Category: 8. Health

  • Sunscreen and skin cancer: Brown University dermatologist answers the burning questions

    Sunscreen and skin cancer: Brown University dermatologist answers the burning questions

    PROVIDENCE, R.I. [Brown University] — Sunscreen should be simple: Apply it properly, and it will do its job shielding skin from the sun’s damaging rays. Yet despite the fact that sunscreen has enjoyed popularity for decades — and that it’s recommended for universal use by the American Academy of Dermatology — it is often misunderstood and misused.

    Dr. Elnaz Firoz, an associate professor of dermatology, clinician educator, at Brown University’s Warren Alpert Medical School, and medical director of dermatology at Miriam Hospital in Providence, said she spots dozens of sunscreen use mistakes every time she goes to the beach.

    “I’m always so shocked at the practices that I see,” Firoz said. “It makes me wonder how we can get more information out to people about how to use sunscreen.”

    One way to educate people about sun protection is to connect them with dermatologists. Firoz is one of several Brown-affiliated faculty members who participate in free skin cancer screenings, including at the Amal Clinic at Clínica Esperanza, the Rhode Island Free Clinic and a series of skin check events held at Rhode Island beaches in partnership with the Rhode Island Department of Health.

    In this Q&A, Firoz shares sun protection advice and addresses myths about the dangers of sunscreen.

    Q: What are the biggest mistakes people make when it comes to using sunscreen?

    It’s very common for people at the beach to use aerosol bottles of “invisible” chemical sunscreen. Most of the product ends up getting sprayed into the air instead of on the skin, thereby providing less coverage than intended. People will also use the spray sunscreen on faces, where it can get in the eyes, nose and mouth, and cause stinging or a terrible aftertaste. I understand that the spray version is convenient, but it can be difficult to use it in a way that provides adequate protection.

    Q: What type of sunscreen do you recommend?

    I advise my patients to find a broad-spectrum — meaning it protects against both UVA and UVB sun rays — mineral sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30. There are two main product formulations: mineral sunscreens, which have ingredients like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide that sit on the top layer of your skin and block and reflect UV rays; and chemical sunscreens, which sink into your skin and act like sponges, absorbing the sun’s UV rays. Chemical sunscreens are somewhat less photostable than mineral sunscreens, which means they degrade over time slightly more quickly as they are exposed to UV radiation.

    I’m a big fan of mineral sunscreen lotion, which is not only broad-spectrum but also safe, and lasts longer both in and out of the water. Mineral formulations tend to be thicker and some may leave a whitish cast on the skin, but technology has advanced to the point that there are now tinted and untinted mineral sunscreens that go on quite easily. 

    Q: In your practice, what implications for patients do you see as a result of not wearing sunscreen?

    The main reason to use sunscreen is to prevent skin cancer. All types of skin cancer, including basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma, are unfortunately on the rise. Melanoma is especially worrisome because it can metastasize if not caught early and become fatal, which is why we urge people to get skin checks. Squamous cell carcinoma can also be fatal (albeit rarely), particularly in patients who are elderly or immunocompromised. 

    UV radiation is a carcinogen — we know that to be 100% true. Each person is going to withstand that carcinogen differently based on their genetics and behavioral practices. And there are, of course, subtypes of melanoma that are not related to the sun. But I tell patients that generally speaking, their risk for skin cancer will be lower if they practice sun safe behaviors, which includes wearing sunscreen. Wearing sunscreen also slows the process of sun damage to the skin. 

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  • Breakthrough? A simple blood test could spot cancer 3 years early, study suggests

    Breakthrough? A simple blood test could spot cancer 3 years early, study suggests

    NEW DELHI: Imagine a routine blood donation quietly holding evidence of a future cancer diagnosis. A recent study published in Cancer Discovery suggests that could soon be a reality: scientists have found cancer-linked DNA mutations in blood plasma collected years before patients showed any signs of disease.In a groundbreaking analysis, Dr Yuxuan Wang and her team at Johns Hopkins University examined plasma samples donated as part of an unrelated study decades ago. By analyzing free-floating DNA fragments, the genetic leftovers from dying cells, they were able to spot warning signs of cancer as far back as 3.5 years before diagnosis, the recent study published on May 22 in the journal Cancer Discovery mentioned.

    Cancer is curable if detected early: Signs to pay attention to

    “It’s an important step toward preclinical cancer detection,” said Catherine Alix-Panabières, a cancer researcher not involved in the study. “Earlier detection typically means better outcomes.”The research focused on 52 people: 26 who developed cancer within six months of donating blood, and 26 who remained cancer-free for at least 17 years. In seven of the cancer patients’ samples, researchers detected common cancer mutations, and in two cases, those same mutations were already present years before any tumors were found.The team dove deeper, sequencing DNA from earlier samples and comparing them to the patients’ white blood cells. In three cases, they uncovered dozens of unique genetic mutations, all hinting at cancer in its earliest molecular form.These findings, though early, shine a spotlight on blood plasma as a potential early-warning system, a kind of molecular time machine. The cancers detected ranged from breast and colon to pancreatic and liver, though some types, like brain cancer, remain elusive due to biological barriers like the blood-brain barrier.Still, it’s not all breakthroughs and optimism.“We didn’t find any mutations in 18 out of 26 cancer patients,” Dr Wang admitted, pointing to the need for larger plasma samples and better detection tools. Cost is another barrier; identifying personalized mutations through DNA sequencing can cost hundreds to thousands of dollars per patient.While full-scale clinical use may be 5–10 years away, experts are cautiously hopeful. With larger trials and stricter ethical guidelines, such tests might one day become routine for high-risk groups, giving doctors a head start before cancer gets one.For now, the study offers a glimpse into a future where a simple blood draw could change the story of cancer, long before the first symptom ever appears.


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  • Artemisinin and partner drug resistance markers in Plasmodium falciparum from Tanzanian paediatric malaria patients, 2016–2022 | Malaria Journal

    Artemisinin and partner drug resistance markers in Plasmodium falciparum from Tanzanian paediatric malaria patients, 2016–2022 | Malaria Journal

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  • Ancient DNA reveals rare leprosy strain in the Americas thousands of years before European contact

    Ancient DNA reveals rare leprosy strain in the Americas thousands of years before European contact

    In a discovery that overturns old suppositions about the origin of leprosy, researchers have recovered two extremely well-preserved genomes of Mycobacterium lepromatosis—a rare and severe form of bacteria that causes Hansen’s disease—from 4,000-year-old Chilean human skeletons. The finding is the first ancient genetic evidence of this form of leprosy in the Americas and suggests that the disease emerged on the continent independently, centuries before the arrival of Europeans.

    Cranium of a leper, showing deformed eye sockets, nose, jaw, and chin. On display at the Ribes Vikinger Museum, Denmark. Credit: Cnyborg / CC BY-SA 3.0

    The skeletons, unearthed at Chile’s Atacama Desert archaeological sites of El Cerrito and La Herradura, belonged to two adult males who lived around 2000 BCE. The skeletons bore signs of leprosy, such as widened nasal cavities and thickening of the hand bones. When scientists studied the skeletons, they were surprised to find highly intact M. lepromatosis genomes, with better DNA preservation than in many modern samples.

    While Mycobacterium leprae has long been known to be the dominant cause of Hansen’s disease—and is found in archaeological remains all over Europe and Asia dating back 5,000 years—M. lepromatosis was only identified in 2008 and is still rare today. This form of leprosy is associated with the most severe manifestations of the disease, such as diffuse lepromatous leprosy (DLL) and the potentially fatal Lucio’s phenomenon.

    The two recovered genomes indicate that M. lepromatosis split from M. leprae approximately 26,800 years ago, with the American lineages diverging around 12,600 years ago—presumably coinciding with early human migration into South America. Importantly, the ancient Chilean strain has 94 unique mutations not found in modern genomes, suggesting long-standing isolated evolution.

    Ancient DNA reveals rare leprosy strain in the Americas thousands of years before European contact
    Children sitting beside a collection of human remains at Paco Leper Cemetery, Manila, Philippines. Credit: National Museum of Health and Medicine / CC BY 2.0

    This deep divergence means that Hansen’s disease did not arrive with European colonists to the Americas, as previously believed, but perhaps originated or was independently introduced much earlier. “So far, the evidence points in the direction of an American origin,” said Kirsten Bos, group leader for Molecular Paleopathology at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, “but we’ll need more genomes from other time periods and contexts to be sure.”

    The study also raises broader questions about disease evolution and the limitations of our historical knowledge.

    Today, M. lepromatosis remains rare, largely confined to Mexico and the Caribbean, but it has also been found in red squirrels in Ireland and the UK, highlighting possible zoonotic transmission routes. Although new cases are limited, finding it in ancient Chile provides evidence that the pathogen also circulated more widely and might have played a significant role in pre-Columbian health.

    This finding showcases the ability of ancient DNA studies to reveal the lost epidemics of the past—pathogens that shaped civilizations and disappeared without a trace, until now.

    More information: Ramirez, D. A., Sitter, T. L., Översti, S., Herrera-Soto, M. J., Pastor, N., Fontana-Silva, O. E., … Bos, K. I. (2025). 4,000-year-old Mycobacterium lepromatosis genomes from Chile reveal long establishment of Hansen’s disease in the Americas. Nature Ecology & Evolution. doi:10.1038/s41559-025-02771-y


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  • Ancient DNA reveals rare leprosy strain in the Americas thousands of years before European contact

    Ancient DNA reveals rare leprosy strain in the Americas thousands of years before European contact

    In a discovery that overturns old suppositions about the origin of leprosy, researchers have recovered two extremely well-preserved genomes of Mycobacterium lepromatosis—a rare and severe form of bacteria that causes Hansen’s disease—from 4,000-year-old Chilean human skeletons. The finding is the first ancient genetic evidence of this form of leprosy in the Americas and suggests that the disease emerged on the continent independently, centuries before the arrival of Europeans.

    Cranium of a leper, showing deformed eye sockets, nose, jaw, and chin. On display at the Ribes Vikinger Museum, Denmark. Credit: Cnyborg / CC BY-SA 3.0

    The skeletons, unearthed at Chile’s Atacama Desert archaeological sites of El Cerrito and La Herradura, belonged to two adult males who lived around 2000 BCE. The skeletons bore signs of leprosy, such as widened nasal cavities and thickening of the hand bones. When scientists studied the skeletons, they were surprised to find highly intact M. lepromatosis genomes, with better DNA preservation than in many modern samples.

    While Mycobacterium leprae has long been known to be the dominant cause of Hansen’s disease—and is found in archaeological remains all over Europe and Asia dating back 5,000 years—M. lepromatosis was only identified in 2008 and is still rare today. This form of leprosy is associated with the most severe manifestations of the disease, such as diffuse lepromatous leprosy (DLL) and the potentially fatal Lucio’s phenomenon.

    The two recovered genomes indicate that M. lepromatosis split from M. leprae approximately 26,800 years ago, with the American lineages diverging around 12,600 years ago—presumably coinciding with early human migration into South America. Importantly, the ancient Chilean strain has 94 unique mutations not found in modern genomes, suggesting long-standing isolated evolution.

    Ancient DNA reveals rare leprosy strain in the Americas thousands of years before European contact
    Children sitting beside a collection of human remains at Paco Leper Cemetery, Manila, Philippines. Credit: National Museum of Health and Medicine / CC BY 2.0

    This deep divergence means that Hansen’s disease did not arrive with European colonists to the Americas, as previously believed, but perhaps originated or was independently introduced much earlier. “So far, the evidence points in the direction of an American origin,” said Kirsten Bos, group leader for Molecular Paleopathology at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, “but we’ll need more genomes from other time periods and contexts to be sure.”

    The study also raises broader questions about disease evolution and the limitations of our historical knowledge.

    Today, M. lepromatosis remains rare, largely confined to Mexico and the Caribbean, but it has also been found in red squirrels in Ireland and the UK, highlighting possible zoonotic transmission routes. Although new cases are limited, finding it in ancient Chile provides evidence that the pathogen also circulated more widely and might have played a significant role in pre-Columbian health.

    This finding showcases the ability of ancient DNA studies to reveal the lost epidemics of the past—pathogens that shaped civilizations and disappeared without a trace, until now.

    More information: Ramirez, D. A., Sitter, T. L., Översti, S., Herrera-Soto, M. J., Pastor, N., Fontana-Silva, O. E., … Bos, K. I. (2025). 4,000-year-old Mycobacterium lepromatosis genomes from Chile reveal long establishment of Hansen’s disease in the Americas. Nature Ecology & Evolution. doi:10.1038/s41559-025-02771-y


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  • Family therapy breakthrough eases childhood anxiety – study

    Family therapy breakthrough eases childhood anxiety – study

    Involving parents in therapy helps children with anxiety and depression feel safer, communicate better, and recover more quickly, a new study shows.

    Levels of anxiety and depression in children have soared globally since the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving many parents grappling with feelings of helplessness. But fresh research from Murdoch University offers renewed hope: when therapy includes parents and caregivers, it can make a profound difference.

    The study, led by Dr Kim Lee Kho, tested the efficacy of Behaviour Exchange and Systems Therapy – Foundations (BEST-F) in the treatment plans of children aged 3-11. This involved a family-based approach where the parent-child relationship was a primary focus. 

    BEST-F was developed in Melbourne and Perth by a team of researchers including Dr Kho’s primary supervisor Professor Andrew Lewis. 

    Dr Kho said results of her study showed this approach had a large influence on reducing how often a child internalised symptoms of depression and anxiety. 

    Supervisor and co-author Dr Renita Almeida said the psychological distress experienced by both children and caregivers globally supported the need for the research.

    “We know that children are embedded within many systems, and the family system is of prime importance,” Dr Almeida said.

    “There is substantial evidence that caregiving and family environmental factors have an impact on the transmission of depression and anxiety – what this also means is that the family base is full of potential to enable change, and that families can have a significant role in supporting a child’s affect regulation.” 

    A critical element of the study was the safety and trust that parental participants felt within the therapy setting – fostered by empathy, care, and understanding for their unique situations. 

    One parent who was quoted in the study said BEST-F therapy transformed the way they communicated with their family and the world around them, which also impacted the way their child communicated.

    “I felt heard and seen by you [therapist] when we talked about what I’ve experienced in the past. I felt safe and that changed everything for me, and my family could tell the difference too.”  

    In turn, the participant’s child mirrored that sense of safety and felt encouraged to open up about their own feelings.

    “I feel it’s safe talking about it here… now I can tell mum when I am upset if something happens at school or with dad.” 

    Dr Almeida said the key finding was that as improvements occurred across various parts of the family system, the changes continued to unfold into further improvements, as observed at follow-ups.

    “Evaluation studies of Behaviour Exchange and Systems Therapy demonstrate that when you engage the whole family system in the therapeutic intervention, improvements are seen not only in the child’s mental health, but also in the parent’s mental health and family functioning,” she said.

    Dr Kho said these results could influence the future of the treatment of childhood depression and anxiety.

    “We are hoping that the results of this study motivate a larger clinical trial in the near future with the vision of potentially being offered as an intervention option in the community,” she said. 

    The original version of this story first appeared in a media release from Murdoch University.

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  • AI-Driven CGM Insights Improved Glycemic Control

    AI-Driven CGM Insights Improved Glycemic Control

    With the help of artificial intelligence, daily continuous glucose monitor (CGM) insights resulted in significant improvements in glycemic control, according to an abstract presented at the American Diabetes Association 85th Scientific Sessions, held in Chicago, Illinois, from June 20-23, 2025.1

    “A shortage of diabetes specialists, uneven distribution of medical resources, low adherence to medications, and improper self-management contribute to poor glycemic control in patients with diabetes,” wrote authors of a study published in Cell Reports Medicine.2 “Recent advancements in digital health technologies, especially artificial intelligence (AI), provide a significant opportunity to achieve better efficiency in diabetes care, which may diminish the increase in diabetes-related health care expenditures.”

    Among all of the advancements in health care, one of the more notable developments has been AI’s integration within CGMs. With previous evidence showing a significant opportunity to combine AI with CGM technology, researchers and providers alike are trying to better understand how the 2 technologies can be leveraged in diabetes management.

    Studies have gradually shown progress and integration of AI-powered technology within approaches to optimizing diabetes care. | image credit: Olga Gorkun / stock.adobe.com

    READ MORE: Pharmacist Integration in Health Care Team Improves Patient Access, Outcomes | ADA 2025

    With AI on the cusp of advancing health care to places it has never been before, researchers of the current study wanted to better understand the effectiveness of AI within the diabetes and CGM spaces.

    “AI-powered diabetes management platforms integrating CGM technology represent a promising advancement in health care,” wrote authors of the abstract.1 “This study evaluates the effectiveness of AI-integrated SDRMP platform in improving glycemic control.”

    By including AI-driven solutions and insights within each patients’ diabetes care regimen, researchers also provided interventions for all participants through the SDRMP platform, or the SugarFit Diabetes Reversal and Management Program. The platform “integrates dietary changes, physical activity, and continuous support, evaluating its effectiveness in improving health outcomes,” according to authors of a study published in the International Journal of Diabetes and Technology.3

    Using this program, researchers of the current study aimed to understand AI’s capabilities in meshing with CGM technology and improving patients’ diabetes outcomes.1

    To understand the effectiveness of an AI-powered CGM, researchers conducted a 100-day retrospective study assessing the impact of personalized interventions for glycemic control. They recorded patients’ time in range (TIR), time below range (TBR), and time above range (TAR) using the CGM. Researchers also recorded patients’ HbA1c, fasting blood sugar (FBS), and weight.

    The final analysis included a total of 1752 patients (77.5% men; mean age, 50.22 years). Finally, all participants gave their measurements at the start of the study period and were re-evaluated after an average of 100 days.

    The most significant changes in glycemic control were identified in patients’ TBR, TAR, and TIR. Indeed, TBR decreased from 7.46 to 5.34, while TAR decreased from 49.89 to 45.33. TIR increased from 45.74 to 49.31. Finally, researchers uncovered reductions in weight, HbA1c, and FBS.

    “Previous studies have shown that applying AI in diabetes management involves all aspects of disease control, including prediction, prevention, screening, diagnosis, and treatment,” continued authors of the Cell Reports Medicine study.2 “Integrating AI into clinical practice care could shift diabetes care toward precision, penetration, prediction, and personalization.”

    AI within health care, and society as a whole, may be at its beginning stages. However, studies have gradually shown progress and integration of AI-powered technology within approaches to optimizing diabetes care. As diabetes becomes more prevalent worldwide, researchers continue to find better ways to adapt technology and streamline valued care for patients.

    “Daily CGM trend-associated insights with intervention led to significant improvements in glycemic control, evident in substantial improvements in TIR, TBR, TAR, HbA1c, FBS, and weight, highlighting its effectiveness in optimizing metabolic outcomes and diabetes management,” concluded authors of the abstract.1

    Read more from our coverage of the ADA’s 85th Scientific Sessions.

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    References
    1. Kumar S, Raymond AM, Sequeira A, et al. Real-world impact of AI-driven CGM platform on glycemic status in type 2 diabetes—a retrospective study. Presented at: American Diabetes Association 85th Scientific Sessions; June 20-23, 2025; Chicago, IL.
    2. Guan Z, Li H, Liu R, et al. Artificial intelligence in diabetes management: advancements, opportunities, and challenges. Cell Rep Med. 2023 Oct 17;4(10):101213. doi: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2023.101213. Epub 2023 Oct 2.
    3. DTechCon abstracts 2025. Int J Diabetes Technol. 4(Suppl 2):p S8-S22, June 2025. doi: 10.4103/ijdt.ijdt_20_25

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  • Breakthrough study reveals killing power of CD4 T cells against cancer

    Breakthrough study reveals killing power of CD4 T cells against cancer

    In the fight against cancer, immunotherapy – which aims to boost the body’s natural defences against cancer – is experiencing remarkable growth. Most of these treatments are based on CD8 T lymphocytes, ”killer cells” able to eliminate diseased cells. A team from the University of Geneva (UNIGE) has explored an alternative approach involving CD4 T lymphocytes. Long considered mere auxiliary cells, their therapeutic potential has been considered of secondary importance. But the scientists have discovered that they also have strong killing capacity, while continuing to support other immune cells. Using cell engineering technologies, the team reprogrammed the cells to target a tumour marker found in many cancers, both in adults and children. These results, published in the journal Science Advances, offer hope for a faster therapeutic strategy that could benefit a greater number of patients.

    Traditionally considered as auxiliary cells, CD4 T cells produce molecules to support the action of other immune cells by facilitating their functions, migration or proliferation in the organism. Recent work by Camilla Jandus, Assistant Professor in the Department of Pathology and Immunology, in the Centre for Inflammation Research and in the Translational Research Centre in Onco-haematology at the UNIGE Faculty of Medicine, shows that they have been vastly underestimated.

    In collaboration with the CHUV-UNIL Oncology Department and the Lausanne Branch of the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, UNIGE scientists studied the molecular characteristics of CD4 T lymphocytes isolated from melanoma patients (a skin cancer). They identified that a unique subset of these cells bears a T cell receptor (TCR) capable of efficiently recognising an antigen specific to tumour cells: NY-ESO-1. This TCR was then isolated and artificially expressed in other CD4 T cells.

    We then evaluated the effectiveness of these engineered cells against cancer cells, both in vitro and in animal models. The results are impressive: they effectively target not only melanoma, but also lung, ovarian, sarcoma and brain cancers, while sparing healthy cells. This demonstrates that TCR-modified CD4 T cells can attack tumours directly, in addition to their auxiliary role”.


    Camilla Jandus, Assistant Professor in the Department of Pathology and Immunology, UNIGE Faculty of Medicine

    The major advantage of a widespread allele

    The HLA system is a set of genes responsible for immune recognition. Everyone inherits different versions of these genes, known as alleles. ”They code for cell surface proteins, HLA molecules, which enable the T cells to distinguish healthy cells from pathogen infected or malignant cells,” explains Camilla Jandus. ”The effectiveness of T cell-based therapies depends on whether the patient carries the specific HLA allele that presents the tumour antigen. The NY-ESO-1 antigen, recognised by our TCR, is presented by a widespread allele, found in about half the Caucasian population, compared to only 10 to 15% for other HLA alleles. This dramatically expands the pool of patients who could benefit, especially since the targeted antigen is expressed in many types of cancer”.

    Hope for adults and children with cancers

    Camilla Jandus’ team is currently preparing a clinical trial of TCR-engineered CD4-based cell therapy. The trial will include different types of cancer expressing NY-ESO-1. First, a HLA test will verify the presence of the appropriate HLA allele, and then tumours will be analysed to confirm expression of NY-ESO-1. The CD4 T cells will then be harvested, modified in the laboratory to express the TCR, multiplied and reinjected into the patient.

    But Camilla Jandus envisages a further step: the creation of a bank of ready-to-use TCR engineered immune cells from healthy donors, matched to avoid rejection, which would save precious time, especially in the case of aggressive cancers. This strategy could also pave the way for treatments for cancers that are currently incurable, particularly in children. The first in vitro tests on paediatric neuroblastomas are indeed promising.

    This research was supported by the ISREC Foundation, as part of the ISREC Tandem programme and the Fondazione San Salvatore.

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  • Vaccination plays key role in preventing cardiovascular events after infection

    Vaccination plays key role in preventing cardiovascular events after infection

    Today, a new ESC Clinical Consensus Statement published in the European Heart Journal discusses the key role of vaccination in preventing cardiovascular events following various viral and bacterial infections.

    We have known for many years that influenza can increase the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events such as heart attacks and can exacerbate heart failure. More recently, evidence suggests that other respiratory infections are also associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The new publication describes how vaccinations not only prevent infections but also reduce the risk of cardiovascular events, particularly in susceptible individuals.”


     Professor Thomas F. Lüscher, ESC President and senior author of the ESC Clinical Consensus Statement

    The ESC Clinical Consensus Statement describes data on the risk of cardiovascular complications following infections such as pneumococcal pneumonia, influenza, SARS-CoV-2 and respiratory syncytial virus, among others, and describes the inflammatory mechanisms that may be responsible. Evidence is then summarised for the beneficial effects of vaccines in reducing cardiovascular events following various viral and bacterial infections, particularly in at-risk patient groups. Clinical practice guidelines from the ESC and from the American College of Cardiology (ACC)/American Heart Association (AHA) are presented, which advocate for vaccination against influenza and other widespread infections in patients with chronic coronary syndromes (including coronary artery disease) and in those with heart failure.

    Serious adverse reactions to vaccinations are very rare. The consensus statement also discusses the risks of cardiovascular adverse events after vaccination, such as myocarditis, and describes appropriate management strategies. Then follows advice on which vaccines should be given to patients with cardiovascular diseases and how often. Vaccination of pregnant women and other vulnerable patient groups, such as those with congenital heart disease and heart transplantation, is considered.

    Professor Lüscher concluded: “Prevention is crucial for reducing the considerable burden of cardiovascular disease. The totality of the evidence indicates that vaccinations should become a foundational pillar of preventive strategies alongside other established measures.”

    Source:

    European Society of Cardiology (ESC)

    Journal reference:

    Heidecker, B., et al. (2025). Vaccination as a new form of cardiovascular prevention: a European Society of Cardiology clinical consensus statement. European Heart Journal. doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/ehaf384.

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  • Next-gen blood test could make NHS screening programme viable

    Next-gen blood test could make NHS screening programme viable

    Real-world study demonstrates next-gen EpiSwitch PSE blood test safely reduces unnecessary biopsies by up to 79% while accurately detecting prostate cancer.

    A real-world study published high-impact journal Cancers demonstrates the transformative potential of a next-generation prostate cancer blood test developed in the UK to accurately detect more cases of early prostate cancer, while potentially drastically reducing the cost needed to implement a UK-wide screening program.

    Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men in the UK, yet there is no national screening program due to traditional testing relying on an initial prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test, which is not an accurate indicator of prostate cancer by itself.

    Approximately 3 in 4 men with a high PSA level do not have cancer, according to Prostate Cancer Research. As a result, many healthy men undergo unnecessary medical scans, invasive procedures, and, in some cases, even overtreatment, leading to  significant anxiety and burden for patients, while also straining healthcare resources.

    Dr. Garrett Pohlman, MD, Urologist at Kearney Urology Center and lead author of the study said: “The results we have seen by integrating EpiSwitch PSE have been transformative. These findings show that a routine blood test can enable us to safely avoid biopsies in up to a staggering 79% of patients with an elevated PSA without compromising diagnosis. This is a major advancement that helps our patients benefit from reduced anxiety and the avoidance of unnecessary, costly medical procedures.”

    By integrating EpiSwitch PSE into clinical practice, the healthcare system could achieve significant savings. The study found that among 187 patients, the PSE test potentially avoided 97 unnecessary prostate biopsies and 95 MRIs in this group alone.

    This translates into an estimated cost saving of over 170,000 GBP (230,000 USD), or almost 1,000 GBP per patient, accounting for reduced subsequent procedures, MRI scans, and occasional downstream complications due to risks from prostate biopsies. Fewer MRI scans also reduce the need for substantial government investment in additional imaging infrastructure.

    When expanded to the national level, the health-economic impact of incorporating PSE into a screening workflow could be substantial according to the study. In the US, the authors estimates that PSE has the potential to conservatively help avoid up to 593,000 prostate biopsies per year, with the economic benefit approaching 2 billion USD annually.

    Oliver Kemp, MBE, Chief Executive Officer of UK charity Prostate Cancer Research, said: “This study shows how smarter testing can save millions while improving care for patients. Reducing unnecessary biopsies and scans means less stress for men and more capacity in the system.”

    The innovation behind EpiSwitch PSE originates from a British company, Oxford BioDynamics (OBD), in collaboration with leading researchers and clinicians at the Imperial NHS Trust, Imperial College London, and the University of East Anglia.

    Dr. Alexandre Akoulitchev, MA, PhD, FRSM, Chief Scientific Officer at Oxford BioDynamics, said: “This study builds on our earlier robust clinical validation work which demonstrated the application of EpiSwitch PSE as a precise, minimally invasive test that empowers clinicians and patients with clarity, reduced patient risk, and improved outcomes, while easing the pressure on the diagnostic pathway.”

    Given these health and economic outcomes, Oxford BioDynamics says that EpiSwitch PSE is poised to ‘set a new standard’ and streamline prostate cancer diagnosis and management strategies in the US, where it is routinely reimbursed by Medicare, and the UK, where it is currently widely available to private patients and reimbursed by Bupa Health Insurance.

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