Introducing the Chairs at ISCO Congress 2026 – Part 1
oncodaily - International School of Clinical Oncology – ISCO shared a series of posts on Facebook, introducing the Chairs at the upcoming ISCO Congress 2026: 1. “We are delighted to welcome Prof. […]
AI Summary: The ISCO Congress 2026 has unveiled its chairpersons and session lineup, spotlighting leaders shaping the program and key scientific themes. Organizers framed the event as a platform for multidisciplinary exchange and translational oncology priorities, aiming to accelerate research-to-clinic progress while giving attendees plenty to talk about between coffee breaks.
- Leadership, training and career-development programs (4)
- Major trial takeaways across 2026 oncology congresses (4)
- Meet the ISCO 2026 Chairs and Honorees (6)
- Scientific tracks: AI, translational & cellular therapy (4)
- All Other Stories
Leadership, training and career-development programs
Major trial takeaways across 2026 oncology congresses
Meet the ISCO 2026 Chairs and Honorees
Scientific tracks: AI, translational & cellular therapy
All Other Stories
FDA backs 3 psychedelic drug studies for mental illness
Ella Ruder / beckershospitalreview - The FDA is issuing national priority vouchers to three companies studying psychedelic drugs to treat serious mental illness. The vouchers were issued to companies studying psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression and major depressive disorder as well…
AI Summary: The FDA announced a targeted push to accelerate clinical research into psychedelics for mental illness, issuing three commissioner vouchers to support rigorous trials of psychedelic therapies. The move aims to fast-track evidence generation under regulatory oversight, signalling growing agency willingness to explore unconventional treatments while keeping safety and trial standards squarely in view.
- FDA voucher push and federal policy shift (5)
- Psilocybin and brain science (4)
- Real-world use, safety and clinical readiness (3)
- All Other Stories
FDA voucher push and federal policy shift
Psilocybin and brain science
Real-world use, safety and clinical readiness
All Other Stories
Gene therapy improves hearing in 90% of patients with inherited deafness in largest trial of its kind
livescience - A new gene therapy tested in China has improved the hearing of 38 people who were born deaf due to mutations in a gene called OTOF.
AI Summary: A gene therapy for inherited deafness delivered dramatic results, restoring hearing in roughly 90% of treated patients in the largest trial of its kind. Investigators report durable improvements over follow-up, signaling a potential one-time intervention for certain genetic deafness types and challenging the notion that auditory loss is always irreversible. Hope, meet hard data.
- FDA approves first-ever gene therapy for inherited hearing loss (6)
- Primate study finds human-like genetic cause of blindness (1)
- Trial shows durable hearing restored in most patients (3)
FDA approves first-ever gene therapy for inherited hearing loss
Primate study finds human-like genetic cause of blindness
Trial shows durable hearing restored in most patients
RFK Jr. says China is 'eating our lunch' in biotech advances
Zachary Brennan / endpoints - China is "eating our lunch" on new drug approvals and clinical trial starts, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. told Congress Tuesday, while praising the FDA's actions so far. "We are losing scientists, we're losing ...
AI Summary: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. publicly criticized U.S. biotech competitiveness—singling out China as gaining ground—and declined to fully endorse the new CDC vaccine director, blending industry critique with public‑health ambivalence. His comments underscore tensions between political positioning and health policy messaging while rattling stakeholders who prefer facts over theatrical proclamations.
- Kennedy defensive in hearings, balancing White House and base (4)
- Kennedy hesitates on CDC director, vaccine reports spark debate (5)
- On Pharma frontlines: Kennedy warns China is eating our lunch (3)
- All Other Stories
Kennedy defensive in hearings, balancing White House and base
Kennedy hesitates on CDC director, vaccine reports spark debate
On Pharma frontlines: Kennedy warns China is eating our lunch
All Other Stories
Three gene therapy pioneers just won the Breakthrough Prize. This is their story
Ryan Cross / endpoints - A trio of scientists behind the first gene therapy approved in the United States have been awarded a Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences. It’s arguably one of the most prominent recognitions yet for the field ...
AI Summary: Three gene‑therapy researchers received the Breakthrough Prize in recognition of foundational work that enabled the first CRISPR-based sickle cell therapy. The award highlights decades of basic and translational research that turned genome editing from lab curiosity into a tangible clinical remedy, with winners sharing a multimillion‑dollar prize and public acclaim.
Growing liver tissue directly in the body could ease donor organ shortage
medicalxpress - In patients developing end-stage liver disease, the damage has become too severe for the liver's normally extraordinary regenerative capacity to repair or compensate for it. Once this "point of no return" has been reached, the only option is an organ tran…
AI Summary: Scientists report a technique to grow liver tissue directly inside the body as a potential solution to donor organ shortages, demonstrating functional hepatic tissue formation in preclinical or early clinical models. The promising results have been followed by an editorial expression of concern over methodology and data, prompting calls for independent validation before wider clinical use.
Eating more fruits and vegetables tied to unexpected lung cancer risk
sciencedaily - A surprising new study suggests that eating a very healthy diet—packed with fruits, vegetables, and whole grains—might be linked to a higher risk of lung cancer in younger non-smokers. Researchers found that patients under 50 diagnosed with lung cancer of…
AI Summary: A new analysis links higher fruit-and-vegetable consumption to an unexpected rise in lung cancer risk among younger non‑smokers, with investigators pointing to pesticide residues on produce as a likely culprit. Researchers urge careful interpretation—don’t ditch your salad—while calling for stricter residue limits, better monitoring, and further study to untangle diet, toxins, and cancer risk.
AACR Announces 2026 Distinguished Service Award Recipients
oncodaily - The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) has announced the recipients of its 2026 Distinguished Service Awards, recognizing individuals whose work has shaped the direction of cancer research, policy, and […]
AI Summary: The American Association for Cancer Research announced its 2026 Distinguished Service Award recipients, honoring leaders for exceptional contributions to cancer research, advocacy, and public engagement. The prizes celebrate scientific leadership across academia, clinical practice, and patient advocacy, reinforcing AACR’s priorities while handing the field a roster of role models to admire—and occasionally envy.
- Awards & grants: Distinguished Service, Trailblazers, scholar honors (4)
- Clinical highlights: Trials, company data, and therapeutic developments (5)
- On-site coverage: Live updates, press conferences, and recaps (4)
- Other: Attendee reflections and unrelated items (5)
- All Other Stories
Awards & grants: Distinguished Service, Trailblazers, scholar honors
Clinical highlights: Trials, company data, and therapeutic developments
On-site coverage: Live updates, press conferences, and recaps
Other: Attendee reflections and unrelated items
All Other Stories
Norway's 'Oslo patient' reaches HIV remission after rare stem cell transplant donated by brother
medicalxpress - A Norwegian man has been effectively cured of HIV after receiving a stem cell transplant from his brother, doctors announced on Monday.
AI Summary: A remarkable clinical case: a patient in Norway known as the "Oslo patient" has entered sustained HIV remission following a rare stem‑cell transplant from a donor with genetic resistance to the virus. The outcome offers cautious optimism for curative strategies, though experts stress this remains an exceptional, high‑risk intervention rather than a broadly applicable cure.
Anti-amyloid Alzheimer's drugs show no clinically meaningful effect
medicalxpress - Drugs that target amyloid beta proteins in the brain likely have no clinically meaningful positive effects, while increasing the risk of bleeding and swelling in the brain, a new review in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews has found.
AI Summary: A major review concludes anti-amyloid Alzheimer’s medications show no clinically meaningful effect on patients’ cognition or daily function, prompting renewed debate about drug approvals, prescribing and research priorities. The analysis calls for careful reassessment of treatment value, clearer communication to patients and tighter scrutiny of future trials.
- Anti-amyloid drugs fall short: little benefit, safety risks (5)
- New biomarkers and imaging reshape Alzheimer’s diagnosis timing (3)
- Social and care issues: loneliness, memory and treatment decisions (2)
- All Other Stories
Anti-amyloid drugs fall short: little benefit, safety risks
New biomarkers and imaging reshape Alzheimer’s diagnosis timing
Social and care issues: loneliness, memory and treatment decisions
All Other Stories
Scientists finally uncover why promising cancer drugs keep failing
sciencedaily - Cancer drugs known as BET inhibitors once looked like a breakthrough, but in real patients they’ve often fallen short. New research reveals a key reason why: two closely related proteins, BRD2 and BRD4, don’t actually do the same job. Instead, BRD2 acts l…
AI Summary: Scientists uncovered a cellular survival mechanism that helps tumors withstand DNA damage, offering a concrete explanation for why numerous promising anti‑cancer agents stumble in clinical trials. The discovery exposes a resistance pathway that blunts drug efficacy and suggests new targets to sensitize tumors and potentially revive stalled therapies — which, yes, might finally save some development budgets.
- BET inhibitor paradox — BRD2 preps, BRD4 triggers gene activation (3)
- OTHER — Diverse resistance mechanisms and maps of tumor adaptation (6)
- Replication-fork rescue — Tumors patch DNA breaks to survive therapy (3)
- RNA regulation vulnerabilities — RNA editing and noncoding RNAs expose targets (3)
- All Other Stories
BET inhibitor paradox — BRD2 preps, BRD4 triggers gene activation
OTHER — Diverse resistance mechanisms and maps of tumor adaptation
Replication-fork rescue — Tumors patch DNA breaks to survive therapy
RNA regulation vulnerabilities — RNA editing and noncoding RNAs expose targets
All Other Stories
Oricell Lands $110M to Take Cell Therapy to New Territory in Cancer
Frank Vinluan / medcitynews - There are no FDA-approved therapies for GPC3, a protein highly expressed by liver cancers. Oricell Therapeutics claims its cell therapy could be best in this class, but it faces competition from companies such as AstraZeneca and Eureka Therapeutics. The p…
AI Summary: Oricell, a China‑based CAR‑T developer, secured fresh financing to accelerate its cell‑therapy programs and support plans to go public. The fundraising will bankroll clinical expansion, manufacturing scale‑up, and regulatory preparations as the company pushes toward broader development and an IPO ambition, positioning it to compete in the crowded CAR‑T market.
Skin protein K16 found to control inflammation in stressed skin
medicalxpress - Keratin is the fibrous, waterproof protein that builds everything from our hair and nails to a rhino's horn. However, a tiny glitch in it can have problematic outcomes. A new study has found that changes in a keratin gene called KRT16 can lead to a rare c…
AI Summary: Researchers identified keratin 16 (K16) as a molecular brake on skin inflammation: loss of K16 ramps up interferon-driven immune signals, while its presence calms stressed keratinocytes. The discovery points to new targets for inflammatory skin disorders and suggests modulating K16 pathways could yield therapies that actually treat inflammation, not just slap on a cream.
An international mega-analysis of psychedelic drug effects on brain circuit function
Manesh Girn / nature - Nature Medicine, Published online: 06 April 2026; doi:10.1038/s41591-026-04287-9Analysis of neuroimaging datasets across five major psychedelics revealed a shared brain signature and provides a comprehensive insight into how these drugs reorganize brain a…
AI Summary: An international neuroimaging mega‑analysis traced psychedelic drugs’ effects on cortical networks, revealing consistent changes in brain connectivity that correlate with altered perception and cognition. The pooled study provides a stronger, replicated picture of how these compounds act on neural circuits, informing both therapeutic prospects and safety discussions.
Digital health startups raked in $4B during Q1 with 12 megadeals driving investment: Rock Health
fiercehealthcare - Digital health startups pocketed $4 billion in venture capital funding in the first quarter of 2026, marking the strongest first quarter since the pandemic peak.
AI Summary: Venture investment in digital health is narrowing: a small number of startups captured a large share of Q1 funding, driven by a handful of megadeals. The trend signals investor preference for later‑stage companies and scale plays, squeezing early innovators who must now demonstrate clearer paths to durable revenue and clinical impact.
Bowelbabe Fund celebrates raising £20m by announcing the Bowelbabe Vaccine
Sophie Wedekind / cancerresearchuk - The Bowelbabe Fund has raised more that £20 million and has announced the next wave of funded projects, including the Bowelbabe Vaccine.The post Bowelbabe Fund celebrates raising £20m by announcing the Bowelbabe Vaccine appeared first on Cancer Research U…
AI Summary: The Bowelbabe Fund celebrated a £20 million fundraising milestone and unveiled plans for a Bowelbabe Vaccine initiative, drawing high‑profile support. Organizers framed the cash infusion as a catalyst for prevention and research efforts, while public endorsements highlighted momentum — and the fundraising thermometer that finally stopped making them blush.
White House floats 12.5% budget cut for HHS in FY2027, reiterates reorganization plan
fiercehealthcare - The requested budget cut is about half of what the administration asked, and was denied, last year. However, plans for reorganizing agencies under an Administration for a Healthy America persist, as do calls to eliminate various programs and centers the W…
AI Summary: The administration has floated a plan to cut HHS funding by roughly 12–12.5% in FY2027 while pursuing agency reorganization. The proposal targets discretionary programs including research funding, prompting scientific groups to urge Congress to reject the NIH reductions and warn of downstream impacts on biomedical research and patient care.
- Researchers, cancer groups warn NIH cuts will harm patients (6)
- White House pushes deep HHS cuts, agency reorganization (4)
- All Other Stories
Researchers, cancer groups warn NIH cuts will harm patients
White House pushes deep HHS cuts, agency reorganization
All Other Stories
E.P.A. Targets Microplastics and Drugs in Drinking Water
Hiroko Tabuchi and Maxine Joselow / nytimes - The move drew praise from leaders of the Make America Healthy Again movement who had recently criticized the agency’s handling of toxic chemicals.
AI Summary: Federal agencies are moving from polite warnings to action on contaminants people actually drink. The EPA is targeting microplastics and trace pharmaceuticals in drinking water, while ARPA‑H is pouring funding into health-impact studies, and other agencies are considering formal contaminant designations to force testing, cleanup and new standards. Small particles, big headache.
WHOOP Secures $575M, Reaches $10B Valuation
Marissa Plescia / medcitynews - WHOOP’S Series G round was led by Collaborative Fund and includes participation from 2PointZero Group, Qatar Investment Authority, Cristiano Ronaldo and LeBron James.The post WHOOP Secures $575M, Reaches $10B Valuation appeared first on MedCity News.
AI Summary: Wearable fitness company Whoop closed a $575 million funding round that values the business at roughly $10 billion, attracting strategic partners including Abbott and health systems like Mayo Clinic. The cash infusion underwrites an aggressive hiring spree and product expansion as Whoop doubles down on clinical collaborations and scaling its sensor and analytics platform.
Eli Lilly Bets €2.4B on AI-Designed Drugs in New Insilico Medicine Deal
oncodaily - In a sweeping push to expand its pipeline and embrace artificial intelligence in drug discovery, Eli Lilly and Company has announced two major strategic moves: a multi-billion-dollar collaboration with Insilico […]
AI Summary: Eli Lilly struck a major partnership with Insilico Medicine to accelerate AI‑designed drug programs, providing a substantial upfront payment and committing to multiyear development milestones and potential payouts worth roughly in the billions. The deal expands Lilly’s AI drug discovery footprint and signals big pharma’s growing bet on algorithmic chemistry.