Posts - Health Care Chief

A new study suggests that a drug that showed promise in preclinical tests against treatment-resistant cancer might also work against COVID-19. The study, led by Amy S. Lee, Ph.D., a professor of biochemistry at the Keck School of Medicine, demonstrates that GRP78, a chaperone protein previously linked to the spread of other viruses, is crucial to the transmission of SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19. Furthermore, the study shows that SARS-CoV-2 replication is significantly suppressed when either GRP78 production or activity is blocked or inhibited using a novel targeted drug. For many years, Lee has focused her research on this protein and its connection to cancer. She actually created the first human GRP78 clone. In early 2020, her lab was actively working on several projects involving GRP78's role in cancer, including one that examined the relationship between the protein and the growth of KRAS-mutated cancer cells. Then COVID came around, leading all labs not focused on COVID-19-related projects to shut down; Lee’s lab was no exception. But when the older writings were looked at, something interesting came up: research on other coronaviruses indicated that they used GRP78 to gain access to cells. Seeing this, Lee prompted her team to find out whether COVID-19 might be one of those viruses, and indeed, their initial results - published last year - showed that the virus did use GRP78 to enter cells and reproduce. However, whether or not GRP78 was actually necessary for viral replication was unclear. The team infected human lung cells with COVID-19 and monitored the levels of GRP78 to learn the answer. Scientists observed that protein levels rose as infection progressed, so they did the opposite; they prevented the protein from forming in a new set of cells and then infected the virus in them. COVID-19 spike protein and infectious virus production were reduced in GRP78-deficient cells, demonstrating the importance of this protein for viral replication. To find out more about whether targeting GRP78 could help treat COVID-19, the researchers tried a small molecule drug called HA15 on infected lung cells to see if it worked. This drug was designed to combat cancer by binding to GRP78 and blocking its function. The drug cut down on both the size and amount of COVID-19 plaques, and the effect was stronger as the dose went up. The team eventually moved on to using live models. They gave SARS-CoV-2-infected mice injections for three days, starting on the day they got sick. At the end of the time period, there were ten times fewer viruses in their lungs than in the controls. Previous research by Lee with HA15 has shown that it may be effective against KRAS-mutated cancers as well. Although KRAS-mutated cancer had been considered "undruggable," the first drug specifically targeting this subset of the disease, Amgen's Lumakras, was only approved by the FDA last year. In a September paper, Lee's group reported findings that hinted that inhibiting GRP78 with HA15 could be an effective therapeutic approach. The team demonstrated that the drug, in combination with another GRP78 blocker called YUM70, was able to lower KRAS protein levels and tumors in mouse models as well as cell line models.

Promising New Drug Could Help Fight Both COVID-19 And Cancer

Editorial Team

November 28, 2022
3 min read

Penumbra introduces a VR-based full-body rehabilitation platform penumbra's Real immersion system is a rehabilitation platform that uses virtual reality headgear and associated sensors implanted around the body to lead patients through a variety of muscle and cognition-strengthening activities. The Real y-Series system was launched recently in which virtual reality technology can be used to treat ailments in both the upper and lower limbs. The initial working of the technology was meant to aid in upper extremity deficits. According to Gita Barry, GM at Penumbra's immersive healthcare division, the upgrade makes the y-Series technology the only hands-free, sensor-based VR platform today that includes exercises for both the lower and upper body. The GM further stated that “By enabling patients to immerse and visualize their entire body in motion and providing clinicians the ability to individualize each therapy session to challenge and motivate patients, we can maximize the key benefits of rehabilitation therapy by promoting higher engagement and intensity, which has the potential to improve patient outcomes”. The y-Series system is made to be used for two kinds of therapy namely occupational and physical therapy. The VR-based activities are made for the improvement of range of motion, postural control, balance, spatial awareness, cognitive stimulation, and everyday living tasks. Medical specialists can monitor the progress of the patient wearing the VR headset. The specialists will have a tablet to monitor the personal vision and move the patients toward the right direction of recovery. Physicians may also alter the program's parameters in real time and personalize each exercise to the patient's individual needs using the TherapyView app. Penumbra's y-Series system includes 18 therapeutic activities spread over many virtual environments. One example of these activities is the "Happy Valley," which is a place of happy penguins where patients may farm, fish, create new buildings, and even explore several other options. The system is confident that these activities will increase short-term memory, strength, and control and develop various skills. Another activity is, "Mindful Market," which is designed to prepare patients for return to work by sharpening their executive function, working memory, sequencing, and sorting abilities. According to the company, these activities will help to accomplish this by directing them through virtual jobs such as making sandwiches, sorting deliveries, and selling postage stamps with "increasingly sophisticated pricing". Penumbra's Real platform contains the I-Series technology in addition to the y-Series system, which focuses on clinical rehabilitation for physical injuries and some cognitive disabilities. That system aims to improve overall mental wellness by providing seated, gaze-based activities that provide cognitive activation, distraction therapy, reminiscence therapy, mindfulness practice, and relaxation to people suffering from anxiety, depression, loneliness, physical discomfort, and other issues. According to Penumbra, over 70% of therapists in the U.S. believe that in today’s world, patient compliance is the most difficult obstacle in physical therapy. More than half feel VR may aid in this improvement. Furthermore, the majority of physical therapists reported a desire to incorporate technology such as virtual reality in their work.

Technology & AI

Penumbra introduces VR-based full-body rehabilitation platform

Editorial Team

November 27, 2022
3 min read

drug device CDMO

Medical Devices

Meridian and Kindeva to partner to produce drug device CDMO

Editorial Team

November 27, 2022
3 min read

Nurses

Hospitals & Providers

Kaiser Permanente Avoids Nurses’ Strike By Signing New Deal

Editorial Team

November 27, 2022
3 min read

shortage of Amoxicillin

Alternatives are available as the shortage of Amoxicillin stretches

Editorial Team

November 27, 2022
3 min read