The discovery of cancer drugs that can reverse changes in the brain associated with Alzheimer’s disease has brought new hope to researchers. Scientists at UC San Francisco and Gladstone Institutes have identified two cancer medications, letrozole and irinotecan, which showed surprising potential in reversing Alzheimer’s symptoms.

These scientists first analyzed gene expression data from human brain cells affected by Alzheimer’s, then compared it with the effects of thousands of existing drugs on gene expression. They found that just 10 out of 1,300 drugs reversed the Alzheimer’s disease gene expression signature in one cell type or several cell types in the brain. These 10 drugs had already been approved by the FDA for use in humans.

Poring through electronic medical records housed in the UC Health Data Warehouse, which includes anonymized health information on 1.4 million people over the age of 65, the researchers found that several of these drugs seemed to have reduced the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease over time.

The team chose letrozole and irinotecan for laboratory testing, predicting one would remedy Alzheimer’s in neurons and the other would help glia. They used a mouse model of aggressive Alzheimer’s disease with multiple disease-related mutations.

When tested together, these two cancer drugs reversed multiple aspects of Alzheimer’s in the animal model, including undosable gene expression signatures in neurons and glia that had emerged as the disease progressed. The combination reduced brain degeneration, and importantly, restored memory.

The research has sparked excitement among scientists, who hope this can lead to a real solution for millions of patients with Alzheimer’s disease. A clinical trial is expected soon to directly test the combination therapy in Alzheimer’s patients.

The breakthrough was made possible by analyzing single-cell gene expression data from brain cells affected by Alzheimer’s and comparing it with existing medical records and data on thousands of drugs’ effects on gene expression.

Scientists are hopeful that this can be swiftly translated into a real solution for millions of patients with Alzheimer’s disease, offering new hope in reversing the relentless decline in cognition, learning, and memory associated with the condition.

The Pistachio Paradox: How Swapping Bedtime Snacks Can Rewire Your Gut and Help Prevent Diabetes

A third of people in the United States live with prediabetes, a condition that often progresses to Type 2 diabetes. While dietary interventions have shown promise, effective strategies remain limited. A recent study by researchers at Penn State has shed new light on how nighttime pistachio consumption can reshape the gut microbiome and potentially prevent diabetes.

Researchers led by Kristina Petersen, associate professor of nutritional sciences, found that replacing a traditional carbohydrate-based bedtime snack with pistachios can significantly alter the gut bacterial landscape in adults with prediabetes. The study, published in the journal Current Developments in Nutrition, demonstrated that consuming about two ounces of pistachios each night for 12 weeks resulted in distinct stool microbial community profiles compared to those who consumed the recommended 15 to 30 grams of a carbohydrate snack.

Specifically, researchers observed increased abundance of “good” bacteria like Roseburia and members of the Lachnospiraceae family, which produce beneficial short-chain fatty acids like butyrate. Butyrate serves as a primary energy source for colon cells, helps maintain the gut barrier, and supports anti-inflammatory processes.

Pistachio consumption also led to reductions in bacterial groups linked to less favorable metabolic outcomes, such as Blautia hydrogenotrophica and Eubacterium flavonifractor. The study’s design, a randomized crossover clinical trial, allowed researchers to better understand how specific foods like pistachios can influence the gut microbiome.

While the study demonstrated shifts in gut bacteria, it remains unclear whether these changes directly translate to improvements in health. Researchers hope to explore this question further in future research.

This study has significant implications for people working to improve their metabolic health. By incorporating pistachios into one’s bedtime snack routine, individuals may be able to reshape their gut microbiome and potentially prevent the progression of prediabetes to Type 2 diabetes.

The study was funded by the American Pistachio Growers, Penn State’s Clinical and Translational Science Institute through the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences of the National Institutes of Health, and additional support from Juniata College and the U.S. National Science Foundation.

At a time when federal funding cuts threaten research progress, studies like this one demonstrate the importance of continued investment in scientific inquiry that can improve the lives of people across the country and around the world.

The discovery of a specific gene, SDR42E1, has revolutionized our understanding of vitamin D’s role in human health. This essential nutrient is not only crucial for bone growth and immune function but also serves as a precursor to the hormone calcitriol. Now, researchers have successfully used CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing to uncover the secrets behind SDR42E1’s vital function.

Led by Dr. Georges Nemer, a professor at Hamad Bin Khalifa University in Qatar, and his team, this groundbreaking study published in Frontiers in Endocrinology reveals that SDR42E1 is instrumental in taking up vitamin D from the gut and further metabolizing it. This breakthrough has far-reaching implications for precision medicine, particularly in cancer therapy.

The researchers’ inspiration came from earlier research that linked a mutation in the SDR42E1 gene on chromosome 16 to vitamin D deficiency. By transforming the active form of SDR42E1 into its inactive form using CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing, the team observed a significant decrease in cancer cell viability, with a 53% plummet in the HCT116 line’s survival rate.

The study’s first author, Dr. Nagham Nafiz Hendi from Middle East University in Amman, Jordan, notes that these results open new avenues for precision oncology. However, further validation and long-term development are necessary before this technology can be translated into clinical practice.

Moreover, the researchers discovered that SDR42E1 plays a crucial role in cell signaling and cholesterol metabolism, suggesting its potential to selectively target cancer cells while sparing healthy ones. This finding has sparked excitement among scientists, who envision various applications of this technology, including targeting vitamin D-related diseases like cancer, kidney disease, autoimmune disorders, and metabolic conditions.

However, caution is warranted when exploring broader applications, as the long-term effects of SDR42E1 on vitamin D balance remain to be fully understood. As researchers continue to unravel the mysteries of this gene, one thing is clear: this breakthrough has the potential to revolutionize our understanding of vitamin D’s role in human health and unlock new avenues for precision medicine.