Research on the drugs used to treat cancer and how well they work. Covers immunotherapy, chemotherapy-free regimens, biosimilars, targeted drugs, and treatment costs.
Researchers at McMaster University have discovered a dopamine receptor pathway that becomes abnormally activated in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cancer stem cells. This led to the clinical investigation of thioridazine as a new therapy for adult AML patients, revealing encouraging results.
Ruth Plummer, a renowned Clinical Professor and Honorary Consultant Medical Oncologist, has been awarded the TAT 2021 Honorary Award. Her tireless work in clinical trials has led to the development of numerous standard treatments for proven patient benefit.
Researchers identified two unique subtypes of NPM1-mutated Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), one potentially treatable with existing drugs, and the other requiring new therapeutic approaches. This discovery may lead to improved treatment outcomes and personalized medicine for patients.
Researchers found that disrupting the effect of the tumor microenvironment on immune cells in mice allowed for shrinking tumors, prolonging survival and increasing sensitivity to immunotherapy. Silencing a key protein MCT1 caused tumor growth to slow down and killer T cells could attack cancer.
A SWOG Cancer Research Network trial found cabozantinib to be the most effective treatment for patients with metastatic papillary kidney cancer, with a median progression-free survival of 9.2 months compared to 5.6 months with sunitinib. Additionally, 23% of patients experienced significant tumor reduction with cabozantinib.
The combination of lenvatinib and pembrolizumab significantly improved overall survival, progression-free survival, and response rates compared to sunitinib in untreated patients with metastatic kidney cancer. The study results demonstrate the importance of immune checkpoint inhibitors in first-line treatment.
Researchers have identified a potential revolutionary drug combination that is 'spectacularly effective' in eradicating DIPG cancer cells. The treatment, a combination of difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) and AMXT 1501, was found to be highly effective in animal studies and pre-clinical testing.
A new class of antibiotic-drug conjugate (ADC) drugs has been found to significantly increase the survival rate of patients with bladder cancer. The study, led by Queen Mary University of London, showed that the drug reduced the risk of death by 30% compared to chemotherapy, with a median survival time of approximately 13 months.
A study published in Nature Communications found that green tea compound epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) preserves the tumor-suppressing protein p53 from degradation. This interaction increases p53 levels, which can aid in DNA repair and destroy cancerous cells.
Researchers discovered that immunomodulatory drugs like lenalidomide and pomalidomide starve cancer cells by destabilizing essential surface proteins, ultimately inhibiting tumor growth. This finding opens up new possibilities for targeted therapies in multiple myeloma.
Researchers develop new strategy to stop glioblastoma cell growth by inhibiting PRMT5 enzyme, leading to cellular senescence and tumor suppression. The study provides hope for treating this deadly brain cancer with a new class of drugs.
A new study reveals that nearly every cell has its own clock, which controls various aspects of homeostasis and organ function. Disruption of the clock can lead to diseases such as diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular disease, highlighting the importance of tuning our internal time with the environment.
Researchers developed a metal organic framework (ZIF) that improves the delivery and sustained release of cancer immunotherapy drugs like nivolumab, targeting leukemia cells with minimal toxicity. Coating ZIF with a cancer cell membrane enhances accurate delivery to solid tumors.
A recent study published in PLOS Pathogens identified a key pathway that Ebola uses to gain entry into human cells. The researchers found that a specific FDA-approved drug can prevent the virus from using this pathway, potentially leading to new treatment options for Ebola patients.
A new study reveals that the behavior of p53, a key tumor-suppressor protein, over time determines whether tissues can survive radiation exposure. In vulnerable tissues, p53 levels remain high, leading to cell death, while in more radioresistant tissues, p53 levels oscillate, allowing cells to survive.
A new drug, ProAgio, has been shown to be effective in treating pancreatic cancer and prolonging survival in mice. It works by inducing apoptosis in cancer-associated fibroblasts, reducing the dense stroma that protects tumors from immune systems and conventional drugs.
Researchers found bevacizumab significantly improved blood oxygen levels, body temperature, and inflammatory markers in severe COVID-19 patients. The treatment also reduced the need for oxygen support and shortened hospital stays.
Researchers found fecal transplant increased immune cell activation and decreased immunosuppression in responders, suggesting a link between gut microbiome changes and treatment effectiveness. The study's results raise hope for microbiome-based therapies of cancers.
A new study suggests that fecal microbiota transplants can help patients with advanced melanoma respond to immunotherapy drugs. After receiving a transplant, six out of 15 patients showed improved cancer stability or tumor reduction.
Researchers studied how modern immunotherapeutic anti-cancer drugs interact with the immune system, finding that tiny molecular motions are key to their effectiveness. The study, published in Cancers, reveals how these drugs bind to specific receptors on killer cells without activating them.
A University of Colorado Boulder study suggests that existing PARP inhibitors for hereditary breast and ovarian cancers may not work as intended. The research reveals a previously unknown interaction between the PARP protein and HPF1, which could lead to more effective treatments by targeting this co-protein.
Researchers at the University of South Australia have developed a new 3D printed oesophageal stent that contains an active pharmaceutical ingredient, allowing for sustained anti-cancer medication delivery directly to the cancer site. This technology has the potential to revolutionize treatment for patients with oesophageal cancer.
Researchers at Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation have developed a breast cancer-on-a-chip system to test immunotherapy drugs. The chip enables high-volume testing of immunotherapeutic drugs against tumor cells, allowing for the rapid screening of potential treatments.
Dr. Mikhail V. Blagosklonny reviews drugs that extend lifespan and healthspan in mammals, including rapamycin and metformin. He concludes that using these drugs could be the only way to live longer, given current understanding of aging.
Houston Methodist researchers created a mathematical model to predict how specific cancers will respond to immunotherapy treatments, enhancing chances for successful treatments. The model uses laws of physics and chemistry to describe complex biological systems involved in immunotherapy treatment and the associated immune response.
A study by University of Iowa researchers found that administering a neuroprotective compound during pregnancy can prevent long-term neurodevelopmental problems associated with prenatal stress. The research showed that the compound, P7C3-A20, protected the developing brain from damage caused by chronic prenatal stress.
Researchers at Tokyo University of Science explore the structure of porphyrin derivatives to selectively target cancer cells and improve drug delivery. They found that meso-derivatives accumulate in cells at 3-fold higher amounts than β-derivatives, and that smaller functional groups allow better aggregation.
Researchers have designed a new way to deliver drugs to pancreatic tumors using nanoparticles, which effectively targets the disease while minimizing toxic side effects. The technology has shown promising results in suppressing cancer cell growth and increasing sensitivity to chemotherapy drugs.
The Lung-MAP trial has amassed a scientifically valuable cache of data and biospecimens from 3,021 patients. Research presentations at the World Conference on Lung Cancer highlighted associations between tumor mutational burden and clinical outcomes to immunotherapy.
Researchers identified genetic and gene expression changes that can predict tumor response to immunotherapy, with higher mutation rates linked to better outcomes. The study's findings aim to improve treatment decisions and identify alternative options for patients who don't respond to current treatments.
Researchers developed a technique combining dPCR and HSAFM to diagnose DNA rearrangement mutations with high accuracy and low cost. The technology accurately identified FLT3 gene mutations in patients with acute myeloid leukemia, offering a potential powerful tool for cancer diagnosis.
Researchers develop innovative approach to treating bone tumors by starving cancer cells of their energy source, potentially replacing toxic chemo with a less harmful treatment. The two-drug combination showed promise in mice studies, outperforming a commonly used chemotherapy drug without severe side effects.
A study published in JAMA found that the risk of stroke following a transient ischemic attack (TIA) has decreased over time, from 23.9% to 7.6%. Despite this improvement, patients with TIAs still face a significant risk of subsequent stroke, emphasizing the need for ongoing monitoring and management of cardiovascular risk factors.
Northern Arizona University will test Allarity drug stenoparib against the highly infectious Coronavirus Variant B117, a variant found in the UK and US that spreads more easily than other variants. The testing aims to validate the antiviral activity of stenoparib against this variant.
Researchers developed a BCL strategy to generate highly potent tumor-targeted drugs from non-toxic compounds within the tumor, avoiding decomposition and side effects. The targeting drug Ru-rhein exhibits high anti-cancer activity against lung cancer cells while being non-toxic to normal cells.
Researchers discovered that triplatinNC changes the geometry of heparan sulfate, blocking its splitting and preventing tumor cell migration. This finding opens possibilities for designing anti-metastatic platinum complexes.
Small cell lung cancer cells lack surface protein NKG2DL, allowing them to hide from immune system. Researchers found that expressing this protein on their surfaces can trigger an immune response and lead to smaller tumors with more activated immune cells.
Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a novel therapy that uses synthetic nanoparticles to trigger the destruction of lymphoma cells by depriving them of cholesterol. This approach has potential for targeting other cancers with an appetite for cholesterol, such as kidney and ovarian cancer.
Researchers at Kanazawa University have found that combining alectinib with ixazomib, a proteasome inhibitor, restores the efficacy of alectinib in patients with NSCLC who develop secondary TP53 mutations. This combination therapy has shown promising results in preclinical trials.
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati have developed a new combination therapy that combines radiation therapy with an approved drug to make it more effective in treating head and neck cancer. The study found that the drug alone reduced cancer cell growth by up to 90% and increased the efficacy of radiation treatment by 40%.
Researchers develop bioengineered microscale organotypic models (BMOMs) to address cancer treatment limitations. BMOMs can be integrated with microscopes and sensors to monitor biological processes in high resolution, reducing the need for animal models.
A new study from Penn Medicine reveals that patients with inactive cancer and not currently undergoing treatments are significantly more likely to experience severe COVID-19 illness. The research highlights the importance of COVID-19 mitigation measures, such as social distancing and mask-wearing, and vaccinations for all patients.
Researchers propose improved tumor models to personalize cancer treatment by analyzing patient-derived samples and clinical trials data. This approach aims to accelerate the pace of cancer research, facilitating faster and more reliable drug testing.
A randomized clinical trial found that pre-surgery chemotherapy did not improve survival rates in early-stage pancreatic cancer patients, but it is a safer alternative. The study paved the way for further treatment testing and molecular analysis of tumor tissue.
A new drug targeting enzymes involved in myristoylation has shown promise in treating both breast and blood cancers. Researchers found that patients with specific enzyme NMT2 were more likely to die, and the drug slowed tumour growth by 90% in mice with human breast cancer.
Scientists have discovered a link between nicotine and the spread of breast cancer cells into the lungs, which can lower survival rates by 33%. Nicotine exposure creates an environment ripe for metastatic growth, attracting immune cells that promote tumor growth.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have developed a new experimental therapy that prevents premature birth using nanosized particles of drugs. The treatment decreases contractions in uterine muscles and could be a clinical option for preventing preterm labor.
Researchers have developed ultra-small nanomedicines that stably deliver oligonucleotides to refractory cancers, such as brain tumors and pancreatic cancer. These nanomedicines use Y-shaped block copolymers and nucleic acid drugs, achieving high permeability in cancer tissues and stability in the bloodstream.
A new method, D2O-CANST-R, allows for rapid and precise tracking of metabolic changes in cancer cells at the single-cell and single-organelle level. This approach has the potential to reveal the metabolism in a cancer cell with very fine details and distinguish between effective and ineffective drugs.
Researchers have identified two drugs that work synergistically to promote significant anti-leukemia activity when combined, but only weakly effective when used alone. The study found that the combination of MDM2 inhibitors and BET inhibitors unleashes the full anti-cancer activity of p53 in AML patients.
Researchers at Duke-NUS Medical School have designed armoured immune cells that can target hepatocellular carcinoma, a common type of primary liver cancer, without being affected by immunosuppressive drugs used to prevent organ rejection. The T cells remain effective for up to four days before regaining sensitivity to the drugs.
The event aims to address current and future challenges in cancer drug development through panel discussions with eminent speakers. Delegates will learn about key areas for innovation and collaboration to improve cancer treatment.
Researchers at UNH discovered a new inhibitor drug combination that effectively reduces growth and kills WM cancer cells, offering more treatment options. Adding venetoclax or panabinostat to BET inhibitors shows improved efficacy in treating Waldenström macroglobulinemia.
A new study stratified tumors into 112 subtypes and found Master Regulator proteins control the transcriptional state of each subtype. Targeting these proteins with novel drug classes could benefit a larger fraction of patients. The analysis identified 24 Master Regulator modules, mechanistically controlling cancer cell survival.
Researchers from Duke-NUS Medical School in Singapore and Columbia University in the US have solved the molecular structure of Wnt proteins and their dedicated transporter protein, Wntless. The study reveals a promising drug target for cancer treatment, with a made-in-Singapore anti-cancer drug, ETC-159, showing potential.
A new study found that up to 20% of glioblastomas are fueled by overactive mitochondria, making them potentially treatable with current clinical trial drugs. Researchers discovered four types of brain cancer, including the mitochondrial subtype, which has a slightly better prognosis.
The study identified three distinct subtypes of HPV-negative head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) with varying prognoses. The subtypes CIN, Basal, and Immune showed potential for different treatments, including CDK4/6 inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies targeting EGFR, and immune checkpoint inhibitors.
Researchers at Indiana University School of Medicine have discovered a promising treatment approach for preventing acute graft-versus-host disease, a common complication of blood stem cell transplantation. The study found that using the oral drug sitagliptin reduces the risk of GVHD by inhibiting immune T cell activation.
A study identifies three molecular subtypes in HNSCC, suggesting different therapy options for EGFR, CDK, and immunotherapy. Biomarkers like EGFR ligands and Rb phosphorylation status may help select patients for targeted treatments.
A new UCL study found that combining heat treatment with chemotherapy delivered via magnetic nanoparticles killed cancer cells more effectively than chemotherapy alone. The therapy showed synergistic effects, enhancing the effectiveness of both treatments when combined. Heat treatment can reduce side effects by targeting only cancer ce...