Research on the drugs used to treat cancer and how well they work. Covers immunotherapy, chemotherapy-free regimens, biosimilars, targeted drugs, and treatment costs.
Cancer Research UK is investing £39 million over five years into the Manchester Centre, focusing on translational research and training the next generation of cancer researchers. This funding will support innovative approaches to treating cancer, including radiotherapy and personalised medicine, with the aim of improving patient outcomes.
Researchers have identified new gene fusions and mutations associated with a subset of GIST patients, providing novel insights into the disease's biology. These findings could lead to personalized treatment approaches and improved outcomes for GIST patients.
Research by Dr. Josef Penninger found that RANKL inhibition can delay and prevent breast cancer development in mice with mutated BRCA1. The loss of RANK also impaired tumor progression, raising the possibility of a novel targeted approach for breast cancer prevention.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center discovered that a combination of existing targeted therapy and investigational molecule can induce breast cancer cell death in preclinical experiments. The approach has wide implications for advancing treatment if successful in planned clinical trials.
Researchers uncover disparate evolutionary trajectories and mutational profiles driving follicular lymphoma's transformation and early progression. The study highlights key genes and biological processes associated with these events, offering a basis for future research on prognostic assays and treatment strategies.
Researchers discovered three distinct subgroups of atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumours (ATRTs), a highly malignant type of brain cancer in children. The study identified promising drugs to target each subgroup, offering new hope for personalized treatment.
The Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center study estimates that tobacco control measures have saved over 22 million smoking-related lives globally. The new analysis found that increased cigarette taxes, smoke-free laws, and health warnings were key contributors to the decrease in smoking rates and related deaths.
Research reveals that 20-40% of multiple myeloma patients have a defective ribosome, leading to a poorer prognosis but better response to Bortezomib treatment. The discovery has the potential to improve therapy selection for these patients.
A new study by SWOG found that duloxetine can significantly reduce joint pain in postmenopausal women with early stage breast cancer. The randomized trial tested the effectiveness of duloxetine against aromatase inhibitors, a common treatment for breast cancer, and showed rapid relief from pain.
Researchers identified two drug combinations that could improve survival rates for breast cancer patients, including anti-inflammatory and lipid modifiers. The study analyzed data from nearly 10,000 women with breast cancer and found three pairs of drug interactions associated with better outcomes.
Researchers have made a major discovery about how cells control when to divide, revealing a key part of the cellular machinery that prevents cells from dividing until DNA is properly aligned. This finding could lead to new treatments for cancer by forcing cancer cells into premature division and killing them.
A large Canadian clinical trial found that a new treatment strategy for locally advanced squamous cell head and neck cancer did not show better results compared to the current standard of care. The study provided valuable data on quality of life and biospecimens from 320 patients, informing future research.
Researchers at Uppsala University have developed a new method of antibody-based immunotherapy that targets tumor cells with minimal impact on other parts of the body. This alternative strategy has shown promising results in stimulating immune cells to attack and destroy cancer cells, potentially reducing adverse events.
A lack of psychiatric healthcare providers in rural areas is leaving patients without access to necessary treatment options, exacerbating the impact of untreated mental illness. The OHSU Knight Cancer Institute is working to address this issue through innovative approaches to cancer care and mental health support.
Scientists at University of California San Diego determined the 3D structure of CCR2 simultaneously bound to two inhibitors, providing insights for developing anti-inflammatory drugs. The study reveals how these molecules turn the receptor 'off' by blocking natural chemokine binding and preventing inflammatory signal transmission.
Scientists have discovered a new class of compounds that can be used to target cancer cells with greater specificity. The technology uses naturally occurring enzymes to trigger the release of therapeutic payloads only at cancer sites.
Researchers discovered a subset of lung tumors sensitive to MEK inhibitors, offering new hope for up to 10% of lung cancer patients with ATM mutant gene. The study's findings could pave the way for precision medicine and targeted treatment strategies.
Researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute have found that an immunotherapy drug called nivolumab can induce lasting remissions in patients with recurrent or refractory primary central nervous system lymphoma and primary testicular lymphoma. Four out of five patients treated with the drug showed a complete response to treatment.
A study of over 290,000 adults found that even low-intensity smokers had a significantly higher risk of earlier death than never smokers. The risk was particularly strong for lung cancer mortality, with low-intensity smokers experiencing nearly 9 times the risk of dying from lung cancer.
High-risk acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients can live longer with quicker identification and transplantation. Researchers found that rapidly identifying genetic mutations and matching donors increased two-year survival rates from 22% to 45%. The streamlined approach could establish a new standard of care for these patients.
A Phase IB/II study found that combining nivolumab with azacitidine improved response rates (34%) and overall survival (9.3 months) in patients with acute myeloid leukemia, compared to a historic response rate of 12-15% with azacitidine alone.
A comprehensive analysis of existing drugs has identified areas where human genes and proteins could be promising targets for new treatments, as well as gaps in current medicine. The study also found that 70% of targeted drugs work on just four families of proteins, leaving vast swathes of human biology untouched.
A new study by University of California San Diego School of Medicine scientists discovered the Hippo pathway's unexpected function in subduing cancer immunity. Deleting LATS1/2 from mouse cancer cells enhanced anti-tumor immune responses, suggesting a potential therapeutic approach to improve immunotherapy efficiency.
A study comparing four tests for PD-L1 expression has found that three tests cluster together, but the results vary with different scales. The goal of the ongoing study is to determine which test predicts treatment response most accurately.
A new anti-cancer drug, GDC-0575, has shown remarkable effectiveness when combined with gemcitabine in treating advanced soft tissue sarcomas. The combination significantly reduced tumour growth rate and led to long-lasting periods without disease progression in two patients.
A team of researchers has discovered microRNAs play a critical role in tumor progression and response to radiation therapy in a mouse model. The findings suggest that microRNA biomarkers could be used to predict cancer response to radiation, potentially leading to more effective treatments.
Researchers at UTSA developed a tiny implantable drug delivery system to treat various ailments over several weeks. The medicine diffusion capsule can deliver doses for days or weeks, making it suitable for treating cancer and other diseases.
A phase I trial of LY3039478 showed the drug's ability to inhibit Notch signalling pathway in patients with various advanced cancers. The treatment resulted in tumour shrinkage and disease stabilisation, particularly in rare cancers like adenoid cystic carcinoma.
A proposed biosimilar drug has shown equivalent results to trastuzumab in treating metastatic breast cancer. The study's findings suggest that a biosimilar treatment option could increase global access to biologic cancer therapies, particularly for women in non-high-income countries.
A Cardiff University study found that regular aspirin use does not significantly increase the risk of fatal stomach bleeds. The research suggests that the benefits of aspirin in reducing heart disease and cancer deaths outweigh the risks.
Ground-breaking studies demonstrate early benefit of targeted treatments in advanced cancers, with dramatic responses seen in patients who have failed standard therapies. Liquid biopsies enable real-time monitoring of patient progress and treatment efficacy.
Cancer Research UK is investing £226 million in cancer research over five years, focusing on translational research and supporting clinical trials. The investment aims to bring better treatments faster to cancer patients, with a particular focus on hard-to-treat cancers.
A phase I clinical trial has shown that the experimental drug TAS-114 can increase the effectiveness of chemotherapy while reducing side effects. The drug, combined with S-1, resulted in tumor shrinkage and stable disease progression in patients with various cancers, including non-small cell lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, and breast c...
Researchers at the University of Southampton have characterised the molecular mechanisms behind idelalisib's effectiveness in treating chronic lymphocytic leukaemia. The study found that the drug disrupts survival signals and prevents tumour cell communication, leading to cancer cell death.
In a phase I clinical trial, combination therapy of CB-839 and everolimus resulted in tumor control in 93% of patients with clear cell and papillary renal cell cancer. The median time without cancer growth was 8.5 months, suggesting potential as a treatment option for advanced kidney cancer.
Researchers at the University of Washington have developed a new nanocarrier system that can deliver chemotherapy drugs and imaging molecules to tumors, sparing healthy tissue from toxic side effects. The hybrid nanocarriers can also provide sustained imaging for months, enabling doctors to visualize tumors more effectively.
Researchers at Rockefeller University found genetic evidence of bacteria capable of producing compounds with potent effects as medicines in urban soil. The study identified a wide range of natural products with potential therapeutic applications, including antibiotics and antifungal agents.
Researchers found that AML patients with TP53 mutations respond to milder chemotherapy drug decitabine, achieving remission and median survival over a year. The study suggests using targeted therapy for younger patients carrying the mutation.
A study of Medicare beneficiaries with cancer found those without supplemental insurance faced the highest out-of-pocket costs. Hospitalizations were a primary reason for these costs, with some patients facing expenses exceeding 63% of their household income.
Scientists at UC San Diego School of Medicine discovered a key protein involved in protecting epithelial cells during stress, and found that the widely prescribed anti-diabetic drug Metformin works by activating this pathway to prevent cancer. The study provides new insights into the mechanism behind Metformin's tumor-suppressive action.
A recent study found that metformin treatment inhibits abnormal mitochondrial metabolism and activates anti-proliferation signaling in individuals with Li-Fraumeni syndrome. This inhibition leads to lower rates of tumor formation and increased survival time, suggesting metformin as a potential strategy for cancer prevention.
A new study from UT Southwestern Medical Center found that proactive outreach to cirrhosis patients doubled their screening rates for liver cancer. The study successfully improved early detection and survival rates among those at highest risk of adverse outcomes. Only one-fourth of cirrhosis patients are currently screened every six mo...
Researchers investigated resistance to antiangiogenic therapies using animal models, finding inconsistent definitions of treatment failure. The study emphasizes the need for improved methodology to accurately predict alternative strategies that benefit patients.
The largest genomic tumor profiling effort showed that large-scale clinical application of the methods is technically feasible, but faces significant challenges and unanswered questions. The study found that at least one actionable mutation was discovered in about two-thirds of patient samples, which could inform treatment decisions.
George Washington University researchers received a $2.2 million grant from the National Cancer Institute to investigate the role of human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) in cancer development. They plan to use a novel computational pathway program, Telescope, to pinpoint HERV expression in various cancers.
Researchers have developed a new cancer treatment called photoimmunotherapy that combines the immune system with laser energy to target and destroy cancer cells. This innovative technique delivers precise, lethal payloads with minimal collateral damage.
Researchers at Texas A&M University found that breast cancer cells may evade treatment by consuming stem cells from bone marrow, making them difficult to kill. This mechanism could explain cancer recurrence and lead to new treatments, such as delivering toxic agents directly to cancer cells using stem cells as a delivery vehicle.
Researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute found that cabozantinib exceeded sunitinib in progression-free survival and overall response rates for patients with metastatic kidney cancer. The study showed a 20% lower risk of death associated with cabozantinib treatment.
Researchers created a new cancer drug using gold nanoparticles to deliver paclitaxel directly to tumors, increasing effectiveness while reducing devastating side effects such as hair loss and nerve pain. Early lab tests showed the therapy to be nearly as effective as a high dose of paclitaxel alone.
Researchers at the University of Hawaii Cancer Center identified a protein called RSK2 as a driver of tumor cell invasion in glioblastoma. Inhibiting RSK2 stops the invasion and enhances chemotherapy effectiveness, offering new hope for patients with this aggressive brain cancer.
Research finds that tumor necrosis factor inhibitors used to treat juvenile idiopathic arthritis do not increase the risk of malignancy. The study, which analyzed data from over 27,000 children with JIA, concluded that TNFi are not associated with a significantly increased risk of incident malignancy.
Lung cancer is expected to result in an estimated 158,080 deaths in 2016 due to limited treatment options. Researchers are exploring signals within lung cancer cells that cause them to grow quickly and spread to other organs like the liver.
Researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center have developed a novel approach using mathematical modeling to accurately predict patient responses to cancer drugs in virtual clinical trials. This approach enables the identification of optimal treatment schedules that improve outcomes and reduce toxicities for melanoma patients.
A new study raises concerns about the effectiveness of expensive new cancer drugs in improving survival rates, citing limitations in clinical trials and high costs. Experts call for stricter approval criteria and improved patient consent processes to ensure fair and equitable treatment.
RK-33 reduces prostate cancer cell proliferation and increases sensitivity to radiation, offering a promising combination treatment for prostate cancer. The experimental drug has been shown to be effective in both laboratory cultures and animal models.
Researchers at Queen's University Belfast have identified a way to bypass bowel cancer's defence against the drug cetuximab by blocking the ADAM17 protein. This breakthrough could lead to a new combination therapy that delays or prevents cancer recurrence, improving patient outcomes.
An international team has developed a new method to analyze RNA structures linked to cancer. The research aims at understanding how four-stranded RNA structures called G-quadruplexes affect cellular processes such as RNA splicing, which is essential for producing proteins.
A new synthetic binding protein called NS1 monobody has been developed to block the activity of genetic mutations found in nearly 90% of pancreatic cancers. This breakthrough discovery provides insight into how RAS proteins function in cells, potentially leading to new therapeutic approaches for treating cancer.
Researchers use gold nanoparticles with radioactive tracers to target cancer cells' telomeres, shutting down telomerase and halting growth. The method holds promise for delivering a lethal payload to cancer cells, improving treatment outcomes.
The Lancet Commission estimates the monthly cost of a basic package of 201 essential medicines could be as low as $1-2 per person, addressing universal health coverage goals. However, many countries spend less than this amount on medicines, highlighting the need for additional financing to meet basic healthcare needs.