Efficacy

New insights into acupoint sensitization in disease diagnosis and therapy

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In both traditional acupuncture theory and modern medical experience, acupoints are central to therapeutic outcomes, yet their biological nature has remained controversial. Conventional models assume static point locations, which have contributed to inconsistencies in clinical trials and debates over placebo effects. Meanwhile, studies of referred pain, neurogenic inflammation, and somato-visceral reflexes suggest that disease can … Read more

Wholegrain rye changes gut bacteria and lowers inflammation in obesity trial

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A 12-week randomized trial found that wholegrain rye did not beat refined wheat for weight loss, but it did reduce inflammation and shift gut microbiota and short-chain fatty acids in potentially beneficial ways. Key takeaways Rye did not outperform wheat for weight loss Rye reduced inflammation after 12 weeks Rye altered gut bacteria and short-chain … Read more

Scientists turn red blood cells into long-lasting drug and imaging carriers in mice

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A new preclinical study shows that red blood cells can be tagged in vivo and used as long-lasting carriers for imaging agents and therapies, opening a new route for safer drug delivery and vascular imaging. Study: In vivo metabolic tagging and targeting of circulating red blood cells. Image Credit: The1969 Studio / Shutterstock In a … Read more

Oral semaglutide fails to slow early Alzheimer’s decline in two phase 3 trials

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Despite hopes raised by earlier observational studies and biomarker shifts, The Lancet trials found that oral semaglutide did not meaningfully slow clinical progression in early Alzheimer’s disease over two years. Key Takeaways Oral semaglutide did not slow cognitive or functional decline in people with early Alzheimer’s disease. Two large phase 3 trials independently reached the … Read more

New insights highlight multifaceted roles of CD4+ T cells in tumor immunity

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For decades, cancer immunotherapy has focused primarily on CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes as the main executors of tumor cell killing. However, growing clinical and single-cell sequencing evidence shows that CD4+ T cells are far more than immune “helpers.” Within tumors, CD4+ T cell subsets exhibit remarkable heterogeneity, ranging from cytotoxic CD4+ CTLs to immunosuppressive regulatory … Read more

Combined CDK4/6 and EGFR inhibition improves pancreatic cancer therapy

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Clinically available KRAS inhibitors mainly target G12C, which is rare in PDAC and often acquires resistance. Oncogenic KRAS inactivates RB1 via CDK4/6, while RB1 mutation is rare. Thus, CDK4/6 inhibition offers an indirect strategy to counter KRAS-driven malignancy without direct KRAS targeting. Virtually all pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (PDACs) are initiated by activating mutations in the … Read more

Robot-assisted system found to be feasible for diagnostic cerebral angiography

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Digital subtraction angiography remains the gold standard for diagnosing cerebrovascular diseases, including intracranial aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations, and arterial stenosis. However, the procedure requires operators to work under fluoroscopic guidance, resulting in prolonged exposure to ionizing radiation. To address this issue, vascular interventional robotic systems have been developed to allow operators to perform procedures remotely from … Read more

Targeting IGF2BP2 improves anti-angiogenic therapy effectiveness in colorectal cancer

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A recent study published in Engineering has shed light on a novel therapeutic target for improving anti-angiogenic treatment in colorectal cancer (CRC). The research, conducted by an international team of scientists from institutions including Sun Yat-sen University and The Chinese University of Hong Kong, identified the RNA N⁶-methyladenosine (m⁶A) reader insulin-like growth factor 2 mRNA-binding … Read more

“Bugs Delivering Drugs” – Researchers Publish New Approach To Colorectal Cancer Treatment Using Common Food-Borne Bacteria

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Baylor University researchers have published a novel approach to fight colorectal cancer, using modified bacteria as a courier to deliver potent cancer-killing proteins into tumor cells. Michael S. VanNieuwenhze, PhD, FRSC, University Distinguished Professor and chair of the Department of Biology, along with Baylor doctoral students and a colleague at Texas Tech University Health Sciences … Read more

Hormonal imbalance and gut microbes linked to cognitive deficits in patients with PitNETs

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Pituitary neuroendocrine tumors (PitNETs) are commonly associated with visual disturbances and endocrine abnormalities; however, many patients also experience cognitive deficits, particularly in memory, attention, and executive function, which significantly affect quality of life. Despite increasing recognition of this burden, the mechanisms underlying cognitive impairment remain unclear. Traditionally, cognitive changes have been attributed to tumor mass … Read more