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 anti-cancer agent has been developed that targets glutathione in cancer cells, switching it off and causing tumor shrinkage. The catalyst-based therapy accumulates specifically in tumor tissue, showing promising results in animal studies and potential for further human trials.
TYRA-300 shows promise in treating metastatic bladder cancer patients with FGFR3 gene mutations, achieving a 50% overall response rate and 100% disease control rate. The treatment also displays improved tolerability with lower side effects compared to existing pan-FGFR inhibitors.
Researchers have discovered key mutations in certain cancer cells that render WRN inhibitors ineffective. The study found that prolonged exposure to these inhibitors can lead to the acquisition of mutations in the WRN gene, allowing cancer cells to survive and develop resistance.
The Colorectal Cancer Alliance's Project Cure CRC has awarded nearly $5 million in research grants to advance urgent science in colorectal cancer. Recent awardees are working on topics such as radioimmunotherapy, CRISPR technology, and the protein drug ProAgio to better understand and treat this disease.
A clinical trial suggests that tucatinib and trastuzumab may benefit patients with rare bile duct cancer who also have HER2-mutated breast cancer. The treatment combination showed a 46.7% objective response rate in patients with bile duct cancer, compared to 22.2% in the broader patient group.
Dr. Fyodor Urnav proposes a set of initiatives to address the crisis, including pooling patients by syndrome and permitting multiple gene editors in a single Investigational New Drug application. This approach aims to accelerate the development of CRISPR therapies for rare genetic diseases.
Researchers found that WNTinib significantly delayed tumour growth and extended survival in mice with hepatoblastoma cells harboring CTNNB1 mutations. The treatment also showed promise in shrinking tumors in patients' tumor tissue models, with some tumors disappearing completely.
Polyploidy, a state with extra genetic material, allows cancer cells to survive longer under DNA damage. This phenomenon explains why some cancers are resistant to anti-cancer drug treatments.
A new study has identified four categories of cancer mutations that cause drug resistance, providing targets for drug development and potential effective second-line therapies. The research highlights DNA changes that could be explored further to treat patients with specific genetic mutations.
Glioblastoma, the most malignant primary brain tumour, has an 18-month median survival rate despite treatment. New research from the University of Ottawa suggests a drug used to slow ALS progression may also suppress glioblastoma's self-renewing cancerous stem cells.
Researchers discovered a previously unknown class of compounds in the fungus Bipolaris victoriae S27 that effectively kill colorectal cancer cells. The most effective compound, bipoterpride No. 2, targets the DCTPP1 enzyme and shows promise as a potential new treatment option.
Researchers found that the oral medication palbociclib stabilized tumor growth and reduced blood tumor marker levels in patients with peritoneal mucinous carcinomatosis, a form of appendix cancer often resistant to standard chemotherapy. The study's findings introduce a first targeted therapy for this rare disease.
Researchers at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have developed a highly selective inhibitor for Matrix Metallopeptidase 7 (MMP7), an enzyme crucial for cancer spread and progression. The novel peptide D'20 demonstrates remarkable stability and selectivity, targeting MMP7 while leaving similar enzymes unaffected.
A global analysis of new cancer drug launches between 1990 and 2022 found significant disparities in availability and timeliness, with poorer countries missing out. The gap between rich and poor nations widened over three decades, suggesting such inequities may explain poor cancer outcomes in many lower-income countries.
A new study found that 5-fluorouracil kills cells by interfering with RNA synthesis, not DNA damage. The findings suggest that combining 5-FU with drugs affecting RNA synthesis could make it more effective in patients with gastrointestinal cancers.
Researchers identified AM-101 as a potential new way to enhance radiation therapy for patients with lung cancer that has spread to the brain. The drug's ability to activate GABA(A) receptors increases autophagy in lung cancer cells, making them more sensitive to radiation treatment.
Researchers at CNIO propose a new treatment for brain metastasis by targeting pro-tumour astrocytes with immunotherapy. They identified TIMP1 as a biomarker to predict when immunotherapy is effective, and a clinical trial is underway to test the therapeutic efficacy of silibinin inhibition.
Scientists at RIKEN CPR created a method to change albumin's molecular ID card, allowing for targeted treatments against diseases like cancer. The new technology can transport proteins out of the body, mimicking drug delivery and removal.
A new trial suggests that adding immunotherapy to chemoradiation can extend survival in patients with limited-stage small cell lung cancer. However, the findings also indicate that delivering the treatments at different times yields varying results, with concurrent treatment not offering improved survival benefits.
Researchers at ETH Zurich have found an antidepressant, vortioxetine, effective against glioblastomas, a particularly aggressive brain tumor with no cure. The drug's ability to cross the blood-brain barrier and trigger a signalling cascade makes it promising for treating this deadly tumour.
Researchers discovered ponsegromab, a monoclonal antibody, improves symptoms of cachexia by blocking the GDF-15 hormone. The treatment shows minimal side effects and boosts weight gain and patient activity in cancer patients.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University discovered that aneuploid cells, which have an abnormal number of chromosomes, are more susceptible to certain types of anticancer drugs. The studies found that disrupting the MAPK pathway increases the sensitivity of these cancer cells to chemotherapy.
Researchers found a significant reduction in nosebleed severity, fewer transfusions, and improved quality of life in patients with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia treated with pomalidomide. The trial's results offer hope for people with this rare bleeding disorder.
Researchers at NYU Abu Dhabi have developed nanoscale covalent organic frameworks (nCOFs) modified with peptides to treat triple-negative breast cancer. The COFs selectively release drug cargo within the acidic environment of tumors, improving treatment effectiveness and minimizing side effects.
A new study by Michigan Medicine found that the Inflation Reduction Act's limit on Medicare Part D spending leads to significant savings for cancer patients prescribed oral chemotherapy. The average annual cost for these medications decreased from $11,284 in 2023 to $3,927 in 2024, resulting in median cost savings of $7,260.
Researchers at UCSF develop a method to target GTPases, enzymes involved in Parkinson's and many other diseases, by using drugs targeting the K-Ras oncogene. This approach reveals new drug binding sites that could not be predicted by computational tools.
A 23-year-old patient with severe systemic lupus erythematosus achieved complete symptom relief after five injections of teclistamab, a cancer medication. The treatment significantly improved kidney function, blood levels, and reduced inflammation in the skin and joints.
Researchers discovered that low-oxygen environments play a crucial role in driving pancreatic cancer cell transformation into aggressive types. Disabling specific genes and using EZH2 inhibitors can reverse this process, suggesting new treatment possibilities for the disease.
Scientists at Van Andel Institute and Icahn School of Medicine have developed a potent anti-cancer compound that inhibits cancer cell growth in MLL-rearranged leukemia. MS-41 effectively targets and degrades ENL, a protein essential to the progression of leukemia cells.
Researchers have developed a novel, more selective inhibitor of the human immunoproteasome using a bacterially derived natural product. The new compound targets autoimmune diseases without disrupting other cellular mechanisms.
Researchers have identified certain times of the day when cancer cells are most responsive to medication-based treatments, suggesting personalized treatment plans could improve efficacy and reduce side effects. The study used a method called high-throughput deep phenotyping to analyze the circadian rhythms of breast cancer cell lines.
A phase II clinical trial found that olaparib, a precision oncology drug, can induce durable complete remissions in recurrent prostate cancer patients with BRCA2 mutations. The study showed that 13 participants, including all 11 with BRCA2 mutations, had a decrease in PSA of at least 50% after treatment.
A computational model can predict which drugs will be most effective in treating diseases caused by mutations that bring protein synthesis to a halt. The predictive model, RTDetective, accelerates the design, development, and efficacy of clinical trials for genetic disorders and cancers.
A new study published in Nature Medicine shows that precision therapy can improve survival for men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. The treatment, which involves analyzing the genetic profile of the tumor, has been shown to be more effective than chemotherapy in patients whose tumors have specific mutations.
The Ontario Institute for Cancer Research is providing nearly $6 million to eight research teams across Ontario, supporting studies that aim to diagnose and treat cancers more effectively. The Clinical Translational Pathway program will advance new discoveries and bring them to the healthcare system.
Scientists discovered a way to kill pancreatic cancer in mice by combining a ketogenic diet with an existing cancer drug. The diet blocks the cancer's only source of fuel, allowing the drug to take effect and shrink tumors. This finding opens a new vulnerability for treating cancer with diet and personalized therapies.
Researchers highlight the need to develop new anti-angiogenic agents to improve cancer treatment efficacy, citing knowledge gaps in human clinical trials. The review recommends considering tumor mutations, microenvironment, and patient profiles to select optimal AAD combinations.
A trial at UT Health San Antonio found that Sacituzumab Govitecan was well-tolerated and showed signs of effectiveness for patients with breast cancer who had progressed to brain tumors. The drug has been shown to deliver a topoisomerase inhibitor into tumors, providing promising clinical signals of efficacy.
A new editorial published in Aging suggests that starting targeted cancer therapies with high concentrations may slow down the selection for resistance. This approach could potentially be used as a preemptive measure to minimize the development of resistance.
A recent study published in CANCER found that patients with metastatic non–small cell lung cancer treated with immunotherapy had improved overall and cancer-specific survival rates compared to those without it. The median overall survival was eight months, while cancer-specific survival was 10 months.
A study of non-statin cholesterol-lowering medications found that cholesterol absorption inhibitors were associated with a 31% lower odds of liver cancer risk. Statin use was also linked with a 35% lower risk. Fibrates, omega-3 fatty acids, and niacin showed no association.
Researchers developed a new approach to combat cancer by hyperactivating tumor cells, making them stressed and vulnerable to specific drugs. The combination strategy showed promising results in colorectal and pancreatic adenocarcinoma models, paving the way for potential treatment options.
A recent study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology found that combining different chemotherapy drugs improves testicular cancer's treatability and often curability, even after first-line treatment fails. The study showed a nearly 80% response rate and no significant drop-off in survival over 10 years.
A novel strategy using venetoclax and azacitidine demonstrates significant anti-cancer effect with mild toxicity for relapsed/refractory AML patients. The treatment showed markedly better survival rates after one year compared to a control group, with improved 'graft-versus-leukemia effects' via alterations of immune cells.
Researchers have developed a new technique called burst sine wave electroporation (B-SWE) that can disrupt the blood-brain barrier around brain tumors without causing significant damage to healthy tissue. This method shows promise for treating aggressive brain cancers like glioblastoma, which currently have limited treatment options.
Researchers at Tufts University have identified the immune cells driving cardiac inflammation in cancer patients taking doxorubicin, a commonly used chemotherapy drug. Blocking these cells could potentially prevent cardiac damage and make treatment safer for patients.
A new study published in JAMA Network Open found that hormone modulating therapy (HMT) used to treat breast cancer was associated with a 7% lower risk of developing Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. The protective effect of HMT decreased with age, particularly for women over 80.
Researchers discuss the use of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) in treating biologically aggressive tumors, such as uterine serous carcinoma. The ADC T-DXd has shown remarkable preclinical activity against primary USC cells lines and xenografts overexpressing HER2/neu.
Researchers at the University of Plymouth have discovered that administering a HDAC6 inhibitor prior to radiotherapy can inhibit cellular growth and increase cell death in meningioma samples. This promising approach could lead to improved treatment outcomes for malignant meningioma patients.
Researchers at Linköping University created a tool to predict risk of persistent side effects in breast cancer patients treated with taxane drugs. The model uses genetic characteristics to forecast the risk of nerve damage, which can be used to adapt treatment and improve patient outcomes.
Pharmacogenomics (PGx) testing can predict how patients will respond to systemic therapies, enabling personalized treatment plans and optimizing medication dosages. A specific gene variant, HSD3B1, has been linked to castration-resistant prostate cancer progression.
The University of Texas at Arlington's Junha Jeon is developing transition metal-free cross-coupling technologies using arynes to deliver medications safely and effectively. This project aims to improve the production of drugs, particularly for cancer treatment, by reducing impurities left behind by metals.
Researchers describe a new concept for an immune response against cancer and aging using senescent cell-derived vaccines. The vaccines aim to stimulate the immune system against cancer cells and slow down or reverse aging-related diseases.
A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that specific exercise concomitant with chemotherapy can prevent nerve damage in many cases. The exercises reduced the incidence of CIPN (chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy) by 50-70% and improved patients' perceived quality of life.
Researchers at CeMM have identified a synthetic variant inspired by the Withanolides group that acts highly specifically against leukemia cells. The molecule disrupts the cholesterol metabolism of tumor cells.
Researchers at Purdue University have developed a patent-pending compound called HSN748 to treat drug-resistant acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The compound has been validated in tests with IU School of Medicine and demonstrated 100% survivability after 120 days. AML is a cancer that begins in bone marrow and can be difficult to treat du...
Researchers at Linköping University and the Medical University of Graz have developed a new cancer treatment using an iontronic pump to deliver continuous, low-dose chemotherapy directly to brain tumors. This approach significantly reduces tumor growth by bypassing the blood-brain barrier, a common obstacle to effective treatment.
Finnish researchers found that blocking the DUSP6 protein can significantly improve treatment outcomes in experimental models by preventing dormant breast cancer cells from waking up. This discovery provides new insights into breast cancer recurrence and offers a potential basis for effective combination therapy.
A new trial indicates that immunotherapy could successfully treat the most common form of colorectal cancer. The study, published in Nature Medicine, found that botensilimab and balstilimab caused tumours to shrink or remain stable in 61% of patients with microsatellite stable metastatic colorectal cancer.
Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital have developed a new nanomedicine therapy that delivers anticancer drugs to lung cancer cells and enhances the immune system's ability to fight cancer. The therapy shows promising results in cancer cells in the lab and in mouse lung tumor models, with potential applications for improving care...