November 2023 - BioMedWire (BMW)

ThursdayNov 30, 2023 12:19 pm

Hidden Belly Fat Could Be a Precursor of Alzheimer’s Onset Years Later

Alzheimer’s is a progressive illness that often begins with mild loss of memory and confusion. This type of dementia involves parts of the brain that control memory, thought and language. Patients in very severe decline often have difficulty carrying out daily activities, which may include holding a conversation or responding to the environment. As of 2020, estimates showed that about 5.8 million individuals in America were living with Alzheimer’s disease. Projections show that one in every five women and one in every ten men will develop this condition in their lifetime. While the exact cause of the disease isn’t known,…

WednesdayNov 29, 2023 2:31 pm

Study Suggests Parkinson’s Could Be Linked to Onset of Stroke, Heart Disease

A study recently published in the “Scientific Reports” journal has found a potential link between Parkinson’s, strokes and the onset of heart disease. Researchers behind the study used a two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis to find links associations between cardiocerebrovascular illnesses and Parkinson’s disease (PD). While some past studies have surmised that cardiocerebrovascular conditions and PD are related, those studies are relatively controversial. The research team sought to investigate the potential effect of PD on cardiocerebrovascular disorders via the Mendelian randomization method. It leveraged data from 482,730 Europeans in the International PD Genomics Consortium’s publicly available genome-wide association study (GWAS) in…

TuesdayNov 28, 2023 12:31 pm

Autoimmunity Patients Face Cost, Diagnosis, Care Challenges

Autoimmune diseases occur when the immune system becomes dysfunctional and begins attacking healthy tissue and organs. More than 20 million Americans suffer from a myriad of autoimmune diseases, such as thyroid disease, rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, that can significantly impact their quality of life. Many autoimmune patients often have to deal with years of misdiagnosis and untreated symptoms before they finally receive a proper diagnosis. Since a majority of autoimmune diseases have no cure, patients such as Beth VanOrden from Athens, Texas, have to take various medications to manage symptoms for the rest of their lives. VanOrden suffers from Hashimoto’s…

MondayNov 27, 2023 2:22 pm

Study Says Patients on Gene Therapy Need Long-Term Monitoring

Sickle cell disease is a genetic illness that modifies the shape of red blood cells into a crescent or sickle shape, causing serious health issues and heightening the risk of patients developing blood cancer. A recently conducted study has found promising results concerning gene therapy’s potential in curing genetic illnesses. These findings providing new insights into what happens in the human body following treatment. For their study, the researchers examined samples obtained from sickle cell disease patients who underwent gene therapy as part of a trial conducted by Boston Children’s Hospital. They then observed the genetic changes in each patient’s…

MondayNov 27, 2023 10:30 am

SOHM Inc. (SHMN) Is ‘One to Watch’

In August 2023, SOHM signed an LOI with CGA Intellectual Holdings Inc. to acquire disruptive stem cell technology and patents The company announced in July 2023 it had closed on the needed financing for its various ongoing projects SOHM announced in April 2023 it had signed an exclusive distribution agreement for its latest product, the anticonvulsant Levetiracetam The company in March 2023 introduced its new topical skincare line of products SOHM (OTC: SHMN) is a generic pharmaceutical manufacturing and marketing company with a vision of “Globalè Prospèro” (Global Prosperity). SOHM was founded in 1998 and is headquartered in Chino Hills,…

WednesdayNov 22, 2023 1:57 pm

Amazon Gives Prime Members Round-the-Clock Virtual Healthcare Access at Reduced Cost

Amazon, which was founded in 1994, has grown from an online bookstore that competed with Barnes & Noble and local booksellers to a conglomerate involved a range of industries. The company recently recorded a new milestone, launching virtual healthcare through its One Medical service. This healthcare program can be accessed by members of Amazon Prime, either annually at $99 or monthly at $9. This is quite a steal, especially when compared to rates of nonmembers, which stand at $198 annually and $18 monthly. The One Medical service has different offerings, including its Treat Me Now feature, which offers guidance on…

WednesdayNov 22, 2023 9:45 am

Genprex Inc. (NASDAQ: GNPX) Granted Orphan Drug Designation in Small Cell Lung Cancer by FDA, Presented Data at Two October Events Focused on Lung Cancer

Genprex was granted orphan drug designation by the FDA earlier this year for development of REQORSA combined with Tecentriq in small cell lung cancer Use of REQORSA combined with Tecentriq is the subject of Genprex’s upcoming Acclaim-3 clinical trial Genprex took part in two events in October – the 2023 AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics; and Genprex’s own hosted event, a Virtual Key Opinion Leaders on Bringing Gene Therapy to the Fight Against Lung Cancers Genprex (NASDAQ: GNPX), a clinical-stage gene therapy company focused on developing life-changing therapies for patients living with cancer and diabetes, was…

WednesdayNov 22, 2023 9:00 am

Clene Inc. (NASDAQ: CLNN) Capitalizing on the Promising Chemical and Therapeutic Properties of Nanocrystals to Address High Unmet Medical Needs

Clene is focused on developing and commercializing novel clean-surfaced nanotechnology (“CSN(R)”) therapeutics The company utilizes an electro-crystallization nanotherapeutics platform, which results in nanocrystals that exhibit catalytic activities multiple times higher than numerous other commercially available nanoparticles that the company has comparatively evaluated Clene is focusing on central nervous system (“CNS”) disorders like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (“ALS”), multiple sclerosis (“MS”), and Parkinson’s disease (“PD”) Its lead investigational product, CNM-Au8(R), has so far demonstrated a good safety and tolerability profile, with Phase 2 trials suggesting efficacy in ALS patients Nanotechnology has attracted a great deal of the scientific community’s attention thanks to…

TuesdayNov 21, 2023 2:16 pm

Study Finds DNA Loops in Brain Tumors in Kids Amplify Relapse Risk

Medulloblastoma is a rare type of brain tumor that is primarily found in children. It is estimated that about 350 cases of this illness are diagnosed annually. This cancer often resists treatment, which involves a combination of radiation, surgery and chemotherapy. This, combined with the disease’s various subtypes, has made it harder for scientists to develop new therapies. Now, new research has discovered that medulloblastoma patients with tumors that contain circular extrachromosomal DNA have a heightened risk of relapse and mortality. For their research, the scientists compiled a database of patients with medulloblastoma using data from patients diagnosed at Rady’s…

TuesdayNov 21, 2023 9:45 am

Longeveron Inc. (NASDAQ: LGVN) Encouraged by Positive Results from Phase 2a Trial in Patients with Mild AD; Explores Paths Forward for the Development of Lomecel-B(TM)

Longeveron recently released topline results from its Phase 2a trial evaluating Lomecel-B(TM) as a potential treatment for mild AD The study met its primary safety endpoint across all four study groups and showed positive and statistically significant results in secondary endpoint involving the Composite Alzheimer’s Disease Score (“CADS”) for Lomecel-B(TM) and components of the CADS The positive results are expected to form the basis for further development of Lomecel-B(TM) as a potential treatment for mild AD Longeveron (NASDAQ: LGVN), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing cellular therapies for aging-related and life-threatening conditions for which there is an unmet medical need, announced…