A study suggests that increasing T cells' exposure to potassium, mimicking high potassium levels, could make cancer immunotherapies more effective. Growing T cells under conditions of high potassium preserves their stem-cell-like quality, allowing them to replicate and grow.
A new AI algorithm has been developed to analyze digital images of the cervix and identify precancerous changes, outperforming human experts in accuracy. The approach has the potential to transform cervical cancer screening, especially in areas with limited resources.
The BRCA Exchange aggregates data on thousands of inherited variants in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes to improve cancer prevention, screening, and intervention. The resource includes expert classifications of variants, providing information for clinicians and researchers.
Researchers analyzed US population-based cancer registry data and found a significant increased risk of therapy-related myelodysplastic syndrome/acute myeloid leukemia after chemotherapy for most solid tumors. The risk was highest for certain types of cancer, such as lung, ovary, breast, and testis cancers.
A gene expression predictor was developed to indicate whether melanoma patients are likely to respond to immune checkpoint inhibitors, a novel type of immunotherapy. The predictor was accurate across multiple melanoma patient datasets and identified nearly all responders and more than half of non-responders.
A phase 3 trial found that radiation therapy and cetuximab was associated with worse overall and progression-free survival compared to the current standard treatment with radiation and cisplatin. The study recommended releasing the data after an interim analysis showed that cetuximab with radiation was inferior to cisplatin and radiation.
Researchers at NCI developed a high-throughput method to identify mutations recognized by the immune system, leading to a complete response in a breast cancer patient. The treatment used tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes that specifically target tumor cell mutations, showing promise for treating common epithelial cancers.
Researchers found that gut bacteria can control antitumor immune responses in the liver by regulating bile acid metabolism and NKT cell accumulation. This discovery has implications for understanding liver cancer mechanisms and potential therapeutic approaches.
The Annual Report to the Nation on Cancer finds a decline in US cancer death rates among men and women of all racial and ethnic groups. Prostate cancer incidence has increased, while mortality has stabilized, with trends linked to changes in PSA screening.
A new NCI study revises molecular classification for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, identifying four prominent genetic subtypes that can help explain treatment response. The study's findings will aid in predicting prognosis and tailoring therapy for patients with DLBCL.
A new NCI study identifies more than 100 genes necessary for cancer cells to respond to T cell-mediated killing, shedding light on resistance to immunotherapies. The findings offer a blueprint for studying tumor resistance and developing new therapeutics.
Researchers found a higher prevalence of cancer at baseline screening in individuals with Li-Fraumeni syndrome, highlighting the feasibility of a comprehensive cancer screening protocol. The study demonstrated that whole body MRI screening can detect new primary cancers in up to 7 percent of patients.
A new study estimates that more than 150,000 US women are currently living with distant metastatic breast cancer, a form of the disease that has spread to distant sites in the body. Despite poor prognosis, survival rates for women diagnosed with MBC at younger ages have been increasing significantly.
Premature death rates declined among Hispanics, blacks, and Asian/Pacific Islanders due to fewer deaths from cancer, heart disease, and HIV. In contrast, white and American Indian/Alaska Native populations experienced increased rates driven by accidents, drug overdoses, and suicide.
Researchers identified novel genomic characteristics of cervical cancer, including cell signaling pathways and human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. The study also found amplification of genes involved in immune responses and potential therapeutic targets.
A new oral drug, selumetinib, has shown significant tumor shrinkage in children with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) and plexiform neurofibromas. Most patients experienced partial responses, with tumor growth stopping in over 70% of cases.
A study led by Dr. Steven A. Rosenberg identified a method to target the cancer-causing protein produced by a mutant form of the KRAS gene, leading to cancer regression in a patient with colorectal cancer. The treatment involved infusing tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes into the patient, which recognized and attacked the mutated cells.
A study of over 290,000 adults found that even low-intensity smokers had a significantly higher risk of earlier death than never smokers. The risk was particularly strong for lung cancer mortality, with low-intensity smokers experiencing nearly 9 times the risk of dying from lung cancer.
Researchers found that oxygen inhibits the anticancer activity of T cells in mice, allowing cancer cells to escape immune attack and establish metastatic colonies. Inhibiting oxygen-sensing proteins in T cells improved the efficacy of immunotherapy, suggesting a new approach for treating cancer.
Researchers found that replication fork protection is a major mechanism of drug resistance in BRCA1/2-mutant breast and ovarian cancers. Proteins such as PTIP, CHD4, and PARP1 promote destabilization of replication forks, making cells chemoresistant.
The NCI's largest-ever study of breast cancer genetics in black women aims to identify genetic factors contributing to racial disparities in breast cancer. The study will investigate inherited genetic variations and gene expression in tumor samples.
Scientists have made a breakthrough in visualizing proteins involved in cancer cell metabolism using cryo-EM. They were able to capture images of glutamate dehydrogenase at an atomic level, revealing new insights into potential drug targets. This discovery has the potential to revolutionize and accelerate the drug discovery process.
A new study found that drinking water from private wells, especially those established before the 1950s, may contribute to elevated bladder cancer risk in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. The researchers estimated that increasing cumulative arsenic exposure was associated with an increased risk of bladder cancer.
A clinical trial found that patients with activated B-cell-like (ABC) subtype of DLBCL responded better to ibrutinib than those with germinal center B-cell-like (GCB) subtype. This study suggests the use of ABC gene signature to identify patients likely to respond to the drug.
A new study demonstrates the ability to visualize metabolic enzyme structures at near-atomic detail using cryo-electron microscopy. This advancement has immense implications for drug design and development, revolutionizing the field of structural biology.
Researchers have identified novel mutations in a well-known cancer-causing pathway in lung adenocarcinoma, expanding therapeutic targets and potentially identifying treatable mutations. The study found that 75% of patients with lung adenocarcinoma have actionable mutations that can be treated with existing or under-development drugs.
A recent study found that adults with extreme obesity are at a higher risk of dying from cancer and other causes, including heart disease and diabetes. The analysis of pooled data from 20 large studies revealed that people with class III obesity had a significant reduction in life expectancy compared to those with normal weight.
Rhabdomyosarcoma is a pediatric soft-tissue cancer characterized by two distinct genotypes. The disease was found to have a relatively low number of somatic mutations compared to birth DNA alterations. Key genes, such as NRAS and KRAS, were identified with frequent mutations.
Death rates for lung cancer, colorectal, breast, and prostate cancers have been declining, driving a reduction in cancer deaths. However, some cancers, including liver and pancreas, saw increased death rates. Comorbid conditions also impact survival, with one-third of patients aged 65+ having multiple medical conditions.
A new clinical trial found that low-intensity chemotherapy regimens are highly effective in treating adult patients with Burkitt lymphoma, resulting in excellent long-term survival rates of over 90%. The treatment reduces toxicity compared to standard high-dose chemotherapy, leading to improved outcomes for adults.
Scientists have discovered a connection between the aggressiveness of kidney cancer and changes in how tumor cells use energy from metabolic processes. The study found that certain proteins are associated with worse patient outcomes, while others may be used as therapeutic targets.
Researchers have found antibodies against the human papillomavirus (HPV) that may help predict individuals at risk of HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer. The study found that these antibodies were detectable in nearly 35% of patients with cancer, compared to less than 1% of those without cancer.
Two studies from The Cancer Genome Atlas program reveal genomic landscapes of AML and endometrial cancer, providing new insights into molecular underpinnings. The studies identify four novel tumor subtypes in endometrial cancer and show genomic similarities with other types of cancers.
A large-scale genome-wide association study found three genetic regions associated with lung cancer risk in Asian female never-smokers. The discovery provides evidence that common inherited genetic variants contribute to an increased risk of lung cancer among this population.
A study by NIH/National Cancer Institute reveals shared genomic features between high-grade serous ovarian cancer and one subtype of breast cancer. This similarity suggests that the two cancers share a common molecular origin, facilitating comparison of therapeutic data.
The study found that colon and rectal cancers have nearly indistinguishable genomic alterations, leading researchers to group them as one type of cancer. Several recurrent genetic errors contribute to colorectal cancer, with potential targets for treatment identified including genes ERBB2 and IGF2.
A new suite of web-based tools, CellMiner, provides researchers with improved capacity to compare data from genomic information against thousands of drugs. By comparing drugs and genetic targets, researchers can identify pharmaceuticals that could be effective against different forms of cancer.
A large population-based randomized trial found that flexible sigmoidoscopy screening reduced overall colorectal cancer mortality by 26% and incidence by 21% compared to usual care. The test detected 24% of diagnosed cancers with fewer side effects than colonoscopy.
An NIH study found that tobacco control programs and policies have prevented over 795,000 lung cancer deaths in the US from 1975 through 2000. Further reductions are possible with continued and enhanced efforts.
A new NIH-funded study shows that taking high doses of vitamin E daily increases the risk of developing prostate cancer. Compared to a placebo group, men who took vitamin E supplements had 11 more cases of prostate cancer per 1,000 men over a seven-year period.
A large study found that daughters of women given diethylstilbestrol during pregnancy face an increased risk of reproductive problems and certain cancers. The study also found a twofold higher risk of infertility and a fivefold increased risk of preterm delivery among DES-exposed women.
A study published in Nature Genetics found that individuals with mutations in the BAP1 gene are susceptible to developing mesothelioma and melanoma. The research suggests that the BAP1 gene mutation may be involved in multiple cancer types, including breast and ovarian cancer.
A new study by the National Cancer Institute finds that cigarette smoking is responsible for about half of female bladder cancer cases, similar to the proportion found in men. The risk is higher than previously reported and may be due to changes in cigarette composition or smoking habits over the years.
The study provides a comprehensive view of cancer genes for any cancer type to date, identifying patterns in gene expression that predict patient survival. The results support four distinct subtypes of the disease based on genomic changes and highlight potential therapeutic targets using existing drugs.
The study found a significant reduction in lung cancer deaths among heavy smokers screened with low-dose helical CT, with a 20% decrease compared to those screened with chest X-ray. The screening test identified adenocarcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas at early stages of disease, providing valuable insights for future patients.
Researchers from NCI found XMRV unlikely to cause prostate cancer or chronic fatigue syndrome in humans. The virus arose due to genetic recombination of two mouse viruses, not present in original human tumor samples.
A new study published by NCI and CDC found a significant shift in the distribution of cancers in the HIV/AIDS population. Cases of AIDS-defining cancers decreased threefold between 1991-95 and 2001-05, while cases of other cancers increased tripled during the same period.
A new FDA-approved drug, Sodium Fluoride F18, has been approved for use in bone scans, providing a safer alternative to the radioactive tracer Technetium-99m. The drug offers improved images using PET imaging, enabling better and earlier detection of bone metastases in cancer patients.
A new NIH study projects that cancer costs will increase to at least $158 billion in 2020 due to the growing US population and cancer trends. The projected costs are based on an aging population and the introduction of new, expensive cancer treatments.
A recent NIH study found that a body mass index (BMI) between 20.0 and 24.9 is linked to the lowest risk of death in healthy, non-smoking adults. For individuals who are overweight or obese, the risks of death increase dramatically, with certain BMI ranges associated with significantly higher mortality rates.