Research on the drugs used to treat cancer and how well they work. Covers immunotherapy, chemotherapy-free regimens, biosimilars, targeted drugs, and treatment costs.
A new study by the University of Copenhagen and Cancer Research UK shows that targeting fibroblasts can block cancer cell movement, trapping them in healthy tissue. The research uses a drug that targets PHD2, an inhibitor currently in clinical trials for anaemia.
Researchers have developed a technique to coat anticancer drugs in membranes made from a patient's own platelets, allowing the drugs to target both primary tumors and circulating tumor cells. This method can prolong drug circulation time up to 30 hours, increasing effectiveness.
A recent study by researchers found that FDA's 'breakthrough' designation significantly increases the percentage of people who rate a drug as effective and believe in its strong evidence. The study suggests that neutral terms with clear explanations may help consumers make more accurate judgments about these drugs.
The NCI has renewed a five-year, $13 million grant to support joint research projects between San Diego State University and UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center. The partnership aims to address cancer health care disparities among Hispanic/Latinos in the region, with a focus on innovative research and community outreach.
A phase 3 clinical trial found that immunotherapy drug nivolumab improved overall survival and reduced toxicities compared to chemotherapy drug docetaxel for patients with non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer. The results suggest that nivolumab is a promising option for patients whose lung cancer progresses after initial treatment.
A study of 129 children born after prenatal exposure to cancer treatment found normal mental and heart function, contradicting fears that chemotherapy would harm fetal development. However, premature birth was more frequent among these children than in the general population, suggesting avoiding prematurity is key.
A new clinical trial has found that cabozantinib, a second-line therapy, controls the growth of advanced kidney cancer more effectively than everolimus. The results show improved progression-free survival and lower tumor growth rates, indicating potential for prolonged survival.
Researchers found that the combination therapy improved progression-free survival across various sub-groups, including those with poor prognostic factors. The study also showed similar efficacy regardless of BRAF mutation status and disease stage.
The ESMO Global Opioid Policy Initiative reveals disparities in opioid access across the globe, with the Middle East, Latin America, and Asia showing limited access to essential pain relieving medication. The addition of new Designated Centres brings polices tailored to patient needs, promoting a multidisciplinary approach to cancer care.
Research highlights significant disparities in cancer care among migrants and refugees, with lower rates of early diagnosis and treatment. The European Society for Medical Oncology calls for policy changes to address these disparities and improve access to quality cancer care.
A new study reveals that brain metastases carry distinct genetic profiles compared to primary tumors, suggesting divergent evolutionary pathways and potential sensitivity to targeted therapy drugs. The research identifies clinically significant mutations in over half of patients' brain metastases.
Researchers at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center demonstrated a significant median overall survival benefit with nivolumab, increasing it to 25 months compared to 19.6 months for everolimus. The study also showed a higher objective response rate and fewer treatment-related adverse events with nivolumab.
Results from the METEOR trial show that cabozantinib improves progression-free and overall survival in patients with advanced clear cell kidney cancer, with a median progression-free survival of 7.4 months compared to 3.8 months for everolimus.
Researchers found that combining antidepressants with blood thinners increases autophagy in cancer cells, causing them to die. This combination therapy doubled the lifespan of mice with early-stage brain cancer, but further study is needed to confirm its effectiveness.
Researchers have discovered that combining tricyclic antidepressants with anticoagulant drugs can slow down glioma tumors in mice by causing excessive autophagy. The study, published in Cancer Cell, found that the combination therapy doubled the lifespan of mice with gliomas.
Researchers have discovered that a class of experimental drugs already in clinical trials can help the body's immune system fight cancer. The drugs target a protein called Focal Adhesion Kinase (FAK), which is often overproduced in tumors and enables them to evade the immune system.
Researchers have identified a molecular pathway that explains how tamoxifen-resistant breast cancer cells develop. The 'feedback loop' involves the HOXB7 protein, which helps activate genes that promote cancer growth. Targeting MYC protein, which is involved in this pathway, may lead to new treatments for tamoxifen-resistant cancers.
A new study published in the Journal of Oncology Practice found that patients participating in stage III renal cell cancer drug trials are often younger and healthier than those who ultimately receive the drugs. The study highlights concerns about the direct applicability of trial data, particularly for patients with more advanced canc...
Researchers at University of Virginia Health System identify two new cancer-causing gene mutations in MCM8 and MCM9 genes, which may be particularly susceptible to cancer-fighting drugs like cisplatin and olaparib. These mutations could lead to more targeted and effective treatments for lung and prostate cancers.
A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that letrozole did not improve pregnancy rates and live birth rates for women with unexplained infertility, but clomiphene remained the best option. Clomiphene enabled production of more eggs and hormones, while gonadotropin had the highest rate of pregnancy and live births.
A new smart lab robot system optimizes cancer treatment by finding the best combination of drugs to kill cancer cells without harming healthy ones. The robot is part of a broader effort to improve cancer treatment research and find new drug compounds for resistant cells.
Researchers have developed a novel type of graphene oxide-based biosensor that can detect biomolecules at a few trillionth of a gram per millimeter square. The sensor's sensitivity is three times higher than commercially available chips, making it ideal for analyzing chemical reactions with small drug molecules.
A combination of two drugs has been found to shrink pancreatic tumors in laboratory mice. The treatment, which targets the cell's DNA rather than proteins, also slowed the growth of human lung cancer cells. Researchers are now working to test this treatment in humans with pancreatic cancer.
Western University researchers have developed an artificial intelligence-powered tool that can predict a patient's response to paclitaxel and gemcitabine chemotherapy medications. The tool uses genetic analysis of tumours to identify the genetic signatures most important for determining resistance and remission for each medication. Wit...
Researchers found a biomarker that can predict which HER2-negative breast cancer patients will respond to bevacizumab treatment, allowing for early switch to more effective options. This discovery could spare patients from severe side effects and improve overall survival rates.
A simple blood test can detect early markers of reinvigorated T cells and track immune responses in metastatic melanoma patients after initial treatment with pembrolizumab. The study found increased levels of proteins characteristic of reinvigoration in CD8+ T cells, suggesting a potential biomarker to predict patient response.
Researchers suggest that combining epigenetic therapies with immunotherapies could restore cell-surface molecules that help the immune system eliminate cancer cells. Epigenetic drugs can also lower or eliminate immune cells that facilitate tumor growth.
Cancer Research UK scientists found that some cancer cells can survive gene damage caused by HDAC inhibitor drugs, triggering a 'survival' response. This mechanism rebalances tags and maintains normal gene activity, making it harder for the drug to kill cancer cells.
Cancer patients who receive chemotherapy treatment for a sustained period have heightened levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which correlates with drug resistance. The study proposes a measure of relative ROS levels under normal conditions to help determine if patients are becoming resistant to cancer drugs.
The project aims to create an online cache of molecular data to validate current cancer models and make predictions about the disease. This will enable a collaborative approach to cancer treatment and potentially reduce animal testing in research.
A team of researchers found that inhibiting the enzymatic activity of Tyk2 does not hinder its ability to activate natural killer cells. In fact, this inhibited form of Tyk2 still boosts NK cell maturation and activity, leading to strong suppression of cancer growth. This breakthrough suggests promising potential for new cancer therapies
A chemist at San Diego State University developed a new technique to improve the selectivity of protein kinase inhibitors, which can lead to fewer side effects. By locking in either the right- or left-handed version of an atropisomeric compound, researchers found more selective inhibition of specific kinases.
Researchers have discovered that an anti-diabetic drug can 'suffocate' pancreatic cancer stem cells by preventing them from using oxygen for energy. This finding holds promise for developing new treatments that target these cancer stem cells and prevent recurrence after conventional treatment. Pancreatic cancer remains one of the most ...
Researchers at EMBL-EBI have developed a new computational method to study biological signalling pathways and networks, allowing for more precise questions about how drugs affect proteins and pathways. The method uses noisy data from MS experiment, filters the noise, and integrates the data to reconstruct pathways robustly.
Researchers discovered a new method to attack cancer cells by targeting the SAS1B protein, which appears on cancer cells but not healthy tissue. This approach could lead to reduced side effects and improved fertility preservation for female patients.
Researchers isolated machinery for producing cancer-fighting drug etoposide from endangered Himalayan plant and applied it to a common laboratory plant, producing the chemical. The technique could lead to less expensive and more stable sources of drugs.
A clinical trial using Pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy found the treatment to be safe for patients with advanced small cell and non-small cell lung cancer. The study, led by Dr. Glen Weiss, presented initial results from 12 lung cancer patients enrolled in the 'PembroPlus' clinical trial.
Researchers have found a new strategy to eliminate HIV by reactivating latent infected cells using a class of drugs called Smac mimetics. The approach, which has shown promising results in clinical trials for cancer, may lead to a safe and effective treatment to cure the virus.
A University of Colorado Cancer Center study identified a specific ratio of MET to centromere 7 that defines patients with MET-driven lung cancer susceptible to crizotinib treatment. This threshold has been associated with responses approaching 70 percent in clinical trials.
The study reveals that drugs behave as predicted in the computer-generated model of P-gp, allowing researchers to understand how they bind and inhibit the protein. This breakthrough enables scientists to predict better what will make an inhibitor work, potentially leading to new cancer treatments.
Researchers at UCSF are studying a molecular pathway that underlies many cancers, with the goal of improving diagnosis and treatment. The grant will integrate data from preclinical studies and precision medicine technologies to generate high-resolution molecular information on NF1-associated tumors.
Researchers have found three new drug-like compounds that target a protein responsible for chemotherapy resistance in cancers, offering hope for improved treatment options. The compounds have shown promise in re-sensitizing resistant cancer cells to chemotherapy, improving the odds of survival for prostate cancer patients.
Children's Cancer Institute Australia has been awarded close to $2 million to test new drugs in preclinical models of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) under the Pediatric Preclinical Testing Consortium (PPTC). The PPTC will facilitate the acceleration of effective drugs into clinical trials.
Researchers at UC San Diego School of Medicine identified a new pathway that causes resistance to treatments, and developed a therapeutic drug that targets this pathway. The drug, KG5, inhibits the pathway and increases survival rates among patients with aggressive cancers.
Researchers discover that altering protein recycling complexes in human cells enables cancer cells to resist treatment with proteasome inhibitors, a class of drugs used to kill cancer cells. The discovery highlights the potential for targeting this resistant state to develop new cancer treatments.
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine have discovered a new way to kill cancers driven by the MYC gene, which is responsible for aggressive behavior in many types of malignancies. By inhibiting the spliceosome, a complex machine within cancer cells, scientists can target and destroy tumor cells without harming normal tissues.
A new study found that using a patient's entire genome helped suggest personalized treatment options for nearly half of children with cancer. The approach led to specific treatment changes in a quarter of these patients and showed promise in treating difficult-to-treat cancers.
The new Northwestern University Center for Cancer Nanotechnology Excellence will use nucleic-acid-based nanoconstructs called Spherical Nucleic Acids (SNAs) to discover new aspects of cancer biology and create effective cancer treatment options. SNAs are nontoxic to humans, offering a versatile tool in medicine.
Researchers at Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center have designed an online database called CanDL to help molecular pathologists identify key cancer gene mutations. The freely accessible database includes information on 60 genes, 334 distinct variants and 169 unique matching literature references across multiple cancers.
Researchers found a core group of genes related to both viral defense and susceptibility to demethylating drug 5-azacytidine. The study suggests that triggering this pathway may improve the effectiveness of immunotherapy drugs in patients with certain types of cancer.
Researchers create economic model to assess life expectancy, management of adverse effects, and quality of life for new oncology drugs like necitumumab. The study finds that the value-based price for necitumumab ranges between $563 and $1,309 per three-week cycle.
A research team has discovered a mechanism to mimic a viral infection in colon cancer stem cells, which could potentially trigger an immune response to fight the disease. Decitabine, a chemotherapy drug, is identified as a potential target to induce viral mimicry and activate an anti-viral response.
A recent study suggests that nitroglycerin could be repurposed as an anti-cancer treatment by improving tumor oxygenation and delivering anticancer drugs. The medication, traditionally used for chest pain, has excellent potential for patient benefit without significant side effects.
Researchers are exploring clinical trials on dogs with naturally occurring cancer to develop new treatments for humans. By studying the genetic basis of canine tumors, scientists hope to gain valuable insights into human cancer treatment.
A recent study published in the Journal of Geriatric Oncology found that 26% of senior oncology patients use complementary or alternative medicines, which can interact with cancer treatments. The study highlights the need for comprehensive screening and documentation of CAM use in older cancer patients.
University of Houston researchers identify liver X receptors as a promising target for developing new pancreatic cancer treatments. The study, led by Chin-Yo Lin, shows that targeting these receptors can slow the growth of tumors and is expected to lead to the development of new drugs.
A new analysis found that patients taking certain heart medications to manage stress may have a longer survival time than those not taking these drugs. Nonselective beta blockers showed the most significant benefit in extending median survival time, particularly among patients with hypertension.
Researchers found that generic heart medications, specifically nonselective beta-blockers, significantly improved overall survival among ovarian cancer patients. This is attributed to the ability of these drugs to block stress pathways involved in tumor growth and spread, with further research needed to explore their potential benefits.
The European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) announced the award of its esteemed prizes to three exceptional medical oncologists: Nathan Cherny, Nagahiro Saijo, and Cornelis Punt. These pioneers have made groundbreaking contributions to palliative care integration, medical oncology in Asia, and immunotherapy approaches.
Researchers from MSK Cancer Center announce results from the first published basket study, a clinical trial design that explores drug responses based on specific tumor mutations. The study found preliminary clinical efficacy of vemurafenib in multiple non-melanoma BRAFV600-mutated cancers.