May 26, 2021
Medicine of The Future 4th Week May 2021
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/cZujrXgN--4
Today’s medical discoveries that point to future therapy.
#Trojanhorse Virus Triggers #Cancer Suicide
#Immunotherapy Aids #PostStroke #Rehab
Enzyme Therapy Stops #Dental #Plaque
#AcidSensing #Bacteria Herald Inflammatory Bowel Disease #IBD
#Microneedle Patch Treats #Skin Infections
3D #Bioprinted #Multiilayer Body Parts
Biochemists at the University of Zurich and CalTech have developed a technique that uses an adenovirus vector similar to that used by the J&J and AstraZeneca CoVid vaccines to convey a self-destructive gene into cancer cells. Called SHREAD gene therapy, the inserted gene tricks the cancer into producing toxic antibodies that kill it while leaving normal cells untouched. Its as if cancer-killing drugs are injected into individual cancer cells.
University of Pittsburgh neurologists find that T lymphocytes known as Treg cells play a key role in post-stroke brain healing. Even better, they use an antigen-antibody complex called IL-2:IL-2Ab that stimulates production of these Treg cells in the brain following a stroke to improve brain function faster and more completely. It all works in mice, but hopefully, some time soon, it will as well in humans.
Dental plaque in kids forms when bacteria and fungi combine into a sticky mucoid film called biofilms. Now University of Pennsylvania dentists report that particular enzymes can dissolve and bacterial-fungal bonds, the resultant biofilms, and prevent the formation of damaging plaque. This enzymatic therapy won’t harm human tissues, and will prevent both tooth decay and gum disease.
Rice University bioengineers developed an otherwise harmless E. coli bacterium that glows or changes colors when it encounters gut acid. Meanwhile, University of Colorado gastroenterologists show that excess gastrointestinal acid accompanies flare ups of inflammatory bowel disease such as Crohn’s and Ulcerative Colitis and the excess acid likely turns on the genes that trigger inflammation. Combine these findings by adding this acid-sensing, color changing E. Coli in food, and it could discolor toilet water as a sign that a bout of impending bowel inflammation requires proactive therapy.
Nasty skin infections such as those due to methicillin-resistant staph aureus or MRSA usually require intravenous injection of strong antibiotics like vancomycin that have even nastier side effects. Swedish microbiologists have developed an skin patch composed of vancomycin-impregnated micro-needle arrays that can deliver high concentrations of antibiotic directly to the infected skin without overdosing the entire body.
When traumatic injuries leave gaping holes in the head and face, skin and bone replacements are necessary. Penn State biomedical engineers have developed complex extrusion and droplet 3D bioprinting techniques using cell and carrier material mixtures in order to print composites of bone and overlying soft tissues at the same time.
These and other cutting edge solutions are coming to your doctor’s office and our hospitals…….some day soon!
https://www.pnas.org/content/118/21/e2017925118
https://mbio.asm.org/content/12/3/e00651-21
https://www.pnas.org/content/118/20/e2023871118