Here is your latest research news for April, 2022. Stay up to date on monthly research updates with us! Sanguine is currently recruiting for 51 research studies. Check out the latest Sanguine studies here.
COVID-19 Research Shows Promise: COVID-19 research has opened the door for research into many other conditions. An mRNA vaccine may potentially be effective in protecting in conditions like influenza, HIV, Zika, RSV, and rabies. mRNA may also help treat conditions like cancer, cystic fibrosis, and other rare disorders in the future.
Diabetes Research: New research has shown that treatment of type 2 diabetes may be possible without the use of drugs. In an animal study, researchers found that a few minutes of focused ultrasound helped maintain normal blood glucose levels.
Precision Treatment for High Blood Pressure: Researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham are studying obese patients who experience high blood pressure at nighttime. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute has granted $3.7 million “to study whether increasing natriuretic peptide levels using FDA-approved drugs at nighttime will help improve the nighttime blood pressure in obese individuals.”
Sickle Cell Disease Research News Updates
Music Therapy for Sickle Cell Treatment: An experiment shows that music therapy may be successful and helping sickle cell patients cope with pain. The study, conducted at University Hospitals Connor Whole Health, involved a six-part music therapy intervention and showed a decrease in sleep disturbances and an improvement in self-efficacy and social function.
Hemopexin for SCD: In animal studies, a naturally-occurring protein called hemopexin safely reduced signed of sickle cell crises, or VOCs in animal subjects. CSL Behring is also conducting a Phase 1 clinical trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a form of hemopexin for sickle cell treatment.
Racism in Sickle Cell Care: Sickle cell disease most commonly affects black people. Systemic racism plays a role in the treatment of sickle cell disease. Moreover, there seems to be lack of knowledge regarding sickle cell and sickle cell treatment in the medical world. Sickle cell awareness and community initiatives may help overcome the flaws in the system.
Lupus Research News Updates
Lupus and Microbiome: Researchers have found that there may be a correlation between gut microbiome and lupus. Lupus SLE patients were found to have an imbalanced gut microbiota compared to healthy individuals with a decrease in beneficial bacteria and an increase in harmful bacteria.
Tacrolimus for Lupus Nephritis: A Chinese clinical trial shows that Tacrolimus may be an effective treatment for lupus nephritis. The study findings suggest that the treatment may be used in clinical practice.
Iberdomide for Lupus SLE: A Phase 2 clinical trial evaluates iberdomide as a treatment for lupus LSE. At 24 weeks, a higher percentage of patients experienced a reduction in SLE disease activity than those who received the placebo. Larger and longer clinical trials are needed to test the safety of iberdomide.
By: Neelem Sheikh