Padmanee Sharma, a physician-scientist at MD Anderson, has been elected Fellow of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Academy. Her groundbreaking research on immune checkpoint therapies has led to FDA approvals for treatments against metastatic bladder and kidney cancer.
A new atlas of lung cells reveals transitional alveolar cell state harboring KRAS mutations in normal lung cells, which can lead to lung adenocarcinoma. This finding opens doors for developing new detection strategies.
A Phase II trial found that neoadjuvant immunotherapy significantly reduced residual tumor and improved overall survival for patients with undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma, with 90% having less than 15% viable tumor cells remaining. The treatment approach is a promising option for patients with limited systemic therapy options.
A Phase II trial found that durvalumab plus ceralasertib provided the greatest clinical benefit in patients with immunotherapy-resistant non-small cell lung cancer, with improved overall survival and objective response rates. The combination showed a manageable safety profile.
A Phase I trial demonstrated that a vaccine targeting KRAS mutations delayed relapse in patients with high-risk pancreatic and colorectal cancer. The vaccine induced significant T cell responses, which correlated with reduced risk of relapse.
A Phase III trial demonstrates significantly improved progression-free survival and remission rates for patients with relapsed/refractory mantle cell lymphoma treated with the oral combination of ibrutinib and venetoclax. The treatment achieved an overall remission rate of 82% and a median PFS of 31.9 months.
Researchers developed a new radiation therapy approach combining a sensitizing drug with stereotactic body radiation therapy, resulting in higher progression-free survival and overall response rates. The treatment reduced toxicity while increasing its effectiveness in treating locally advanced pancreatic cancer.
A Phase III trial found that patients who received perioperative immunotherapy had a 32% lower chance of disease recurrence, progression, or death compared to those who only received chemotherapy. The treatment also showed higher rates of pathologic complete response and improved event-free survival.
A Phase III trial found that combining durvalumab and olaparib with chemotherapy reduces disease progression in advanced endometrial cancer patients by 45%, compared to 29% with durvalumab alone. The combination also shows benefits in MMR-proficient subgroups, offering new treatment options for these patients.
Researchers discovered that lactate-producing intratumoral bacteria drives resistance to radiation therapy. Cancer cells respond to radiation by rewiring metabolic signaling pathways using lactic acid instead of glucose.
Researchers developed a novel method using extracellular vesicles to deliver mRNA for cancer therapy, overcoming challenges of accurate targeting and production. The approach shows promise for treating hard-to-treat tumor types by reversing immunosuppressive environments and making tumors detectable to the immune system.
Researchers found that high-intensity exercise training reduced inflammatory markers and increased immune cells in the colon of Lynch Syndrome patients. This non-randomized study suggests that exercise may be a valuable 'lifestyle prescription' for reducing cancer risk in these individuals.
Researchers discovered age-related differences in how the liver filters the bloodstream, affecting nanomedicine distribution and effectiveness. Younger livers are more efficient at filtering out toxins but also filter out beneficial treatments.
Researchers at MD Anderson Cancer Center found that combination immunotherapy with durvalumab and novel agents outperforms durvalumab alone in early-stage non-small-cell lung cancer. The study showed higher major pathological response rates for combination therapy, with some regimens inducing up to 31.3% of MPR.
Researchers at MD Anderson successfully reduced inpatient opioid use by 50% and median prescription volumes to zero after pancreatic cancer surgery. This approach achieved effective pain control for patients without increasing the risk of opioid dependence.
Researchers found that CAR NK cells lose metabolic fitness when competing with tumor cells for nutrients, leading to resistance. Engineering cells with IL-15 enhances metabolic fitness and provides a longer-lasting anti-tumor response.
A new single-cell study provides deeper understanding of the evolution of the tumor microenvironment in gastric cancer. Researchers identified six unique ecotypes, or collections of cell states, within the tumor microenvironment and discovered a potential new therapeutic target, SDC2.
A blood-based four-protein panel and personalized risk model can predict an individual's risk of dying from lung cancer, improving sensitivity and specificity compared to current guidelines. The test has the potential to save lives by determining the need for lung cancer screening on a personalized basis.
A new study has created the world's largest map of normal breast tissue, highlighting 12 major cell types and 58 biological cell states. The atlas also identifies differences based on ethnicity, age, and menopause status, providing a powerful resource for researchers studying breast cancer and other diseases.
Researchers at MD Anderson Cancer Center have identified disparities in end-of-life immunotherapy treatment, highlighting the need for further examination to ensure quality care. A new study also reveals a novel target to improve immunotherapy responses in KRAS-mutant lung cancer and strategies to manage immune-related toxicities.
Researchers at MD Anderson Cancer Center have engineered a new model of aggressive renal cell carcinoma, highlighting molecular targets and genomic events that trigger chromosomal instability. The loss of interferon receptor genes plays a pivotal role in allowing cancer cells to become tolerant of chromosomal instability.
A preclinical study has uncovered the role of Y chromosome gene KDM5D in regulating anti-tumor immune responses and promoting metastasis in male patients with KRAS-mutated colorectal cancer. The study reveals that mutant KRAS drives upregulation of KDM5D, leading to reduced cell adhesion and immune recognition by the immune system.
Researchers found adagrasib effective in suppressing cancer growth in both lungs and brain metastases, with a 90% intracranial disease control rate and 42% objective response rate. The median intracranial progression-free survival was 5.4 months, while the median overall survival reached 11.4 months.
The FRESCO-2 trial shows that fruquintinib significantly improved overall survival and progression-free survival in patients with refractory metastatic colorectal cancer. The median OS was 7.4 months with fruquintinib versus 4.8 months in the placebo arm.
Researchers at MD Anderson Cancer Center develop new methodology to analyze earliest precursor stages of multiple myeloma, revealing substantial genomic and transcriptional heterogeneity. The study identifies potential therapeutic targets and biomarkers for high-risk patients.
The study found an objective response rate of 61.3% with a median duration of response of 22.1 months in patients with high HER2 expression. The treatment showed promise in a significant unmet area of clinical need, providing a new option for patients with hard-to-treat HER2-positive cancers.
A Phase III trial found that axicabtagene ciloleucel (axi-cel) significantly improved overall survival and progression-free survival in patients with early relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphoma, compared to standard therapy. The estimated four-year survival rate was 54.6% with axi-cel.
Erdafitinib achieves tumor-agnostic benefits across 16 cancer types, including urothelial, lung, and other cancers. The trial demonstrated a disease control rate of 73.7% and clinical benefit rate of 45.6%, with notable improvements in pancreatic and cholangiocarcinoma patients.
A Phase II trial led by MD Anderson Cancer Center showed that zanidatamab achieved a 41% confirmed objective response rate and durable responses in HER2-positive biliary tract cancer. This represents the largest study of a HER2-targeted drug in BTC, providing evidence for its potential as a new treatment option.
A pan-cancer single-cell T cell atlas provides a detailed picture of the heterogeneity of T cells within the tumor microenvironment, revealing a previously undescribed stress response state that appears to be less effective at fighting cancer. This new discovery highlights the need for further understanding of how these states contribu...
The COMMANDS trial showed improved red blood cell counts and erythroid responses in transfusion-dependent patients with myelodysplastic syndromes, allowing the majority to no longer require regular blood transfusions. Luspatercept demonstrated superior effectiveness over epoetin alfa in this study.
A Phase I/II clinical trial combining intratumoral delivery of an engineered oncolytic virus with subsequent immunotherapy improved survival outcomes in a subset of patients with recurrent glioblastoma. The study demonstrated the combination was well-tolerated, with no dose-limiting toxicities.
A Phase I trial of CD70-targeting CAR T cell therapy ALLO-316 demonstrates encouraging response rates and disease control rates in patients with metastatic ccRCC. The treatment had a manageable safety profile, with no cases of GVHD or ICANS observed.
Researchers at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center have developed a novel approach to administer intrathecal and intravenous immunotherapy to treat leptomeningeal disease (LMD) in melanoma patients, showing promising results in improving survival rates and quality of life for some patients.
A Phase II trial led by researchers from the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center demonstrated that adding ipilimumab to a neoadjuvant combination of nivolumab plus platinum-based chemotherapy resulted in a major pathologic response in half of all treated patients with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer. The treatment also...
Researchers found encouraging responses with revumenib for advanced acute leukemias with KMT2A rearrangements or NPM1 mutations. The overall response rate was 53%, with 78% of patients achieving clearance of measurable residual disease.
Patients with stage IIIB-IV melanoma who received neoadjuvant pembrolizumab had a significantly lower risk of cancer recurrence compared to those receiving adjuvant therapy only. The study found improved event-free survival rates in the neoadjuvant group, suggesting that starting immunotherapy before surgery generates better outcomes.
Researchers at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center have identified CD70 as a novel therapeutic target for eliminating drug-resistant cancer cells in EGFR-mutant non-small cell lung cancer. CD70 targeting strategies showed significant anti-tumor activity, eliminating resistant cells in laboratory models.
Researchers at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center have discovered a new cell death mechanism called disulfidptosis that targets cancer cells with high expression of SLC7A11. Disulfidptosis is triggered by glucose starvation and can effectively suppress tumor growth without significant toxicity in normal tissues.
Patients with myelofibrosis experience significant symptom improvements when treated with momelotinib, including reduced spleen size and decreased transfusion dependency. The Phase III MOMENTUM trial reports meaningful benefits over standard therapy danazol.
Researchers at University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center develop a novel mRNA delivery system using extracellular vesicles, which can initiate collagen production in cells and has potential for other mRNA therapies
In a Phase I clinical trial, afami-cel achieved an objective response rate of 44% in patients with synovial sarcoma and 24% across all cancer types. The therapy demonstrated manageable toxicity and early activity in other cancer types, suggesting potential for solid tumors.
Researchers at MD Anderson Cancer Center have discovered a novel triple immunotherapy combination targeting checkpoints in T cells and myeloid suppressor cells, improving anti-tumor responses and survival rates in preclinical models of pancreatic cancer. The study found that neutralizing specific immunosuppressive mechanisms dramatical...
The CodeBreaK 100 trial demonstrates meaningful anticancer activity with sotorasib in heavily pretreated patients with KRAS G12C-mutated metastatic pancreatic cancer. The results show an objective response rate of 21.1% and a median time-to-response of 1.5 months.
The Andrew Sabin Family Foundation has donated $10 million to the James P. Allison Institute, a research and innovation hub aiming to unlock cancer cures. The gift will support elite scientists and post-doctoral programs to accelerate breakthroughs in immunobiology.
A new nanotechnology platform has successfully converted solid tumor cells into immune-activating targets, making them more receptive to immunotherapy. The approach uses a bispecific nanoconjugate to attach an immune-activating molecule to the surface of cancer cells, triggering an immune response.
Patients with non-metastatic soft tissue sarcoma can safely receive hypofractionated treatment over three weeks instead of five, achieving similar tumor control and no increased risk of wound complications. The study found comparable rates of major wound complications between the two treatment courses.
A new preclinical study discovered the underlying cause of gender differences in immunotherapy-associated myocarditis and identified potential treatment strategies. Hormone therapies targeting the endocrine-cardiac-immune pathway may reduce this risk without affecting treatment efficacy.
A Phase II study found that the combination of relatlimab and nivolumab was safe and completely cleared all viable tumor in 57% of patients with stage III melanoma before surgery. The overall pathologic response rate was 70%, with no grade 3 or 4 immune-related adverse events reported.
The EXTEND trial found that combining metastasis-directed radiation therapy with intermittent hormone therapy improved progression-free survival in men with oligometastatic prostate cancer. The treatment also prolonged the time men could safely maintain normal testosterone levels, preserving their quality of life.