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 link cancer's high mutation rate to an ancient stress response mechanism used by single-celled organisms. The discovery sheds new light on the evolution of cancer genes and may lead to novel therapeutic approaches.
Pharmacoscopy enables fast and accurate analysis of immune cell interactions, identifying previously unknown immunomodulatory effects of approved drugs. The technique has the potential to revolutionize personalized medicine by visualizing individual patient responses to various drugs.
A recent study by University of Missouri researchers has found that gallbladder cancer rates are decreasing in men, but not in women. The study also revealed a rising trend of late-stage diagnoses. Patients who received both surgical and radiation treatment experienced the highest survival rates.
Researchers found that patients with increased PD-1+ CD8 T cells in their blood after starting treatment experienced better clinical outcomes. The study's results suggest that monitoring activated T cells may help oncologists and patients decide whether to continue or combine treatments.
Researchers developed a laboratory technique to test the effectiveness of treatments for breast cancer metastases in bone, mimicking interactions between cancer cells and bone cells. The 'bone-in culture array' model found that danusertib inhibits bone metastasis while other drugs stimulate growth of slow-growing cancer cells.
Researchers have developed a malaria protein-based drug that demonstrates promising results against chemotherapy-resistant bladder cancer. The new treatment showed a dramatic response to the malaria drug combo, resulting in an 80% survival rate among treated animals.
Researchers at Duke-NUS Medical School and Genome Institute of Singapore have identified altered promoters in gastric cancer that change gene expression profiles, enabling tumors to evade the immune system. The study's findings may lead to new approaches for cancer immunotherapy treatment.
Researchers found that SLAMF7 is essential for immune cells to target cancer cells, leading to a potential breakthrough in precision medicine. The discovery could help predict which patients will respond to CD47 inhibitors and improve the effectiveness of immunotherapy.
Scientists are developing novel molecules to target RAS, a common driving mutation in pancreatic and lung cancer. The collaboration aims to create gold standard tests for analyzing these inhibitors.
Researchers are exploring immune cells that normally help the body but can hinder chemotherapy's effectiveness. By understanding how these cells interact, scientists hope to create targeted therapies to preserve chemotherapy's benefits while minimizing unwanted side effects.
Researchers created a time-lapse animation of the concentrative nucleoside transporter (CNT) transporting nucleosides into cells. The study provides important structural information for designing smarter, more specific anticancer and antiviral drugs.
A new study found that language barriers, information overload, and cultural differences disadvantage some Latina breast cancer patients. However, no significant inequities were recorded in how doctors provide information. The research highlights the need for providers to be more culturally sensitive and patient-centered.
Researchers discovered a protein signature that predicts leukemia, which could lead to novel treatments. The activation of STAT5 causes competition among proteins, leading to acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
Despite narrowing global inequalities in childhood leukemia survival, persistent disparities remain, with five-year survival rates varying widely between countries. The study highlights the need for improved access to efficient treatment and care for children with leukemia, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
Researchers have developed a method to predict interactions among multiple drugs in combination, bypassing the need for astronomical measurements. The new mathematical model enables scientists to identify optimal blends for chemotherapy cocktails and potentially aid personalized medicine.
A new article evaluates the Oregon Death with Dignity Act, finding 64% of patients who used lethal medication had cancer. The study also reveals an increase in prescriptions written annually from 24 to 218 between 1998 and 2015.
A study published in JAMA Oncology analyzes 18 years of data on Oregon's Death with Dignity Act, revealing that 64% of patients who used the law ingested the medication and died. The majority of users were older white men with college education, and cancer was the underlying terminal illness for 77% of cases.
A clinical trial found that 13% of patients with high PSA levels after initial hormone therapy showed strong responses to abiraterone acetate, with 5 full responders and partial benefits in 33% of cases.
Researchers at the University of Missouri have discovered a new biomarker, TSPYL5, that can help identify prostate cancer progression and predict treatment response. The testis-specific protein varied between normal patients and tumor tissues with different Gleason scores, allowing clinicians to make rational decisions in treating the ...
A Yale researcher found that the FDA reviews and approves new medicines in a shorter timeframe than its peer agency in Europe. The study compared review times for new drugs approved by the FDA and EMA between 2011 and 2015, classifying them by therapeutic areas and 'orphan' drugs.
Researchers used supercomputers to simulate the behavior of K-Ras protein in cell membranes, discovering that certain lipids can turn the protein 'off' by changing its orientation. This finding suggests limiting concentrations of PIP2 in cell membranes could help prevent cancer progression.
Researchers have found a way to deliver cancer drugs to hypoxic regions of solid tumors, making them more susceptible to treatment. The new delivery system, using liposomes to carry prodrugs, has shown promising results in treating non-small cell lung cancer.
A combination of two drugs targeting molecular pathways controlled by the RAS gene has shown promise in treating RAS-driven lung, ovarian, and thyroid cancers. Patients with heavily treated cancers have experienced long-term clinical benefit from the treatment, including one patient on treatment for over two years.
Researchers have developed a new humanized mouse model of colorectal cancer, allowing them to test immunotherapies and potential combination treatments. The model has shown promise in preclinical studies, including the successful activation of the immune system against cancer cells.
A clinical trial of nivolumab found that 16% of patients with advanced nonsmall cell lung cancer survived at least five years, significantly higher than the standard 1-4% survival rate. Researchers hope to identify specific genetic markers linked to long-term response.
A team led by Jennifer Wargo at MD Anderson is studying the connection between gut bacteria and immune system response in melanoma patients treated with anti-PD1 therapy. The study aims to understand how microbiome diversity influences treatment outcomes.
The Case Comprehensive Cancer Center has been named to a new national colorectal cancer dream team, comprising scientists and clinicians from top institutions. The team will test a promising new therapy for the first time in human patients, combining glutaminase inhibitor CB-839 with chemotherapy medication capecitabine.
A new study found that continuing checkpoint inhibitor treatment after tumor growth can significantly extend survival for some head and neck cancer patients. The research, based on a phase 3 clinical trial, showed that 57 of 139 patients who continued treatment had a median survival period of 12.7 months.
Researchers develop new technologies to precisely measure protein levels serving as tumor markers for personalized cancer treatment. This approach aims to predict tumor response to cancer therapeutics and match patients with the right drug.
Researchers identified new genes associated with ultra-rare disease Erdheim-Chester disease, which affects multiple organs, and found connections to various types of cancer. The discovery may lead to improved diagnosis and new treatments for this rare condition.
Researchers at UAB have designed triple-threat cancer-fighting polymer capsules that can deliver drugs to tumors while protecting against collateral damage. The capsules show good imaging contrast, stably encapsulate cancer drugs, and can be triggered by low- or high-power ultrasound to release their cargo.
Scientists have discovered a synergistic effect between an anticancer and an antirheumatic drug, improving the former's ability to kill off cancer cells. The combination works by interacting with the cell's DNA, disrupting normal function and causing cell death.
A study led by Raffaella Sordella proposes a novel theory on how cancers circumvent targeted therapy killing power. The research suggests that genetic diversity in tumor cells, caused by non-genetic mechanisms, can help them survive and eventually relapse.
A recent study conducted by the University of Calgary found that radon gas levels in over 2,300 Calgary and area homes exceeded Health Canada's acceptable limits. The results show that there is no unaffected neighborhood, and homeowners who remediated their homes saw a reduction in radon levels to safe ranges.
The University of Queensland has opened a new imaging facility to study the effects of anti-cancer drugs on human and animal cancers, enabling the development of new treatments. The facility will run Australia's first comparative oncology research program, studying naturally occurring cancers in companion animals.
A new study published in PLOS ONE found that over 78% of US adults supported larger health warnings on cigarette packs, even among smokers. The researchers suggest that these findings support the implementation of larger pack warnings as required by the 2009 Tobacco Control Act.
Researchers developed a new method to design more effective breast cancer treatments by combining patient-derived xenografts and proteogenomic integration. This approach allows for the identification of potential targets for drugs and has shown promise in suppressing tumor growth in laboratory models.
Researchers analyzed proteins in breast tumors and found multiple protein targets that could respond to drugs, including PI3K inhibitors and mTOR inhibitors. The study also identified potential benefits for HER2 positive breast cancer patients if analysis of tumor proteins is taken into consideration.
Scientists at Northwestern University have developed a miniature female reproductive tract that can test new drugs for safety and effectiveness in women. The EVATAR system, made with human tissue, mimics the body's dynamics and will help understand diseases such as endometriosis, fibroids, and cancer.
A three-year research collaboration aims to create more accurate ways of measuring cancer progression. The project uses digital images from completed clinical trials to develop drug response metrics, with the goal of identifying optimal tumor burden measurement methods.
Researchers develop immunotherapy approach for prostate cancer by combining anti-hormonal drug with checkpoint inhibitors, driving T cells into tumors and blocking PD-L1/PD1 response. Targeting VISTA brake is also shown to inhibit immune response in human tumors.
Scientists at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center have found that p300 protein acts as a tumor suppressor, preventing myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) from developing into acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Eliminating p300 in mice results in rapid leukemia development.
A study published in Briefings in Functional Genomics investigates the role of epigenetics in cancer development, showing that disruptions can activate oncogenes or shut down tumor suppressors. The paper also highlights the link between epigenetic changes and metabolites, which can target and amplify gene expression.
Researchers at Mass General Hospital identified novel resistance mechanisms in patients with liver tumors receiving FGFR inhibitor treatment. The study found that different mutations within individual patients and across multiple samples could confer resistance, highlighting the need for more effective treatments.
A genome sequencing study for rare parathyroid carcinoma has identified mutations in known cancer-related genes and pathways, providing a clear view of genetic mechanisms involved. This in-depth characterization could lead to the first therapy options for patients with this deadly cancer.
Researchers developed a protocol to detect high-precision how, where, and why drugs interact with DNA biomolecules. This method uses X-ray radiation and advanced simulations to rationalize drug preferences, revealing new insights into the mechanism of platinum-based drugs like Pt103.
Researchers have found that pembrolizumab, an immunotherapy drug, can effectively treat malignant pleural mesothelioma, a disease primarily caused by asbestos inhalation. The study, led by Evan Alley, showed promising results with tumor reduction and improved overall survival in patients.
Researchers developed a new method to search for synthetic-lethal gene combinations using CRISPR/Cas9, uncovering 120 new opportunities for cancer drug development. The technique allowed them to test thousands of gene mutation combinations simultaneously, revealing more than 120 new synthetic-lethal interactions.
A new study by Penn researchers found that Medicare patients with chronic illnesses, such as cancer and rheumatoid arthritis, paid an average of $6,322 per year in out-of-pocket costs under Medicare Part D. The study proposes policy changes to cap annual out-of-pocket costs and spread them more evenly throughout the year.
The absence of protein SPRED2 alone can trigger excessive grooming behavior in mouse models. The study identifies the Ras/ERK-MAP kinase cascade as a key signaling pathway involved in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Administering an inhibitor to this pathway improves OCD symptoms, suggesting new potential treatments.
Researchers at the University of Bradford have developed a peptide that blocks RAN protein and kill cancer cells. The new treatment uses nanoparticles to deliver the peptide directly into cancer cells, showing promising results in lab tests.
Researchers developed a new drug delivery method using antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) that show high precision and stability. The method successfully treated hard-to-treat solid and liquid tumors, including HER2 breast cancer and CD138 multiple myeloma, without harming healthy cells.
The ABC Global Alliance, led by ESO, has launched a call-to-action to improve and extend the lives of patients with advanced breast cancer by 2025. The initiative outlines key gaps and actionable imperatives across patient care, societal support, and scientific investment for mBC.
Three Harvard experts discuss the economics of precision medicine, highlighting factors such as innovative incentives, higher prices due to biologic drugs, and limited competition. The authors propose potential solutions to increase patient access to these medicines, including financial instruments and price competition.
Researchers develop CelePlum-777, a nanoparticle-based drug combo that kills melanoma cells with minimal side effects. The treatment reduces cancer cell growth and resists resistance development, offering new hope for melanoma patients.
A University of Leicester study found that folinic acid can protect neurons in fruit flies with Parkinson's disease, offering potential hope for people with early-onset forms of the condition. The researchers believe that supplementing folinic acid could be a faster and more effective treatment option than developing new drugs.
A phase 2 clinical trial of sacituzumab govitecan, an antibody-drug conjugate targeting Trop-2, achieved a response in 21 participants with advanced triple-negative breast cancer. The responses were early and durable, lasting up to 20 months, with improved overall survival.
Researchers discovered that many breast cancer patients have mutational signatures similar to those with faulty BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes, suggesting they may also benefit from existing PARP inhibitor treatments. This opens up the possibility of treating up to 20% of women with these drugs.
Scientists have designed two new drug candidates that target specific types of cancer by binding to defective RNAs. The compounds, called Targapremir-18a and Targapremir-210, successfully kill prostate and triple negative breast cancer cells without causing broader side effects.
Recent advances in understanding regulatory mechanisms of HH pathway and chemical regulation are discussed. CAS scientists propose a hypothetical model for endogenous chemical modulation and suggest precise interventions for better therapeutic outcomes.