Lab Value Predictive of COVID-19 Disease Severity in Children

A study has found measurements of C-reactive protein (CRP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and albumin are potentially predictive markers for disease severity in children hospitalized with COVID-19. The multi-center retrospective cohort study at four pediatric referral hospitals in Iran between April 2020 and March 2021 assessed the discriminative ability of laboratory and clinical parameters to pinpoint […]

Changes in Immune Cell Gene Activity May Indicate Probability of Developing MS

T cells may drive inflammation in MS

Individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) have high levels of immune cells called cytotoxic T cells, which normally help kill cancer and cells infected by germs. In MS, these cells accumulate in areas with visible myelin damage, but until recent study results, the role the cells play in the disease had remained unknown. In a study […]

mRNA Cancer Vaccine Begins Trials for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

cancer vaccine image

An mRNA vaccine has entered human trials as a treatment for lung cancer. Unlike traditional cancer vaccines such as the HPV vaccine, BNT116 is a therapeutic cancer vaccine designed to reduce tumor growth in patients with cancer or prevent its recurrence. BNT116 contains the genetic code for six molecules frequently seen in non-small cell lung cancers, which make up 80 to 85 percent of lung cancer diagnoses. Exposure to these six molecules primes immune cells to recognize these molecules on cancer cells and eliminate them.

New Type of Blood Test Can Identify Kids at Risk of Diabetes

blood in test tube

Scientists at Kings College London have discovered a novel link between lipids and disorders affecting children’s metabolism that may provide an early warning system for obesity-related problems such as type 2 diabetes and liver and heart disease. The researchers say this could assist medical professionals in identifying early disease indicators in children more quickly and […]

Study Reveals Best Time to Get RSV Vaccine During Pregnancy

New research led by investigators at Mass General Brigham suggests vaccination closer to 32 weeks of pregnancy, rather than the current guidelines of between 32 and 36 weeks, will better protect pregnant women’s newborns against respiratory syncitial virus (RSV).