Science News
Discover the news and inspiring materials from the world of biotechnology.
Transplantation of stem cells islets cures patient from type 1 diabetes
Chinese scientists have reversed Type 1 diabetes in a patient by transplanting chemically-induced pluripotent stem-cell-derived islets (CiPSC islets), marking a significant medical breakthrough. The procedure reprogrammed the patient’s own fat cells into insulin-producing islets, eliminating the need for insulin therapy and reducing the risk of immune rejection frequently seen with donor-based transplants. Stable glycemic control was maintained at least for one year, with no registered complications.
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Nobel prize in medicine awarded to microRNA discoverers
This year’s Nobel prize in physiology or medicine has been awarded to Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun who discovered microRNAs (miRNAs) and elucidated their role in regulating gene expression. MicroRNAs are a class of small RNA molecules that reduce the expression of specific genes by binding to and disrupting their corresponding mRNAs. This regulation of gene expression pattern by miRNAs plays a key role in driving cell differentiation and determining cell fate. The discoveries of this year’s Nobel laureates are likely to pave the way for novel cancer therapies.
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Zolbetuximab demonstrates significant benefit in gastric cancer and receives approval in the EU
Zolbetuximab, a monoclonal antibody targeting CLDN18.2, demonstrated significant benefits in advanced gastric and gastroesophageal junction cancer. The trials reported improvement both in progression-free and overall survival, over chemotherapy alone, leading to the recent approval by EMA.
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Are mucosal vaccines the future of COVID-19 prevention?
A bivalent mucosal vaccine against COVID-19 significantly increased IgA antibodies in upper and lower respiratory tracts, and induced durable protection against challenge with SARS-CoV-2 XBB.1.16 virus in non-human primates. Mucosal vaccines are expected to reduce viral transmission, and provide broader and more sustained protection against the newly emerging variants than the currently used mRNA vaccines.
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Lecanemab, a breakthrough Alzheimer’s drug, rejected by EMA
Lecanemab, an FDA-approved amyloid-targeting antibody for Alzheimer’s disease, has been recently rejected by the EMA on the ground of unfavorable benefit-risk ratio.
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Huge spike in the use of GLP-1 analogs amid severe shortages
The use of GLP-1 analogs is growing rapidly, with increasing share of users having no diabetes. The annual rate of prescriptions in the US surged from 0.22% between 2011 and 2014 to 2.11% in between 2019 and 2023. This growth is mostly attributed to the recent approval of two GLP-1 analogs, semaglutide and liraglutide, for weight management in obese and overweight patients. The climbing demand for these drugs driven by expanded indications and increasing off-label use for cosmetic weight loss, led to insurmountable shortages on the market.
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Recombinant drug coagulation factor with extended half-life prevents bleeding in children with severe hemophilia A
A genetically engineered factor VIII concentrate with an extended half-life, almost completely prevented spontaneous bleeding among children suffering from hemophilia A. Unlike older FVIII preparations that require infusions every 2 or 3 days, the new drug can be administered once per week.
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Antibody-drug conjugate continue their victory march
The victory march of antibody-drug conjugates continues unabated. In two recent trials, benlatamab mafodotin was found to delay the progression of pre-treated or relapsed multiple myeloma outperforming the standard therapy.
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COVID-19 vaccine for 2024/25 season will target JN.1 variant
WHO and EMA published a recommendation to update the composition of COVID-19 vaccines for 2024/25 season to JN.1 variant. In recent months JN.1 has become the most widely circulating variant worldwide. It differs from the XBB variant included in the current season vaccines, causing substantial fall in their effectiveness.
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