Sickle cell disease can lead to a severe complication known as acute chest syndrome (ACS), but the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. A new study by Mass General Brigham investigators identified an ancient immune pathway that is activated in patients with ACS and serves as a key driver of the disease. Blocking this pathway with clinically approved drugs alleviated disease severity in preclinical models. The results are published in Science Translational Medicine.

A University of Cincinnati College of Medicine researcher has been awarded a $2.6 million federal grant to study a potentially deadly form of heart disease that affects people with diabetes called diabetic cardiomyopathy.

First-ever clinical trial exclusively conducted among people with hard-to-treat form of tuberculosis known as pre-extensively drug-resistant TB shows many patients benefit from shorter, simpler regimens. Not all patients benefited from the shorter, gentler course of treatment, prompting researchers to urge caution and carefully evaluate disease severity prior to selecting treatment. 

In those with more severe tuberculosis, the new treatment did not always resolve the disease, a finding that highlights the importance of tailored treatment strategies.