Scientists perform the world’s first pig-to-human lung transplant; having a purpose tied to lower risk of dementia; a new look at brain cancer treatment – Morning Medical Update

The first ever pig-to-human lung transplant

In a world-first feat, reported in Nature Medicine, researchers in China transplanted a genetically modified pig’s lung into a brain-dead man. The organ survived nine days and showed partial function but also signs of rejection and fluid buildup within 24 hours. Experts call the step promising, but caution that lungs, highly exposed to the environment, are the hardest organ to transplant successfully. The New York Times has more.

Having a purpose is tied to lower risk of dementia

People with a strong sense of purpose in life were about 28% less likely to develop cognitive impairment or dementia over 15 years, according to a UC Davis study of more than 13,000 adults published in The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry. The protective effect held across racial groups and even among those with genetic risk for Alzheimer’s, with higher purpose linked to later onset of decline. While the delay is modest when compared to new drugs, purpose is a safe, free tool to aid brain resilience — built through relationships, goals and meaningful activities.

Trial offers new insights into brain cancer drug

Australian researchers have completed the first-ever perioperative clinical trial in brain cancer, revealing in detail how a new drug acts on low-grade gliomas. Using the Brain Perioperative (BrainPOP) platform, patients took the IDH1 inhibitor Safusidenib before surgery, allowing scientists to analyze tumor tissue both pre- and post-treatment. Published in Nature Medicine, the study shows the drug effectively suppressed tumor activity, offering hope for young adults living with this slow-growing but incurable cancer. Larger trials are now planned to test its impact on patient survival.