April 2025

Cancer of the prostate, a small gland that produces seminal fluid in men, is one of the most common cancers and the 5th leading cause of male death worldwide. Men over the age of 50, those of African descent, or those with a family history of prostate cancer are at a higher risk. Additionally, diet, particularly diets high in fat and sugar, can increase the likelihood of prostate cancer by negatively affecting the gut microbiome.

Last week, two groups reported encouraging clinical trial results of iPSC-based autologous cellular therapy for Parkinsons disease (PD). However, the implanted cells' poor survival may have undermined these results.

Immunotherapy, boosting the activity of the immune system, is widely used in cancer treatment. Success has been achieved with a variety of modalities, including adoptive cellular immunotherapy, antibodies, tumour vaccines, and small-molecule inhibitors. Tumour-associated macrophages (TAMs) play a key role in treatment outcome for many of these modalities even if the treatment does not target them directly.

Using lasers, hydrogels and sustained release neurotropic growth factors, researchers in Switzerland have developed a sophisticated nerve conduit system to repair non-union nerve damage.