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Seven long noncoding RNA molecules were found to be associated with the development of pulmonary hypertension (PH) in an early study in rats, scientists reported. The researchers noted that some of these RNAs are known to regulate immune and inflammatory response pathways, which may participate in PH. “Our study…

A new U.S. initiative called Rare Disease Cures Accelerator–Data and Analytics Platform — dubbed RDCA–DAP — aims to accelerate treatment innovation across rare diseases by sharing existing patient data and promoting the standardization of new data collection. Launched during a virtual workshop in September, the U.S. Food and Drug…

Blocking the activity of a small RNA molecule called microRNA-30a eased alterations in heart structure and blood vessel architecture in mouse models of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), a new study reports. Results also showed that this molecule is present at abnormally high levels in PAH patients, supporting its potential…

Using a healthcare cost model, researchers in the Netherlands found that an early diagnosis of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) leads to substantial life expectancy and quality of life benefits at an “acceptable” price. Although greater healthcare costs were associated with an earlier diagnosis — primarily due to the…

Many people with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension or CTEPH have a particular anatomical variation called May-Thurner anatomy, which may increase the risk of developing this rare disease type, according to researchers. A new study found this anomaly is very common in individuals with CTEPH, with nearly 30% of patients…

Rare mutations in the ATP13A3 gene caused a severe inherited form of childhood-onset pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), a case study of three families showed. These findings demonstrate the “growing importance” of genetic testing in patients with childhood-onset PAH, the scientists said, noting that the genetic basis of the disease…

Football and science seem to be disparate fields of play at first glance, but the nonprofit Uplifting Athletes is finding common ground by leveraging the popularity of college gridiron games to fund research for rare diseases. Its nearly two dozen chapters — representing college football teams across the nation…

COVID-19 tends not to cause serious disease or death in children with pulmonary hypertension (PH), but its long-term consequences remain unknown, according to a study done at a center in Texas. The study, “Outcomes of COVID-19 Infection in pediatric pulmonary hypertension: a single-center experience,” was published in the…

Health-related quality of life does not change substantially over time among people with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) — though PAH patients who experience more substantial disease progression tend to report worse quality of life scores — a small study done at a hospital in France has found. These findings…

A joint effort between the startup Owkin and Actelion Pharmaceuticals, one of the Janssen companies, will seek to develop machine learning techniques that could improve how clinical trials are designed, and how the results are analyzed. While the two companies will work to create tools that can be applied…

A newly launched non-profit institute is seeking to advance research, and the development of new therapies, for people with rare diseases — a patient community with some of the largest therapeutic needs, but one that is often left behind. Named the Institute for Life Changing Medicines, the project was…

Regularly consuming low-alcohol red wine reduced signs of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in a rat model of the disease, a study shows. “The results of this study suggest that chronic moderate consumption of RARW [reduced-alcohol red wine] or its components may represent a promising new protective strategy to limit…