The surprising finding discovered by researchers in centenarians
A study found that people aged 100 and over have an abundance of anti-cancer cells. An Alzheimer's test by Eli Lilly and Roche has been approved for use. What is behind the wave of blood tests to detect the disease? Clalit and Sheba star in a World Health Organization report. The R&D partnership Almada is finally recovering. This week in biomed.
Is a new key to longevity being found?
A study conducted on people aged 100 and over, recently published in the journal "Cell Reports", points to a new possible mechanism that may explain their longevity: an abundance of unique immune cells that protect against cancer.
Few reach the age of one hundred, but those who do usually not only live long lives but also do so in relatively good health. Therefore, many researchers believe that it is possible to discover the key to longevity and quality of life in this population group.
The group of researchers that led the current study discovered back in 2019 that the blood of people aged 110 and over has a high rate of CD4-type immune T-cells, which belong to the family of immune killer cells (Killer T Cells). In the current study, the researchers showed that the rate of CD4 CTL cells was higher the older the subjects were.
Some of the CD4 CTL cells of the centenarians in the experiment appeared to match cells previously identified in younger cancer patients and found to have the ability to fight the disease. However, none of the centenarians in the current experiment had ever had cancer. The researchers hypothesized that the CD4 CTL cells did indeed succeed in their role, and it is possible that this success translated into longevity.
CD4 CTL cells have been tested so far mainly in cancer patients, but it is not impossible that these cells in centenarians acted against other factors.
The possibility that centenarians produce these cells more easily and efficiently, and that this is one of the secrets to their longevity, is still a hypothesis, but it is an exciting hypothesis that opens up new research directions in the field of aging.
Eli Lilly and Roche received approval for a new Alzheimer's test
The FDA has approved pharmaceutical companies Eli Lilly and Roche to launch a blood test that allows for the detection of Alzheimer's disease among people aged 55 and over with mild cognitive impairment.
There are already three blood tests for Alzheimer's on the market, including another test from Roche and Lilly. Each of them measures slightly different proteins associated with the disease. The test approved now is characterized by low "false negative" rates. That is, if the test finds that you do not have Alzheimer's, it is probably true. But a "positive" or "intermediate" result is not an unequivocal prediction of the disease. Meanwhile, Roche and Lilly are marketing the drug as "assisting" in the diagnosis of Alzheimer's, alongside clinical information.
Blood tests for Alzheimer's are an innovation of only the last year and a half. Until today, expensive tests such as PET scans or invasive tests such as lumbar punctures were required for this, and they are still usually mandatory for those who want to start treatment with drugs launched in recent years by Lilly, Biogen, and Eisai.
As the test becomes simpler, the penetration of the drugs into the market may be easier. In the meantime, they have reached revenues of hundreds of millions of dollars per year — still not the best-selling drugs the companies expected.
The tests raise other hopes. They may allow distinguishing between types of Alzheimer's and tailoring treatment. Another thought of researchers in the field is that it will be possible to use these tests even before the full onset of the disease, to examine how patients respond to various interventions — pharmacological and lifestyle-related.
The World Health Organization gives credit to Clalit and Sheba
The World Health Organization (WHO) published a report on the implementation of artificial intelligence in health systems, in which it presents 11 cases from seven countries that represent an example of the successful use of AI. Israel stars with three case studies, Finland and Britain are each represented twice, and Latvia, Norway, Portugal, and Spain with one case study each.
Clalit Health Services is mentioned for two projects. The first is the development of an algorithm that increased the chance of identifying patients at risk for Hepatitis C by hundreds of percent. Drug treatment can eliminate the disease, and without it, patients may develop liver cirrhosis and cancer.
The second project is a collaboration with the Israeli company AIDOC in building a platform for the implementation and joint management of a variety of AI tests in radiology. According to the WHO report, this approach saved Clalit a lot of time and money.
Sheba Hospital was mentioned for a joint project with the company AISAP, for the implementation of bedside cardiac ultrasound, with the goal of preventing delays in the diagnosis of heart problems in patients. According to a study conducted by the hospital and the company, in 55% of patients, the test results influenced treatment decisions. In some cases, they accelerated it, and in other cases, they created de-escalation or allowed for early discharge.
Almada reports: The R&D partnership that came back to life
In 2020-2021, when interest rates were low and optimism in the capital market was high, R&D partnerships for diversified investment in young companies were issued on the stock exchange. The shares of most of these partnerships plummeted when money became less accessible, and the companies failed to achieve quick successes.
The Almada partnership was one of them. It raised 70 million shekels for investment in medical equipment, but by January 2023, it had lost 84% of its value. However, unlike most other partnerships, Almada began to climb back up. Although the stock did not return to its issuance price, and its value — 50 million shekels — does not make it one of the strongest companies on the stock exchange, those who invested in it a year ago enjoyed a return of 54% on their investment.
The rise in Almada's stock was mainly due to the exit of BioProtect, which was sold for 270 million dollars to the Olympus corporation. Almada, which invested 4.4 million dollars in the start-up, recorded revenues of 12.6 million dollars from it. According to the company's reports published this week, Almada is even expected to distribute 10 million dollars to shareholders if it receives legal approval for this.
Currently, the promising companies in the company's portfolio are Nurami, which developed an implant for rapid healing after brain surgery; and TailorMed, which helps patients in the American healthcare system find funding for medications. However, the company noted in the report that a number of its companies are facing a funding challenge, including Virility, Augmedix, Lumen (which is called Meta Flow today), and Nova Plus.
Almada also revealed in the report that the company Belong from its portfolio, which developed an artificial intelligence system for counseling cancer patients, was sold last June for an amount lower than the investment volume.
