The AACR Team Science Award recognizes a Duke University/Johns Hopkins University/National Cancer Institute research team for their innovative work on glioblastoma multiforme, the most common and lethal type of brain cancer. The team's discoveries have led to novel insights into the biology of GBM and potential therapeutic targets.
Dr. Robert D. Schreiber receives AACR-CRI Lloyd J. Old Award in Cancer Immunology for his groundbreaking contributions to the field of cancer immunology, including identifying IFNγ as a key cytokine and developing the cancer immunoediting concept.
Dr. John F. DiPersio is recognized for his work on experimental sequencing of cancer genomes, personalized medicine, and stem cell transplantation. He will present a lecture on graft-versus-host disease vs. graft-versus-leukemia.
Dr. Curtis Harris is being recognized for his landmark scientific contributions to the fields of integrative and molecular epidemiology of human cancer and cancer biomarkers. His research has significantly impacted the field of cancer risk assessment and our understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of human cancer.
A study found that patients with high levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in their blood had poor response to treatment with immunotherapy ipilimumab. Combining immunotherapy with VEGF inhibitors may be a potential option for these patients.
A study published in Cancer Prevention Research found that atypical ductal hyperplasia and atypical lobular hyperplasia have similar potential to develop into breast cancer. The study followed over 700 women with biopsy-confirmed atypia for an average of 12.5 years, finding that the ratio of breast cancer development was the same in bo...
Research suggests that walking at a brisk pace prior to diagnosis may improve prostate cancer outcomes by having more regularly shaped blood vessels. Men with faster walking paces had 8% more regularly shaped blood vessels compared to those with slower paces.
A study of Icelandic men found that higher melatonin levels were associated with a 75% reduced risk for developing advanced prostate cancer. Men who reported sleep problems had lower melatonin levels, suggesting the importance of maintaining a stable sleep-wake cycle.
Engineered immune cells, called CARTmeso cells, have shown antitumor activity in two patients with advanced cancers that failed prior treatments. The temporary CARs are safe and trigger a response against the patient's own tumor, providing a new tool for solid cancer therapy.
A phase III clinical trial found that switching to a different chemotherapy did not improve overall survival or time to progression for women with metastatic breast cancer and elevated circulating tumor cells. Patients with low CTCs before starting chemotherapy had a median overall survival of 35 months, while those with elevated CTCs ...
A randomized, phase II clinical trial found that adding carboplatin and/or bevacizumab to standard presurgery chemotherapy increased the number of patients with no residual cancer detected at surgery. The study showed significant increases in pathologic complete response rates for patients treated with these combinations.
A phase III clinical trial presented at the 2013 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium found that bisphosphonate zoledronate had no effect on event-free survival in women with chemoresistant breast cancer. Researchers also reported that patients with hormone receptor-positive disease were more common, which may impact treatment outcomes.
A new trial found that adding chemotherapy carboplatin and the molecularly targeted drug veliparib to standard presurgery chemotherapy improved pathologic complete response rates for patients with triple-negative breast cancer. The study's adaptive design showed a 92% predictive probability of success in a phase III trial.
A phase III clinical trial found that adding ramucirumab to chemotherapy drug docetaxel did not delay disease progression for patients with HER2-negative, advanced breast cancer. Researchers will analyze biomarkers to identify potential subgroups of patients who may benefit from the therapy.
Research found that women with HER2- and hormone receptor-positive breast cancer treated with neoadjuvant therapy had lower pathologic complete response rates if their tumors had PIK3CA gene mutations. These mutations were more common in HER2-positive breast cancers.
A double-blind, randomized trial found that anastrozole significantly reduced breast cancer incidence among postmenopausal women at high risk for developing the disease. The study showed a 53% reduction in breast cancer incidence with few side effects.
A randomized trial found that exercise reduced worst pain scores by 20% among women taking AIs, with a dose-response effect on pain relief. The study suggests exercise as a potential clinical intervention to improve AI-associated joint pain and adherence.
A phase II clinical trial found that adding dasatinib to letrozole therapy doubled the time before disease progression for postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer. Progression-free survival was also improved by 10 months compared to letrozole alone.
A new study has identified a highly effective treatment option for patients with HER2-positive breast cancer, combining docetaxel, carboplatin, and trastuzumab. The treatment regimen demonstrates improved outcomes and a safer profile compared to anthracycline-based therapies, which are currently dominated in breast cancer treatment.
The NeoALTTO trial analyzed event-free and overall survival in patients with HER2-positive primary breast cancer. The study found improved pathologic complete response rates, which may translate to better long-term outcomes.
Researchers have found that omitting radiotherapy in older patients with hormone-receptor positive breast cancer who undergo surgery and hormone therapy is a viable option, resulting in a lower rate of unnecessary treatment. The study suggests that these patients are at low risk of recurrence, making radiotherapy optional.
Researchers found that women with HER2-positive breast cancer who had high levels of immune cells in their tumors gained the most benefit from presurgery treatment with chemotherapy and trastuzumab. This biomarker can help identify patients most likely to benefit from this therapy.
A re-examination of large breast cancer screening studies reveals a substantial reduction in mortality rates for women undergoing screening. The results suggest that the estimates of women needed to be screened to prevent one death vary significantly, but can be standardized to a similar scenario.
A randomized controlled trial found that surgical removal of the primary tumor and axillary lymph nodes did not improve overall survival in women with metastatic breast cancer. The study suggests that conventional wisdom may need to be revised for patients who have metastatic breast cancer.
A new study has found a significant association between diabetes and an increased risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma, also known as liver cancer, in various ethnic groups. The study revealed that people with diabetes have a two- to threefold higher risk for liver cancer compared to those without the condition.
African-American women with high levels of HSET protein were three times more likely to have shorter overall survival, progression-free survival, and metastasis-free survival compared to those with lower levels. The study found that HSET represents a potential new biomarker for poor breast cancer outcomes in African-American women.
Researchers have identified a potential biological factor contributing to racial disparities in prostate cancer incidence and mortality. Advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) accumulate in African-American men with prostate cancer, promoting inflammation and cancer progression. AGE levels correlated with receptor for AGE (RAGE), sugge...
A study of 1,344 women diagnosed with breast cancer between 2004 and 2011 found that those with interruptions in health insurance coverage or low income levels were significantly more likely to receive non-concordant treatment. Women with lower incomes had a higher likelihood of nonconcordance with National Comprehensive Cancer Network...
A recent survey found that most people with relevance to HPV vaccination were unaware of its efficacy in preventing cervical cancer. The study suggests encouraging healthcare providers to discuss the vaccine's effectiveness with patients and parents of eligible adolescents to reduce cervical cancer incidence and mortality.
A study found that genetic alterations in the PAX gene family may explain head and neck cancer survival disparities between African-American and non-Latino white men. The research identified differential genomic and epigenomic alterations in PAX, NOTCH, and TP53 pathways between the two groups.
A new study published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention found that men who continued to smoke after a cancer diagnosis had a 59% increased risk of death compared to those who quit. Quitting smoking can also significantly reduce the risk of death for specific types of cancer, such as bladder, lung, and colorectal cancers.
Research suggests that women who test negative for BRCA2 mutations but have a family history are still at higher risk of developing breast cancer, with a fourfold increased risk compared to the general population. The study found that genetic factors other than BRCA-related genes may contribute to this increased risk.
Postmenopausal women who consumed sugar-sweetened beverages had a higher risk of developing the most common type of endometrial cancer compared to those who did not drink such beverages. The study found that women who drank more sugar-sweetened beverages had an increased risk, with the highest intake being associated with a 78% higher ...
Survivors with a history of smoking have poorer survival rates and are more likely to experience disease progression, relapse, or spread. Heavier pack-years smoked correlate with increased risk of death.
A recent study published in Cancer Prevention Research found that women vaccinated with one dose of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine had stable antibodies against HPV viruses in their blood for up to four years. The results challenge previous dogma on protein subunit vaccines requiring multiple doses for long-lived responses.
A phase I clinical trial of the investigational PARP inhibitor BMN 673 has demonstrated high objective and clinical benefit response rates in patients with BRCA-related breast and ovarian cancers. The treatment showed significant efficacy, with 44% of patients experiencing an objective response and 72% having clinical benefit.
A large cohort study found that older adults who used the internet consistently were more likely to engage in cancer-preventive behaviors such as colorectal screening and regular physical activity. Conversely, intermittent internet users had lower rates of these behaviors compared to never-users.
A new functional biomarker has been identified to predict responsiveness to BRAF-targeted drugs in patients with BRAF-mutant melanomas. Decreased S6 phosphorylation after treatment correlates with treatment response and improves progression-free survival.
A new diagnostic platform can detect BRAF V600 mutations in cancer tissue samples in about 90 minutes, faster and more accurate than the standard method. This could help accelerate diagnosis and treatment for patients with melanoma and other cancers.
A investigational antibody-drug conjugate, MLN0264, has shown promise in preclinical models of pancreatic cancer. The drug selectively targets tumors expressing guanyl cyclase C and has been found to inhibit tumor growth when combined with traditional chemotherapy agent gemcitabine.
Researchers have identified two drug combinations that can simultaneously block two major signaling pathways downstream of the KRAS protein, which is aberrantly active in most pancreatic cancers. The combinations substantially inhibited tumor growth and reduced metastasis compared to either drug alone.
CRLX101 has been shown to inhibit HIF-1alpha and has limited side effects, suggesting it may manage resistance to antiangiogenic and radiation therapies. The compound has also demonstrated target specificity in gastric cancers.
Researchers have discovered small molecules that attach to and disrupt the function of a KRAS-containing protein complex, potentially inhibiting cell growth and survival in cancer cells. These findings offer a new approach to targeting the common cancer protein KRAS.
Novartis' LEE011 has demonstrated robust antitumor activity in preclinical trials, particularly when combined with other targeted therapies. The small-molecule inhibitor of cyclin-dependent kinases (CDK) 4/6 shows promise in treating melanoma and breast cancer resistant to BRAF and PIK3CA inhibitors.
PF-06463922, a new investigational drug, has shown potent activity against the ALK protein kinase and its mutants, including those resistant to crizotinib. This offers a potential treatment option for patients with lung cancer harboring ALK gene abnormalities.
The investigational drug AZD9291, a third-generation EGFR inhibitor, has shown substantial tumor shrinkage in mice with lung tumors harboring activating and resistance mutations. It is well-tolerated and its breakdown product, AZ5104, also inhibits both forms of EGFR, providing new treatment options for patients.
A new optical imaging technique can accurately differentiate between breast cancer subtypes and detect responses to treatment as early as two days after therapy administration. The technique, known as optical metabolic imaging (OMI), measures the metabolic activity in cancer cells and generates distinct signatures for different types o...
A recent study published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention found that rural cancer survivors are 66% more likely to forgo medical care and 54% more likely to forgo dental care because of financial concerns. This disparity suggests that health insurance coverage alone may not ensure equal access to healthcare.
A study published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention found that walking for at least seven hours a week reduced breast cancer risk by 14% in postmenopausal women. Women who engaged in vigorous physical activity daily had a 25% lower risk of breast cancer.
A bioinformatics approach identified two antidepressants as potential new treatments for small-cell lung cancer, inducing cell death and inhibiting tumor growth. Imipramine and promethazine showed promise in animal models and preclinical studies, suggesting a new avenue for treating this deadly subtype of lung cancer.