Researchers at MD Anderson Cancer Center have identified USP13, an enzyme that stabilizes the tumor-suppressor protein PTEN, preventing its destruction by the cell's proteasome machinery. This discovery provides a new avenue for treating cancers with low levels of PTEN.
A new phase III trial has shown that trastuzumab and anthracyclines can be given sequentially to achieve high pathological complete response rates in HER-2 positive breast cancer patients. The treatment regimens had similar cardiac safety profiles, with no significant difference between concurrent and sequential administration.
The Cancer Genome Atlas has characterized the genomic abnormalities driving glioblastoma multiforme, identifying 61 new mutated genes. Detailed clinical information is available for most cases, providing a resource for researchers to develop targeted therapies.
Research on an aerosol that induces a rapid immune response to prevent viral respiratory infections and asthma attacks has earned major funding from the National Institutes of Health. The NIH-funded project aims to translate preclinical findings to clinical trials to prevent asthma attacks.
Researchers at MD Anderson found that intensity modulated proton therapy (IMPT) reduces the use of feeding tubes by 50% compared to standard treatment. IMPT also lowers toxicity levels and preserves quality of life outcomes in patients with head and neck cancers.
Researchers found that high levels of miR-200 expression boost survival rates for patients with lung, ovarian, renal, and triple-negative breast cancers. MicroRNAs regulate gene activation and expression, and targeting IL-8 and CXCL1 can inhibit angiogenesis and cancer progression.
Researchers at University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center discovered that an inflammatory protein converts glioblastoma cells into their most aggressive form, leading to radiation resistance and reducing treatment effectiveness. Blocking the inflammatory response may improve outcomes for patients.
A 12-year study found CA-125 to have a 99.9% specificity in detecting high-grade invasive ovarian cancers at curable stages, while the test failed to detect two borderline cases. The study's results suggest CA-125 as a promising first step in early disease detection.
Researchers identified Skp2 inhibitor that blocks malignancy-promoting effects, shrinks tumors in preclinical studies. The compound suppresses prostate cancer stem cells, which play a role in cancer initiation and progression.
Scientists have identified four pathways involved in the formation of myofibroblasts that drive destructive runaway scarring in organs. These pathways provide leads for drug targets to control fibrosis.
In a Phase 2 study, ibrutinib demonstrated an overall response rate of 68% and complete response rate of 21% in patients with relapsed or refractory mantle cell lymphoma. The treatment showed promise with fewer side effects than traditional chemotherapy approaches.
Researchers have discovered a crucial signaling network between EGFR and MCM7 proteins, which plays a key role in DNA replication and cell growth. In breast cancer patients, high expression of Lyn and MCM7 is associated with reduced survival rates, highlighting a potential new target for cancer therapy.
Researchers found a strong correlation between MET protein levels and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) phenotype in colorectal cancer. This association suggests that MET protein may serve as a surrogate biomarker for aggressive colon cancer, potentially enabling personalized treatment approaches.
A new gene panel may help personalize therapy for newly diagnosed glioblastoma patients by identifying those most likely to benefit from bevacizumab. Researchers observed a significant association between lower mesenchymal signatures and better survival in patients taking the drug.
A Phase III study by MD Anderson Cancer Center found no overall survival (OS) or progression-free survival (PFS) benefits for bevacizumab in newly diagnosed glioblastoma patients. However, patients on bevacizumab experienced higher rates of toxicities and symptom burden compared to placebo.
Researchers found that EGFR gummed up the cell's miRNA-processing machinery, preventing tumor-suppressing microRNAs from developing. The epidermal growth factor receptor, known to promote cancer progression, fuels this effect by attaching phosphate groups to a key protein, disrupting its ability to process miRNAs.
Researchers found that living closer to a fast food restaurant was associated with a higher body mass index (BMI) among low-income African-American adults. The study controlled for factors such as household income, physical activity, and sedentary behaviors to determine the relationship between fast food density and BMI.
A study found that Peli1 promotes microglial activation and subsequent inflammatory response in the central nervous system, contributing to autoimmune inflammation. The protein's role in protecting against excessive inflammation was also discovered.
Researchers have discovered that protein Shc acts as a tumor suppressor by binding to and blocking the activation of cancer-promoting protein Erk. This finding has significant implications for treating various types of cancer, including ovarian and prostate cancer.
Gabriel Hortobagyi, a renowned breast cancer researcher, is being recognized for his contributions to advancing minority investigators in cancer research. He has developed groundbreaking therapies and treatment regimens that have become standard practices for managing breast cancer.
James Allison's discovery of the drug ipilimumab, which blocks CTLA-4 and treats T cells not cancer, has led to a significant increase in survival rates for patients with late-stage metastatic melanoma. The AACR-CRI award recognizes his contributions to cancer immunology and builds on Dr. Lloyd Old's pioneering work in harnessing the i...
Kantarjian's contributions to leukemia treatment have improved survival rates from 50% to 90% with BCR-ABL inhibitors. His work also led to standardization of combination therapies and FDA approval for ruxolitinib, a treatment for myelofibrosis.
Guillermina Lozano, Ph.D., has been recognized by the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) with the Charlotte Friend Memorial Lectureship. Her pioneering work on the p53 tumor suppressor pathway has led to significant discoveries in cancer research.
Kenneth Tsai, M.D., Ph.D., has been awarded the Sixth Annual Landon Foundation-AACR INNOVATOR Award for Cancer Prevention Research. The project aims to map the molecular path from normal skin to squamous cell carcinoma, with the goal of identifying biomarkers and targets for chemoprevention and therapy.
Researchers discovered that knocking out the ∆N isoforms of genes p63 and p73 can restore tumor suppression in mice lacking p53. This allows other family members to compensate for the loss of p53, potentially leading to new cancer treatments.
A recent study found that male smokers with low levels of serum bilirubin are at a higher risk of developing lung cancer and dying from the disease. The researchers analyzed data from over 435,000 people in Taiwan and found that lower bilirubin levels were associated with significantly higher rates of lung cancer incidence and mortality.
A study published in JAMA Psychiatry found that varenicline significantly improved abstinence rates compared to bupropion and placebo. Smokers who took varenicline experienced better emotional functioning and lower levels of sadness, regardless of whether they abstained from smoking or not.
Researchers found that actin's monomeric form interacts with chromatin to regulate gene expression and genome stability. The discovery challenges the dogma that actin functions through polymerization, revealing a novel mechanism for nuclear actin.
A study published in Health Psychology found that endometrial cancer survivors who had higher daily self-efficacy tended to exercise longer and more intensively. This is significant because exercise is a crucial aspect of cancer survivorship, particularly for those who are overweight or obese.
UT MD Anderson scientists found that a common substance in cancer vaccines facilitates a buildup of T cells at the vaccination site, summoning more T cells and causing lesions. Switching to saline adjuvant reversed the effect, allowing T cells to target tumors. A new clinical trial is expected to test this concept.
Researchers have identified FOXC2 as a protein vital to the formation of cancer stem cells and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition in breast cancer. The study found that blocking FOXC2 with the FDA-approved drug sunitinib inhibited the growth of cancer stem cells and reduced metastasis in mice with triple-negative breast cancer.
Researchers found a potential therapeutic candidate, miR-506, which blocks epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and inhibits mesenchymal markers in ovarian cancer cells. Higher miR-506 expression is associated with longer overall survival.
Researchers at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center have developed a synthetic gene circuit that can dial up or down gene expression in human cells, enabling refined research for drug resistance and cancer treatment. The circuit's precision will allow scientists to test the boundaries of genes known to confer resistance ...
A phase II clinical trial shows that selumetinib, a targeted therapy, can halt growth or shrink tumors in 15% of patients with recurrent low-grade ovarian cancer. The two-year overall survival rate is 55%, and the median overall survival has not been reached due to high patient survival rates.
Researchers at UT MD Anderson Cancer Center found that tumor endothelial cells can trigger changes in cancer cells, making them more resistant to chemotherapy and more likely to spread. This signaling process involves the activation of the Notch molecular pathway and may be targeted by existing drugs under development.
A preclinical study identifies Src, a master regulator of cancer cell proteins, as the key molecular switch affecting ovarian cancer progression. Beta blocker drugs mitigate this effect, reducing cancer deaths and mortality among patients with ovarian and cervical cancer.
Researchers from MD Anderson Cancer Center found that qigong reduces depressive symptoms and improves quality of life in women undergoing radiotherapy for breast cancer. The study suggests that qigong may prevent a delayed symptom burden and expedite recovery, especially for women with elevated depressive symptoms.
A synthetic corkscrew peptide has been shown to kill antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria by dissolving their double-layered membranes. The peptide, KLAKLAKKLAKLAK, was effective against a variety of strains of E. coli, A. baumanii, and P. aeruginosa, including multi-drug resistant strains.
Researchers discover protein OTUD7B, which regulates TRAF3's destruction and controls NF-kB pathway implicated in autoimmune diseases and cancer. Cells with intact OTUD7B suppress non-canonical NF-kB signaling, leading to increased lymphoid cell growth and hyper-responsiveness to antigens.
Researchers identified the protein OTUD7B as TRAF3's protector, revealing its role in regulating a molecular pathway implicated in immune system-related diseases. OTUD7B suppressed non-canonical NF-kB signaling, leading to increased lymphoid cell growth and hyper-responsiveness to antigens.
Dr. Nicholas Navin's new approach to genetic analysis could help researchers understand and map the complex process of cancer evolution, ultimately blocking the spread of cancer to other organs. The project aims to identify important mutations in single tumor cells at various stages of cancer development.
A Phase 2 clinical trial of ibrutinib in relapsed or refractory mantle cell lymphoma reported a 68% overall response rate and 22% complete remission rate, with few side effects. The drug's efficacy was consistent across different patient populations, making it a promising treatment option for patients with this aggressive disease.
Researchers have developed a method to expand umbilical cord blood cells on mesenchymal precursor cells, speeding up the establishment of a new blood supply in patients. This approach has shown faster engraftment of white blood cells and platelets, resulting in improved patient outcomes.
Researchers found that a weekly dose of the targeted drug inotuzumab ozogamicin reduces side effects and maintains its effectiveness against acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) in patients. The treatment showed an overall response rate of 57% with manageable toxicities.
A Phase 2 clinical trial found that combining ibrutinib and rituximab produced profound responses in high-risk CLL patients with minimal side effects. Researchers hope to further develop the treatment for this aggressive form of leukemia.
Researchers found that statin use improved progression-free survival and disease-specific survival in patients with stage III inflammatory breast cancer. Patients who took hydrophilic statins saw the greatest improvement in survival, with an average of 4.88 years.
African American women with early-stage invasive breast cancer were 12% less likely to receive the minimally invasive axillary sentinel lymph node biopsy compared to Caucasian women. The study found higher rates of lymphedema among African American women who underwent the older, more invasive procedure.
In a phase I trial, ponatinib showed promising results in treating chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), particularly for patients with the T315I mutation. The drug achieved complete hematologic responses in all 12 patients and major cytogenetic responses in 67% of those with other mutations.
A team of researchers at MD Anderson Cancer Center has identified a cancer-promoting protein's pathway into the cell nucleus and discovered how it fuels brain tumor growth. By targeting this pathway, they hope to develop new treatments for glioblastoma multiforme, the most common and lethal form of brain cancer.
Men treated with proton therapy for prostate cancer reported excellent urinary and bowel function, similar to healthy controls. However, sexual function was affected by hormone therapy and other factors, with significant differences noted between groups.