Category: 8. Health

Researchers at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden said they have identified 18 new potential protein drug targets to treat multiple sclerosis (MS) using an integrative analytical approach.

A drug target is a molecule, typically a protein, within the body that’s often involved in disease processes. Some of the newly discovered proteins are targeted by existing non-MS drugs, suggesting these therapies may be repurposed to treat MS.

The discovery was reported in the study, “Multiomics integration prioritizes potential drug targets for multiple sclerosis,” published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

“Our results demonstrate significant potential for both the discovery of new drugs and the repurposing of existing ones,” Yuan Jiang, a PhD candidate at the Karolinska Institute and the study’s first author, said in a university news story.

MS is marked by inflammatory damage to healthy parts of the brain and spinal cord. While several disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) are available to manage the disease by reducing the frequency and severity of relapses and delaying disability progression, more effective therapies are needed, especially for people with progressive forms of MS.

Identifying proteins, looking for roles in MS

“Continuous exploration of drug discovery, development, and repurposing has become increasingly crucial for improving both the efficacy and the safety of MS treatment,” the researchers wrote.

To identify candidate proteins linked to MS, the Karolinska researchers first conducted a proteome-wide association study (PWAS), a method that looks for relationships between protein levels in the blood and brain and MS susceptibility. Here, 100 proteins in the blood and 212 proteins in brain tissue had levels that were significantly associated with MS susceptibility.

A technique called summary-data-based Mendelian randomization was then used to determine whether any of the proteins identified by PWAS played a causal role in MS. Overall, nine blood and nine brain proteins were considered causal and thus potential drug targets.

Among the blood proteins, CR1 and WARS were associated with an increased risk of MS, whereas TNFRSF1A, FCRL3, TYMP, PGLYRP1, CD59, IDUA, and ARHGAP1 were linked with a reduced risk of MS. In the brain, HLA-B, ZC2HC1A, HMGCL, TSFM, FAM120B, TRAF3, and MTHFR were tied to an increased risk of MS, while ICA1L and AUH were associated with a decreased MS risk.

Further experiments revealed that blood proteins were mostly produced by immune cells involved in MS, while brain proteins were mostly sourced to nerve cells and other supportive brain cells such as oligodendrocytes, the cells that produces myelin in the brain and spinal cord, astrocytes, and blood vessel cells.

A subsequent analysis found that five of the nine blood drug targets interacted with 19 known targets of 10 approved MS medications. Likewise, two of the nine brain drug targets interacted with five known drug targets of six MS therapies.

Four of the blood-based targets and two brain-based targets were also targeted by 16 existing drugs not used in MS, “suggesting potential opportunities for drug repurposing,” the team wrote.

“By integrating large-scale … data and applying advanced statistical methods, we have been able to prioritize drug targets that may improve the treatment of MS,” Jiang said.

Vitamin D is much needed for bone health, supporting immunity, regulating mood, and inflammation– thus making it important for our overall health and well-being. Apart from getting it from foods, Vitamin D is also synthesised in the body when exposed to sunlight and hence it is also called the “sunshine vitamin”. However, a large number of people across the world suffer from Vitamin D deficiency, often without even knowing it. This deficiency is mainly due to poor diets and limited sun exposure, and it can lead to more than just fatigue or low mood— it’s been linked to several serious health issues, some of which can be long-term or even life-threatening if ignored. Here we list some serious diseases Vitamin D deficiency can cause:

For years, scientists have believed that inflammation inevitably increases with age, quietly fuelling diseases like heart disease, dementia and diabetes. But a new study of Indigenous populations challenges that idea and could reshape how we think about ageing itself.

For decades, scientists have identified chronic low-level inflammation – called “inflammaging” – as one of the primary drivers of age-related diseases. Think of it as your body’s immune system stuck in overdrive – constantly fighting battles that don’t exist, gradually wearing down organs and systems.

But inflammaging might not be a universal feature of ageing after all. Instead, it could be a byproduct of how we live in modern society.

The research, published in Nature Aging, compared patterns of inflammation in four very different communities around the world. Two groups were from modern, industrialised societies – older adults living in Italy and Singapore.

The other two were Indigenous communities who live more traditional lifestyles: the Tsimane people of the Bolivian Amazon and the Orang Asli in the forests of Malaysia.

The researchers analysed blood samples from more than 2,800 people, looking at a wide range of inflammatory molecules, known as cytokines. Their goal was to find out whether a pattern seen in earlier studies – where certain signs of inflammation rise with age and are linked to disease – also appears in other parts of the world.

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The answer, it turns out, is both yes and no.

Among the Italian and Singaporean participants, the researchers found a fairly consistent inflammaging pattern. As people aged, levels of inflammatory markers in the blood, such as C-reactive protein and tumour necrosis factor, rose together. Higher levels were linked to a greater risk of chronic diseases including kidney disease and heart disease.

But in the Tsimane and Orang Asli populations, the inflammaging pattern was absent. The same inflammatory molecules did not rise consistently with age, and they were not strongly linked to age-related diseases.

In fact, among the Tsimane, who face high rates of infections from parasites and other pathogens, inflammation levels were often elevated. Yet this did not lead to the same rates of chronic diseases that are common in industrialised nations.

Despite high inflammatory markers, the Tsimane experience very low rates of conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and dementia.

Inflammaging may not be universal

These results raise important questions. One possibility is that inflammaging, at least as measured through these blood signals, is not a universal biological feature of ageing. Instead, it may arise in societies marked by high-calorie diets, low physical activity and reduced exposure to infections.

In other words, chronic inflammation linked to ageing and disease might not simply result from an inevitable biological process, but rather from a mismatch between our ancient physiology and the modern environment.

The study suggests that in communities with more traditional lifestyles – where people are more active, eat differently and are exposed to more infections – the immune system may work in a different way. In these groups, higher levels of inflammation might be a normal, healthy response to their environment, rather than a sign that the body is breaking down with age.

Another possibility is that inflammaging may still occur in all humans, but it might appear in different ways that are not captured by measuring inflammatory molecules in the blood. It could be happening at a cellular or tissue level, where it remains invisible to the blood tests used in this research.

Why this matters

If these findings are confirmed, they could have significant consequences.

First, they challenge how we diagnose and treat chronic inflammation in ageing. Biomarkers used to define inflammaging in European or Asian populations might not apply in other settings, or even among all groups within industrialised nations.

Second, they suggest that lifestyle interventions aimed at lowering chronic inflammation, such as exercise, changes in diet, or drugs targeting specific inflammatory molecules, might have different effects in different populations. What works for people living in cities might be unnecessary, or even ineffective, in those living traditional lifestyles.

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Finally, this research serves as an important reminder that much of our knowledge about human health and ageing comes from studies conducted in wealthy, industrialised nations. Findings from these groups cannot automatically be assumed to apply worldwide.

The researchers are clear: this study is just the beginning. They urge scientists to dig deeper, using new tools that can detect inflammation not just in the blood, but within tissues and cells where the real story of ageing may be unfolding. Just as important, they call for more inclusive research that spans the full range of human experience, not just the wealthy, urbanised corners of the world.

At the very least, this study offers an important lesson. What we thought was a universal truth about the biology of ageing might instead be a local story, shaped by our environment, lifestyle and the way we live.

Samuel J. White is an Associate Professor & Head of Projects at York St John University. Philippe B. Wilson is an Associate Pro Vice-Chancellor: Innovation and Knowledge Exchange at York St John University.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

June 2025 marks one year since Amelia and Makenzie Kahn received their first dose of Zebronkysen, a personalized treatment developed by University of Michigan, Michelle Hastings, PhD, for their specific mutation associated with juvenile Batten disease, or CLN3. So far, benefits of the drug have helped Makenzie walk farther on her own while Amelia is taking bites of food, including ice cream.

Batten disease is an inherited, fatal pediatric neurodegenerative disorder in which patients experience loss of abilities; from motor, communication and cognitive decline to vision loss. They also suffer from seizures, anxiety, pain, and systemic effects, such as feeding and breathing difficulties. Life expectancy is from the teenage years to early twenties.

The ForeBatten Foundation, a nonprofit that was founded in 2017, funds juvenile Batten disease research and support for families whose lives have been affected by the disease. In June 2024 it launched the “N-of-2” clinical trial: the first in human RNA treatment tailored to a rare mutation of CLN3. The trial is the culmination of investigational drug development efforts, from laboratory research to manufacturing to establishing a trial protocol, with UNC serving as the study site. Yael Shiloh-Malawsky, MD, a professor of neurology at the UNC School of Medicine, leads the clinical study.

This new type of personalized trial, frequently referred to as an “N-of-1” study, is a type of clinical trial that focuses on just one individual rather than a large group of people. In the case of Makenzie and Amelia, this specific treatment was created for two patients, an “N-of-2” study.

Over the past year, Zebronkysen proved in being well-tolerated and demonstrated benefit for the girls. The drug was created to help restore the function of Amelia and Makenzie’s CLN3 gene ultra rare mutation and prevent further decline.

Thriving in the face of Batten disease:

Makenzie’s Progress

A step in the right direction sparked for Makenzie. From less drowsiness to walking unassisted, profound moments were seen.

“Before the trial started one of the protocols in collecting data was to measure Makenzie’s steps as she walked for two minutes without help,” said Shiloh-Malawsky. “Before the start of the drug, she walked 22 yards and did not walk the full two minutes. Six months after receiving the treatment, she walked 48 yards.”

Dystonia can be a symptom of Batten disease. It occurs when a patient experiences involuntary muscle contractions, spasms, pain and lack of mobility. Prior to start of the trial Makenzie’s motor abilities were severely affected by dystonia, her dystonia has greatly decreased after receiving the treatment. She also regained the ability to get out of bed and to get up from the floor with no assistance, which was not possible for more than two years before starting the drug trial.

Makenzie’s energy level and stamina also improved, “Makenzie used to nap a lot and be sleepy. Now, she’s more alert and awake,” said Karen Kahn, Amelia and Makenzie’s mom.

Amelia’s Progress

Moments of joy appeared in Amelia and her smiles have become second nature.

“Before the treatment Amelia experienced sensory overload with Batten,” Karen said. “Now she tolerates noise in a restaurant and is happy. She wakes up in the morning and smiles at me.”

For the first time in about two years, Amelia started taking food and drink by mouth, like sipping water and taking bites of ice cream and yogurt. She also would normally need about two liters of oxygen to sleep at night, but now the amount has dropped to half a liter.

“Amelia also has more energy,” said Karen. “We used to use PRN rescue meds, as needed medications to help with pain, muscle spasms, and anxiety, to calm Amelia, and now we rarely need them. We still use daily medicines for the girls but not using the rescue medicines on a daily basis is a huge deal,” she said.

“We were pleasantly surprised by some of girls’ abilities appearing to come back,” said David Kahn, Amelia and Makenzie’s dad. “They didn’t last the complete three months between treatments, but there was the spike and plateau of benefits that we were very welcomed to see,” he said.

A Treatment Pathway

The girls started off receiving an intrathecal injection of 15 milligrams of Zebronkysen in June 2024. They received additional dose every three months, and the dosage was increased with a goal of seeing the progression of the disease lessen.

“After four doses, 12 months from the first dose in June 2024, we have seen an impact that is more positive than what we expected on multiple domains,” said Shiloh-Malawsky. “Our hypothesis was that restoring CLN3 protein function would stabilize this neurodegenerative disorder and prevent further decline. We did not expect to see improvement in addition to a slowing of decline, seeing improvements is more than we hoped for.”

Throughout the year researchers observed how abilities were temporarily regained after each dose. Symptoms improved in neurologic, psychological, and general health areas, like gastrointestinal issues, which became less severe. The positive effects appeared in multiple ways, like changes in mood, ability to tolerate noisy environments, a decrease in irritability and anxiety, and improved motor abilities. Importantly, no serious adverse events related to the study drug were observed. Increasing the drug dosage has led to longer-lasting benefits.

In June 2025, the girls received the target high dose of 45 milligrams. As of now, that amount will be the girls’ maintenance dose. With the higher dose the study team hopes to achieve lasting and sustained benefits. Dr. Shiloh-Malawsky says as long as the girls continue to benefit from it, they will continue to receive the high dosage every three months.

New Possibilities on the Horizon

The ForeBatten Foundation, Vanguard Clinical Rare Disease Foundation (VCRDF), a team of scientists and drug developers, and the UNC team are working to raise funding to develop treatment for other mutations that cause CLN3 Batten disease, medications that could benefit a larger patient population.

“Seeing the beneficial results from this trial puts an emphasis on the urgent need to develop similar interventions for people with other mutations in this gene of Batten disease,” said Shiloh-Malawsky.

With Zebronkysen becoming unquestionably life-changing and researchers continuing to develop individualized investigational antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs), the science is reaching new heights and potential for treating the common mutation of CLN3.

“We haven’t had any more loss of abilities while being on the drug over the last year,” said David. “That speaks to the stabilization of the decline of the disease. Zebronkysen looks very promising in our eyes.”

New York — In Gabú, Guinea-Bissau, a grandmother named N’beta hesitated. Her six-month-old grandson, Seco, was healthy, so why give him medicine? But community health workers Jamilia and Amadu gently explained that the medicine wasn’t for illness, but for protection. It was part of a seasonal malaria chemoprevention campaign designed to protect children during the worst malaria transmission months — the rainy season.

“Now I understand it’s to keep him safe,” N’beta said, watching Seco become one of 250,000 children protected in 2024 with a simple but life-saving dose.

Malaria remains a deadly threat across Africa, especially for children under five. But with support from the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and its partners are reaching the most vulnerable, particularly in hard-to-reach communities.

In Chad, 9.4 million mosquito nets were distributed using a fully digitalized system in 2023, protecting 3.5 million households. In Burundi, 1.3 million people were protected through indoor spraying in 2024. In Guinea-Bissau, malaria prevalence dropped by more than half in just three years from 2020-2023.

But malaria is only one of the threats.

In South Sudan, tuberculosis (TB) continues to claim lives, often undetected.

“Not everyone can read and interpret an X-ray report,” said Dr. Ofere Ohide, a Radiologist at Torit State Hospital. “But with new AI-assisted X-ray machines, even clinics without power or specialists can now detect TB early,” he says of the digital x-ray machines provided through the Global Fund support.

These innovations, combined with decentralized care and improved case notification, helped 92% of people with TB receive treatment in 2023, contributing to a 75% drop in TB-related deaths in South Sudan since 2015. Similarly, close to 20,000 people got cured of TB out of about 23,000 TB cases registered in 2023 representing 85% treatment success rate.

And then there’s HIV – a virus that once devastated entire generations.

In Zimbabwe, where AIDS once slashed life expectancy to 45 years, progress has been hard-won. One young woman, Princess, 17, a survivor of sexual abuse, found strength through a Global Fund-supported comprehensive sexuality education programme delivered by UNDP and partners.

“I reclaimed my voice and will use it to ensure justice for survivors of abuse,” she said, now dreaming of becoming a lawyer.

In Angola, 22-year-old Ana Alexandre became a peer educator after joining sessions on sexual and reproductive health. “I am no longer ashamed to talk about sexuality,” she shared. “My little sister can come to me and ask things… I answer normally and clearly.”

Since 2003, UNDP and the Global Fund have worked hand-in-hand with governments, civil society, and communities to end HIV, TB, and malaria, even in the most fragile settings. In Africa, countries supported by UNDP and the Global Fund include Angola, Burundi, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Guinea-Bissau, Zimbabwe, São Tomé and Príncipe, Mozambique, and South Sudan.

In 2023 alone:

1.5 million people received HIV treatment

44,000 people were treated for TB

13.1 million mosquito nets were distributed to prevent malaria