Researchers identified key features of tumors that influence response to immune checkpoint inhibitor drugs in advanced kidney cancer. Unlike other types of cancer, high infiltration by CD8 T cells actually led to a worse outcome, contradicting previous observations.
Dana-Farber nurse-scientists have received major research grants to develop innovative smoking cessation programs and study the causes of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. The projects aim to improve lung health and treatment outcomes for cancer patients.
Scientists are conducting a randomized trial to assess the efficacy of ibrutinib, a blood cancer treatment, in reducing supplemental oxygen needs and shortening hospital stays for COVID-19 patients. The goal is to improve survival rates among those with breathing problems caused by the virus.
Researchers found that ancestry affects variations in hundreds of genes, but most significant differences are tissue-specific. The study analyzed data from 10,678 patients across 33 cancer types, revealing specific organ and tissue-type associations.
A new study reveals significant immune changes occur early in multiple myeloma development, including increased natural killer cells and loss of memory T cells. These findings may lead to personalized treatment strategies based on the immune microenvironment of each patient's disease.
A new targeted drug, adavosertib, has demonstrated strong activity against uterine serous carcinoma (USC), a hard-to-treat form of the disease. In nearly one-third of patients, tumors shrank in response to the treatment.
A study published in Nature found that glioma patients with hypermutated tumor cells did not benefit from checkpoint blocker treatments. The researchers suggest that approaches increasing cytotoxic lymphocyte infiltration may improve immunotherapy response in gliomas.
A new blood test has been developed to detect a wide range of cancers, including breast, colorectal, and pancreatic cancer, with an accuracy rate of 99.3%. The test uses next-generation sequencing to analyze DNA methyl groups, which can indicate the presence of cancer.
Researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute have identified two factors that predict which ovarian cancer patients will not benefit from a combination of immune checkpoint and PARP inhibitors. Patients with specific gene mutations or vigorous immune responses to the cancer are more likely to respond to the therapy.
Researchers found that intestinal stem cells (ISCs) regenerate through the process of de-differentiation, eliminating the need for a reserve stockpile. Under normal conditions, ISCs differentiate into daughter cells, which can then reverse their differentiation to become ISCs.
A novel drug targeting hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) 2-a has shown a 24% response rate in patients with metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma. The study, launched after phase I/II results, aims to further investigate the agent's efficacy and safety.
Researchers identified 34 patients with therapy-associated polyposis (TAP), developing colorectal growths despite not having a hereditary susceptibility. The study found TAP mimics familial polyposis but is biologically distinct, suggesting multiple biological pathways involved in its development.
A new 'experimental evolution' method, called 3Dseq, can determine the interactions that proteins use to fold into functional three-dimensional shapes. This technique may aid in understanding cancer-related proteins and pinpointing mutations contributing to disease progression.
Researchers developed a bispecific T-cell engager, AMG 701, to target myeloma cells. Administered with lenalidomide or pomalidomide, it showed promising pre-clinical results in mice implanted with human myeloma cells.
A new analysis reveals that donor stem cell transplantation following PD-1 treatment is generally safe and produces good outcomes for patients with Hodgkin lymphoma. Post-transplant treatment with cyclophosphamide may also lead to improved results, reducing rates of acute GVHD and relapse.
A study by Dana-Farber researchers suggests that adding venetoclax to a reduced-intensity drug regimen prior to stem cell transplant can increase the chances of transplant success. The treatment has been found to be safe and does not impair donor cells' ability to engraft in recipients.
Researchers identified genetic mutations that predict patient outcomes after a stem cell transplant for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in patients over age 60. Patients with specific gene mutations were classified into low, high, or intermediate-risk groups, enabling personalized treatment approaches.
A new study from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and University of Texas Southwestern finds that non-white minority cancer survivors are less likely to receive treatment from culturally competent providers, with significant disparities in access to these physicians. The study highlights the critical need for culturally competent care in c...
A new blood test has been developed to detect multiple types of cancer, including hormone receptor-negative breast, colorectal, and pancreatic cancer, with a high degree of accuracy. The test uses next-generation sequencing technology to probe DNA for methylation patterns associated with cancer.
Cancer cells adapt to treatment with checkpoint blocker drugs by altering a metabolic process, leading to shorter survival for patients. The study suggests that identifying biomarkers of metabolic changes related to treatment with checkpoint blockers could help identify patients who might benefit from combination therapy.
A single-session sleep education program has been shown to cure insomnia in many cancer survivors, according to a new study. Those who don't benefit from this approach are often helped by a more extensive three-session program. The findings suggest a 'stepped care' model can be effective for improving insomnia in cancer survivors.
A national survey found that about one-third of middle- and high-school students were exposed to vaping aerosols in 2018, a 30% increase from previous years. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported an alarming rise in second-hand e-cigarette exposure among young people.
A new study found that even low-intensity exercise was associated with a nearly 20% reduction in cancer progression or death in patients with advanced colorectal cancer. Patients who engaged in moderate exercise while undergoing chemotherapy tended to have delayed disease progression and fewer severe side effects from treatment.
Scientists have discovered a rare, inherited gene mutation that significantly increases the risk of pancreatic and other cancers. The RABL3 mutation was found in a family with multiple relatives diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and zebrafish carrying the mutation also showed dramatically higher rates of cancer.
A new AI tool developed by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute can extract high-value cancer outcomes from unstructured radiology reports with comparable accuracy to human reviewers. The tool, trained on over 14,000 imaging reports, was able to replicate human assessments of disease-free survival and progression-free survival.
Scientists identified two subtypes of pNETs, type A (ARX-expressing) and type B (PDX1-expressing), with dramatically different risks of recurrence following surgical treatment. Type B tumors have an excellent prognosis, while type A tumors require vigilant monitoring for potential recurrence.
Researchers have shown that high doses of cyclophosphamide stimulate an immune system attack on lymphoma cells, resolving long-standing questions about the drug's mode of action. The discovery suggests a novel way to spark an immune system strike on certain cancers, particularly those with aggressive characteristics.
A study found that slower walking speeds are linked to lower survival rates and increased likelihood of hospitalization in older patients with blood cancers. Measuring gait speed offers a useful tool for tailoring care to individual patients.
A large study has demonstrated that enzalutamide improves outcomes for men with metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer, with an overall survival rate of 80% after three years. This new treatment option is especially relevant for men who cannot tolerate chemotherapy and have a lower burden of disease.
Researchers identify three patterns of CLL growth: exponential, logistic, and indeterminate, with the former often driven by a high number of genetic alterations. The study provides insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying these differences, potentially enabling prediction of disease course.
A new study found that black men with low-risk prostate cancer are 16% less likely to adopt active surveillance than non-black men, despite similar rates of overall active surveillance. The disparity is attributed to socioeconomic and insurance barriers that deter black patients from accessing follow-up care.
A clinical trial has shown that targeted therapy tagraxofusp is effective in treating blastic plasmacytoid dendritic-cell neoplasm (BPDCN), a rare and aggressive blood cancer. The therapy, which targets the CD123 protein, has been approved by the FDA for use in BPDCN patients.
A risk model has been devised by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute researchers to classify patients with asymptomatic Waldenström macroglobulinemia into low, intermediate, or high risk of developing symptomatic disease. The model uses four biomarkers and was validated on two external cohorts with high accuracy and precision.
A small clinical trial suggests that high-dose vitamin D may delay disease progression in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. Patients who received high-dose vitamin D had a median delay of 13 months before their disease worsened, compared to 11 months for those in the low-dose group.
Researchers discovered that adult tissues maintain a catalog of genes active in embryonic development, which can be accessed under certain conditions. This finding has major implications for regenerative medicine, as cells from patients may be coaxed into an earlier stage of development to replace diseased or failing organs.
A new study shows that innovative communication programs can improve patients' mental health symptoms and quality of life. The program, which involves structured conversations between clinicians and patients, results in more timely and meaningful discussions about patient values and goals.
A phase 3 clinical trial found that a combination of two drugs, including an immunotherapy agent, significantly improved progression-free survival and response rates compared to a standard treatment. The results suggest that the new treatment may become a new standard for first-line treatment for patients with metastatic kidney cancer.
The use of active surveillance for low-risk prostate cancer nearly tripled between 2010 and 2015, with 42.1% of men adopting this strategy. This increase is associated with a favorable prognosis and reduced toxicity from treatment.
A recent study suggests that black men diagnosed with low-risk prostate cancer (Gleason score 6) may have a more aggressive form of the disease, leading to higher mortality rates compared to non-black men. The research found a significant disparity in prostate cancer death rates between black and non-black patients with Gleason 6 cancers.
Scientists have discovered that irisin, a hormone released by muscles during exercise, directly acts on key regulatory cells that control the breakdown and formation of bone. Treating osteocytes with irisin protected them from age-related death and increased their production of sclerostin, a protein that triggers bone remodeling.
A study of 561 young women with breast cancer found that those who underwent mastectomy scored lower in quality of life measures, including satisfaction with appearance, psychosocial well-being, and sexual well-being. Breast-conserving surgery was associated with better outcomes, regardless of whether one or both breasts were removed.
Researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute have made significant advances in understanding the progression of multiple myeloma from precursor conditions, suggesting potential new treatments. The study found that immune system cells in patients with precursor conditions undergo changes that affect disease progression, and a novel combi...
Researchers identified genetic changes that enable tumor cells to evade immune detection after stem cell transplant. Telomere length is linked to risk of death from high-dose chemotherapy in MDS patients.
Researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute present positive results from clinical trials of CAR T-cell therapy and immunotherapy for patients with leukemia and lymphoma. The studies show that Yescarta provides durable benefit to lymphoma patients, while pembrolizumab achieves long-lasting responses in patients with an aggressive form ...
A new combination of venetoclax with standard drugs azacitidine or decitabine has been granted accelerated approval for treating elderly patients with acute myeloid leukemia. The trial showed a 67% overall response rate, with improved efficacy and tolerability compared to traditional hypomethylating agents.
Researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute have discovered a previously unknown molecular vulnerability in two rare, aggressive cancer types, synovial sarcoma and malignant rhabdoid tumors. The study identifies the ncBAF complex as a key player in these cancers' proliferation and growth.
Scientists uncover how T cells respond to outside signals, activating them to attack diseased cells. The findings may help fine-tune T-cell therapies for individual patients.
Researchers found that thalidomide acts by promoting the degradation of transcription factors, including SALL4, leading to limb and fetal growth complications. The study's findings will help guide development of new anticancer drugs with a similar scaffold.
Researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute found biomarkers in melanoma that can help tailor immunotherapy treatments. The study suggests that some patients with advanced melanoma may not benefit from combination therapy, but could do well with single-agent treatment.
A new clinical trial analysis found that combining an aromatase inhibitor with ovarian function suppression yields a 10-15% improvement in freedom from distant recurrence for high-risk younger breast cancer patients. Women at low risk saw minimal benefit, while those at intermediate risk gained a 4-5% advantage.