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Combination therapy sets new survival standard for advanced biliary tract cancer

In a follow-up analysis to the pivotal TOPAZ-1 study, which established the combination therapy of durvalumab (an immunotherapy drug) plus gemcitabine and cisplatin (GemCis, chemotherapy drugs) as the first-line treatment for people with advanced biliary tract cancer (aBTC), researchers have shown that after three years more than twice as many study participants treated with durvalumab plus GemCis had survived compared to those treated with a placebo plus GemCis.

10 Jul 2025

How does olive oil affect gut health?

Could olive oil’s hidden compounds be the key to a healthier gut? New research uncovers how olive-derived bioactives transform our microbiome and may unlock future therapies for digestive and metabolic health.

9 Jul 2025

Do spicy foods help or hurt your gut health?

Capsaicin, the spicy compound in chili peppers, not only influences inflammation, metabolism, and cancer risk but also shapes the gut microbiome in complex, context-dependent ways. This comprehensive review highlights both the therapeutic promise and potential risks of capsaicin, calling for deeper research into its microbiome-mediated effects.

26 Jun 2025

Missing gut bacteria in US babies triples allergy and eczema risk

US infants lacking Bifidobacterium in their gut microbiome face significant changes in microbial composition, metabolic function, and immune-related health risks. This large, nationally representative study links early-life Bifidobacterium deficits to a three-fold increase in eczema, allergy, or asthma by age two.

25 Jun 2025

Genes may determine how early life exposures shape the gut microbiome

Early nutritional and antibiotic exposures affect adult gut microbiota, with genetic background and parent-of-origin significantly influencing outcomes.

19 Jun 2025

Understanding the interconnected roles of microbial, metabolic, and immune biomarkers in IBD

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), encompassing ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD), is a chronic inflammatory condition of the gastrointestinal tract with a rising global burden.

19 Jun 2025

Time-restricted feeding restores microbial rhythms and boosts metabolism

The gut microbiome, a vast assortment of bacteria and other microorganisms that inhabit our digestive system, plays a critical role in converting food into energy.

19 Jun 2025

‘Not accountable to anyone’: As insurers issue denials, some patients run out of options

By the time Eric Tennant was diagnosed in 2023 with a rare cancer of the bile ducts, the disease had spread to his bones. He weighed 97 pounds and wasn't expected to survive a year with stage 4 cancer.

16 Jun 2025

Advancing precision oncology in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma

ICCA accounts for 10–15% of primary liver cancers and is notorious for late-stage diagnosis and resistance to chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

13 Jun 2025

Maternal exposure to metals rewires infants’ gut and resistance genes

Prenatal exposure to trace elements like selenium, copper, and arsenic can significantly alter the infant gut microbiome, metabolism, and antibiotic resistance gene patterns. These changes appear as early as three months and evolve during the first year of life.

5 Jun 2025

Researchers map DNA regions that activate liver regeneration

The mammalian liver has an extraordinary regenerative capacity, capable of fully restoring its mass and function after injury or partial resection.

4 Jun 2025

Navigating the challenges and progress in dengue vaccine development

Dengue fever caused by a flavivirus named DENV is a major global health challenge, risking almost half of the world's population. Since the early 20th century, the scientific community has faced multiple challenges to develop effective dengue vaccines.

30 May 2025

Advanced organoid model recreates complex liver architecture

The liver has a unique structure, especially at the level of individual cells. Hepatocytes, the main liver cells, release bile into tiny channels called bile canaliculi, which drain into the bile duct in the liver periportal region.

29 May 2025

Study sheds light on the link between gut microbiota, isoflavones, and geniposide hepatotoxicity

A recent study published in Engineering has shed light on the relationship between gut microbiota, isoflavones, and geniposide hepatotoxicity.

26 May 2025

Exploring the link between microbial balance and aging mechanisms

Aging is a multifaceted process driven by interconnected biological mechanisms, among which genomic instability and telomere attrition stand as primary hallmarks.

20 May 2025

Eating kombu daily enhances gut health and heart markers in men

A 12-week randomized trial found that daily intake of boiled kombu (Laminaria japonica) powder reduced body fat and raised adiponectin in Japanese men, while improving blood pressure and gut microbiota in both sexes. No significant effects were seen in women for body fat reduction or adiponectin.

20 May 2025

‘Cell line atlas’ can help better understand biliary tract cancer biology

Advanced biliary tract cancer (BTC) includes cholangiocarcinoma, gallbladder carcinoma, and ampullary carcinoma. BTC is a rare and aggressive group of cancers, carrying one of the worst prognoses in all of oncology.

12 May 2025

GLP-1RAs show added protection against cancer beyond weight reduction

New research being presented at this year's European Congress on Obesity (ECO) in Malaga, Spain (11-14 May) and published in the journal eClinicalMedicine finds that first generation weight-loss medications like liraglutide and exenatide appear to show anti-cancer benefits beyond weight loss.

11 May 2025

Annual blood test could detect cancer earlier and save lives

A single blood test, designed to pick up chemical signals indicative of the presence of many different types of cancer, could potentially thwart progression to advanced disease while the malignancy is still at an early stage and amenable to treatment in up to half of cases, suggests a modelling study published in the open access journal BMJ Open.

8 May 2025

Macrophages take center stage in liver healing after injury

The liver is famous for its remarkable ability to regenerate, but that healing power depends heavily on the actions of its resident immune cells. A new study spotlights macrophages, the liver's cleanup and repair specialists, revealing that these cells quickly adapt after injury to clear debris and support tissue recovery.

7 May 2025