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.
A clinical trial found that over half of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with a HER2 gene mutation had their tumors stop growing or shrink after treatment with trastuzumab deruxtecan. The drug showed durable responses in 54.9% of patients, with median survival period of 17.8 months.
A study found that total vitamin D intake of 300 IU per day or more was associated with a 50% lower risk of developing young-onset colorectal cancer. Higher dietary vitamin D intake was linked to a reduced risk of colon polyps detected before age 50.
Cancer screenings experienced a sharp increase in the last quarter of 2020, following a decline during the early pandemic months. Racial and socioeconomic disparities were found to persist among users of some screening tests, with mammography showing significant shifts in patient distribution.
A new study by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute researchers identified multiple acquired resistance mechanisms for cancers with KRASG12C mutations, leading to the need for new drugs targeting KRAS and combination therapies.
Researchers found novobiocin selectively killed tumor cells with abnormal BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes. The drug is effective even in tumors resistant to PARP inhibitors, which are a prime therapy for cancers with DNA-repair glitches.
A phase 3 clinical trial of adjuvant immunotherapy found that pembrolizumab prolonged disease-free survival rates in patients with kidney cancer at high risk of relapse. The estimated disease-free survival was 77.3% with pembrolizumab and 68.1% with placebo, translating to a 32% decrease in the risk of recurrence or death.
A clinical trial found that nearly half of patients treated with nivolumab and ipilimumab were alive six-and-a-half years after treatment, outperforming those who received either drug alone. The combination therapy demonstrated a durable benefit for advanced melanoma patients.
Researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute presented numerous studies on various types of cancer, including kidney cancer, melanoma, and lung cancer. The studies focused on innovative treatments, diagnostic advances, and patient outcomes.
A fixed-dose combination of nivolumab and relatlimab demonstrated a statistically significant benefit over anti-PD-1 monotherapy in metastatic melanoma. The study found that patients treated with the combination therapy had a median progression-free survival of 10.1 months, compared to 4.6 months for those treated with nivolumab alone.
The USPSTF has recommended lowering the age for colorectal cancer screening to 45 years of age, aligning with the American Cancer Society's 2018 guideline. This change aims to catch more early deaths and preventions due to increasing cases in younger individuals. Further research is needed to identify underlying causes and risk factors.
Fertility concerns significantly affect young women with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer treatment decisions, new research shows. Women who express fertility concerns are more likely to choose not to start or discontinue endocrine therapy.
Researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute found that patients with non-small cell lung cancer and low aneuploidy levels tend to have better outcomes following treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors. These findings suggest that aneuploidy testing can help determine which treatment is most likely to benefit patients.
A comprehensive review of COVID-19's multi-organ effects suggests the need for dedicated clinics with specialists from diverse areas of medicine. Long-haulers experience a range of symptoms including fatigue, shortness of breath, and mental health issues, often persisting weeks or months after initial infection.
Two studies published in Cancer Cell describe single-cell dissection of kidney tumors to identify new immunotherapy treatments and targets. Researchers found that exhausted CD8+ T cells and anti-inflammatory macrophages contribute to an immune dysfunction circuit, opening up a new landscape of potential treatment targets.
In a major advance, CAR T-cell therapy ide-cel has generated deep, sustained remissions in patients who had relapsed from several previous therapies. Almost 75% of participants responded to the therapy, and one-third had a complete response or disappearance of all signs of their cancer.
The new guidelines recommend broadening eligibility criteria and requiring diversity study plans to increase African American participation. Gathering clinical trial data post-approval can also identify differences in safety and efficacy among racial subpopulations.
Scientists have identified CD161 as a potential new target for immunotherapy of malignant brain tumors, including glioblastoma. The molecule suppresses the cancer-fighting activity of immune T cells, but blocking its pathway enhances the killing of tumor cells and improves survival rates in animal models.
The combination of lenvatinib and pembrolizumab significantly improved overall survival, progression-free survival, and response rates compared to sunitinib in untreated patients with metastatic kidney cancer. The study results demonstrate the importance of immune checkpoint inhibitors in first-line treatment.
A nationwide panel developed guidelines recommending discontinuing routine mammograms for survivors with a life expectancy under five years. Guidelines also suggest stopping screening for those with a 5-10-year life expectancy, and continuing annual or biennial mammography when life expectancy exceeds 10 years.
Researchers found that a personalized cancer vaccine, NeoVax, stimulates a durable immune response in patients with melanoma. The study demonstrated the staying power of the immune response, which remained effective nearly four years after vaccination and expanded to recognize other proteins on tumor cells.
During the first COVID-19 surge, cancer screenings and diagnoses declined by 70% due to reduced testing. However, screening levels largely recovered in the months following the peak period. The study urges patients who delayed screenings to contact their provider to discuss rescheduling.
Researchers found that exposure to acrolein, a chemical produced by tobacco combustion, increases cardiovascular disease risk; Higher levels of toxic chemicals were detected in tobacco smokers than marijuana only smokers. The study suggests reducing acrolein exposure could lower risk.
Researchers developed molecular ON-OFF switches to regulate CAR T cell activity, potentially reducing toxic side effects. The switches use an FDA-approved drug to turn off or on the cells' anti-tumor function.
Researchers found that adding an immune checkpoint inhibitor to standard chemotherapy for patients with early-stage breast cancer does not decrease their ability to perform daily activities. The study, based on data from the IMpassion031 trial, showed increased response rates and no significant impact on quality of life.
New research suggests that testing for tumor DNA in DLBCL patients' stem cells or blood can help predict relapse risk. Patients with positive results may benefit from alternative treatments like CAR T cell therapy and prompt interventions to prevent relapse.
The combination of venetoclax with chemotherapy improves outcomes for patients with AML and MDS, with a promising overall response rate and acceptable safety profile. Venetoclax also demonstrates efficacy in treating high-risk MDS when combined with azacitidine.
A recent study by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute scientists has found that clonal hematopoiesis can confer a health benefit in the setting of allogeneic stem cell or bone marrow transplants. Patients who received transplants from older donors with CH had a lower risk of relapse and longer survival compared to those without CH.
Axicabtagene ciloleucel (axi-cel) achieved undetectable cancer levels in nearly 80% of patients, and durable responses in most participants. The therapy demonstrated improved response rates for follicular lymphoma compared to marginal zone lymphoma.
A new clinical trial has found that donor stem cell transplantation nearly doubles the survival rate of older patients with higher-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), aged 50-75. The study suggests that transplant should be considered for all eligible patients, ideally referred early to increase chances of finding a suitable donor.
A comprehensive map of approximately 200 kinases has been created to assist researchers in designing molecules that target specific kinases for destruction. This could lead to more effective cancer therapies by targeting kinases that play a key role in tumor cell proliferation.
National mortality trends following cancer surgery improved for Black and white patients, with a 0.12% and 0.14% decline per year, respectively. However, the racial gap in mortality rates persisted, indicating a need for targeted efforts to address disparities in cancer surgery outcomes.
Dana-Farber researchers will present findings related to stem cell transplant, lymphoma, leukemia, and multiple myeloma treatment, including a study on the benefit of hematopoietic cell transplantation in older patients with high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome. Another study explores the impact of clonal hematopoiesis in donors on recip...
Researchers found that Medicaid expansion is associated with earlier stage of diagnosis, leading to decreased mortality rates for patients with newly diagnosed breast, lung, or colorectal cancer. In states with expanded Medicaid programs, mortality rates were significantly lower than in non-expansion states.
Adagrasib achieves objective responses in nearly half of patients with non-small cell lung cancer; encouraging early results are seen in patients with colorectal, pancreatic, and endometrial cancer. The agent targets KRAS G12C mutation, leading to manageable side effects.
Scientists created a 3D structural model of the BAF complex, which modifies DNA architecture and is frequently mutated in cancer. The new model provides critical insights into how mutations disrupt gene regulation and tumor growth.
The study reveals that while COVID-19 complicates cancer care, it also spurs innovative solutions to clinical challenges. Researchers found that patients with cancer are at heightened risk of severe illness due to weakened immune systems, but also highlighted the benefits of telemedicine and creative approaches to treatment.
The CheckMate -9ER trial found that combining nivolumab and cabozantinib improved progression-free survival by doubling it compared to sunitinib, with a higher response rate and superior quality of life for patients. The combination treatment demonstrated meaningful efficacy benefits and manageable toxicity.
A large observational study found that patients who drank two to three cups of coffee per day had longer survival and a lower risk of cancer worsening compared to those who didn't drink coffee. The benefits held for both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee, but further research is needed to determine the causal connection.
Scientists at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute discovered how an abnormal protein misdirects gene expression in cells, contributing to the growth of sarcoma tumors. The researchers found that a small segment of the SS18-SSX fusion protein binds to nucleosomes, leading to aberrant activation of genes.
A study published in Nature Genetics confirms decades-old hypothesis that metastatic disease hijacks tissue-specific developmental programs. The researchers analyzed epigenetic data from patient-derived samples and identified thousands of sites across the prostate genome regulating gene expression.
A study by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute finds that an online CBT-I program significantly alleviates insomnia and improves overall quality of life in AYA cancer survivors. The program helps correct maladaptive sleep habits developed during treatment.
A novel liquid biopsy method has been developed to detect early kidney cancer with high accuracy, including small and localized tumors that are often curable but difficult to detect. The test is nearly 100% accurate in blood samples but shows less accuracy in urine samples, which can be improved through technical optimization.
Researchers developed a new method, HT-DBP, to screen thousands of drugs in freshly collected human tumor cells, potentially leading to more accurate and personalized treatment. The technique indicates which drugs are most likely to be effective against specific cancers, improving physicians' ability to tailor treatment.
In a phase 2 trial, berzosertib, an ATR protein inhibitor, was found to significantly extend progression-free survival for patients with ovarian cancer compared to chemotherapy alone. The drug targets a protein crucial for cancer cell growth and division.