University of Cambridge

The RANK/RANKL system drives intestinal adaptation during pregnancy and lactation, enhancing nutrient uptake for mother and offspring, and potentially impacting intestinal cancer and regeneration.

The BEST4 Screening trial, co-funded by NIHR and Cancer Research UK, aims to determine if the capsule sponge test can be used as a new screening program for oesophageal cancer. The test, which takes 10 minutes and is less expensive than endoscopy, could reduce cancer treatments and deaths. Over three years, 120,000 heartburn medication users will be recruited across England. The trial is a culmination of previous successful trials and pilot programs, potentially transforming oesophageal cancer screening in the UK.

The BEST4 trial, testing Medtronics' Cytosponge-TFF3 capsule sponge for Barrett's oesophagus screening, has enrolled its first patients. The trial aims to recruit 120,000 heartburn medication users over three years, with mobile vans conducting the 10-minute tests across England. The sponge collects oesophageal cells for TFF3 and altered p53 protein testing, potentially identifying oesophageal cancer. The study is led by Cambridge University Hospitals and the University of Cambridge, with Cancer Research UK funding.

The BEST4 Screening trial tests a 'pill-on-a-thread' for Barrett’s oesophagus, a precursor to oesophageal cancer, aiming to reduce cancer treatments and deaths. Over three years, 120,000 heartburn medication users will be recruited in England via text message invitations. The capsule sponge test, developed by Cambridge University and Cancer Research UK, is faster, less invasive, and cheaper than endoscopy. The trial, backed by £6.4 million, seeks to prove the test's viability for nationwide screening.

EMA recommends Leqembi for early Alzheimer's patients without Apoe4 gene, reversing previous stance due to lower ARIA risk. UK's Nice deems it not cost-effective, while Eli Lilly's donanemab and Roche's trontinemab show promise.

BrightEdge, the American Cancer Society's impact investment and innovation arm, invested $60m, including a $25m equity conversion from Pfizer, to support CellCentric's clinical testing for Phase III trials. CellCentric was co-founded by epigenetic research pioneer Professor Azim Surani FRS CBE.

Cecilie Steenbuch Traberg shares her experience of having three children during her PhD, highlighting the challenges of balancing motherhood with academic responsibilities, including facing judgment, managing parental leave, and the hidden costs of stepping away from research. She advocates for systemic and cultural changes in academia to better support scientist parents, emphasizing the need for paid parental leave and subsidized childcare.

Sony and Nature announce shortlist for Sony Women in Technology Award, recognizing early to mid-career researchers with $250,000 each. Seven finalists from diverse fields are selected, with winners to be announced on February 5, 2025 in Tokyo.

WEF identifies 12 cancer breakthroughs, including personalized cancer vaccines, AI-driven early detection, and repurposed drugs for prevention, potentially leading to new clinical laboratory tests and diagnostics.