A new strategy to beat lung cancer: Chemists develop first-in-class inhibitor targeting a key epigenetic regulator

A research team has made a breakthrough in epigenetic drug discovery. The researchers have successfully developed a first-in-class chemical inhibitor that precisely and selectively targets the ATAC complex, a critical cellular "switch operator" that activates tumor-promoting genes, opening a novel therapeutic avenue for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

58% of patients affected by 2022 mpox outbreak report lasting physical symptoms

A cohort study of over 300 adults either diagnosed with mpox between May 2022 to January 2023 (post-MPX) or who were at risk but never infected (no-MPX) found that more than half of those diagnosed with mpox during the 2022 outbreak still had lingering physical effects 11 to 18 months later. Most reported appearance-related changes, and some continued to experience anorectal or urinary problems. The study is published in Annals of Internal Medicine.

Researchers develop biodegradable, self-powered electrical stimulator for muscle repair

Severe skeletal muscle injury, especially volumetric muscle loss, remains difficult to treat because effective regeneration requires safe, effective, and sustained intervention. Addressing this long-standing challenge, a research team led by Prof. Bai Shuo from the Institute of Process Engineering of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has pioneered a fully biodegradable, self-powered implantable electrical stimulation system designed to enhance muscle repair. The device operates independent of external power sources and does not compromise patient comfort.

Most elderly cancer patients receive inappropriate drugs until final months, study finds

Analysis of the medical records of 1,269 elderly patients with advanced cancer by researchers at the University of Tsukuba has found that more than 70% were prescribed potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) and that the prescription rate declined closer to the patient's death. Discontinuation was more frequent among patients admitted to palliative care units, those with polypharmacy, and females.

Inflammatory pathway reveals targetable weakness in hard-to-treat blood cancer

New research co-led by Indiana University School of Medicine scientists has exposed a vulnerability in acute myeloid leukemia by identifying the blood cancer's reliance on a specific signaling pathway involved in the body's inflammation response. Their preclinical evidence suggests that blocking this pathway with a new drug compound can weaken acute myeloid leukemia during critical stages, paving the way for more effective and targeted treatments for this hard-to-treat disease.