Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Neutron study of glaucoma drugs offers clues about enzyme targets for aggressive cancers

A recent neutron analysis of glaucoma drugs and their interaction with human carbonic anhydrase II (hCA II) enzyme revealed the impact of temperature, pH, and electrical charge on drug targeting. The study provides new information about hydrogen-bonding networks in hCA II, which may aid in designing more effective cancer treatments.

SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·JournalStructure·DateFeb 12, 2018

Recreating liver tumors as organoids for faster, more accurate drug screening

Researchers have developed a new method to grow patient-derived xenografts (PDX) liver cancer cells in culture, which maintains their proper shape and function and grows as organoids. The success of the engineered organoids has the potential to revolutionize the screening and development of liver cancer drugs.

Matchmaking for cancer care

A team of computer scientists has developed a new system to rapidly determine which cancer drugs are likely to work best given a patient's genetic markers. eGARD, the first publicly available system of its kind, can match genetic signatures with outcomes with 95 percent precision.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalPLOS ONE·DateFeb 6, 2018

NUS researchers develop wireless light switch for targeted cancer therapy

A team of scientists from the National University of Singapore has developed a way to wirelessly deliver light into deep regions of the body to activate light-sensitive drugs for photodynamic therapy (PDT). The technology enables PDT to be used on inner organs with fine control, potentially treating a wider range of cancers.

SourceNational University of Singapore·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 29, 2018

Study: Cells of 3 advanced cancers die with drug-like compounds that reverse chemo failure

Researchers at Southern Methodist University have discovered three drug-like compounds that successfully reverse chemotherapy failure in three of the most commonly aggressive cancers. The compounds were tested on micro-tumors and showed effectiveness against specific cancers, giving hope for developing new drugs to fight cancer.

SourceSouthern Methodist University·JournalScientific Reports·DateJan 23, 2018

Novel diabetes drugs sensitize cancer cells to chemotherapy agents

Researchers have discovered that experimental diabetes drugs can make cancer cells more vulnerable to traditional chemotherapy agents. The combination of carboplatin and one of the experimental compounds, SR1664, sensitized lung tumor cells and triple-negative breast cancer cells in laboratory models, leading to reduced tumor growth.

SourceDana-Farber Cancer Institute·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 2, 2018

Carfilzomib can lead to cardiovascular toxicity in multiple myeloma patients

A new study from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that 18% of multiple myeloma patients experiencing cardiovascular adverse events (CVAE) such as hypertension, heart failure, or arrhythmia. Higher doses of carfilzomib are associated with higher rates of CVAE, and the drug is linked to an elevated risk of CVAE com...

More tumor mutations equals higher success rate with cancer immunotherapy drugs

A new study led by Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers found that tumors with high mutational burden are more likely to respond to checkpoint inhibitors, a class of cancer immunotherapy drugs. The study suggests that precision medicine could be used to guide clinical trials and improve treatment outcomes for specific patient populations.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateDec 20, 2017

Individuals in the US diagnosed with cancer are 2.7 times more likely to declare bankruptcy than individuals without cancer, study finds

A recent study published in Oncotarget found that cancer drug affordability is correlated with wealth, with the US having the highest average monthly price per patented drug. This has led to a financial burden on both society and patients, with individuals diagnosed with cancer being 2.7 times more likely to declare bankruptcy.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalOncotarget·DateDec 20, 2017