A new study from MD Anderson found substantial variation in the costs of breast cancer treatment for different chemotherapy regimens, with varying prices by up to $20,354. The researchers suggest that informed choice of chemotherapy could impact costs nationally by $1 billion annually.
The ASCEND-5 study showed ceritinib significantly improved progression-free survival compared to chemotherapy in crizotinib-pre-treated patients with non-small-cell lung cancer harbouring an ALK rearrangement. Ceritinib also increased overall response rate, but did not improve overall survival.
The phase III KEYNOTE-024 trial found pembrolizumab significantly improved progression-free survival by approximately four months compared to chemotherapy, with 80% of patients alive at six months on pembrolizumab. The treatment was also associated with a higher overall response rate and lower adverse events.
Researchers observed a significantly greater objective response rate (55% vs. 29%) in patients who received pembrolizumab as well as chemotherapy, compared to those treated with chemotherapy alone. Participants also experienced an improved progression-free survival (median 13.0 months vs. 8.9 months) in the pembrolizumab arm.
The CheckMate 026 trial found that nivolumab did not improve progression-free survival over chemotherapy in patients with PD-L1 positive tumours. However, combination immunotherapies are being investigated to potentially increase the proportion of patients who benefit from treatment.
In the ASCEND-5 study, ceritinib significantly improved progression-free survival compared to chemotherapy in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer harbouring an ALK rearrangement. The primary endpoint was a median progression-free survival of 5.4 months with ceritinib versus 1.6 months with chemotherapy.
A phase III clinical trial found that nivolumab significantly extended life among patients with relapsed head and neck cancer without worsening quality of life. The treatment also showed fewer side effects compared to chemotherapy, with only 13% of patients experiencing serious side-effects.
Researchers developed an assay to identify chemotherapy-resistant cells in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) tumors. The least sensitive cells can predict a patient's response to chemotherapy, improving therapeutic outcomes.
A cardioprotective drug, dexrazoxane, has been found to prevent long-term heart damage in children receiving chemotherapy. The use of dexrazoxane can allow anthracyclines to be given more safely and at higher doses without risking damage to the heart.
A study published in BMC Cancer found that the chemotherapy drug etoposide can damage developing ovaries in female fetuses, potentially affecting their fertility. Researchers exposed mouse ovaries to etoposide before follicle formation and found significant damage, leading to reduced egg supply and early menopause.
Researchers have developed a new treatment that blocks neurotransmitters to prevent nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy, significantly improving patient outcomes. The study found that 74% of participants experienced no nausea or vomiting when treated with olanzapine, compared to 45% on placebo.
Researchers have found an association between adjuvant chemotherapy and improved survival in stage 2 colon cancer patients, contradicting current clinical guidelines. The study analyzed 153,110 patients with stage 2 colon cancer and found that those who received adjuvant chemotherapy survived longer than those who did not.
Two independent studies in mice show that fasting or caloric restriction mimetics during chemotherapy increases the presence of cancer-killing T cells, reducing tumor mass over time. The research provides proof of concept for two potentially safe approaches to enhance chemotherapy.
A phase III trial found that chemoradiotherapy after surgery for gastric cancer (GC) does not achieve better outcomes than post-operative chemotherapy. The study, which involved 788 patients, showed equivalent five-year survival rates of 40.8% in both treatment arms.
Doctors used PET scans to identify patients with advanced Hodgkin lymphoma who could safely stop using the potentially toxic drug bleomycin. This approach resulted in similar survival rates and fewer side effects for those who stopped bleomycin compared to those who continued it.
Research suggests that patients with advanced ovarian cancer who underwent pre-surgical chemotherapy showed altered immune cells in their tumors, indicating a potential increase in effectiveness of immunotherapy after treatment. This study found evidence of activation of certain T cells and reduction of immune suppressive cells in pati...
Researchers discovered that chemotherapy activates immune cells T cells within tumours, but also boosts cancer defences against immune attack. Effective immunotherapy treatments will have to block PD-L1 protein to target tumours effectively.
A large cohort of 29,908 patients with pathologic stage T2N0M0 NSCLC showed improved median overall survival and 5-year OS when receiving adjuvant chemotherapy. The study demonstrated a benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with completely resected stage T2N0M0 NSCLC regardless of tumor size.
Research suggests that coordinating chemotherapy treatments with the time of day when a patient's body is most awake can minimize drug toxicity and increase anti-cancer therapeutic drug efficacy. This approach targets the circadian clock, which regulates certain signaling pathways to regulate drug metabolism.
A new study from MD Anderson Cancer Center found substantial variation in costs of breast cancer treatment for different chemotherapy regimens, with insurer costs varying by as much as $20,354. Choosing equally effective but less costly regimens could impact the cost of breast cancer care nationally by $1 billion every year.
A phase III clinical trial found that giving chemotherapy after radiotherapy delays further growth of anaplastic glioma and increases the number of patients alive at five years. The treatment improved survival for patients with this rare type of brain tumour, now being considered standard care.
Researchers found that adding metformin to a chemotherapy and radiation treatment regimen for head and neck cancer patients showed improved outcomes, including better overall survival, compared to those not on metformin. However, faster escalation of metformin was poorly tolerated due to nausea, vomiting, and other side effects.
Researchers discovered leukemia cells harvest mitochondria from normal cells during chemotherapy, allowing them to survive and thrive. This finding offers new hope for developing better treatments for acute myeloid leukemia by targeting the energy-boosting mechanism.
A research team at Georgia Institute of Technology identified a specific miRNA molecule that controls the genes governing chemotherapy resistance in human pancreatic cancer cells. Increasing this miRNA's level restored sensitivity to the drug in vitro, suggesting a potential therapeutic approach for battling chemotherapy resistance.
Research on carboplatin therapy in rats suggests that chemotherapy can affect dopamine and serotonin levels, leading to cognitive issues. The study provides new insights into the development of chemo brain, a condition affecting up to one-third of chemotherapy patients.
Researchers have found that a combination of vitamin A and chemotherapy can reduce cancer cell proliferation and invasion in pancreatic cancer. The approach targets both cancer cells and surrounding stromal cells, blocking multiple cell signalling pathways used by cancer cells to become aggressive.
Researchers discovered that immune T cells can overcome chemotherapy resistance in ovarian cancer by outsmarting fibroblasts. By boosting these immune cells, the tumor cells begin to die off, suggesting a new approach to treating ovarian cancer.
A research team identified low expression of methylation-controlled J protein (MCJ) as a marker of poor response to chemotherapy in triple-negative breast cancer patients. They found that MCJ-expressing tumors had reduced relapse-free survival and that mice deficient in MCJ had larger tumors and increased chemoresistance.
Women with early-stage breast cancer who used dietary supplements and complementary medicine were less likely to start chemotherapy than nonusers, according to a new study. CAM use was associated with lower chemotherapy initiation rates among those for whom treatment was indicated.
Women with early-stage breast cancer who used dietary supplements and complementary therapies were less likely to start chemotherapy. Dietary supplement usage was associated with a lower likelihood of initiating chemotherapy, while mind-body practices showed no relation.
A randomized study found that chemoradiotherapy did not improve overall survival compared to chemotherapy in patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer, contradicting prior expectations. The study also showed no significant difference between gemcitabine and gemcitabine plus erlotinib treatments.
A large study of 2,437 patients with stage II testicular seminoma found that radiation therapy was associated with better outcomes compared to chemotherapy, particularly in stage IIa disease. The study's findings support the recommendation for radiotherapy as the preferred treatment option for early-stage II testicular cancer.
A study found that gut bacteria can predict the risk of life-threatening blood infections following high-dose chemotherapy in cancer patients. The researchers created an algorithm that uses bacterial DNA sequencing to identify good and bad bacteria, predicting infections with around 85% accuracy.
Breast cancer survivors undergoing anthracycline-based chemotherapy did not experience greater risk of lasting cognitive decline, according to a recent study. Neuropsychological tests revealed comparable cognitive function between groups up to seven years after treatment.
A phase III trial found that patients taking nivolumab were more than twice as likely to be alive after one year compared to those treated with chemotherapy. Median survival for nivolumab was 7.5 months, significantly longer than 5.1 months for chemotherapy.
Patients with EGFR expressing advanced squamous non-small-cell lung cancer benefit most from necitumumab added to gemcitabine and cisplatin chemotherapy. The addition of necitumumab improves overall survival and progression-free survival by 21% and 16%, respectively, in patients whose tumours express the EGFR protein.
A phase Ib trial demonstrated that combining immunotherapy with live bacterium CRS-207 and chemotherapy resulted in a 94% disease control rate and 59% response rate in patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma. The therapy also showed good immune activation and synergistic efficacy with chemotherapy.
Researchers at Children's Hospital Los Angeles found that targeting survivin enhances chemotherapy effectiveness in retinoblastoma cells and mouse models. The combination of a survivin inhibitor with chemotherapy agents increased Rb cell death, demonstrating a therapeutic advantage.
Patients with grade 2 gliomas treated with radiation therapy plus chemotherapy had a better overall survival of 13.3 years compared to 7.8 years without chemotherapy. The study also found that patients with IDH1 mutation had significantly better overall survival regardless of treatment.
A phase 1b clinical trial shows that an experimental therapy can control pancreatic cancer tumors well enough to make patients eligible for surgery. The treatment, PF-04136309, was found to be safe and effective when combined with chemotherapy.
A study published in The Lancet Oncology found that most female childhood cancer survivors can conceive, but male survivors are less likely to father a child due to chemotherapy exposure. Female survivors treated with certain drugs like ifosfamide and cisplatin may face challenges conceiving, particularly after age 30.
A new study from the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center found that neurofeedback significantly reduces chronic pain and improves quality of life in cancer patients with chemotherapy-induced neuropathy. The treatment, which uses electroencephalogram biofeedback to modify brain activity, showed a 73% improvement rate in pai...
A new study found that low expression of SMARCA4/BRG1 gene in lung tumors may indicate patients who will benefit from certain chemotherapy regimens. The findings suggest an alternative therapy for these patients to spare them from cisplatin's side effects and allow them to try a different treatment sooner.
Researchers found that dose-dense adjuvant chemotherapy significantly improved overall survival after ten years by nearly a third compared to standard interval regimens. Dose-dense chemotherapy was not associated with an increased risk of treatment-induced amenorrhea, and it seemed effective irrespective of hormone receptor status.
Researchers at St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center found that a standard front-line treatment for advanced ovarian cancer should involve every three week chemotherapy with carboplatin, paclitaxel plus bevacizumab, or weekly dose intense paclitaxel without bevacizumab
Using laser probe, neurosurgeons deliver chemotherapy drugs to patients with glioblastoma after opening the blood-brain barrier. The technology allows for longer treatment windows and potentially limits harmful effects of chemotherapy.
A large-scale analysis of patient records found that chemotherapy before radiation therapy did not improve overall survival rates for head and neck cancer patients. Patients who received concurrent chemotherapy and radiation had slightly longer median overall survival times compared to those receiving chemotherapy alone.
A large-scale analysis of patient records found that induction chemotherapy did not improve overall survival rates or increase the likelihood of receiving a full course of radiation therapy. The study compared more than 8,000 patients who received induction chemotherapy with those who received concurrent chemoradiation.
A new study suggests that patients with resectable pancreatic cancer should receive at least 6 months of adjuvant chemotherapy to reduce distant disease recurrences and improve overall survival. Chemotherapy, but not chemoradiotherapy, significantly reduces the incidence of distant recurrence.
A three-year study funded by PCORI investigates the safety and patient preferences of discharge strategies after chemotherapy for children with acute myeloid leukemia. The study aims to gather data on bloodstream infections and chemotherapy delays to inform better care for these vulnerable patients.
Chemotherapy can reduce the body's immune response, leaving breast cancer survivors vulnerable to illnesses. Researchers found that levels of lymphocytes and antibodies dropped significantly after chemotherapy, with only partial recovery in some cases.
Researchers have identified a biomarker, CDX2, that can predict which Stage II colon cancer patients are most likely to benefit from chemotherapy after surgery. The study found that patients without CDX2 had poorer outcomes, but those treated with chemotherapy had improved survival rates.
A new treatment model recommends aggressive surgery followed by targeted chemotherapy to achieve a 50% cure rate for women with advanced-stage ovarian cancer. This approach differs from current conventional treatments, which often result in a 20% survival rate.
A new biomarker, CDX2, has been identified that predicts which stage II colon cancer patients may benefit from chemotherapy. The study found that tumors lacking CDX2 expression were more likely to benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy than those with CDX2 expression.
A study found that women with breast cancer who received chemotherapy and triptorelin had a higher long-term probability of ovarian function recovery without affecting pregnancy rates or disease-free survival. The treatment showed modest benefits regarding potential prevention of treatment-associated infertility.
A recent study published in Endocrinology Today holds promise for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy to protect their fertility and defense systems. Researchers found that the potent humanin analogue (HNG) protected male germ cells and white blood cells, reducing infertility and infection susceptibility.
A new study from MD Anderson Cancer Center found that delaying chemotherapy after surgery increases the risk of death for breast cancer patients, particularly those with triple-negative breast cancer. Patients who start treatment within 90 days have a lower risk of death compared to those who delay it.
Studies found that patients with delayed breast cancer surgery and chemotherapy had poorer overall and disease-specific survival rates. A delay of up to 90 days in receiving chemotherapy was associated with no adverse outcomes, but prolonged delays led to increased risks of death from the disease.
A phase III trial found that capecitabine improved disease-free survival for women with HER2-negative breast cancer that was not eliminated by presurgery chemotherapy. The study showed a 30% reduced risk of disease recurrence compared to standard therapy.
Patients with stage 2 or 3 triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) who achieved a pathologic complete response (pCR) after presurgery chemotherapy had significantly improved event-free and overall survival compared to those with more than minimal residual invasive disease. This benefit was observed in patients with larger tumors or lymph ...