Research on the drugs used to treat cancer and how well they work. Covers immunotherapy, chemotherapy-free regimens, biosimilars, targeted drugs, and treatment costs.
A new analysis suggests that most never-smokers' lung tumors have actionable mutations, making them treatable with existing FDA-approved drugs. The study found that 78-92% of lung cancers in patients who have never smoked can be targeted with precision drugs.
Researchers have developed a new cancer photodrug that can treat deep-seated tumors more effectively and with reduced toxicity. Copper cysteamine photosensitizers allow the production of reactive oxygen species to kill cancer cells, minimizing damage to healthy cells.
Researchers found that antidepressants inhibit the growth of pancreatic and colon cancers in mice by blocking a mechanism used by cancer cells to evade the immune system. The findings suggest a promising approach for combining antidepressant drugs with immunotherapy to treat incurable cancers.
A new study at Ohio State University's Comprehensive Cancer Center is using rapid autopsies to gather biological samples after death to better understand how cancer cells overcome different treatments. This approach has already led to novel findings about drug resistance mechanisms, including the recent approval of a targeted therapy f...
Researchers have identified a way to restore the effectiveness of drugs in clinical trials for treating AML by using human alpha(1)-acid glycoprotein (AGP) as a 'decoy' to bind and inhibit FLT3-mutated leukemia cells. The approach has potential for improving patient outcomes, particularly for patients with FLT3-mutated AML.
A study by Weill Cornell Medicine identified Oct2 as the key determinant of B-cell humoral immune response, suggesting that the destiny of antibody-producing cells is predetermined. This discovery may lead to new insights into tissue development and cancer development.
Patients with certain gene mutations are at high risk of fatal chemotherapy toxicity, with a 25-times increased risk detected in those with uncommon DPYD variants. The study suggests that adding pre-treatment screening may help prevent avoidable deaths without interrupting standard care.
Researchers discovered that new mutations in the BRAF gene can lead to gliomas growing back after treatment, suggesting personalized approaches to therapy. The study also explored potential impacts of COVID-19 vaccines on menstruation.
The University of Helsinki-led research project partners with UCSF to develop new therapies targeting MYC cancer gene vulnerabilities. The goal is to create next-generation cancer drugs that selectively kill cancer cells while leaving normal cells unharmed.
Bioengineer Kevin McHugh is developing a platform to improve the performance of injectable drugs, which often release diminishing amounts of medication over time. The goal is to create predictable, long-lasting delivery systems for better patient outcomes and reduced dosing frequency.
Researchers have developed an AI-powered platform that allows scientists to grow virtual tumors and optimize nanoparticle designs using artificial intelligence. The new EVONANO platform has the potential to improve targeted cancer treatments, enabling personalized therapies for individual patients.
Researchers find PADI4 and HIF-1 proteins work together to deliver oxygen and nutrients to tumors, allowing them to grow. The discovery provides new avenues for anti-cancer therapies targeting blood vessel development.
Researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine identified club cell factors that inhibit immunosuppressive cells in tumors, leading to increased antitumor T cells and improved effectiveness of PD1 immunotherapy. A
Novartis presents Phase III MONALEESA-2 study results demonstrating improved overall survival with Kisqali (ribociclib) in combination with letrozole. The analysis shows a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in survival, with median OS of 63.9 months.
A new trial run by UCL researchers shows promise in slowing the regrowth of tumors among some bowel cancer patients. The drug adavosertib was found to delay tumour growth by about two months on average and had relatively few side effects, particularly in left-sided/rectal tumours.
Researchers at MD Anderson Cancer Center presented new findings on novel therapeutic approaches, including cell therapy for solid tumors and antibody drug conjugates targeting TROP2. The therapies achieved partial responses in six patients, with an overall response rate of 35.3% and disease control rate of 70.6%.
Eosinophils, a type of white blood cell, play a crucial role in destroying malignant tumors by recruiting T-cells and releasing destructive proteins. The study, published in Cancer Research, reveals that eosinophils combat cancer effectively but require the help of T-cells to do so.
Scientists at the University of Birmingham have discovered a new pathway involving tetraspanin protein TSPAN6 that makes anti-EGFR drugs less effective in bowel cancer patients. The research findings could lead to better identification of patients who can benefit from these treatments.
Researchers have shown that physical exercise normalizes metabolic abnormalities caused by cancer, reducing anemia and associated fatigue. Exercise regenerates metabolism, blunting excessive blood cell formation and destruction, leading to improved tolerance of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
A multicenter clinical trial tested the use of lurbinectedin in patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC), which did not meet its primary end point of overall survival. However, the combination of lurbinectedin and doxorubicin was found to be active in patients with SCLC after one prior platinum-based chemotherapy.
Researchers found that ribociclib achieved pharmacologically-relevant concentrations in tumor tissue, while everolimus showed minimal penetration. The combination is promising for brain cancer treatment and could lead to new therapeutic drug combinations.
A new study suggests that T cell therapy alone or combined with cancer drug nivolumab is safe and persistent in attacking Hodgkin's lymphoma cells. The treatment showed promising results in patients with relapsed or refractory HL, offering a potential option for those who do not respond to checkpoint inhibitors.
Researchers at Tampere University identified a specific population of treatment-resistant cells that persists in prostate cancer tissue. This finding suggests that the presence of these cells can predict patient responses to treatment and may help tailor treatment for different subgroups of patients.
A study found that 1/3 of cancer drugs with accelerated approval fail to show clinical benefit in post-approval trials yet remain recommended in clinical guidelines. Researchers call for reforms to improve clarity on FDA approvals and withdrawals.
A new study by UBC researchers found that chemotherapy drug cisplatin is more likely to cause hearing loss in young children, particularly those under five years old. The study, published in Cancer, shows that the hearing of these children is impacted early during treatment and is affected to a greater extent than older children.
PLOS Medicine features five studies outlining novel strategies for detecting cancer and identifying minimal residual disease. Researchers discuss innovative approaches, including plasma cell-free DNA sequencing and urine tumor DNA detection, to distinguish between benign and malignant tumors.
Silent mutations, which don't change protein sequences, hold diagnostic value in predicting cancer types and patient survival. The study analyzed over 10,000 cancer genomes and found that combining information from silent and non-silent mutations improved classification and prognostication up to 17% and 5%, respectively.
A research team has developed a cell printing technology to produce 3D cancer spheroids with varying diameters and blood vessels. This enables the reproduction of cancer metastasis properties, paving the way for personalized cancer treatments.
Researchers have developed a new photodynamic tumor therapy that works for deep tumors, eliminating the need for external irradiation. The 'intelligent' drug consists of four components linked into a single molecule that brings its own light source and switches it on in acidic tumorous tissue.
A modified chemotherapy regimen for Burkitt lymphoma has been developed, combining CODOX-M and IVAC with rituximab, to reduce toxicity and improve survival rates. The study found a higher overall survival rate and lower frequency of severe side effects compared to standard regimens.
Researchers used a comprehensive knowledgebase to identify 22 actionable genes and 43 candidate drugs for biliary tract cancer, which may lead to the development of targeted therapies. The study's findings contribute to personalized treatment options for this rare tumor worldwide.
Researchers from the University of South Australia are conducting a new study to understand what works well and what needs improvement in clinical trials for cancer patients. The study aims to identify barriers to trial participation and inform best practice, ultimately improving access to clinical trials and systems across Adelaide.
Researchers from St. Petersburg Electrotechnical University LETI propose a novel approach to cancer treatment using magnetic nanoparticles for targeted drug delivery. The method aims to minimize cytostatics' toxic effects on healthy tissues while maximizing accumulation in tumor tissue.
A recent study found that 20% of children with cancer infected with SARS-CoV-2 developed severe infections, compared to 1-6% in general pediatric patients. The Global Registry of COVID-19 and Childhood Cancer also showed that cancer care was disrupted, with 56% of patients having modified treatment and 45% having chemotherapy withheld.
A Phase 2 trial found that combining cisplatin, gemcitabine, and berzosertib did not prolong progression-free survival in patients with urothelial cancer. The study suggests that berzosertib may have a negative impact on bone marrow, leading to reduced white blood cells and platelets.
Gastrointestinal stroma tumors (GIST) are rare cancers that can be problematic to detect and treat. Researchers have identified the mutational drivers for GIST in the stomach and found a potential drug therapy, temozolomide, which showed promising results in treating patients with specific mutations.
A study from Linköping University found that the tumour-inhibiting gene TET2 is silenced in most cases of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in children. The gene can be reactivated by treatment with an existing drug, 5-azacytidine, suggesting a targeted therapy for ALL in children.
Researchers have identified a new potential treatment for neuroblastoma by targeting the ALT mechanism, which is responsible for chemotherapy resistance. The study found that activating ATM kinase at telomeres promotes chemotherapy resistance in ALT neuroblastoma and suggests a cancer-specific approach to treating this disease.
A large retrospective analysis of 14,000 patients with colorectal cancer found that common blood-pressure drugs like ACE inhibitors and beta-blockers were associated with decreased mortality. Patients who took their blood-pressure drugs consistently were less likely to die from their cancer.
Researchers at SpheroFill are developing a unique oral drug delivery platform using microsphere technology, protecting drugs from degradation and enabling targeted release. This technology has the potential to improve medication compliance and delivery of sensitive biological drugs.
Researchers identified DSS1 as a critical protein in breast cancer progression and found that depleting it makes cancer cells more responsive to lower doses of anti-cancer drugs. This technique may reduce drug-induced side effects in breast cancer patients, providing a safer treatment option.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University successfully printed the first entirely active and viable glioblastoma tumor using a 3D printer. The 3D-bioprinted model includes functional blood vessels that simulate a real tumor, making it a promising tool for predicting treatment efficacy and drug development.
Researchers at the University of Huddersfield have developed a new approach to combat cancer treatment challenges by creating self-assembled drugs with high specificity towards human cancer cells. The breakthrough demonstrates unprecedented anti-cancer activity and selectivity in laboratory testing.
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital have identified two separate genetic alterations that enable triple-negative breast cancer cells to develop resistance to a highly effective drug. The findings could help improve therapy and prolong survival for patients with this aggressive form of breast cancer.
Researchers found that combining entinostat with immunotherapy boosted cancer remission in mice by increasing neoantigen-specific T cells. The combination therapy showed promise in the lab and is being tested in an ongoing clinical trial for people with advanced bladder cancer.
Researchers found that the drug Vismodegib altered tumor-associated macrophage metabolism, shifting them from immunosuppressive M2 macrophages to pro-inflammatory M1 macrophages. This shift led to a decrease in tumor-promoting properties and improved immune response.
Researchers found that some medications used to treat autoimmune rheumatic diseases can weaken the immune response to COVID-19 vaccines. Vaccination still induced an immune response in patients, but at a lower rate than in those without autoimmune diseases.
Fels and Fox Chase researchers found specific TET2 and DNMT3A mutations in leukemia patients that affect DNA repair pathways. These mutations make leukemia cells sensitive to PARP inhibitors, a type of targeted therapy, while others are resistant. The study aims to develop personalized therapies for patients with these mutations.
Researchers discovered that hypoxia induces regional variations in gene-expression patterns in pancreatic cancer, with specific subpopulations of cancer cells surviving under hypoxic conditions. These findings suggest a link between hypoxia and aggressive tumor behavior, highlighting the need for targeted treatments.
Scientists investigated a method to enhance immunotherapy for lung cancer and found that combining it with certain chemotherapy drugs could eliminate harmful immune cells. This approach showed promising results in preclinical studies, inducing the regression of about 70% of tumors.
Researchers at UVA Health System discovered that combining drug palbociclib with ruxolitinib could effectively treat myelofibrosis by preventing bone marrow scarring and improving blood cell counts. This potential new treatment offers a promising approach to devastating blood disorder.
A comprehensive molecular map of lung squamous cell carcinoma has identified potential new drug targets, including the gene NSD3, and highlighted immune regulation pathways that could help cancer evade immunotherapies. The study's findings have also revealed metabolic dysregulation and crosstalk between different cellular processes.
Researchers at UB aim to reduce unwanted toxicity in cancer treatments by combining antibody-drug conjugates with payload-binding selectivity enhancers. The five-year study may lead to safer and more effective treatments for 1.8 million US cancer patients.
A big data study from UNSW Sydney found that Australian cancer patients kept up their pharmaceutical treatments during last year's COVID-19 lockdowns. The researchers attribute the good news to relatively low rates of COVID-19 infections in Australia, which minimally impacted cancer treatment patterns.
A world-first study found that cancer patients receiving chemotherapy intravenously have more than double the risk of developing a blood clot or thrombosis if the vein is too small and the catheter occupies more than 45% of the vein. Researchers identified specific limits on catheter-to-vein ratios to reduce risks for cancer patients.
Researchers analyzed patient specimens and clinical trial data from thousands of patients to assess the importance of immune cell molecules called Fc gamma receptors (FCGRs) in the therapeutic efficacy of two antibody drugs. High levels of FCGR2B on tumor cells were found to prevent rituximab efficacy, while obinutuzumab was not impact...
A genetic variant in the TCERG1L gene has been identified as a risk factor for cisplatin-induced hearing loss in children with cancer, increasing the risk by three times. The finding could lead to predictive tests to inform treatment decisions and advance pediatric cancer care.
Researchers discovered how the H3K27M mutation causes diffuse midline glioma (DMG) and successfully reversed its effects with an EZH2 inhibitor. They call for clinical trials to begin, offering hope for improved treatments in the future.
A phase 2 clinical trial found that ibrutinib is a safe and effective treatment option for patients with relapsed or variant forms of hairy cell leukemia. The study, conducted at Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, showed improved cancer control for this high-risk patient group.
Researchers discovered that AML cells regulate mutant IDH2 activity through a master regulator, FLT3, to control 2-HG production. This understanding allows for better treatment options with current IDH2-targeting medications.