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 from Scripps Research Institute have discovered a unique mechanism of borrelidin, a natural product with wide-ranging antifungal, antibacterial, anti-malaria and anti-cancer effects. The study sheds light on the compound's inhibition of protein synthesis by occupying four distinct subsites on tRNA synthetase.
Researchers at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre successfully converted microbubble technology into nanoparticles that retain their imaging properties. The discovery has the potential to enhance drug delivery, prolong tumour visualization, and improve cancer treatment precision.
Researchers at Michigan Medicine have developed a new compound that shows promise in treating acute leukemia and may also play a role in prostate cancer. The MLL-menin interaction is a key driver of the disease, and blocking this interaction has shown potential in laboratory studies.
Researchers have developed an experimental drug, BHPI, that rapidly shrinks most tumors in a mouse model of human breast cancer. The drug works by hyperactivating the unfolded protein response pathway, driving cancer cells from using it for protection into making it a lethal pathway.
Weizmann Institute scientists identified a potential drug molecule that stops cancer cells from getting their 'mail' by blocking communication with the nucleus. This method could treat various cancers and have fewer side effects than current treatments.
A new study suggests that fasting combined with a class of cancer-inhibiting drugs can starve colorectal, breast and lung cancer cells, potentially replacing chemotherapy. The research found that this combination is equally effective in killing cancer cells.
Researchers have discovered a new function for the retinoblastoma gene, which plays a central role in stopping healthy cells from dividing uncontrollably. The gene also helps to mend broken strands of DNA by forming clusters with other proteins, opening up new approaches to cancer treatment.
A new study evaluates currently available screening tools for senior cancer patients taking too many medications. It found that a more comprehensive assessment and monitoring plan is needed to improve treatment outcomes.
A team of Singapore-based scientists identified a new signalling pathway regulating cancer internal diet. The therapy combines an old anti-malarial drug with CK1α inhibition, effectively treating colon and bladder cancers. Researchers hope to develop more potent inhibitors for this treatment.
Researchers discovered that saccharin binds to and deactivates carbonic anhydrase IX, a protein found in some aggressive cancers. This finding opens up the potential to develop novel anti-cancer drugs derived from common condiments.
Researchers found that blocking two pathways, PGE2 and PD-1, boosts T-cell function and enhances viral control in mice with chronic infections. Celecoxib, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, was also shown to improve T-cell responses.
A new study reveals a blood test that measures circulating tumour cells can predict which men are benefitting least from prostate cancer drug treatment after just 12 weeks. The test may allow doctors to switch patients to alternative treatments earlier, speeding up clinical trials and improving survival rates.
Researchers found that a combination of metformin and vitamin D3 significantly improved outcomes in animal studies, inhibiting tumor growth and reducing polyp formation. The dual-compound effect was more effective than either option alone, with modest amounts needed to achieve the benefits.
Researchers from the University of Melbourne found that genetic variation affects the protective effect of aspirin on bowel cancer risk. The study analyzed data from 8,624 participants and found that about 1 in 25 people do not benefit from taking aspirin, potentially increasing their risk.
Research links genetic changes in bowel tumours to immune system responses, suggesting potential for targeted immunotherapy treatments. Genetic profiles could be used to diagnose suitability for immunotherapies and tailor treatment plans.
Researchers discover that combining Sodium Formate with metal-based cancer treatment JS07 can greatly increase its effectiveness against ovarian cancer cells. The potent form of JS07 disrupts cancer cell's energy generation mechanism, leading to cell shutdown and potential reduction in side effects.
A pioneering class of drugs targeting BRCA breast cancer genes may also work against tumours with CLBC gene defects. Researchers found that CLBC-defective cancer cells are vulnerable to PARP inhibitor drugs, opening up new treatment possibilities for a broader group of patients.
Researchers use mathematical models to characterize tumor microenvironment, highlighting sanctuary sites as key to drug resistance. Tumor sanctuaries with little drug exposure are the source of resistant mutants.
Researchers aim to target autophagy pathway, a key enzyme involved in cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. They plan to use high-throughput screening facilities to identify new inhibitors of Ulk1, a critical on-off switch regulating the pathway.
A study published in JAMA found significant discrepancies in diagnoses of atypia and DCIS, highlighting the need for women to seek second opinions. The study involved 115 pathologists and 6,900 breast biopsy interpretations, revealing a concordance rate of 75.3% for invasive carcinoma but only 48% for atypia.
A Dartmouth investigator found an mHealth app acceptable to diverse and low-income women for breast health risk assessment. The study showed that 11 of the 15 participants preferred using the mobile health device over a paper tool.
Washington State University researchers have discovered a mechanism by which omega-3 fatty acids inhibit the growth and spread of prostate cancer cells. The findings suggest that a potential new anti-cancer drug could be developed to target this process.
A new international study has found a small subset of patients with adrenal cancer respond significantly to the investigational drug linsitinib, paving the way for personalized treatment options. The researchers plan to analyze DNA collected from the study to identify possible markers for response.
A study by MIT economist Ernst Berndt and colleagues found that the prices of leading cancer drugs increased by 10% annually from 1995 to 2013, even after adjusting for inflation and incremental health benefits. The researchers suggest that rising prices reflect a greater social tolerance for significant healthcare costs.
A study published in Nature Reviews Immunology reveals a 'window of vulnerability' for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) to infect the female reproductive tract. The researchers found that hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle create an optimal environment for implantation, which also increases susceptibility to STIs.
Researchers have developed spherical nucleic acids that can selectively trigger the immune response, potentially treating a range of diseases including psoriasis, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, lymphoma, bladder cancer, and prostate cancer. SNAs are nontoxic, potent, and efficiently deliver nucleic acids into cells via the endosome.
A new study from the University of British Columbia suggests that Canada can implement universal public drug coverage without increasing taxes. The study estimates that this system would save the Canadian economy $7.3 billion annually by increasing the use of generic drugs and negotiating lower prices with pharmaceutical companies.
A study by Mayo Clinic Cancer Center reveals the average price of cancer drugs in the US has increased significantly over the years, affecting patient care. The authors recommend six potential solutions to control high drug costs, including allowing Medicare to negotiate prices and implementing value-based pricing.
Pazopanib, a cancer drug, shows promise in reducing bleeding and small AVMs in patients with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT), a rare genetic disorder. The study aims to assess the efficacy of pazopanib in improving symptoms and quality of life for HHT patients.
A genetically engineered immunotoxin called DT2219 has shown safety and clinical effectiveness in a phase I trial for patients with relapsed/refractory B-cell malignancies. Two patients achieved durable objective responses, highlighting the potential of this new treatment approach.
The NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology provide evidence-based recommendations for smoking cessation in patients with cancer. Combining pharmacologic therapy and counseling is the most effective approach, leading to improved cancer treatment effectiveness and decreased recurrence.
Researchers found that combining naproxen with omeprazole reduced bladder cancer incidence by 75% in rats. This combination may be a valuable cancer prevention strategy for those at high risk of colon, esophageal, or other cancers.
Researchers have developed a new light therapy that can reach deep tumors using nanoparticles and FDG, producing different kinds of free radicals that overwhelm tumor cells. This treatment shows promise in reducing cancer growth and increasing survival rates with minimal toxic side effects.
A Review article discusses how existing drugs like Viagra can reduce the activity of a specific chaperone protein, HSPA5/Dna K, which may lead to anti-tumor and anti-Alzheimer's disease effects. The study also reveals potential applications in treating antibiotic-resistant infections and chemotherapy-resistant cancers.
A new study has identified two distinct subtypes of childhood leukemia and found that about 13 percent of ALL cases may be successfully treated with targeted drugs. The research developed a simple lab test to determine which patients fall into the less-common subtype, opening up new hope for treatment options.
Researchers at Scripps Research and Mayo Clinic have identified a new class of senolytic drugs that can slow the aging process. These compounds, dasatinib and quercetin, selectively induce death in senescent cells, leading to improved cardiovascular function, exercise endurance, and extended healthspan.
A phase 2 clinical trial found that sunitinib significantly improved progression-free survival in patients with advanced differentiated thyroid cancer. The study showed that 83% of patients benefited from treatment, with either tumor shrinkage or slowed disease progression.
Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine shed new light on tumor metastasis, proposing a hypothesis that reversible epigenetic events regulate different types of metastatic cancers. Epigenetics enables cancer progenitor cells to differentiate into metastatic tumors.
A new study from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute found that many websites marketing personalized cancer care services make exaggerated claims, with 88% offering nonstandard tests lacking clear clinical utility. The researchers urge consumers and healthcare providers to critically evaluate these services.
Researchers at UC Davis have discovered a molecule that interferes with the internal regulation of cancer cells, causing them to self-destruct. This mechanism was found to be effective against glioma cells, which are responsible for a usually fatal type of brain cancer, and could be applicable to other highly aggressive cancers.
Researchers investigated a potential link between new weight-loss drugs and increased colon cancer risk, driven by the intestinal growth factor properties of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). The study suggests that patients with a previous history or increased risk of colon cancer may not be ideally suited for these therapies.
Intermediate filaments of vimentin 'insulate' mitochondria in cancer cells from destruction, preserving energy reserves. This discovery may lead to the development of new drugs that effectively treat cancer.
Researchers found that a secreted immune protein called interleukin(IL)-17B promotes pancreatic cancer growth and metastasis. Treating tumor-bearing mice with an IL-17B inhibitor halted tumor growth and spread, resulting in increased survival.
A recent study by Samir Soneji found that the US spends significantly more on cancer treatment than Western European countries, yet mortality rates have decreased only modestly since 1970. The study suggests that much of this spending may be unnecessary and not leading to significant quality-adjusted-life-year gains.
A new nanodevice developed by MIT researchers can block the gene that confers drug resistance and then deliver a chemotherapy attack against disarmed tumors. The device was tested in mice implanted with human breast tumors and successfully shrunk tumors by 90% in two weeks.
Chemists at Bielefeld University develop copper-based anti-tumor agent that targets DNA phosphates, disrupting cellular processes and killing cancer cells. The new agent shows higher efficacy than cisplatin in killing cancer cells at lower concentrations.
A new study suggests that taking popular anti-smoking medication for several weeks before quitting may make it easier to quit and stay quit. The research found that extending the use of bupropion prior to quitting reduced smoking during that period without increasing craving or withdrawal.
A study published in JAMA Oncology found that 10% of CLL patients discontinued ibrutinib therapy due to disease progression. Patients who experienced Richter's transformation or progressive CLL had poorer outcomes and required alternative therapy quickly after discontinuation.
A new laboratory test, called Dynamic BH3 Profiling, can predict which cancer treatment will be most effective against a particular type of cancer within less than 24 hours. The test measures how vigorously tumor cells respond to different cancer drugs and has been shown to consistently predict the best treatment in clinical trials.
Researchers at Rockefeller University found that exposure to TGF-beta prompts changes in mouse tumor stem cells, making them more vulnerable to drugs. The study suggests that this environmental factor contributes to the unpredictable behavior of cancer cells and may lead to better treatment strategies for life-threatening cancers.
A new cancer drug called PAC-1, which targets cancer cells by restoring an enzyme's activity, is now entering phase I clinical trials in humans. The drug was first tested in pet dogs with spontaneously occurring cancers and showed promising results.
Cancer data in sub-Saharan Africa is being questioned due to its poor population coverage and weak registration systems. GLOBOCAN statistics are heavily relied upon by Governments and NGOs, despite lacking independent evaluation. Experts call for improved cancer registration systems and more transparency from the WHO.
Researchers from Dartmouth's Norris Cotton Cancer Center have discovered the Cherenkov Effect can be measured to improve radiation therapy. The study found that light emission correlates with dose, making it suitable for narrow beam stereotactic radiation therapy and surface dosimetry applications.
A new platform developed by UCLA bioengineers uses nanotechnology-enhanced medications and AI-driven analysis to create safer and more effective treatments for drug-resistant tumors. The approach, called Feedback System Control.II, has been shown to outperform traditional combination therapies.
A study found that a gene variant is associated with a higher incidence and severity of peripheral neuropathy in children treated with vincristine, a widely used anticancer agent. The variant, CEP72, was linked to an increased risk of nerve damage and pain in patients receiving vincristine treatment.
Researchers have identified potential targets for precision drugs that exploit cancer cells' inherent weaknesses in DNA repair systems. This discovery could lead to personalized medicine and potentially save thousands of cancer patients from chemotherapy's horrible side effects.
A common antibiotic, clarithromycin, has shown potential as an anti-cancer agent when used in combination with other drugs. Low- and middle-income countries may play a key role in developing this treatment, which could lead to improved patient outcomes.
Researchers at MD Anderson Cancer Center have identified unique 'protein patterns' in melanoma patients to predict resistance to BRAF inhibitors. These patterns may help guide personalized treatment decisions, including targeted agents or immunotherapies.
The phase II study results indicate that palbociclib can extend disease control and produce tumor shrinkage in ER+ breast cancer patients. Researchers observed significantly longer progression-free survival in hormone receptor-positive patients compared to those with HR-negative breast cancer.
Abl and Src proteins have distinct evolutionary paths, allowing Brandeis researchers to pinpoint specificity for Gleevec. Their findings pave the way for rational drug design in various cancers.