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.
Early nursing intervention and effective strategies can decrease lymphedema incidence, manage chronic lymphedema, and improve quality of life in breast cancer patients. Nurses play a crucial role in educating patients about triggers and symptoms, conducting regular assessments, and pursuing research to address this issue.
Researchers discovered a drug combination that inhibits glycolysis and intensifies cellular starvation, resulting in over 90% cell death in human tissue cultures of acute lymphocytic leukemia. The novel approach offers a promising alternative to current treatments.
A Phase II clinical trial led by researchers at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center found that Iressa enhanced the effectiveness of hormonal therapy in treating specific types of metastatic breast cancer. The combination resulted in a 45% reduction in risk and improved clinical benefits for patients.
Researchers have developed a novel method to expand natural killer cells from umbilical cord blood, effectively killing human leukemia cells in mice. The treatment demonstrates significant cytotoxic activity against both acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) and acute myelogenous leukemia (AML).
Researchers at University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center found a combination therapy approach that makes cancer cells more sensitive to immune system cells and strengthens the power of these cells, potentially sparing young patients from difficult treatments.
A first-of-its-kind lung cancer chemoprevention trial found Celebrex reduces precancerous lesion proliferation and is safe for high-risk individuals. The study demonstrated the importance of COX-2 inhibition in preventing lung cancer, with potential implications for cancer prevention and treatment.
Researchers identified three primary themes of fatigue in cancer patients undergoing standard radiation therapy: loss of strength, major effects on energy levels, and physical sensations. The study aims to develop a single definition of cancer-related fatigue, enabling healthcare professionals to intervene more effectively with patients.
The Professional Action Coordinating Teams (PACTs) at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center have seen a significant increase in participation among nurses, with a 50% growth in one year. This growth is attributed to the short commitment of time, decisive action, and leadership opportunities provided by PACTs.
Researchers at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center found that EGFR stabilizes a protein channeling glucose to cancer cells, saving them from starvation. This discovery may require targeting both EGFR's growth-inducing kinase activity and its glucose-related role to effectively treat epithelial cancers.
A research team led by M. D. Anderson Cancer Center scientists created a whole-organ genomic survey to chart the molecular journey from normal cell to invasive cancer in bladder tissue. They identified a crucial new category of genes, known as 'forerunner genes,' that launch the process of cancer development.
A study published in JAMA found that cisplatin is not an effective alternative to standard treatment for anal cancer, with a lower disease-free survival rate and more colostomies. The research suggests that fluorouracil plus mitomycin and radiotherapy remains the best treatment option for patients with anal canal cancer.
Researchers found that regular mammograms significantly reduce the risk of being diagnosed with advanced stage breast cancer in women over 80. Women who received mammograms were more likely to be diagnosed with early-stage disease and had a higher five-year survival rate compared to non-users.
Higher blood levels of interleukin-12 (IL-12) are associated with poor overall survival in Stage III melanoma patients. Age is also a significant risk factor for death, but only when combined with IL-12 levels.
Researchers found that calorie restriction hinders development of pancreatic cancer by reducing levels of IGF-1 and inflammatory signaling proteins. Only 7.5% of mice on the calorie-restricted diet developed lesions, compared to 45% and 57.5% in overweight and obese groups.
A restricted-calorie diet inhibited the development of precancerous growths in skin cancer, while an obesity-inducing diet activated pathways contributing to cancer growth and development.
A study at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center found that oral tissue can be used to monitor molecular events in less accessible lung tissue. The research discovered that cells lining the mouth reflect the same antitumor genes silenced in oral and lung tissue, offering a new approach to detecting lung cancer.
A recent study has identified two common genetic variants associated with an increased risk of lung cancer in smokers and former smokers. The variants, present in about half of the Caucasian population, were found to increase the risk by 28-81%.
A study published in Nature reveals that the protein REST maintains self-renewal and pluripotency in embryonic stem cells by suppressing a specific microRNA called miR-21. This discovery has implications for regenerative medicine and treating diseases, including pediatric brain cancer.
Researchers found advanced-stage ovarian cancer patients with non-Ashkenazi Jewish BRCA mutations experience longer progression-free and overall survival rates compared to those without BRCA mutations. Additionally, a majority of women with ovarian cancer are unaware that BRCA testing is available, despite it potentially improving thei...
Researchers found that low-grade serous carcinoma of the ovary is less sensitive to chemotherapy than more common high-grade ovarian cancers. The overall response rate was only 4% in patients with recurrent disease, and no response was observed in women with platinum-resistant disease.
A protein called interleukin-8 (IL-8) promotes tumor growth and angiogenesis in ovarian cancer. Researchers have identified IL-8 as a therapeutic target and tested short interfering RNA (siRNA) to silence its production, reducing tumor size by attacking its blood supply.