<p>Findings from a breakthrough clinical trial conducted in South Africa and Uganda have claimed that biannual injection of a new pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) drug gives young women total protection from HIV infection.</p>

<p>As many as 5,000 participants were enrolled for the study, sponsored by Gilead Sciences,&nbsp;at three sites in Uganda and 25 sites in South Africa to test the&nbsp;efficacy of Lenacapavir and two other drugs.</p>

<p>"Lenacapavir (Len LA) is a fusion capside inhibitor. It interferes with the HIV capsid, a protein shell that protects HIV’s genetic material and enzymes needed for replication. It is administered just under the skin, once every six months,"&nbsp;Physician-scientist Linda-Gail Bekker, principal investigator for the South African part of the study told <em>The Coversation</em>.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Apart from&nbsp;Lenacapavir, the trial also tested Truvada - a daily PrEP pill in wide use for more than a decade and Descovy, a newer pill, used for the same purpose.&nbsp;</p>

<p>During the randomised trial, none of the 2,314 women who received the injection of&nbsp;Lenacapavir contracted HIV, which suggested the efficacy was 100 per cent.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Meanwhile,&nbsp;16 of 1,068 women who received Truvada and 39 of 2,136&nbsp;who received Descovy contracted the HIV virus.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/3-women-contract-hiv-after-getting-vampire-facial-at-new-mexico-spa-716023"><strong>Watch |&nbsp;3 women contract HIV after getting ‘vampire facial’ at New Mexico spa</strong></a></p>

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<p>After the early success,&nbsp;Bekker said the trial would go in but now in an "open label" phase.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"This means that study participants will be “unblinded”: they will be told whether they have been in the “injectable” or oral TDF (Truvada) or oral TAF (Descovy) groups," she said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"A sister trial is also underway: Purpose 2 is being conducted in a number of regions including some sites in Africa among cisgender men, and transgender and nonbinary people who have sex with men."</p>

<p>Currently, most people&nbsp;who have HIV, require life-long antiretroviral therapy. If an HIV patient stops consuming the prescribed drugs, the dormant virus can reawaken and lead to problems.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/california-man-cured-of-cancer-and-hiv-after-stem-cell-treatment-in-stunning-medical-recovery-694166"><strong>Also read |&nbsp;California man ‘cured’ of cancer and HIV after stem cell treatment in stunning medical recovery</strong></a></p>

<h2><strong>Other HIV breakthrough</strong></h2>

<p>Earlier this year, a team of scientists at&nbsp;the University of Amsterdam<strong>&nbsp;</strong>claimed to have successfully eliminated HIV, with the use of Nobel Prize-winning Crispr gene-editing technology, from infected cells.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The technology, which functions like scissors at the molecular level, cuts DNA so "bad" that bits can be inactivated or removed.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The researchers now aim to remove the virus entirely from the body even though much more work is required to check&nbsp;it is effective and safe.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Findings from a breakthrough clinical trial conducted in South Africa and Uganda have claimed that biannual injection of a new pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) drug gives young women total protection from HIV infection.

Findings from a breakthrough clinical trial conducted in South Africa and Uganda have claimed that biannual injection of a new pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) drug gives young women total protection from HIV infection. As many as 5,000 participants were enrolled for the study, sponsored by Gilead Sciences, at three sites in Uganda and 25 sites in South Africa to test the efficacy of Lenacapavir and two other drugs. "Lenacapavir (Len LA) is a fusion capside inhibitor. It interferes with the HIV capsid, a protein shell that protects HIV’s genetic material and enzymes needed for replication. It is administered just under the skin, once every six months," Physician-scientist Linda-Gail Bekker, principal investigator for the South African part of the study told The Coversation. Apart from Lenacapavir, the trial also tested Truvada - a daily PrEP pill in wide use for more than a decade and Descovy, a newer pill, used for the same purpose. During the randomised trial, none of the 2,314 women who received the injection of Lenacapavir contracted HIV, which suggested the efficacy was 100 per cent. Meanwhile, 16 of 1,068 women who received Truvada and 39 of 2,136 who received Descovy contracted the HIV virus. Watch | 3 women contract HIV after getting ‘vampire facial’ at New Mexico spa × After the early success, Bekker said the trial would go in but now in an "open label" phase. "This means that study participants will be “unblinded”: they will be told whether they have been in the “injectable” or oral TDF (Truvada) or oral TAF (Descovy) groups," she said. "A sister trial is also underway: Purpose 2 is being conducted in a number of regions including some sites in Africa among cisgender men, and transgender and nonbinary people who have sex with men." Currently, most people who have HIV, require life-long antiretroviral therapy. If an HIV patient stops consuming the prescribed drugs, the dormant virus can reawaken and lead to problems. Also read | California man ‘cured’ of cancer and HIV after stem cell treatment in stunning medical recovery Other HIV breakthrough Earlier this year, a team of scientists at the University of Amsterdam claimed to have successfully eliminated HIV, with the use of Nobel Prize-winning Crispr gene-editing technology, from infected cells. The technology, which functions like scissors at the molecular level, cuts DNA so "bad" that bits can be inactivated or removed. The researchers now aim to remove the virus entirely from the body even though much more work is required to check it is effective and safe. (With inputs from agencies)

Breakthrough HIV drug trial shows biannual injection to be 100% effective against infection

<p>Scientists in Japan are working to realise the dream of every dentist to revolutionise the dental care industry—potential tooth re-growth treatment.</p>

<p>Clinical trials for a potential treatment are set to begin in July 2024, thanks to decades of research in the field. And if those trials turn out to be successful, we can expect therapeutic drugs to hit the market as early as 2030.</p>

<h2><strong>Japanese scientists targeting anodontia patients</strong></h2>

<p>A team at the Medical Research Institute at Kitano Hospital in Japan is going to conduct the trials. Initially, they want to target children with anodontia, a rare genetic condition which prevents the growth of teeth among babies.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In the next step, the researchers will target adult humans facing similar problems, and then those having regular dental issues like gum disease and growing of teeth in an abnormal way.</p>

<p>"The idea of growing new teeth is every dentist's dream," Katsu Takahashi, head of the dentistry and oral surgery department at Kitano Hospital, told The Mainichi. "I've been working on this since I was a graduate student. I was confident I'd be able to make it happen."</p>

<h2><strong>The science behind the treatment</strong></h2>

<p>Initially, scientists were able to establish a connection between a specific gene named USAG-1 and limitations on tooth growth in mice.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Subsequently, the researchers progressed to experiments aimed at blocking the expression of USAG-1.</p>

<p>They discovered an antibody that could safely block a portion of USAG-1's activity in mice, leading to tooth growth without significant adverse effects.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Nuclear Fusion: A carbon-free source of energy</strong></p>

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<p>Now, the next step involves investigating if these same chemical responses can yield positive results in humans.</p>

<p>Experts believe there could be a chance that this new drug could stimulate the development of a third set of teeth in humans, following baby teeth and mature adult teeth.</p>

<h2><strong>It’s all-natural</strong></h2>

<p>What sets this approach apart, as highlighted by the researchers in a recent scientific assessment, is that tooth growth is triggered naturally through a process referred to as bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signalling.</p>

<p>Our bodies are autonomously carrying out this process, eliminating the need for intricate stem cell manipulation.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/us-to-rollout-repurposed-antibiotic-to-prevent-stis-624579"><strong>Also read:&nbsp;US to rollout repurposed antibiotic to prevent STIs</strong></a></p>

<p>Additionally, the team anticipates that advancements in scanning technology, like mass spectrometry, could facilitate the identification of biomarkers indicating those who would derive the greatest benefit from the treatment.</p>

<p>"Anti-USAG-1 antibody treatment in mice is effective for tooth regeneration and can be a breakthrough in treating tooth anomalies in humans," wrote the researchers in their assessment.</p>

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Scientists in Japan are working to realise the dream of every dentist to revolutionise the dental care industry—potential tooth re-growth treatment. Clinical trials for a potential treatment are set to begin in July 2024, thanks to decades of research in the field.

Scientists in Japan are working to realise the dream of every dentist to revolutionise the dental care industry—potential tooth re-growth treatment. Clinical trials for a potential treatment are set to begin in July 2024, thanks to decades of research in the field. And if those trials turn out to be successful, we can expect therapeutic drugs to hit the market as early as 2030. Japanese scientists targeting anodontia patients A team at the Medical Research Institute at Kitano Hospital in Japan is going to conduct the trials. Initially, they want to target children with anodontia, a rare genetic condition which prevents the growth of teeth among babies. In the next step, the researchers will target adult humans facing similar problems, and then those having regular dental issues like gum disease and growing of teeth in an abnormal way. "The idea of growing new teeth is every dentist's dream," Katsu Takahashi, head of the dentistry and oral surgery department at Kitano Hospital, told The Mainichi. "I've been working on this since I was a graduate student. I was confident I'd be able to make it happen." The science behind the treatment Initially, scientists were able to establish a connection between a specific gene named USAG-1 and limitations on tooth growth in mice. Subsequently, the researchers progressed to experiments aimed at blocking the expression of USAG-1. They discovered an antibody that could safely block a portion of USAG-1's activity in mice, leading to tooth growth without significant adverse effects. Watch: Nuclear Fusion: A carbon-free source of energy × Now, the next step involves investigating if these same chemical responses can yield positive results in humans. Experts believe there could be a chance that this new drug could stimulate the development of a third set of teeth in humans, following baby teeth and mature adult teeth. It’s all-natural What sets this approach apart, as highlighted by the researchers in a recent scientific assessment, is that tooth growth is triggered naturally through a process referred to as bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signalling. Our bodies are autonomously carrying out this process, eliminating the need for intricate stem cell manipulation. Also read: US to rollout repurposed antibiotic to prevent STIs Additionally, the team anticipates that advancements in scanning technology, like mass spectrometry, could facilitate the identification of biomarkers indicating those who would derive the greatest benefit from the treatment. "Anti-USAG-1 antibody treatment in mice is effective for tooth regeneration and can be a breakthrough in treating tooth anomalies in humans," wrote the researchers in their assessment. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Japan: Scientists developing drug to regrow teeth, trials to begin in July 2024

<p>In what might be one of the significant breakthroughs in ovarian cancer research, a new drug combination is said to have shrunk tumours in almost half of patients with the disease, reported The Guardian. The new drug trials are being led by the Royal Marsden National Health Service (NHS) Foundation Trust and the Institute of Cancer Research, in London, United Kingdom.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>What did the researchers find?</strong></h2>

<p>According to the UK-based newspaper report, the new treatment which tested the drug avutometinib alone and in combination with defactinib in 29 patients said that the latter helped block tumour growth and managed to keep the disease away for years. The combination drug worked for 45 per cent of the patients who saw their tumours shrink significantly, reported the Guardian.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It was also found to be nearly two times more effective than the next best treatment for ovarian cancer, trametinib, whose response rate to the disease was 26 per cent. Meanwhile, all patients who were a part of this trial had low-grade serous ovarian cancer, which is said to typically affect younger women.&nbsp;</p>

<p>At least 60 per cent of women with a particular mutation, KRAS-driven ovarian tumours, witnessed a better outcome of the drug combination. However, it also showed promising results for those without the mutation and worked for 29 per cent of patients, said the media report.&nbsp;</p>

<p>One of the drugs avutometinib is a dual RAF and MEK inhibitor which is said to block both and help control cancer growth and survival.&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, previous studies have shown that it can become ineffective over time as tumours develop resistance to treatment, but when combined with defactinib, which stops the protein, it encourages drug resistance. Therefore, defactinib makes avutometinib more than four times effective than when the latter was used alone.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>'Significant breakthrough': Global lead investigator of the study&nbsp;about the finding</strong></h2>

<p>The global lead investigator of the study, Dr Susana Banerjee, said that the findings could represent a “significant breakthrough,” as per The Guardian. She added, “These initial results could be fantastic news for women with low-grade serous ovarian cancer, indicating a far more effective option than current treatments.”&nbsp;<br />
<br />
Dr Banerjee who is also a consultant medical oncologist at the Royal Marsden and team leader in women’s cancers at the London-based Institute of Cancer Research, said&nbsp;that it is wonderful to see so many patients have such a “meaningful response” to the “innovative” drug trial, “I’m so grateful to all who joined the trial, making this research possible,” as quoted by The Guardian. &nbsp;<br />
<br />
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In what might be one of the significant breakthroughs in ovarian cancer research, a new drug combination is said to have shrunk tumours in almost half of patients with the disease, reported The Guardian.

In what might be one of the significant breakthroughs in ovarian cancer research, a new drug combination is said to have shrunk tumours in almost half of patients with the disease, reported The Guardian. The new drug trials are being led by the Royal Marsden National Health Service (NHS) Foundation Trust and the Institute of Cancer Research, in London, United Kingdom. What did the researchers find? According to the UK-based newspaper report, the new treatment which tested the drug avutometinib alone and in combination with defactinib in 29 patients said that the latter helped block tumour growth and managed to keep the disease away for years. The combination drug worked for 45 per cent of the patients who saw their tumours shrink significantly, reported the Guardian. It was also found to be nearly two times more effective than the next best treatment for ovarian cancer, trametinib, whose response rate to the disease was 26 per cent. Meanwhile, all patients who were a part of this trial had low-grade serous ovarian cancer, which is said to typically affect younger women. At least 60 per cent of women with a particular mutation, KRAS-driven ovarian tumours, witnessed a better outcome of the drug combination. However, it also showed promising results for those without the mutation and worked for 29 per cent of patients, said the media report. One of the drugs avutometinib is a dual RAF and MEK inhibitor which is said to block both and help control cancer growth and survival. However, previous studies have shown that it can become ineffective over time as tumours develop resistance to treatment, but when combined with defactinib, which stops the protein, it encourages drug resistance. Therefore, defactinib makes avutometinib more than four times effective than when the latter was used alone. 'Significant breakthrough': Global lead investigator of the study about the finding The global lead investigator of the study, Dr Susana Banerjee, said that the findings could represent a “significant breakthrough,” as per The Guardian. She added, “These initial results could be fantastic news for women with low-grade serous ovarian cancer, indicating a far more effective option than current treatments.” Dr Banerjee who is also a consultant medical oncologist at the Royal Marsden and team leader in women’s cancers at the London-based Institute of Cancer Research, said that it is wonderful to see so many patients have such a “meaningful response” to the “innovative” drug trial, “I’m so grateful to all who joined the trial, making this research possible,” as quoted by The Guardian. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Ovarian cancer breakthrough? Drug combination shrunk tumours in nearly half of patients

<p>The experimental obesity drug of Amgen Inc showed trends of promising durability in its initial trial, making way for a large mid-stage study in the next years, said company officials on Saturday, before the data presentation.&nbsp;In the Phase I trial, it was discovered that weight loss is being maintained by patients for 70 days after they have been administered the injected highest tested dose of the drug which is known as AMG133.<br />
<br />
The shares of Amgen gained about 5% after the company on November 7 said that in the trial treatment of 12 weeks in which the highest monthly dose of AMG133 was administered, it was observed that there was a mean weight loss of 14.5%.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ|</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/airborne-baby-killer-pollution-in-china-kills-64000-babies-in-womb-every-year-539933">‘Airborne baby killer’: Pollution in China kills 64,000 babies in womb every year</a><br />
<br />
After 150 days of the last dose, there was a drop in the maintained weight to 11.2% below the original weight when the trial started, as per the findings discussed in the meeting of the World Congress of Insulin Resistance, Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease held in Los Angeles.<br />
<br />
Amgen stated that the patients who were treated with AMG133 did suffer side effects which include vomiting and nausea, however, in most cases the symptoms were mild and the issues resolved in a couple of days after taking the first dose.<br />
<br />
It was estimated by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that more than 40% of the population in the US is obese, which annually costs nearly $173 billion. This is a primary reason for type 2 diabetes, a few cancers, heart disease and complications in health like severe COVID-19.<br />
<br />
Amgen's head of cardiovascular metabolic discovery explained that the company had developed the drug to identify genetic signals which are related to body weight and lower fat mass, as well as healthy metabolic profiles.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ|</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/playing-piano-may-help-deal-with-mental-health-issues-like-depression-study-539926">Playing piano may help deal with mental health issues like depression: Study</a><br />
<br />
"Genetics clearly showed in multiple large populations that decreased activity genetically of the GIP receptor gene was associated with lower BMI (body mass index)," he added.<br />
<br />
The biotech now plans to start AMG133's mid-stage study early next year in which a wide range of patients will be enrolled, which will include people suffering from additional health conditions like diabetes.</p>

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The experimental obesity drug of Amgen Inc showed trends of promising durability in its initial trial, making way for a large mid-stage study in the next years, said company officials on Saturday, before the data presentation.

The experimental obesity drug of Amgen Inc showed trends of promising durability in its initial trial, making way for a large mid-stage study in the next years, said company officials on Saturday, before the data presentation. In the Phase I trial, it was discovered that weight loss is being maintained by patients for 70 days after they have been administered the injected highest tested dose of the drug which is known as AMG133. The shares of Amgen gained about 5% after the company on November 7 said that in the trial treatment of 12 weeks in which the highest monthly dose of AMG133 was administered, it was observed that there was a mean weight loss of 14.5%. ALSO READ| ‘Airborne baby killer’: Pollution in China kills 64,000 babies in womb every year After 150 days of the last dose, there was a drop in the maintained weight to 11.2% below the original weight when the trial started, as per the findings discussed in the meeting of the World Congress of Insulin Resistance, Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease held in Los Angeles. Amgen stated that the patients who were treated with AMG133 did suffer side effects which include vomiting and nausea, however, in most cases the symptoms were mild and the issues resolved in a couple of days after taking the first dose. It was estimated by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that more than 40% of the population in the US is obese, which annually costs nearly $173 billion. This is a primary reason for type 2 diabetes, a few cancers, heart disease and complications in health like severe COVID-19. Amgen's head of cardiovascular metabolic discovery explained that the company had developed the drug to identify genetic signals which are related to body weight and lower fat mass, as well as healthy metabolic profiles. ALSO READ| Playing piano may help deal with mental health issues like depression: Study "Genetics clearly showed in multiple large populations that decreased activity genetically of the GIP receptor gene was associated with lower BMI (body mass index)," he added. The biotech now plans to start AMG133's mid-stage study early next year in which a wide range of patients will be enrolled, which will include people suffering from additional health conditions like diabetes.

Experimental obesity drug promising, demonstrating durability, claims pharma firm

A new study on curing rectal cancer has produced astonishing results it was a small trial with just 18 colon cancer patients all of them were given the same drug and all of them saw their cancer vanish.

The Miracle Cancer drug trial: 'Happy tears' for 18 trial patients

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