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 meta-analysis of 11 studies found that RTKI drugs with radiation therapy did not significantly improve survival rates but increased negative side effects. The study suggests holding RTKI drugs during radiation therapy to minimize side effects without affecting survival.
A study of over 13,000 cancer-free men found statin use was associated with a lower risk of developing prostate cancer. The association was strongest for aggressive tumors and only observed at high doses or long durations.
Researchers created a test using tumor organoids to predict how patients with advanced colorectal cancer respond to chemotherapy treatment. The test correctly classified 80% of patients treated with irinotecan, suggesting it could help identify those who won't benefit from toxic chemotherapies.
A new study from National University of Singapore (NUS) researchers has demonstrated a potential method for treating advanced liver cancers like hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Targeting the JAK/STAT signalling pathway, they found that a class of small molecule drugs can effectively reduce cancer progression in preclinical models, with...
Researchers at UTHealth are testing psilocybin to alleviate treatment-resistant depression, a condition that can be challenging to treat. The study aims to explore the therapeutic potential of psilocybin in changing brain perceptions and cognition.
A research team has identified a protein called Meflin in cancer-suppressing cells surrounding pancreatic cancer. Increasing Meflin levels can restrain cancer progression and may lead to new therapies against the disease.
A recent study reveals that thalidomide causes developmental abnormalities by inducing the breakdown of two types of p63 proteins, leading to limb defects and ear damage. The findings may contribute to the re-emergence of safe, non-teratogenic thalidomide-derived drugs as cancer and inflammatory disease treatments.
A new type of drug that blocks one of cancer's key evolutionary escape routes from chemotherapy has been shown to reinvigorate the response to chemotherapy in cancers that had become resistant. The drug, BOS172722, works by forcing cancer cells through cell division too quickly, leading to fatal errors.
A new study found that over half of people prescribed the cancer drug ibrutinib developed high blood pressure within six months, with a heightened risk of atrial fibrillation. Initiating blood pressure-lowering medications reduced major adverse cardiovascular events by 60%.
Researchers have observed the molecular level workings of a protein associated with many health problems, including P2X7 receptor. The discovery could lead to new treatments for conditions like inflammation, coronary artery disease, cancer, and multiple sclerosis.
A phase 1b/2 clinical trial found that adding cisplatin to a standard-of-care regimen resulted in 71% tumor shrinkage and increased survival beyond one year. The treatment showed encouraging results, with 64% of patients alive after one year and 40% alive after two years.
A new 3D structure made from protein fibers allows for the reliable growth of patient cancer cells, enabling doctors to test medications on model tumors grown from a patient's own cells. This breakthrough could lead to more effective treatments and better understanding of cancer biology.
Researchers are using cloning to recreate esophageal cancer development, identifying potential targets for therapies before the disease becomes fatal. The goal is to develop effective drugs in a fraction of the time it takes Big Pharma.
A phase III trial found that olaparib significantly delayed disease progression by about four months compared to enzalutamide and abiraterone, resulting in a 66 per cent greater delay. The study highlighted the importance of genomic testing in prostate cancer patients.
A study published in Nature Medicine suggests that whole genome sequencing of tumour cells can predict prognosis and identify effective treatments for patients with triple negative breast cancers. The technique reveals genetic signatures and mutations, providing clues to develop new drugs and improve treatment outcomes.
A new treatment approach for metastatic prostate cancer has shown promising results, delaying disease progression by more than double and potentially extending lives. The treatment targets genetic alterations that enable cancer cells to repair themselves, leading to significant extensions in time before the disease grows and spreads.
A modern chemotherapy drug is more effective against advanced prostate cancer than a second targeted hormone therapy, with cabazitaxel extending men's lives by an average of 3 months. The study suggests that cancer's lethal ability to develop drug resistance affects treatment response across precision medicines.
First-line osimertinib significantly lengthens overall survival compared to older generation EGFR-TKIs in patients with Ex19del/L858R EGFR mutated advanced non-small cell lung cancer. The median overall survival with osimertinib was 38.6 months, with over half of patients alive at three years.
Researchers from University of Colorado Cancer Center Department of Radiation Oncology won the IAEA safety competition by recognizing the importance of a positive attitude towards radiation safety and developing department-wide processes for communicating safety standards. The team used Safety Month as an opportunity to broadcast and t...
A comprehensive tobacco treatment program in an oncologic setting significantly improves smoking cessation rates, affecting patient outcomes with cancer who smoke. Average seven-day abstinence rates reached 44% at the nine-month follow-up.
Two studies investigated links between clinical benefit and pricing in Europe and the USA, finding that many new anti-cancer medicines had low added value. The median monthly cost of these drugs was EUR2,525 more than comparator drugs in Europe, but not associated with improved outcomes.
Researchers have discovered a key mechanism behind pancreatic cancer's aggressive growth, which may help explain why promising drugs work and when they won't. The finding identifies a weakness in the cancer cells' metabolism that could be exploited to improve treatment outcomes.
A Phase 1B study led by the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center demonstrated positive safety results for pegilodecakin when combined with pembrolizumab and nivolumab. The treatment showed promising anti-tumor activity in patients with non-small cell lung cancer and kidney cancer.
Cancer cells adapt to treatment with checkpoint blocker drugs by altering a metabolic process, leading to shorter survival for patients. The study suggests that identifying biomarkers of metabolic changes related to treatment with checkpoint blockers could help identify patients who might benefit from combination therapy.
African Americans have lower survival rates and shorter survival times after cancer diagnosis compared to other racial groups. A new NIH-funded study will investigate the impact of community, interpersonal, and individual factors on health-related quality of life for African American cancer survivors.
A researcher at the Oklahoma Tobacco Research Center has been awarded a five-year grant to study the long-term effects of vaping on human health. The study aims to examine the effects of vaping on respiratory function and determine if users become susceptible to other tobacco products.
Researchers at UCLA have identified a new drug delivery pathway that uses reengineered fat cells to deliver chemotherapy drugs directly to tumors, suppressing growth and preventing recurrence. The approach could also be applied to other lipid metabolism-related diseases.
Researchers have developed a new drug delivery strategy targeting K-Ras proteins, responsible for aggressive and untreatable cancers. The approach uses FTase and GGTase I inhibitors to disrupt the lipid modification of mutated K-Ras, blocking its proliferation.
Researchers discovered the mechanism behind cetuximab's effectiveness in patients with a specific KRAS gene mutation, which enables doctors to prescribe the drug to this patient group. This finding has direct clinical implications and could benefit up to 10,000 colorectal cancer patients per year.
A new study from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that oncologists dropped usage of two immunotherapies by 50% within six months of FDA label changes. The findings suggest that oncologists can quickly incorporate new guidelines into their practices.
A recent analysis found that most cancer drug submissions lack health-related quality of life data and fail the cost-effectiveness test. The study highlights the need for better reimbursement policies to balance costs and benefits of expensive cancer treatments.
Researchers use CRISPR gene editing and MICS to identify genes that can be targeted by drugs in cancer and regenerative medicine, revealing promising targets for cancer treatment. The technology also enables faster harvesting of desired cell types for therapy.
Researchers have discovered a new reaction that enables the production of indoline scaffolds, which are crucial for developing new medicines. By using nitrogen as a catalyst, the reaction can create complex assemblies more easily and efficiently.
Scientists at University of Bath have developed a new family of drugs that inhibit the AMACR protein, increasing effectiveness by 20-fold. The research provides promising avenues for treating prostate and other cancers.
A repurposed leukemia drug has been found to be effective in stopping childhood brain tumor medulloblastoma, attacking the disease from two sides and reducing the need for toxic combination therapies.
Researchers have developed a new therapy using tri-specific natural killer engagers (TriKE) to activate the patient's immune cells to attack cancer. The Phase I clinical trial aims to treat Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), a common and aggressive form of leukemia.
Researchers at LSU Health found that metformin can delay mammary gland development, enhance tumor growth and metastasis, and decrease AMPK activation. The study suggests metformin's therapeutic value in treating breast cancer in patients with low Nischarin expression levels.
A study has identified a potential new drug target in the fight against cancer by targeting a protein that blocks the primary gateways in mitochondria. The research found that mitoNEET can close voltage-dependent anion channels (VDACs), which normally allow metabolites and signaling molecules to pass through.
A recent study found that around half of cancer drug trials approved in Europe between 2014 and 2016 were at high risk of bias, indicating potential exaggeration of treatment effects. The findings highlight the need for improved trial design and reporting to ensure real benefits for patients.
Researchers found that targeting IL23, an immune molecule central to osteosarcoma development, can successfully shrink tumours in mice. The study provides hope for new treatments and repurposed therapy for this rare form of cancer.
A recent study by the SWOG Cancer Research Network found that nearly half of phase 3 cancer clinical trials sponsored by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) were associated with new cancer care guidelines or new drug approvals. The analysis suggests that NCTN trials contribute to cost-effective evidence guiding cancer patient care.
A new study found that combining a G12C KRAS inhibitor with two other compounds can significantly shrink lung tumours in mice and human cancer cells. This combination block the mTOR and IGF1R pathways, making it a promising avenue for treating lung adenocarcinomas with the deadly G12C KRAS mutation.
Patrick Sung, a leading BRCA expert, has received the National Cancer Institute's Outstanding Investigator Award, providing $6.1 million through 2026. His work focuses on understanding BRCA biology and its role in cancer initiation and progression.
SU2C Catalyst teams investigate new treatments for triple-negative breast cancer and metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer, combining medicines like atezolizumab and ipatasertib with radiation and hormone therapy.
A study found that men with the BRCA2 gene fault are almost twice as likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer and develop more serious tumours. Regular PSA testing could help detect these cancers earlier.
A $3 million Stand Up 2 Cancer grant supports a clinical trial evaluating a combination therapy to prevent triple-negative breast cancer recurrence. The trial will utilize a blood test to identify women at risk and harness the immune system to eliminate the cancer.
Biomedical engineers at Duke University developed a method to overcome limitations of gene-targeted cancer drugs by combining CRISPR/Cas9 targeting with sustained release drug delivery. This strategy effectively addressed potency, elimination, and resistance issues, demonstrating improved efficacy in mice with colorectal cancers.
Researchers at The Institute of Cancer Research have discovered the three-dimensional structure and function of the 'mix n match' protein DHX8, which helps control a process linked to cancer progression and drug resistance. This study opens up a potentially exciting new way to tackle drug-resistant cancers.
A new simulation software aims to enhance process knowledge and speed up biopharmaceutical manufacturing. Christian Witz's software shortens simulation times from months to hours, enabling more efficient troubleshooting and insights into processes.
A new study reveals that many cancer drug candidates fail in clinical trials due to off-target effects, rather than targeting essential molecular mechanisms. This unexpected finding challenges over 180 previous reports on the importance of specific proteins for cancer cell survival.
Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory identified 10 cancer drugs that don't work as expected, revealing an off-target effect. The discovery highlights the need for more accurate mechanism of action understanding in personalized medicine.
New studies show that KRAS gene mutations, common in colorectal and other cancers, vary in disease severity depending on the specific mutation and tissue location. The findings suggest that precision medicine approaches must be tailored to individual mutant forms of KRAS.
Researchers at Yale Cancer Center have identified a key metabolic pathway that enables cancer cells to adapt to their microenvironment and respond to nutrient availability. The study suggests that targeting this pathway with drugs may help treat various forms of cancer by preventing cancer cells from growing in nutrient-rich environments.
A pilot study under the Lung Cancer Master Protocol (Lung-MAP) found that most cancer patients lack a clear understanding of their genomic test results. The study revealed serious knowledge gaps about the potential uses of gene sequencing results, with only 86% correctly knowing their test results would select their treatment regimen.
Scientists at Scripps Research Institute have developed a new method for creating hindered ethers, which are integral to many drugs and commercial products. The new method uses electrochemistry and has improved production yield and reduced expense compared to traditional methods.
A clinical study comparing liquid and tissue biopsies finds multiple resistance mechanisms in individual patients, which could explain why targeted therapies often fail. The results suggest possible molecular mechanisms underlying drug resistance, pointing the way to new and more personalized therapeutics.
Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory have discovered a way to tackle the development of resistance in pancreatic cancer by targeting the ERBB signaling pathway. This approach has shown promise in shrinking pancreatic tumors in mice, providing a potential avenue for overcoming resistance and improving treatment outcomes.
The LIBRETTO-001 trial showed that selpercatinib achieved high response rates of up to 68% in patients with RET fusion-positive non-small cell lung cancer. The median duration of response was also notable at 20.3 months, with an intracranial objective response rate of 91%.
Gold-based molecules have shown to be up to 24 times more effective at killing cancer cells than cisplatin and inhibit tumour growth by up to 46.9%. They also target an enzyme linked with cancer progression and have anti-inflammatory properties.
A novel swallowable balloon device has been cleared by the FDA for clinical use, allowing for early detection of Barrett's esophagus and reducing the risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma. The test is more than 90% sensitive and non-invasive, making it a promising tool for screening and prevention.