Researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center discovered that gains in chromosome 1q stimulate a network of competitive endogenous RNA molecules that promote melanoma metastasis. These RNA sequences act as 'ceRNAs' that sponge miRNA molecules, driving tumor growth and development.
YAP1 controls angiogenesis by expressing genes involved in blood vessel formation, and its activity is regulated by PHD2 and VHL under normal oxygen conditions. In hypoxic conditions, YAP1's nuclear localization enables it to interact with HIF1α, leading to increased expression of pro-angiogenic proteins.
Moffitt researchers have identified key splicing variants associated with clear cell renal cell carcinoma outcomes and developed a survival risk tool based on their combined expression levels. The study found that altered splicing variants may play a crucial role in disease development and progression, enabling the creation of a non-in...
A Moffitt study shows that adaptive therapy using abiraterone improves patient outcomes and reduces care costs. The approach delays treatment withdrawal to prevent resistant cells from proliferating, leading to longer median time to progression and overall survival.
The study reveals how the protein binds to ligands and inhibitory antibodies, providing insights into its molecular function. The findings may lead to better targeted therapeutic approaches in the future.
A new study published in Science Translational Medicine reveals that consecutive molecular modifications of the androgen receptor can contribute to drug resistance in prostate cancer. Researchers identified a potential treatment approach using an ACK1 inhibitor to block this resistance.
The study identified a specific methylation signature, TCF7, which predicts the presence of anti-tumor T cells and patient outcomes. The findings suggest that determining immunoepignomic status through tumor-based expression quantitative trait methylation screening could allow for accurate prediction of patient outcomes.
Breast cancer cells accumulate intracellular lipid droplets in acidic environments, leading to poor outcomes and disease progression. Targeting the acid-sensing receptor OGR1 may inhibit stress responses and cell growth.
Researchers at H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute have identified key factors impacting the effectiveness of adaptive therapy in cancer treatment. The study found that spatial organization and competition between drug-resistant cells play a crucial role in determining the success of adaptive therapy.
Researchers identified OR2H1 as an effective target for CAR T cells in solid tumors, inhibiting growth in lung and ovarian cancer. The study suggests that targeting this protein could lead to the development of new CAR T therapies for a wide variety of patients with solid tumors.
Researchers developed a model using radiomic features from screening images to identify high-risk lung cancer patients. The model divided patients into groups according to their risk of having poor outcomes, with low-risk patients having an 83.3% five-year overall survival and high-risk patients having a 25% five-year overall survival.
Researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center have discovered that tissue-resident memory T cells are crucial for recognizing tumor cells in ovarian cancer. These T cells arise from circulating T cells and undergo a differentiation process to target cancer cells, providing a potential roadmap for improved immunotherapy options.
Researchers used mathematical modeling to characterize the interplay between immune suppression, immune blockade and antigenicity in pre-cancerous cells. They found that an immunosuppressive environment is crucial for colorectal cancer progression.
A self-contained experiment is being sent to the International Space Station to investigate stress and DNA damage caused by space travel. The goal is to determine if genomic damage experienced during space travel is linked to the silencing of a specific gene, beta-arrestin1.
A new Moffitt Cancer Center study estimates that the actual number of COVID-19 infections in Hillsborough County was twofold higher than reported positive tests. The study, conducted between October 2020 and March 2021, found nearly 100% of persons who had confirmed or suspected infection were antibody-positive.
Researchers from H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center identified unique features of acral melanoma, including immune checkpoints that could represent novel therapeutic targets for this neglected disease. The study's findings may lead to more effective treatments for patients with acral melanoma.
A Moffitt study found that COVID-19 vaccination led to seroconversion in most cancer patients, but with differing antibody response rates among various cancer types and treatments. Patients with blood cancers had lower seroconversion rates compared to those with solid tumors, highlighting the need for personalized immune responses.
Researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center have developed patient-derived cells that can be used to study leptomeningeal disease, a rare complication of cancer. The cells provide a new opportunity for scientists to understand the disease and identify potential therapeutics.
Moffitt researchers have identified key genomic alterations and potential therapeutic targets in transformed cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. The study, which analyzed 56 patient samples, found high tumor mutation burden and UV mutation signatures associated with survival outcomes. The research also uncovered novel therapeutic vulnerabilitie...
Researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center have identified ΔNp63 as a protein that contributes to lung cancer development by regulating stem cells and crucial elements known as enhancers. The study found that mice deficient for ΔNp63 in the lung developed fewer lung tumors and had fewer stem cells compared to control mice.
A recent study by Moffitt researchers found that African American veterans had a significantly higher incidence of prostate cancer compared to European American men. The study also revealed that timely treatment and clear documentation are crucial in reducing the risk of metastasis among African American men.
Researchers discovered that IgA and IgG antibodies regulate immune responses against endometrial cancer, improving outcomes when tumor cells express the antibody receptor pIgR. The study suggests new therapies targeting B cells or combinations with T-cell immunotherapies for enhanced efficacy.
Researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center have identified the molecular and cellular mechanisms that control the formation of tertiary lymphoid structures within tumors. These structures contain immune cells and can promote anti-tumor activity when Tfh cells are introduced, leading to improved outcomes in patients with certain types of cancer.
A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that using CAR T therapy as a second-line treatment provided better outcomes compared to standard care in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. The two-year follow-up data showed a median event-free survival of 8.3 months in the CAR T arm versus 2 months in the s...
Moffitt researchers have developed a HER3-specific dendritic cell cancer vaccine that delays tumor growth and prolongs survival in mouse models. The vaccine targets the HER3 protein, which is involved in the growth and spread of many different cancer types.
Researchers at H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute use computer modeling to study the relationship between tumor-immune environment and radiation response. They discover that tumor cells will either escape immune predation or be eradicated based on the numbers of immune effector and suppressor cells present. The model hel...
Ana Gomes, a Moffitt researcher, has been awarded the NIH Director's New Innovator Award to investigate how aging affects cancer development and treatment resistance. She aims to develop new strategies for personalized cancer treatment based on cell changes that occur with aging.
Moffitt Cancer Center has been awarded the National Cancer Institute's highest designation, Comprehensive Cancer Center, in recognition of its leadership in transdisciplinary research. The institution provides access to cutting-edge therapies and innovative clinical trials, improving patient outcomes and survival rates.
Patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors show better quality of life and reduced symptoms compared to those without immunotherapy. The study analyzed self-reported outcomes of 26 published studies and found that patients' global quality of life was stable or improved, but breathing difficulties increased
Researchers have developed a prediction model that uses radiomic features from pre-treatment CT scans combined with clinical data to identify patients who are not likely to respond to immunotherapy. The model divides patients into four risk groups, including those with very high and low risks of death following immunotherapy.
Researchers at H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute found that combining checkpoint inhibitors with adoptive cell therapy improves treatment outcomes for patients with non-small cell lung cancer. The study showed promising anti-tumor activity, with 11 out of 16 patients experiencing tumor regression.
Researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center identify beta-HPV as potential biomarker for predicting squamous cell carcinoma development in older adults. The presence of beta-HPV in skin swabs was significantly associated with an increased risk of developing squamous cell carcinomas, particularly in areas of UV skin damage.
A new therapy, amivantamab, has demonstrated a 40% overall response rate in patients with non-small cell lung cancer and the rare EGFR Ex20Ins mutation. The median duration of response was 11.1 months, offering a potential cure for previously untreatable cases.
Moffitt researchers identify PARP16 as a novel functionally relevant target for talazoparib, which enhances anti-cancer effects in small cell lung cancer and Ewing sarcoma. Combination treatment with talazoparib and adavosertib results in enhanced anti-cancer activity.
Zeynep Eroglu, MD, assistant member of the Cutaneous Oncology Department at Moffitt Cancer Center, received the 2021 Cancer Clinical Investigator Team Leadership Award from the National Cancer Institute. The award recognizes outstanding clinical investigators working to improve cancer care.
Researchers at H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute will investigate common metabolic pathways in lung cancer, with the goal of developing novel therapies. The four distinct projects aim to unveil common metabolic mechanisms regulated by genetic drivers across non-small cell lung cancer types.
A nationwide study evaluates a targeted intervention aimed at transforming e-cigarettes from a maintenance product to a tool for smoking cessation. The research shows that the intervention produced smoking abstinence rates about 5-10 percentage points higher than those who received no intervention.
Researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center have developed a non-invasive method to measure PD-L1 biomarker levels in lung cancer patients using PET/CT scan images. This approach uses deep learning to predict checkpoint inhibitor outcomes, which could help determine optimal treatment strategies for patients.
Researchers analyzed tumor microenvironment of 26 patients with metastatic melanoma to identify patient response in advance of therapy. They found that specific immune cells, such as DC3s, are associated with improved overall survival and active T cell immune response.
Moffitt Cancer Center experts present phase 2 results from several clinical studies evaluating the efficacy of CAR T-cell therapy, ixazomib maintenance therapy, and immunotherapies for various types of cancer, including acute lymphoblastic leukemia, multiple myeloma, prostate cancer, and triple-negative breast cancer.
Researchers at H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center discovered that acral nevi have a distinct mutation profile compared to acral melanoma, with activating mutations in the BRAF gene being very common in acral nevi. The study found that only 10% of patients had activating mutations in the NRAS gene.
Moffitt researchers found that inhibiting TIM-3 enhances immune cell activity and prevents tumor growth in mice. The study suggests targeting TIM-3 to activate the STING pathway in dendritic cells as a potential therapy for certain types of cancer.
Researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center discovered that STING gene methylation enables melanoma cells to avoid detection by the immune system. The study suggests that reactivating STING expression through demethylating drugs or genetic approaches can restore interferon signaling and improve immunotherapy outcomes.
Researchers found that spatial constraints from the surrounding environment significantly affect tumor evolution, leading to diverse mutational patterns among patients. The study highlights the importance of tissue architecture in regulating tumor growth and behavior.
Researchers integrated clinical data with mathematical and statistical modeling to study the competition between normal T cells and CAR T cells. The model confirmed that tumor eradication is a random, yet potentially highly probable event, with cures happening early after treatment.
The journal's publication outlines targets for HPV vaccination, screening and treatment to achieve 90%, 70% and 90% coverage respectively. The World Health Organization strategy aims to eliminate cervical cancer globally by 2030.
Researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center found that sequential treatment with immunotherapy followed by BRAF and MEK inhibitors promotes anti-tumor immunity and suppresses signaling that leads to drug resistance. The study suggests that this approach may be a potential treatment option for patients with melanoma.
Moffitt researchers found that epithelial and mesenchymal subtypes of lung cancer cells respond differently to KRASG12C inhibitor therapy, with varying levels of sensitivity. The study suggests that targeting alternative signaling pathways, such as HER2 and FGFR1, may enhance treatment efficacy.
The study found that cell turnover and cost of resistance are important factors impacting adaptive therapy success, with higher cell density and smaller pre-existing resistance levels doing better under adaptive conditions. Researchers developed a mathematical model to visualize the dynamics of cell populations and competition between ...
Researchers found that antibodies produced by B cells predominantly have the IgA subtype, which inhibits RAS signaling, sensitizing tumor cells to T cell-mediated killing. This study provides insights into how immune components regulate ovarian cancer progression and offers new approaches for targeted immunotherapies.