FDA panel votes to ease peptide restrictions
An FDA advisory panel voted on Tuesday to ease restrictions on some peptides, overriding objections from the agency's own scientists. Peptides are short chains of amino acids that are used in a wide range of therapies, including treatments for metabolic disorders and muscle wasting. The panel argued that current restrictions are overly burdensome and limit patient access to potentially beneficial treatments.
The FDA scientists had raised concerns about the lack of long-term safety data for some peptide therapies. The vote is non-binding, but the FDA typically follows the recommendations of its advisory panels. The decision could open the door to wider use of peptide-based therapies in the United States.
Mini brains predict Alzheimer's drug response
In a separate development, scientists reported that miniature brain models grown from patients' cells can predict which Alzheimer's treatments will work for individual patients. The organoids, grown from stem cells, revealed striking differences in how Alzheimer's-related tissue responds to an antidepressant that has shown promise in slowing cognitive decline.
The study, published in a peer-reviewed journal, suggests that organoids could eventually guide more personalized treatments for Alzheimer's disease. Rather than giving patients a one-size-fits-all drug, doctors could test multiple therapies on lab-grown mini brains to see which one works best for that specific patient's biology.
Foodborne illness outbreak linked to iceberg lettuce
Health officials added additional states to the list of locations impacted by an outbreak of foodborne illness tied to iceberg lettuce. The CDC urged consumers to check their refrigerators and discard any recalled lettuce products. The outbreak has sickened dozens of people across multiple states, though no deaths have been reported.