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 phase I/II clinical trial has demonstrated that rociletinib, a new oral EGFR inhibitor, can respond to treatment-resistant advanced non-small cell lung cancer, including those with the T790M resistance mutation. The overall response rate was 46%, and disease control rate was 84% among patients who received the pivotal dose.
Researchers have successfully developed a treatment that reduces the risk of skin graft rejection by combining interleukin 2 with rapamycin. The treatment has shown promising results in mice, with no signs of rejection observed after 30 days.
Researchers found galeterone to be effective in lowering PSA levels and stabilizing disease in patients with CRPC. The drug showed promising activity against the AR-V7 variant, a mechanism of resistance in this disease.
A phase I trial of AG-120, an oral inhibitor of mutant IDH1, has shown clinical activity in patients with advanced acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) and the IDH1 mutation. The drug reduced 2-HG levels to normal, allowing cells to mature into normal functioning cells.
A phase 1/2 study found the combination of weekly ixazomib plus lenalidomide and dexamethasone to be generally well-tolerated and active in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma, resulting in a partial response rate of 92%. The study supports the development of a phase 3 trial for this combination.
A study published in Nature found that thiazolidinediones, a class of diabetes drugs, work by targeting the CDK5 pathway, but unexpectedly led researchers to discover the ERK kinase instead. MEK inhibitors, initially developed for cancer treatment, have been shown to improve insulin resistance in mouse models of diabetes
Researchers found that altering the p53 gene family causes rapid regression of tumors deficient in or lacking p53. Existing diabetes drugs that impact the same gene-protein pathway might be effective for cancer treatment.
Researchers at University of California, San Diego School of Medicine developed a way to chemically disguise RNAi drugs so they can enter cells. The technique converts disguised drug precursors into active RNAi drugs that selectively block target protein production in a cell.
Researchers used big data analysis to identify crizotinib, a cancer drug, as a possible candidate for a new stent coating. The medication helped prevent stent disease and protected the endothelium without affecting blood vessel lining in mice.
Researchers at EPFL have identified an alternative part of Abl-kinase on which drugs can bind with reduced risk of drug resistance. This new approach may overcome the problem of tumor drug resistance, offering a potential treatment for chronic myeloid leukemia.
A new study suggests that malfunctioning tau, not amyloid-beta plaque, is the key event triggering neuron death in Alzheimer's disease. Researchers found that when tau fails to function, neurons can't clear toxic proteins, leading to cell death.
Researchers developed a fluorescence imaging technique to accurately identify protein receptors in tumors without tissue biopsy. The new approach strongly correlates with clinical immunohistochemistry and may impact oncology patient outcomes.
Researchers developed an anti-cancer drug that protects normal cells from radiation damage while sparing cancer cells. The compound, RTA 408, increases the effectiveness of radiation therapy in prostate cancer models and has potential applications for treating accidental radiation exposure.
Researchers have developed a synthetic anti-cancer molecule JK-31 that blocks the signalling of a 'growth factor' chemical promoting blood vessel networks to feed tumours. The molecule also inhibits a protein controlling cancer cell division and proliferation.
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital describe a new screening platform that combines genetic and pharmacologic screening of tumors, enabling truly individualized treatment regimens. The approach identifies previously unknown resistance mechanisms, several of which were not detectable by gene sequencing alone.
The UK's Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund has invested £1.2 million in seven new projects aimed at developing new treatments for pancreatic cancer. The projects will focus on targeting the energy supply of cancer cells and improving chemotherapy absorption, among other areas.
A University of Colorado Cancer Center study found that TAK-733, a next-gen melanoma drug, exhibited anti-cancer activity in 10 out of 11 patient tumor samples grown in mice. The drug showed significant shrinkage in tumors up to 100%, regardless of BRAF mutation status.
Domperidone has been found to increase milk supply in breastfeeding women with no reported significant adverse effects. Its use is associated with modest improvements in breast milk volume, supporting long-term health benefits for both mothers and babies.
Researchers found that the current classification system for colorectal cancer cannot be used to predict drug responses to FOLFIRI. The study suggests that a new approach is needed to make informed treatment decisions.
Researchers at the University of Manchester have found that combining AZD3965 with radiotherapy reduces tumour growth in mice and increases anti-tumour effects. The study suggests a new treatment approach for cancer patients by targeting tumours through metabolism
Researchers discovered that bisphosphonates can inhibit cancer spread in some women with breast cancer by attaching to calcifications in tumors and being devoured by immune cells. This finding could lead to new, more effective ways of using these drugs to treat certain cancers.
A new drug-based treatment may offer effective options for teenagers with neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2), a devastating condition that affects 1 in 25,000 people worldwide. Researchers will investigate the mechanism of NF2 and explore how existing drugs can be repurposed to treat the condition.
Researchers found a new strategy and potential drug to target faulty Ras protein, which causes cancer by producing excess signals. This breakthrough offers opportunities for developing new treatments that exploit the discovery without harming healthy cells.
A trial revealed that patients with a specific type of esophageal cancer who received the lung cancer drug gefitinib survived longer, with some patients living up to six months beyond their initial treatment. The drug has shown promise as a targeted treatment for this disease.
NSAIDs protect against colorectal cancer by inducing cell suicide pathways in intestinal stem cells carrying a mutated gene. The research team found that NSAIDs activate the so-called death receptor pathway, selectively triggering a suicide program in dysfunctional cells. This mechanism could help design new drugs to prevent colon cancer.
A new study by the RAND Corporation estimates that biosimilar drugs could save the US healthcare system $44.2 billion over 10 years by reducing costs and increasing competition. The introduction of biosimilars is expected to drive down prices for complex biologic drugs used to treat illnesses such as cancer and rheumatoid arthritis.
The Cancer Health Literacy Study developed an evaluation tool called the Cancer Health Literacy Test (CHLT)-30 to measure cancer health literacy along a continuum. The study found that 18% of cancer patients have limited CHL, with an overrepresentation of African-American, undereducated and low-income patients.
Researchers found that eribulin improves overall survival of women with metastatic triple negative breast cancer and HER2 negative breast cancer by nearly five months and two months respectively. Eribulin, originally developed from sea sponges, is a microtubule inhibitor that stops cancer cells from separating into new cells.
A study published in Molecular Neurodegeneration finds that tau, not amyloid-beta plaque, causes neuronal death in Alzheimer's disease. The researchers suggest that remaining Abeta inside the neuron destroys cells, while malfunctioning tau prevents cells from clearing toxic proteins.
Synthetic lethality harnesses genetic differences between tumor cells and normal cells to minimize side effects on normal cells, while maximizing drug effects on cancer cells. This approach has shown promising results in treating breast cancer patients with BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations.
Researchers developed a new strategy to detect bladder cancer using CD47, a protein that signals the immune system not to attack. The technique improves bladder cancer detection, guides precise surgery, and reduces unnecessary biopsies, increasing patients' quality of life.
A recent study found that androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) increases the risk of heart-related deaths in men with congestive heart failure or prior heart attacks. The study analyzed data from 5,077 men with prostate cancer, revealing a 3.3-times increased risk of heart-related deaths in this subgroup.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University have developed a technique to test the effectiveness of anti-cancer drugs on individual patients' tumors in a dish, using fluorescence imaging to monitor the response. The test can detect significant drops in metabolic activity levels within 72 hours, allowing doctors to identify the most effective ...
A pilot clinical trial at UTHealth Medical School found that AHCC increased the number and activity of Natural Killer cells, helping fight off infections and tumor growth. Five women achieved negative HPV test results after six months of treatment, with confirmed eradication in three.
Researchers found that generic aromatase inhibitors increased treatment adherence by 50% compared to brand-name counterparts, while also decreasing co-payment costs. The study highlights the critical need to address medication non-adherence, particularly in the context of costly oral cancer therapies.
Researchers have discovered a new drug combination that disrupts two key signaling pathways that drive breast cancer growth, showing promise in treating the disease. The combination of rapamycin and dasatinib was found to be more effective than using either drug alone in killing tumors.
Breast cancer patients taking brand name aromatase inhibitors had higher discontinuation rates and nonadherence compared to those on generic AIs. Higher copayments of $15-$30 per month were also linked to discontinued use.
A recent study found that 43% of medicinal plants in Pakistan were naturally contaminated with toxins produced by moulds. The levels exceeded permissible limits in 70% of the samples, and 31% produced harmful toxins. This highlights a need for stricter regulation to protect people using herbal medicines.
A new drug, OTS964, can eradicate aggressive human lung cancers transplanted into mice by inhibiting the action of a protein overproduced by several tumor types. The drug was well-tolerated and effective when taken as a pill or injected intravenously.
Researchers at the Salk Institute have discovered a mechanism for cancer cells to become resistant to chemotherapy, which may lead to a new approach to treating cancer. The study found that variations in breast cancer cells' RNA enable the cancer to evolve and adapt more quickly than previously thought.
Researchers at NYU Langone Health have made breakthroughs in treating T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia by blocking the action of an enzyme called JMJD3. The treatment, GSKJ4, has shown promising results in mice and human lab cells, with cancer cells dying when treated with the experimental drug.
A novel strategy combining nanoparticle technology with FDA-approved photodynamic therapy has been developed to effectively kill deep-set cancer cells in vivo. The treatment uses low-power, deep-tissue-penetrating light to activate the cancer-killing drug, showing improved destruction of tumors with minimal damage to surrounding tissue.
E-cigarette regulation by FDA could shift smokers away from lethal cigarettes and save lives. Clean-nicotine products may replace traditional tobacco, reducing nicotine levels and flavorings.
The EMA is exploring alternative approaches to clinical trials in rare cancers, recognizing the challenges of small sample sizes and the need for innovative methods. These discussions aim to enhance the evidence base for treatments in rare cancer patients, who face limited treatment options.
The Basser Research Center has received $6.9 million in new grants to develop vaccines and therapies for patients at increased risk of breast and ovarian cancers. The funding will support multi-disciplinary collaboration efforts aimed at identifying new treatments.
Researchers at Imperial College London have developed a new cancer drug, DTP3, that selectively kills multiple myeloma cells without causing toxicity. The drug works by stopping the NF-kB pathway, which allows cancer cells to multiply, and has been awarded funding for clinical trials in patients with multiple myeloma.
University of Iowa researchers found a gene in an amoeba that functions similarly to the human PTEN gene, which suppresses tumor growth. They tested the gene in mice and found it fully overcompensated for defects caused by mutated PTEN genes, potentially leading to new cancer treatments.
Researchers identified a neuronal pathway blocked by cancer drug doxorubicin in snails and rats, which may be responsible for 'chemo brain'. The study suggests that another agent can counteract the effects, paving the way for new treatments to alleviate cognitive deficits in cancer patients.
Researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute identified two previously unknown mutations in a cancer patient's DNA that led to an extraordinary response to the drug everolimus. The study highlights the potential of personalized medicine and may help develop new therapeutic strategies for other patients with similar mutations.
Dartmouth researchers have identified nine traits that predict single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) reproducibility without relying on P-values. The Replication Score (RS) model can select SNPs for validation and prioritization, improving the accuracy of genetic association studies.
A new chemotherapy drug regimen has been shown to effectively control life-threatening immune responses in bone marrow transplant recipients. The short course of cyclophosphamide, combined with two other chemotherapy drugs, eliminates the need for six months of immunosuppressive treatment.
Recent trends in cancer drug spending show a significant increase, with hospitals profiting from discounted prices through the 340B program. Researchers found that hospitals serving more affluent communities increased their profits, while patients may not receive the intended discounts.
Weizmann Institute researchers found that cancer grows faster during the day and is suppressed at night due to hormonal fluctuations. Administering treatments in sync with the body's natural day-night cycle may improve their effectiveness.
Weian Zhao, a UCI stem cell scientist, has been awarded the prestigious NIH New Innovator Award to create stem cell-based detection methods for cancer. His project aims to engineer smart stem cell systems to target cancer cells and improve treatment outcomes.
The Kay Yow Cancer Fund has awarded a $100,000 young women's breast cancer research grant to the Knight Cancer Institute at Oregon Health & Science University. The grant will support research on non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and their potential effectiveness in preventing metastasis of breast cancer in young women.
A team of researchers from InSilico Medicine has successfully mapped the molecular pathway for myeloid-derived suppressor cell (MDSC) cancer progression. The study identifies several proliferation and invasion-related pathways that are key to MDSC's immune-suppressive effects, opening up new avenues for therapy targeting these cells.
A phase 1 clinical trial of crizotinib against ROS1-positive lung cancer showed a 72% response rate and 19.2 months progression-free survival, suggesting potential for durable action against this subtype of lung cancer.
Researchers have found a targeted treatment, afatinib, that can stop the growth of aggressive womb cancer cells and shrink tumours. The drug targets faults in the HER2 gene, which lie at the heart of the cancer cells, offering new hope for patients with this rare but deadly form of cancer.
A gene mutation that causes a rare premature aging disease could lead to the development of drugs that block rapid cell division in cancer. Researchers discovered a protein mutation that inhibits telomerase, allowing for the potential treatment of cancer and bone marrow failure.
Montefiore Einstein Center for Cancer Care and Albert Einstein Cancer Center have been awarded a $3.4 million grant from the National Cancer Institute to conduct multi-site cancer clinical trials and research focused on reducing healthcare disparities in cancer care. The award will help change the burden of cancer, which is disproporti...