Researchers discovered that psilocybin prevents nerve injury and associated symptoms in preclinical models, protecting sensory nerve endings and preserving touch sensation. Psilocybin may offer a new intervention for preventing chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, improving patients' quality of life.
Daraxonrasib demonstrated durable responses in pretreated patients with RAS-mutant non-small cell lung cancer, with an objective response rate of 42% and median progression-free survival of 8.3 months. The therapy's safety profile, while notable, is considered manageable compared to chemotherapy options.
UT MD Anderson Cancer Center is honoring the exceptional leadership of Dr. Peter Pisters, who announced his retirement to focus on his next career chapter. Dr. Jeffrey E. Lee has been named interim president, effective immediately, and will work closely with Pisters until the end of September.
Researchers at University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center found that BRAF plays a key role in developing and maintaining chronic nerve pain caused by nerve damage. Using BRAF inhibitors reduced pain sensitivity in preclinical models, suggesting therapeutic potential for treating chronic nerve pain.
Researchers developed a first-in-class therapy targeting MYC, a protein involved in 70% of cancers, by disrupting its relationship with GSPT1. This approach showed strong anti-cancer activity in multiple types of blood cancers, including treatment-resistant models.
UT MD Anderson recognized 58 faculty members for their exceptional contributions to cancer research, patient care, and education. The institution also honored six early-career Faculty Scholars, six recipients of the Faculty Achievement Awards, and six faculty members with UT MD Anderson's most prestigious endowed faculty awards.
Researchers found that tumors can damage peripheral nerves before chemotherapy begins, leading to potential nerve damage and chronic pain. The study challenges the conventional thought that peripheral neuropathy is mostly due to chemotherapy treatment.
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center has named the 2026 Andrew Sabin Family Fellows, a group of 10 researchers advancing cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. The fellows receive $100,000 over two years to focus on innovative research.
Research at UT MD Anderson Cancer Center has identified biomarkers to identify patients with resectable NSCLC who benefit most from perioperative immunotherapy. The center also found that the composition of donor cord blood may influence CAR NK cell therapy outcomes.
Researchers identified two immune cell populations present in both initial and recurrent arthritis flares, suggesting an immune-memory disease. These cells may serve as biomarkers for high-risk patients or to guide targeted therapies to reduce side effects.
Researchers discovered that immunosuppressed patients with non-melanoma skin cancer have macrophages that fail to communicate effectively, leading to tumor progression. The study's findings suggest that boosting the functionality of these immune cells may lead to new treatment opportunities for these patients.
UT MD Anderson has been ranked No. 1 in the nation for cancer care by U.S. News & World Report for 12 consecutive years, with top rankings in two adult specialties and six common procedures and conditions earning High Performing ratings.
A study found that reshaping the gut microbiome with antibiotics can significantly reduce liver clearance and double chemotherapy delivery to tumors. This approach has potential as a strategy to enhance nanoparticle-based cancer drugs.
A new study reveals that rapid-acting antidepressants like ketamine and psychedelics work by changing communication signals between the immune system and brain, suggesting a shared neuroimmune pathway. This finding may help identify patients most likely to benefit from these treatments.
Researchers discovered a signaling pathway activated by acidic tumor environments that drives resistance to PARP inhibitors. Blocking the pathway resensitizes tumors, suggesting a potential new therapeutic strategy for overcoming acquired resistance.
Researchers found that immature NK cells in donated cord blood can undermine CAR NK cell therapy by creating false targets for therapeutic cells to attack. Removing these cells before manufacturing improves therapy outcomes, persistence and antitumor activity in preclinical models of lymphoma and ovarian cancer.
Researchers at UT MD Anderson Cancer Center have made significant progress in treating rare brain infections with a virus-specific T cell therapy, achieving an overall response rate of 56.8% in patients with progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). The center also introduced a novel CAR T cell therapy for hard-to-treat kidney ...
A study published in Cancer Research identified an immune pathway that promotes the progression of oral precancerous lesions into head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. The researchers found that targeting a key inflammation signal known as interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1α) could help restore immune surveillance and prevent high-risk lesions...
Scientists at MD Anderson Cancer Center have identified a previously unknown mechanism by which T cells attack and eliminate acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells. The discovery reveals that AML cells use a CD64-dependent pathway to evade traditional MHC recognition, potentially explaining why AML is sensitive to immune-based treatments.
Researchers created a comprehensive single-cell map of the tumor immune microenvironment in multiple myeloma and its precursor conditions. The study identified five distinct subtypes, or 'ecotypes,' that capture meaningful insights into signaling pathways and genetic programs not fully explained by disease stage alone.
Researchers discovered that KRAS inhibitors significantly reduced tumor growth and triggered cancer cell death in advanced preclinical models of appendiceal adenocarcinoma. In a clinical cohort, all evaluable patients experienced a marked reduction in serum tumor markers, indicating effective treatment with these drugs.
Researchers discovered a new epigenetic therapy that remained effective in treatment-resistant acute myeloid leukemia (AML) through activating the Hippo pathway, a tumor-suppressing pathway linked to cancer growth and drug resistance. The therapy, NTX-301, consistently reduced leukemia cell survival more effectively than existing hypom...
A new preclinical study has identified a gut bacterium, Akkermansia muciniphila, that helps prime intestinal stem cells for faster recovery after radiation treatment. Fasting increases the population of this bacterium, which produces a small molecule that changes histone tags to allow gene expression in intestinal cells.
A study published in Cancer Cell identified a six-gene signature in microscopic colorectal cancer liver metastases that may help predict recurrence after treatment. The findings suggest these tiny tumor deposits could serve as a tissue-based marker of residual cancer cells, recurrence risk and chemotherapy resistance.
A new method called ATTACH identifies strong interactions between T cells and cancer-specific proteins to isolate effective tumor-reactive T cells. This approach overcomes key challenges in immunotherapy development, offering a rapid and accessible way for isolating rare immune cells.
Researchers at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center found that inotuzumab ozogamicin effectively clears measurable residual disease in B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients, leading to improved long-term survival outcomes and durable responses.
Researchers identified why some patients with rare blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN) leukemia don't respond to tagraxofusp. Severe TET2 gene mutations and low TXNRD1 enzyme levels contribute to resistance, suggesting these biomarkers could predict treatment outcomes.
Researchers at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center have identified genetic factors that determine whether prostate cancers are susceptible to ferroptosis. SPOP mutations and CHD1 deletions could serve as biomarkers to help identify patients who may benefit from emerging ferroptosis-based therapies.
The study identified two proteins, BCL2 and MCL1, as predictive biomarkers for matching patients to specific drug combinations. Combining BRAF-MEK inhibitors with a BCL2 inhibitor induced tumor regression in previously resistant tumors.
Researchers discovered how ATRX mutations reprogram gene regulation architecture to fuel glioma growth and progression. Targeting genes downstream of ATRX slowed cancer progression in preclinical models.
Researchers at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center discovered a new approach to help overcome immunotherapy resistance. Copper-induced cell death, known as cuproptosis, activates the immune system and can be combined with anti-PD-L1 immunotherapy to slow tumor growth.
Researchers at UT MD Anderson Cancer Center have achieved high response rates in patients with hard-to-treat acute myeloid leukemia (AML) using an all-oral combination therapy. The study also provides insights into the origins of cancer, revealing that tumors evolve rapidly through bursts of genetic changes.
A spatial map of muscle-invasive bladder cancer reveals organized tumor cell states, immune environments, and therapeutic vulnerabilities. Luminal-like cells are found in tumor cores with relevant therapeutic markers, while basal-like cells near margins show signs of aggressiveness. This study guides treatment strategies by accounting ...
Researchers found that radiation therapy not only targets tumor cells but also activates immune pathways to make tumors more receptive to immunotherapy. The study suggests that radiation-immunotherapy combination strategies could improve patient outcomes by reshaping the surrounding immune landscape and recruiting T cells.
A new study has identified a two-protein complex involved in exporting R-loops, which triggers an immune response causing harmful inflammation. The study tested an approved drug called KPT-330 and found significant improvements in inflammation, liver damage, fat gain, muscle loss, and lifespan in preclinical models.
A recent study reveals that cancer cells within tumors are genetically diverse, yet all carry the same core genetic changes. The research found that these changes occur in sudden bursts, creating distinct subpopulations that influence tumor aggressiveness and treatment response.
Researchers developed a novel gene therapy platform that successfully restored muscle function in preclinical models of Duchenne muscular dystrophy by delivering full-length mRNA of the DMD gene via engineered extracellular vesicles. The treatment showed improved muscle strength, endurance, and function without serious side effects.
Researchers at UT MD Anderson Cancer Center have made significant advances in understanding cancer biology, developing AI-powered atlas of tertiary lymphoid structures as prognostic biomarkers, and uncovering drivers of resistance to KRAS inhibitors. Additionally, they have discovered a molecular pathway that drives stressed cells to b...
Senescent cells that stop dividing but don't die can become abnormally active, causing inflammation and instability in blood vessel plaques. The study found that losing key regulatory proteins activates the CD38 enzyme, leading to a higher risk of blood clots and cardiovascular events.
A Phase 3 trial showed a 56% reduction in the risk of disease progression or death for patients with BRAF V600E mutant metastatic colorectal cancer treated with a targeted therapy combination. The treatment improved median progression-free survival and overall survival, with nearly 75% of patients alive at 18 months.
A multicenter clinical trial found that implanting collagen tiles during brain surgery improved tumor control and lowered the risk of recurrence by 12.1% compared to current standard of care. Patients treated with tile-based radiation therapy (TBRT) had a median overall survival of 42.5 months, more than double the 17.6 months seen wit...
The WU-KONG28 trial found that sunvozertinib significantly extended progression-free survival to over 10 months, compared to 7.5 months with chemotherapy alone. The treatment also shrank tumors in 58.9% of patients.
A new study developed a spatial atlas of specialized immune structures, called tertiary lymphoid structures, across multiple cancer types. The atlas revealed that TLS maturation state, spatial location, and composition within tumors provide clinically meaningful information about cancer prognosis and treatment response.
Dr. Sharon Giordano and Dr. Eduardo Vilar-Sanchez receive ASCO Special Awards for their transformative work in breast cancer research and prevention, respectively. Their contributions advance understanding of cancer and improve patient outcomes.
Researchers at UT MD Anderson Cancer Center have uncovered genetic and cell-state adaptive mechanisms that drive resistance to KRAS inhibitors in patients with KRAS-mutant colorectal cancer. Targeting early inflammatory responses by adding TBK1 blockade may be a promising combination strategy to overcome treatment resistance.
Albert Koong has been appointed chief scientific officer at UT MD Anderson, overseeing laboratory and clinical research enterprise. He aims to create a resilient research enterprise that maintains the institution's position as a global leader in cancer care and research.
Researchers discovered a new gene expression signature linked to prolonged overall survival in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer who responded to combined immune checkpoint inhibitors. The biomarker has the potential to help identify patients most likely to benefit from this treatment combination.
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center has been awarded $19 million by CPRIT to support young cancer survivors, groundbreaking research, and faculty recruitment programs. The funding will enable UT MD Anderson to recruit world-class scientists and clinicians, pursue new discoveries, and accelerate cancer treatment advancements.
A study identified key tumor microenvironment features that can predict immunotherapy response in rare cancers, offering new insight into treatment options. The findings suggest that analyzing the tumor microenvironment beyond genomic analysis may help improve treatment selection for patients with rare cancers.
Researchers at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center have identified a new marker, FOXA1, which shows high sensitivity in diagnosing small cell carcinoma of the prostate. This breakthrough offers hope for improving patient care and prognostic decisions.