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 created patient-specific bladder cancer organoids that mimic actual tumors, allowing for testing of multiple drugs and predicting individual response to treatment. The use of these personalized models may improve understanding of the genomics of bladder cancer and develop new therapies.
The Cancer Genome Atlas project has identified 300 genes that drive tumor growth and found that just over half of tumors carry genetic mutations targetable by existing therapies. The research provides unprecedented understanding of cancer's genetic basis, enabling better-informed clinical trials and future treatments.
The Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) will receive $450,000 to fund a clinical trial for a newly developed ovarian cancer drug treatment, thanks to Colleen's Dream Foundation. The foundation has funded TGen in the past and has awarded over $1.2 million in grants to 27 institutions.
Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory discovered that cancer cells lacking tumor-suppressor protein PTEN are vulnerable to mitochondrial inhibitors, which induce them to consume glucose and quickly run out of energy. This finding suggests that such drugs could eliminate cancer cells while leaving healthy cells intact.
A combination of EGFR and TNF inhibitors effectively blocks cancer's escape route, making it sensitive to treatment. The two-drug strategy has the potential to work for all non-small cell lung cancers, offering a new hope for patients.
Researchers identified nearly 200 mutations in non-coding DNA that play a functional role in cancer, providing potential molecularly targeted therapeutics. These mutations could represent new targets for cancer drugs and may help explain the diversity of genetic mutations in tumors.
Researchers have engineered brewer's yeast to produce noscapine, a potential cancer drug with fewer side effects than conventional chemotherapy. The engineered yeast strain produced 2.2 mg/L noscapine after optimization, paving the way for large-scale commercial production.
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital report promising preclinical results against uniformly fatal tumor, finding that combining two cancer immunotherapy drugs significantly prolongs survival time. The treatment changes a population of immunosuppressive T cells into a type that could enhance an antitumor immune response.
Researchers successfully treat KRAS-driven lung cancer by targeting insulin and IGF-1 signaling, identifying metabolic vulnerabilities. The study shows that completely blocking the pathway can slow tumor growth, but a second step is needed to fully suppress it.
A recent study found that cancer survivors were more likely to be insured, yet still reported greater challenges in accessing and affording healthcare compared to adults without cancer. The proportion of cancer survivors experiencing these issues decreased over time since the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was signed into law.
Larotrectinib, a new pediatric cancer drug targeting the TRK gene fusion, showed an unprecedented 93 percent response rate in patients tested. The drug has been effective in treating rare pediatric cancers such as infantile fibrosarcoma and papillary thyroid cancer.
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology found that taking a standard prostate cancer drug with food can boost its impact and lower costs. By decreasing the daily dose, preventing digestive issues, and cutting costs by 75 percent, patients could save up to $300,000 per month.
Researchers at the University of Johannesburg have discovered a new family of economical silver-based complexes that show very promising results against various human cancers. These complexes, such as UJ3, are selective and have low toxicity, making them a potential alternative to existing chemotherapy drugs.
Scientists at Michigan State University have discovered a promising new drug that targets the c-Myc gene, which is linked to obesity and various cancers. The drug, I-BET-762, delays the development of existing cancers by inhibiting critical proteins involved in cancer cell growth.
A recent study found that receptivity to e-cigarette advertising significantly increased the odds of 12-21 year-olds who have never smoked trying cigarette smoking within a year. This association was independent of receptivity to cigarette advertising.
Researchers found that changing the scheduling of drug administration can improve outcomes in mouse models of melanoma, leading to more complete responses. A combination of MEK inhibitor given continuously with intermittent CDK4/6 inhibitor was the most effective schedule in mice.
A meta-analysis by Case Western Reserve University researcher Nathan Berger reveals that obesity increases risk of 13 different cancers in young adults, with certain cancers now reported in people under 50. Obesity can alter cellular mechanisms promoting cancer and increase cancer rates as it rises among younger demographics.
A Singapore-led team of Asian cancer researchers has won the prestigious AACR Team Science Award for their groundbreaking work on cancers prevalent in Asia. The team's research has identified new genes and pathways, translated findings into clinical trials, and informed government policies.
A new antimalarial drug delivery system using MCM-41 has been developed, demonstrating a long release time of one week or longer and increasing treatment efficiency by 20 and 240 times compared to traditional medications.
Researchers identified new genetic mutations in cancer cells that promote survival and resistance to treatment. The study found that no two cancers were genetically identical, even among those with similar characteristics.
Researchers at Houston Methodist have identified a compound that prevents breast cancer cells from spreading to the brain. Edelfosine, an investigational leukemia treatment, has been shown to stop cancer stem cells from growing once they reach the brain. This finding offers new hope for treating metastatic brain disease.
A new study using Medicare claims data found that finasteride significantly reduces prostate cancer risk over a period of 16 years, with a 21% decrease in risk compared to those on a placebo. This long-term benefit is twice as long as previously recorded.
Researchers established two new adrenal cancer cell lines and mouse models to test novel treatments, identifying PBK as a key target. A patient treated with pembrolizumab showed remarkable response with 77% tumor reduction, while a humanized mouse model also responded to the immunotherapy.
A new study by Dartmouth Health suggests that e-cigarette use may be more harmful than beneficial, particularly among adolescents and young adults. The research found that e-cigarettes could lead to over 1.5 million years of life lost due to increased smoking rates among youth.
Researchers have created BN/Ag hybrid nanomaterials that demonstrate effectiveness as catalysts, antibacterial agents, and drug delivery systems for treating oncological diseases. The hybrids show high potential for cancer therapy and water disinfection, offering a new approach to combatting these threats.
Moffitt researchers used single-cell imaging and mathematical modeling to determine the most important drug characteristics for efficient uptake by tumor cells. They found that drugs with different diffusion rates and concentrations bind effectively to cells based on their distance from blood vessels and density of drug receptors.
Researchers have identified 110 genes linked to an increased risk of breast cancer, including 32 genes related to survival rates. The study uses a genetic technique to analyze DNA regions and identify specific genes involved in raising a woman's risk.
Researchers discovered that inhibiting autophagy with the help of FOXO3a molecule can push cancer cells into apoptosis. The study found that combining autophagy inhibition with a drug called Nutlin increases PUMA production, leading to cell death.
A study found that ACE-inhibitors and beta blockers can reduce the risk of heart damage in women receiving anthracycline-based chemotherapy alongside trastuzumab. However, these medications were not effective for those without a history of anthracycline exposure.
Researchers are testing a new combination of cirmtuzumab and ibrutinib to eradicate leukemias and other blood cancers. The trial aims to determine the safety and effectiveness of the duo's treatment, which could potentially lead to complete remissions without continuous therapy.
Scientists at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory have discovered a way to rein in an overactive protein that drives some aggressive leukemias. The team's CRISPR-based system identifies two enzymes, LKB1 and salt-inducible kinase, as critical for the survival of certain AML cells.
Researchers found a 'stop sign' protein that prevents healthy cells from sorting material, leading to unregulated growth in cancerous cells. This discovery opens the door to designing drugs that block PIP-stop formation by kinase enzymes, targeting difficult-to-treat cancers.
A recent study published in The BMJ questioned the underlying evidence for current US cancer treatment guidelines. Researchers found that these guidelines often rely on low-quality or no evidence at all. The study highlights concerns about the justification of costly and toxic cancer drugs based on weak evidence.
A new slow-release hydrogel has been developed to aid immunotherapy for cancer, providing a continuous dose of immunotherapy drugs to activate the immune system. The hydrogel, called STINGel, was tested in lab cultures and in vivo trials, showing promise in killing cancer cells and preventing further implantation of cancer cells.
Scientists at Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute have found a new mechanism by which BRCA1 can be rendered dysfunctional in Ewing sarcoma. The study reveals that the mutant oncogene produced by the fusion oncogene traps BRCA1, preventing it from repairing genetic damage.
Research from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine discovered that preventing T-cell exhaustion with targeted therapies enhances immunotherapy outcomes. Activating a protein called 41BB on the surface of T-cells improves energy reserves and prolongs their ability to attack cancer cells.
Researchers found that multiple small differences, rather than a single factor, explain the large variation in how people respond to drugs. The study used systems biology and metabolomics techniques to analyze protein and metabolite concentrations in cell culture experiments.
Biochemists have made a discovery that sheds light on the molecular machinery that allows some cells to wiggle their way through tissues. The researchers identified two locations on Arp2/3 where an activator protein touches, promoting cell motility and potentially leading to new opportunities for cancer treatment.
Researchers at Purdue University have created a lifelike cancer environment using polymer to better understand how drugs can stop its course. The 3D jet writer device produces polymer microtissues with pore sizes large enough for cells to enter, enabling the simulation of metastasis in mice.
The American Academy of Otolaryngology has released an updated guideline for treating hoarseness, recommending earlier evaluation by an otolaryngologist and discouraging the use of unnecessary medications. The guidelines aim to reduce variation in care and improve patient outcomes.
A new blood test detects circulating tumour DNA to predict if the breast cancer drug palbociclib is working, allowing for earlier treatment adjustments. The test was found to be effective in identifying patients who are not responding well to the treatment.
Researchers at USC Michelson Center successfully utilize a new metal detection technique for studying cancer cells. By imaging metal-tagged antibodies on biopsies from a patient with metastatic prostate cancer, scientists can identify and characterize cancer cells in a blood sample after it is placed on a slide.
Researchers at NIH have cured mice with Chuvash polycythemia, a life-threatening disorder that involves overproduction of red blood cells. The study suggests that Tempol or a similar drug may treat polycythemias in humans, such as mountain sickness.
In three clinical trials, larotrectinib demonstrated a 75% overall response rate in patients with TRK fusion genes, with 86% continuing treatment or undergoing curative surgery. This study marks a new paradigm in cancer drug development, defining cancers by molecular changes rather than site of occurrence.
A phase I clinical trial has shown some promise for an investigational compound designed to block a hyperactive cell growth signal in advanced melanoma and other cancers. Three patients experienced partial responses to the treatment, similar to response rates seen with other treatments such as MEK inhibitors.
The researchers developed a new class of bifunctional immunotherapeutic agents called Y-traps, which can target and disable multiple immune suppressive molecules. These Y-traps were found to be effective in inhibiting tumor growth and activating antitumor immunity, even against cancers that do not respond to existing immunotherapies.
A team at UC Riverside discovered a way to deliver chemotherapy drug paclitaxel to targeted cancer cells via molecular Trojan horse 123B9, which targets EphA2 oncogene. This approach reduced circulating cancer cells and metastasis in animal models.
The studies reported an overall response rate of 75 percent for patients ages four months to 76 years with 17 different cancer diagnoses. Larotrectinib had rapid, potent, and durable anti-tumor activity in children and adults with solid tumors and TRK fusions.
A phase 1/2 trial of larotrectinib found that three-quarters of patients with advanced cancers responded to the treatment, which targets a specific genetic mutation. The therapy has shown promise in treating pediatric patients with TRK-positive cancer, including infantile fibrosarcoma, and offers a potential cure for some cases.
A new drug, larotrectinib, has been shown to be effective in treating cancers with specific genetic mutations. The study found that 75% of patients with TRK fusion-positive cancers responded to the treatment, with 13% achieving a complete response.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute developed a quick method to modify dozens of drugs or molecules, improving disease-fighting properties. The approach, called click chemistry, was found to increase the potency of three cancer drugs under lab conditions.
A study found that patients with advanced cancer were less capable of making treatment decisions than healthy adults, but doctors often overestimated their competence. The research suggests a shift in patient-doctor relationships, emphasizing the importance of respecting patient autonomy while ensuring decision-making capacity.
A systematic review and meta-analysis found that pediatric phase I cancer trials have improved outcomes for approximately 1 in 10 children, with a fatal drug-related complication rate of 2.09%. The study's results suggest refining risk/benefit assessments for these trials.
A study of nearly 800 postmenopausal women found that four commonly used prognostic breast cancer tests have varying abilities to predict disease recurrence. The tests, including Oncotype Dx and Prosigna Risk of Recurrence Score, were compared for their accuracy in predicting whether the cancer will return after five years.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden have identified three molecules that effectively treat over 60 types of cancer cells without harming normal cells. These molecules target the TrxR1 enzyme, which supports cancer cell growth and protects them from oxidative stress.
Researchers at WashU Medicine developed a new approach to combat cervical cancer by targeting the tumor's fuel supply. A combination of radiation and three drugs that cut off glucose metabolism effectively shuts down tumor metabolism, making it vulnerable to treatment.
In a Penn-led trial, cabozantinib significantly shrunk tumors in 34 out of 35 patients with metastatic, radioactive iodine-resistant thyroid cancer. The median time on the study was 35 weeks, and 54% of patients achieved a partial response.
Jean-Charles Soria, a leading cancer researcher, has been awarded the TAT 2018 Honorary Award for his groundbreaking contributions to cancer drug development. His work has led to increased response rates and successful drug approvals, including osimertinib for lung cancer.
The study identified specific 'metastatic variant enhancer loci' that drive cancer cell metastasis, and showed that inhibiting these enhancers can halt the spread of tumor cells. Blocking expression of individual genes regulated by these enhancers also diminished metastatic capacity.
Researchers developed a novel approach to studying cancer, grouping 32 types of cancer into 10 classes based on molecular pathways. This understanding can lead to new diagnosis and treatment methods, including identifying neuroendocrine tumors that may be missed with current markers.