• The University Hospital Cologne and Gustave Roussy have launched REDUCE-LUNG, a joint study focused on improving outcomes for lung cancer patients over 70. • The study will compare two chemo-immunotherapy regimens to determine if a reduced intensity of chemotherapy is as effective but better tolerated than standard therapy. • Fifteen centers in Germany and France will participate in the three-year study, with the goal of incorporating results into international treatment guidelines. • The research is funded by the German Dr. Rolf M. Schwiete Stiftung and the French Oddo family, highlighting cross-border collaboration in cancer research.

• A Phase 2 clinical trial reveals that asunercept, a FasL inhibitor, significantly accelerates recovery in patients with severe COVID-19, reducing the average recovery time from 13 to 8 days. • The study also indicates a roughly 20% reduction in mortality among patients treated with asunercept at 100mg and 400mg doses compared to the standard of care. • Researchers suggest that targeting the host's immune overreaction with FasL inhibitors like asunercept could be effective against future SARS-CoV-2 variants and other emerging respiratory RNA viruses. • The drug was found to be safe and well-tolerated, suggesting a potential therapeutic value in managing severe COVID-19 cases and alleviating healthcare system burden.

• The MATTERHORN trial demonstrated that transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) is non-inferior to surgery in treating secondary mitral regurgitation (MR) at one year. • Both TEER and surgery effectively improved MR, with a similar rate of MR grade ≤1 observed in both groups after one year, indicating comparable efficacy. • TEER showed a superior safety profile compared to surgery, with significantly fewer patients experiencing the primary safety endpoint at 30 days. • The findings suggest TEER could be a valuable alternative for high-risk patients with secondary MR, potentially influencing future treatment guidelines.

• Researchers are developing an AI model to classify genetic variants of the ABCA4 gene, crucial for understanding Stargardt disease. • The model integrates genetic, clinical, and structural data to predict the pathogenicity of previously unclassified variants. • This research aims to personalize medicine by identifying appropriate clinical trials and therapies for individuals with Stargardt disease. • The NIH-funded project addresses the challenge that nearly 40% of ABCA4 genetic variants are currently unclassified, hindering accurate diagnosis.

• A phase II trial (MOLTO) found that a chemotherapy-free regimen of atezolizumab, venetoclax, and obinutuzumab yielded a 67.9% overall response rate in patients with Richter transformation. • The triplet therapy demonstrated durable remissions and prolonged survival, suggesting it could become a potential first-line treatment for this aggressive lymphoma variant. • The study is particularly relevant as the regimen doesn't rely on BTK inhibitors, offering an option for patients previously treated with BCL-2 inhibitors for chronic lymphocytic leukemia. • Further research is needed to identify biomarkers that can predict which patients will benefit most from this treatment approach.