Latest news with #Nature Medicine
Yahoo
a day ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Your organs have their own age – and it may predict health risks better than your birthday
If you've always thought your birthday was the best way to define how old you are, think again. Your organs, it turns out, are aging on their own schedules. A growing body of scientific research is shifting focus from chronological age to biological age, where your body's roughly 30 trillion cells, tissues and organs each have their own 'clocks' that can tick at different speeds. According to a groundbreaking peer-reviewed study published last week in Nature Medicine, Stanford University researchers found that an organ that is substantially 'older' than a person's actual age is at greater risk of disease. Researchers tracked this hidden timeline by analyzing thousands of proteins flowing through our blood. The body's cells, tissues and organs all have different 'clocks' ticking at different speeds (Getty Images) 'With this indicator, we can assess the age of an organ today and predict the odds of your getting a disease associated with that organ 10 years late,' Tony Wyss-Coray, a professor of neurology and neurological sciences at the university's Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute, said in a statement. Take the brain, for example: an older one increases your risk of death by about 182 percent within the next 15 years, compared with people whose brains are aging normally, researchers found. On the flip side, those with brains biologically younger than their chronological age are believed to live longer. The study's authors concluded that having an older brain increased the risk of dementia threefold, while those with youthful brains have just a quarter of the usual risk. 'The brain is the gatekeeper of longevity,' Wyss-Coray said. 'If you've got an old brain, you have an increased likelihood of mortality.' An older biological heart age was linked to a higher risk of atrial fibrillation and heart failure, while aging lungs signaled an increased likelihood of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). While your chronological age only goes up, the good news is that biological age can be slowed, paused or even reversed. Forty-year-old soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo has an estimated biological age of just under 29, according to data from the health tech brand Whoop. Bryan Johnson has documented his journey to reverse his biological age to that of a teenager (Dustin Giallanza) Kim Kardashian may be blowing out 44 candles on her next birthday but her biological age came in nearly a decade younger, according to results from an epigenetic clock test taken on The Kardashians last year. Meanwhile, Bryan Johnson, 47, the anti-aging tech guru and 'biohacker,' has documented his bizarre journey in an attempt to reverse his biological age to that of a teenager. You don't need to be into biohacking to change your organ's age — they can shift depending on a variety of factors, including your genes, how much you move, what you eat, your sleep habits and how you manage stress. Regular exercise, good nutrition and avoiding harmful habits like smoking all contribute to younger organ age and better health outcomes, according to Stanford University's research. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Nature Medicine Published Phase 1 Results of Innovent Biologics' Anti-CLDN18.2 ADC (IBI343) in Patients with Advanced Gastric/Gastroesophageal Junction Adenocarcinoma
SAN FRANCISCO and SUZHOU, China, July 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Innovent Biologics, Inc. ("Innovent") (HKEX: 01801), a world-class biopharmaceutical company that develops, manufactures and commercializes high-quality medicines for the treatment of oncology, cardiovascular and metabolic, autoimmune, ophthalmology and other major diseases, announced that Nature Medicine (IF: 58.7) has published the results of the Phase 1 clinical study of IBI343, an innovative anti-CLDN18.2 ADC, for the treatment of advanced gastric/gastroesophageal junction (G/GEJ) adenocarcinoma[Link]. Publication in this leading international academic journal indicates the strong recognition of the therapy's clinical potential and marks another significant milestone in China's progress in developing novel anti-tumor medications. Based on the study findings, a multi-regional Phase 3 clinical trial (G-HOPE-001, NCT06238843) was launched in 2024 to further evaluate IBI343 as a safe and effective treatment option for patients with advanced G/GEJ AC. Gastric cancer remains one of the most common malignant tumors in the world. According to the GLOBOCAN 2022 statistics, it ranks as the fifth most common malignant tumor and the fifth leading cause of cancer-related death globally, with an estimated 970,000 new cases and 660,000 deaths annually. Each year, China reports 359,000 new cases and 260,000 deaths from gastric cancer, representing 37.0% and 39.4% of global totals, respectively, highlighting a significant unmet medical need. CLDN 18.2 is a tight junction protein expressed in differentiated epithelial cells on the gastric mucosa under normal physiological conditions. Previous studies have revealed that Claudin18.2 is highly expressed in multiple types of cancer, including gastric cancer (60-80%), pancreatic cancer (50%), esophageal carcinoma (30-50%), and lung cancer (40-60%). Targeting CLDN18.2 with monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and ADCs represents a promising new approach for treating gastric cancer. This published study is a global, multicenter Phase 1 clinical trial ( identifier: NCT05458219) designed to evaluate the safety, tolerability and preliminary efficacy of IBI343 in patients with advanced solid tumors. Between October 26, 2022, and June 30, 2024, a total of 116 subjects with advanced G/GEJ adenocarcinoma were enrolled to receive IBI343 monotherapy (8 in escalation and 108 in expansion). IBI343 has demonstrated encouraging tumor response and survival benefit The study analyzed the efficacy data of evaluable subjects with high expression of CLDN18.2 (≥75% tumor cells with membranous staining intensity ≥2+ by IHC), in the two dose groups of 6 mg/kg and 8 mg/kg. At 6 mg/kg (N=31), 15 patients had partial responses (PR) including 9 patients with confirmed PRs and 1 patient awaiting confirmation. The confirmed ORR was 29.0% (95% CI: 14.2-48.0) and the disease control rate (DCR) was 90.3% (95% CI: 74.2-98.0). In 9 patients with confirmed response, the median duration of response (DoR) was 5.6 months (95% CI: 2.8-7.0). The median follow-up was 10.6 months (95% CI: 9.7-11.5) for PFS and OS. The median PFS was 5.5 months (95% CI: 4.1-7.0). OS data was not mature with the current median OS of 10.8 months (95% CI: 6.8-NC). After data cutoff, response of the remaining 1 patient was confirmed on July 26, 2024 and the confirmed ORR was updated to 32.3% (95% CI: 16.7-51.4). At 8 mg/kg (N=17), 17 patients with high expression of CLDN 18.2 were evaluable. Among them, 9 patients had PRs including 8 patients had confirmed PR. The confirmed ORR 47.1% (95% CI: 23.0-72.2), and the DCR was 88.2% (95% CI: 63.6-98.5). In eight patients with confirmed response, the median DoR was 5.7 months (95% CI: 2.7-NC). Of all G/GEJ adenocarcinoma patients with high CLDN18.2 expression treated at 8 mg/kg (N=19, including 1 patient from dose escalation and 18 patients from dose expansion), the median follow-up was 8.1 months (95% CI: 7.6-8.5) for PFS and OS. The median PFS was 6.8 months (95% CI: 2.8-7.5), and the median OS was not reached with events occurred in 36.8% patients. IBI343 also demonstrated superior safety Among all patients with G/GEJ adenocarcinoma (n=116, including 8 patients with gastric cancer from the dose escalation phase), 66.4% patients (77/116) had ≥3 grade TEAEs. The most common ≥3 grade TEAEs (≥35%) were neutrophil count decreased (28.4%), white blood cell count decreased (25.9%), and anemia (16.4%). There were very few grade ≥3 gastrointestinal adverse events, including only 1.7% of grade ≥3 nausea. No interstitial lung disease of any grade was reported. Treatment-related toxicity was alleviated with adequate supportive treatment, and the overall safety was tolerable. Integrated pharmacokinetics (PK), exposure-response, safety, and efficacy data supported 6 mg/kg Q3W as the recommended Phase 2 dose (RP2D) of IBI343. This provides support for the conduct of subsequent Phase 3 trial, suggesting that IBI343 may become a new treatment option for patients with gastric cancer in the future. Professor Lin Shen, Corresponding Author, Leading Principal Investigator, from Beijing Cancer Hospital, said, "Following the eras of chemotherapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy, ADCs have opened a new frontier in the treatment of gastrointestinal tumors. IBI343 is a new generation of Fc-silent anti-CLDN18.2 ADC that has shown encouraging clinical benefits and low gastrointestinal toxicity in Phase 1 studies. We look forward to the results of the Phase 3 study comparing IBI343 with standard treatment, aiming to ultimately reshape clinical practice, transform treatment paradigms, and usher in a new chapter in precision medicine." Dr. Hui Zhou, Chief R&D Officer for Oncology Pipeline at Innovent Biologics, said, "There is a huge unmet clinical need for the treatment of advanced gastric cancer. The Phase 1 study results of IBI343 in advanced gastric and gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma, now published in the top international journal, Nature Medicine, further verify the clinical value of IBI343 in this population. We will work with researchers worldwide to advance the multi-regional Phase 3 clinical trial (G-HOPE-001), with the goal of establishing a new paradigm in clinical diagnosis and treatment and ultimately benefiting gastric cancer patients around the world. We are also exploring the therapeutic potential of IBI343 in pancreatic cancer and other indications." About Gastric/ Gastroesophageal Junction Adenocarcinoma Gastric cancer is one of the most prevalent malignant tumors worldwide and a leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally. The 5-year survival rate of patients with metastatic gastric cancer is less than 5%[i]. China and Japan have the highest incidence rates of gastric cancer[ii]. Currently, the standard-of-care treatments for patients with advanced metastatic gastric cancer include a chemotherapy combination of fluoropyrimidine and platinum, as well as immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy. However, systemic therapy has limited efficacy in advanced gastric cancer. In particular, the prognosis for patients with third-line or higher gastric cancer is usually poor, with fewer treatment options and shorter survival expectations. The median survival time for these patients is only about 0.5 year[iii]. Claudin, a member of the tight junction molecule family, is a key structural and functional component of epithelial tight junctions. Among them, CLDN18.2 is normally buried in gastric mucosa, but the development of malignancy leads to disruption of tight junctions and exposure of CLDN18.2 epitopes on the membrane of tumor cells[iv]. CLDN18.2 is expressed in up to 80% of patients with gastric cancer. About IBI343（Anti CLDN18.2 ADC） IBI343 is a recombinant human anti-CLDN18.2 monoclonal antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) developed by Innovent Biologics. It specifically binds to the tumor cells expressing CLDN18.2, triggering CLDN18.2-dependent internalization of the ADC. Once inside the cell, the cytotoxic payload is released, resulting in DNA damage and ultimately apoptosis of the tumor cells. The released drug can also diffuse across the plasma membrane to reach and kill neighboring cells, resulting in a "bystander killing effect". As an innovative TOPO1i ADC, IBI343 has demonstrated tolerable safety and encouraging efficacy signals in this Phase 1 clinical studies. The therapeutic potential of IBI343 is currently being explored in tumor types such as gastric cancer and pancreatic cancer. The multi-regional Phase 3 clinical trial of IBI343 for advanced gastric / gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma is now recruiting patients (G-HOPE-001, NCT06238843). The relevant indication has been granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation (BTD) by China's NMPA . The multi-regional Phase 1 clinical trial of IBI343 for advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is also enrolling patients (NCT05458219). This indication has received Fast Track Designation (FTD) from the U.S. FDA and been granted BTD by China's NMPA. About Innovent Biologics Innovent is a leading biopharmaceutical company founded in 2011 with the mission to empower patients worldwide with affordable, high-quality biopharmaceuticals. The company discovers, develops, manufactures and commercializes innovative medicines that target some of the most intractable diseases. Its pioneering therapies treat cancer, cardiovascular and metabolic, autoimmune and eye diseases. Innovent has launched 16 products in the market. It has 2 new drug applications under regulatory review, 4 assets in Phase III or pivotal clinical trials and 15 more molecules in early clinical stage. Innovent partners with over 30 global healthcare companies, including Eli Lilly, Sanofi, Incyte, LG Chem and MD Anderson Cancer Center. Guided by the motto, "Start with Integrity, Succeed through Action," Innovent maintains the highest standard of industry practices and works collaboratively to advance the biopharmaceutical industry so that first-rate pharmaceutical drugs can become widely accessible. For more information, visit or follow Innovent on Facebook and LinkedIn. Statement: Biologics does not recommend the use of unapproved drugs/indications. injection (Cyramza®), selpercatinib capsules (Retsevmo®) and pirtobrutinib tablets (Jayprica®) were developed by Eli Lilly and Company Forward-Looking Statements This news release may contain certain forward-looking statements that are, by their nature, subject to significant risks and uncertainties. The words "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "intend" and similar expressions, as they relate to Innovent Biologics, Inc. ("Innovent" or "Company"), are intended to identify certain of such forward-looking statements. The Company does not intend to update these forward-looking statements regularly. These forward-looking statements are based on the existing beliefs, assumptions, expectations, estimates, projections and understandings of the management of the Company with respect to future events at the time these statements are made. These statements are not a guarantee of future developments and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond the Company's control and are difficult to predict. Consequently, actual results may differ materially from information contained in the forward-looking statements as a result of future changes or developments in our business, the Company's competitive environment and political, economic, legal and social conditions. The Company, the Directors and the employees of the Company assume (a) no obligation to correct or update the forward-looking statements contained in this site; and (b) no liability in the event that any of the forward-looking statements does not materialize or turn out to be incorrect. References [i] Lasithiotakis K, Antoniou SA, Antoniou GA, Kaklamanos I, Zoras O. Gastrectomy for stage IV gastric cancer. a systematic review and meta-analysis. Anticancer Res. May 2014;34(5):2079-85 [ii] Xu B, Wang JM. Epidemiological study of gastric cancer[J]. Chin J Cancer Prev Treat, 2006,13(1): 81-87. [iii] Chan WL, Lam KO, So TH, et al. Third-line systemic treatment in advanced/metastatic gastric cancer: a comprehensive review. Ther Adv Med Oncol. 2019;11:1758835919859990. [iv] Sahin U, Koslowski M, Dhaene K, et al. Claudin-18 splice variant 2 is a pan-cancer target suitable for therapeutic antibody development. Clin Cancer Res. 2008;14(23):7624-7634. View original content: SOURCE Innovent Biologics
Health Line
11-07-2025
- Health
- Health Line
Common Bacteria Could Cause 12 Million Stomach Cancer Cases: What to Know
Researchers say about three-quarters of gastric cancer cases worldwide are caused by the common bacterium Helicobacter pylori. H. pylori infection doesn't always produce symptoms, so it's important to get screened for any persistent gastric-related pain, such as indigestion and bloating. You can lower your risk of gastric cancer by eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and getting tested for H. pylori if you have any symptoms that may indicate infection. The vast majority of stomach cancer cases have been linked to a common bacteria that often doesn't produce any symptoms. A new study published in the journal Nature Medicine reports that 76% of stomach cancers worldwide may be attributed to the Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacteria. The scientists found that nearly 16 million people born between 2008 and 2017 are expected to develop gastric cancer sometime during their lifetime. Of those cases, around 12 million will be caused by H. pylori bacteria. They noted that about 8 million of those bacteria-related cases are expected to occur in Asia. Another 1.5 million are predicted for North America and South America. The researchers said their findings may help explain the rise in gastric-related cancers in younger people in recent years. They also noted that a vaccine to prevent H. pylori bacteria 'would be a powerful tool for gastric cancer prevention,' but there appears to be 'little momentum at present to advance its development.' Experts not involved in the study told Healthline the findings are important and should be noted by medical professionals. 'This is truly a fascinating, practice-changing study,' said Anton Bilchik, MD, a surgical oncologist as well as the chief of medicine and director of the Gastrointestinal and Hepatobiliary Program at Providence Saint John's Cancer Institute in Santa Monica, CA. 'This tells us that … it is a preventable cancer.' 'We have known that H. pylori infection increases an individual's risk of developing stomach cancer for many years,' added Joo Ha Hwang, MD, a professor of medicine at Stanford University. 'This study quantifies the estimated number of deaths that would likely occur if we do not start screening individuals who are at moderate to high risk for H. pylori infection and gastric cancer. This study is a call to action to address a preventable cancer,' Hwang noted. H. pylori bacteria driving stomach cancer rates Alan Venook, MD, a professor of medical oncology and translational research at the University of California San Francisco, and program development director at the Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, said the connection between the H. pylori bacteria and gastric cancer has been known for more than 30 years. He cited older research from 1991 published in the New England Journal of Medicine that first made the connection, and said the findings in the new study aren't surprising. Still, he expressed concern over the persistent nature of the bacteria's connection to cancer. 'The most interesting thing in this study to me is that this is still a problem,' Venook said, adding he is 'mystified' as to why progress hasn't been made. 'I think the message to medical professionals is that this remains a terrible problem,' he noted. 'This is a wake-up call.' Bilchik, who had attended the 1991 presentation of the original study, said the research was initially dismissed by the medical community. Since then, he said those early findings have proven to be correct. 'This is a clear message to both patients and professionals that stomach cancer is not necessarily caused by smoking and alcohol,' he said. Nilesh Vora, MD, a hematologist and medical oncologist and medical director of the MemorialCare Todd Cancer Institute at Long Beach Medical Center in California, has some cautions about the new research. He called it 'thought-provoking,' but added that more research is necessary to confirm the data and the conclusions. What to know about H. pylori bacteria The Helicobacter pylori bacteria grow in the digestive tract and tend to attack the stomach lining. It has adapted itself to live in the highly acidic world of the human gastrointestinal system. H. pylori often develops in a person's stomach during childhood. The bacteria are typically harmless and don't cause symptoms. However, in some cases, they may lead to stomach ulcers and some diseases, including gastric cancer. Many people with H. pylori don't have symptoms. However, an estimated 30% of people with the bacteria develop peptic ulcers and other conditions. Some common symptoms from the bacteria include: burning stomach pain feeling full quickly nausea burping unexplained weight loss The bacteria can be transmitted via saliva, contaminated food, and other methods. It can be diagnosed with tests involving breath, stool samples, and blood antibodies. Doctors sometimes order an endoscopy, which involves placing a tube down a person's throat. The bacteria are treated with antibiotics. Some people may be prescribed proton pump inhibitors to help the stomach heal. The American Cancer Society (ACS) notes there are currently no recommendations for routine stomach cancer screenings for those with average risk. 'Given the relatively low prevalence of gastric cancer in the United States, there is currently no screening recommendation for H. pylori in patients without symptoms,' said Anu Agrawal, MD, vice president of Global Cancer Support at the American Cancer Society. 'The high incidence in Asia particularly could justify screening protocols which, as noted in the publication, have been initiated in a few Asian countries,' he told Healthline. Bilchik said that people should not ignore gastrointestinal symptoms that linger for an extended period of time. 'If the symptoms are persistent, then go to a physician and be proactive,' Bilchik advised. Vora added that while screenings are important, there are some logistical issues. Endoscopies, he said, are invasive and expensive. He added that the big questions are whether general screenings should be done for this bacterium and whether everyone with long-term gastrointestinal symptoms should be tested for H. pylori. Hwang agreed that screening should be selective. ' H. pylori often infects family members, so if one family member is diagnosed with H. pylori, family members who live together should be tested for the infection,' he said. 'We have been advocating for individuals who have immigrated from regions that have a high incidence of H pylori infection and gastric cancer, such as East Asia, Eastern Europe, and the west coast of South America, to be tested for H pylori infection and treated if positive.' What to know about stomach cancer The National Cancer Institute (NCI) estimates there will be about 30,000 new cases of stomach cancer in the United States this year. More than 10,000 people are expected to die from the disease. Those numbers represent less than 2% of all cancer cases and all cancer deaths in the United States. Almost 38% of people in the United States with stomach cancer are expected to live at least five years after diagnosis. Stomach cancer usually develops over a number of years. Many times, there are no symptoms until the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. The disease is more common in adults over the age of 60 and in those who smoke, have obesity, or have a family history of the disease. It's also more common in people of Asian descent and people with a diet high in salty foods, meat, and processed products. Symptoms of stomach cancer include: frequent heartburn loss of appetite bloating or burping indigestion abdominal pain The disease can be treated with chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, and immunotherapy. Experts say you can lower your risk of stomach cancer by: eating a healthy diet exercising regularly quitting smoking if you smoke limiting or avoiding alcohol treating H. pylori infection if you receive a diagnosis The American Cancer Society has a list of ways people can lower their risk. 'Obesity, tobacco use, alcohol, diets high in smoked foods or foods preserved by salting, or diets low in fruits and vegetables are risk factors,' said Agrawal. 'If you have a family history of stomach cancer, are a first-generation immigrant from a high prevalence area (e.g., East Asia), or have certain genetic cancer predisposition syndromes, you should be screened for stomach cancer.'
