Med - a Cell Press journal

Deep multi-omics profiling reveals three molecular subtypes of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in a unique biomass-exposed Chinese population Wu et al. conduct deep multi-omics profiling on a unique Chinese population of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease by integrating radiomics, metabolomics, microbiomics, and genomics data. They revealed three molecular subtypes, enhancing our understanding of the heterogeneity of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Online Now: Deep multi-omics profiling reveals three molecular subtypes of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in a unique biomass-exposed Chinese population

T cell exhaustion in bi- and trispecific T cell engager therapy in hematologic malignancies: Mechanisms and implications The review by Muth et al. summarizes current evidence of pre-existing and therapy-induced T cell exhaustion in patients treated with bispecific T cell engagers for hematological malignancies. It discusses underlying biological mechanisms and provides an overview of emerging therapeutic strategies to ameliorate T cell exhaustion to improve the durability and efficacy of these immunotherapies.

Online Now: T cell exhaustion in bi- and trispecific T cell engager therapy in hematologic malignancies: Mechanisms and implications

Precise and efficient DNA base editing restores normal hearing in adult DFNB9 mouse model Zhang et al. show that precise DNA base editing restores hearing in an adult hereditary deafness model, DFNB9, demonstrating a broad therapeutic time window and supporting the safety and translational potential of this strategy for genetic hearing loss.

Online Now: Precise and efficient DNA base editing restores normal hearing in adult DFNB9 mouse model

A machine learning model integrating circulating Temra cell transcriptional profiles to predict immunotherapy efficacy Circulating Temra cells constitute a clonally expanded CD8+ T cell subset correlated with immunotherapy response. Dong et al. developed a machine learning model based on Temra transcriptional profiles to predict treatment outcomes, which was subsequently validated prospectively in a multi-center non-small cell lung cancer cohort via bulk RNA sequencing.

Online Now: A machine learning model integrating circulating Temra cell transcriptional profiles to predict immunotherapy efficacy

Single-cell profiling of immune reset in patients with refractory generalized myasthenia gravis receiving autologous CD19/BCMA CAR-T cell therapy In this phase 1 trial, Ruan et al. demonstrate that CD19/BCMA dual-targeting CAR-T cells are safe and effective in refractory generalized myasthenia gravis without lymphodepletion, leading to systemic immune reset via B cell lineage reconstitution.

Online Now: Single-cell profiling of immune reset in patients with refractory generalized myasthenia gravis receiving autologous CD19/BCMA CAR-T cell therapy

Health care utilization and self-reported health status among US cancer survivors by rurality and area deprivation Lee et al. found that cancer survivors in rural and the most deprived areas were generally less likely to visit health care providers and more likely to have fair or poor health status. In adjusted models, many of these associations persisted.

Online Now: Health care utilization and self-reported health status among US cancer survivors by rurality and area deprivation

Becotatug vedotin, MRG003, in previously treated recurrent or metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma: A multicenter, single-arm, phase IIa trial In a phase IIa trial, Han et al. report that the EGFR-targeting antibody-drug conjugate MRG003 shows promising efficacy with a manageable safety profile in patients with platinum- and immunotherapy-refractory recurrent/metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma, offering a potential new therapeutic strategy for this population with limited options.

Online Now: Becotatug vedotin, MRG003, in previously treated recurrent or metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma: A multicenter, single-arm, phase IIa trial

Current state of CAR-T cell therapies for solid tumors Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy is effective in blood cancers but faces obstacles in solid tumors, including antigen heterogeneity and an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. This review summarizes key preclinical and clinical findings and highlights emerging strategies, including innovative CAR designs, non-conventional CAR-based therapies, and in vivo engineering, to overcome these obstacles.

Online Now: Current state of CAR-T cell therapies for solid tumors

COPD reshapes the tumor microenvironment of NSCLC and enhances anti-PD-1 therapy response Chen et al. show that COPD reshapes the lung epithelium in NSCLC, expanding CXCL14+ basal-like tumor cells. These cells recruit macrophages producing CXCL9 through the CXCL14-CXCR4 axis, creating an immune-permissive niche that enhances the anti-PD-1 inhibitor response.

Online Now: COPD reshapes the tumor microenvironment of NSCLC and enhances anti-PD-1 therapy response

Patient-reported outcomes from a phase 2 PLATINUM trial of nivolumab combination therapy sparing concurrent cisplatin in nasopharyngeal carcinoma Xu et al. conduct a full analysis of patient-reported outcomes from the phase 2 PLATINUM trial of nivolumab combination therapy sparing concurrent cisplatin in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. The results support social reintegration as a practical composite indicator of favorable patient-reported outcomes. Interventions targeting speech, swallowing, and decreased appetite might promote better recovery.

Online Now: Patient-reported outcomes from a phase 2 PLATINUM trial of nivolumab combination therapy sparing concurrent cisplatin in nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Toward precision immunotherapy: In vivo gene editing of T, NK, and myeloid cells This review outlines how emerging in vivo immune engineering strategies—encompassing viral and non-viral vectors—can reprogram immune cells directly within the body to restore immunosurveillance. By enhancing immune cell persistence, specificity, and function in situ, these approaches have the potential to bypass logistical barriers to ex vivo cell manufacturing.

Online Now: Toward precision immunotherapy: In vivo gene editing of T, NK, and myeloid cells

Analysis of biomarkers in the Human Phenotype Project using disease models from UK Biobank Pellow et al. combine predictive models from the UKBB with the deep multi-omic Human Phenotype Project cohort to identify biomarkers for predicted disease. In addition to recapitulating many known disease biomarkers, they identify new biomarkers, sex-specific biomarkers, and biomarkers prevalent across a wide range of diseases.

Online Now: Analysis of biomarkers in the Human Phenotype Project using disease models from UK Biobank

The diversity of emerging tick-borne viruses globally: From discoveries to zoonotic risk assessment By compiling 1990–2024 data on emerging tick-borne viruses, Zhang et al. characterized their host range, distribution, and virus-host interactions; constructed a zoonotic risk model; and validated three novel human pathogens via clinical samples to inform global surveillance.

Online Now: The diversity of emerging tick-borne viruses globally: From discoveries to zoonotic risk assessment

Adjunctive intravenous tirofiban plus methylprednisolone for acute ischemic stroke: A pooled analysis of the RESCUE BT and MARVEL trials In this pooled individual patient data analysis of the RESCUE BT and MARVEL trials, Ye et al. showed that combined tirofiban and methylprednisolone as an adjunct to endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) for acute large-vessel occlusion stroke improved functional outcomes without major safety concerns compared with EVT alone.

Online Now: Adjunctive intravenous tirofiban plus methylprednisolone for acute ischemic stroke: A pooled analysis of the RESCUE BT and MARVEL trials

Incidence and spectrum of immune-related adverse events in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors This meta-analysis of 27 trials (2,459 nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients) finds 69.1% all-grade and 8.1% grade ≥3 immune-related adverse events with immune checkpoint inhibitors, with hypothyroidism and rash most common. It offers NPC-specific safety data to guide clinical monitoring of immune checkpoint inhibitors.

Online Now: Incidence and spectrum of immune-related adverse events in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors

Lymphocyte alterations and elevated complement signaling are key features of refractory myasthenia gravis Dodd et al. report an immune imbalance in refractory myasthenia gravis, characterized by expanded memory and pro-inflammatory B cells, elevated complement proteins, and reduced Tregs. Low baseline B cell counts predict poor response to rituximab, with persistent plasmablasts, thus highlighting biomarkers and potential therapeutic strategies targeting plasma cells, complement, and Tregs.

Online Now: Lymphocyte alterations and elevated complement signaling are key features of refractory myasthenia gravis

Advances and perspectives in CEA-targeted therapies: From classic biomarker toward actionable therapeutic target Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) stands as a classic tumor biomarker in diagnosis, treatment monitoring, and prognosis, but its targeted drugs have failed to keep pace. This review synthesizes breakthroughs in CEA-targeted drugs, highlights key barriers, and proposes strategies based on tumorigenesis for the first time, greatly improving prospects for patients with CEA-expressing cancers.

Online Now: Advances and perspectives in CEA-targeted therapies: From classic biomarker toward actionable therapeutic target

Med 5th anniversary

Join us in celebrating Med’s commitment to advancing research, embracing technological innovation, and fostering meaningful relationships at the heart of medicine with a selection of inspiring commentaries from Med’s advisory board members. http://dlvr.it/TQlfwd

Bridge to transplant using a flow-adaptive extracorporeal total artificial lung system following bilateral pneumonectomy An extracorporeal artificial lung enabled bilateral pneumonectomy in severe ARDS with drug-resistant pneumonia, with explanted lungs demonstrating irreversible injury rather than recoverable ARDS.

Online Now: Bridge to transplant using a flow-adaptive extracorporeal total artificial lung system following bilateral pneumonectomy

μPharma: A microfluidic, AI-driven pharmacotyping platform for single-cell drug sensitivity prediction in leukemia Hu et al. developed μPharma, a microfluidic AI platform enabling rapid, single-cell prediction of leukemia drug sensitivity without direct drug exposure. By leveraging pretreatment biomarkers, μPharma provides accurate, automated, and same-day therapeutic insights, facilitating treatment selection and revealing intratumor heterogeneity, thus advancing precision oncology toward broader clinical adoption.

Online Now: μPharma: A microfluidic, AI-driven pharmacotyping platform for single-cell drug sensitivity prediction in leukemia

Divergent effect of diabetes on fibrosis response to semaglutide and resmetirom in noncirrhotic MASH: A meta-analysis of randomized trials A meta-analysis of randomized trials demonstrates that type 2 diabetes at baseline modifies fibrosis response to semaglutide and resmetirom in noncirrhotic MASH. In diabetic MASH patients, semaglutide did not improve liver fibrosis while resmetirom did; conversely, in nondiabetic MASH patients, semaglutide improved liver fibrosis while resmetirom did not.

Online Now: Divergent effect of diabetes on fibrosis response to semaglutide and resmetirom in noncirrhotic MASH: A meta-analysis of randomized trials

Precision oncology in rare tumors: Have the orphans been adopted? This review defines rare cancers as incidence-based diseases and includes molecularly defined, tissue-agnostic entities now central to many rare and ultra-rare tumors. It distills trial strategies (basket/platform and N of 1) and outlines collaborative pathways and regulatory routes that translate genomic insights into effective, equitable therapies for small patient populations.

Online Now: Precision oncology in rare tumors: Have the orphans been adopted?

Specificities of pediatric listeriosis beyond the neonatal period: A national prospective study The MONALISA study in France analyzed 48 pediatric listeriosis cases (ages 1 month–18 years). Neurolisteriosis dominated (60%), often without immunosuppression in young kids; abdominal infections (13%) were more common than in adults. Mortality was 8%, with no disabilities in survivors, highlighting unique patterns for better diagnosis and treatment.

Online Now: Specificities of pediatric listeriosis beyond the neonatal period: A national prospective study

EBUS-guided transbronchial mediastinal cryobiopsy for diagnosing non-metastatic lymphadenopathy: A randomized controlled trial Diagnosing non-metastatic lymphadenopathy presents challenges when employing endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration, a conventional biopsy technique. Deng et al. demonstrate that endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial mediastinal cryobiopsy significantly enhances diagnostic yield in comparison to the endobronchial ultrasound-guided needle aspiration while preserving a similar safety profile.

Online Now: EBUS-guided transbronchial mediastinal cryobiopsy for diagnosing non-metastatic lymphadenopathy: A randomized controlled trial

A rare case of biliary adenocarcinoma mimicking an abdominal wall soft tissue tumor Matuschik et al. report the first documented case of biliary adenocarcinoma arising from ectopic biliary epithelium within Meckel’s diverticulum, highlighting the malignant potential of embryonic remnants. Although initially classified as a cancer of unknown primary, advanced multidisciplinary diagnostics confirmed biliary origin, and complete resection led to 1-year recurrence-free survival.

Online Now: A rare case of biliary adenocarcinoma mimicking an abdominal wall soft tissue tumor

Non-linear association of coagulation factor XI with mortality This study shows a non-linear association between coagulation factor XI activity and mortality in individuals undergoing coronary angiography. Both low and high FXI activity levels were associated with increased risk, but the pattern differed according to coronary artery disease and heart failure, underscoring the need for personalized approaches when targeting this pathway.

Online Now: Non-linear association of coagulation factor XI with mortality

Sprayed low-temperature plasma-infused hydrogel dressing for skin-wound management A sprayable hydrogel that preserves the bioactivity of low-temperature plasma-derived factors promotes rapid antibacterial action and wound healing, with efficacy validated across multiple animal models, including infected diabetic minipig wounds.

Online Now: Sprayed low-temperature plasma-infused hydrogel dressing for skin-wound management

Fibrotic MASH resolutionVCTE index to diagnose fibrotic MASH resolution and predict LREs: A global multicenter study Feng et al. developed the fibrotic MASH resolutionVCTE index, a non-invasive tool for identifying fibrotic MASH resolution and predicting long-term liver-related events. Its integration into clinical practice could improve patient management by providing a reliable and accessible method for monitoring disease resolution and guiding therapeutic strategies.

Online Now: Fibrotic MASH resolutionVCTE index to diagnose fibrotic MASH resolution and predict LREs: A global multicenter study

Cell Symposia: Hallmarks of cancer

We're excited to host a distinguished lineup of speakers at @CellSymposia #CSHallmarks2026, including keynote speakers @johannajoyce.bsky.social & Faisal Mahmood @harvardmed.bsky.social. View the full speaker lineup: http://dlvr.it/TPbBpQ

MHC-II-restricted neoantigen vaccine reverses immune microenvironment and overcomes resistance to immune-checkpoint inhibitors in cold tumors Song et al. demonstrate that MHC-II-restricted neoantigen vaccine reverses the cold tumor microenvironment by promoting both CD4+ and CD8+ T cell infiltration and function. Its combination with TIGIT blockade showed enhanced anti-tumor efficacy by enhancing antigen-specific CD4+ T cell cytotoxicity and delaying T cell exhaustion.

Online Now: MHC-II-restricted neoantigen vaccine reverses immune microenvironment and overcomes resistance to immune-checkpoint inhibitors in cold tumors