A new targeted therapy called PLX4032 has been linked to an 80% response rate in treating advanced melanoma. The treatment, which targets the BRAF protein, has shown significant tumor shrinkage and improved quality of life for some patients.
A new prediction tool calculates individualized risk for local recurrence five and ten years after surgery, helping physicians and patients weigh treatment options. The nomogram integrates available information to estimate absolute risk, providing a valuable tool in decision-making.
A comprehensive genomic analysis of prostate cancer has identified key alterations in the androgen receptor pathway and defined subsets of low- and high-risk disease. The study provides valuable resources for cancer research and may lead to the creation of a genetic-based test to determine which tumors require aggressive treatment.
A new multicenter study has found that MDV3100 is safe and effective for patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer. The drug slowed tumor growth, reduced PSA levels, and stabilized disease progression, offering new hope for patients with limited treatment options.
Clinicians often miss vital symptoms and underestimate their severity in clinical trials, leading to under-reporting of adverse events. Patient self-reporting can enhance symptom and event data quality and give patients a voice in healthcare decision-making.
The Dartmouth Atlas hospital ratings are being used by policy makers despite their limitations, which fail to account for differences in patient types and outcomes. This could lead hospitals to prioritize conforming to the rating system over improving care quality.
A new study reveals that self-seeding allows circulating tumor cells to return to their primary tumor and promote local growth while increasing potential for distant metastases. The research identifies key genes responsible for this process, which may lead to targeted therapies to slow or prevent tumor progression.
A new study from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center found that clinicians' and patients' reports of treatment side effects differ significantly, but together provide a more complete picture. Patients generally reported adverse symptoms earlier, more frequently, and with greater severity than their clinicians.
A study found that breast-conserving surgery was offered to the majority of patients, with surgeons' recommendations and patient preferences playing key roles. The study suggests that increased patient involvement in breast surgery decisions is associated with greater probability of mastectomy.
A large-scale study found that only 12% of men who underwent radical prostatectomy between 1987 and 2005 died from prostate cancer within 15 years. The low mortality rate suggests that some patients with slow-growing cancers may not need immediate treatment.
A new study led by Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center researchers identifies the genetic function that enables breast cancer cells to survive and spread in the bone marrow. The findings support the development of therapies targeting this survival capacity, which could prevent metastasis and improve patient outcomes.
Lung cancer's rapid spread is linked to a hyperactive WNT cell-signaling pathway, enabling aggressive tumor growth and poor clinical outcomes. The study identifies two genes activated by WNT that enhance invasion and reinitiation of tumor growth in other organs.
A new study found that combining erlotinib and bevacizumab delays disease progression in advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients by 29% compared to those receiving bevacizumab alone. The combination also prolongs median progression-free survival from 3.7 months to 4.8 months.
A new study by Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center found that most patients with stage IV colorectal cancer do not require surgery to remove the primary tumor. Chemotherapy is an effective treatment option for these patients, allowing them to avoid surgical complications and start treatment sooner. The retrospective study analyzed 2...
Research at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center identifies three genes mediating breast cancer's spread to the brain. COX2 and HB-EGF prime cells for entrance, while ST6GALNAC5 enables passage through the blood-brain barrier.
A new study led by Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center compares traditional 'open' surgery to laparoscopic gastrectomy, a minimally invasive procedure. The findings demonstrate that laparoscopic surgeries yielded shorter hospital stays and fewer complications after surgery while maintaining similar rates of recurrence-free survival.
Researchers found that two novel compounds, RD162 and MDV3100, inhibit the androgen receptor function in CRPC cells, leading to declining PSA levels in men. The study's findings also showed that these agents showed activity in CRPC cells in culture and in mice.
Researchers identified a common genetic sequence alteration that enhances the likelihood of acquiring a mutation in a gene linked to certain blood diseases. Patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms have a higher risk of developing another JAK2 mutation due to inherited DNA sequence changes.
Researchers at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center found that elevated p53 levels maintain a cell's dormant state, making it resistant to chemotherapy and radiation. Targeting specific genes involved in quiescence may enhance anticancer effects.
Researchers at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center developed a new generation of microscopic particles, called C dots, that are biologically safe and stable. These particles can be customized to target specific molecules on tumor surfaces, enabling earlier detection and more personalized treatment options.
A new study by Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center found that routine colorectal cancer screenings may not provide significant life expectancy benefits after age 75. The study suggests that individuals who have had adenomas or colorectal cancer should continue surveillance in this age group.
A randomized, controlled trial found acupuncture significantly reduced pain, dysfunction, and dry mouth in head and neck cancer patients after neck dissection. The study also showed improvements in xerostomia, a common problem among cancer patients following radiotherapy.
A Phase III clinical trial found that everolimus significantly delays cancer progression in patients with metastatic kidney cancer. The study showed a 26% reduction in disease progression after six months compared to the placebo group.
A study led by Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center researchers reveals that breast cancer cells use a signaling molecule called TGF-a to enhance their ability to spread to the lungs. This finding has significant implications for developing therapies to prevent metastasis in cancer patients.
Researchers at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center have successfully used therapeutic cloning to treat Parkinson's disease in mice. The method involves generating customized dopamine neurons from the patient's own skin cells and transplanting them into the mouse, resulting in neurological improvement.
Genetic tests marketed directly to consumers may be premature and lack scientific validity. Dr. Kenneth Offit warns of the risks of self-ordering these tests without guidance from healthcare professionals. He advocates for cautious introduction of new 'whole genome' testing in clinical trials.
A new study has demonstrated a lower risk of cardiac toxicity with dose-dense chemotherapy in early-stage HER2-positive breast cancer patients. The regimen, which administers standard doses of chemotherapy agents more frequently, pairs safely with trastuzumab and resulted in only 1.4% cardiac events after 28 months of follow-up.
Researchers at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center have discovered a new genetic marker that increases breast cancer risk by 1.4 times in women with the DNA variation. The study used genome-wide association mapping to identify a gene locus on chromosome 6 associated with breast cancer risk.
Researchers at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center discovered a novel mechanism that can enhance the function of AML1, a protein frequently impaired in acute leukemia. The study identified the methyltransferase enzyme controlling normal AML1 activity and demonstrated its ability to regulate transcription factors.
Researchers found that a single PSA test before age 50 can predict advanced prostate cancer up to 25 years later, helping identify high-risk men for targeted screenings. The study analyzed blood samples from over 160 men with advanced prostate cancer and a similar cohort without cancer.
A new study by Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center found that risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy (RRSO) is associated with a 72% breast cancer risk reduction in women with BRCA2 mutations, compared to 38% for BRCA1 mutation carriers. The surgery also reduced the risk of gynecologic cancer by 85% in women with a BRCA1 mutation.
The Simons Foundation's $10 million grant will support preclinical studies of new therapies for gliomas, a type of brain cancer. The goal is to develop treatments that target cancer cells and abnormal signaling pathways while sparing nearby sensitive tissues.
A study by Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center identifies a group of microRNA molecules that control genes causing breast cancer metastasis. The loss of these microRNAs allows cancer cells to migrate and grow more rapidly, leading to increased risk of lung and bone metastasis.
A new study analyzing over 2,000 women found that BRCA1 and BRCA2 carrier status varies significantly in relation to breast cancer incidence. The research highlights the importance of considering additional genetic factors beyond known mutations when assessing risk.
A new study finds that cancer patients are willing and able to self-report symptoms using the Internet, providing key data in real time to healthcare providers. This can fill gaps in clinicians' knowledge and improve patient safety and quality of care.
A new study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that prostate cancer patients treated by experienced surgeons have a lower risk of recurrence five years after surgery. The study analyzed data from over 7,700 patients and found that surgeons with more experience had better outcomes, with nearly 70% fewer recu...
A new study reveals that patients with localized prostate cancer are more likely to receive surgery if they see a urologist, while those who see a radiation oncologist and urologist tend to receive radiation therapy. The study suggests that men should seek a balanced perspective on treatment options from specialists.
Preliminary results of a Phase II trial show favorable outcomes for patients with recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer treated with VEGF Trap. After one month, 85% of participants showed stable disease, while 41% continued to have stable disease after fourteen weeks.
The Iris Cantor Chair will support a translational researcher in bringing laboratory discoveries to patient treatment. This endowed position aims to advance progress in fighting digestive cancers, which affect various organs worldwide.
Biologists at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center identified a set of genes working together to remodel blood vessels and promote breast cancer spread to the lungs. Targeting these genes with drug combinations may prove useful in treating metastatic breast cancer.
A new study at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center demonstrates the effectiveness of PET imaging in identifying clear cell renal carcinoma, a highly aggressive type of kidney cancer. The technique has a sensitivity of 94% and specificity of 100%, making it a valuable tool for determining whether surgery is needed.
A multi-center study found that CT screening for current and former smokers did not reduce deaths from lung cancer, despite finding nearly three times as many lung cancers. The study also found an increased risk of invasive procedures and unnecessary treatments due to false positives.
Researchers at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center identified novel regulatory mechanisms of PTEN function. NEDD4-1 protein regulates PTEN stability by adding a molecular tag causing degradation. This finding provides a new therapeutic strategy, as proteasome inhibitors may selectively block degrading effects of ubiquitination.
The Ludwig Fund has given a record-breaking $120 million to support cancer research at six top US institutions. The fund will provide annual research grants of approximately $2 million per center in perpetuity.
A study by Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center found that high-dose intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) achieved a 89% disease-free rate for patients with prostate cancer after an average of 8 years. The treatment also showed improved quality of life by reducing side effects and maintaining urinary continence.
The Geoffrey Beene Cancer Research Center will focus on two complementary programs at Memorial Sloan-Kettering, one in Cancer Biology and Genetics, the other in Human Oncology and Pathogenesis. The center aims to translate revolutionary advances in understanding cancer into dramatic progress in controlling it.
The Starr Cancer Consortium aims to coordinate research efforts among five renowned institutions to understand and treat cancer. The collaboration will focus on developing new technologies, diagnostic approaches, and treatments for various forms of the disease.
A retrospective study by Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center suggests that radical nephrectomy is a significant risk factor for developing chronic kidney disease. Patients who underwent partial nephrectomy had a lower rate of chronic kidney disease and better kidney function after surgery.
The Tri-Institutional Stem Cell Initiative has approved $6.7 million in funding for 17 stem cell research projects, exploring basic biology and therapeutic potential of human and model organism-derived stem cells. The grants support collaborative research across three institutions, including Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.
A study of 886 women with BRCA1 or BRCA2 genetic mutations found that prophylactic surgery reduced ovarian cancer incidence by 89% and breast cancer incidence by 47%. The results differ for BRCA1 and BRCA2 carriers, highlighting the need for tailored risk-reduction strategies.