Researchers at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center review the potential of combining genomically targeted therapies with immune checkpoint blockade drugs to attack cancer. The approach shows promise, but more support is needed to accelerate progress and minimize side effects.
A new review emphasizes the need to decipher immune response dynamics to enhance cancer immunotherapy. Researchers suggest developing combination therapies and biomarker panels to increase treatment impact, as single biomarkers are unlikely to predict patient responses.
Scientists at MD Anderson Cancer Center discovered a vital connection between the Hippo pathway and glucose metabolism, which can be manipulated to regulate tumor growth. The study found that regulating blood sugar levels impacts the nutrient source of tumors, ultimately leading to cancer suppression.
Scientists at MD Anderson Cancer Center have discovered a key DNA pathway that allows certain brain cancers to resist standard treatments. The study found that activation of this pathway leads to enhanced survival of tumor cells and increased DNA repair, contributing to treatment resistance.
The Anderson Algorithm increases surgical success in advanced ovarian cancer by providing a personalized approach to surgery, resulting in high complete resection rates of over 86%. This milestone is strongly tied to improved survival outcomes for patients.
Researchers at MD Anderson Cancer Center have identified unique 'protein patterns' in melanoma patients to predict resistance to BRAF inhibitors. These patterns may help guide personalized treatment decisions, including targeted agents or immunotherapies.
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center has received over $22 million in CPRIT research grants to study breast, skin, prostate, and lung cancers, as well as leukemia and brain cancer. The funding will also support prevention and early detection efforts.
Researchers at MD Anderson Cancer Center found that targeting pericytes and angiopoietin-2 signaling may reduce breast cancer tumor growth and metastasis. The study suggests a potential new therapeutic approach for metastatic breast cancer.
A study by Menashe Bar-Eli and colleagues found that a lack of RNA editing contributes to melanoma tumor growth and metastasis by manipulating proteins. The researchers identified a previously unknown target for CREB, a transcription factor involved in melanoma development.
In a Phase III study, lenvatinib showed dramatic improvement in progression-free survival for patients with advanced radioiodine-refractory thyroid cancer. The therapy significantly improved overall response rate and survival rates compared to placebo.
Researchers found that collagen cross-links play a crucial role in regulating stromal stiffness and determining tumor cell metastatic fate. The study identified two types of collagen cross-links, HLCC and LCC, which are associated with different levels of tumor growth and spread.
A study by MD Anderson researchers identified eight physical and cognitive signs associated with imminent death in cancer patients. These signs include nonreactive pupils, decreased response to verbal and visual stimuli, and upper gastrointestinal bleeding, which could help clinicians communicate with patients and families, as well as ...
A new study explains how a protein that suppresses tumors can also promote metastasis in breast cancer cells. Researchers found that 14-3-3 zeta destabilizes key proteins p53 and GLi2, switching off TGF-β's tumor-suppressing abilities while promoting cancer spread.
A recent study published in JAMA Surgery found that patients with metastatic colorectal cancer are experiencing a decrease in primary tumor resection rates. Despite this decrease, overall survival rates for these patients have improved, indicating potential overutilization of surgery in certain patient populations.
Researchers have successfully treated patients with advanced CD19-positive hematologic malignancies using CAR T cells, achieving complete remission in some cases. The study used the Sleeping Beauty non-viral transduction system to modify T cells, demonstrating further promise in treating lymphoid malignancies.
A study at MD Anderson Cancer Center found PRM-151 to be well-tolerated in patients with advanced myelofibrosis, showing encouraging trends in clinical and histologic aspects of the disease. The therapy demonstrated reduced bone marrow fibrosis and improved hematologic parameters, suggesting potential for further development.
Researchers at MD Anderson Cancer Center discovered that targeting the non-coding microRNA miR569 can increase cell death in ovarian and breast cancers. The study also found that silencing miR569 expression improves survivability outcomes for ovarian patients.
A phase two study demonstrated that a combination of azacitidine and lenalidomide is an effective frontline treatment regimen for patients with higher-risk forms of myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myeloid leukemia. The therapy was well tolerated in the study of 88 patients.
A phase three study has demonstrated increased survival rates among AML patients who relapse, with combination therapy employing cytarabine and vosaroxin showing significant benefits. Patients over 60 years old experienced the greatest overall survival benefit from the treatment.
A study by MD Anderson Cancer Center researchers found that the enzyme PKM2 controls cell division, promoting tumor cell proliferation. PKM2's role in regulating cytokinesis was also identified as crucial for brain tumor development and malignant tumor progression.
Researchers at MD Anderson Cancer Center have identified a protein complex called CSN and its subunit CSN6 as a key factor in cancer development. The study found that inhibiting CSN6 can quickly destabilize the master cancer gene Myc, greatly impairing tumor growth and metastasis.
Researchers found that altering the p53 gene family causes rapid regression of tumors deficient in or lacking p53. Existing diabetes drugs that impact the same gene-protein pathway might be effective for cancer treatment.
Scientists at MD Anderson Cancer Center identified a long non-coding RNA called BCAR4 as playing a key role in the hedgehog signaling pathway's contribution to breast cancer metastasis. The study suggests that targeting this pathway with locked nucleic acids may provide a new approach for treating aggressive breast cancers.
Incidence rates of colon and rectal cancers among 20-34 year olds are projected to increase by 90% and 124.2%, respectively, by 2030. Lifestyle factors such as obesity and lack of physical activity contribute to the rising trend, while screening efforts in older patients have led to a decline in incidence rates among those over 50.
Researchers found that proton therapy costs comparable to traditional radiation therapies, challenging the assumption that it's more expensive. The study suggests that insurance coverage should be considered, enabling patients to participate in clinical research.
Cancer exosomes, tiny particles released by cells, contain proteins that promote tumor growth and metastasis. Researchers have identified Dicer as a key player in this process, suggesting new avenues for diagnosis and treatment.
Researchers at MD Anderson Cancer Center discovered a new 'reader' protein, YEATS, that plays a crucial role in gene activation and DNA packaging. The study suggests that manipulating YEATS domains could lead to the development of new cancer treatments.
A large-scale population-based study found that removing the entire lobe of lung may offer better overall survival compared to partial resection and stereotactic ablative radiotherapy. The study also suggests that SABR may be a suitable alternative to surgery for elderly patients with multiple medical problems.
A study published in Science found that sequencing a single region of a localized tumor can identify most cancer-driving genomic aberrations. The researchers identified 20 known cancer gene mutations across all regions of the same tumor, suggesting a potential connection to relapse.
Researchers discovered that mutations in the PIK3R1 gene, particularly R348, can activate ERK and JNK signaling cascades, enabling tumor growth. Targeted therapies may need to focus on these mutant tumors, offering a potential new approach for treating endometrial and colon cancers.
Researchers at MD Anderson Cancer Center identified a genetic variant near the KLK3 gene that can predict aggressive prostate cancer in GS7 patients. The study found a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) on the KLK3 gene associated with disease aggression, providing potential biomarkers for personalized treatment.
A new study by MD Anderson Cancer Center researchers found that cancer cells traveling to other sites have different energy needs from their original tumor site counterparts. The study suggests that targeting the protein PGC-1 may be a potential therapeutic approach for breast cancer patients.
A new vaccine candidate, GP2, has shown a 57% reduction in recurrence rates among high-risk breast cancer patients. The vaccine targets CD8+ cells and was combined with an immune stimulant to enhance its effectiveness.
A study from the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center found that women with Stage I disease who underwent breast conserving therapy (BCT) had superior five-year overall survival rates compared to those who received a mastectomy or BCS, even after adjusting for other risk factors.
A recent MD Anderson study found that socio-economic barriers continue to preclude women from receiving breast-conserving therapy, despite overall rates improving. The study identified disparities related to insurance, income, and education, with significant disparities still existing in areas outside the medical field.
Scientists at MD Anderson Cancer Center have discovered genetic mutations in a subset of endometrial cancer patients that are associated with a more lethal form of the disease. The identification of these mutations could lead to the development of targeted treatments and improved patient outcomes.
A new animal model reveals that SENP2 deficiency leads to seizures and sudden death due to hyper-SUMOylation of potassium channels. This finding may lead to new treatment opportunities for SUDEP, which affects epilepsy patients at a rate 20-fold higher than the general population.
Researchers at MD Anderson Cancer Center have discovered that protein ZEB1 helps breast cancer cells repair DNA damage caused by radiation therapy, making them more resistant to treatment. This finding has significant implications for the development of new treatments targeting ZEB1 and other proteins involved in radioresistance.
Researchers predict that effective new drugs and widespread screening will reduce hepatitis C cases, prevent liver cancer and deaths. By 2036, the disease is expected to affect only one in 1,500 people in the US.
Researchers discovered two distinct molecular clocks operating at different stages of tumor growth, with implications for chemotherapy resistance and prognosis. The study used single-cell genome sequencing to profile thousands of cells, providing insights into genomic diversity and its potential clinical applications.
A new study found that physicians play a crucial role in determining whether older men with low-risk prostate cancer receive treatment or undergo active surveillance. Researchers identified significant variations in treatment and observation rates among urologists, with urologist characteristics accounting for more than double the rate...
Researchers at MD Anderson Cancer Center have discovered that circulating tumor cells (CTCs) rely on the HER3 receptor protein to metastasize to the omentum, a fatty tissue covering abdominal organs. High expression of HER3 is associated with shorter survival in ovarian cancer patients.
A study published in Nature Communications found that pseudogene expression profiles can help explain how cancer occurs and aid in discovering new biomarkers. This knowledge is crucial for developing targeted therapies and predicting patient outcomes.
A study at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center used the Sleeping Beauty gene transfer system to modify T cells and fight invasive Aspergillus fungus. The approach has implications for genetically modifying T cells to target carbohydrate antigens, broadening their application in treating pathogens and malignancies.
Pancreatic cancer tumors rely on Yap1 when mutant Kras is blocked, fueling tumor recurrence. Researchers found that Yap1-driven tumors resemble a poor-prognosis subtype of pancreatic cancer.
Research from the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center found that African American women with early-stage invasive breast cancer were 12% less likely to receive axillary sentinel lymph node biopsy, a minimally invasive technique. The study also showed that those who received older, more invasive axillary lymph node dissection ...
A study by MD Anderson Cancer Center found that needle biopsy is underused in breast cancer diagnosis, with many patients undergoing unnecessary excisional biopsies. Surgeon influence was also a significant factor, with certain characteristics associated with a higher rate of excisional biopsies.
The American Society of Clinical Oncology recognizes MD Anderson leaders Gabriel Hortobagyi, Waun Ki Hong, and John Mendelsohn for their significant contributions to cancer research. Mendelsohn is known for his discovery of the monoclonal antibody Erbitux, while Hong has made groundbreaking advances in treating head and neck cancers.
A combination therapy of vermurafenib, cetuximab and irinotecan has shown significant improvements in patients with advanced colorectal cancer, achieving a 50% response rate in an early Phase I trial. The treatment targets BRAF-mutated patients who have previously shown poor response rates to single-agent therapies.
A new software tool, pVAAST, has been developed to identify genetic mutations that contribute to an individual's increased risk of developing complex diseases. The tool combines two statistical methods, linkage analysis and association tests, to find disease-causing gene mutations more efficiently.