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 recent study published in PLOS Biology suggests that chemotherapy injury to surrounding non-cancer cells can awaken dormant breast cancer cells, promoting cancer growth and recurrence. The researchers found that the release of specific cell signaling molecules, G-CSF and IL-6, by injured stromal cells drives this process.
Researchers at UTSA are studying the bioactive properties of Sweet Annie, a plant used in traditional Chinese medicine for over 2,000 years. The study reveals that arteannuin B from the plant has anti-COVID and anti-glioblastoma properties, offering new avenues for targeted therapy.
Salk researchers have identified a new set of molecules that fuel the growth of tumors in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), the most common type of pancreatic cancer. The study found that activating a super-enhancer leads to an increase in protein production, enabling rapid cell growth.
A free online tool can help prostate cancer patients save thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket drug costs by comparing Medicare Part D prescription plans. The Medicare Part D Plan Finder identifies significant savings for patients taking abiraterone or enzalutamide, two common prescription drugs for advanced prostate cancer.
Researchers at Technion-Israel Institute of Technology developed an AI tool to identify powerful drug combinations that significantly enhance cancer treatment. The 'meta-synergy' approach uses artificial intelligence and text mining to find optimal pairs of drugs, resulting in highly effective nanomedicines with fewer side effects.
Breast cancer survivors often struggle to take their life-extending medication due to side effects and high costs. A new study found that interventions such as cost-cutting policies, mobile apps, and psychological counseling can increase medication adherence by nearly 1.5 times. Addressing mental health issues, particularly depression,...
Researchers found that antioxidants activate a mechanism forming new blood vessels in tumor cells, which can help them grow and spread. The study suggests that dietary supplements containing antioxidants may accelerate tumour growth and metastasis in cancer patients.
A new study from the University of Michigan Department of Neurosurgery and Rogel Cancer Center shows promising early results that a therapy combining cell-killing and immune-stimulating drugs are safe and effective in extending survival for patients with gliomas, a highly aggressive form of brain cancer. The treatment improved survival...
A new study finds that cost-cutting policy changes, mobile apps, and psychological strategies can increase medication adherence by nearly 1.5 times among breast cancer survivors. The study also highlights the importance of managing side effects through physical therapy, exercise, and behavioral counseling.
Researchers Elzbieta Izbicka and Robert T. Streeper discuss the evolution of cancer drug development, highlighting recent progress and emerging challenges due to environmental factors. They also examine how artificial intelligence may impact future drug development.
A new study finds that integrating longitudinal tobacco cessation care into lung cancer screening improves quit rates and enhances the benefits of screenings. Researchers recommend incorporating behavioral treatment and medication into the screening process to help smokers quit.
A team of KAUST researchers has found a critical protein that regulates cell division and proliferation in breast cancer and leukemia. Their work clears the way for the development of targeted drugs by refuting recent challenges to their approach.
A new gene therapy study has identified microRNA-22 as a potential treatment for liver cancer, achieving better survival outcomes and reducing inflammation compared to the current FDA-approved drug lenvatinib. The treatment was administered via a single intravenous injection and showed no observable toxicity.
Researchers have found that a prostate cancer drug called proxalutamide can block SARS-CoV-2 viral entry and reduce inflammation. The compound works by binding to androgen receptors, inhibiting levels of TMPRSS2 and ACE2, and blocking infection.
Researchers found a combination of ipilimumab and nivolumab can extend progression-free survival and improve response rates in patients with resistant metastatic melanoma. The treatment showed a 37% improvement in progression-free survival compared to ipilimumab alone.
Chronic disease medications impair the body's ability to regulate core temperature, increasing the risk of heat-related illness in elderly patients. Exercise and improved fitness levels can help mitigate these effects, but bodily impairments from chemotherapy and medications may limit exercise capacity.
A study by the University of Gothenburg found that many expensive cancer drugs have unclear patient benefits, with only one drug showing both increased life expectancy and improved quality of life. The researchers emphasize the need for further discussions on drug approvals to ensure effective use of limited healthcare resources.
Scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory are developing new cancer treatments that target the metabolic pathway hijacked by cancer cells. Using neutrons and x-rays, researchers mapped the enzyme structure to design roadblocks along the pathway.
A new study has discovered that metformin, a common diabetes medication, can significantly slow the progression of STAT3-positive prostate cancer. The research team identified the key factors regulating tumour cell growth and found that permanent activation of STAT3 prevents prostate cancer development and metastasis.
Researchers developed innovative techniques to treat challenging cancers and manage therapy side effects. Inhibitors targeting PRMT5, a histone-modifying enzyme, alleviated cisplatin-induced hearing loss, while nano-pills delivered combination drugs to liver cancer cells.
Researchers highlight the need for effective treatment strategies for adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) of the head and neck, which is a highly malignant tumor with variable localizations. Proton therapy shows decisive advantages in long-term survival rates for ACC.
Researchers propose disease-oriented dosing of rapamycin to delay age-related diseases and increase lifespan. By decelerating early development of these diseases, rapamycin may help individuals live longer.
Researchers at Insilico Medicine discovered novel inhibitors for salt-inducible kinase 2 (SIK2), a potential target for anti-inflammation and anti-cancer therapy. The findings were published in the July 13 edition of Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry, demonstrating the power of Insilico's Pharma.AI platform.
Researchers at Queensland University of Technology have developed a new approach to designing molecular ON-OFF switches based on proteins, which can be used in various biotechnological and biomedical applications. The novel technique allows for faster and more accurate diagnostic tests for detecting diseases and monitoring water quality.
Researchers developed new methods for detecting drug-induced hepatotoxicity using 3D cell cultures and mass spectrometry imaging, identifying biomarkers and effective interventions. A zeolite-based protein corona method was also used to characterize plasma proteins, enabling the identification of low-abundance proteins and their potent...
Researchers at UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh and the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine found that eliminating a key driver of cancer also hastened aging in mice. Despite accelerated aging, these mice lived up to 20% longer than normal mice due to lower cancer rates.
Researchers from Korea University Medicine have discovered a potential therapeutic target for overcoming cisplatin resistance and neuropathic pain in cervical cancer. By inhibiting TRPV1, they found that resistant tumors became vulnerable to cisplatin, improving the outlook for patients.
The study identifies barriers to cancer treatment, including high drug costs and limited diagnostic infrastructure. It suggests strengthening the oncology workforce and training them on precision therapies to address this shortage.
Rice University chemist Han Xiao has won a $3.2 million research grant from the National Cancer Institute to develop an epigenetic inhibitor targeting bone metastasis. The drug, based on existing bisphosphonates, aims to prevent cancer cells from spreading to other organs without affecting normal tissues.
Researchers have discovered a mechanism leading to resistance in luminal breast cancer and propose using the approved osteoporosis drug denosumab to block RANK protein, promoting effectiveness of CDK4/6 inhibitors. This could lead to new treatment options for patients with metastatic breast cancer.
Researchers at Mass General Cancer Center treated 16 patients with a BRAF/MEK inhibitor, resulting in a 91% reduction in tumor size and complete response in all patients who received one or more cycles of therapy. The treatment showed unprecedented success in targeting brain tumors using precision medicine approaches.
Researchers at Nanyang Technological University discover ponatinib, an existing cancer drug, can block key steps in alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) mechanism. This could lead to new treatment options for ALT cancers, which currently lack targeted therapies.
The Multidisciplinary Molecular Tumour Board (MTB) has been shown to improve treatment response rates for patients with advanced solid cancer, with 64% of patients benefiting from the MTB-guided approach. The board provides a systematic precision oncology strategy for treatment selection, combining expertise in multiple disciplines.
A collaborative study by researchers at the University of Ottawa and McMaster University has made a groundbreaking discovery linking different types of cancers to their embryonic origins. The team found that drugs targeting specific embryonic pathways can effectively treat various tumors, including brain, colon, and leukemia cancers.
The study investigates the effects of DPDT on human colon cancer HCT116 cells and non-tumorigenic MRC5 fibroblasts. The results show that DPDT preferentially targets HCT116 cells, inducing apoptosis and G2/M cell cycle arrest, likely through DNA topoisomerase I poisoning.
Recent studies in the New Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis feature novel diagnostic tools, RNA sequencing-based workflows, and mechanical property evaluations to enhance cancer and cardiovascular disease treatment outcomes. These innovations aim to improve the therapeutic effect of drugs and promote personalized medicine.
Researchers have identified anti-malarial properties in cancer drugs, offering a potential solution to the growing crisis of drug-resistant malaria. The study found that certain protein kinase inhibitors exhibited strong anti-malarial effects, highlighting a new approach to accelerating drug discovery.
A team of researchers at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center has received a $3.07 million grant from the National Cancer Institute to develop new drugs targeting microtubules for breast cancer treatment. The goal is to improve overall survival and quality of life for patients with metastatic breast cancer.
Researchers discovered that cancer cells can adapt to novel CDK2 inhibitors in as little as one to two hours, but adding a second drug can squelch this workaround. Combining CDK2 inhibitors with existing drugs may treat resistant breast cancers more effectively
Research suggests that aromatase inhibitors can limit the effectiveness of weight loss medications in breast cancer survivors. Studies have shown that these medications are less effective in women taking aromatase inhibitors, leading to reduced weight loss and increased risk of health complications.
A patient with kidney cancer overcame several metastases with temsirolimus, leading researchers to identify key mutations that make this treatment effective. The study found that patients with USP9X mutations have altered autophagy and respond better to temsirolimus.
Researchers have developed a new way to identify proteins based on their amino acid content, which can predict protein function and facilitate the development of new biological drugs. The method shows promise in cancer research, where it can help design more targeted treatments by linking survivin and PRC2 proteins.
A new study published in JNCCN found that taking alectinib, a medication for advanced lung cancer, with a full breakfast or lunch resulted in higher drug concentrations than with a low-fat breakfast. This could impact treatment efficacy and survival rates for patients.
A Vanderbilt University Medical Center study found potential savings of $661.8M (78.8%) if insurers purchased seven generic oncology drugs at MCCPDC prices, with total savings ranging from $228.1M to $2,154.5M.
A retrospective study found a 24% response rate to Docetaxel among patients with stage IV non-small cell lung cancer who experienced progression on immunotherapy. The median progression-free survival was 3 months, suggesting chemotherapy may still play an important role in treatment after immunotherapy failure.
Researchers created a new type of wound dressing material using advanced polymers, enabling customized dressings with fine-tuned surface adhesion. The material has potential applications in burn treatment and drug delivery for cancer patients, providing constant medication release outside the clinic setting.
Researchers discovered that targeting specific blood vessel enzymes can enhance immunotherapy effectiveness and prevent breast cancer metastasis. By disabling the enzyme DNMT1 in blood vessels, doctors may bolster anti-tumor immune cells entry and increase patients' response to treatment.
A new targeted therapy drug vorasidenib has been shown to extend treatment time without worsening glioma in people with IDH1 and IDH2 mutations. The study suggests a possible new treatment option for slow-growing but deadly brain tumors, delaying chemotherapy and radiation.
A phase I study found significant clinical benefit of the ADC luveltamab tazevibulin in patients with recurrent ovarian cancer expressing high levels of folate receptor alpha, with an overall response rate of 37.5% and a 44% response rate at higher doses.
A study found that adding ribociclib to hormone therapy significantly improves invasive disease-free survival rates in patients with stage 2 or 3 HR positive/HER2 negative breast cancer. The combination therapy reduced the risk of cancer recurrence by 25%, with a three-year invasive disease-free survival rate of 90.4%.
A UTHSC research collaboration has been awarded a national grant to develop a new treatment for ovarian cancer. The project will test a newer generation of sabizabulin, a clinical candidate targeting microtubules in cancer cells.
The nucleus is metabolically active and uses antioxidant enzymes to repair DNA damage. Cells relocate mitochondrial machinery to the nucleus in response to DNA damage, highlighting a paradigm shift in cellular biology.
A large study tracked CIPN in over 1,100 breast cancer patients treated with taxanes, showing persistent sensory and motor symptoms with more severe symptoms with paclitaxel than docetaxel. The study defines a risk prediction model to help doctors individualize patient care.
The ATOM Coalition aims to improve cancer medicine availability and increase the capacity of lower-income countries to diagnose and manage cancer. The coalition prioritizes generic and biosimilar medicines for cancer treatments, targeting countries with high mortality rates.
Researchers discuss chemotherapeutic resistance in recurring ovarian cancer, focusing on the unfolded protein response and its effect on polyploid giant cancer cells. Understanding this mechanism could lead to investigating cancer cell molecular mechanisms and potential therapeutic strategies.
Researchers have developed new methods to analyze dry-coated drug particles using 3D Raman mapping, which can effectively slow down dissolution rates. Another study introduces a novel technique for detecting complex traditional Chinese medicines, preventing adulteration and counterfeiting.
A clinical trial combining TVB-2640 and bevacizumab showed a six-month progression-free survival improvement in patients with recurrent high-grade glioblastoma, warranting further study. The treatment's side effects were mild, but the overall survival of participants was not statistically significant compared to historic controls.
Researchers discover a molecule that destroys aged cells without affecting healthy ones, paving the way for delaying tissue ageing. Testing with animal models will now begin to explore its potential anti-cancer effects and improve life expectancy.
Researchers from Rice University and Baylor College of Medicine are developing a new 'glyco-immune' checkpoint inhibitor to train the immune system to target and kill breast cancer metastasis in bones. The therapy has shown promise in preliminary tests, including eradicating cancer in some animals.
A new Northwestern Medicine study found young adult cancer survivors (18-39 years old) are 2.6 times more likely to develop heart failure when treated with anthracyclines. The incidence is highest among leukemia and other specific cancer types.