A novel drug candidate based on a marine natural product discovered 20 years ago could be the basis for a new approach to treating pancreatic cancer. UF College of Pharmacy researchers have developed a novel molecule based on marine cyanobacteria, Apra S10, to target pancreatic cancer cells. In laboratory testing, Apra S10 inhibited the growth of pancreatic cancer cells derived from patients and maintained high concentrations in the pancreas compared with other organs. Apra S10 originates from a family of molecules known as apratoxins, found in select areas of the Pacific Ocean near Micronesia.

— Matt Splett

Among otherwise healthy people, a daily dose of aspirin does not save lives and can cause additional bleeding, an analysis by UF Health researchers has found. The meta-analysis of 11 aspirin therapy clinical trials involving more than 157,000 healthy individuals found the drug doesn’t reduce deaths, heart attacks and strokes. Low-dose aspirin users were also about 50 percent more likely to have major bleeding compared with those who did not use aspirin. Aspirin prevents blood clots from forming, which can reduce the risk of a stroke or heart attack. But it can also be a hazard: Blood that doesn’t clot easily can raise the risk of a hemorrhagic stroke or internal bleeding.

— Doug Bennett