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Making the invisible visible: A clearer ‘picture’ of blood vessels in health and disease thanks to new imaging approach

Researchers developed a new imaging approach called VascuViz to visualize blood vessels at different spatial scales. The method enables detailed mathematical models and complementary images to clarify the role of blood flow in health and disease, advancing our understanding of tissues throughout the body.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalNature Methods·DateFeb 28, 2022

Breast cancer overdiagnosis may not happen as frequently as previously thought

A modeling study suggests that breast cancer overdiagnosis may occur in about 15% of screen-detected cases, rather than the estimated 30%. This could spare around 25,000 women unnecessary treatment. Researchers used data from the Breast Cancer Surveillance Consortium to estimate the rate of overdiagnosis.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 28, 2022

Protein activity reveals new childhood ALL combination treatment strategy

Scientists at the Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology discovered a new combination treatment strategy for childhood T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) by analyzing protein activity. The study found that blocking specific proteins, such as LCK and SRC, in combination with an overactive chain reaction of INSR/IGF-1R, k...

SourcePrincess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 25, 2022

Traditional Chinese medicine, Shengmai Yin, improves the effects of radiation therapy, says new study in Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis

A new study found that traditional Chinese medicine Shengmai Yin increases the sensitivity of cancer cells to radiation, reducing radioresistance. By altering DNA methylation status, SMY enhances the efficacy of radiation therapy and reduces side effects.

SourceCactus Communications·JournalJournal of Pharmaceutical Analysis·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 25, 2022

Advancing our view at the subcellular level

Researchers at University of Cincinnati develop a new probe and imaging technique to study lysosomes, aiding in cancer and neurodegenerative disease research. The probe, known as EC Green, enables multidimensional analysis of lysosome dynamics and provides stable tracking capabilities.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalAdvanced Healthcare Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 25, 2022

Rebooting evolution

Scientists have developed a new computational tool that mimics the processes of natural selection, producing proteins for medicinal and household uses. This innovation reduces the time required for laboratory evolution from months or years to just days.

SourceCurtin University·JournalNature Chemical Biology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateFeb 24, 2022

University of Houston researcher finds a new biomarker and potential drug target for breast cancer

Researchers at the University of Houston have identified a new biomarker, NPY1R, that predicts therapy outcome and has potential as a drug target in estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer. The study found that NPY1R expression is associated with favorable outcomes in Luminal A subtype breast cancer, but declines in resistant cases.

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalScientific Reports·DateFeb 21, 2022

“Inflaming” cold tumors

Scientists at Technical University of Munich discovered a promising combination therapy for mesenchymal PDAC subtype, showing improved T-cell infiltration and cell cycle arrest when using nintedanib with trametinib. The treatment significantly improves the response of highly aggressive mesenchymal PDAC subtypes in mice.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalNature Cancer·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 3, 2022

Study of Penn patients with decade-long leukemia remissions after Car T cell therapy reveals new details about persistence of personalized “living drug” cells

Researchers discovered two patients with CAR T cell therapy achieved the longest-known remission to date, providing new details about treatment effects and outcomes. The study shows that the infused CAR T cells remained detectable for at least a decade, with sustained remission in both patients.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalNature·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 2, 2022

Tackling an epidemic

The opioid crisis in the US has reached epidemic levels, with over 100,000 drug overdose deaths reported for the first time. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention attributes the rise to abuse of synthetic opioid fentanyl and the COVID-19 pandemic.

SourceVeterans Affairs Research Communications·JournalThe Lancet·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateFeb 2, 2022

Antibody with engineered peptide targets bone metastasis

Researchers at Rice University and Baylor College of Medicine have created an antibody with an engineered peptide that effectively targets and attacks bone tumors in breast cancer. The study shows the therapeutic efficacy is best when a moderate amount of the drug compound is delivered, offering new hope for treating bone metastases.

SourceRice University·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 24, 2022

Matched targeted treatment based on ESCAT actionable genomic alterations associates with improved prognosis of cholangiocarcinoma patients

A study published in Clinical Cancer Research shows that matched targeted therapy according to ESCAT's ranking of genomic alterations significantly improves survival of cholangiocarcinoma patients. Patients with ESCAT tier I-II alterations had longer median overall survival compared to those with non-actionable alterations.

SourceVall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology·JournalClinical Cancer Research·DateJan 18, 2022

Researchers reduce breast cancer metastasis in animal models by modifying tumor electrical properties

Researchers at Tufts University have found that manipulating voltage patterns in tumor cells can significantly reduce tumor cell invasion and metastasis in animal models. Using FDA-approved ion channel blockers, they were able to normalize cell voltages, decrease tumor growth, and limit the spread of cancer cells.

SourceTufts University·JournalEBioMedicine·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 11, 2022

Penn Medicine awarded $14 million NIH grant to apply CAR T immunotherapies to match more patients in need of kidney transplants

A clinical trial will harness synthetic chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells to deplete immune B cells and plasma cells producing donor-specific antibodies, aiming to achieve a compatible kidney match for patients with pre-existing antibodies. The NIH-funded study, led by Penn Medicine, intends to begin enrolling patients in 2022.

A new post-surgery approach for treating HPV-related throat cancer uses less radiation safely and spares the majority of patients from chemotherapy

A new post-surgery approach for treating HPV-related throat cancer uses low-dose radiation and spares the majority of patients from chemotherapy. The trial found high survival rates and quality of life in patients at medium risk for recurrence.

SourceECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateDec 21, 2021

UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center study details chromosome-level changes that allow melanomas to develop drug resistance

Researchers developed a model of drug resistance in melanoma, revealing mechanisms involving extrachromosomal DNA amplifications and intrachromosomal chromosomal rearrangements. The study found that different forms of DNA offer 'fitness' advantages to tumor cells under varying therapeutic conditions.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalCancer Discovery·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 20, 2021

The inaugural WHO classification of childhood tumors will provide a unified, updated resource for the diagnosis of pediatric cancers

The inaugural WHO classification of childhood tumors presents a single, updated compendium of all tumor entities in childhood or adolescence, divided by organ sites. This classification incorporates traditional morphology, immunohistochemistry, and molecular characteristics to provide essential criteria for definition of tumor types.

SourceAmerican Association for Cancer Research·JournalCancer Discovery·DateDec 17, 2021

Repurposed drug shows improved results with combined therapy for triple negative breast cancer

Researchers at Houston Methodist have discovered a new combination therapy that regresses tumor growth of triple negative breast cancer and prevents the cancer from spreading. The response rate using this therapy is about 50%, compared to 25-30% with older drugs, offering new hope for patients with hard-to-treat breast cancers.

SourceHouston Methodist·JournalScience Translational Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateDec 15, 2021