A computerized tool called Prostogram offers about 66% accuracy in predicting five-year prognosis following brachytherapy treatment for early-stage prostate cancer. The nomogram is based on individual factors such as PSA levels, Gleason score, and disease stage.
Patients with lung cancer who undergo lung resection surgery at high-volume hospitals experience significantly better outcomes, including higher five-year survival rates (44%) compared to low-volume hospitals (33%). Complication rates are also reduced in high-volume facilities.
Scientists have identified small blood vessels as a key target of radiation therapy, allowing for higher doses with minimal side effects. The discovery could lead to improved treatment options for cancers treated with abdominal radiation therapy.
Researchers at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center have developed a new mouse model that shows gene mutations leading to 100% prostate cancer incidence. This discovery provides insight into genetic variations causing more severe forms of prostate cancer in humans.
Researchers at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center have discovered a genetic mutation in the MAD2 protein that makes cancer cells genetically unstable and resistant to chemotherapy drugs. This finding may lead to new treatments and diagnostic markers for aggressive tumors.
Researchers found a 2% survival benefit among patients undergoing colon cancer surgeries at high-volume hospitals compared to lower volume facilities. The study examined over 28,000 Medicare beneficiaries and controlled for age, sex, and cancer stage.
A large case-control study found no association between cell phone usage and the development of primary brain cancer in a cohort of 891 participants. The study, published in JAMA, analyzed data from patients with primary brain cancer and controls without cancer, finding no correlation between cell phone use and brain cancer risk.
A study by Dr. William S. Breitbart found that clinical depression and hopelessness are key factors contributing to a patient's desire to die, even more important than physical pain. The study suggests that addressing psychological needs is crucial in minimizing the desire for death.
Women taking tamoxifen for breast cancer prevention don't need regular uterine biopsies to detect early endometrial cancer. Abnormal vaginal bleeding is a more effective indicator of the rare but curable condition.
Researchers at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center discovered a way to protect ovaries from radiation and chemotherapy damage by 'knocking out' a particular gene. A compound called sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) has been shown to preserve ovarian function, allowing mice to continue producing eggs.
A new nomogram developed at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center predicts outcomes based on disease factors such as stage, PSA level, and radiation dosage. The tool demonstrates improved accuracy in estimating treatment efficacy compared to existing models.
Researchers at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center developed a new combination therapy of irinotecan, fluorouracil, and leucovorin that nearly doubled the tumor response rate and improved overall survival for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. The study showed significant benefits with no increased incidence of serious side...
A new treatment approach combining traditional chemotherapy with medication delivered through an implanted pump has been found to significantly increase two-year survival rates and decrease tumor recurrence in patients with advanced colorectal cancer that has spread to the liver. The study, published in the New England Journal of Medic...
Researchers at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center challenge current understanding of prostate cancer treatment by showing that testosterone withdrawal triggers a dormant state in tumor cells, rather than causing widespread cell death. This study offers new hope for developing targeted therapies to combat recurrent prostate cancer.
Researchers found that losing function of one copy of the PTEN tumor suppressor gene can lead to chronic fatal conditions, including cancer and autoimmune diseases. The study showed that this disruption allows white blood cells to accumulate unchecked and attack their own organs.
Researchers at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center found that cancer tumors acquire and retain large amounts of vitamin C. This discovery highlights the nutritional needs of tumors, similar to healthy cells. Further studies are needed to determine how tumor cells utilize vitamin C once it is acquired.
Researchers at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center have developed a new drug that targets histone deacetylase, an enzyme that regulates cell growth and division. The drug, called SAHA, has shown promise in treating various types of cancer, including breast, lung, and prostate cancers.
Researchers at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center found nearly 20% of young patients with colorectal cancer have the HNPCC syndrome, a dominantly inherited disorder that increases lifetime risk of developing multiple cancers. Individuals with HNPCC require special surveillance to protect against additional cancers.
Researchers from Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center found that hospitals with high volume of surgery for selected procedures had substantially lower surgical mortality rate. Mortality rates were 40-80% lower in these hospitals compared to those with limited experience.
Researchers at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center have shown that arsenic effectively induces remission in patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), a potentially fatal type of cancer. Eleven out of 12 patients achieved remission after treatment with low doses of arsenic trioxide, experiencing mild side effects.
Scientists at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center successfully treated melanoma in mice with a new DNA-based vaccine, inducing an immune response that attacked cancer cells and prevented tumor spreading. The vaccine also caused autoimmunity, a condition that may indicate a good outcome for patients.
Researchers identified two distinct forms of prostate cancer, with one being more aggressive. The study also found that p27 plays a role in Benign Prostate Hyperplasia (BPH), which is genetically different from prostate cancer and not a precursor to its development.
A new genetic mutation, APC I1307K, is found to modestly increase the risk of hereditary breast cancer in women of Ashkenazi Jewish descent. The mutation's effect is most significant in those who already carry BRCA mutations.
Researchers at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center found that growth factors, known for controlling immune cell production, also increase the ability of immune cells to take up vitamin C. This discovery sheds light on the connection between vitamin C and the immune system, showing how growth factors can boost immune function.
A large population-based study found no relationship between sunscreen use and melanoma risk, as people's reports of sunburn histories were inconsistent. Instead, genetic characteristics such as moles and pigmentary phenotype are major determinants of melanoma risk.
A study by Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center found that 77% of adult AML patients who received a T-cell depleted bone marrow transplant were cancer-free after 6 years. The treatment limits graft-versus-host disease risk and leukemic recurrence.
Researchers at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center have identified a combination of drugs that can induce leukemia cells to mature and behave like normal blood cells. By targeting genetic changes underlying acute promyelocytic leukemia, the team developed a novel 'transcription therapy' approach that may improve treatment for other ...
Researchers at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center found a way to increase vitamin C levels in the brain by crossing the blood brain barrier. They achieved this by injecting dehydroascorbic acid, which is converted to ascorbic acid in the brain.
Researchers at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center found that bilingual individuals who acquire a second language as young adults have distinct brain areas associated with their native and second languages. This information may be useful for neurosurgeons navigating around the brain's language-sensitive areas during surgery.
A team of physicians from Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and the University of Rochester's Cancer Center have developed a herpes-based gene therapy that recruits the immune system to target and eliminate cancer cells in the liver. The vaccine has shown promising results, with laboratory rats achieving complete remission and few...
A review finds existing studies on pregnancy after breast cancer treatment are inconclusive due to biases and limited data. Researchers stress the need for more research to determine potential effects of estrogen levels on tumor growth in pregnant women.
Researchers found that HIV-infected immune cells take in more vitamin C and glucose than healthy counterparts, but extremely high levels are toxic. This study provides a foundation to understand the relationship between vitamin C, HIV infection, and cell metabolism.
Researchers at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center have successfully treated deadly skin cancer melanoma in mice using a human skin pigment protein. The immune system mistakenly attacks both melanoma cells and the patient's own skin cells, leading to tumor rejection.
A newly discovered gene, MAD2, acts as a checkpoint in the cell cycle, ensuring chromosomes are ready to separate properly before cell division. Blocking the gene's activity can lead to tumor growth due to haphazard cell division and missing chromosomes.
A new study reveals that the BRCA2 gene mutation is found in one out of every 100 Ashkenazi Jews, increasing their breast cancer risk. The risk is more than three times higher for those who inherit the BRCA1 mutation compared to BRCA2.
The joint venture aims to improve the ability to diagnose, control, and cure cancers by identifying gene defects and relating them to treatment responses. Memorial Sloan-Kettering's retrospective database and Sequana's gene discovery platform will be combined to achieve this goal.
Scientists have discovered how p27 blocks cell growth in virtually all human cancers, providing new hope for developing drugs to halt uncontrolled cell division. The discovery uses X-ray crystallography to reveal the molecular structure of p27 and its interaction with cyclin-CDK complexes.
A new drug, CPT-11, has been approved by the FDA for treating colorectal cancer. Researchers plan to enroll approximately 660 patients in a Phase III trial to evaluate its effectiveness as a first-line treatment.