Researchers identified CEP17 as a highly significant indicator of response to anthracycline treatment in breast cancer patients. Patients with CEP17 were approximately two-thirds more likely to survive and experience recurrence-free survival compared to those without the biomarker.
A recent meta-analysis of 14 trials found that pregnancy after breast cancer diagnosis reduces the risk of death by 42%. The study suggests that hormonal changes during pregnancy may have an inhibitory effect on breast cancer cells, and that foetal antigens may also play a role in reducing the risk of recurrence. The findings support t...
Researchers developed a strategy to overcome the issue, highlighting the importance of communication between healthcare providers. The study showed that changing drug therapy at an early stage can help patients get the full benefit of tamoxifen treatment, leading to improved breast cancer efficacy.
Young women with breast cancer are concerned about their fertility, with treatments like chemotherapy and hormonal therapy affecting egg production. Fertility preservation options, such as egg freezing or ovarian tissue transplantation, can help alleviate these concerns.
The largest European study on socioeconomic status and breast cancer survival found that women from poorer backgrounds had worse outcomes, even after adjusting for tumor size and stage. Women from the poorest backgrounds were a fifth more likely to die within ten years of diagnosis than those from the wealthiest backgrounds.
Patients with metastatic breast cancer expect to prolong life by at least a year over current therapies, whereas doctors consider four to six months of additional survival significant. Thorough discussion of treatment goals is essential for both groups.
Research suggests locoregional recurrence after long disease-free interval is associated with distant disease rather than cause. Patients with recurrence have four times higher risk of metastases and eight times higher risk of dying compared to those without recurrence.
Vaccination against HPV, combined with national screening programmes, could lead to the eradication of cervical cancer in countries that implement such measures. HPV screening is more effective than Pap smear tests and can detect the virus in smears rather than relying on visual examination.
Researchers discover a drug that inhibits TAK-1 enzyme, making pancreatic cancer cells sensitive to chemotherapy. The combination of the drug with classic anti-cancer drugs shows significant tumor reduction and increased survival rates in mice.
A study estimates that excess body weight causes 124,050 new cancers in 2008 across European countries. The proportion of cases attributable to a BMI of 25kg/m2 or more is highest among women and in central European countries.
Researchers have identified highly radiosensitive patients who can guide personalized radiotherapy, avoiding severe side effects. The study aims to develop a blood test that can predict patient reaction to radiotherapy, enabling tailored treatment and improved tumour control.
A new preclinical drug test platform developed by researchers in Hamburg enables analysis of tumour tissue for individual patient drug responses on the molecular level. This allows for more accurate extrapolation of response from preclinical cell models to patients, reducing the risk of toxicity and improving clinical trial efficiency.
Researchers have identified two ultrasound patterns that can accurately identify cancer spread and tumor burden in melanoma patients. These patterns can predict overall survival and help doctors decide on the amount of surgery required.
A phase I extension study has shown that 64% of patients with the BRAF mutation experienced partial response to a new compound, with rapid and dramatic shrinking of metastatic tumours. The treatment has fewer side effects compared to standard chemotherapy and is being explored as part of larger trials.
A large randomized trial has found that sorafenib plus capecitabine improves the time women live without disease worsening by 74% compared to chemotherapy alone. The treatment was well-tolerated and manageable, with no new side effects observed.
Expert calls for a shift in cancer research priorities, focusing on prevention and non-drug treatments to combat the growing cancer burden. The global cancer cases are expected to rise, and improving early detection and primary prevention strategies hold the potential for significant gains.
A new study found that targeted heat therapy significantly improves overall survival and reduces cancer recurrence in patients with locally advanced soft tissue sarcomas. The treatment, which involves heating the tumor to kill cancer cells, also makes chemotherapy more effective and improves blood flow.
A new study found that hormone therapy for prostate cancer increases the risk of developing heart problems, including coronary heart disease and heart attacks. The study suggests that doctors should consider heart-related side effects when prescribing endocrine therapy and refer patients to a cardiologist before starting treatment.
New research finds that adding cetuximab to chemotherapy reduces the risk of death from advanced non-small cell lung cancer by 13%, while also slowing disease progression and increasing the chance of tumor shrinkage. The study, which included over 2,000 patients, also found a 10% improvement in progression-free survival.
Researchers found that whole-brain radiotherapy did not extend lives or improve independence in patients with limited brain metastases and stable cancer. However, it slowed cancer progression by five weeks and reduced the risk of brain-related deaths.
A new study found that switching post-menopausal women with early breast cancer to exemestane after two or three years of tamoxifen improves disease-free survival and overall survival. The study involved 4,724 postmenopausal women who were followed for an average of 91 months.
A large study on adjuvant endocrine treatment for postmenopausal, hormone-positive breast cancer found that patients who continued to take exemestane or tamoxifen had significantly better outcomes than those who stopped taking the medication. Non-compliance was higher in countries with less stringent guidelines.
Researchers have developed two new blood tests that can aid in the early identification of patients with gastrointestinal (GI) cancers, making diagnosis simpler, cost-effective, and more acceptable to patients. The tests use DNA methylation to detect cancerous cells and show high sensitivity and specificity rates.
The Eurocancercoms project aims to establish a single, efficient network for cancer communication in Europe by creating a 'one-stop shop' for the whole cancer community. The new website will provide searchable databases for clinical trials and guidelines, as well as promote best ways of disseminating cancer science across Europe.
A recent study by ECCO-the European CanCer Organisation analyzed data from the EUROCARE-4 Working Group, revealing a steady rise in cancer survival rates across Europe. The proportion of patients cured of lung, stomach, and colorectal cancers increased significantly between 1988-1990 and 1997-1999.
The revised RECIST (Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumours) guidelines aim to ease workloads in clinical trials by reducing the number of lesions to be assessed and providing new guidance on tumor burden measurement. The updated criteria also refine disease progression definitions and incorporate modern imaging techniques.
Researchers found that BRAF mutations are associated with resistance to anti-EGFR therapy in colorectal cancer patients. The study suggests that combination therapy blocking EGFR and BRAF may be a useful approach to increase patient benefits.
Preliminary trials of a new multi-kinase inhibitor, XL184, have indicated impressive tumour shrinkage activity in patients with advanced medullary thyroid cancer. The overall disease control rate was 84% in the 25 patients who have been followed for at least three months.
A new cancer vaccine has elicited an immune response in most patients with bowel, kidney and prostate cancer, suggesting potential clinical benefit. The vaccine, TroVax, is well-tolerated and may provide survival benefits to patients.
Scientists have developed a new imaging agent using bevacizumab, which surpasses existing methods in detecting tumors. The compound successfully targets cancer cells and provides clearer images of tumors, enabling earlier stages of detection and fewer false positives.
Researchers have developed a novel drug delivery system that can cross the blood-brain barrier to reach and kill cancer cells in the brain. The technology has shown promise in preclinical trials, with increased survival rates and reduced tumor growth in mice and rats.
Researchers identified an 11-gene signature that separates responders from non-responders to FOLFIRI chemotherapy. The gene signature can predict treatment outcomes with 100% accuracy in a small sample size of 19 patients.
A new anti-cancer compound, BI 6727, has shown encouraging anti-tumour activity in a phase I clinical trial. The compound works by inhibiting the action of Polo-like kinase 1, leading to abnormal mitotic spindles and disrupting cell division.
A method of assessing phase I clinical trial abstract quality was developed and applied to two oncology conferences, revealing room for improvement. The study suggests that adopting guidelines for reporting phase I trials can enhance abstract quality.
A combined analysis of European cancer incidence, mortality, and survival reveals encouraging trends. However, variations between countries in healthcare access and treatment policies reflect in different cancer rates.
Long-term cancer survivors are experiencing unmet needs for symptom management, leading to a poor quality of life. The European CanCer Organisation is working to bridge the gap between oncology and palliative care to provide comprehensive care for all stages of disease.
Researchers found that breast cancers behave differently before and after age 70. Women aged under 70 are less likely to have aggressive tumors spreading to lymph nodes as they age, but the opposite occurs for women over 70. Decreased immune defense mechanisms may play a role in this change.
A study found that acupuncture reduces hot flushes in breast cancer patients taking tamoxifen by 50%, with a sustained effect after treatment cessation. Acupuncture also improves overall well-being and has the advantage of being cheap and side-effect-free compared to other treatments.
Research suggests mammograms are effective for women aged 70-75, with a lower mortality rate compared to earlier age groups. The best interval for screening is every three years, which has been shown to be an appropriate upper age limit and saves lives without causing harm.
A study found that follow-up care for breast cancer patients costs less when led by nurses rather than physicians, with significant savings potential for healthcare budgets. Specialist nurse-led follow-up resulted in €866 per patient over a five-year period, making it a cost-effective alternative.
The 'GeparQuattro' trial shows that combining anthracycline and taxane chemotherapy with trastuzumab improves HER2 breast cancer response rates to 41.3%, compared to 19.5% without trastuzumab. The regimen also minimizes cardiac toxicity, making it a promising treatment option.
A new chemotherapy combination of docetaxel and capecitabine showed no improved efficacy in early breast cancer treatment, but increased non-haematological toxicities. The study found that the addition of capecitabine produced more side effects, such as hand-foot syndrome and diarrhoea.
A new drug, lapatinib, has been shown to significantly shrink primary breast cancer tumors in just six weeks by targeting cancer stem cells. This breakthrough finding suggests a possible new therapy for eliminating tumor-causing cells and achieving long-term cancer eradication.
A recent study found that women with BRCA2-associated breast cancer had a higher response rate and longer overall survival when treated with anthracycline-based regimens. Researchers believe this may be due to the lack of functional BRCA1/2 proteins, which impair DNA repair after chemotherapy.
A study found that aromatase inhibitors (AIs) do not increase the risk of heart problems in women who take them, contrary to previous fears. The research suggests AIs are superior to tamoxifen in reducing breast cancer recurrence and do not significantly worsen cardiovascular health.
A study of 249 patients with breast cancer found that using MRI before surgery can lead to better-adapted treatment, including changing surgical approaches for multiple tumors. The technique reduced the need for mastectomies and improved treatment outcomes in 22 patients.
Studies found obese breast cancer patients have poorer disease-free and overall survival rates compared to non-obese counterparts. Obesity also affects diagnostic characteristics, including stage at diagnosis, surgical delay, and hospital stay.
A new study suggests that pregnant breast cancer patients can benefit from the same treatment as non-pregnant women with minimal health risks to the baby. The research collected data from 122 patients and found that most received surgery and chemotherapy without significant harm to the newborn.
A study of 250 BRCA carriers found that prophylactic mastectomy significantly reduces the risk of developing breast cancer, with only one case detected. The cost of ongoing surveillance is high and can be stressful for patients, while intensive screening may not always detect cancer at an early stage.
The Clinical Trials Directive has led to a stagnation in clinical trials across Europe, with non-commercial sponsors contributing less than one-fifth of newly started trials. The directive's administrative burdens and cost have also discouraged many commercial and non-commercial organizations from participating.