectal Surgery System

6 months ago

• EndoQuest Robotics secured FDA approval for its Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) to initiate a pivotal clinical study of its Endoluminal Surgical (ELS) System. • The PARADIGM study will assess the safety and efficacy of the ELS system in robotic endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for removing colorectal lesions across five U.S. sites. • Pre-clinical data suggests the ELS System offers superior outcomes, a shorter learning curve, and reduced procedure time compared to conventional techniques for colorectal lesion removal. • The ELS system aims to transform minimally invasive surgery by utilizing natural orifices or single incisions, potentially avoiding more invasive procedures like colectomies.

Semaglutide Shows Promise in Reducing Alcohol Consumption and Cravings

6 months ago

• A new study reveals that semaglutide, known as Ozempic and Wegovy, significantly reduces alcohol cravings and consumption in individuals with alcohol use disorder. • Participants on semaglutide experienced fewer heavy drinking days and decreased alcohol intake during lab tests compared to those on a placebo, indicating potential therapeutic benefits. • The research suggests semaglutide's effects on alcohol cravings may surpass existing treatments, offering a promising avenue for addressing the unmet needs in alcohol use disorder. • Further studies are warranted to explore semaglutide's long-term efficacy, optimal dosages, and safety, particularly for individuals without obesity or diabetes.

GLP-1 Receptor Agonists Show Promise in Protecting Brain Health

7 months ago

• A new review suggests GLP-1 drugs like semaglutide and tirzepatide may offer neuroprotective benefits beyond weight loss and improved insulin sensitivity. • GLP-1 drugs can balance the neurovascular unit, potentially improving cognitive function by reducing brain inflammation associated with obesity. • Research indicates GLP-1 receptor signaling may enhance neuron growth, increase astrocytes, and reverse inflammation by modulating microglia activity. • Clinical trials are underway to assess the efficacy of semaglutide in treating Alzheimer’s disease, with results from the EVOKE trial expected in 2025.

Minimally Invasive Laser Therapy Shows Promise for Drug-Resistant Epilepsy

8 months ago

• A study published in _Annals of Neurology_ highlights the effectiveness of magnetic resonance-guided laser interstitial thermal therapy (MRgLITT) for drug-resistant epilepsy caused by periventricular nodular heterotopia (PNVH). • The MRgLITT procedure precisely targets and destroys abnormal brain tissues responsible for seizures, guided by detailed brain mapping using stereo-electroencephalography (SEEG). • Results showed that up to 80% of patients with localized abnormal brain tissue became seizure-free after the SEEG-guided MRgLITT procedure, offering a life-changing option. • This minimally invasive approach offers a potential game-changer for individuals struggling with medication-resistant epilepsy, avoiding more invasive brain surgeries.

Strategic Collaborations and Novel Therapies Advance Cancer and Brain Injury Treatment

8 months ago

• AstraZeneca and Moffitt Cancer Center are collaborating to accelerate cell therapy development, focusing on CAR T and TCR T therapies for solid tumors. • SWOG Cancer Research Network developed a risk prediction model to identify cancer patients at high risk for emergency room visits during clinical trials. • A national clinical trial is launched by UC San Francisco to repurpose existing drugs for treating traumatic brain injury (TBI), addressing a critical unmet need. • The Ohio State University initiates clinical trials for HOSU-53, a novel DHODH inhibitor, in partnership with Jabez Biosciences, targeting cancer metabolism.