Researchers found a promising new treatment for small cell lung cancer by combining immune checkpoint blockade with targeted therapies that block DNA damage repair. This combination achieved significant tumor regression in mouse models, suggesting potential benefits for patients.
A new therapeutic target has been identified for aggressive pediatric cancers with few treatment options. The researchers discovered that malignant rhabdoid tumors may be sensitive to drugs that block the cancer cell's ability to dispose of misfolded proteins, and a Phase II clinical trial is underway to investigate this approach.
Researchers at MD Anderson Cancer Center have discovered a link between FGL2 protein and glioblastoma progression. FGL2, known for suppressing the immune system, is highly expressed in GBM and can be eliminated by knocking it out, eliminating tumor progression in mice with intact immune systems.
A new study found that complication rates following invasive lung cancer diagnostic tests are twice as high in the community setting compared to clinical trials, with associated downstream costs of $6,320 to $56,845 on average. The researchers emphasize the need for sharing risks with patients considering lung cancer screening.
Researchers identified VISTA on immune cells infiltrating pancreatic tumors, which resisted immune checkpoint blockade drugs. The study highlights the importance of stroma and found higher expression of VISTA in pancreatic tumors compared to melanoma.
Researchers discovered a gene signature associated with treatment response and survival in patients with HPV-positive head and neck cancers. The biomarker distinguishes between two subgroups within HPV-positive patients, one with similar survival rates to HPV-negative cancers.
Researchers identified a key enzyme linked to therapy resistance in EGFR-mutant non-small cell lung cancer. The study found that inhibiting this enzyme can lead to tumor regression and improved treatment outcomes.
A follow-up analysis of axi-cel-treated patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) reported that 51% were still alive two years post-treatment. The study found that 83% achieved a reduction in cancer activity, and 39% had ongoing responses. CAR-T cell persistence and B-cell recovery were also observed in most patients.
Researchers at MD Anderson Cancer Center report high response rates of 90% among frontline-treated patients with blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN). The study, led by Naveen Pemmaraju, presents a novel targeted therapy targeting CD-123, a cell surface receptor expressed in BPDCN and other hematologic malignancies.
A triple therapy combining two immune checkpoint inhibitors with standard-of-care chemotherapy has shown a complete response rate of 43% and projected one-year overall survival of 58%. The treatment approach showed promising results, but more study is needed to confirm its effectiveness.
Researchers found fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) to be an effective treatment for severe colitis caused by immune checkpoint inhibitors. The study showed both patients experienced significant improvements in inflammation and ulcerations after FMT, with reduced resemblance to their own pre-treatment gut microbiome.
A Phase II study found a combination of azacitidine and nivolumab therapy resulted in a 33% overall response rate and 22% complete remission rate for patients with relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia. The drug combination was particularly effective in patients who had not previously received hypomethylating agents, with an overa...
Two studies found that minimally invasive radical hysterectomy is associated with higher recurrence rates and worse overall survival for women with early-stage cervical cancer. The findings have already changed care at MD Anderson Cancer Center and could impact surgical management of all women with early-stage disease.
Researchers developed an antibody to block DKK3, which stimulated cancer growth and resistance to therapy. In a mouse study, the treatment significantly prolonged life and boosted immune cell infiltration.
A study published in Nature Genetics found that long non-coding RNA MALAT1 suppresses breast cancer metastasis, contradicting its previously described role as a metastasis promoter. The researchers used mouse models to show that MALAT1 binds and inactivates TEAD, a transcription factor involved in promoting metastasis.
A Phase II clinical trial found marked improvement in three patients with progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), a rare and often fatal brain infection. Patients infused with donor T cells targeting the BK virus experienced significant reductions in JC viral load and clinical improvement.
A phase II study led by the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center found that neoadjuvant combination checkpoint blockade produced a high response rate among patients with high-risk stage 3 melanoma, with nearly half having no sign of disease at surgery. However, the trial was closed early due to high incidence of side effects.
A phase II clinical trial found that a tumor-specific vaccine combined with an immune checkpoint inhibitor shrank tumors in one third of patients with incurable cancer related to the human papilloma virus (HPV) and had a median survival of 17.5 months.
Researchers identified BAP1-regulated target genes and mechanisms linking ferroptosis to tumor suppression in various cancers. Treatment with ROS inducer resulted in increased ferroptosis-related cell death in BAP1 cancer cells, suggesting a potential new area of therapy research.
A clinical trial found that combination immunotherapy reduced melanoma brain metastases by 26% in 94 patients. The treatment, combining checkpoint inhibitors ipilimumab and nivolumab, also showed durable responses with 59.5% of patients remaining progression-free at nine months.
The EMBRACA trial shows that talazoparib provides a significant clinical benefit to patients with metastatic breast cancer and BRCA mutations. The study found that talazoparib improved progression-free survival, quality-of-life measures, and overall response rates compared to chemotherapy.
The guidelines outline lessons learned by experts in various fields to identify early signs and symptoms of treatment-related toxicity, detailing ways to manage it. Key recommendations include monitoring for cytokine release syndrome and addressing parent and/or caregiver concerns.
Scientists at MD Anderson Cancer Center have engineered a system allowing microscopic monitoring and imaging of cancer in mice, enabling better understanding and treatment of bone metastasis. The model reveals how cancer cells interact with bone and bone resident cells over time, providing insights into the disease's progression.
A new biomarker blood test improves lung cancer risk assessment over existing guidelines, capturing risk for people who have ever smoked. The test achieved superior sensitivity and accuracy compared to guidelines for screening approved by the USPSTF for heavy smokers.
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation found that a combination of ipilimumab and CPI-1205 enhances T cell responses, tumor rejection, and survival in cancer patients. Elevated EZH2 levels in T cells suppress immune activity, but inhibition of EZH2 improves effector T cell function.
Researchers found a link between calcitriol and reduced ovarian cancer progression by blocking smad signaling in tumor cells and supportive fibroblasts. The study opens a new potential avenue for treating ovarian cancer, with calcitriol already FDA-approved for other uses.
A Phase II trial found that adding PARP inhibitor veliparib to standard chemotherapy improved overall response rates and progression-free survival in patients with small cell lung cancer. Researchers identified SLFN11 as a biomarker for patient selection, which may lead to new treatment options.
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center's Therapeutics Discovery team has developed a drug called IACS-10759, which targets metabolic vulnerability in cancer cells. The drug, an inhibitor of oxidative phosphorylation, shows promise for treating acute myeloid leukemia and solid tumors.
A Phase II study found that over half of women with early-stage BRCA+ breast cancer who took talazoparib once daily prior to surgery had no evidence of disease at the time of surgery. The oral medication showed high response rates and manageable toxicities, offering an alternative to chemotherapy for this patient population.
A clinical trial shows that an immune checkpoint inhibitor can shrink tumors in nearly half of patients with advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. The drug, cemiplimab, works by blocking PD1, a surface receptor on T cells that shuts down immune response to cancer.
A Phase II trial suggests that erdafitinib, an FGFR inhibitor, benefits patients with metastatic urothelial cancer harboring FGFR3 mutations. The therapy achieved a 40% overall response rate, including complete and partial responses, as well as stable disease in nearly half of patients.
The study found that matching targeted therapies to tumor-specific gene mutations improved progression-free and overall survival in patients with advanced disease. Receiving matched targeted therapy was also an independent factor for predicting longer overall survival.
A Phase I trial shows ivosidenib, a protein inhibitor drug, is safe and effective for treating acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients with IDH1 mutations. The study achieved an overall response rate of 41.6% and complete remission rates of 21.6%, with improved survival rates at 18 months compared to historical controls.
Researchers at MD Anderson Cancer Center found that intense post-treatment surveillance does not improve detection of recurrence or overall survival in stage I, II, or III colorectal cancer. The study suggests that current guideline recommendations need to be reconsidered.
The new model allows researchers to conduct multiple clinical trials across several cancer types, lessen expenses, and increase the likelihood of finding medical solutions. This approach has already led to a new standard of care for chronic myeloid leukemia treatment and expanded program opportunities.
Researchers identified a link between ARID1a mutations and mismatch repair deficiency, which can render tumors susceptible to immune checkpoint blockade therapies. The study found that tumors with ARID1a mutations exhibited increased sensitivity to anti-PD-1 therapy, suggesting potential benefits for patients with these mutations.
A multi-center study discovered how adenosine to inosine (A-to-I) RNA editing contributes to protein diversity in breast cancer, increasing cancer cell proliferation and invasion. The findings suggest that individualizing therapies for each patient is reliant upon a better understanding of the protein genome.
Researchers at MD Anderson Cancer Center found poziotinib to be up to 100 times more potent against cells with exon 20 mutations than other drugs. In mouse models, poziotinib reduced disease burden by 80% in EGFR mice and 60% in HER2 mice, with durable responses at 12 weeks.
Researchers discovered that pre-existing chemoresistant genotypes in tumors can adapt to become fully resistant to chemotherapy, leading to poor overall survival. The study's findings may lead to diagnostic opportunities for detecting resistant clones in TNBC patients before treatment.
A pre-clinical study has revealed that combining OX40 agonist antibody and GSK2366771 may enhance the immune system's ability to kill melanoma tumors deficient in PTEN. The combination appears to 'step on the gas', revving up T cells and providing extra power to more efficiently kill cancer cells.
Researchers found that combining anti-CTLA-4 and anti-PD-1 immunotherapies enhances response rates and generates more memory T cells, leading to better tumor control. This combination may help prevent relapse in patients with therapies targeting CTLA-4 and PD-1 checkpoints.
A preclinical study by MD Anderson Cancer Center researchers found that precancerous colon polyps in patients with Lynch syndrome display immune system activation, challenging traditional models of cancer immune activation. The study suggests immunotherapy may be useful for colorectal cancer prevention in certain high-risk groups.
A new liquid biopsy-based cancer model has revealed insights into the development of chemotherapy resistance in small-cell lung cancer. The study found that intratumoral heterogeneity, or differences in gene expression between tumor cells, contributes to rapid chemotherapy resistance.
A phase I clinical trial of BLU-667, a novel precision-targeted drug, reports significant durable disease control in patients with RET-driven cancers. The study reveals an overall response rate of 37% for RET-driven cancers, with responses of 45% for non-small cell lung cancer.
Researchers have discovered five previously unknown cancer subtypes among others, using a comprehensive analysis of 2,579 tumors from breast and gynecologic cancers. The study identifies shared and unique molecular features, clinically significant subtypes, and potential therapeutic targets.
Researchers at University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center discovered a rare pre-existing mutation in PIK3CA that causes rapid drug resistance in melanoma patients. The study found that this mutation was present in the tumor before treatment and rapidly expanded after treatment, leading to swift disease progression.
The studies reported an overall response rate of 75 percent for patients ages four months to 76 years with 17 different cancer diagnoses. Larotrectinib had rapid, potent, and durable anti-tumor activity in children and adults with solid tumors and TRK fusions.
Research finds obese male patients treated with targeted or immune therapies live significantly longer than those with a normal BMI. The 'Obesity Paradox' suggests that obesity may improve survival in men with metastatic melanoma, contradicting prior assumptions about the impact of weight on cancer outcomes.
A phase I clinical trial found that the altered adenovirus DNX-2401 allowed 20 percent of patients with recurrent glioblastoma to live for three years or longer. The virus triggered an immune response, leading to tumor reduction and complete responses in some patients.
A nationwide population-based study analyzed over 120,000 women diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer, finding that only 14.7% required additional biopsies during follow-up care. The study's findings will help physicians counsel patients about breast cancer recurrence rates and the need for future biopsies.