University of Cambridge

Novel Drug Combination Shows Promise for B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia with Reduced Toxicity

2 days ago

• Cambridge researchers have developed a promising combination therapy using venetoclax and inobrodib that effectively targets B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL), potentially reducing the need for toxic chemotherapy. • The drug combination works by exploiting cancer cell metabolism, triggering ferroptotic cell death even in cells resistant to venetoclax alone, offering new hope for both pediatric and adult patients. • Unlike current treatments that require over two years of chemotherapy or risky procedures like bone marrow transplants, this oral therapy could provide a less toxic alternative while maintaining effectiveness.

CellCentric Secures $120 Million Series C Funding to Advance Oral Multiple Myeloma Treatment

3 days ago

• CellCentric has raised $120 million in Series C funding to advance inobrodib, a first-in-class oral p300/CBP inhibitor for multiple myeloma treatment. • The funding will support a Phase II/III study with potential for accelerated approval, as well as trials combining inobrodib with bi-specific antibodies and in maintenance settings. • Inobrodib has received FDA Fast Track and orphan drug designation, with promising efficacy and safety data presented at the American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting.

Olaparib Before Surgery Shows 100% Survival Rate in BRCA-Mutated Breast Cancer Patients

9 days ago

• A groundbreaking clinical trial led by Addenbrooke's Hospital demonstrates 100% three-year survival rate for patients with BRCA-mutated breast cancer when treated with olaparib plus chemotherapy before surgery. • The innovative "Partner" trial revealed that administering olaparib 48 hours after chemotherapy creates a therapeutic window that maximizes treatment efficacy while allowing bone marrow recovery. • This treatment approach could potentially transform care for approximately 1,200 UK patients annually with inherited BRCA mutations and may extend to other BRCA-related cancers including ovarian, prostate, and pancreatic.

GSK to Present Groundbreaking Respiratory Medicine Data at ATS 2025 International Congress

20 days ago

• GSK will showcase 43 abstracts at the ATS 2025 International Congress, highlighting advancements in treatments for asthma and COPD with mepolizumab and depemokimab. • New MATINEE trial analyses demonstrate mepolizumab's effectiveness in reducing COPD exacerbations and hospitalizations across various patient subgroups, including those with cardiovascular comorbidities. • Twice-yearly dosing of depemokimab shows promising results in improving quality of life and reducing exacerbations in asthma patients with type 2 inflammation, potentially transforming treatment adherence.

Anti-Inflammatory Drugs and Infection Control May Reduce Dementia Risk, Studies Suggest

a month ago

• Recent evidence reviews indicate that controlling infections through vaccines, antibiotics, and antivirals may significantly reduce dementia risk, supporting theories linking infectious causes to common dementias. • Long-term use of NSAIDs like aspirin and ibuprofen was associated with a 12% lower risk of developing dementia in a 14-year Dutch study, suggesting prolonged anti-inflammatory exposure may offer protective benefits. • Researchers caution that while these findings highlight inflammation's role in dementia pathology, they don't justify recommending long-term NSAID use for prevention due to potential adverse effects, particularly in seniors.

Diabetes Drug Metformin Shows Promise in Preventing Acute Myeloid Leukemia

a month ago

• Cambridge researchers discover that metformin, a widely prescribed diabetes medication, may help prevent acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in high-risk individuals by targeting mutations in the DNMT3A gene. • The drug appears to disrupt cancer development by interfering with pre-cancerous cell energy production and reversing damage caused by genetic mutations, offering a potential preventive strategy for this aggressive blood cancer. • With metformin's established safety profile and low cost (about 35p per pill), researchers are preparing clinical trials to confirm its efficacy as a repurposed cancer prevention therapy, potentially accelerating treatment availability.

Engineered "Invisible" Brain Cells Reverse Parkinson's Symptoms in Preclinical Study

a month ago

• Australian researchers have developed human brain cells with an "invisibility cloak" that evades immune detection, successfully restoring muscle function in rat models of Parkinson's disease without requiring immunosuppressant drugs. • The engineered cells contain eight modified genes that mimic natural immune evasion mechanisms found in placenta and cancer cells, creating a potential "universal" cell line for transplantation across multiple neurological conditions. • This breakthrough could eliminate the need for anti-rejection medications that increase infection risk and cause tissue damage, representing a significant advancement toward off-the-shelf cell therapies for conditions including Parkinson's, stroke, and Huntington's disease.

PhaseV Unveils AI-Powered Platform to Revolutionize Clinical Trial Design and Analysis

2 months ago

• PhaseV has launched new AI/ML capabilities that integrate causal machine learning with Bayesian adaptive tools to optimize clinical trial design and execution, potentially reducing costs by 25% and trial duration by 40%. • The company's platform enables real-time evaluation of trial parameters and generates probability scores for trial success by analyzing historical data and real-world evidence, helping sponsors make more informed decisions. • PhaseV will showcase these advancements at multiple scientific conferences throughout 2025, including the CMO Summit 360° in Boston and specialized events focused on statistics, oncology, and inflammatory bowel disease.

Morning Asthma Testing Yields More Reliable Results, Study Reveals Significant Seasonal Variations

2 months ago

• Research analyzing 1,600 patient records shows asthma spirometry tests are 8% more reliable for each hour closer to 8:30 AM, highlighting the impact of circadian rhythms on diagnostic accuracy. • Winter testing produces significantly more accurate results than autumn testing, with patients 33% less likely to show a positive response to salbutamol during autumn months. • Findings from the Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Heart and Lung Research Institute suggest clinical guidelines may need revision to account for time-of-day and seasonal factors in asthma diagnosis.

Aspirin Shows Promise in Preventing Cancer Metastasis by Boosting Immune Response

3 months ago

• University of Cambridge researchers have discovered that aspirin enhances the immune system's ability to recognize and destroy metastasizing cancer cells through T-cell activation. • The breakthrough study reveals aspirin works by preventing platelets from interfering with T-cells, potentially offering a new strategy for post-surgery cancer treatment. • While showing promise, researchers caution that aspirin's serious side effects require further clinical trials to confirm its safety and efficacy in cancer treatment.

Novel Minimally Invasive 'Triple T' Therapy Shows Promise in Treating Primary Aldosteronism

3 months ago

• UK researchers have developed Triple T (Targeted Thermal Therapy), a groundbreaking 20-minute minimally invasive procedure that treats primary aldosteronism without removing the adrenal gland. • The FABULAS trial demonstrated Triple T's safety and effectiveness in 28 patients, with most achieving normal hormone levels after six months and many discontinuing blood pressure medications. • This innovative treatment could potentially help millions worldwide, as primary aldosteronism affects 1 in 20 people with high blood pressure but is currently underdiagnosed and undertreated.

Experts Chart Future Direction of Marginal Zone Lymphoma Research at 2024 Workshop

3 months ago

• The 2024 Marginal Zone Lymphoma Virtual Scientific Workshop brought together international experts to review recent advances and establish research priorities for better understanding and treating MZL. • Key challenges identified include the need for standardized diagnostic criteria, MZL-specific clinical trials, and improved understanding of disease subtypes and transformation mechanisms. • The workshop outlined short-term (1-5 years) and long-term (>5 years) research goals across biology, epidemiology, assessment criteria, targeted pathways, disease etiology, and treatment approaches.

NHS Trials Early Dementia Detection Blood Test

4 months ago

• A simple blood test designed to detect early signs of dementia is being trialed in NHS clinics, potentially revolutionizing diagnosis. • The study involves over 3,000 patients and aims to validate the blood test for routine use, identifying memory and mental processing issues early. • The blood test analyzes protein biomarkers linked to dementia, offering a cheaper and more accessible alternative to PET scans and lumbar punctures. • Researchers aim to have the test ready for widespread clinical use within five years, coinciding with the development of new dementia drugs.

LUMEVOQ Gene Therapy Shows Sustained Vision Improvement in LHON Patients After 5 Years

4 months ago

• GenSight Biologics' LUMEVOQ demonstrates sustained visual acuity improvement in Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON) patients five years post-treatment. • Bilateral injections of LUMEVOQ resulted in a higher rate of clinically relevant visual recovery compared to unilateral treatment in the REFLECT Phase III trial. • The gene therapy maintained a favorable safety profile over the five-year study period, with no serious ocular adverse events reported. • RESTORE study showed that Lumevoq-treated eyes achieved a mean improvement against nadir of +22 letters equivalent and sham-treated eyes demonstrated a mean improvement of +20 letters equivalent.

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.

ESMO 2024: New Leadership and Groundbreaking Developments in Oncology Research and Patient Care

8 months ago

• ESMO President Prof Andres Cervantes highlights the organization's evolution into a comprehensive support network for oncologists, announcing new initiatives including AI & Digital Oncology Congress 2025. • Significant advances in oncofertility research reveal pregnancy after breast cancer is feasible, leading to new fertility preservation laws and guidelines for cancer patients. • Whole Genome Sequencing emerges as a transformative tool in personalized cancer care, with Prof Serena Nik-Zainal demonstrating its potential for identifying unique mutational signatures in individual tumors.

AI and Advanced Technologies Reshape Clinical Trial Design and Development Strategy

a year ago

• AI/ML technologies are revolutionizing clinical trial planning by analyzing vast datasets to generate predictive insights for market landscapes, pricing outcomes, and development timelines. • Pharmaceutical companies are implementing early diversity-focused strategies in trial design, utilizing patient feedback and demographic-specific insights to optimize protocol development and recruitment. • Modern clinical trials now collect triple the data compared to a decade ago, driving the adoption of comprehensive data management strategies and quality-by-design principles for improved trial execution.