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 study published in Journal of Clinical Oncology found that the 2005 Medicare law had no significant impact on reducing chemotherapy drug costs, contradicting economists' expectations. Instead, cancer care costs skyrocketed during the decade after the law passed.
The phase III trials indicate that anamorelin is safe and well-tolerated in treating symptoms of advanced non-small cell lung cancer anorexia-cachexia. Patients experienced improvements in lean body mass, body weight, and patient symptoms/concerns regarding appetite over 12 weeks.
Researchers found significant variations in approval times for cancer drugs between the US, Canada, and Europe, with patients in some regions waiting years longer than others. The study emphasizes the need for coordinated action to reduce disparities in drug access and improve patient outcomes.
Researchers at Imperial College London have created a 'global map' of proteins modified by the disease-causing enzyme N-myristoyltransferase (NMT), identifying over 100 previously unknown substrates. The study holds promise for new cancer treatments, with a potent drug-like molecule already identified to block NMT's activity.
Researchers have successfully delivered antibody mimics into cells using a disarmed version of anthrax toxin, offering a potential new approach for treating various diseases. The development demonstrates the first effective delivery of antibodies into cells, which could lead to novel drug treatments.
Two recent studies by University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center have identified potential new treatments for small cell lung cancer, including a link between the RET mutation and sensitivity to targeted therapies.
A new study describes a mechanism for how cancer cells take over one of the processes for telomere maintenance, allowing them to gain an infinite lifespan. The team found that cancer cells use either telomerase or alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) mechanisms to maintain their telomeres.
Researchers at USC Keck Medicine have discovered a dual purpose of the cancer drug decitabine in regulating gene expression. The study found that the drug not only reactivated tumor suppressor genes but also down-regulated overexpressed oncogenes, which are responsible for cancer progression. This new mechanism may provide additional t...
Researchers redesigned a molecule to control immune cell activity, changing its target and altering the effects of its signal. This new approach may let scientists selectively block the bad signals that cause or contribute to disease, enhancing good signals that defend against cancer and infections.
Researchers at the University of Leicester have developed a breakthrough technique to generate synthetic amino acids and designer proteins, which can be used to develop innovative new protein drugs for cancer and Alzheimer's disease treatment. The discovery opens up new avenues for drug discovery with potentially highly potent drugs an...
The NCI/FDA workshop resulted in the development of two innovative clinical trials, Lung-MAP and ALCHEMIST, which employ a 'Master Protocol' approach to improve patient outcomes. These trials aim to accelerate the development of targeted therapies for lung cancer by integrating multiple sub-studies based on genomic profiles.
The Fashion Footwear Association of New York and QVC presented $240,000 to the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute for breast cancer research. The grant will fund research on why breast cancer recurs and metastasizes, a potentially major impact on breast cancer survival rates.
Researchers have discovered a new cancer drug target, TIPE3, which promotes tumor growth by hijacking lipid signaling pathways. Abnormal expression of TIPE3 has been linked to various types of cancer, including lung, colon, and ovarian cancers, making it a potential therapeutic target for treating malignant diseases.
Researchers have discovered that curcumin and peptides can increase levels of protein inhibitor PIAS3, which combats the progression of mesothelioma. This finding suggests that PIAS3 expression positively affects survival in mesothelioma patients, offering a potential therapeutic strategy.
A study from the University of Pennsylvania found that combining exercise with chemotherapy shrunk tumors more than chemotherapy alone in a mouse model of melanoma. Exercise increased blood flow to the tumor, bringing more of the drug into the bloodstream, and may help reduce side effects.
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Pathology suggests that adding a wild berry extract to chemotherapy cycles may improve treatment outcomes for pancreatic cancer. The researchers found that the extract induced cell death and boosted the effectiveness of the conventional drug gemcitabine.
Michigan State University scientists have discovered the first detailed examination of mutations similar to those present in the human cancer gene. The study reveals that boosting levels of even standard protein can alter fruit flies' eyes and wings, while mutated protein causes consistent and dramatic deformations.
Researchers found that chokeberry extract killed off cancer cells and boosted the effectiveness of chemotherapy drug gemcitabine in treating pancreatic cancer. The extract's anti-cancer properties were tested on human pancreatic cancer cells, with results suggesting a potential synergy between the two.
Researchers found that combining targeted radiation therapy (SBRT) with the drug cetuximab improved treatment outcomes for patients with recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. The study showed a significant reduction in severe toxicity, allowing patients to complete treatments faster.
A major new study shows that some prostate cancer treatments can stop working over time and even drive tumour growth. Researchers identified a 'treatment paradigm' using repeated blood samples to monitor signs of therapy becoming counter-productive.
Researchers propose epigenetic drugs to treat cancer resistance and relapse by modifying gene expression. Studies suggest epigenetic changes contribute to cancer progenitor cell formation, drug resistance, and relapse.
A study in mice implanted with breast and melanoma cancers found that combining radiation therapy with a checkpoint inhibitor increases antitumor responses from the immune system. The combination also enhances memory T-cells, which retain memory of the tumor and can attack it long after treatment.
Researchers found that cancer cells decorate their surfaces with glycans that can promote or inhibit cancer progression depending on the stage of the disease. The immune system may be a double-edged sword in cancer, with certain immune cell receptors binding to these glycans producing opposite outcomes.
Researchers developed a novel approach to target the activation of Ral proteins, which drive tumor growth in several human cancers. A compound called BQU57 proved most successful in slowing cancer cell growth and activation.
Researchers at Dartmouth's Geisel School of Medicine have found that the genetic mutation BRAFV600E promotes melanoma tumor growth by modifying normal cells around the tumor. Targeting this mutation with Vemurafenib reduces aggressive growth and suggests new treatment options for melanoma therapy.
The Phase I Clinical Trial of nintedanib combined with paclitaxel showed a 50% complete response rate in early HER-2-negative breast cancer patients. The study's results have validated the safety and efficacy of the drug combination, paving the way for a large-scale Phase II Clinical Trial.
A high-risk leukemia subtype known as Philadelphia chromosome-like ALL (Ph-like ALL) is becoming increasingly common in young adults, particularly with age. This subtype is associated with poor survival rates compared to other forms of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).
A new cancer drug targeting mitochondrial function has been proven safe and showed some efficacy in a Phase I clinical trial for leukemia patients. The drug selectively shut down energy production in cancer cells, which can reproduce faster and repair damage from chemotherapy.
Researchers at Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute have developed a novel technique to promote tissue repair in damaged muscles. Cyclic bursts of a STAT3 inhibitor can replenish muscle stem cells, leading to their differentiation into muscle fibers, which could provide a new therapeutic approach to treating muscle diseases.
Researchers at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center have successfully grown prostate cancer organoids from human tumors, providing a new tool for testing cancer drugs and personalizing treatment. The addition of these organoids doubles the number of existing prostate cancer cell lines, offering a more accurate representation of the d...
A blood test detecting the 'nicked' protein AR-V7 in prostate cancer patients can predict resistance to commonly used treatments enzalutamide and abiraterone. This biomarker may help tailor treatment strategies for men with detectable levels of AR-V7.
Researchers have developed an innovative algorithm that identifies synthetic lethal interactions in cancer, enabling personalized treatment and predicting patient prognosis. The study's findings show promise for repurposing existing drugs to target specific cancer types.
Researchers found that high out-out assortativity in transcription factor networks contributes to robustness, with similar numbers of outgoing connections among connected TFs. This signature is a predictor of robustness, with an above-average number of connected TFs exhibiting this property.
A new study confirms the role of invadopodia in cancer spread, showing that preventing their formation can stop cancer entirely. The study identifies a potential therapeutic target for drug development to prevent invadopodia formation.
The Translational Genomics Research Institute has received regulatory approval for a $5 million clinical trial study on glioblastoma. The pilot trial will test new drugs to extend GBM patient survival, while also analyzing genomic data from over 536 past cases and conducting lab tests to measure cell responses.
A team of scientists has discovered a compound named triptolide, isolated from the thunder god vine, which is far more potent than current therapies against hepatocellular carcinoma. The researchers used nanotechnology to improve delivery and reduce toxicity, showing increased efficacy in tumor accumulation and uptake into cancer cells.
A new study from Johns Hopkins Medicine suggests that nearly half of African-Americans may not receive effective doses of the HIV drug maraviroc due to their genetic makeup. Researchers developed a simple genetic test to determine individual dosage needs, which could help improve treatment outcomes.
Researchers have developed a new method to identify and measure vital molecules that control cell behavior, paving the way for better diagnosis, prediction, and monitoring of cancer. The study identified over 200 protein kinases and created a technique to quantify their levels in biological samples.
Researchers have found that cancers exhibit distinct patterns of methylation on the DNA genome, enabling tumor cells to turn genes on or off as needed. These epigenetic changes allow cancer cells to adapt and spread, making them a key factor in tumor development.
Researchers have discovered over 30 enzyme-blocking molecules that can curb malaria before symptoms start, targeting the liver stage of the parasite's lifecycle. These protein kinase inhibitors, also used to treat cancer, could diversify the antimalarial arsenal and extend the lifespan of existing drugs.
A team of scientists discovered that a drug originally designed for DNA repair defects could potentially be used to treat leukemia and other cancers. Combining PARP inhibitors with standard chemotherapy drugs showed promise in combating the disease, with potential applications for other common cancers.
A team of scientists sequenced chromophobe renal cell carcinoma tumors and found unique alterations involving telomerase, a gene that plays a critical role in cell division. This discovery provides new clues about the disease's biology and may lead to the development of targeted therapies for this rare type of kidney cancer.
Patients with advanced laryngeal cancer who underwent surgery had significantly better disease-specific and overall survival rates compared to those treated with nonsurgical chemoradiation. The study analyzed data from over 5,000 patients diagnosed between 1992 and 2009.
Scientists have discovered that blocking nerve signals using surgery or Botox can slow stomach cancer growth and increase survival rates in mice. This finding offers a promising new treatment approach for this devastating disease, which affects over 2 million people worldwide.
Researchers, led by UC Santa Cruz's Seth Rubin, are developing a new class of drugs to treat breast cancer by targeting the inactivated retinoblastoma tumor suppressor protein. The innovative approach may have fewer toxic side effects and be less vulnerable to drug resistance.
Researchers at VCU Massey Cancer Center found that protein AEG-1 interferes with retinoic acid's ability to treat leukemia and liver cancer, highlighting a potential target for new therapies. The study's results could impact the treatment of countless cancer patients by enabling doctors to screen for AEG-1 expression levels.
Scientists at Scripps Research Institute have successfully disrupted MYC, a cancer regulator thought to be undruggable, using a credit card-like molecule called KJ-Pyr-9. This breakthrough discovery shows the drug candidate can stop tumor growth in animal models and may offer new hope for cancer treatment.
A new study led by researchers at UCSF analyzed the effect of two widely used osteoporosis drugs on breast cancer risk in post-menopausal women. The findings suggest that low estrogen levels, rather than the drugs themselves, may be protecting against breast cancer.
Researchers have discovered how a drug that starves cancer cells of an essential amino acid kills them. The study's findings suggest using this approach may spare patients from chemotherapy toxicity.
A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that women with mutations in the PALB2 gene have a one in three chance of developing breast cancer by age 70. The study analyzed data from 154 families and found that risks were higher for those with family history of breast cancer.
A new £6 million initiative is being launched to support cutting-edge research on cancer prevention. The project aims to build capacity in prevention science, combining lifestyle changes and interdisciplinary collaboration to reduce cancer cases.
The prostate cancer risk calculator has been updated to provide a more nuanced result, helping men understand their risk of low-grade and high-grade prostate cancer. The new calculator incorporates current risk factors and an advanced statistical model to distinguish between the prediction of low-grade and high-grade disease.
Researchers at Cancer Research UK have found a new use for an old drug, rapamycin, in shrinking and stopping the spread of a specific type of pancreatic cancer tumour. The study suggests that targeting mTOR dependency may be a key to tailoring treatment to individual patients.
A study found that retinoblastoma protein is less active in male brain cells, leading to higher brain tumor rates and poorer survival rates. The researchers believe this discovery could lead to more effective therapies and treatments.
University of Michigan researchers identified a protein called TRIP13 that enables cancer cells to repair themselves and survive despite chemotherapy. The team found an existing chemical compound that can block this process, potentially increasing the effectiveness of cancer treatment and improving patient survival rates.
Scientists at Barts Cancer Institute have identified a molecule called focal adhesion kinase (FAK) that signals the body to repair itself after chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Removing FAK from blood vessels in melanoma and lung cancer models made treatments more effective, suggesting that targeting this molecule could boost cancer therapy.
Researchers identified a core signalling system, the hippo pathway, and discovered how Merlin suppresses it within the nucleus. This understanding paves the way for developing effective drug therapies to treat nervous system tumours.
Researchers reveal detailed images of anaphase-promoting complex (APC/C), a protein that controls mitosis. The discovery could lead to new cancer drugs by identifying binding sites for future treatments.
A study has identified over 27,000 endogenous retroviruses preserved in the genomes of 38 mammal species, including humans. Larger animals have fewer ERVs, suggesting they may have evolved mechanisms to combat cancer-causing mutations.
A decade of research led by Dr. Tak Mak identified PLK4 as a promising therapeutic target for breast cancer treatment and developed a small molecule inhibitor to block it. The study showed significant antitumor activity in preclinical models, offering hope for personalized cancer medicine.