Research on the drugs used to treat cancer and how well they work. Covers immunotherapy, chemotherapy-free regimens, biosimilars, targeted drugs, and treatment costs.
The alisertib and TAK-228 combination shows promise in treating solid tumors, particularly triple-negative breast cancer. In a phase 1 clinical trial, the treatment was generally well-tolerated, with patients experiencing fatigue and decreased neutrophil count as common side effects.
Researchers investigate how gut bacteria metabolize chemotherapy drug irinotecan, finding that certain individuals are more likely to experience severe side effects. The study suggests analyzing patients' microbiomes before treatment could predict and prevent adverse reactions.
The Lancet Oncology Commission recommends prioritizing key areas for US$2 billion funding to advance cancer research and treatment, focusing on prevention, targeted interventions, and patient-centered data sharing. The report aims to improve cancer care for underserved groups and reduce health disparities.
A new open-source machine learning program at Georgia Tech predicts cancer drug effectiveness via genetic data, reducing human bias and increasing accuracy. The program aims to be widely used by researchers to improve treatment outcomes.
A new test targeting cancer drug effectiveness has been identified using protein HER3 levels, helping doctors tailor treatment for patients. The test shows that patients with high HER3 levels benefit from the drug, while those with low levels experience no effect, providing a more personalized approach to bowel cancer treatment.
A recent study by TGen-USC reveals that Precision Medicine in oncology is less precise for individuals with Latin American, African and Asian ancestry. A new genomic tool called LumosVar has been developed to help identify genetic variants, but more research is needed to overcome population differences.
Scientists have found that a rare genetic disease known as NGLY1 deficiency could hold the key to understanding resistance to cancer drugs. Dampening this enzyme may allow proteasome inhibitors to continue killing cancer cells, providing hope for new treatments.
A new class of antibody-drug conjugates, dubbed dual variable domain antibodies (DVD-ADCs), have been developed using a versatile double-decker technology. These pharmaceuticals selectively deliver drugs to cancer cells without harming healthy cells and tissues.
Scientists have successfully synthesized a promising anticancer molecule, BE-43547A(2), which shows unprecedented activity against pancreatic cancer stem cells. The compound reduces cancer stem cell proliferation by 21-fold and abolishes tumor-initiating capability.
Researchers have developed a new medicine, tarloxitinib, that brings high doses of anti-EGFR drugs to tumors while keeping toxic levels in healthy tissues. The prodrug-based approach has shown promising results in tests against lung cancer cells with EGFR exon 20 insertions.
A new analysis from the RAND Corporation estimates that biosimilar drugs could reduce healthcare spending in the US by $54 billion over the next decade. This is largely due to increased competition and regulatory changes, which will drive down prices and improve access to biologic drugs.
A survey of young white women found that over one in five have signs of indoor tanning addiction and three times more likely to meet criteria for dependence. Women with depression were most likely to weigh benefits against risks.
Researchers found that nerves stimulate the formation of new blood vessels that promote tumor growth in prostate cancer. They discovered an "angio-metabolic switch" triggered by norepinephrine binding to endothelial cells, which changes how cells metabolize glucose, favoring glycolysis.
A rare cancer in patients with breast implants, BIA-ALCL, may be on the rise and underreported. The cancer is linked to textured implants, which were introduced in the 1990s, and can lead to chronic inflammation and lymphoma, resulting in a good prognosis when treated promptly.
Researchers at the Francis Crick Institute have identified a novel protein that exclusively targets Wnt signalling in tumour cells, reducing growth of colon cancer cells without harming healthy cells.
Researchers found that high genetic diversity can prime new mutations causing drug resistance in yeast cells, with varying degrees of impact. The study highlights the importance of understanding genetic diversity's role in evolving drug resistance, with potential implications for treating antimicrobial and anticancer diseases.
The collaboration aims to establish a PDX Data Commons and Coordinating Center to integrate and share PDX treatment data for research. This will enhance precision in measuring drug-response and provide a clinical trial roadmap for piloting treatments.
Scientists at Wake Forest Baptist will use a $9.2 million grant to develop new molecularly targeted drugs and drug delivery systems for aggressive brain cancer glioblastoma. The goal is to directly attack tumor mass and cells in surrounding areas, increasing therapeutic efficacy.
A new AI model called druGAN enables the generation of novel molecules with desired properties, surpassing previous GAN-based approaches. The model uses reinforcement learning to generate effective molecular graphs, paving the way for improved pharmaceuticals.
A new study by American Cancer Society investigators finds workers at organizations with fewer than 25 employees are less likely to have been screened for three cancers. After adjusting for socioeconomic factors and insurance status, most of the difference in screening rates disappears.
Stanford researchers have found a new method to create bryostatin, a compound with potential for treating cancer, Alzheimer's disease, and HIV. The new synthetic supply will allow ongoing trials to continue testing its effectiveness.
The Van Andel Research Institute has been awarded two grants totaling $5.5 million to pursue clinical trials of epigenetic drugs combining with immunotherapies to enhance tumor response. The trials aim to test whether epigenetic therapies can reverse resistance to immunotherapy in lung and bladder cancers.
Researchers successfully deliver platinum-based chemotherapy drugs via nanoparticles to treat nonmuscle-invasive bladder cancer, reducing systemic absorption and toxicity. The study offers a potential less toxic clinical alternative to standard chemotherapy.
Researchers from Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute and Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust suggest a clinical trial of PI3K inhibitors for chordoma patients with specific genetic mutations. The study provides promising new treatment options for a rare and aggressive form of bone cancer.
Researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute discovered a protein called Bclw that protects nerves from degeneration. Adding Bclw to nerve axons before exposure to chemotherapy drugs may prevent peripheral neuropathy symptoms.
The University of Houston and MD Anderson are launching a program to create a more diverse pool of medical doctors and scientists. The U-HAND Program aims to address racial and ethnic disparities in the healthcare workforce and health outcomes.
Researchers have developed a new class of drugs called PARP inhibitors to treat ovarian cancer by targeting synthetic lethality. These drugs aim to kill cancer cells by exploiting their genetic vulnerabilities, offering new hope to those with limited treatment options.
Researchers found that ceritinib, an FDA-approved drug for ALK-rearranged non-small cell lung cancer, also inhibits previously unknown targets. The study shows promise for repurposing the drug to target other cancers with networked alterations.
Researchers found that neratinib can block the function of Ras oncogenes through an unexpected process, killing non-small cell lung cancer cells resistant to afatinib. The study also discovered that neratinib triggers a seismic event in the plasma membrane, rapidly reducing expression of mutated K- and N-Ras genes.
Many opioid dosage combinations have no prescribing restrictions under Medicare formulary, suggesting an opportunity to limit opioid prescribing. Restricting coverage for prescription drugs is one strategy to decrease opioid prescribing.
A study published in Genome Research investigated the role of p53 in tumor suppression and found that no single gene serves as a backup 'second in command' to activate its functions. Instead, p53 relies on a multifunctional team of genes contributing to tumor suppression.
Researchers found that a protein named ZATT can eliminate DPCs with the help of another protein TDP2. Understanding how TDP2 and ZATT work together may improve cancer patient health outcomes. The discovery could lead to development of new drugs targeting these defenses.
A precision medicine trial is helping doctors target the genetic makeup of high-risk neuroblastoma tumors. Victoria Thompson, a two-year-old girl, is part of the trial and has seen promising results after innovative treatments.
New research explains why mTOR inhibitors can't fully eliminate cancer cells. The drugs target a cell regulator called mTOR, which controls mitochondrial structure and function, ultimately protecting cells from death.
Most new cancer drugs fail to extend or improve patient life, with many approved on surrogate measures. Only 51% of cancer indications showed survival or quality of life gains after a median 5 years on the market. This raises concerns about regulatory standards and the need for rigorous testing.
Researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center discovered a novel agent YK-4-279 that, when combined with vincristine, halts the ability of Ewing sarcoma to grow and progress. The combination produces a microtubule catastrophe in cancer cells, targeting their ability to divide and multiply.
The approved gene therapy Kymriah offers hope for children and young adults with relapsed or refractory B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia. However, its high cost and limited accessibility pose significant challenges for policy-makers and patients alike.
Researchers found that patients with high numbers of alterations detected in their DNA collected from blood samples had a higher response rate to treatment, and median survival was longer. The study suggests that counting mutations in the bloodstream could help predict response to checkpoint inhibitor therapy.
A recent study suggests that switching from cigarette smoking to vaping can lead to significant gains in life expectancy. Researchers estimate that around 6.6 million cigarette smokers could live substantially longer with e-cigarettes over a ten-year period.
A study found that mutations in the KEAP1 gene make lung adenocarcinoma cells vulnerable to oxidative stress, allowing an experimental drug called CB-839 to stop tumor growth. The discovery could lead to a more effective treatment for patients with combined KRAS and KEAP1 mutations.
Researchers at UTSA are developing new cancer drugs from complex natural products with proven anticancer potential. The team aims to recreate the active portion of these compounds to overcome drug resistance and tackle advanced-stage cancers.
Researchers at DGIST have synthesized metal-reactive oxygen species that react with nitrile, a triple-bonded carbon and nitrogen compound. This discovery could lead to the development of anti-cancer prodrugs.
Researchers used a proteomics platform to identify proteins with reactive cysteines in non-small-cell lung cancer cells, which could be targeted by drugs. The study found that targeting the protein NR0B1 reduced abnormal growth in NRF2-activated lung cancers.
Scientists have identified 10 distinct diseases in deadly childhood brain tumours, each with unique genetic faults. The study found that some types can be treated using existing drugs or those under development, offering hope for more effective care.
Research shows carbidopa, an FDA-approved Parkinson's disease drug, has anticancer properties. The study found that carbidopa significantly inhibits cancer cell growth in both human pancreatic cancer cells and mouse models, suggesting potential as an anticancer medication.
Researchers at Osaka University discovered that ivermectin, a medication for parasitic infections, also has an anti-tumor effect on epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) cells. The gene target KPNB1 was identified as having oncogenic properties, and its inhibition induced apoptosis in EOC cells.
The partnership aims to address health disparities by conducting research on patient-derived cancers and training students in cancer health disparities-based precision medicine. This collaboration seeks to bridge the gap in understanding how to plan cancer prevention and care for underserved populations.
Researchers at Penn and Wistar Institute found that melanoma cells bypass BRAF inhibitor blockades by activating parallel pathways governed by PAK enzymes, leading to increased aggressiveness.
A Russian scientist has proposed a model to predict cancer development by analyzing the relationship between age and morbidity. The model uses the Erlang probability distribution to estimate the number of key carcinogenic events for each cancer type.
A new class of medicine may help treat cocaine and nicotine addiction by reducing glutamate neurotransmission in the brain. The grant will allow researchers to further characterize their lead compound and complete preclinical studies prior to clinical trials.
Researchers have discovered a powerful combination treatment that disrupts multiple factors in aggressive triple-negative breast cancer. The novel approach, combining a protein inhibitor with a chemotherapy drug, produced a synergistic effect that was more effective than either drug alone.
Researchers have discovered that Prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) can inhibit leukemia stem cells, which are resistant to chemotherapy and targeted therapies. Combining PGE1 with standard chemotherapy may improve treatment outcomes for patients with chronic myeloid leukemia.
Researchers at UC San Diego School of Medicine have developed a drug combination that doubles down on immunotherapy's effectiveness in treating head and neck cancer. The combination of toll-like receptors agonists and other immunotherapies injected directly into tumors suppresses tumor growth throughout the body.
Researchers at Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute have successfully determined the full architecture of the BRCA1 protein, a key player in breast cancer susceptibility. By restoring its structural normalcy, they identified a potential route to revive the protein's cancer-fighting abilities.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have identified a new target for cancer therapies by blocking an enzyme crucial to tumor growth and a process that causes resistance to current treatments. A new drug called DQ661 successfully inhibits tumor growth in mice with melanoma, pancreatic, and colorectal cancers.
Professor Cuzick received the Cancer Research UK Lifetime Achievement Award for his pioneering work on cancer prevention, including developing effective breast cancer treatments and models to assess risk. The award recognizes his exceptional contributions to the field of cancer research spanning over 30 years.
Researchers developed guidelines to handle CAR T cell side effects, including cytokine release syndrome and neurological toxicity. The new algorithms provide conservative and tailored treatment options to recognize and stage emerging side effects.
Researchers discover bacteria in pancreatic tumors that metabolize a common chemotherapy drug, rendering it ineffective. The study suggests that targeting these bacteria may offer a new approach to treating pancreatic cancer.
Researchers at NUS combine artemisinin, an anti-malarial drug, with Aminolaevulinic acid (ALA), a photosensitiser, to enhance its anti-cancer properties. This novel combination therapy kills colorectal cancer cells and suppresses tumour growth with fewer side effects.
A recent study published in Journal of Pineal Research found that melatonin can prevent nerve damage caused by chemotherapy and reduce painful side effects. The drug was shown to limit the damaging effect on nerve cells and the development of pain symptoms when given prior to chemotherapy.