Researchers found a shorter course of radiation therapy provides equivalent protection against breast cancer recurrence and physical side-effects, but reduces life disruption and financial burden. Patients reported less burden on their time and finances, with improved quality of life.
A new set of criteria, RANO 2.0, has been proposed to improve the assessment of progression in glioma patients and accelerate the development of new treatments for brain tumors.
Researchers at Dana-Farber and MD Anderson Cancer Center found that MTA buildup in tumor cells impairs T cell function. Depleting MTA with enzymes restores T cell activity, improving checkpoint inhibitor effectiveness in MTAP-deleted cancers.
Researchers developed an AI-based assessment tool to evaluate two-dimensional pictures of tumor samples, identifying previously underappreciated features such as tumor microheterogeneity and immune properties. These features are associated with improved overall survival among patients taking immune checkpoint inhibitors. The tool has t...
The INSIGhT trial has reported initial results, with patients on abemaciclib and neratinib experiencing longer progression-free survival than those receiving standard therapy. The adaptive platform trial uses Bayesian Adaptive Randomization to identify therapies that benefit patients more efficiently.
A new study published in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology found an association between breastfeeding as an infant and an increased risk of colorectal cancer in adulthood. Researchers analyzed data from over 158,000 women and discovered that breastfed individuals were 23% more likely to develop colorectal cancer later in life.
A new oral agent called mezigdomide has shown impressive responses in combination with dexamethasone in patients with multiple myeloma that had relapsed and stopped responding to all currently available therapies. The treatment produced a response rate of over 40% and a median duration of response of almost 8 months.
Researchers from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute have developed an AI model to diagnose sarcopenia, a predictor of poor outcomes in head and neck cancer. The tool provides fast, automated, and accurate assessments that can trigger interventions to improve patient care.
Researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute developed an AI-based tool, OncoNPC, that uses tumor gene sequencing data to predict the primary source of a patient's cancer. The model improved survival outcomes and enabled more targeted treatments for patients with cancers of unknown primary.
Researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Yale Cancer Center uncover epigenetic mechanism driving resistance to osimertinib in EGFR-mutant lung cancer. Blocking SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complexes reverses resistance, suggesting new therapeutic strategy
A study by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute researchers found that gliomas can arise from epigenetic changes, which affect gene activity without altering DNA sequence. The findings pinpoint two genes, an oncogene and a tumor suppressor, whose activities are epigenetically altered in human gliomas.
Researchers uncover genetic changes that link blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN) to exposure to ultraviolet radiation, suggesting a potential role for sunlight in its development. The study, published in Nature, sheds light on how cancer cells evolve across multiple tissues.
Patients with advanced kidney cancer who receive second-line treatment with a combination of atezolizumab and cabozantinib do not experience improved progression-free survival or overall survival compared to those treated with cabozantinib alone. The study also finds higher toxicity levels in patients receiving the combination therapy.
A phase 3 clinical trial by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute has shown vorasidenib significantly prolongs progression-free survival and delays radiation and chemotherapy for patients with Grade 2 IDH-mutant glioma. Treatment with vorasidenib can delay cognitive dysfunction in patients and preserve their quality of life.
Dana-Farber researchers present promising results for patients with rectal, brain, and kidney cancers in phase 3 trials. The PROSPECT trial shows neoadjuvant chemoradiation versus FOLFOX chemotherapy offers improved survival benefits for locally advanced rectal cancer patients. Additionally, the INDIGO trial demonstrates vorasidenib's ...
A clinical trial found that a telephone-based weight loss program can help breast cancer patients with overweight or obesity lower their weight by a significant degree. Women who received the program lost an average of 4.8% of their baseline body weight, compared to a 0.9% increase in the control group.
A targeted kinase inhibitor added to a two-drug immunotherapy combination slowed the progression of advanced kidney cancer, with patients experiencing significantly improved progression-free survival. The median PFS was 11.3 months for those on nivolumab and ipilimumab alone, compared to not yet reached in the three-drug group.
Researchers developed a new clinical tool to predict clonal hematopoiesis (CH) risk in patients, using genetic data and demographic parameters. The tool assigns a score, defining three groups of patients with varying levels of cancer progression risk.
A new study reveals that the HOXB13 protein regulates PSMA expression, even when the androgen receptor is absent, and identifies amino acids that are upregulated in low-PSMA tumors. This complex system of PSMA control has multiple subtypes, suggesting optimally targeted therapies.
A phase 2 study found a 92% disease control rate with the combination of belzutifan and cabozantinib in pre-treated advanced kidney cancer patients. The treatment has a manageable safety profile, providing a potential alternative for patients experiencing disease progression on immunotherapy.
Researchers found that cells in the colon undergo a type of molecular time travel, reverting back to an embryonic state and creating immature, non-functional cells that can form benign growths called adenomas. Blocking Sox9 in mouse models prevented adenoma formation and resulted in mature cell maturation.
Scientists at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and NYU Grossman School of Medicine discovered that specialized protein complexes in the nuclei of cells play a commanding role in activating T cells to attack cancer and triggering exhaustion. Targeting these complexes with gene-cutting technologies or targeted drugs may reduce exhaustion and...
A co-location model for cancer diagnostic services at a community health center in Boston reduced time to diagnosis from 32 days to 12 days. The program, which has been in operation for 12 years, was designed to bring oncology diagnostics and patient navigation services into the community health center.
Researchers from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute have outlined a path toward understanding, preventing, and treating young-onset colorectal cancer. The study highlights the need for multidisciplinary research involving diverse populations to account for the complexity of the disease.
Revumenib induces remissions in 40% of patients with acute leukemia and uncovers a molecular countermove by which leukemia cells sidestep the drug. The study reveals that menin itself is a valid target for therapy in both genetic subtypes of AML, providing formal proof in patients.
Researchers have identified a new target for COVID-19 treatment: the mammalian SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex. Disrupting this complex's activity blocks ACE2 receptor production, making cells resistant to SARS-CoV-2 infection. This approach offers a promising novel method for combating drug-resistant variants.
A combination of two novel immunotherapy drugs has shown promising clinical activity in treating patients with refractory metastatic colorectal cancer. The study found that 23% of patients had a tumor reduction, and the disease control rate was 76%. The treatment was well-tolerated, but adverse events were common.
A multidisciplinary team reviews genomic test results and recommends treatment options for patients with gastrointestinal cancer, identifying clinical trials suitable for most patients. The program has been successful in providing expert treatment guidance for over 500 patients and can be a model for other cancer centers.
Scientists at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute have developed a potent drug that neutralizes SARS-CoV-2 and its variants by mimicking the ACE2 receptor, making it effective against emerging antibody-resistant strains. The investigational drug, DF-COV-01, could also be used to treat future coronaviruses.
A new study by researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute found that patients with cancer and a weakened immune system who receive immunotherapies are more likely to experience severe COVID-19. The study also found that patients treated with other systemic treatments have milder symptoms, but still face increased risk of complications.
A new platform developed at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute helps match patients with cancer to trials of targeted therapy by analyzing genomic alterations in their tumors. The platform, called MatchMiner, has been shown to expedite the process of finding an appropriate trial for patients, reducing the time to consent by 22%.
A targeted kinase inhibitor added to a two-drug immunotherapy combination slowed the progression of advanced kidney cancer in previously untreated patients. The three-drug combination showed a 27% lower risk of progression or death compared to the two-drug control, with a median progression-free survival of 11.3 months.
Researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute have made significant breakthroughs in treating breast and kidney cancers, with data from pivotal studies showing encouraging results for new treatments. Phase 3 trials are underway to evaluate a three-drug regimen for advanced kidney cancer, while a combination therapy is being tested for HR...
A new study by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute found that dispensaries often prioritize sales skills over cannabis therapeutics training, leading to a lack of reliable guidance for patients. The study's findings highlight the need for standardized training and education in cannabis therapy to ensure patients receive accurate information.
A recent study found that women with lung cancer experience significant changes in their sexual desire and vaginal pain/discomfort after diagnosis. The research highlights the need for addressing sexual health in thoracic oncology care to improve patients' quality of life and overall well-being.
A study by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute reveals molecular tumor profiling of pediatric tumors can clarify diagnoses and treatment with targeted, precision cancer drugs. In 24% of cases, patients responded to the therapy or experienced durable clinical benefits.
A new study reveals that non-coding mutations in the human genome can increase cancer risk by altering epigenetic marks on DNA. Researchers identified an important biological mechanism, which could lead to therapies targeting this pathway.
A new study found that patients with multiple myeloma who received a three-drug combination therapy had improved progression-free survival if they underwent an autologous stem cell transplant soon after treatment. The use of maintenance lenalidomide also conferred substantial clinical benefit.
A phase 2 trial of the experimental drug adagrasib showed a 42.9% objective response rate and median overall survival of 12.6 months in patients with KRAS-mutated non-small cell lung cancer. The treatment also achieved a 33.3% response rate in patients with stable brain metastases.
Several phase 3 studies conducted by Dana-Farber researchers show promising results for patients with multiple myeloma and breast cancer. A novel combination of two experimental cancer immunotherapy agents yields promising results in patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma brain tumors.
Children from marginalized groups and those with public insurance had poorer five-year survival rates, even when receiving standardized treatment. The study highlights the need for healthcare delivery and supportive care interventions to mitigate racial and ethnic disparities in childhood cancer.
A recent clinical trial has shown that a combination therapy of abemaciclib and letrozole can effectively treat patients with recurrent ER-positive endometrial cancer. The study found that 75% of patients experienced tumor shrinkage or stabilization, making it a promising alternative to current treatments.
Barrett's esophagus is caused by long-term GERD, which leads to changes in cells where the stomach and esophagus meet. Researchers found that stomach cells adopting intestinal cell qualities may be a key factor in its development.
Researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute discovered that human immune cells use a billion-year-old family of proteins to defend against viruses and cancer. These gasdermin proteins, similar to those found in bacteria, trigger pyroptosis, a fast response to infection or cell damage.
A new study by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute researchers found that a 2.5-year regimen involving ibrutinib and chemoimmunotherapy can provide deep and lasting remissions of chronic lymphocytic leukemia in young patients. The therapy was effective even for patients with higher-risk CLL, and showed minimal side effects.
Patients with multiple myeloma receive limited COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness compared to cancer survivors not on treatment. The disease and its treatment can weaken immune systems, reducing vaccine efficacy.
A new study found elevated rates of a myeloma precursor condition, MGUS, in older Black adults and those with a family history of blood cancer. Individuals at high risk were twice as likely to have MGUS, an asymptomatic condition that can progress to myeloma.
A targeted cancer drug combination has shown clinically meaningful activity in patients with highly malignant brain tumors carrying the rare BRAF v600E mutation, including glioblastomas. The study yielded an encouraging response rate of 33% overall and 69% in low-grade gliomas.
A new study by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute found that younger patients with metastatic colorectal cancer have a similar overall survival time as older patients, defying expectations. The study included data from the CALGB/SWOG 80405 clinical trial and compared survival times in 514 younger patients under 50 with 1,812 older patients.
A targeted drug, cabozantinib, has shown activity against brain metastases from kidney cancer, achieving a 50% response rate. The drug's ability to reach the brain through the blood-brain barrier offers a promising systemic option for patients with poor life expectancy and intervention tolerability.