Researchers found that patients who received a combination of BRAF and MEK inhibitors before and after surgery had a six-fold increase in time to progression compared to standard-of-care surgery. The study suggests that presurgical targeted therapy may improve outcomes for patients with high-risk stage 3 melanoma.
A new single-cell sequencing tool, TSCS, has provided a clearer understanding of how ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) progresses to invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC). Genome evolution occurs in the ducts before cancer clones can be disseminated, and most mutations evolve within the ducts prior to invasion.
A large percentage of US small-cell lung cancer patients do not receive standard chemotherapy and radiation treatments, leading to lower overall survival. Patients with federal insurance are more likely to receive chemotherapy but less likely to receive radiation therapy.
A multi-national phase Ib study has demonstrated a complete response in up to 50 percent of patients with relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML) treated with venetoclax and idasanutlin. The combination therapy shows promise as an effective treatment option for patients with limited treatment options.
A Phase 2 study of axi-cel, a CD19-targeting CAR T cell therapy, reported remarkable improvement in outcomes for patients with relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphoma. The study showed that 42% of patients remained in remission at 15 months, with complete responses in 54% and measurable responses in 82%.
A Phase III trial led by MD Anderson Cancer Center found that talazoparib, a PARP inhibitor, extends progression-free survival and improves quality-of-life measures for patients with metastatic HER2-negative breast cancer and BRCA1/2 mutations. Talazoparib was associated with a 46% lower risk of progression compared to chemotherapy.
Researchers at MD Anderson Cancer Center presented significant advances in patient survival for various blood cancers, including multiple myeloma and mantle cell lymphoma. The studies showed promising results for new treatments, such as combination chemotherapy and targeted therapies.
Research from MD Anderson Cancer Center finds improved adherence to surgical treatment guidelines, but chemotherapy guideline adherence remains largely unchanged. Informed patient-physician discussions are crucial for better survival outcomes and quality care.
Research from MD Anderson Cancer Center suggests that chronic stress hormones can promote resistance to EGFR inhibitors in lung cancer patients. However, using beta blockers may slow or prevent this resistance, according to the study's findings.
A study found circulating tumor cells (CTCs) associated with relapse in stage IV melanoma patients, suggesting a potential predictor for high-risk disease progression via liquid biopsy. CTCs were detected in approximately 40% of advanced stage melanoma patients and linked to faster relapse rates.
Patients with higher diversity of bacteria in their digestive tract had longer median progression-free survival. A favorable microbiome also was associated with increased antigen processing and presentation by the immune system at the tumor site.
The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center has been selected as one of four national Cancer Immune Monitoring and Analysis Centers (CIMACs) under the Partnership for Accelerating Cancer Therapies (PACT). CIMACs will provide expertise in systematic collection, processing, and analysis of blood and tumor samples to improve immun...
The study found that modifying diet or adding moderate exercise can improve chemotherapy efficacy independent of weight loss. Obesity is on the rise in pediatric cancer patients, with lower survival rates and higher relapse rates compared to non-obese patients.
Participating in twice-weekly Tibetan yoga reduced sleep disturbances and improved sleep quality in breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Women who practiced at least two times a week reported better sleep quality and efficiency over time compared to those practicing less often.
Researchers developed guidelines to handle CAR T cell side effects, including cytokine release syndrome and neurological toxicity. The new algorithms provide conservative and tailored treatment options to recognize and stage emerging side effects.
Researchers found that anti-CTLA-4 and anti-PD-1 checkpoint inhibitors expand distinct immune infiltrates against cancer by targeting different types of T cells. This study provides a reason why combining these therapies works better than either alone.
A study by MD Anderson Cancer Center found improved survival rates for patients with stage 3 lung cancer treated with concurrent chemotherapy and proton therapy. The treatment reduced toxic effects compared to standard care, with a median overall survival of 26.5 months.
Researchers developed genetically enhanced cord-blood derived immune cells to target B-cell malignancies, boosting persistence and embedding a suicide gene. The engineered natural killer cells showed improved efficiency in killing cancer cells and extended survival in mouse models.
A preclinical study published in PNAS found that BMTP-11 targets high-risk osteosarcoma and shows anti-tumor activity. The treatment has the potential to reduce cumulative side effects associated with current treatments, which often cause health problems and organ damage.
Researchers discovered that combining palbociclib with autophagy inhibitors can significantly reduce side effects and improve treatment efficacy for ER+ breast cancer patients. The study found that Rb and cytoplasmic cyclin E biomarkers predict response to therapy, allowing for personalized treatment approaches.
Researchers developed 'iExosomes' that target mutant KRAS, a common mutation in pancreatic cancer, to deliver RNAi and suppress tumor growth. The therapy approach was more efficient than traditional methods, offering new hope for treating this aggressive form of cancer.
Researchers at MD Anderson Cancer Center present two combination therapies that significantly shrink metastatic brain tumors in over half of patients with stage IV melanoma. The trials demonstrate the feasibility of conducting clinical trials for these patients and offer new hope for those with brain metastases.
A study found that combining therapies targeting polyADP ribose polymerase (PARP) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MEK) inhibitors showed promise in treating RAS-mutant cancers. The combination therapy was effective in multiple tumor models, regardless of mutations in tumor suppressor genes.
Researchers at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center discovered that the enzyme ACSS2 enables brain tumors to thrive in a nutrient-deprived environment by converting acetate into a carbon-based food source. This finding offers new potential treatment approaches for this deadly disease.
A study published in JAMA Surgery found that certain breast cancer patients who achieve pathologic complete response (pCR) after chemotherapy have a low risk of developing local metastases, making them candidates for less invasive treatment options. These patients may be able to avoid follow-up surgery, including axillary surgery.
A team led by Jennifer Wargo at MD Anderson is studying the connection between gut bacteria and immune system response in melanoma patients treated with anti-PD1 therapy. The study aims to understand how microbiome diversity influences treatment outcomes.
A new study found that combining nivolumab and bevacizumab resulted in a 53% complete or partial response rate for patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma. The combination therapy showed promising clinical activities and measured immunological changes, suggesting potential for improved treatment outcomes.
Researchers at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center have identified arginine methyltransferase 1 (PRMT1) as a potential therapeutic target for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), a deadly form of pancreatic cancer with limited treatment options. PRMT1 plays a crucial role in tumor development and maintenance, and i...
Hispanics have a higher burden of poor health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) compared to white and black patients. Meanwhile, Hispanics experience longer median survival times, averaging 85.4 months, followed by blacks at 47.8 months and whites at 43.2 months.
Researchers develop immunotherapy approach for prostate cancer by combining anti-hormonal drug with checkpoint inhibitors, driving T cells into tumors and blocking PD-L1/PD1 response. Targeting VISTA brake is also shown to inhibit immune response in human tumors.
Researchers found that after reirradiation with intensity modulated proton therapy (IMPT), the majority of patients were free from local recurrence one year following treatment and few experienced severe side effects. Patients who received a higher dose of radiation had fewer local recurrences and improved progression-free survival.
A pilot study published in the journal Cancer found that neurofeedback training reduced symptoms of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) in cancer survivors. The study used electroencephalogram (EEG) neurofeedback to retrain brain activity and resulted in measurable changes in targeted brain regions.
A Phase III clinical trial revealed that blinatumomab significantly increased overall survival and remission rates compared to standard chemotherapy in patients with advanced acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The study showed a median survival of 7.7 months for those treated with blinatumomab versus four months for those on chemotherapy.
Researchers found that loss of tumor-suppressing genes, not mutations, leads to resistance to immune checkpoint blockade drugs in melanoma. Anti-CTLA4 treatment can prime T cells for anti-PD1 therapy, improving patient response.
A recent study at MD Anderson Cancer Center found that a protein called ENL plays a key role in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), a fast-growing cancer of bone marrow and blood cells. Depletion of ENL led to anti-leukemic effects, suggesting BET inhibitor drugs as a potential treatment for AML.
Adding two blood-borne proteins, TFPI and tenascin C, to the current biomarker CA-19-9 improves the detection of early-stage pancreatic cancer in three cohorts. The combination shows higher predictive value than the individual biomarkers.
Researchers at University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center discover PGK1's dual role in regulating cell metabolism and autophagy, a cellular process crucial to tumor development and maintenance. The findings suggest that inhibiting PGK1-regulated autophagy may increase cancer treatment efficacy for glioblastoma patients.
A study found that patients with metastatic melanoma who responded to PD1 checkpoint inhibitor therapy had a greater diversity of gut bacteria and larger volumes of specific bacteria than non-responders. The researchers also discovered increased immune infiltrates in responders' tumors, correlated to the abundance of a specific bacterium.
Researchers found that hormonal maintenance therapy significantly improved survival in women with low-grade serous carcinoma of the ovary/peritoneum. Women who received HMT showed an average progression-free survival of 64.9 months, compared to 26.4 months for those in the surveillance group.
A retrospective analysis of 1,424 patients found that those with an intermediate risk recurrence score (RS) had similar outcomes whether they received chemotherapy or not. The study suggests that less is more for women with early-stage disease, potentially leading to a shift away from aggressive treatment protocols.
Researchers identified a gatekeeper protein SMARCB1 that prevents aggressive pancreatic cancer cells from transitioning into a resistant type. Depletion of SMARCB1 leads to mesenchymal status, a mobile and invasive cell state, making these cells vulnerable to therapies targeting proteostasis.
A recent study published in the journal Cancer found that breast cancer patients with dense breast tissue have almost a two-fold increased risk of developing disease in the contralateral breast. The researchers identified 680 stage I, II and III breast cancer patients who were treated at MD Anderson between 1997 and 2012.
A new method called synthetic essentiality has been found to identify therapeutic targets in cancers lacking specific key tumor suppressor genes. By analyzing gene deletion patterns, researchers identified CHD1 as a potential treatment site for prostate and breast cancers with PTEN gene loss.
Scientists identified collateral lethal vulnerability in pancreatic cancers that can be targeted pharmacologically in certain patient populations. ME3 inhibitors may provide an effective therapy for many cancer patients.
A pilot study at MD Anderson Cancer Center found that image-guided biopsies accurately predicted residual disease in breast cancer patients after chemotherapy and/or targeted therapy. The study suggests that certain patients may be able to avoid surgery, paving the way for personalized treatment.
A study published by University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center found that older women with breast cancer who underwent less radiation therapy reported improved cosmetic satisfaction. However, reduced radiation was also associated with a slightly increased risk of disease recurrence. The researchers suggest that there may be an opti...
A Phase IB/II study found that combining nivolumab with azacitidine improved response rates (34%) and overall survival (9.3 months) in patients with acute myeloid leukemia, compared to a historic response rate of 12-15% with azacitidine alone.
A study by The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center found pre-leukemic mutations can predict the development of therapy-related myeloid neoplasms (t-MNs), a leukemia with poor prognosis. Patients with these mutations are at higher risk, and detecting them earlier could help prevent or treat t-MNs.
Patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) who were initially ineligible for clinical trials due to existing medical conditions responded well to treatment with azacitidine (AZA) and vorinostat. Sixty-day survival rates were 83% and 79% respectively, with low-grade gastrointestinal side effects reported.
Researchers at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center have discovered a link between the Golgi apparatus and lung cancer metastasis. The study found that targeting certain proteins in the Golgi can prevent tumor cells from spreading, offering a new potential therapeutic approach for preventing metastasis.