GLP-1 has proven benefits outside of weight loss; healthy hums, healthy brain; off-the-shelf cell therapy fights breast cancer – Morning Medical Update

GLP-1 has proven benefits outside of weight loss

A new analysis of the landmark SELECT trial, published in The Lancet, confirms that semaglutide reduces the risk of major cardiovascular events in people with obesity and preexisting heart disease — even in those without diabetes and regardless of weight loss. The study of more than 17,000 adults found that while semaglutide led to both weight and waist-size reductions, heart protection was not tied to pounds lost but partly linked to decreases in abdominal fat.

Healthy gums, healthy brain: Oral care tied to lower stroke risk

Two new studies in Neurology Open Access suggest that gum disease and cavities may significantly raise the risk of stroke and brain damage. Researchers found adults with periodontal disease showed more signs of white matter injury, while those with both gum disease and cavities faced an 86% higher stroke risk compared with people with healthy mouths. However, maintaining good oral hygiene — through brushing, flossing and regular dental care — was associated with an 81% reduction in stroke risk. More from CBS News.

Off-the-shelf cell therapy fights breast cancer

UCLA researchers have developed a universal immunotherapy that could transform treatment for triple-negative breast cancer, one of the most aggressive and least treatable forms of the disease. The new CAR-NKT cell therapy, detailed in Journal of Hematology & Oncology, harnesses engineered immune cells that can be mass-produced from donated blood stem cells, offering a ready-to-use, low-cost alternative to personalized CAR-T therapies. In preclinical studies, the cells destroyed cancer in all patient samples tested, attacking tumors through multiple mechanisms and dismantling their protective environment. The same therapy could also target ovarian, pancreatic and lung cancers, with clinical trials to begin soon.