Spinocerebellar ataxia 4’s genetic cause has been pinpointed using long-read single-strand whole-genome sequencing. Researchers found SCA4 patients have a section in the gene ZFHX3 that contains a heterozygous GGC-repeat expansion. Read more: ow.ly/sN2u50RsNfk

Cancer-Like Features in Atherosclerosis Provide New Opportunity for Treatment

A team of researchers has found that smooth muscle cells lining the arteries of atherosclerosis patients can develop into other cell types with traits similar to cancer. ow.ly/kbfx50RsJpJ

Healthy Lifestyle Reduces Genetic Risk of Dying Early

Leading a healthy lifestyle can extend a person's life despite the presence of genetic variants linked to shorter lifespan. Learn more: ow.ly/axfF50RszL2

Gut Bacteria Can Help Create Artificial Group O Blood

Enzymes derived from gut bacteria could help solve the problem of a lack of O blood type donors, by transforming other types of blood into O. Learn more: ow.ly/JBlF50Rr3Mg

The Human Immunome Project Plans to Unlock the Immune System’s Secrets

The Human Immunome Project has revealed plans to decode and model the immune system by generating the largest immunological dataset to date. Learn more: ow.ly/HBWe50RqXSa

Walgreens will now offer gene and cell therapies through its new Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy. Learn more: ow.ly/9omK50Roi3r

A Newly Discovered Tumor Mechanism Could Improve Immunotherapies

Researchers have discovered how tumor cells stop a T-cell-mediated immune response; a finding that could make immunotherapies more effective. Learn more: ow.ly/qFEl50Roaji

Liver-Derived Protein Shows Potential as Therapeutic Target for Cancer

Liver-derived serum amyloid A proteins are key regulators of cancer immunity that could be used as therapeutic targets. Read more: ow.ly/2Exv50RnshM

Aspirin Enhances Colon Cancer Immunosurveillance

Aspirin prevents the development and progression of colorectal cancer by boosting certain aspects of the body’s immune response. Learn more: ow.ly/VyOy50Rnsf8

UCSF Launches Clinical Trial on New CAR T Therapy for Glioblastoma

Researchers have begun enrollment for a clinical trial that uses a new, powerful version of CAR T as a potential therapy for glioblastoma. Read more: ow.ly/my8t50Rnsao

Day One’s Targeted Treatment for Most Common Kid’s Brain Tumor Approved

The FDA has approved OJEMDA (tovorafenib), a type II RAF inhibitor, for pediatric low grade glioma (pLGG) harboring a BRAF fusion or rearrangement, or BRAF V600 mutation. Learn more: ow.ly/x4Ej50Rns6U

Removing Notch Ligand, Jagged2, Rewires the Immune System to Eliminate NSCLC

Removing Jagged2, a molecule in the Notch signaling pathway, stimulates the spread of macrophages to eliminate non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells. Learn more: ow.ly/zPko50Rns00

hC Bioscience announced this week at the World Federation of Hemophilia 2024 World Congress that they would be targeting Hemophilia A and that preclinical results for their lead tRNA candidate therapy were encouraging. Learn more: ow.ly/1Tuf50RmgTU

New RNA-Based Sequencing Approach Tracks COVID Variants

A new targeted RNA consensus sequencing method (tARC-seq) can accurately determine SARS-CoV-2 mutation frequency and types, both in cell culture and clinical samples. Learn more: ow.ly/V42y50Rmc4O

First Risk Stratification Developed for Dilated Cardiomyopathy among Symptom-Free Genetic Carriers

Researchers have identified five subtypes of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and created the first risk stratification of disease development. Learn more: ow.ly/p5fC50RmeS5

Metsera Launches with $290M to Develop Next Generation Weight Loss Products

'Next Generation” weight loss drug developer Metsera just launched with $290M in funding. Learn more: ow.ly/tMeH50RluCu

CAR T-Cell Therapy for Sarcoma Shows Early Promise

A CAR T-cell therapy for sarcoma shows promising Phase I results, but has room for improvement in safety and clinical benefits. Learn more: ow.ly/ioeE50Rnpcw

New Scoring System Improves Heart Disease Diagnosis in Women

Better cardiovascular risk models for women have been developed using a large dataset of more than 20,000 participants in the UK Biobank. Learn more: ow.ly/Jwo650Rnh5u

Do COVID-19 mRNA Vaccines Boost Mucosal Immunity?

New evidence finds COVID-19 mRNA vaccines don’t provide much mucosal immunity, which suggests that new approaches may be needed to improve prevention efforts. Learn more: ow.ly/fbMf50Rpoow

Pandemic Preparedness Needs Genomic Surveillance

Genomic surveillance needs to be mobilized to ensure the world is prepared for future health threats from infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance, experts maintain. Learn more: ow.ly/QBlZ50RpjcP