A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that celecoxib, a commonly used painkiller, significantly reduced the incidence of potentially pre-malignant colorectal polyps by 36% in patients taking a daily dose. The study involved over 1,550 participants and showed a greater effect on advanced adenomas.
Researchers at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center have developed a nanoparticle delivery system that targets ovarian cancer cells, reducing tumor size and incidence by up to 98%. The fatty spheres loaded with siRNA also attack the tumor's blood supply, inducing cell suicide and increasing cell death among cancer cells.
A study of 173 patients with metastatic breast cancer treated with Herceptin found a 28% incidence of cardiac toxicity, but most cases could be reversed with treatment. The majority of patients improved with cardiac treatments and were able to resume Herceptin treatment.
A single gene, BRIT1, plays a pivotal role in launching two DNA damage detection and repair pathways, suggesting its function as a previously unidentified tumor suppressor gene. The gene is under-expressed in human ovarian, breast, and prostate cancer cell lines, and its disruption leads to genomic instability.
A preclinical study by the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center found that chronic stress hormones stimulate tumor growth and spread in mice with ovarian cancer. Reducing stress using a medication commonly prescribed for heart disease slows tumor growth.
Researchers at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center have discovered a natural mechanism to prevent apoptosis, or programmed cell death, in cancer cells. The discovery reveals that adding ATP to cancer cells may actually impede apoptosis, highlighting a new potential target for cancer therapies.
Research finds obese patients have a 99% greater risk of developing biochemical failure and a 66% increased risk of tumor recurrence. Obesity can be an independent predictor of poor outcomes in prostate cancer, suggests the study.
A phase I clinical trial reveals nilotinib has a relatively favorable safety profile and demonstrates activity against drug-resistant CML, with notable improvements in chronic phase CML patients. However, the agent shows less activity in acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients and may require careful monitoring for cardiac events.
Researchers found that a new drug, imatinib, destroys the blood vessels that feed prostate cancer cells, preventing tumor growth and metastasis. In a mouse model, tumors were significantly reduced when treated with a combination of imatinib and chemotherapy.
Apo2L/TRAIL, a new cancer drug, has shown activity in treating advanced cancers with minimal side effects. The agent selectively induces programmed cell death in cancer cells while sparing normal cells, offering hope for targeted treatment options.
Participating in a daily yoga program during breast cancer treatment has been shown to improve physical function, general health, and social functioning among women. The study also found significant reductions in sleep-related daytime dysfunction and fatigue, but no impact on depression or anxiety.
Researchers develop a modified virus that targets telomerase-positive cancer cells, inducing autophagy to kill them. The treatment reduces tumor size and extends survival in mice with malignant glioma. Autophagy is a protective process that cells use to consume part of themselves when nutrients are scarce.
Researchers recommend pre-screening to avoid worst liver damage caused by chemotherapy drugs. The study found that irinotecan was associated with steatohepatitis and oxaliplatin with sinusoidal dilation, which can lead to liver disease and failure.
Researchers have developed a new hybrid virus that can target tumors systemically to deliver an imaging or therapeutic gene, allowing for the monitoring of drug effectiveness at the molecular level. This breakthrough could lead to improved diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment of human cancers.
Research reveals chemotherapy works better for ER-negative tumors, with significant survival benefits, while tamoxifen is effective but less impactful for ER-positive tumors. Modern chemotherapy regimens show promise for treating ER-negative patients.
Researchers developed a prototype model to gauge lung cancer risk based on medical history and genetics. The model predicts increased risk in heavy smokers with emphysema, as well as those with inefficient DNA repair capacity.
Researchers found that combining a PI3K inhibitor with Herceptin can reverse lack of response in HER2-positive breast cancer patients. The addition of a PI3K inhibitor showed significant benefit in halting tumor growth, especially in tumors lacking PTEN protein.
A study published at the AACR annual meeting found that a history of allergies and asthma significantly reduces the risk of developing brain tumors. Individuals with allergies or asthma had a lower risk of glioblastoma, mid-grade anaplastic astrocytoma, and low-grade gliomas compared to those without these conditions.
Researchers found a significant increase in cancer risk among first-degree relatives of lung cancer patients, particularly young onset cancers. The study's findings suggest that genetic factors play a crucial role in the development of lung cancer and other types of cancer.
A randomized Phase III clinical trial found decitabine improved treatment outcomes for myelodysplastic syndrome patients, achieving a 17% complete response rate. The median time to progression was also significantly longer in treated patients compared to those receiving supportive care.
A study at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center found that Z-DNA, a twisted shape of DNA, can cause genetic instability and breaks in human cells, particularly in those with Burkitt's lymphoma. The research opens up a new field of inquiry into the role of DNA shape in genomic instability and cancer.
Researchers have developed a 'nanoshuttle' that uses viral particles to precisely home to disease, where it can perform various functions such as destroying tissue or emitting signals. The system has the potential to deliver stem cells to damaged areas, potentially treating heart disease and cancer.
Women with Lynch syndrome have an equal risk of developing endometrial and colon cancers, and are at high risk for additional cancers. Prophylactic surgeries, such as hysterectomy and ovary removal, significantly reduce the risk of these two gynecological cancers.
A new point-of-care test has been shown to detect recurrent bladder cancer more effectively than traditional lab tests. The NMP22 assay detected 49.5% of recurrences, while urine cytology detected only 12.2%, resulting in a significantly higher detection rate when used with cystoscopy.
A new tool has been developed to silence genes in specific tissues using RNAi, allowing researchers to determine the function of a single gene in a single tissue without blocking its essential functions in other tissues. This technique could potentially be used in humans to knockdown mutant or overexpressed genes that cause human disea...
A new clinical trials method is proposed to improve patient care by incorporating Bayesian approaches in trial design. The frequentist statistical method used today is considered too rigid and limits innovation, whereas the Bayesian approach allows for continuous updating based on interim results.
Researchers found that nonmelanoma skin cancers are strongly associated with UVB radiation, but melanoma patients have a different response. The study suggests that melanoma may be resistant to UVB-induced chromosomal breaks, increasing the risk of more serious cancer.
Researchers found marked improvement in chronic myeloid leukemia and acute lymphocytic leukemia patients treated with AMN107. The drug, taken in pill form, outperforms Gleevec by up to 50 times in shutting down cancer-causing tyrosine kinase.
New research suggests that smoking after cancer diagnosis can lead to poorer treatment outcomes, with up to one-half of patients continuing to smoke or relapsing. Tobacco use is now recognized as a critical variable in clinical trial results, and addressing it through cessation efforts can improve success rates and quality of life.
Researchers found that breast cancer death rates decreased by an estimated 25-38% due to the combination of screening and adjuvant therapy. The study used advanced statistical models to determine the contribution of each method, finding greater uncertainty with screening mammography estimates.
Researchers found curcumin suppresses the inflammatory response that induces metastasis, causing cell death and reversing disease progression. Curcumin breaks down chemotherapy doses, making it less toxic while maintaining efficacy, offering new hope for breast cancer treatment.
Researchers found that enzyme EZH2 has two forms, one promoting oncogenesis and the other inhibiting cell growth. This discovery offers new insights into the role of EZH2 in cancer development and potentially leads to more effective treatments.
Hassall's corpuscles produce chemical signals that instruct dendritic cells to develop regulatory T cells, which patrol the body for 'bad' T cells. This discovery opens new avenues for exploring regulatory T cells in autoimmune disease and cancer.
Researchers have discovered a novel T helper cell type, called THi cells, that produce the potent cytokine IL-17 and are responsible for initiating chronic inflammation and autoimmunity. The study's findings suggest that targeting these cells could lead to effective treatments for inflammatory diseases such as arthritis and asthma.
A study of 526 prostate cancer patients suggests that a man's body mass at different ages and adult weight gain can predict the risk of progression after surgery. Researchers found that obese men and those who gained weight quickly experienced biochemical failure more often.
A large US population study found that eating foods with phytoestrogens, such as soy and fruits, may lower lung cancer risk. The study, involving over 3,500 participants, discovered a 46% reduced risk of developing lung cancer among those who consumed the highest amount of phytoestrogen-rich foods.
A study found that two-thirds of Phase I abstracts accepted by the American Society of Clinical Oncology were published in peer-reviewed medical journals within seven and a half years. The median time to publication was 3.4 years, which is concerning as it may delay further investigation with encouraging agents.
Researchers discovered a potential biomarker, PKCi, which predicts outcome in non-serous ovarian cancer when combined with Cyclin E. High levels of the protein correspond to reduced survival rates.
Researchers have found that few B cells are needed to trigger an effective T-cell immune response in certain cancers. A personalized vaccine used in a Phase I study resulted in an impressive 89% survival rate for patients with mantle cell lymphoma. The study paves the way for future vaccine use in other hematological cancers.
Researchers found that breast cancer detected by mammography has a substantially better survival prognosis, even after adjusting for stage of disease and tumor characteristics. The study suggests that this is due to the detection of slower-growing tumors, which are more likely to be node-negative.
A gene called TRPS-1 is over-expressed in 90% of breast cancers, making it a potential target for cancer vaccines. Researchers are exploring its role and developing immunotherapy approaches to treat breast cancer.
Scientists have found that the hepatitis B virus primes liver cells to turn cancerous by 'turning off' an enzyme called GSK-3ß, which normally suppresses tumor formation. This discovery has potential relevance for other cancers and could lead to novel therapeutic approaches, including gene therapy and small molecules.
Researchers at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center discovered that curcumin stops laboratory strains of melanoma from proliferating by shutting down nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kB). The spice also induces apoptosis, or programmed death, in cancer cells.
A study published in PNAS found that prenatal exposure to diethylstilbestrol (DES) can permanently alter tissue in rats, making them more susceptible to hormone-dependent tumors. The researchers believe this phenomenon could explain why some people with inherited tumor suppressor gene defects develop cancer while others do not.
Researchers found a potential link between testicular cancer and male infertility, suggesting that genetic mutations during fetal development may play a role. The study provides insights into the origins of human testicular cancer, which is a leading cause of cancer in men between 15-39 years old.
Researchers used RNAi to silence STAT3 in mouse breast cancer cells, finding a 75% reduction in protein expression. This reduced the ability of cancer cells to invade normal tissues, offering new insights into cancer metastasis.
Researchers developed a genetic blueprint that predicts response to two chemotherapy drugs and/or radiation therapy in esophageal cancer patients. The study found six gene variants associated with improved survival rates, with certain combinations more effective than others.
Researchers discover CML's unique cell death protein, lipocalin 24p3, that destroys healthy bone marrow cells, allowing leukemia to grow and spread. Blocking this protein with an antibody may prove useful in treating CML patients when combined with traditional treatment.
Researchers have reported encouraging results with the novel drug AMN107, which is showing an increasingly strong benefit as doses are raised. Over 90% of patients with earlier stage Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) have achieved a hematologic response, and over 70% of those in advanced stages have also benefited.
A study of 301 patients with glioblastoma multiforme found that the 'SS' variant genotype of hTERT significantly improved survival rates, averaging 25 months compared to 14 months for other genotypes. The research suggests new treatment directions for this aggressive cancer.