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.
A study published by researchers at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center revealed that intense chemotherapy significantly reduces the risk of recurrence in young mantle cell lymphoma patients. In a median follow-up of seven years, 52% of patients aged 65 or younger achieved disease-free survival.
Researchers at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center have developed a new risk model for myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) that applies to patients at any stage of the disease. The model provides improved survival projections and treatment guidance, offering hope for better patient outcomes.
A new clinical trial has demonstrated the safety of expanding umbilical cord blood stem cells before transplanting them to patients with advanced leukemias or lymphomas. The study found that expanded stem cell technique is comparable to standard double-cord transplant and shows promise for improved engraftment and survival.
Researchers at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center report encouraging results from clinical trials of second-generation CML drugs nilotinib and dasatinib. These drugs have shown higher complete cytogenetic response rates compared to the frontline medication imatinib, with some patients achieving responses faster than ever seen before.
Researchers at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center analyzed over 1,100 blood stem cell transplantations and found that older patients (65+) do not have poorer outcomes compared to younger patients. The study also showed that disease type and status at transplant are key prognostic variables for survival.
In a phase II clinical trial, lenalidomide demonstrated activity against chronic lymphocytic leukemia in elderly patients. The drug showed a favorable toxicity profile and achieved significant responses, including partial response in 54% of patients.
The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center is hosting its first international conference on inflammatory breast cancer to bring together clinicians and scientists to share new clinical discoveries and educational workshops. The conference aims to improve diagnosis and management of this rare but deadly disease through joint i...
Researchers have discovered a new species of leprosy-causing bacteria, Mycobacterium lepromatosis, which attacks skin vasculature and leads to extensive skin death. The finding could account for geographical and individual variation in the disease's severity.
A home-based intervention improved body weight, diet quality, and physical function in older long-term cancer survivors. The RENEW trial found significant strength improvements and increased physical activity among participants.
Research finds that PEA-15 protein forces ovarian cancer cells to eat themselves, leading to increased median survival time. High levels of PEA-15 are linked to improved patient outcomes and may offer a new dimension for targeting ERK in cancer therapy.
Researchers found that proton therapy with concurrent chemotherapy significantly reduced bone marrow toxicity in patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer, improving treatment efficacy and patient outcomes. The study suggests proton therapy as a safer option for vulnerable patients, including children and the elderly.
A study led by The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center has found a four-drug regimen of carboplatin, paclitaxel, bevacizumab, and cetuximab to be safe for patients with advanced lung cancer. The regimen showed modest improvement in survival rate, with 53% of patients experiencing tumor shrinkage.
A study published in Cancer Prevention Research found that variations in a common gene pathway may affect esophageal cancer risk, with seven genotypes showing significant association and four more borderline significance. The risk of esophageal cancer increased with an increase in unfavorable genotypes present.
Researchers discovered that tamoxifen can reduce the median time to diagnosis of ER-negative breast cancer by a year, improving detection rates through mammography. The study suggests an unexpected link between tamoxifen use and earlier disease identification in high-risk patients.
Researchers at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center have found that chemotherapy alone can be effective in treating pediatric patients with unresectable or progressive low-grade glioma, reducing the need for cranial radiation. Patients treated with thioguanine, procarbazine, lomustine and vincristine (TPCV) regimen show...
The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center has received a $52.7 million Cancer Center Support Grant from the NCI for five years, supporting 19 specific research programs and 24 shared-resource services. This renewal is part of two steps toward maintaining its comprehensive cancer center designation.
Researchers found that hepatitis B virus (HBV) exposure may increase the risk of pancreatic cancer and reactivation of HBV during chemotherapy. The study, published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, suggests testing for HBV before administering chemotherapy to prevent liver damage.
A retrospective study found that women with 3 or fewer involved lymph nodes have a low relapse rate after undergoing pre-operative chemotherapy and mastectomy. Patients with zero involved lymph nodes had a zero percent recurrence rate.
A team of researchers at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center has discovered a biomarker for bladder cancer using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) tests on urine samples, identifying all 23 cancer cases and correctly characterizing six of seven controls as not having bladder cancer.
A new study from The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center found that cancer patients who receive whole brain radiation therapy in addition to stereotactic radiosurgery have a higher risk of developing learning and memory problems. This suggests that SRS alone may be a more effective treatment option for these patients.
Researchers found that IKKalpha acts as a sentry to monitor and regulate keratinocyte proliferation, preventing the development of squamous cell carcinomas. Deleting IKKalpha induced cancer in mouse models by activating the epidermal growth factor receptor pathway.
Researchers developed a new model specifically for African-American populations, refining lung cancer risk prediction with unique results based on increased exposure to risks. The study also expanded the original Spitz model by adding DNA repair capacity measures, improving predictive capability.
Researchers at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center discovered that 50% of HER2-positive breast cancer patients showed no signs of disease after surgery treated with Herceptin. However, some patients developed tumors that converted from HER2 positive to negative status, suggesting potential resistance to the therapy.
A nationwide study found that black women are less likely than white women to receive standard radiation therapy after a lumpectomy, with significant regional variations. The disparity affects over 37,000 patients and highlights the need for further research into underlying reasons and potential barriers to care.
A study led by M. D. Anderson Cancer Center found that risk assessment can help determine the probability of breast cancer recurrence, allowing clinicians to make informed decisions about extended therapy. The research analyzed data from 2,838 women diagnosed with Stage I-III breast cancers and treated with adjuvant systemic therapy.
A study published in Cancer Research found that the CB1 receptor plays a tumor-suppressing role in human colorectal cancer. Researchers discovered that CB1 expression is lost in most colorectal cancers, leading to increased tumor growth. Restoring CB1 expression with an existing drug showed promise in reducing tumors.
Researchers found overexpression of TG2 in ovarian cancer to be associated with increased tumor cell growth, adhesion, resistance to chemotherapy, and lower overall survival rates. Silencing TG2 using siRNA reversed cancer progression, suggesting the protein as a novel therapeutic approach for late-stage ovarian cancer.
A clinical trial found that motesanib diphosphate, a VEGF inhibitor, slowed disease progression in some patients with metastatic thyroid cancer. The study also identified a genetic mutation associated with better response rates, offering potential for personalized therapy.
Researchers found that metformin significantly increased pathologic complete response rates in diabetic women with early-stage breast cancer who took the drug during chemotherapy. The study showed a 24% response rate, three times higher than non-diabetic patients. Further investigation is needed to understand the mechanism of the drug.
A gene therapy called Advexin has shown significant improvement in survival rates for patients with end-stage head and neck cancer by restoring tumor-suppressor gene p53 expression. Patients with a favorable p53 profile experienced a median survival of 7.2 months, compared to 2.7 months for those with an unfavorable profile.
Research by University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center scientists shows stabilizing p53 can protect mutated versions that promote cancer cell spread. The p53 gene's normal role is to halt defective cell division and force self-destruction.