A fish model experiment reverses an earlier finding linking early life UVA exposure to melanoma development. The study finds that UVB exposure is a significant cause of melanoma in the model, contradicting previous research. This new evidence sheds light on the role of UVA and UVB in skin cancer.
Researchers identify a mechanism to turn developmental genes on and off as an embryo matures, involving the SUMO/SENP2 system. The study provides new insights into epigenetic control and its role in development, cancer, and neurological diseases.
Researchers developed a novel statistical model to guide targeted therapies based on molecular signatures in tumor biopsies, showing promising results in treating stage IV non-small cell lung cancer. The study found that four drugs targeting specific molecular pathways led to improved disease control and overall survival.
A large study found that consuming well-done meat increases the likelihood of developing bladder cancer, especially in people with genetic variants. The risk was higher for those who ate high amounts of red meat and had unfavorable genotypes in the HCA metabolism pathway.
Researchers found that MiRNA-21 interferes with trastuzumab (Herceptin) therapy by blocking the PTEN gene, leading to tumor suppressor loss and increased resistance to the drug. Overexpression of miRNA-21 was correlated with poor patient response to Herceptin and disease progression in HER2-positive breast cancer patients.
A study by researchers at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center has identified a potential new therapy for brain tumors by analyzing DNA methylation patterns. The discovery may help identify patients with more favorable outcomes and offer a targeted treatment approach.
Researchers found that stress-activated protein protects fugitive ovarian cancer cells from programmed death, allowing them to escape the primary tumor and metastasize. The study suggests that restoring cancer cells' vulnerability to anoikis could suppress tumor growth and metastasis.
An international team of researchers has discovered a four-protein complex that promotes breast cancer metastasis. The complex, involving Myc, Skp2, Miz1, and p300, is a key regulator of RhoA gene expression. Targeting this complex could lead to the development of new drugs to thwart breast cancer migration and invasion.
Researchers at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center have developed a new way to predict prognosis in pediatric leukemia patients using a common complete blood count test. The study found that combining the minimal residual disease indicator and absolute lymphocyte count provides better results than MRD alone, identifyin...
A combination of Vitamin A acetate and TRAIL kills precancerous colon polyps while sparing normal tissue, providing a potential new avenue for chemoprevention. The regimen, tested in mouse models and human colon cancer tissue, appears to address the issue of continuous long-term therapy required for current chemopreventive drugs.
A study by University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center reveals that US cancer centers have varying levels of palliative care programs and services, with NCI-designated centers having more comprehensive programs. Despite the differences, there is strong support for integrating palliative care into oncology care.
Disabling the Skp2 gene after oncogenic stress induces cellular senescence in cancer cells, restricting tumor growth. Researchers believe this could lead to novel agents that suppress tumor development in common types of cancer.
Researchers have developed a new method for growing 3-D cell cultures using magnetic levitation, which more closely resembles the body's natural tissue structure. The technique has shown promising results in preclinical drug tests and may revolutionize cancer research.
Breast cancer patients with early-stage disease and one lymph node metastasis have a low risk of recurrence without post-mastectomy radiation. Researchers found no significant difference in the 10-year risk of recurrence between women with lymph node spread and those without, highlighting the need for individualized treatment approaches.
Researchers found that adding tests to cystoscopy increases costs and false positives, while cystoscopy alone is the most effective in detecting tumors. The study suggests that clinicians can make judicious use of urinary markers to reduce costs and anxiety for bladder cancer patients.
Researchers at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center developed a new assessment tool to measure the severity of chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) symptoms, which can complicate stem cell transplantation. The tool, MDASI-cGVHD, assesses symptoms on a scale of zero to 10 and correlates with patient reports of overall quality of life.
A large population-based study found that contralateral prophylactic mastectomy (CPM) offers a survival benefit to a select group of breast cancer patients, primarily those under 50 years old and ER-negative. The procedure was associated with a 4.8% increased survival rate at five years for these patients.
Researchers have developed two potential drug candidates that block cancer-promoting pathways in novel ways. The peptides offer a new approach to interfere with the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) pathways.
ATM senses DNA damage, ordering repairs or cell death, while also responding to oxidative harm outside the nucleus. This discovery reveals a potential way to activate tumor-suppressors without damaging DNA.
M.D. Anderson researchers discover that low-molecular-weight (LMW-E) forms of cyclin E render aromatase inhibitor letrozole ineffective in women with estrogen-receptor-positive breast cancers. A CDK2 inhibitor can reverse letrozole resistance, offering a potential treatment option for patients.
Researchers discovered leukemia cells rely on fatty acid metabolism to grow and survive. Inhibiting this process makes them vulnerable to drugs that induce cell death, providing a potential new approach to treating leukemia and other cancers.
Researchers from M.D. Anderson Cancer Center discovered that cancer stem cells inhibit T cell response and evade immune attack on glioblastoma multiforme. Differentiation of these cells into other neural types can restore the immune response, offering new hope for treatment.
Researchers found that cancer drugs targeting PDGFR can impair the heart's ability to respond to stress, increasing risk of heart failure. The study suggests aggressive control of high blood pressure may reduce cardiac toxicity caused by these agents.
A new study by the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center reveals racial disparities in radiation therapy rates for early stage breast cancer patients, with black women less likely to receive standard treatment. The study examined over 37,000 patients and found significant variations in radiation rates across different regions.
Researchers at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center identified an association between mucinous carcinoma and multiple undetected tumors, contrary to its long-considered favorable prognosis. The study suggests that these patients may need more treatment and additional screening.
Researchers at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center have developed a novel detection method that can identify circulating tumor cells (CTCs) after they undergo epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), rendering them undetectable by current methods.
Researchers found that genetic variations in the Sonic Hedgehog pathway increase the likelihood of bladder cancer recurrence, reduce survival time, and limit response to immunotherapy. Patients with certain variations had a significantly shorter recurrence-free survival time compared to those without.
Researchers at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center have found that second-line CML drugs, such as nilotinib and dasatinib, provide quicker and better responses compared to traditional front-line therapy, imatinib. The studies show improved complete cytogenetic response rates and major molecular response rates in patient...
A phase II clinical trial shows that carfilzomib induces a response in 45% of patients with relapsed or resistant multiple myeloma, reducing neuropathy side effects. The drug also demonstrates good tolerability and dose flexibility.
Researchers identified 18 single-point genetic variations linked to recurrence and secondary cancer in early-stage head and neck cancer patients. Genetic variations in miRNA biogenesis genes and binding sites were associated with an increased risk of recurrence or secondary primary tumors.
A JAK2 inhibitor has been shown to provide significant and durable relief for patients with myelofibrosis, a rare and debilitating bone marrow disorder. The drug has demonstrated a 33% reduction in spleen volume and improvements in quality of life, exercise capacity, and fatigue.
Researchers found that omacetaxine achieved durable responses in CML patients with the T315I mutation, who have limited treatment options. The injectable drug works by a different mechanism than current therapies and has shown promise for expanded use.
A three-year study of 1,286 Mexican-American adolescents found that those exposed to up to 600 smoking scenes in R-rated movies were nearly 30% more likely to experiment with smoking. For youths born in Mexico, the effect was even stronger, with fewer than 10% of experimenters among those with little or no exposure.
Dr. Shiaw-Yih Lin's research focuses on the DNA damage response, exploring its crucial component replication stress response or RSR. His team aims to identify biomarkers for early detection of defective RSR and develop targeted nanoparticles for diagnosis and treatment.
Researchers analyzed CT scans of 50 surgical patients with metastatic colorectal cancer to predict overall survival. The findings showed that morphologic changes on CT images correlated with pathologic response and improved survival.
A study from M. D. Anderson Cancer Center reveals the interaction between Wnt/Wingless and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling pathways promotes tumor cell invasion and metastasis through activation of beta-catenin.
A Phase II dose-finding study found that green tea extract improved histology and trended towards a reduction in biomarkers associated with cancer development in patients with oral leukoplakia. The extract was well-tolerated, with minimal side effects.
A Phase II study conducted by the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center has shown encouraging results in treating limited stage small cell lung cancer with a combination of accelerated high-dose radiotherapy and chemotherapy, achieving a high level of control of the disease while minimizing damage to the esophagus.
A large study found that early-stage HER2-positive breast cancer patients with tumors one centimeter or smaller are at a significant risk of recurrence. This shift in assessment may lead to the consideration of additional therapy, such as Herceptin-based treatment.
Researchers from the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center have discovered that Th17 cells can awaken the immune system to fight cancer. In preclinical studies, mice with normal levels of Th17 showed suppressed tumor growth in lung metastatic melanoma tumors, while those without Th17 experienced aggressive cancer growth.
A new study finds that women with a deleterious BRCA gene mutation are diagnosed with breast cancer six years earlier than their relatives who also had the disease and/or ovarian cancer. The findings could impact how women at highest risk for breast cancer are counseled and screened in the future.
Researchers have found that a standard treatment protocol can improve survival rates nearly two-fold for pediatric patients with choroid plexus tumors. The study suggests that chemotherapy and radiation can be effective in reducing mortality rates, contradicting previous research on surgical resection.
A study of over 2,000 women with stage II and III breast cancer found that achieving pathological complete response after treatment was not related to race. Despite racial disparities in breast cancer incidence and mortality rates, Hispanic women had better outcomes than white women.
A recent study published in Molecular Cell reveals that the KEAP1 tumor suppressor binds to and degrades the cancer-promoting protein IKKß, which is involved in several types of cancer. The research suggests that underexpression of KEAP1 is associated with poor survival rates among breast cancer patients.
The M.D. Anderson team will use a systems biology approach to analyze multi-gene pathways and combinations of pathways in cancer. The goal is to generate molecular portraits of cancers to personalize therapy choices and improve cancer risk assessment.
Researchers found SRS alone reduces learning and memory problems in cancer patients with one to three brain metastases. SRS plus WBRT results in twice the risk of cognitive decline, but no survival benefit.
A Phase I clinical study by M. D. Anderson Cancer Center shows huachansu, a Chinese medicine derived from toad venom, has low toxicities even at doses eight times higher than conventional ones. The treatment slowed disease progression in some patients with liver, lung, colon and pancreatic cancer.
Researchers found that primary lung cancer shifts to metastatic disease by suppressing microRNA-200, a family of small molecules that normally locks the tumor in a noninvasive state. Protecting miR-200 from blockade completely prevented metastasis in mice.
Researchers have discovered that Fanconi anemia and breast cancer proteins are controlled by replication at DNA damage sites. This finding highlights a new paradigm for understanding the repair of DNA crosslinks in both FA and BRCA cancer proteins.
Researchers discover that overexpression of 14-3-3ζ launches a molecular cascade that removes bonds holding premalignant cells together, converting them to highly mobile mesenchymal-like cells. This process is recognized as a crucial step in metastasis and can be identified using biomarkers.