Key Highlights
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A new review explores how genetic data from psychiatric disorders can be used to identify and prioritize promising new drug targets and compounds. This approach could significantly speed up the development of more effective and personalized treatments for mental health conditions.
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A real-world study found that the choice of data model (OMOP vs. ConcePTION) can change the results of a drug safety study, showing a protective effect against cardiovascular events for newer blood thinners (DOACs) in one model but not the other. This highlights a major challenge in using electronic health records for research, as the way data is organized can directly impact the conclusions about a drug’s safety and effectiveness.
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Researchers engineered cancer-fighting CAR T cells to also secrete antibodies that block a key tumor growth signal (VEGF), which boosted their ability to attack solid tumors in preclinical models. This innovative strategy could help overcome a major limitation of current CAR T-cell therapies, which often struggle to work against common solid cancers.
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A 12-month trial found that progressive resistance training (like weight lifting) led to a small but significant improvement in cognitive test scores for older adults with early memory problems linked to small blood vessel disease in the brain. This suggests that strength training could be a valuable, non-drug strategy to help slow cognitive decline in this high-risk group.
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A study of over 40,000 people with polymyalgia rheumatica found that prescribing bone-protecting drugs (bisphosphonates) alongside steroids was associated with about one less bone fracture per year for every 100 people treated. This provides strong real-world evidence supporting the use of these protective medications to prevent a common and serious side effect of long-term steroid therapy.
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