A phase 3 trial shows that glofitamab, a bispecific antibody, extends survival in patients with relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma who cannot receive a stem cell transplant. Patients who received glofitamab plus gemcitabine and oxaliplatin (GemOx) lived longer and went longer without their disease progressing than those given rituximab plus GemOx. The 274-patient STARGLO trial randomized patients two to one between the two regimens. Serious side effects were more common with glofitamab, but those patients also received substantially more treatment. Researchers say the results support glofitamab-GemOx as a standard option for this group.
A 20-year study has linked nitrites in processed meats to a higher risk of colon cancer in men, researchers reported this week. Nitrites are used to preserve bacon, ham, sausage and deli meats, and can form cancer-linked compounds when cooked at high temperatures. The study followed a large group of participants for two decades and found the strongest link among men with the highest nitrite intake; the same pattern did not appear in women. The findings add to existing guidance from the World Health Organization, which classifies processed meat as a probable cause of cancer. Experts say people do not need to eliminate processed meat but should treat it as an occasional food and consider replacing it with poultry, fish or plant proteins.
A new wearable ultrasound patch has boosted REM sleep in a clinical study, offering a drug-free way to improve sleep quality. The device is worn on the forehead and sends low-intensity ultrasound pulses into the brain, which appear to activate sleep-related circuits. Participants who wore the patch during a full night of sleep spent measurably more time in REM sleep, the stage linked to dreaming and memory, and reported waking up feeling more rested. The patch is small, light and powered by a slim battery, and no side effects were reported. The study is small and needs confirmation in larger trials, but the research team plans to test the device in patients with insomnia and other sleep conditions. Sleep disorders affect hundreds of millions of people worldwide.
A massive egg recall is expanding across the southern and southwestern United States after a salmonella outbreak linked to a major producer, officials said Monday. The recall covers millions of eggs distributed to grocery stores and food service companies in multiple states. Health officials urged consumers to check cartons for the affected brand and lot numbers and to throw away or return any eggs on the recall list. State health departments have reported dozens of illnesses, and officials expect the count to rise as the investigation continues. Salmonella infections typically cause fever, stomach cramps and diarrhea, and can be severe for young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems. The FDA is working with the producer to trace the source of the contamination.
A drug already used to treat osteoporosis blocked spinal disc damage in a new study by researchers at the University of Edinburgh. The team found that a bisphosphonate prevented minerals from accumulating in the spine, interrupting the chain reaction that causes spinal discs to harden and deteriorate. Zebrafish with a faulty collagen-related gene developed mineral buildup and spinal fusion similar to human disc disease. Spinal fusion was also reduced when the fish ate less or were treated with drugs that suppressed fat metabolism. Because bisphosphonates are already approved and widely used, they could move into clinical testing for spinal conditions more quickly than new drugs. The findings, reported in early August, suggest several possible paths for future back pain treatments.
Reports of liver injuries to US poison centers have risen nearly 400% since 2000, and acetaminophen is a top driver, according to a new analysis. Researchers reviewed more than two decades of data from poison control centers across the country. The sharp increase points to wider use of the common painkiller, which appears in hundreds of over-the-counter and prescription products. Experts say many people accidentally take too much because they combine medicines without checking labels. The study's authors call for clearer dosing instructions and better public education about the risks.
The US Food and Drug Administration has approved the first mRNA-based vaccine for influenza. The shot uses the same messenger RNA technology that proved itself during the COVID-19 pandemic. Unlike traditional flu vaccines, which are grown in eggs, mRNA vaccines are made quickly in the lab, which could allow manufacturers to match the vaccine more closely to the strains circulating each season. Experts say the approval marks a turning point for mRNA technology, which is also being tested against other viruses and even cancer. Clinical trials showed the vaccine produced a strong immune response against multiple flu strains. The approval comes as public health officials prepare for the fall flu season. Researchers say the new vaccine could make annual flu shots more effective and faster to produce in a pandemic.
Scientists have completed the first trial of a fecal transplant to treat food allergies in people, and early results are promising. The treatment, known as a fecal microbiota transplant, moves gut bacteria from a healthy donor into a patient's digestive system to change how the immune system reacts to food. In the small trial, some patients with severe allergies to foods like peanuts, eggs, or milk were able to tolerate small amounts of their trigger foods afterward. The findings, published in Nature, varied from patient to patient. Researchers caution that larger studies are needed to confirm the results and test long-term safety. Food allergies affect millions of people worldwide, and current treatments rely mostly on avoidance and emergency medicines.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Moderna's mFlusiva, the first mRNA-based vaccine for seasonal influenza. The vaccine is cleared for adults 50 and older and targets influenza A subtypes and influenza B strains. The approval followed a unanimous recommendation from the FDA's Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee. Moderna expects the shot to be available at select retailers for the 2026-2027 respiratory virus season. The decision marks the first U.S. approval of an mRNA flu vaccine and expands the use of the technology behind the COVID-19 shots. It also signals a shift in federal vaccine policy after months of delays.
A large clinical trial shows that tirzepatide, a drug already used for type 2 diabetes and weight loss, cuts the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and cardiovascular deaths. The study followed more than 13,000 adults with type 2 diabetes, many of whom had heart disease risk factors. Patients taking the drug had fewer heart attacks and strokes than those given a placebo, and the benefits appeared within months and grew over time. Researchers say weight loss explains part of the effect, but the drug also appears to act on the heart and blood vessels directly. Side effects were mostly mild and included nausea. Doctors say the results are likely to change how the drug is prescribed and could strengthen arguments for broader insurance coverage.