A new study from the HonorHealth Research Institute in Scottsdale found that olives might be helpful in delivering drugs to patients with cancer.
Vesicles, a small sac formed by a membrane and filled with liquid, can be created in a laboratory to carry drugs to cells in the body. They are also found in humans and in plants.
HonorHealth’s study found that vesicles derived from olives could be the basis of a new drug delivery system that’s less toxic and better targeted to a patient’s disease.
Frederic Zenhausern is a senior investigator at the research institute. He said the new treatment uses waste from agricultural olive processing.
“And they are extremely stable under different conditions,” Zenhausern said. “For example — we can almost store them in your fridge or even at room temperature for months and they are still stable.”
He said that differs from certain vaccines that have to be stored at freezing temperatures. He added that the findings could lead to more effective use of anti-cancer drugs, gene editing or the creation of modern RNA-based therapeutics.
“Together, these findings suggested that (olive‐derived nanovesicles) represent a promising candidate as drug nanocarriers for various (drug delivery system) clinical applications, as demonstrated by their biocompatibility, high resistance to stress, good stability in harsh environments, and improvement of anticancer drug efficacy,” the study concluded.”
-
K-12 students in Maricopa County may have easier access to mental healthcare next school year. The county has contracted with a company called Cartwheel to provide telehealth services for schools. -
Officials from the Arizona Department of Health Services confirmed one passenger on board an cruise ship where three passengers died from hantavirus has returned home to Arizona. That person is being monitored by local health officials. -
Among the many provisions of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act are new rules around Medicaid. In states that expanded the program, like Arizona, enrollees will have new work requirements. -
The list includes a Latter Day Saints church, a Fry’s, a Target and several restaurants. Anyone who may have been exposed to measles should watch for symptoms for three weeks. -
Smoke from the fire near Buckeye has blown into the rest of the Valley since it started burning Saturday.
