All articles tagged with #experimental treatment
A man with rare stage 4 thyroid cancer experienced a miraculous recovery after receiving an experimental off-label immunotherapy drug, tarlatamab, which is typically used for lung cancer. His case highlights the potential of repurposing existing drugs for rare cancers, though further research is needed to understand the risks and optimal use of such treatments.
A promising experimental treatment has shown remarkable results in causing cancer to vanish in patients, highlighting potential advancements in oncology therapies.
Scientists used a biochemical discovery to help an 8-year-old boy with a rare genetic condition regain mobility by administering a precursor to CoQ10 that crosses the blood-brain barrier, marking a promising breakthrough in treating a fatal childhood disease, HPDL deficiency.
An 8-year-old boy with a rare mitochondrial disease caused by HPDL gene mutations has shown remarkable improvement after receiving an experimental oral treatment that bypasses the defective pathway to produce the antioxidant CoQ10, leading to regained mobility and energy, with ongoing plans to test this therapy in more patients.
Richard Schlueter's personalized cancer therapy at NIH is delayed due to staff cuts, risking his treatment timeline as his cancer progresses, highlighting the impact of federal workforce reductions on critical medical research and patient care.
A couple is participating in a groundbreaking study where Joe Walsh, who has Alzheimer's, receives an experimental nasal spray containing a monoclonal antibody aimed at reducing brain inflammation, a promising approach that could slow disease progression. The treatment has shown to decrease inflammation in Walsh's brain, and further research is planned to assess its impact on cognitive function.
Researchers at the University of Arizona have found that a drug called PNA5 may help prevent cognitive decline in Parkinson's disease by reducing inflammation in the brain. In studies on mice, PNA5 improved memory and slowed brain cell loss by calming overactive immune cells known as microglia. While promising, further research is needed to confirm the drug's safety and efficacy in humans. This development offers hope for addressing the cognitive symptoms of Parkinson's, which currently lack effective treatments.
Chinese scientists have reported promising initial results from an experimental surgery aimed at treating Alzheimer's by enhancing the brain's waste clearance system. The procedure, called cervical shunting, connects neck lymphatic vessels to veins to potentially accelerate the removal of harmful proteins. A patient showed cognitive improvements post-surgery, but experts caution that more research is needed to confirm its efficacy. This development is part of broader efforts in Alzheimer's research, with numerous studies and drugs currently in clinical trials.
Mary Morgan Mills from North Carolina lost 110 pounds in 15 months after undergoing an experimental heat procedure called gastric fundus mucosal ablation, which reduces the hunger hormone ghrelin. The outpatient procedure, part of a 10-woman study, showed a 45% decrease in ghrelin and a 42% reduction in stomach capacity, leading to significant weight loss. Researchers presented their findings at the Digestive Disease Week meeting, highlighting the potential of this treatment as a stand-alone or complementary approach to obesity management.
Biotech company LyGenesis has begun human trials for an experimental treatment that involves injecting a cocktail, including donated liver cells, to transform a patient's lymph node into a functioning liver. The therapy aims to address the shortage of suitable donor livers for transplant, potentially allowing one donated liver to treat many patients. Animal tests have shown promising results, and if successful, this treatment could significantly impact the organ supply-demand imbalance for end-stage liver disease patients.
A new strategy to combat aggressive brain cancer involves using patients' own immune cells to create "living drugs" that can target and attack glioblastoma. In early tests, this approach showed promise in shrinking tumors, with some patients experiencing temporary tumor reduction. Two separate teams at Massachusetts General Hospital and the University of Pennsylvania developed next-generation CAR-T versions to overcome glioblastoma's defenses. While the results are encouraging, researchers emphasize the need to make the treatment longer-lasting.
A grandmother lived with terminal breast cancer for 21 years after her husband kept the prognosis secret from her, researching experimental treatment that ended up saving her life. Unaware of her terminal diagnosis, she turned down chemotherapy and underwent successful treatment with an experimental drug, living to the age of 91. Her husband's confession during her eulogy revealed the remarkable 21-year extension of her life, sparking surprise and admiration from their family.
A 6-year-old Belgian boy, Lucas, has become the first child in the world to be cured of brain stem glioma, a rare and lethal form of cancer, after participating in an experimental treatment trial. The tumor completely disappeared following treatment with the drug everolimus, and researchers are now hoping to reproduce the genetic mutation in vitro to confirm the cause of Lucas' remarkable recovery. This breakthrough offers hope for improving long-term outcomes for children with this cancer, although an approved medication may not be available for another 10 to 15 years.
Ed Bird, a 66-year-old cancer survivor, shares his journey of being misdiagnosed with COVID before discovering he had stage 4 cancer. After undergoing experimental immunotherapy and a one-time radiation surgery, he was able to defeat the cancer and get back to riding his beloved unicycle, which has been a lifelong passion for him.
An 11-year-old dancer from Queensland, Australia, is allergic to her own tears and sweat due to an extreme case of eczema, causing her skin to dry and shed. She is currently undergoing experimental treatment for the condition, which has also led to a staph infection and painful facial flares.