ASCLS eNewsBytes

• Scientists ID Genetic Basis for Muscle Formation February 16, 2026
  Muscles constitute about 40% of the human body, facilitating all movements, from walking to post-injury recovery. However, some individuals experience abnormal muscle development, resulting in weakness, delayed motor skills or permanent disabilities.
• FDA Approves Hologic's Aptima HPV Assay Primary Screening Option February 16, 2026
  Hologic Inc.’s Aptima HPV Assay has received FDA approval for clinician-collected HPV primary screening. This test is noted as the only FDA-approved mRNA-based assay specifically designed to identify infections that are most likely to result in cervical cancer.
• Carbon-Ion Therapy Offers Nonsurgical Option for Early Breast Cancer Treatment February 16, 2026
  New five-year data indicate that high-energy particle therapy may enable some women with early breast cancer to avoid surgery while maintaining effective oncologic outcomes.
• How a Single Gene Mutation Drives Cognitive Impairment, Anxiety and Social Deficits February 16, 2026
  A recent study highlights how rare mutations in important epigenetic regulators can disrupt early brain development, leading to cognitive impairment, anxiety and social deficits. Utilizing advanced stem-cell models, chromatin-mapping technologies, and genetically engineered pre-clinical models, researchers made significant findings regarding these mutations.
• FDA Approves Subcutaneous Daratumumab Combination in NDMM February 16, 2026
  The FDA has approved the combination of subcutaneous daratumumab and hyaluronidase-fihj with bortezomib, lenalidomide and dexamethasone for adult patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma who are ineligible for autologous stem cell transplant.