Researchers have discovered a new type of drug that targets the genetic weakness in 'diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma', a devastating childhood brain cancer. The treatment also shows promise for patients with stone man syndrome, a rare genetic disease where muscles and ligaments turn to bone. Clinical trials are expected to begin in 2021.
Researchers have identified a gene mutation in prostate cancer that is linked to poor survival and increased relapse rates. The study found that men with this mutation are more than three times as likely to die and nearly seven times as likely to relapse on standard treatments.
Researchers discovered that cancer cells can hide from immunotherapy by altering the levels of a key molecule on their surface. However, they identified an existing inhibitor of the WNT pathway that could potentially reverse this process and make cancer cells more visible to immune cells.
PARP inhibitors have been found to enhance the immune response against cancer cells with DNA repair defects, suggesting a new approach to treating various types of cancer. This discovery could lead to increased effectiveness of immunotherapies and improved treatment outcomes for patients.
A new cancer drug called tisotumab vedotin has shown significant promise in treating various types of cancer, with a response rate of up to 27% in patients with advanced, drug-resistant cancers. The treatment works by releasing a toxic substance to kill cancer cells from within and has manageable side effects.
A new immunotherapy called pembrolizumab has shown significant benefits in extending the lives of people with advanced head and neck cancer, with a median survival time of 8.4 months compared to 6.9 months on standard treatment. The drug also caused fewer serious side effects than traditional treatments.
A phase III clinical trial found immunotherapy pembrolizumab to be more effective than aggressive chemotherapy as a first-line treatment for advanced head and neck cancer. Patients with high PD-L1 levels saw significant improvements in survival and response rates.
Combining a targeted drug with hormone therapy substantially extends survival for women with advanced breast cancer. The combination treatment lived seven months longer than hormone treatment alone, with benefits strongest in women who had previously responded to hormone therapy.
A new form of immunotherapy has been found to reactivate the response to hormone treatment in advanced prostate cancer, a study in mice and human prostate cancer cells has found. The drug blocks a protein produced by immune cells, restoring sensitivity to hormone therapy and potentially improving outcomes for men with advanced disease.
A new study found that a pattern of genetic changes in prostate tumours can predict which men are likely to benefit from immunotherapy. The research identified a distinct group of men with advanced prostate cancer whose tumours have biological features that make them responsive to immunotherapy drugs.
A new DNA test has identified 63 genetic variations that increase the risk of prostate cancer, with men inheriting these variants having a 5.7 times higher risk. The test combines multiple genetic variants to predict individual risk, offering hope for early detection and prevention.
Scientists have found that drug-resistant cancer cells have longer antennae-like structures called cilia, which can be targeted to restore sensitivity to treatment. Blocking growth of cilia restored cells' response to cancer drugs, with nearly doubling effectiveness.
A landmark paper sets out a unified theory for the cause of childhood leukaemia, revealing it may be preventable with treatments to prime the immune system in infancy. The disease is triggered by exposure to infection in children who experienced clean childhoods, highlighting the paradox of progress in modern societies.
Children with high-grade brain tumors could benefit from targeted treatment personalized to their genetic mutations. Research found that Avastin, an adult cancer drug, improved survival rates in children with specific MAPK gene mutations.
Researchers found a specific mutation in the PARP1 protein that prevents PARP inhibitors from working, leading to resistance. Testing for this mutation could help personalize treatment decisions and predict resistance progression.
A clinical trial found that women with advanced triple-negative breast cancer and BRCA gene faults have better responses to carboplatin, a less toxic alternative to standard treatment docetaxel. The study suggests that genetic testing can guide treatment for this patient group, offering new hope for those with limited treatment options.
Researchers have identified 110 genes linked to an increased risk of breast cancer, including 32 genes related to survival rates. The study uses a genetic technique to analyze DNA regions and identify specific genes involved in raising a woman's risk.
A new viral gene therapy delivers extra copies of the SOD2 and CTGF genes to protect healthy tissues from damage caused by radiotherapy. The treatment has shown promising results in preventing tissue damage and scarring in rats treated with radiotherapy, potentially improving breast reconstruction outcomes for women with breast cancer.
Researchers used Cryo-EM to capture images of molecular machinery called RNA Polymerase III in unprecedented detail, revealing five key stages in which the complex reshapes itself to successfully transcribe the DNA code. This discovery could open up new approaches to cancer treatment by targeting the complex's activity.
A new study identifies six genetic changes linked to Hodgkin lymphoma, a cancer of the immune system. The research offers important clues for understanding both lymphoma and autoimmune diseases.
A new study reveals that cancer cells can use the body's own immune system to wake themselves up and fuel their growth after treatment, leading to relapse. Researchers found that immunotherapies targeting this response could delay or prevent cancer return in mice, suggesting a promising approach for patients at risk of relapse.
Scientists have identified 10 distinct diseases in deadly childhood brain tumours, each with unique genetic faults. The study found that some types can be treated using existing drugs or those under development, offering hope for more effective care.
Researchers at The Institute of Cancer Research found a genetic weakness, BTK addiction, that makes oesophageal cancer cells sensitive to ibrutinib. This discovery could lead to a new approach to treatment for oesophageal cancer patients with MYC mutations.
A new study shows that immunotherapy nivolumab improves quality of life for patients with advanced head and neck cancer, while traditional chemotherapies cause decline in quality of life from the start of treatment. The drug sparks the immune system into action against cancers, greatly increasing survival rates.
A new three-in-one blood test developed by researchers at the Institute of Cancer Research can pick out men with advanced prostate cancer who are likely to benefit from treatment with PARP inhibitors. The test detects early signs of resistance and monitors cancer's evolution over time, allowing for timely adjustments to treatment.
Researchers found that genetic testing can pick out men at increased risk of testicular cancer, who may benefit from monitoring or preventative treatment. Testing identified 1% of men at highest risk, with a 7% lifetime risk of developing the disease.
Researchers have 'carbon dated' a patient's cancer for the first time, showing it can spread rapidly within a year of initial appearance. The study provides insights into genetic instability and its impact on cancer progression.
A recent study has identified genetic mutations in 14 genes as the primary cause of childhood overgrowth syndromes, which are characterized by excessive growth and intellectual disability. The researchers found that these genes play a crucial role in epigenetic regulation, controlling how and when other genes are expressed.
A new blood test can detect multiple copies of the androgen receptor gene in men with advanced prostate cancer, indicating a lower likelihood of responding to targeted treatments. The test could help doctors personalize treatment options for patients.
A massive study of over 30,000 participants has identified 13 new genetic mutations that significantly increase the risk of developing glioma, the most common form of brain cancer. The research also strengthens evidence for previously known genes linked to glioma and other cancers.
Patients cured of Hodgkin lymphoma are at a significantly increased risk of developing a second type of cancer, particularly if they have a family history of the disease. The risk remains high even 30 years after treatment, and is higher in those with specific genetic markers or a history of certain cancers.
Scientists have identified the key molecule YAP that enables cancer cells to break free from their surroundings and continue growing and spreading. By understanding how YAP is controlled in cancer cells, researchers hope to find new ways to treat or prevent the spread of cancer.
Scientists found that defects in ARID1A gene caused sensitivity to ATR inhibitors, potentially personalizing treatment for cancer patients. The research could lead to identifying patients who will benefit most from the new drugs.
Researchers have made a major discovery about how cells control when to divide, revealing a key part of the cellular machinery that prevents cells from dividing until DNA is properly aligned. This finding could lead to new treatments for cancer by forcing cancer cells into premature division and killing them.
A comprehensive analysis of existing drugs has identified areas where human genes and proteins could be promising targets for new treatments, as well as gaps in current medicine. The study also found that 70% of targeted drugs work on just four families of proteins, leaving vast swathes of human biology untouched.
Researchers developed DECoN, a free, fast tool that detects exon copy number variants, which are hard to pick up by standard DNA sequencing tests. This allows for more efficient and effective gene testing, making it potentially life-saving.
A phase III clinical trial found that nivolumab significantly extended life among patients with relapsed head and neck cancer without worsening quality of life. The treatment also showed fewer side effects compared to chemotherapy, with only 13% of patients experiencing serious side-effects.
A new study of nearly 2,000 patients found that women with a specific pattern of gene activity were three times more likely to die from their breast cancers within 10 years. The research identified two genes, F12 and STC2, which may play a key role in releasing cancer cells from the glue that holds them in place.
Researchers found that over half of patients with a rare form of sarcoma had genetic errors in genes known to increase cancer risk, such as p53 and BRCA1. This study provides new clues to the phenomenon of 'cancer families' and suggests that multiple genetic mutations working together may contribute to inherited cancer predisposition.
A new streamlined approach to genetic testing for women with ovarian cancer allows for faster and more affordable testing, enabling personalized cancer management and cancer prevention strategies. The test has been widely adopted in the UK and internationally, with estimates suggesting it could save £2.6M per year.
A significant proportion of men with advanced prostate cancer have inherited mutations in DNA repair genes, making them eligible for precision treatments such as PARP inhibitors. Genetic testing could help identify these patients and offer targeted therapies to improve their treatment outcomes.
A landmark study has identified five new potential genes linked to bowel cancer, while also confirming the role of major existing genes in increasing risk. The research suggests that minor DNA variations play a significant role in inherited risk and environmental factors, with potential implications for prevention and treatment.
A new radiotherapy regime for prostate cancer has been shown to be as effective as the current standard treatment, but with fewer hospital visits and less side effects. The 20-dose course is expected to save the NHS tens of millions of pounds per year.
Scientists at The Institute of Cancer Research have developed a new method to assess cancer treatment efficacy by measuring blood metabolite levels. This approach has the potential to speed up the development of targeted drugs and tailor treatment for patients, offering a quick and simple way to monitor cancer therapy.
A new blood test has identified a subset of patients with stomach cancer who are most likely to respond to treatment. The test measures the number of copies of the FGFR2 gene in cancer DNA circulating in the bloodstream, revealing that tumours with many copies of this gene were particularly susceptible to an experimental drug.
Researchers have found that Hsp90 inhibitors specifically target and inactivate a mechanism used by prostate cancer cells to evade standard treatment. The findings suggest that these drugs could be effective in treating prostate cancers that have become resistant to treatment and started spreading.
A phase III trial found that patients taking nivolumab were more than twice as likely to be alive after one year compared to those treated with chemotherapy. Median survival for nivolumab was 7.5 months, significantly longer than 5.1 months for chemotherapy.
A new study reveals how cancer cells turn healthy cells to the 'dark side' by using a mutant KRAS gene to release unique growth signals. This discovery could open up new approaches to cancer treatment by understanding the communication loop between cancer-causing genes and healthy stromal cells.
A new study reveals that cancer cells can adapt to treatment by actively co-opting blood vessels from nearby tissues, leading to drug resistance. The researchers hope their findings will lead to the development of new therapies targeting vessel co-option, which could be particularly effective when used alongside existing treatments.
A new study found that a specific gene variant can speed up the metabolism of drugs in cancer patients, leading to poorer outcomes. This variant affects the CYP3A7 enzyme, which breaks down hormones and medications, potentially reducing their effectiveness.