This revolutionary new cell therapy developed by Khalid Shah and his team at Brigham and Women’s Hospital could be a game-changer for the treatment of deadly brain cancer. Instead of using inactivated tumor cells, the team repurposed living tumor cells by using the gene editing tool CRISPR-Cas9 to engineer them to release tumor cell killing agents and immunomodulatory agents to both destroy primary tumors and stimulate the immune system. The approach was successful in mice models and has the potential to translate clinically in the future. Read full article here
Societal Issues
To curb drug deaths, communities turn to Reddit, texts and wastewater
With drug overdose deaths on the rise, authorities are attempting to curb the epidemic by tracking and sharing information in real time. In one unique effort, a nonprofit in New York City is using drug-testing equipment and stamping or marking habits of dealers to identify drug batches that may endanger users. Other approaches are also being used, such as monitoring drug-related chatter on Reddit and analyzing local wastewater for opioid and other drug levels. With the combination of these efforts, researchers hope to put a dent in the opioid crisis and reduce overdose deaths. Read full article here
Merv
June 1, 2023
