Researchers at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center have identified four microRNAs that can accurately detect pancreatic cancer and pre-invasive lesions. The study found that these microRNAs are overexpressed in precursor lesions leading to full-blown pancreatic cancer, offering a promising approach for early detection.
TRAF6 plays a key role in activating Akt, a signaling molecule associated with cancer growth. Ubiquitination of Akt is required for its activation and hyperactivation in mutant forms is linked to cancer development.
A protein specialist opens genomic door for DNA repair and gene expression while also protecting chromosome tips. Depletion of Gcn5 leads to decreased activity by another protein that protects yet a third protein from destruction.
A phase I clinical trial enrolled its first patient only two days after FDA clearance, accelerating development of new cancer drugs. The joint effort between M.D. Anderson and AstraZeneca demonstrates how to shrink the time it takes to bring new therapies to patients.
A study has pinpointed a genetic link for increased risk of urinary bladder cancer, finding that people with a specific variant have a 30-40% higher risk. The research suggests potential for targeted prevention and early treatment efforts to save lives.
A recent study published in Gastroenterology found that metformin significantly reduces the risk of pancreatic cancer in type 2 diabetic patients. Researchers analyzed data from over 1,800 participants and discovered a 62% reduction in risk when metformin was used alone or in combination with other therapies.
Researchers developed a novel therapeutic delivery system that targets EphA2 protein in ovarian cancer cells, delivering chemotherapy with high specificity and reducing tumor growth by up to 98%. The therapy shows promising results in preclinical models and is expected to enter phase I clinical trials soon.
Scientists at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center have discovered that the Bcl6 gene plays a crucial role in differentiating naive T cells into helper T cells, which then fuel rapid growth and diversification of antibodies in germinal centers. This process is essential for the adaptive immune system to produce effectiv...
A large-scale study has identified genetic variations across five genes as risk factors for the development of gliomas, the most frequent type of brain tumor. The study found that individuals with certain variations have a higher risk of developing glioma, with those with eight or more variations having a three-fold increased risk.
A new protein called Trim24 marks the tumor suppressor p53 for destruction by attaching targeting molecules, leading to increased p53 expression and programmed cell death in cancer cells. The discovery provides a potential therapeutic approach to restoring p53 and killing tumor cells.
A M.D. Anderson study found a strong relationship between high body mass index in early adulthood and an increased risk of developing pancreatic cancer at a younger age. Excess weight before diagnosis was also associated with poor outcomes, including reduced overall survival time.
The BRIT1 protein enables cellular repair mechanisms to fix damaged DNA by relaxing its packaging. This allows two different DNA repair pathways to access the damage, preventing flawed DNA from being passed on as the cell divides. The study suggests that targeting BRIT1 deficiency could lead to cancer treatment.
A team of scientists at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center has identified four new targets for breast cancer treatment, including three lysophosphatidic acid receptors and the enzyme autotaxin. These targets are found to be abnormally expressed in many types of cancer and have been shown to cause cancer.
The study found that those who received the vaccine had a significant response rate of 22.1% and progression-free survival of 2.9 months compared to 9.7% and 1.6 months respectively in those that did not. The median overall survival for those receiving vaccine trended positive at 17.6 months.
A Phase III trial found that vandetanib significantly improved progression-free survival compared to chemotherapy alone. The therapy, which targets both EGFR and VEGFR, also showed reduced side effects, particularly nausea and vomiting.
Researchers at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center found a significant increase in median overall survival from 8 to 30 months for patients with advanced disease, and a projected five-year survival rate of over 30 percent. The study attributes the improvements to better surgical interventions and new chemotherapeutic agents.
Researchers identified cancer stem cells in breast cancer patients' bone marrow, which correlated with tumor's lymph node involvement and worse prognosis. The study suggests a need for novel biological therapies targeting these cells, and may lead to better monitoring of patients needing additional treatment.
A study by M. D. Anderson Cancer Center researchers found that over one-third of metastatic breast cancer patients receive chemotherapy off-label, with 34.9% of women treated with an unapproved drug at some point during their care. The most common off-label chemotherapies noted were vinorelbine and gemcitabine, both shown to be efficac...
A home-based program aimed at improving exercise and diet can lead to significant improvements in physical function among older long-term cancer survivors. The study found that the intervention group had higher levels of physical function compared to the control arm, with declines in functional decline of almost five points versus slig...
A novel gene called DEAR1 is associated with increased risk of local recurrence in young women with breast cancer. The discovery could lead to a new prognostic marker and guide treatment decisions.
A new study predicts a significant increase in US cancer cases over the next 20 years, with the elderly and minority populations bearing the brunt. The projected 45% rise in cancer incidence will be driven primarily by a 67% increase in cancer cases among adults aged 65 and older.
Researchers at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center have discovered a new drug that inhibits neuroblastoma blood supply, reducing tumor growth by 75%. The drug, AMD3100, blocks interaction between SDF-1a and its receptor CXCR4, preventing tumors from growing rapidly by disrupting their blood supply.
Researchers at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center have discovered a new drug combination that significantly hinders neuroblastoma tumor growth in pre-clinical tests. The combination of vandetanib and 13-cis-retinoic acid reduced tumors by 86 percent, offering new hope for children with this childhood cancer.
Researchers at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center have discovered a drug, AZ23, that reduces AML cell burden by 50% in mice with no immune system. The study also found 60% of treated mice had long-term survival without leukemia cells.
A new cancer drug, 3-BrOP, has been found to reduce neuroblastoma growth by 75 percent in pre-clinical studies. The drug works by blocking the main energy source, glucose, thereby starving cancer cells and disrupting their ability to grow.
Researchers at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center report that acupuncture treatments can significantly improve symptoms of xerostomia, a debilitating condition caused by radiation therapy for head and neck cancer. The treatment showed highly statistically significant improvements in saliva flow and quality-of-life scores.
Researchers at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center discovered genetic variations in the inflammation pathway that reduce bladder cancer recurrence and increase survival. Patients with risk-reducing genotypes had a 84% lower likelihood of disease recurrence after BCG treatment.
Researchers at University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center found that overexpressing PEA-15 in breast cancer grafts in mice resulted in nearly undetectable tumor levels after 35 days. This suggests PEA-15 as a new, important target for therapy.
Researchers found that brain metastases subvert astrocytes, tricking them into protecting tumors and resisting chemotherapy. Surgery is effective when tumor removal is done intact, reducing the risk of cancer spreading to the spinal fluid.
Researchers found genetic variations in miRNA processing genes and binding sites associated with increased ovarian cancer risk and shorter survival times. Variations also indicated likelihood of response to platinum-based chemotherapy, potentially using a single blood sample for prognosis and therapy prediction.
Researchers found that brief behavioral interventions prior to and after surgery improved short- and long-term outcomes, including lower mood disturbance and better quality of life. The study's findings suggest that pre-surgical stress management can have a lasting impact on patients' well-being.
Researchers at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center have discovered a gene that helps protect PTEN, a major tumor-suppressor protein, from degradation in breast cancer. Rak's protective effect is linked to its ability to stabilize PTEN protein, preventing breast cancer development.
The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center has launched a new graduate program focusing on understanding and attacking cancer metastasis. The program, supported by a highly competitive grant from the University of Texas System, aims to improve basic understanding of cancer spread mechanisms.
A new surgical technique, lymphaticovenular bypass, shows promise in reducing lymphedema fluid by up to 39% in breast cancer patients. The minimally invasive procedure is a viable option for managing the condition, which affects up to 30% of women after surgery and radiation therapy.
A new synthetic gene circuit allows for precise dosing of gene expression in yeast cells, enabling accurate analysis of a gene's role in normal and abnormal cellular function. The circuit utilizes negative feedback loops to achieve a linear dose-response relationship.
A study published in Cancer found that women with BRCA mutations are more likely to choose prophylactic mastectomies due to emotional worry and fear of developing the disease. The research suggests that clinicians should consider a patient's lifestyle and quality of life when counseling them about prophylactic mastectomies.
A new therapeutic target has been identified for osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer that affects about 30% of patients despite existing treatments. The protein interleukin-11 receptor alpha (IL-11Ra) is highly expressed in primary osteosarcoma and lung metastases from these tumors.
Marvin Meistrich's research focuses on the molecular details of normal sperm development and the connection between cancer therapies and sterility. He aims to find ways to restore fertility in thousands of young men and boys who receive treatment that might leave them sterile.
Researchers at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center found no difference in breast cancer survival rates for pregnant women compared to non-pregnant women, but those with Pregnancy Associated Breast Cancer (PABC) were more likely to be diagnosed late with advanced stages of the disease, leading to delayed treatment.
Research finds that increased angiogenesis and vascular endothelial growth factor expression are associated with poor survival in women with sex cord-stromal ovarian tumors. High microvessel density and VEGF overexpression were linked to significantly poorer survival rates, as well as recurrence and metastasis.
Researchers developed peptide-guided hollow gold spheres that target and penetrate melanoma cells, then kill them when exposed to near-infrared light. The nanospheres achieve an 8-fold increase in tumor destruction compared to untargeted nanoparticles, demonstrating potential for minimally invasive cancer treatment.
Researchers at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center have discovered how E. coli bacteria can resist antibiotics by inducing a dormant state through the HipA protein kinase. By studying the molecular details of HipA's role in multidrug tolerance, the team has identified potential targets for new therapies.
Researchers at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center identified genetic variants in seven DNA repair genes associated with an increased risk of pancreatic cancer. The LIG3 G-39A AA variant was found to lower pancreatic cancer risk, while the ATM D1853N AA variant increased risk by over twice as much.
Researchers at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center identified new biomarkers for treatment response in pancreatic cancer, associating mismatch repair genes with tumor resectability and overall survival. The study found that variations in DNA repair genes can predict patient outcomes, enabling doctors to choose the best therapy.
Researchers at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center discovered that a tumor-suppressing gene called ARHI acts as a switch for autophagy in ovarian cancer cells, allowing dormant cells to survive by avoiding starvation. Blocking this autophagic pathway could provide a novel strategy for eliminating dormant ovarian cancer...
A study by the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center found that women with high levels of Dicer and Drosha proteins had a median survival of 11 years, while those with low levels had only 2.66 years. Low levels of Dicer are also predictive of poor outcomes in lung and breast cancer patients.
A study by M.D. Anderson Cancer Center found that alternating mammography and MRI every six months can detect more breast cancers than traditional annual screening, with an accuracy of 71-100% compared to 16-40% for mammography alone. This approach detected nine cancers in high-risk women, including five identified only by MRI.
Researchers found that Tau expression is predictive of survival, but in an unexpected way. Low Tau levels were linked to a good response to pre-operative chemotherapy and higher sensitivity to paclitaxel, but also a relatively poor overall survival rate.
A large study found that early-stage HER2-positive breast cancer patients with tumors one centimeter or smaller have a 23% chance of recurrence, highlighting the need for additional therapy. The study's findings suggest that physicians should consider offering Herceptin-based therapy to these patients.
Researchers at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center have developed a new three-drug combination therapy that spares patients from prolonged myelosuppression, a potentially lethal side effect of traditional treatments. The treatment achieved a remission rate of 96% in patients with indolent B cell lymphoma.