Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) affects approximately 29 million people in the U.S. and is the fourth leading cause of death. Mucus plugging (mucus that accumulates in the lungs and reduces airflow) and chronic bronchitis are both related to dysfunctional airway mucus, which is common in people with COPD. Sometimes mucus plugging and chronic bronchitis co-occur, but it is quite common to have one or the other but not both conditions. Given the limited availability of disease-modifying treatments for COPD, understanding the underlying biology of mucus pathology is critical to identifying new therapeutic targets.  

 

In a new study, researchers at Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine have found that mucus plugs in the lungs alter the pattern of gene activity in a way that is similar to chronic bronchitis, suggesting that there may be similar underlying causes to both conditions. It is believed these researchers are the first group to study gene activity differences associated with mucus plugging. 

A pair of new studies examines two aspects of the colon cancer screening process: the preferences of patients and physicians for all currently available colorectal cancer screening options, and the impact of a 2023 federal policy change that eliminated out of pocket costs for those who get an abnormal result on a home-based stool test and then need a colonoscopy. 

Researchers have uncovered a promising cancer treatment strategy by targeting a mitochondrial protein called peroxiredoxin-3 (PRX3). PRX3 normally acts as a cleanup system inside cancer cells, breaking down hydrogen peroxide before it becomes toxic. The team discovered a compound fragment that binds to PRX3 and switches it off, causing hydrogen peroxide to accumulate beyond the cell’s tolerance. This surge in oxidative stress overwhelms cancer cells, while sparing healthy ones, offering a novel approach to therapy that flips the traditional model of reducing stress into one that exploits cancer’s vulnerability.