Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Promising results for chemo-immunotherapy combination against pancreatic cancer, Penn study finds

Researchers found that combining chemotherapy with immunotherapy increased one-year survival rates for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer, with anti-PD-1/chemo regimen showing the highest response. The study identified key immune system biomarkers associated with better outcomes, offering new hope for precision oncology.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalNature Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateJun 3, 2022

“Masked” cancer drug sneaks through body to deliver anti-tumor treatment with fewer side effects

Researchers at the University of Chicago's Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering have developed a version of interleukin-12 that is activated only when it reaches a tumor, reducing side effects. The new 'masked' molecule has shown promising results in eliminating cancer cells and outperforming existing immune therapies.

SourceUniversity of Chicago·JournalNature Biomedical Engineering·DateJun 1, 2022

Investigational drug attacks synovial sarcoma, a rare type of tumor

Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine have developed an investigational drug that targets synovial sarcoma, a rare and aggressive type of cancer. The drug, ACXT-3102, works by interfering with the metabolic pathway of the tumor cells, causing them to die from the buildup of reactive oxygen species.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalClinical Cancer Research·TypeMeta-analysis·DateMay 31, 2022

New cancer subtype may illuminate treatment strategy

Researchers have identified a previously unrecognized form of hormone therapy-resistant prostate cancer and found promising drug targets to treat it. The discovery opens the door to developing therapies that specifically target this disease, which accounts for approximately a quarter of castration-resistant prostate cancers.

SourceWeill Cornell Medicine·JournalScience·DateMay 27, 2022

Not individual genes but the “mutational signatures” of many genes hold the key to better cancer therapies

Researchers have found that mutational signatures, which reflect a collection of mutations across the genome, can accurately predict drug response in cancer cells. The study suggests that these signatures may hold the key to better cancer therapies and could be used to predict treatment response.

SourceInstitute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona)·JournalNature Communications·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 26, 2022

Cedars-Sinai May research highlights

Recent studies from Cedars-Sinai have shed light on the importance of a gene in embryo development and its potential link to physical abnormalities. Additionally, research has shown that getting vaccinated against Covid-19 can strengthen immune responses in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. The institution is also working on ne...

SourceCedars-Sinai Medical Center·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 26, 2022

Common prostate cancer medications may be less safe than previously thought

Research found that men taking abiraterone or enzalutamide plus hormone therapy had a higher risk of metabolic and cardiovascular issues than those undergoing hormone therapy alone. This increased risk was observed in patients with Medicare health insurance, who were significantly older than those in clinical trials.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateMay 25, 2022

Common diabetes drug not effective against early-stage breast cancer, landmark trial reveals

A landmark trial found that a widely used diabetes drug, metformin, is not effective against the most common forms of early-stage breast cancer. However, researchers discovered a potential benefit for individuals with HER2-positive breast cancer, which accounts for about 20% of all breast cancers.

SourceLunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute·JournalJAMA·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMay 24, 2022

New dimensions of cryo-electron microscopy uncover ‘multiverse’ of cancer targets for enabling drug discovery

A research team led by Professor Youdong Mao has developed a new method using time-resolved cryo-electron microscopy and machine learning-based 4D reconstruction to visualize the USP14-proteasome system in atomic detail. This reveals a 'multiverse' of parallel reality pathways, allowing for targeted inhibition of cancer cells.

SourcePeking University-College of Engineering·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 22, 2022

Preliminary study shows minimally invasive diagnostic biomarker strategy successful in detecting early esophageal cancer

A minimally invasive device combined with molecular biomarkers has shown a 90% success rate in detecting esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, the predominant subtype of esophageal cancer. Early detection is crucial to improve survival rates, as symptoms often become apparent too late for effective treatment.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalGastroenterology·DateMay 18, 2022

Magnetic nanoparticles in biological vehicles individually characterized for the first time

A multidisciplinary research group uses magnetotactic bacteria to create nanomagnetic structures, which can be steered through the human body via external magnetic fields. They have developed a new method to measure the magnetic properties of individual nanomagnets in biological entities, enabling precise control over these structures.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie·JournalACS Nano·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 17, 2022

If you take several medications, ‘polypharmacy’ is a word to know

A recent study found that 70% of adults with stage 3 or 4 cancer were at risk of drug-drug interactions, highlighting the importance of deprescribing medications to avoid harm. The study's results emphasize the need for education and problem-solving to address polypharmacy in older adults with cancer.

SourceUniversity of Rochester Medical Center·JournalThe Oncologist·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMay 17, 2022

Benefits of PSA prostate cancer screening found to be more favorable than previous estimates, especially for blacks

New research suggests that PSA screening has remarkably favorable tradeoffs, particularly for Black men, who disproportionately bear the burden of prostate cancer mortality and morbidity. The study's findings support the use of PSA screening for high-risk groups, including Black men, and highlight the need to revise clinical guidelines...

SourceWeill Cornell Medicine·JournalNEJM Evidence·DateMay 15, 2022

Study finds nanomedicine targeting lymph nodes key to triple negative breast cancer treatment

Researchers found that targeting both tumor and lymph node microenvironments with nanomedicine improves treatment response for metastatic triple negative breast cancer. Long-term tumor remission was achieved in mice models using nanoparticles to deliver immune-modulating drugs.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalScience Translational Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 12, 2022

Getting sticky with it: Phospholipid found to play a key role in epithelial cell adhesion

Researchers found phosphatidylinositol bisphosphate (PIP2) essential for epithelial cell-cell adhesion and maintaining cellular identity. PIP2 regulates epithelial properties by recruiting Par3 to the plasma membrane, facilitating the formation of adherens junctions and preventing epithelial-mesenchymal transformation.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 9, 2022

Recurring brain tumor growth is halted with new drug

A new drug called abemaciclib has been shown to halt the growth of recurring brain tumors in patients with aggressive meningiomas. The treatment targets a common molecular pathway that enables cells to divide rapidly and come back after surgery, allowing researchers to predict recurrence more accurately.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalNature Genetics·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 9, 2022

Patient-derived micro-organospheres enable cutting-edge precision oncology

Researchers developed a droplet-based microfluidic technology to produce micro-organospheres from cancer patient biopsies within an hour. These miniature tumors retain the original microenvironment and can be used for testing many drug conditions, showing almost perfect correlation with actual clinical treatment outcomes.

SourceTerasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation·JournalCell Stem Cell·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 5, 2022

Montefiore Einstein Cancer Center finds CAR-T therapy effective in Black And Hispanic patients

A new study from Montefiore Einstein Cancer Center found that CAR-T therapy was effective in Black and Hispanic patients, with outcomes comparable to those of white and Asian patients. The study showed no statistical differences in clinical outcomes or side effects among racial and ethnic backgrounds.

SourceAlbert Einstein College of Medicine·JournalBone Marrow Transplantation·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 28, 2022

Research discovery reveals how a cancer cell resists radiation treatment

Cancer cells employ a unique defense mechanism to evade the effects of radiation treatment by exploiting an enzyme called Caspase-activated DNase (CAD). Removing CAD from cancer cells increases the effectiveness of radiotherapy. Researchers hope their discovery can lead to the development of targeted drugs to enhance cancer treatment.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - The Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences·JournalScience·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateApr 28, 2022

Plug-and-play organ-on-a-chip can be customized to the patient

Researchers from Columbia University have developed a plug-and-play multi-organ chip, customized to the patient, consisting of engineered human heart, bone, liver, and skin linked by vascular flow. The model allows for long-term studies and can be optimized for personalized therapy optimization in cancer and systemic diseases.

SourceColumbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalNature Biomedical Engineering·DateApr 27, 2022

An international consortium, led by IRB Barcelona and the biotechnology company Merus, reports the discovery of MCLA-158, the first clinical candidate screened in organoids targeting cancer stem cells of solid tumors

Researchers from IRB Barcelona and Merus have discovered MCLA-158, a bi-specific antibody targeting cancer stem cells. The treatment prevents metastasis and slows primary tumor growth in experimental models of cancer.

SourceInstitute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona)·JournalNature Cancer·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 25, 2022

ESMO Breast Cancer Congress 2022

The ESMO Breast Cancer Congress 2022 event will present more than 200 studies on various aspects of breast cancer, including new treatments and innovative clinical practices. The congress will be held onsite in Berlin, Germany, and online, offering a platform for breast cancer specialists to share knowledge and improve patient outcomes.