A Phase II study found pembrolizumab to be effective in treating four rare cancer types with acceptable toxicity profiles. The treatment resulted in a median non-progression rate of 28% at 27 weeks, with complete response rates varying between 31-43% for each cancer type.
A study at MD Anderson Cancer Center found that using MLN4924 and dual treatment with anti-PD1 can induce durable, curative responses in patients with MMR-deficient and MSI cancers. The therapy approach shows promise as a novel therapeutic vulnerability for this type of cancer.
A new study has identified multiple factors contributing to osteosarcoma's poor responses to immunotherapy, including low immune cell infiltration and suppressed immune-stimulating neoantigens. The research provides insights into strategies for improving outcomes with immunotherapy in rare cancer types.
Researchers developed a novel method to analyze chemotherapy-resistant tumors using circulating tumor cells. Single-cell RNA sequencing revealed gene expression differences between individual cells, providing insight into the evolution of multiple resistance mechanisms.
Researchers found that oral cancers can reprogram nerves to grow into tumors, changing their function and fuelling growth. The team discovered that adrenergic nerves, involved in stress response, are susceptible to drugs used to treat high blood pressure and irregular heartbeats.
Researchers at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center have made significant progress in understanding the mitochondrial genome and its role in cancer. The study found that hyper-mutated cases in kidney, colorectal, and thyroid cancers suggest oncogenic impact with signaling pathway activation.
The CD19 CAR NK-cell therapy achieved a 73% response rate in patients with relapsed or refractory non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), with no major toxicities reported. The treatment was administered in an outpatient setting, and responses were evident within one month following infusion.
A study published in Clinical Cancer Research found that circulating tumor cells were associated with a decrease in relapse-free survival at six months, and this association persisted at a 54-month longer-term follow-up. This suggests that CTC assessment may be useful in identifying patients at risk for relapse who could benefit from m...
A study by the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center shows that a lung cancer screening decision aid delivered through tobacco quitlines effectively reaches a screening-eligible population and results in informed decisions about lung cancer screening. The decision aid, which explains eligibility, risks, and benefits, encoura...
Researchers found that B-cell markers were associated with improved overall survival in patients with advanced melanoma and soft-tissue sarcomas. B cells located within specialized immune-cell clusters (TLS) were predictive of response to checkpoint blockade, suggesting a dynamic interaction between immune components.
A study at University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center showed a potential new approach to treating follicular lymphoma and DLBCL through manipulation of molecular programs controlled by CREBBP. Inhibition of HDAC3 restores immune programs lost as a result of CREBBP mutations, paving the way for immunotherapy approaches.
A study by researchers at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center identified a subset of immune macrophages that resist treatment with anti-PD-1 checkpoint blockade in glioblastoma patients. The team found that these CD73-expressing macrophages were associated with decreased survival, and that targeting them with combinatio...
Researchers found that residual cancer burden index and classification are accurate and reliable tools to assess patient prognosis. The results suggest that continuous RCB index can predict risk of breast cancer recurrence across all four breast cancer subtypes.
The trial showed that adding tucatinib to capecitabine and trastuzumab improved progression-free and overall survival in advanced HER2-positive breast cancer patients, regardless of whether they had brain metastasis. The treatment combination also increased the overall response rate compared to standard care.
A one-year follow-up study of CAR T-cell therapy for relapsed mantle cell lymphoma found that 93% of patients responded to the treatment, with 67% achieving a complete response. The therapy was shown to be effective and viable option for patients with relapsed or refractory mantle cell lymphoma.
A new combination therapy of lower-dose chemotherapy and monoclonal antibodies has shown a 98% response rate in older patients with newly diagnosed Philadelphia chromosome-negative acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The three-year survival rate was 54%, with 30 patients in complete remission without signs of minimal residual disease.
A Phase II study found that pairing standard chemotherapy azacitidine with the drug enasidenib significantly boosts complete remission in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and IDH2 mutations. The combination therapy was well-tolerated and showed improved overall response rates compared to chemotherapy alone.
A randomized trial found acupuncture significantly reduced radiation-induced dry mouth symptoms in head and neck cancer patients. The study, published in JAMA Network Open, suggests that incorporating acupuncture into radiation therapy may prevent severity of dry mouth symptoms, improving quality of life.
Researchers at UT MD Anderson Cancer Center found TBK1 and its adaptor protein contribute to tumorigenesis when activated by growth factors. Targeting TBK1 inhibits tumor growth and promotes antitumor immunity in mouse models.
Men receiving care at multidisciplinary prostate cancer clinics are more likely to be informed about treatment options and receive evidence-based care, according to a new study. African American men also tend to opt for definitive therapy, challenging national trends.
Researchers found that prostate cancer bone metastases produce high levels of TGF-β, which crowds out helpful T cells needed for effective treatment. Combining anti-TGF-β with checkpoint inhibitors may reverse resistance and improve outcomes.
Researchers at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center found that secondary tumor-reduction surgery followed by chemotherapy did not result in longer survival than chemotherapy alone. The study involved 240 patients with platinum-sensitive recurrent ovarian cancer and showed that complete tumor resection was associated with i...
The BEACON CRC Phase III clinical trial found that the three-drug combination of encorafenib, binimetinib, and cetuximab significantly improved overall survival in patients with BRAF-mutated metastatic colorectal cancer. Median OS for the triplet-targeted therapy was 9 months compared to 5.4 months for standard therapy.
A Phase III trial validates the benefit of veliparib for patients with newly diagnosed, metastatic high-grade serous ovarian cancer. The combination therapy achieved a PFS of 23.5 months, compared to 17.3 months for the control arm.
A comprehensive tobacco treatment program at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center resulted in an average of 45% smoking abstinence rates among participating cancer patients. This rate surpasses that of previous minimal interventions like quitlines, which averaged less than 20% abstinence rates.
A Phase 1B study led by the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center demonstrated positive safety results for pegilodecakin when combined with pembrolizumab and nivolumab. The treatment showed promising anti-tumor activity in patients with non-small cell lung cancer and kidney cancer.
Researchers at MD Anderson Cancer Center confirm ubiquitin specific protease 21 (UPS21) as a frequently amplified gene in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), a form of pancreatic cancer. Depletion of UPS21 impairs tumor growth, promoting malignant transformation and cancer cell stemness.
Long-term survivors of pancreatic cancer have a diverse tumor microbiome, which boosts their immune attack on tumors. Fecal transplant treatments can alter the tumor microbiome, suggesting a potential therapeutic opportunity for improving pancreatic cancer treatment.
The FDA has approved erdafitinib as a targeted therapy for patients with advanced bladder cancer who have specific gene mutations in the FGFR3 gene. The drug achieved a 40% overall response rate and was well-tolerated, offering an alternative to existing treatments.
Scientists at MD Anderson Cancer Center found that PRC1 regulates metastasis by suppressing the immune system, leading to tumor blood vessel growth. A novel PRC1 inhibitor showed efficacy as a single treatment and cooperated with immunotherapy to suppress metastasis.
Researchers discovered a cellular pathway linked to cancer that may benefit patients with hepatocellular carcinoma by reducing side effects and extending immunotherapy duration. The study found that blocking the IL-6/JAK1 pathway could resolve immunotherapy side effects and improve treatment outcomes.
A new study found that the tobacco industry's corrective statements reached only 40.6% of US adults and 50.5% of current smokers in 2018, highlighting the need for targeted advertising to reach key populations. The ads had lower exposure among certain ethnic and socioeconomic subgroups, including those with higher smoking rates.
A phase III trial found that a three-drug combination of encorafenib, binimetinib, and cetuximab significantly improved overall survival in patients with BRAF-mutated metastatic colorectal cancer. The treatment resulted in a median overall survival of 9 months compared to 5.4 months for standard therapy.
Research at MD Anderson Cancer Center discovers a symbiotic circuit between PTEN-deficient glioblastoma cells and macrophages, which creates a mutually supportive relationship. Inhibiting LOX, a novel attractor of macrophages, shrinks tumors and blocks macrophage infiltration.
A Phase II clinical trial conducted at MD Anderson Cancer Center revealed an 84.6% overall response rate and 38.5% complete response rate when combination targeted therapy was given prior to chemotherapy for newly diagnosed patients with a specific type of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. The findings suggest that patients who respond to...
The combination immunotherapy of nivolumab and ipilimumab met the primary endpoint of the NEOSTAR trial with a 33% overall major pathologic response rate in early-stage lung cancer patients. The treatment was also shown to be effective in reducing tumor viability, with six out of 21 patients achieving a complete pathological response.
The MONALEESA-7 Phase III trial found that adding ribociclib to hormone therapy significantly improved overall survival in premenopausal patients with advanced HR+ breast cancer, with a 29% lower risk of death. The combination was well-tolerated, with no new side effects emerging.
Researchers found that the combination of ibrutinib and venetoclax was highly effective in achieving complete remission with undetectable minimal residual disease in high-risk CLL patients. The study also showed that this combination therapy had no new toxic effects compared to individual agents.
Researchers at MD Anderson Cancer Center discovered a small molecule drug, IACS-10759, that targets metabolic reprogramming and inhibits OXPHOS, leading to marked growth inhibition in ibrutinib-resistant mantle cell lymphoma cells. The study provides hope for patients with this incurable B-cell lymphoma.
Eight researchers from the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center have been awarded $100,000 fellowships to conduct high-impact cancer research over two years. The Andrew Sabin Family Fellowship Program aims to encourage creativity and innovation in cancer research.
A study at UT MD Anderson Cancer Center identified a new therapeutic target in cancer cells, caseinolytic protease P (ClpP), which breaks down proteins within mitochondria. New anti-cancer agents called imipridones activate ClpP and cause cancer cell death via mitochondrial proteolysis.
A Phase II trial led by the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center reports a 90% response rate for patients with blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN) treated with tagraxofusp. The treatment was effective regardless of prior therapy, and survival rates were relatively high at 59% and 52% at 18 and 24 months, respe...
Triple negative breast cancer cells can temporarily turn on molecular pathways protecting them from chemotherapy, making them vulnerable to targeted therapy IACS-10759. This discovery offers a new treatment option for resistant TNBC patients.
A Phase II trial at MD Anderson Cancer Center showed umbralisib to be an effective treatment for patients with relapsed marginal zone lymphoma, achieving a 55% partial or complete response rate. The drug was well-tolerated, with a 71% progression-free survival after one year.
A study published in Nature identified a new approach to starve pancreatic cancer cells of molecular resources. The researchers found that the protein syndecan-1 plays a critical role in regulating macropinocytosis, a mechanism used by cancer cells to scavenge resources and divide.
A new study by MD Anderson Cancer Center suggests that certain B cells with unique characteristics can predict which patients are most likely to respond to immunotherapy for metastatic melanoma and kidney cancer. The researchers found that activated B cells with specific phenotypes were associated with a better response to treatment.
Researchers identified a common oncogene, KRAS, as a key player in immune checkpoint blockade therapy resistance in metastatic colorectal cancer. Restoring IRF2 expression or inhibiting MDSCs through CXCL3-CXCR2 signaling increased CRC sensitivity to ICB therapy.
Researchers found that ZEB1 forces KRAS-driven lung cancer cells to switch from stable to mobile, resistant mesenchymal cells, making them less responsive to MEK inhibitors. A combination of an HDAC inhibitor and a MEK inhibitor reversed this transition and restored vulnerability to targeted therapy.
A multi-center study by MD Anderson Cancer Center reveals that a liquid biopsy test, Guardant360, is comparable to standard tissue biopsies in detecting guideline-recommended biomarkers for advanced NSCLC. The test identified four mutations for which FDA-approved drugs exist and offers faster turn-around time.
Researchers found that brain metastases from melanoma are equipped to thwart immunotherapies and targeted therapies due to their reliance on oxidative phosphorylation metabolism. This metabolic pathway presents a potentially new therapeutic against these lethal tumors.