Frontline: Brain nerve cell repair; cancer stem cells; T-cell therapy
Brain Nerve Cell Repair Offers Hope for Alzheimer’s Disease
Nerve cells in the brain require an enormous amount of energy to survive and maintain their connections with other nerve cells. In Alzheimer’s disease, the ability to make energy is damaged. As a result, the connections between nerve cells—called synapses—malfunction, causing memories to fade. Now, researchers have identified the energetic reactions in brain cells that malfunction, and used their findings to restore connections in nerve cell models derived from the stem cells of Alzheimer’s patients. The scientists were able to repair up to three-quarters of the synapses that had been lost in the nerve cell models, and also prevent further nerve cell decline. The research team plans to continue its work, with the aim of developing a medication that can restore brain nerve cell connectivity in patients with Alzheimer’s, thereby stopping disease progression and enhancing cognitive function. The findings were published in the January 2024 issue of the journal Advanced Science.
Scientists Discover Compound That Targets Cancer Stem Cells
A new compound that shows promise for future cancer therapies—particularly pancreatic, colorectal, and osteosarcoma cases—has been discovered by scientists in Madrid, and their findings were published in the January 2024 issue of the Journal of Experimental & Clinical Cancer Research. The compound—Ru1—targets cancer stem cells, which have historically presented a significant challenge in cancer treatment. The compound works by weakening the energy sources that fuel cancer stem cells, and this diminishes their cancerous potential. Many cancer therapies, in addition to producing numerous side effects, fail to achieve complete tumor remission—partly due to the presence of cancer stem cells. Stem cells play a key role in tumor recurrence and metastasis—the spread of cancer cells from the original tumor to other parts of the body. For these reasons, there is significant interest in developing therapies, such as Ru1, that target this type of tumor cells.
T-Cell Therapy Shows Promise in Reversing Age-Related Metabolic Issues
Scientists investigated a treatment using special cells called CAR T-cells to reverse age-related metabolic issues, and they published their findings in the January 2024 issue of Nature Aging. The CAR T-cells were designed to target and remove specific aging-related cells in mice, and the research team showed that the cells effectively improved the health of older mice by enhancing their metabolism and maintaining balanced sugar levels without causing any harm. What’s particularly noteworthy is that this therapy appeared to work preventively, meaning it could protect against metabolic problems caused by aging or an unhealthy diet. The treatment focused on removing specific aging cells, including certain immune cells linked to the aging process. The research showed that this approach could be a promising way to treat long-term health issues associated with aging by using these special cells to target aging-related markers, and possibly ensuring a lasting impact with just one treatment.
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