Anhui Medical University

CorrectSequence Therapeutics' CS-121 Completed Dosing of First Chylomicronemia Patient, Demonstrating Excellent Safety and Significant Efficacy SHANGHAI, Nov. 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- On November 6, 2025, Shanghai, China, CorrectSequence Therapeutics Co., Ltd. (Correctseq), a clinical-stage biotechnology company pioneering transformer Base Editing (tBE) technology for the treatment of severe diseases, announced that the first patient in its Investigator-Initiated Trial (IIT) of the base-editing therapy CS-121 targeting APOC3 for chylomicronemia / hypertriglyceridemia has successfully completed dosing and been discharged from the hospital. Continue Reading Picture: The world’s first patient of the gene-editing therapy targeting APOC3 (Correctseq’s CS-121) for hyperlipidemia (the 6th from the right) has successfully completed dosing and been discharged. The patient, diagnosed with chylomicronemia, had a long history of fasting triglyceride (TG) levels exceeding 12.5 mmol/L and recurrent acute pancreatitis. In the dose-escalation IIT for CS-121, his fasting TG level dropped significantly within three days after a single low-dose administration, with no adverse events. This is the world's first successful clinical treatment of hyperlipidemia with the gene-editing therapy targeting APOC3. Picture: The world's first patient of the gene-editing therapy targeting APOC3 (Correctseq's CS-121) for hyperlipidemia (the 6th from the right) has successfully completed dosing and been discharged. Chylomicronemia is a metabolic disorder characterized by abnormally elevated chylomicrons in the blood, associated with lipid metabolism dysfunction, leading to extremely high fasting TG levels and potentially life-threatening complications such as acute pancreatitis. It is the most severe subtype of severe hypertriglyceridemia (sHTG), including Familial Chylomicronemia Syndrome (FCS) and Multifactorial Chylomicronemia Syndrome (MCS). FCS is a rare autosomal recessive disorder caused by biallelic mutations in the Lipoprotein Lipase (LPL) gene or other key regulatory genes, with fasting TG ≥10 mmol/L (885 mg/dL) and a global prevalence of 1 in 100,000–1,000,000. MCS results from a complex interaction of genetic, lifestyle, or metabolic disorders with a prevalence as high as 1 in 600 worldwide. Current treatments for chylomicronemia primarily aim to control fasting TG levels below the acute pancreatitis risk threshold (<5.7 mmol/L or 500 mg/dL), but available triglyceride-lowering medications are often insufficient, and very-low-fat diets are hard to maintain in a long-term manner. Scientific studies have shown that the APOC3 protein, produced in the liver, plays a central role in TG regulation. Large-scale population analyses have shown that individuals carrying natural APOC3 loss-of-function mutations have significantly lower TG levels without adverse effects. With advances in gene-editing technologies, it is now possible to therapeutically modulate APOC3 expression at the genetic level to lower TG levels — offering a potential curative strategy for chylomicronemia and hypertriglyceridemia. CS-121, Correctseq's first in vivo gene-editing therapy for chylomicronemia and hypertriglyceridemia, is based on the transformer Base Editor (tBE) — a highly precise base-editing system independently developed by Correctseq's scientific co-founders. Administered via intravenous injection, tBE is delivered via lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) to the liver and precisely edits the target APOC3 gene. It mimics beneficial natural APOC3 loss-of-function variants to downregulate APOC3 expression and effectively lower plasma TG levels. By addressing the disease at the genetic level, this therapy aims to achieve " one-time treatment, lifelong efficacy." CS-121 utilizing the next-generation tBE technology, which enables precise single-base correction without DNA double-strand breaks, offering superior safety over the gene-editing therapies based on CRISPR. tBE avoids potential safety risks such as p53 activation, chromosomal damage, off-target effects, and liver toxicity caused by DNA double-strand breaks. Preclinical animal studies showed excellent safety and long-term efficacy, with no off-target editing detected in various organs including liver, lungs, muscle, spleen, ovaries, heart, and kidneys. The first patient, a 63-year-old male, received a single low-dose intravenous administration on October 18, 2025. His fasting TG levels dropped significantly within three days after the treatment, and he was discharged three days post-treatment with no treatment-related adverse events to date. The principal investigators of the CS-121 IIT are Professor Huan Zhou and Doctor Zhili Wu from the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University. Correctseq, an innovative biotechnology company at the IND clinical stage, previously developed CS-101, an ex vivo gene-editing therapy that has successfully treated dozens of patients with β-thalassemia and sickle cell disease. The company is advancing the first in vivo gene-editing therapy CS-121 toward IND clinical trials and commercialization, aiming to offer " one- time treatment, lifelong efficacy" treatment for patients with chylomicronemia, hypertriglyceridemia, and other metabolic disorders. Acknowledgments: The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai Clinical Research and Trial Center. About CorrectSequence Therapeutics CorrectSequence Therapeutics (Correctseq), incubated at ShanghaiTech University, is dedicated to leveraging innovative gene-editing technologies to transform the lives of people with severe diseases. The company has developed multiple state-of-the-art base-editing systems that offer exceptional precision, minimize off-target effects, and enhance in vivo editing efficiency. Its robust pipeline spans genetic disorders, metabolic diseases, and cardiovascular conditions, with several programs already advancing toward clinical development. For more information, visit . Media Contact: Business Cooperate: [email protected] Clinical Trial Recruitment: [email protected] SOURCE CorrectSequence Therapeutics 21% more press release views with Request a Demo

Microplastics seemingly are everywhere, from the bottom of the ocean to the highest peaks, in products that we drink and eat, and in our bodies, including in brain tissue and testicles. One recent study investigated the presence of microplastics in medical devices , including implantables. Although there has been extensive reporting on the presence of microplastics, paradoxically little is known about their potential impact on human health. In this article, we will focus, in particular, on microplastics in medical devices and their possible toxicological impacts. First, though, let’s define what we are talking about. What we refer to as microplastics are plastic debris measuring less than 5 mm in length, which is roughly the size of a pencil eraser. They generally come from larger pieces of plastic that have eroded over time, often through natural processes. They may also come from polyethylene microbeads, which are already minute when they are fabricated for use as exfoliants in a range of health and beauty products. To allay concerns related to their environmental impact, they have been outlawed in many parts of the world in certain applications. In 2015, President Obama signed into a law a bill that banned their use in cosmetics and personal care products, and the European Union followed suit in 2023 (although transitional compliance periods extend to 2035 in some cases). They are banned in many other countries, including Canada, the United Kingdom, and China. Microplastics in single-use devices Hundreds of studies have been conducted over the years focusing on the proliferation of microplastics. One such study published in Environmental Research claimed to find that single-use plastic medical devices, which are typically made from polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), and PVC, release significant quantities of microplastics following high-temperature steam disinfection (HSD), which is generally required prior to disposal, according to the researchers. While the researchers recognize that disposable devices — a broad category that includes syringes, infusion sets, blood collection systems, and plastic blood bags — offer numerous conveniences, they can be a “non-negligible source of secondary microplastics” as a result of the waste treatment process. The research led by An Xu at the University of Science and Technology of China in Hefei used optical photothermal infrared spectroscopy to determine the release profiles of eight typical disposable medical devices under HSD. The scientists found that morphological changes were mainly associated with the material. In the online article preview, they note the following: PP and PS exhibited high aging phenomena (e.g., bumps, depressions, bulges, and cracks), and HSD broke their oxygen-containing functional groups and carbon chains. By contrast, only minor changes in the chemical and physical properties were observed in the PVC-based disposable medical devices under the same conditions. Further physico-chemical characterization indicated that the amount of microplastics released from PP-prepared disposable medical devices was greater than that from PVC-prepared disposable medical devices. The paper cites other studies that have explored the potential impact of microplastics on the reproductive, developmental, and neurological systems of worms. Those findings demonstrated, for example, that exposure to 10 and 100 mg/L low-density PE and polylactide (PLA) reduced the brood size of worms, and PS exposure affected their development by shortening body length and width. Xu’s team stressed, however, that the “release profiles of microplastics during medical waste treatment and their potential risks to the environment and human health remain unclear.” A more recent study investigated the release of microplastics from disposable infusion tubes and blood needles using laser direct infrared analysis. Published in Analytica Chimera Acta , the study found that PA, PVC, and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) were primarily released from infusion tubes, while blood collection needles mainly released polyurethane (PU) and PET. The significance of the study, according to lead researcher Xuejiao Qie from Anhui Medical University in China, is the implication that microplastics can enter the bloodstream directly through infusion tubes and blood collection needles, “highlighting the need for greater attention to the risk of patient exposure.” Other studies, primarily from researchers in China, have attempted to show increased exposure to microplastics through plastic packaging of infusion products and as a result of percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs). The latter study noted that PCI may be a new way for microplastics to enter the body . “Many devices used during PCI and their packaging contain plastic materials, such as guidewires, catheters, balloons, and stents. As a result of friction and collisions during the PCI, [microplastics] may be produced and enter directly into the blood,” write the researchers, led by Ming Zhang of Capital Medical University in Beijing. Noting that no previous studies have tested for the release of microplastics during PCI, this research showed for the first time the possibility of a large quantity of microplastics entering the bloodstream through this procedure. Regulatory remedies There are currently no laws regulating microplastics in medical devices. The medical device industry is one of the most tightly regulated sectors, with FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health and the European Union’s Medical Device Regulation responsible for ensuring the safety of devices in those two parts of the world. Other countries to a greater and lesser extent have similar regulatory oversight. The only federal legislation regulating the use of microplastics in the United States is the Microbead-Free Waters Act of 2015 . It prohibits the manufacturing, packaging, and distribution of rinse-off cosmetics containing plastic microbeads. In noting this legislation, US FDA added that the law is intended to prevent microbeads from ending up in lakes and oceans, where they may be mistaken for food by small fish and other wildlife. “The . . . law does not address consumer safety,” the agency goes on to say, “and we do not have evidence suggesting that plastic microbes, as used in cosmetics, pose a human health concern.” More recently, Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) introduced S.2353 - Microplastics Safety Act in July 2025. The act directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct a study on the human health impacts of exposure to microplastics in food and water and submit a report to Congress. Co-sponsored by Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL), the act was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions at the time of writing. The European Union has passed more restrictive legislation pertaining to microplastics. Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/2055, which is laid down in entry 78 of Annex XVII of the REACH regulation , restricts the use of “synthetic polymer microparticles (SPMs) in certain applications but does not “entail a ban on the use of SPMs,” as explained in the document. “The ban on placing SPM on the market starts applying at different times for different uses depending on the transitional period assessed as necessary taking into account the socio-economic impacts,” notes the explanatory guide. “The restriction measures laid down in entry 78 differ depending on whether using the SPM or the product containing them inevitably leads to SPM releases into the environment, or whether the releases can be prevented or minimized.” The regulation, enacted in October 2023, is phased in over several years, with some product categories having until 2035 to reach compliance. Microplastics legislation is proliferating worldwide, and a Global Plastic Laws Database tracks those initiatives across 115 countries. Access is free but registration is required. Health risks Although there have been countless articles in scientific journals as well as the mainstream press on the presence of microplastics in human tissues and organs, including in the brain, testicles, heart, stomach, lymph nodes, and placenta, as well as in urine, breastmilk, semen, and meconium, which is a newborn's first stool, research on the health impacts is only just beginning, notes an article from Stanford Medicine. “Scientists have estimated that adults ingest the equivalent of one credit card per week in microplastics,” writes Katia Savchuk. “Studies in animals and human cells suggest microplastics exposure could be linked to cancer, heart attacks, reproductive problems, and a host of other harms. Yet few studies have directly examined the impact of microplastics on human health, leaving us in the dark about how dangerous they really are.” Savchuk cites one of the earliest papers to examine health risks in humans, published in the New England Journal of Medicine in March 2024, which studied patients undergoing surgery to remove plaque from their arteries. According to this study, “more than two years after the procedure, those who had microplastics in their plaque had a higher risk of heart attack, stroke, and death than those who didn’t,” writes Savchuk. That paper inspired a researcher at Stanford Medicine to conduct pilot studies investigating the effects of micro- and nanoplastics on animals and human cells that line blood vessels. The research so far has shown that these plastic particles reportedly can get inside cells and lead to major changes in gene expression. "These findings suggest that the particles contribute to vascular disease progression, emphasizing the urgency of studying their impact," researcher Juyonong Brian Kim told Savchuk. Microplastics in packaging Addressing the specific issue of micro- and nanoplastics in food packaging, FDA has concluded that there is insufficient scientific evidence that the particles can migrate into foods and beverages. Moreover, “while many studies have reported the presence of microplastics in several foods, including salt, seafood, sugar, beer, bottled water, honey, milk, and tea, current scientific evidence does not demonstrate that the levels of microplastics or nanoplastics detected in foods pose a risk to human health,” writes the agency. “Additionally, because there are no standardized methods for how to detect, quantify, or characterize microplastics and nanoplastics, many of the scientific studies have used methods of variable, questionable, and/or limited accuracy and specificity.” On that note, Chris DeArmitt , PhD, founder of the Plastics Research Council and author of The Plastics Paradox , has devoted considerable resources to investigating these claims. The first question to address is whether we need to be concerned about the health effects of particles in general, and the answer is yes, he writes. “Fine particles under 10 microns and especially under 2.5 microns in size can cause health problems,” says DeArmitt. Plastics, he contends are safe, but people may be surprised to learn how unsafe some other particles are, as illustrated in the chart below. Compiled by Chris DeArmitt based on data from "Comparison between in-vitro toxicity of polymer and mineral dusts and their fibrogenicity" by J. A. Styles & J. Wilson published in The Annals of Occupational Hygiene, 16 (3), pp. 241–250, November 1973, and IARC Monographs, Volume 100, "A Review of Human Carcinogens" from the World Health Organization, 2012. “Quartz is one of the most common rocks. When we go to the beach, we merrily bathe in the sunlight, which can give us cancer while breathing in quartz dust, which can also give us cancer. Workers are exposed to dangerous levels of quartz, including those in factories sawing quartz countertops,” notes DeArmitt. Doing the math DeArmitt says that he has read more than 500 studies on the subject of microplastics, “a painful experience for me, but the good news is that scientists already have all the answers,” he writes. One example he cites is the widely reported claim that we eat a credit card’s worth of plastic per week. The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) made that claim based on a study it paid for, according to DeArmitt. “Other non-profits and the media repeated the claim. When considering evidence, it is always best to check other sources of information, preferably impartial ones,” he writes. “So, what does the best impartial scientific study have to say about microplastic ingestion by humans? The authors of that study specifically state that the WWF study is wrong. In fact, it is massively wrong: According to that study, humans ingest in the neighborhood of 184 nanograms per day, or 0.000000184 g.” To visualize that amount, consider that a grain of salt weighs 60,000 nanograms. “Remember, the WWF says that we ingest 5 g per week, which is what a credit card weighs, when the actual amount is just 0.0000013 g per week. Meaning that it would actually take tens of thousands of years to ingest a credit card’s worth of plastic,” writes DeArmitt. The science underpinning some of those studies are also routinely questioned by PlasticsToday columnist John Spevacek. He holds a PhD in chemical engineering from the University of Illinois (Urbana) and currently teaches at Wake Tech Community College in Raleigh, NC, where he is an assistant professor of engineering. Commenting on a recent study which found that black plastic cooking utensils made from recycled materials contained a chemical, BDE-209, that could leach out of the plastic when exposed to high temperatures, Spevacek noted that the researchers seemed to be mathematically challenged. They estimated that consumption levels of the chemical would reach 34,700 ng/day, dangerously close to the acceptable limit published by the Environmental Protection Agency of 42,000 ng/day. “Close scrutiny of the report , however, found that the initial conclusion was wrong due to a simple math error. The EPA limit is actually 10 times greater — 420,000 ng/day,” wrote Spevacek. To make matters worse, a second math error, this time with the formula used to calculate the amount of extracted BDE-209 was discovered. Instead of consuming 34,700 ng/day, people are actually more likely to be taking in 7,900 ng/day. “Wow,” wrote Spevacek. “That went from an initial report stating that human exposure was 83% of the EPA value to a new value that is 1.9% of the limit.” Alternative materials To get back to the specific place we began this article — microplastics originating from medical devices and implantables — the question becomes: What are the alternatives? The ever-growing use of plastics in medical technology is predicated on the material’s biocompatibility, safety, and superiority in terms of performance and cost. Single-use devices, to take one example, have been instrumental in reducing hospital-acquired infections through contaminated instruments. And demand shows no signs of slowing down. The global market for disposable medical devices was valued at $109.49 billion in 2024 and is forecast to expand at a CAGR of 4.9% between 2025 and 2030, reaching $144.85 billion by 2030, according a recent report from MarketsandMarkets. Demand continues to grow for the following reasons, according to an article in the Globe and Mail summarizing the report. Infection prevention and cross-contamination control are central to medical practices, and the focus has grown exponentially since the COVID epidemic. Disposable medical devices minimize microbial transmission risks and, by eliminating sterilization concerns, safeguard both patients and healthcare providers, especially in high-risk environments. Conditions such as diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular disorders require ongoing monitoring, frequent interventions, and long-term management. Disposable drug-delivery systems, diagnostic kits, and monitoring devices play an essential role in ensuring safe, convenient, and accurate care. A rising elderly population is susceptible to chronic illnesses, more surgeries, and long-term care needs, all of which amplify the demand for ready-to-use, sterile medical devices. In regions with improving healthcare infrastructure and rising disposable incomes, patients and providers increasingly favor the safety and convenience of disposables. Given the irrefutable safety benefits of single-use medical devices for patients and practitioners alike, and the conclusion drawn by global health authorities that current data do not support claims that microplastics represent a risk to human health, it’s hard to imagine what should replace plastics in the medical space and, more importantly, why an alternative is needed.

HONG KONG, Aug. 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- A collaborative research team led by Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) has developed a multifunctional nanorobot equipped with silver and gold nanorods to facilitate high-performance pollutant degradation and bacteria elimination, with its mobility navigated by the application of magnetic fields. The invention holds potential for broad applications in antibacterial treatments, sewage management, and biomedicine. Continue Reading A collaborative research team led by Professor Ken Leung Cham-fai, Associate Professor of the Department of Chemistry at HKBU, has developed a multifunctional nanorobot to facilitate high-performance pollutant degradation and bacteria elimination. Chemical pollution, pathogenic bacteria, and biofilms (a community of microorganisms embedded in a slimy matrix) pose significant threats to public health. In response, scientists have developed various nanoplatforms with catalytical and antibacterial properties. However, creating a remotely controllable nanorobot with precise targeting and propulsion capabilities, which aims to enhance efficacy and flexibility in treatment strategies, remains a challenge. Professor Ken Leung Cham-fai, Associate Professor of the Department of Chemistry at HKBU, in collaboration with scientists from the University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei University of Technology, and the Dongcheng branch of the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, have designed and fabricated a nanorobot, which demonstrates capabilities in breaking down organic pollutants, exhibits antibacterial properties, and removes biofilms. The research findings have been published in the academic journal Advanced Healthcare Materials. The multifunctional nanorobot has a hollow spherical structure with the following components and features: The core composes of iron oxide, a magnetic material that enables control of the nanorobot's movement with the application of magnetic fields, so that the nanorobot can navigate along predetermined paths; The middle layer consists of silver and gold bi-metallic nanorods, which act as catalyst for chemical reactions that facilitate the degradation of organic pollutants, and inhibit the growth or disrupt the function of bacterial cells; The outer layer is made of polydopamine, a biocompatible material that protects and stabilises the inner components; and A large cavity and mesoporous structure that can be used as drug carriers. To test the efficacy of the nanorobot in pollutant degradation, the research team created simulated miniature wastewater pools. Driven by magnetic fields, the nanorobots accurately moved to two of the chambers and stayed there for one minute. Subsequent tests showed that the levels of both 4-nitrophenol, an organic pollutant from industrial and agricultural activities, and methylene blue, an organic dye typically found in industrial wastewater, were reduced significantly. The research team also discovered that the nanorobot demonstrates antibacterial capability. The team used the nanorobot loaded with zinc phthalocyanine to investigate the antibacterial effects of silver and gold on Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus under various conditions, including controlling the nanorobots' movement with magnetic fields, and applying light sources including near-infrared laser and xenon lamp irradiation. When magnetic fields, near-infrared laser and xenon lamp irradiation were applied together, the nanorobot loaded with zinc phthalocyanine achieved up to 99.99% inhibition of bacterial proliferation. The magnetic propulsion capability of the nanorobot loaded with zinc phthalocyanine also enables it to effectively remove bacterial biofilms. When the nanorobots were introduced to biofilms grown in experiment plates, and U-shaped tubes with magnetic fields and light source were applied, they effectively disrupted and removed biofilms. When magnetic fields, near-infrared laser and xenon lamp irradiation were applied together, the most significant biofilm removal and lowest bacterial survival rates were recorded. The study highlights the potential of the nanorobot in addressing biofilm-associated infections and blockages in confined spaces like catheters. Professor Ken Leung Cham-fai said: "Our research results show that the multifunctional nanorobot developed by our research team exhibits precise catalytic capabilities, high antibacterial activity, and effective biofilm removal properties. Its mobility navigated by magnetic fields enables pollutant degradation and antibacterial activities to be conducted in a controlled, precise and effective manner. This multifunctional nanorobot possesses significant potential for applications in sewage treatment, biomedicine, and other fields." SOURCE Hong Kong Baptist University WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM? 440k+ Newsrooms & Influencers 9k+ Digital Media Outlets 270k+ Journalists Opted In GET STARTED