A recent study published in Nature Genetics has identified 45 noncoding genes associated with prostate cancer development and progression. These genes, known as noncoding RNA, play a key role in activating the disease process.
A research team at the Krembil Research Institute has discovered two tissue biomarkers that directly contribute to harmful joint degeneration associated with spine osteoarthritis. Elevated levels of these biomarkers cause inflammation, cartilage destruction, and collagen depletion.
Researchers have discovered a 'smart' organic nanoparticle called PEARLs that uses heat and light to target and ablate tumours with greater precision. This innovation addresses two bottlenecks in photo-thermal therapy, enabling more effective treatment of cancer with minimal damage.
Researchers have discovered a genetic switch, microRNA mirR-125a, that can be used to increase the supply of stem cells from cord blood. This discovery could potentially increase the availability of stem cell transplants for cancer patients with no matching donors.
A study found that about 15% of complex postoperative pain patients develop moderate to severe chronic pain, consuming 90% of healthcare's pain-related resources. The annual projected total cost linked to TGH surgical patients who develop moderate-to-severe chronic post-surgical pain could range from $2.5 million up to a possible $4.1 ...
Researchers have discovered biomarkers using non-invasive liquid biopsies to identify aggressive disease in prostate cancer patients before surgery. The study uses urine samples from 210 patients and identifies a range of proteins that can help predict which patients have slow-growing versus aggressive cancer.
Researchers tested two portable handheld microscopes and found they could rule in infections, but the CellScope missed low-burden infections. The devices were effective in rural settings after minimal training of community laboratory technicians.
A new blood marker, FCGR2A, identifies patients with metastatic colorectal cancer who will benefit from the drug cetuximab. The discovery helps personalize cancer medicine for those with colorectal disease, improving treatment outcomes.
A Canadian study reveals ICU caregivers are at high risk of developing clinical depression and emotional distress after patient discharge. The study highlights the need to consider mental health in post-ICU care, finding that caregiver characteristics and situation play a significant role in determining outcomes.
A recent multi-centre study found that breast cancer patients undergoing treatment with trastuzumab-containing regimens are at significant risk of heart damage, regardless of age. The study suggests that younger patients should also be equally monitored for heart damage.
A recent study reveals that cancer patients and families perceive palliative care as synonymous with death, despite its benefits in improving quality of life. The researchers call for a rebranding of palliative care to address the stigma and promote earlier access to supportive care.
Researchers found that early MRI screening can reduce breast cancer mortality in female survivors of childhood Hodgkin's lymphoma who received chest radiation. The study suggests that starting screening at age 25 with MRI can be more effective than mammography, but may lead to false positives.
A quick screening method has been used to identify and test promising anti-Ebola drugs. The method, which allows for the evaluation of candidate drugs and comparison of antiviral effectiveness, has shown potential in reducing the emergence of drug resistance and increasing confidence in experimental results.
Researchers discovered four linguistic factors indicative of dementia: semantic impairment, acoustic impairment, syntactic impairment, and information impairment. The automated technology provides an objective diagnostic rating for dementia, surpassing the current initial assessment tool used by healthcare professionals.
Scientists at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre discovered that blocking the master regulator of bone renewal, RANKL, stops osteosarcoma. The findings provide a strong rationale for using this drug to develop targeted therapy for patients.
Researchers from University Health Network have found a specific cell type plays a key role in maintaining healthy arteries after inflammation. A group of tissue macrophages can self-replicate and help to heal the vessel after inflammation. This discovery could provide new treatment options for cardiovascular disease.
A new study found that patients who are older, female, and/or from lower-income neighborhoods are more likely to experience delays in starting cardiac rehabilitation after bypass surgery, ultimately reducing their chances of completing the program. This can lead to a higher mortality risk.
Researchers have discovered a new view of how human blood is made, resolving how different kinds of blood cells form quickly from stem cells. This finding has significant implications for understanding and treating blood disorders and diseases.
A research team has discovered a mechanism to mimic a viral infection in colon cancer stem cells, which could potentially trigger an immune response to fight the disease. Decitabine, a chemotherapy drug, is identified as a potential target to induce viral mimicry and activate an anti-viral response.
A new clinical study published in The Lancet shows that augmentation therapy can preserve lung structure and add years of life for patients with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. The treatment has been found to be effective in slowing the progression of emphysema in severe cases.
A new gene subgroup has been identified as a key driver of prostate cancer, allowing for the development of personalized treatment options. The study found that half of all prostate cancer patients have mutations in either C-MYC or L-MYC genes, which can influence disease aggression and treatment response.
A new study shows that personalized music playlists with tempo-pace synchronization can significantly increase exercise adherence in cardiac rehabilitation patients, with an average of 105.4 minutes more exercise per week. This approach has the potential to improve long-term survival and life expectancy for these patients.
Women with luminal A subtype breast cancer who are older than 60 and taking hormone therapy may not need radiation treatment, according to a new study. The research found that local breast radiation did not add benefit to their outcome, saving the healthcare system up to $3 million annually in Ontario.
Research suggests that targeting the gut immune system with a commonly used anti-inflammatory drug may be an effective way to treat insulin resistance and lower blood sugar levels in humans. The study found that mice fed a high-fat diet had larger amounts of pro-inflammatory immune cells in their bowels, leading to insulin resistance.
Researchers discover that metformin and resveratrol activate molecules in the small intestine, triggering a neuronal network to lower blood sugar. The findings suggest targeting the gut with small compounds could represent an alternative strategy to lower glucose levels and reduce diabetic complications.
Researchers at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre successfully converted microbubble technology into nanoparticles that retain their imaging properties. The discovery has the potential to enhance drug delivery, prolong tumour visualization, and improve cancer treatment precision.
A comprehensive study of over 95,000 patients found that glucose-lowering therapies prescribed to diabetes patients may pose an increased risk for the development of heart failure. The study showed a 14% overall increased risk of heart failure with intensive blood sugar-lowering drugs or strategies.
Researchers developed a genetic test to identify men at highest risk of prostate cancer recurrence after localized treatment. The test analyzes biopsy tissue and tumor oxygen content to predict disease return with 80% accuracy, enabling personalized treatment plans.
A decade of research led by Dr. Tak Mak identified PLK4 as a promising therapeutic target for breast cancer treatment and developed a small molecule inhibitor to block it. The study showed significant antitumor activity in preclinical models, offering hope for personalized cancer medicine.
A large clinical study found that MRI detected invasive breast tumours in female survivors of childhood Hodgkin lymphoma at very early stages. The study highlights the need for breast MRI screening from age 25 or eight years after chest radiation, as recommended by established guidelines.
A Canadian study found that kidney transplant recipients lived longer and had better treatment success rates than patients on intensive home hemodialysis. However, these patients were also at a higher risk of hospitalization within the first year after transplantation.
A study found that the quality of death for cancer patients in urban Canadian settings with ready access to palliative care was good to excellent in most cases. Factors such as social support, caregiver relationship length, and home death were linked to better scores on a scale measuring the dying experience.
A four-year clinical study involving 461 patients with advanced cancers showed that earlier palliative care significantly improved quality of life and patient satisfaction. The study demonstrated the benefits of cancer centers providing early specialized palliative care in outpatient clinics.
Cancer researchers have discovered a pre-leukemic stem cell that may initiate disease and trigger relapse in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). This finding offers a potential tool for earlier diagnosis and targeted therapy, as the pre-leukemic stem cell can survive chemotherapy and be found in the bone marrow at remission.
A new approach dubbed SMART has been shown to more than double three-year survival rates for mesothelioma patients treated with radiation therapy followed by surgery. The treatment approach, which involves an accelerated five-day course of intensity-modulated radiation therapy, reduces the risk of recurrence and improves quality of life.
Researchers at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre have identified a promising new therapeutic path for colorectal cancer by disarming the BMI-1 gene, which drives self-renewal in stem cells. Inhibiting this gene resulted in long-term and irreversible impairment of tumour growth, providing strong evidence for its clinical relevance.
New research led by Dr. Jacob Udell found that the flu vaccine reduces the risk of heart attack or stroke by over 50% among those who have had a heart attack. The study also suggests that the vaccine's heart-protective effects may be even greater among those who receive a more potent vaccine.
Experts advocate for widespread screening of 'Baby Boomer' generation in Canada due to high prevalence and lack of awareness. Early treatment makes hepatitis C curable, saving lives and reducing healthcare costs.
Researchers discovered the critical role of retinoic acid signaling pathway in forming blood-forming stem cells. The study used mouse models to demonstrate that disrupting this pathway eliminates blood-forming stem cells, while activating it increases their numbers.
A study published in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience found that environmental enrichment can help counteract brain atrophy in people with chronic moderate-severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). The study, led by Dr. Robin Green, suggests that increased physical, social, and cognitive stimulation can slow down brain shrinkage.
A multi-centre clinical trial has shown that decompression surgery is effective in treating cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM), a degenerative disease that can lead to paralysis. The study found significant recovery in patients with mild, moderate and severe CSM, with improvements in functional, disability and quality of life measures.
A review study of 1,500 patients found that financial incentives can increase exercise amounts, helping to overcome time commitment and discomfort barriers. The study suggests providing short-term incentives can drive long-term behavior change, preventing repeat heart events and saving the health system millions.
Multiple myeloma patients experience persistent disease recurrence due to intrinsic resistance in immature progenitor cells. Researchers identify a cancer cell maturation hierarchy and propose targeting both progenitor cells and plasma cells to develop new treatments.
Researchers have identified a crucial role for the gene GATA3 in regulating blood stem cell self-renewal. This discovery has significant implications for expanding blood stem cells in the lab for clinical use in bone marrow transplantation.
Researchers discovered a function of PTEN that helps explain why certain therapies fail in many cancer patients. The finding increases understanding of molecular mechanisms and provides clues for individualizing therapy for patients with PTEN-deficient tumors.
Scientists have solved a key piece of the puzzle on how BRCA1 gene mutations predispose women to breast and ovarian cancers. The answer lies in the way estrogen rushes in to rescue damaged cells whose healthy functioning has been altered by oxidative stress.
A study has shown that H7N9 can be transmitted efficiently when animals are in close contact, such as touching, coughing, and exchanging bodily fluids. The transmission of the virus was found to be reduced if cages were well spaced, indicating that airborne transmission is not a high risk for H7N9.
Researchers at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre identify Notch signalling pathway as key driver of resistance to hormone therapies in ER-positive breast cancer cells. A companion prognostic test is proposed to predict tumour response to new therapy.
A new type of retinoblastoma has been discovered, driven by an oncogene, and is found in babies with no family history. The cancer starts long before birth and can be identified through molecular diagnostics.
A new trial has shown that Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) can help patients with chronic, severe Anorexia Nervosa achieve improvements in body weight, mood, and anxiety. Four of six patients experienced significant weight gain and simultaneous changes in mood and symptoms related to anorexia.