Research on the drugs used to treat cancer and how well they work. Covers immunotherapy, chemotherapy-free regimens, biosimilars, targeted drugs, and treatment costs.
Cisplatin, a common cancer drug, causes permanent hearing loss in 40-80% of adult patients and at least half of children. Researchers found that the inner ear builds up the drug, leading to damage. Targeting the stria vascularis region could prevent cisplatin-induced hearing loss.
Four biomedical researchers from Aligarh Muslim University, National Institute of Immunology India, and University of Torino presented groundbreaking studies on kidney cancer treatment, chemoresistance, and asbestos-related tumors at FCS 2017. Oncotarget's travel grants enabled their participation in the conference.
Researchers at the University of Illinois found that cross-system signaling activity between growth factors can direct blood vessel growth and influence cancer progression, stroke recovery, and other disorders. This discovery offers a new pathway to developing effective therapies by promoting or inhibiting this signal.
A new study found that factors such as persistent symptoms, comorbidities, leisure-time physical activity, and financial challenges affect health-related quality of life in older adults with cancer. The research highlights the importance of comprehensive care that addresses these factors to improve outcomes for this vulnerable population.
Researchers found that mature cells can revert to a stem cell-like state, carrying accumulated mutations that predispose them to developing into precancerous lesions. This new understanding could lead to the development of treatments targeting mature cells, potentially preventing cancer recurrence.
A KAIST research team developed technology to identify the optimal drug target for cancer cells based on molecular network dynamics. This approach uses systems biology to analyze genetic mutations and predict drug response, which could lead to more effective treatment strategies.
Research at Columbia University Irving Medical Center found that cancer patients with more versions of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genes respond better to checkpoint inhibitors. The study also showed that certain HLA patterns affect survival and may be relevant for understanding side effects observed with immunotherapy.
A team of researchers at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center identified a novel gene called THOR that plays a role in cancer development. Knocking out THOR was found to halt tumor growth, while overexpressing it led to increased cell proliferation.
The efficacy of many FDA-approved cancer drug combinations is not due to synergistic interactions between drugs, but rather to a form of bet hedging. Genetic variations in cancer lead to differences in drug response, making combination therapy more effective by boosting the likelihood that a patient will benefit from at least one drug.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center are using drug discovery methods that have fueled cancer breakthroughs to identify alternatives to antibiotics for Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses. By targeting vulnerable areas of disease-causing bacteria, they aim to develop new therapies that spare the normal gut microbiome.
Researchers present promising results from clinical trials suggesting patients with blood disorders and several types of cancer will soon have expanded treatment options. The studies show significant breakthroughs in reducing risks during rare blood disorders, such as thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, and improving treatment for mul...
A new study reveals that mutations in 'Ras' genes, which drive 25% of human cancers, can also suppress the immune system around tumors by increasing PD-L1 levels. This understanding will help offer patients more precise and effective treatments.
A recent study by Georgia State University's School of Public Health found that trust in e-cigarette safety differs depending on an individual's worldview and the source of the message. People with hierarchical and individualistic worldviews tend to be less trusting of health experts and more trusting of tobacco companies.
A multi-national phase Ib study has demonstrated a complete response in up to 50 percent of patients with relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML) treated with venetoclax and idasanutlin. The combination therapy shows promise as an effective treatment option for patients with limited treatment options.
A Phase 2 study of axi-cel, a CD19-targeting CAR T cell therapy, reported remarkable improvement in outcomes for patients with relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphoma. The study showed that 42% of patients remained in remission at 15 months, with complete responses in 54% and measurable responses in 82%.
Novel targeted cancer therapies have been shown to improve progression-free survival, response rate, and quality of life for patients with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. Mogamulizumab has demonstrated significant clinical activity in clearing malignant T-cells in the blood and lymph nodes.
A large-scale study reveals acupuncture to be effective in alleviating joint pain experienced by breast cancer patients undergoing hormone therapy. The treatment resulted in significant pain relief for up to 24 weeks, providing a promising alternative to opioids and other medications.
A recent study published in Annals of Behavioral Medicine found that higher Fitbit step counts during inpatient recovery were associated with lower risk of readmission after metastatic peritoneal cancer surgery. The researchers monitored patients using Fitbits and found that more activity was linked to better patient outcomes.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that metformin can prevent the development of multidrug-resistant breast cancer and reverse it after its onset. The research suggests that metformin has potential as a treatment option for aggressive breast cancer, warranting further investigation.
A study found that a cancer medication can improve symptoms of Huntington's disease in mice, including increased mobility and longer lifespan. The drug targets mitochondrial health and protein removal, also relevant to other neurodegenerative disorders.
Researchers at Queen's University have successfully used magnetic fields to direct magnetotactic bacteria against strong currents, opening up the potential for these microbes to deliver pharmaceuticals directly to tumors. The team aims to bind therapeutic drugs to the bacterial bodies and release them once they reach their destination.
A new treatment approach for ovarian cancer has shown promising results in a mouse model. Combining drugs that reactivate dormant genes with those that activate the immune system led to greater tumor reduction and longer survival rates compared to single-drug treatments.
A recent study published in Annals of Internal Medicine found that cocaine overdose deaths disproportionately impact the non-Hispanic black population, with rates comparable to those for heroin and prescription opioid-related deaths. The research highlights the need for targeted prevention efforts among this demographic.
A new treatment combines traditional chemotherapy with a relatively new cancer drug that targets chemo-resistant tumor cells, loaded into tiny nanoparticles. The treatment shows promise for improving survival rates for endometrial cancer patients and could be used to treat other cancers as well.
The Ontario Institute for Cancer Research has launched the Cancer Therapeutics Innovation Pipeline to translate new discoveries into cancer therapies. The pipeline selected 10 projects for funding and will provide guidance from industry and academia experts.
Researchers have identified a genetically distinct subpopulation of patients with glioblastoma that is particularly sensitive to drugs like cilengitide. The strategy uses a gene profile alone to predict which tumors are susceptible to αvβ3 blockade, offering a new therapeutic target for precision medicine in brain cancer treatment. Thi...
Kinase inhibitors show promise in treating various types of blood and lung cancers by blocking overactive enzymes that control cell growth. Researchers identified new target structures for drugs, including the kinase MELK, which is linked to poor prognosis in lung cancer.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center have identified a novel drug combination that can prime nonsmall cell lung cancers to respond better to immunotherapy. The treatment, which combines a demethylating drug with an HDAC inhibitor, triggered a chemical cascade that increased the attraction of immune cells to fight tumors an...
The American Society for Cell Biology (ASCB) has announced 67 new Fellows, recognizing their significant and sustained impact on the discipline of cell biology. The honor is bestowed by peers and acknowledges not only outstanding scientific contributions but also service to ASCB and its missions.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University developed a new method to improve chemotherapy nanodrug delivery by using an FDA-approved nutrition source. This approach reduces toxic side-effects and increases the amount of drugs reaching tumor cells.
Researchers at Imperial College London conducted a clinical trial using immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab on four patients with multi-drug resistant GTD. The study found that three out of four patients went into remission, with no signs of cancer recurrence for between five months to over two years.
Researchers at UC San Diego School of Medicine will conduct clinical trials to test the PI3Ky inhibitor IPI-549 in combination with checkpoint inhibitors for head and neck cancers, aiming to boost immunotherapy effectiveness.
University of Illinois researchers designed nanoparticles that specifically bind to breast cancer stem cells, delivering a drug that turns off key gene pathways. The treatment significantly decreased cancer cell growth and made cancer stem cells less able to cause recurrence.
PAC-1, a cancer drug that targets procaspase-3, has been approved for use in a phase Ib trial of patients with anaplastic astrocytoma and glioblastoma multiforme. The drug has shown promise in pet dogs with brain cancers and is being tested in combination with temozolomide.
Researchers discovered that these antimalarial drugs make tumour cells more sensitive to cancer treatment, suggesting potential benefits for certain cancer patients. The findings have sparked excitement among scientists, who are now eagerly awaiting the results of ongoing clinical studies.
A new study proposes a way to directly observe predicted ion-induced shock waves, which can help optimize ion-beam cancer therapy. Shock waves contribute to thermomechanical damage in tumour tissue, increasing the volume of cells exposed to reactive species.
Researchers found that breast cancer tumors impair learning and memory in mice before chemotherapy, suggesting cancer progression causes 'chemo brain' symptoms. After chemotherapy, cancer and drug therapy contribute to cognitive impairment.
Researchers discovered that fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) can regulate blood pressure and control disease associated with hypertension. FGF inhibitors could be used to target high blood pressure by altering sensitivity to angiotensin II.
Researchers developed a new technique to measure how cancer cells respond to drugs, using a device that can weigh cells with high accuracy. The method was tested on tumor cells from multiple-myeloma patients and showed promising results, correlating with clinical biomarkers used in treatment decisions.
A computer program called DrugPredict has been developed to repurpose FDA-approved drugs for new indications, including the potential treatment of epithelial ovarian cancer. The researchers found that common pain medications like aspirin can kill ovarian cancer cells, and NSAIDs may also have applications in this area.
Anita Mattson's research focuses on naturally occurring molecules known as dimeric chromanones, which have high biological activity and may become powerful dual-action treatments for drug-resistant cancers. Her goal is to develop a new class of catalysts using silanediols to control the synthesis of these compounds.
CANDLE, a scalable deep learning framework developed by Argonne's Exascale Deep Learning and Simulation Enabled Precision Medicine for Cancer project, was recognized with the award. The framework has achieved impressive results, including explaining over 92% of variance in drug response.
Researchers at Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research have identified a novel mechanism by which certain skin cancers, such as melanoma, resist cancer immunotherapy. The study found that an immune cell recruited to the tumor induces programmed suicide in killer T cells, and this interaction can be disrupted to improve treatment efficacy.
A UK study published in Scientific Reports has identified a novel cell signaling interaction that may prevent a key step in lung cancer progression. The research, conducted by the University of Kentucky, found that microRNA molecules can alter TGFβ activity and prevent epithelial-mesenchymal transition, a critical process in metastasis.
State cancer drug parity laws have had a mixed impact on treatment costs, with modest improvements for many patients and increased monthly out-of-pocket costs for others. The laws aim to ensure that oral cancer treatments are not more costly than infusions, but they may not fully address affordability concerns.
Researchers at Rice University and Northwestern University have developed a method to use nanoshells to deliver high doses of cancer-killing drugs inside tumors. The approach uses laser-activated gold nanoparticles to release approved drugs in laboratory cultures, demonstrating clinical applicability.
Cells can sense and mend damaged DNA caused by certain chemotherapy drugs. Researchers discovered a previously unknown repair complex that targets this type of damage. This finding could lead to more effective chemotherapy treatments by amplifying the killing power of existing drugs.
Researchers have developed a new platform for assessing anti-cancer drug efficacy in lung cancer, reducing attrition rates and increasing success of drugs. The 'explants' approach involves analyzing tumor tissue samples taken from patients immediately after surgery, providing patient-relevant data.
A comprehensive study from the Keck School of Medicine of USC found that IUD use is associated with a dramatic decrease in cervical cancer incidence. The analysis included data from 16 high-quality observational studies involving over 12,000 women worldwide.
Researchers discover that CDK8 plays a critical role in allowing cancer cells to use glucose for energy. Blocking CDK8 activity combined with glycolysis inhibitors slows cancer cell growth more effectively than either approach alone.
Researchers develop a new strategy for treating cancer by controlling chromatin packing densities, which determines gene expression and resistance to treatment. The approach has shown promising results in cellular cultures and is now being tested in animal models.
Current RECIST guidelines face challenges in measuring cancer response with emerging targeted therapies. Researchers propose a new baseline approach to track stability and separate tumor burden from treated areas.
A new study reveals that non-small cell lung cancers are driven by multiple genetic changes, including alterations in TP53 and other pathways. The findings suggest that combination therapies targeting these mutations may improve treatment outcomes and prevent drug resistance.
Researchers synthesized 30 flavanone derivatives to target NF-kappaB, identifying compounds with potent anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic activities against various cancer cell lines. The top-ranked compounds exhibited improved pharmacological profiles through conjugation of two pharmacophores.
Experts say pre-menopausal women with hormone-dependent advanced breast cancer should be included in clinical trials alongside older women. This could provide valuable insights into the best treatments for these patients, who make up a third of all advanced breast cancer cases globally.
Researchers have identified a connection between the PI3K pathway and telomere protection, revealing a potential target for cancer treatment. Inhibition of PI3K reduces TRF1 levels, leading to chromosome destabilization and cancer cell death.
Researchers developed a new three-step system targeting and eliminating colorectal cancer using nuclear medicine. The treatment achieved a 100-percent cure rate in mouse models without toxic effects.
Researchers at ITMO University have developed a novel approach to obtaining non-toxic magnetic photonic crystals, expanding their applications from photonics to biomedicine. These nanospheres can be used to design drugs for fighting thrombosis and cancer, and their biocompatibility makes them suitable for targeted drug delivery.
Researchers developed a way to control polymer molecule shape, leading to non-spherical nanoparticles that can encapsulate drugs. These natural-shaped plastic nanoparticles have shown preliminary evidence of entering tumor cells more easily than spherical ones.
Researchers mapped genetic alterations in normal mammary duct cells, identifying early changes that precede tumour development. This study provides new insights into breast cancer biology and may lead to more precision in screening and prevention.