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 Michigan Medicine and Case Comprehensive Cancer Center identified the binding site where drug compounds can activate a key braking mechanism against cancer. This discovery paves the way for developing new anti-cancer drugs that enhance tumor suppressor proteins.
A team of researchers used genome-wide CRISPR technology to identify RNA-binding proteins, including Staufen2, that sustain and protect drug-resistant leukemia stem cells. Loss of Staufen2 led to a reduction in leukemia growth and improved survival in mouse models.
A new strategy to overcome drug resistance in leukemia uses targeted doses of doxorubicin, inhibiting molecular pathways that promote tumor growth and resistance. Low-dose doxorubicin also stimulates the immune system, clearing the way for cancer-targeting immune cells to act.
A new study found that inhibiting the cancer drug resistance gene MDR1 can have unintended side effects on specialized immune system cells called CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes. This could dull anti-cancer immune responses and increase vulnerability to infection. The research raises questions about the safety and utility of using systemi...
Researchers have discovered a new approach to overcome chemotherapy resistance in clear cell ovarian cancer by using low doses of 2-deoxy-D-glucose. The treatment has shown significant improvement in laboratory models and is expected to be safer for patients with reduced side effects.
The seven European cancer centers of Cancer Core Europe have shared their experiences and measures taken to adapt to the COVID-19 pandemic. They emphasize the importance of adapting clinical activities, communication with patients, qualified personnel, and regional collaborations to ensure continuity in cancer care.
Researchers at UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center identified a possible new drug, NSPP, that prevents cognitive decline in mice after radiation therapy for brain tumors. The study found the drug did not reduce radiation treatment efficacy.
Researchers at Lund University have developed a sensitive technique for delivering RNA molecules into cells, potentially opening up new avenues for treating cancer. The study uses cholesterol-linked siRNA and chloroquine to overcome the major obstacle of getting RNA molecules into the cell's cytosol.
Researchers at the Francis Crick Institute identified an experimental drug that prevents cancer from returning in mice. The drug, Quisinostat, works by increasing a protein called histone H1.0 within tumour cells, stopping them from replicating and growing.
A new study identifies key genes driving fibrolamellar carcinoma, a rare and deadly liver cancer. Researchers developed a cell model to test combination therapy strategies, including inhibitors of genes SLC16A14 and CA12, which showed promising results in killing tumor cells.
Researchers discovered that UM cells lacking the BAP1 protein activate mechanisms shutting down T lymphocytes, which are crucial immune cells fighting cancer. The study identified potential target molecules using existing drugs approved for other diseases, offering a promising approach to combat metastatic uveal melanoma.
Researchers at the University of Louisville are using the computing power of thousands of computers in classrooms across Kentucky to identify drugs to treat COVID-19. The DataseamGrid, a network of computers housed in classrooms, is being used to test over 11,000 drugs and compounds for potential effectiveness against SARS-CoV-2.
A study led by Washington State University researchers found that inhibiting the FOXO1 protein can protect the heart from cell death and atrophy caused by chemotherapy drugs like doxorubicin. This breakthrough discovery may lead to promising new treatment strategies or drugs that combine a FOXO1 inhibitor with doxorubicin.
Cancer drugs are detected in water systems due to human excretion and wastewater treatment facilities. Researchers urge proactive measures to identify potential gaps in knowledge regarding the consequences of anti-neoplastic exposure on aquatic organisms.
A Yale-led study found that a cancer therapy drug can slow T cell infiltration and reverse damage in kidney tissue damaged by lupus. The findings suggest the therapy might be beneficial for patients with lupus nephritis.
Daily marijuana users with severe pain reported worsening health over the past year, despite frequent cannabis use. The study found no association between marijuana use and changes in health status among those with low levels of pain.
A genetic variant in the MET gene has been identified as a driver of more aggressive growth in head and neck and lung cancers in Asians. The study suggests that targeting the variant may lead to improved disease outcomes through precision medicine.
A new study found that babies and young children with brain tumours tend to have better outcomes due to specific genetic weaknesses that can be targeted by existing drugs. Clinical trials are set to open to test the benefit of these precision medicines, offering a potential first-line treatment for infant brain tumours.
Researchers at the University of Virginia have identified inherited genetic variations that can predict patient outcomes and improve treatment success. By analyzing vast amounts of genetic data, doctors can now tailor treatments to individual patients' needs and genetic makeup.
A new report by global experts predicts that over 11 million children will die from cancer worldwide between 2020 and 2050 if no additional investment is made. However, the authors argue that sustainable care for children with cancer is affordable and achievable in all countries.
City of Hope researchers used lab-grown brain organoids to study the effects of cytomegalovirus on unborn babies, finding that a strain of HCMV can cause microcephaly by disrupting calcium signaling and brain development. The model could help identify potential therapies for the condition.
A new mouse model reveals that YAP activation exceeds a threshold for cancer development, suggesting a paradigm shift in understanding head-and-neck cancers. Inhibiting YAP may suppress cancer development and provide a target for treatments.
Engineers have developed a method to predict which mutations will occur in people, making it easier to create effective pharmaceuticals. The researchers used algorithms similar to those used in chemical physics to model how evolution works and found that biased random events play a big part in the evolution of resistance in leukemia.
A new case study using 5 head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cell lines shows improved drug screening through morphology and dead cell readouts. The research aims to enhance the value of cancer drug discovery and development success rates.
A recent study found that older cancer patients taking 15 or more medications prior to chemotherapy treatment had a 114% increase in hospitalization rates. The researchers also identified similar increases in breast and prostate cancer patients, with median medication counts of 6, 10, and 11 therapies respectively.
A new mass cytometry technique has identified key proteins in blood cancer cells, revealing why some cells are resistant to standard anti-cancer drugs. The research team hopes to apply this protocol to clinical trials to better understand why some cancers are resistant to therapies and match patients with more effective treatments.
Researchers at Texas A&M University have successfully harnessed bacteria's ability to create peptides with noncanonical amino acids, enabling the expansion of phage display libraries. This new method paves the way for new peptide-based therapeutics in cancer and other human diseases.
Death rates from metastatic melanoma dropped by nearly 18 percent between 2013 and 2016, thanks to new therapies that harness the immune system or target specific gene mutations. These advances in treatment have led to the largest yearly declines in deaths due to melanoma ever recorded.
Researchers at Duke-NUS Medical School in Singapore have identified a common therapeutic vulnerability for a genetically diverse and deadly form of leukemia. The study reveals that the polycomb repressive complex plays a critical role in driving progression to blast crisis, a nearly always fatal stage of the disease.
Researchers used a combination of CTLA-4 and PD-1 blockers to shrink the size of the viral 'reservoir' in SIV-infected monkeys. The treatment showed promising results, but did not prevent or delay viral rebound once antiviral drugs were stopped.
The new drug Ru-Pt combines cisplatin, phenylbutyrate, and a PDT drug into one compound, increasing the chances of killing all cancer cells. It shows significant efficiency in killing cancer cells and has a ten times higher efficiency for drug-resistant cell lines than single reagents.
A drug delivery candidate technology has been approved by the FDA for human clinical trials to treat T-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The technology, developed with an NFCR grant, addresses the challenge of delivering a cancer-mitigating compound, fenretinide, in adequate doses to tumor cells.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have discovered that statins can kill cancer cells by blocking the creation of a molecule necessary for their survival. The study suggests that statins may be valuable in combating certain types of cancer and could lead to new treatment options.
Researchers discovered that a combination of small molecules and CHK1 inhibitors can boost cancer cell killing, even in cancers resistant to current treatments. Targeting B-family DNA polymerases also increased effectiveness.
Researchers identified a potential intervention for triple-negative breast cancer by targeting the MYCN oncogene. Experimental drugs called BET inhibitors showed promise when combined with MEK inhibition in model systems overexpressing MYCN.
Researchers found that immunosuppressive therapy does not increase the occurrence or recurrence of vulvar or vaginal cancer in women with IBD, but an earlier onset was reported. Lymphomas were also found in some patients, which is rare in the genital tract.
A doctors' group is suing California for neglecting to add processed meat, such as hot dogs and bacon, to the state's cancer-causing substances list under Proposition 65. This move comes after experts classified consumption of processed meat as carcinogenic to humans, increasing risks of colorectal, breast, prostate, pancreatic, and ov...
Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital have discovered a new approach to cancer immunotherapy by reactivating the gasdermin E gene, which can convert 'cold' tumors into 'hot' ones that the immune system can target. The team showed that re-introducing gasdermin E in mouse models triggered pyroptosis and suppressed tumor growth in var...
Researchers found a toxic fungus previously thought to not be infectious in the sinus tissues of a man with refractory acute lymphocytic leukemia. The team successfully treated the infection using available antifungal drugs.
Researchers developed a substance that targets cancer cells with defective NAT2 gene, potentially treating colorectal cancer patients worldwide
Researchers at UC have discovered a mechanism that could lead to new immunotherapies for patients with head and neck cancers. By understanding how calmodulin interacts with ion channels in immune cells, scientists may be able to develop new treatments to restore the ability of these cells to enter and kill tumors.
Researchers have identified a new target in 'normal cells' for a potential treatment of triple negative breast cancer. Using PIK3Cδ inhibitors, the study found a reduction in tumour growth and improved survival outcomes when levels of the protein were controlled in surrounding healthy tissue.
The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) has published a list of high-impact measures for assessing quality improvements in cancer care. The recommendations reflect a landscape analysis from leading oncology experts and include endorsement of 15 existing measures and seven new concepts proposed for development.
The Annual Review of Cancer Biology has converted to open access, making its content freely available worldwide. The move is part of a pilot program called Subscribe to Open, which uses existing library relationships and subscription purchases to convert gated journals to open access.
Researchers have identified a promising new drug combination that can help the immune system target and kill cancer cells. By combining an anti-nausea drug with existing cancer treatments, the treatment works by altering the surface of tumor cells to make them more recognizable to the immune system.
Researchers discovered a new function of neurofibromatin, directly repressing estrogen receptor-alpha expression and causing treatment resistance in ER+ breast cancer. A combination therapy of SERD and MEK inhibitor was shown to be effective in animal models and is being tested in clinical trials.
Scientists have developed a free computer program called HemoSYS to quantify structural and functional changes in tumor blood flow networks. The tool provides insights into cancer progression and metastasis, potentially accelerating the development of new therapies targeting tumor blood vessels.
The City of Hope's innovative platform enables researchers to access and analyze the data from the California Teachers Study, a 25-year study on cancer, heart conditions, and Alzheimer's disease. This move aims to fast-track scientific discoveries and improve quality of life for people worldwide.
A pilot study at USC found that an MAO inhibitor called phenelzine can help patients with recurrent prostate cancer by disrupting tumor growth pathways. The drug has fewer side effects compared to standard hormone therapy treatments.
A new experimental platform for cancer diagnostics, prognoses, and testing cancer drugs has been developed by analyzing the extracellular matrix of tumor tissues. The platform uses protein fibers surrounding cells to predict disease risk and potential treatment efficacy in various patients with different types of cancers.
Researchers at NYU Abu Dhabi have designed nanocarriers to effectively deliver chemotherapeutics specifically to cancer cells, while minimizing exposure of healthy tissue. The nanoparticles demonstrate potent anticancer activity with a substantial reduction in tumor volume and mass.
Researchers found that inhibiting IDO1 protein helps radiation destroy tumor cells while preserving healthy tissue. Combining radiation with the inhibitor increased cell death within tumors and improved protection of healthy tissue.
Researchers at University of California, Irvine discovered that cancer cells use a process called macropinocytosis to obtain nutrients from dead cell material within tumors. This mechanism enables tumor cells to resist chemotherapy and other treatments, making it a promising target for new therapies.
A study led by the University of Southampton found that a new drug, GKT137831, can break down the barrier preventing lymphocytes from attacking cancer cells. This approach may significantly improve the success rate of cancer immunotherapy treatment for many patients.
Yong Lu and David Soto-Pantoja receive grants to study immunotherapy and cardiotoxicity, aiming to improve cancer treatment outcomes and prevent heart disease. Their research could lead to new approaches in combating metastatic and treatment-resistant cancers.
New research on cancer cells' interaction with their environment reveals the importance of physical cues in guiding cell migration. A novel optical tweezer-based tool probes mechanical cues to study tumor behavior.
Researchers at Ohio State University developed RNA nanoparticles to deliver chemotherapeutic drugs paclitaxel and camptothecin, increasing their water solubility and targeting tumor cells. The nanoparticles showed precise drug loading and retention of anti-tumor activity with minimal toxicity.
A clinical trial has found that a combination of ipilimumab and nivolumab immunotherapies can shrink tumors in 44% of patients with high-grade neuroendocrine cancer. The trial, DART, offers new hope for rare cancer treatment, which accounts for almost a quarter of all cancers diagnosed worldwide.
Researchers have identified two leukemia drugs that could be used to treat lung cancer patients with triple mutant EGFR, a type of non-small cell lung cancer. The drugs, gilteritinib and midostaurin, were found using a new live cell-based method developed by the University of Toronto team.
Researchers have identified a novel mechanism for repairing genetic mistakes, which involve cross-talk between enzymes that read and correct DNA recipes. This discovery has significant implications for our understanding of cellular processes and the development of treatments for diseases such as cancer.