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.
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.