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.
Researchers found 41 inaccurate statements on 18 websites, 5.2% of total analyzed web pages. Despite quality criteria, no combination could differentiate accurate from inaccurate content.
Researchers at MD Anderson Cancer Center report a new kidney cancer drug that targets the FLT3-ITD mutation in AML, reducing leukemia cells by 90% in patients. The drug has shown minimal side effects and is being tested in combination with chemotherapy.
Researchers at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center have developed a new scoring system that identifies Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) patients with low-risk disease but poor prospects of survival. The system, applied to 856 patients treated between 1976 and 2005, found that older age, low platelet counts, anemia, and p...
The team led by Maria Schumacher, Ph.D., produced clear 3-D images of the structure resulting from two proteins connecting with a DNA site to 'segregate' DNA during cell division. The solved structure provides fundamental insight into how cells divide with intact DNA.
A definitive study of 15 randomized trials found that high-dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation had no overall survival benefit for women with node-positive breast cancer. However, there was a slight benefit in relapse-free survival.
Researchers at University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center report promising early results for bosutinib in patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) who have developed resistance to frontline therapy. The drug has shown good efficacy and low toxicity, particularly when compared to other tyrosine kinase inhibitors.
Researchers at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center report that a milder chemotherapy regimen before stem cell transplant resulted in complete remission for 45 of 47 patients with relapsed follicular lymphoma. Long-term follow-up showed improved overall survival and progression-free survival rates.
A Phase III clinical trial shows that patients with relapsed CLL who achieve complete response with oblimersen combination therapy live significantly longer than those treated with chemotherapy alone. The median survival time for oblimersen-treated patients is estimated to exceed 49 months, whereas it was 35 months for those on F/C alone.
A peptide vaccine for leukemia improved event-free survival by 8.7 months compared to non-responders, with 36% of responders experiencing complete cytogenetic remission. The vaccine targets cancer cells and induces a specific immune response in patients with HLA-A2
Two drugs, dasatinib and nilotinib, are showing promising results as frontline therapy for newly diagnosed CML patients with high complete cytogenetic response rates of approximately 90% at 6 months. The treatments target a greater variety of genetic variations than imatinib, which has increased the 5-year survival rate for CML patient...
Researchers at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center link diet and gardening to lung cancer risk reduction, finding that smokers and nonsmokers can reduce their risk by eating four or more servings of green salad a week and working in the garden once or twice a week.
A new aerosol launches an immune response in the lungs to wipe out lethal infections, including bacterial and fungal infections. The treatment showed an 83% survival rate against pneumococcal pneumonia in mice treated with the aerosol before exposure.
The study found that lenalidomide-dexamethasone combination therapy slows multiple myeloma disease progression and improves overall survival for patients. The treatment resulted in a median time to disease progression of 11.1 months compared to 4.7 months in the placebo group.
Researchers at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center have identified a tumor-suppressor gene that suppresses lung tumors in mice and could provide new approaches for lung cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. The GPRC5A gene is under-expressed in human lung cancer cells and its expression was found to be lower in 61% of human non-small c...
Researchers at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center and Rice University have successfully destroyed liver cancer tumors using radio waves that heat up carbon nanotubes embedded in them. While there were some side effects on healthy tissue, the study shows promise for a new therapy.
A team of researchers found that SENP1 regulates the entire hypoxic response and plays a role in other kinds of cancers. Inhibiting SENP1 might be one way to turn off tumor growth by cutting off a protein's ability to build new blood vessels.
A human peptide called LL37, normally used as a natural antibiotic, can bind to the body's own DNA and trigger an immune response. This may drive autoimmunity in psoriasis and other autoimmune diseases.
Researchers have developed a customized virus, Delta-24-RGD, that targets and eliminates brain tumor stem cells. In lab experiments and human brain cancer in mice, the virus shows promise in killing glioblastoma multiforme tumors, which are resistant to radiation and chemotherapy.
Researchers at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center found that congestive heart failure is rare among leukemia patients taking imatinib. Only 22 out of 1,276 patients developed symptoms that could be caused by heart failure, and most had underlying medical conditions that also contributed to their condition.
A study by researchers at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center has identified a link between inflammatory protein Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha (TNFa) and breast cancer, highlighting a new pathway for potential clinical interventions. The research found that TNFa activates an enzyme that inactivates tumor-suppressing genes...
A connection between DNA damage control and chromatin remodeling has been discovered, opening new avenues for cancer treatment. The study reveals that phosphorylation of a chromatin remodeling complex regulates checkpoint pathways but not DNA repair pathways.
Researchers at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center discovered that a protein called IKK-alpha protects an important cell defense mechanism from silencing in skin cancers. The protein prevents DNA methylation, which normally silences the checkpoint gene 14-3-3-sigma.
Researchers at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center have developed a gene therapy that selectively targets and eliminates pancreatic cancer cells, inhibiting metastasis and prolonging survival with minimal toxicity. The therapy, called VISA-BikDD, has shown significant promise in preclinical trials, with treated mice su...
Researchers at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center have identified a new oncogene, insulin-like growth factor binding protein 2 (IGFBP2), that contributes to the formation of two types of brain malignancies, astrocytoma and oligodendroglioma.
A study of 132 rare ovarian cancer survivors found that most retained menstrual function and reproductive ability after treatment. Despite reproductive concerns, survivors were more likely to be in meaningful, positive relationships than healthy counterparts.
Researchers found a widening disparity in life expectancy between white and black women with advanced breast cancer, with median survival rates differing by up to 8.8% over the last two decades. Socio-economic factors, such as access to healthcare and treatment options, are suspected to be contributing factors.
A large Phase III study found that shark cartilage extract AE-941 has no benefit when combined with chemotherapy and radiation for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer. The study did not meet its primary endpoint: survival, and the researchers cast major skepticism on the efficacy of shark cartilage products.
A Phase II clinical trial at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center found dasatinib achieves complete cytogenetic response in 77-95% of newly diagnosed CML patients, compared to historical data on imatinib. The rapid response rate suggests dasatinib may be more effective as a first-line treatment for CML.
Researchers at University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center developed a lung cancer risk assessment tool using standard clinical and epidemiological data. The model assigns a score assessing a person's risk for the disease, with a prediction level of about 60 percent.