Day: May 19, 2025

Categories : Implants and Prostheses NeurologyTags : Leave a comment

New Auditory Brainstem Implant Shows Early Promise

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A new study co-led by Mass General Brigham researchers points to a promising new type of auditory brainstem implant (ABI) that could benefit people who are deaf due to Neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) and other severe inner ear abnormalities that prevent them from receiving cochlear implants. With further tests and trials, researchers hope it will provide a more effective treatment alternative than what is currently used.

In the new research, published in Nature Biomedical Engineering, scientists at Mass Eye and Ear, a member of the Mass General Brigham healthcare system, collaborated with scientists at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) in Geneva, Switzerland, to report on a new class of soft, flexible ABIs that were designed to address the limitations of those currently used. These implants bypass damaged auditory structures and directly stimulate the brainstem’s sound-processing region to restore auditory function.

The new ABI was borne out of a decade-long collaboration between Mass Eye and Ear and EPFL scientists. It features an elastic, multilayer construct that includes ultra-thin platinum electrodes and silicone, a novel design that allows it to conform closely to the brainstem’s curved surface.

Conventional ABIs that are sometimes used in patients with NF2 rely on stiff electrodes that struggle to conform to the curved surface of the cochlear nucleus in the brainstem. That limits their effectiveness to modest benefits, typically providing only basic sound awareness to aid lip reading. The design can also cause side effects like discomfort that discourages long-term use.

The novel, soft electrode design was developed using advanced thin-film processing techniques, allowing for closer contact and more precise stimulation. In preclinical tests conducted in Switzerland, two macaques received the implants and underwent several months of behavioural testing. Results showed the animals could consistently distinguish between different patterns of stimulation – which indicated high-resolution auditory perception, a promising sign for eventual human use.

“While cochlear implants are life-changing for many, there remains a group of patients for whom current technology falls short,” said study co-senior author Daniel J. Lee, MD, FACS, Ansin Foundation Chair in Otolaryngology at Mass Eye and Ear. “Our research lays the groundwork for a future auditory brainstem implant that could improve hearing outcomes and reduce side effects in patients who are deaf and do not benefit from the cochlear implant.”

Source: Mass Eye and Ear

Categories : CancerTags : Leave a comment

South African Study Identifies Two New Breast Cancer Genes in Black Women

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Genetic factors contribute to some 30% of breast cancer cases in SA, necessitating investment in genomic research in African contexts.

Photo by National Cancer Institute

A seminal genetic study published in Nature Communications has discovered two genetic variants linked to breast cancer in black South African women, deepening knowledge about the genetic basis for this disease in African populations.

The genome-wide association study (GWAS) of breast cancer is the first to have been done in African women living on the continent.

A GWAS is a powerful research method that scans the entire DNA of many people to find genetic differences associated with a specific disease or trait.

In this case, the scientists at the Sydney Brenner Institute for Molecular Bioscience (SBIMB) scanned for breast cancer and found consistent genetic patterns in black South African women.

The SBIMB researchers discovered genetic signals around the gene RAB27A, a member of the RAS oncogene family, and USP22, a gene which is highly active in breast cancer cells and associated with a poor health prognosis.

“These genes have not been associated with the disease before, which is an important advance in understanding breast cancer risk and biology in women of African ancestry,” says Dr Mahtaab Hayat, the lead author of the study.

The two new genetic variants were identified in black South African women with breast cancer enrolled in the Johannesburg Cancer Study, compared to women without cancer in the Africa Wits-INDEPTH Partnership for Genomic Research (AWI-Gen) study.

Until now, most breast cancer genetics research has focused on European and Asian populations, with studies of African ancestry limited primarily to African- American women, who largely descend from West African populations.

A tool that estimates lifetime cancer risk based on DNA, the polygenic risk score (PRS), performed poorly in distinguishing South African women with breast cancer from those without.

“This is because most PRSs were developed in European populations, and their inaccuracy in African populations highlights the urgent need for ancestry-specific tools in cancer risk prediction,” says Dr Jean-Tristan Brandenburg, also in the SBIMB and a lead author.

Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in South Africa and the most common cancer in women globally, with genetic factors contributing to about 30% of cases. “Our study makes a compelling case for investing in genomic research rooted in African contexts,” notes Hayat.

The potential for precision medicine

If further studies confirm these findings, the USP22 and RAB27A genes could be specific targets for new drugs. “We could potentially target harmful cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue, which is ideally what we want when administering cancer treatment,” says Distinguished Professor at the SBIMB, Chris Mathew, and a lead project investigator.

Furthermore, if a specific gene is associated with poorer survival, it can be used as a biomarker to identify more aggressive cancers and help predict which patients may need more intensive treatment and monitoring.

Understanding the genetic architecture of complex diseases helps scientists figure out the biological processes leading to these conditions and find drug targets and treatments for groups of individuals with similar disease risk profiles.

Genomic diversity in Africa is unparalleled

African populations have more genetic variation than any other population in the world, but they have been significantly underrepresented in genomic research. This means that the global understanding of disease risk, and the tools and treatment developed from it, is limited.

“The study reveals that more people can benefit from genetic discoveries. It proves that new risk factors are still out there, waiting to be found,” says Hayat.

Source: University of the Witwatersrand

Categories : Cardiovascular DiseaseTags : Leave a comment

Pharma Dynamics Launches Axolta – A Targeted Solution in Oral Anticoagulation Therapy

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Pharma Dynamics has officially announced the launch of Axolta (rivaroxaban), marking the second anticoagulant added to its expanding cardiovascular portfolio.

This addition brings a powerful new option to the local therapeutic landscape. Available in 10 mg, 15 mg and 20 mg strengths, Axolta is indicated for a range of conditions associated with thromboembolic risk.

“Axolta brings affordability and trusted efficacy to a growing population of patients requiring long-term anticoagulation,” says Ryan Snodgrass, Product Manager for Generics at Pharma Dynamics. “It is designed to support clinicians with reliable dosing, backed by robust clinical guidance and patient-centric packaging.”

Axolta 10 mg is indicated for the prevention of VTE in patients undergoing major orthopaedic surgery of the lower limbs, such as hip or knee replacements. These procedures place patients at high risk for thrombotic events, particularly in the postoperative phase when immobility, trauma and surgical limb manipulation, increase the likelihood of hypercoagulability. The once-daily oral dosing of Axolta 10 mg offers a convenient prophylactic option with a pharmacokinetic profile.

Axolta 15 mg and 20 mg are approved for several critical indications:

•      Prevention of stroke and systemic embolism in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (SPAF)

•      Treatment of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and prevention of recurrent DVT

•      Treatment of pulmonary embolism (PE) PE and prevention of recurrent PE

The 2020 European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Clinical Practice Guidelines on atrial fibrillation emphasise the importance of using direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) like rivaroxaban over vitamin K antagonists as a first-line therapy to present thromboembolic events in the context of AF. The ESC notes that DOACs are preferred due to their favourable risk-benefit profile, reduced need for routine monitoring and ease of use.

Axolta 10 mg is used immediately after surgery (provided that homeostasis has been established) and the duration of treatment depends on the type of major orthopaedic surgery. The standard full dose refers to 20 mg once daily, with dosing frequency varying depending on the indication and phase of treatment.

Axolta 10 mg and 20 mg are available in cartons of 30 tablets (both priced at R290,75 excl. VAT), while the 15 mg strength come in packs of 45 (R407,05 excl. VAT) – offering enough medication for either a full treatment cycle or a month-long maintenance period for chronic users.

Snodgrass says they have designed Axolta packaging to be intuitive and practical, reducing the likelihood of missed doses, which is critical in anticoagulation therapy.

According to the ESC, patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) have a four- to five-fold increase in the risk of heart failure, followed by ischemic stroke by 2.3 times, compared to people without AF. Stroke prevention in AF patients without significant valvular disease remains a cornerstone of anticoagulation therapy.

Axolta 20 mg, taken once daily with food, provides a simple, effective solution for long-term stroke prevention in eligible AF patients.

Clinicians should carefully evaluate potential drug interactions when prescribing Axolta to ensure optimal therapeutic outcomes.

The following medications can interact with Axolta, potentially affecting their efficacy and safety [consult the patient information for a full list]:

• Ritonavir

• CYP 3M and P-gp inhibitor

• Clarithromycin

• Erythromycin

• Fluconazole

• Dronedarone

Categories : Lab Tests and Imaging Neurodegenerative DiseasesTags : Leave a comment

Protein Clues in the Hunt for the Cause of Frontotemporal Dementia

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Photo by Bill Oxford on Unsplash

Dementia usually affects older people, so when it occurs in middle age, it can be hard to recognise. The most common form is frontotemporal dementia (FTD), which is often mistaken for depression, schizophrenia, or Parkinson’s disease before the correct diagnosis is reached.

Now, as part of an NIH-funded study, researchers at UC San Francisco have found some clues about how FTD develops that could lead to new diagnostics and get more patients into clinical trials. The findings appear in Nature Aging on May 16.

The team measured more than 4000 proteins found in spinal tap fluid from 116 FTD patients and compared them to those from 39 of their healthy relatives. All 116 patients had inherited forms of FTD, enabling researchers to study the disease in living people with confirmed diagnosis, something that isn’t possible in non-inherited FTD cases, which can only be confirmed after death.

The composition of the proteins that changed in FTD suggest that these patients have problems with RNA regulation along with defects that affect connections in their brains. These proteins, researchers think, could be the first specific markers for FTD that emerge as the disease develops in middle age.

FTD is the most common form of dementia for people under 60. Because it occurs in younger people, it is often misdiagnosed as depression, early-onset Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, or a psychiatric condition. It takes an average of 3.6 years for patients to get an accurate diagnosis. There is no cure, and there are no treatments to slow or stop disease progression. It is distinct from Alzheimer’s in 3 major ways:

  • FTD features a gradual decline in behavior, language, or movement, but memory is intact.
  • It usually strikes younger people, between 45 and 65 years of age, and is less likely to strike after 65.
  • It’s less common, affecting 60 000 people in the U.S. (Alzheimer’s affects 6.7 million Americans).

“FTD affects people in the prime of their lives, stripping them of their independence,” said Rowan Saloner, PhD, professor in the UCSF Memory and Aging Center and corresponding author of the paper. “But there’s no definitive way to diagnose it in living patients, unlike other dementias like Alzheimer’s disease.”

“If we’re able to identify FTD early on, perhaps using some of the proteins we’ve identified, we can direct patients to the right resources, get them into the right therapeutic trials, and, ultimately, we hope, provide them with precision treatments.”

Source: University of California – San Francisco

Categories : Injury & Trauma Regenerative MedicineTags : Leave a comment

Hope for Severe Burns Patients with New Skin Substitutes

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A dermal matrix – one of the latest advancements to regenerate skin after severe burns.

Severe burns remain one of the most challenging injuries to treat, causing high disease and death rates worldwide, but Australian researchers have flagged some promising new approaches that could save lives and dramatically improve patient recovery.

In a comprehensive review published in Advanced Therapeutics, researchers from the University of South Australia (UniSA), University of Adelaide and Royal Adelaide Hospital (RAH) explore the latest advancements in dermal substitutes – biochemicals used to replace damaged skin – with a particular focus on combating infection and enhancing tissue regeneration following catastrophic burns.

The researchers say that despite decades of progress, traditional treatments such as skin grafting often fail to provide adequate healing and infection control, leading to prolonged hospital stays and soaring healthcare costs.

According to the lead authors Dr Zlatko Kopecki and Dr Bronwyn Dearman, the urgency to develop safer, more effective solutions has never been greater.

“Infections are a major cause of complications and mortality in burn patients,” says Dr Kopecki, a Research Fellow at UniSA’s Future Industries Institute.

“We must innovate beyond conventional methods and develop therapies that regenerate tissue while actively preventing infections.”

Each year, approximately 2423 Australians are admitted to hospital with burn-related injuries, 74% of whom require surgery, including a skin graft. Globally, 180 000 people die from burns each year, and approximately 10 million are hospitalised, costing healthcare systems $112 billion worldwide.

The review highlights that while many commercial skin substitutes exist, very few offer integrated antimicrobial protection – a critical factor given the vulnerability of burn wounds to bacterial invasion and sepsis.

The paper discusses emerging technologies such as Kerecis, a novel fish skin graft with inherent antimicrobial properties, and NovoSorb BTM, a synthetic biodegradable matrix that resists bacterial colonisation without relying on antibiotics.

Both products represent a new generation of dermal substitutes with enhanced potential to protect and heal complex burns.

Kerecis comes from wild Atlantic cod, caught from a sustainable fish stock in pristine Icelandic waters and processed using renewable energy. It stands out for retaining natural omega-3 fatty acids, which have strong antimicrobial effects and promote wound healing.

Meanwhile, NovoSorb BTM’s unique polyurethane matrix offers structural resilience even in infected wounds, providing a vital scaffold for tissue regeneration.

“These materials demonstrate a shift towards multifunctional therapies that combine structural support with infection resistance,” says Dr Dearman, Principal Medical Scientist for the Skin Engineering Laboratory at the RAH and an Adjunct Lecturer at the University of Adelaide.

“Such innovations are crucial, particularly as antibiotic-resistant infections continue to rise globally,” she says.

The review calls for the next wave of research to integrate active antimicrobial agents directly into 3D dermal scaffolds that support cell growth, reducing the reliance on antibiotics and temporary dressings.

Beyond infection control, the research points to scarless healing as the future frontier of burn care.

By combining smart biomaterials with cell-based therapies, scientists aim to regenerate skin that restores its full function – an outcome that could revolutionise the recovery for millions of burn survivors worldwide.

Source: University of South Australia