A new study published in Cancer Management and Research found that 1 in 8 older adults with a history of cancer experienced depression for the first time during the early stages of the pandemic. Those with functional limitations, family conflict, and women were particularly vulnerable to depression.
A systematic review found that antidepressants are equally effective and safe for patients with both depression and physical health issues as those without. The study suggests that treating these patients with antidepressants can improve quality of life and reduce the course of physical disease.
A team of Chinese and UK researchers has identified superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) as a potential target for reversing drug resistance in ovarian cancer. By using nanoparticles to deliver siRNA that reduces SOD1 levels, the study showed reduced growth and decreased resistance to cisplatin in female mice.
A new study from the University of Michigan found significant language-based disparities in patients' access to cancer care. English-speaking callers were able to get information on next steps 94% of the time, while Spanish-speakers and Mandarin-speakers were only connected at 38% and 28% respectively.
Researchers at UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center aim to overcome brain tumor's limited treatment options with ERAS-801, a brain-penetrant inhibitor showing promise in preclinical models. The team is testing the treatment in early clinical trials for patients diagnosed with glioblastoma.
Patients with cancer had disparate COVID-19 mortality rates during the winter Omicron wave compared to the general US population. The study suggests that immune-evasive SARS-CoV-2 variants pose a significant threat, requiring prioritized efforts to prevent transmission.
Autophagy helps protect cardiomyocytes from damage caused by anthracycline drugs like Doxorubicin. The study found that a protein regulator called ER-phagy alleviates Dox-induced cardiomyopathy, promoting cell survival.
A study of 11.7 million adults in Ontario, Canada, reveals that COVID-19 infection is associated with significantly higher mortality rates among cancer patients who do not receive prioritized critical care treatment.
The study validates a comprehensive genomic profiling assay, NeXT Dx, which detects single nucleotide variants, indels, copy number alterations, and gene fusions. The assay demonstrates high analytic sensitivities and specificity, providing personalized recommendations critical to clinical decision-making.
Researchers found four main barriers to healthy diets in young female cancer survivors with fertility challenges, including lack of trust in healthcare providers and motivation. To overcome these barriers, nutrition programs should use evidence-based strategies and tools like motivational interviewing and social support.
Cancer patients face reduced co-determination and insufficient information about treatment, while doctors feel pressured to give harmful treatments. Patients struggle to understand options and communicate with healthcare professionals.
The WVU team evaluated Code Interpreter's features, finding it accessible to students but limited for scientists working with biological data. The plugin breaks down barriers for coding, but lacks internet access and parallel processing capabilities.
Cancer patients undergoing certain treatments are at higher risk of COVID-19 infection, but boosting can significantly reduce this risk. Boosting every three months cuts the risk in half, according to a study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
Researchers have identified a neoplastic fusion transcript RAD51AP1-DYRK4 in luminal B breast cancer, associated with higher ki67 expression and aggressive clinical characteristics. MEK inhibitor trametinib may be effective in blocking the MEK-ERK signaling driven by this fusion.
Women with low-risk breast cancer aged 55 or older can be effectively treated without radiation after surgery, according to new research published in The New England Journal of Medicine. A total of 2.3% of patients experienced recurrence of cancer in the breast five years post-surgery.
Glutamine metabolism plays a crucial role in cancer cell growth and survival, with its inhibition shown to block cancer cell growth in vivo and in vitro. A recent editorial paper suggests that glutamine dysregulation may also impact the tumor microenvironment, potentially leading to increased oxidative stress and cancer cell death.
Researchers from Aarhus University have developed a gene therapy that can stop cell division in a subtype of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) by targeting the drivers of the disease. The study suggests that this technology can become a platform for treating other fusion-driven cancers, such as lung cancers and sarcomas.
Researchers have developed a new gene-editing tool that enables the precise study of single-base mutations in cancer-causing genes. This technology allows for detailed experiments in tissues, which may lead to better understanding of genetic changes influencing patient response to cancer therapies.
Researchers found that ranolazine, a heart medication, slows down tumor progression and increases visibility of melanoma cells to the immune system. This combination could improve response rates for immunotherapies in patients with melanoma.
A biomolecule has been engineered to selectively target and remove mucins from cancer cells, reducing tumor growth and increasing survival in lab-grown human cancer cells and mouse studies. This discovery could play a significant role in future therapies for cancer, as mucins are associated with many diseases.
A study of 15,000 adults found that alcohol consumption and risky drinking behaviors were prevalent among cancer survivors. The findings highlight the need for additional research to address the emerging concern of alcohol consumption in cancer patients.
LSU Health researchers found combining an investigational oral drug with standard-of-care medications reverts hormone resistance and increases effectiveness in experimental models of ER+ and TNBC. The study's findings suggest a new approach for treating treatment-resistant breast cancers.
Researchers found that hospitals treating a higher volume of patients with aggressive prostate cancer have better outcomes, indicating a possible association between expertise and resource availability. Further investigation is needed to understand the specific causes behind this relationship.
A new study highlights the difficulty in diagnosing blood disorders like myelodysplastic syndromes/neoplasms (MDS), which can lead to treatment mistakes. The researchers found that expert pathologists disagreed with local pathologists' diagnoses in about 20% of cases, leading to wrong initial treatments for patients.
Dendritic cells have been found to directly kill T cells lacking CD47, providing a new insight into the immune system's ability to distinguish self from non-self. This discovery has potential implications for cancer treatment and raises questions about the therapeutic application of this novel mechanism.
A study published in JAMA Network Open found that providing equal access to healthcare reduces disparities in treatment outcomes between Black and white patients with advanced prostate cancer. The research suggests that addressing racial disparities in healthcare may improve survival rates for this patient group.
Researchers identified a specific type of CD8 T cell that characterizes inflammatory arthritis induced by ICI therapies. A unique population of CD8 T cells was found to promote joint inflammation and persist in the bloodstream, explaining why ICI-arthritis continues after therapy is discontinued.
A secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial found that exercise can significantly reduce symptoms of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) in ovarian cancer survivors. Incorporating exercise programs into standard oncology care may improve quality of life for these patients.
A new study found that 81% of women report persistent GI symptoms years after diagnosis, with abdominal bloating and gas being the most common. The analysis also showed that severe GI symptoms are linked to poor quality of life, social activities, and body image satisfaction.
Researchers developed a targeted chemotherapy that selectively disrupts DNA replication and repair in cancer cells, leaving healthy cells unaffected. The investigational small molecule AOH1996 has been effective in treating various types of solid tumors in preclinical research.
Researchers at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center implemented a quality improvement initiative to improve documentation consistency and increase the capture of patient-reported outcomes. The findings show that music therapists' rates of capturing PROs increased significantly, with notable improvements in stress, pain, anxiet...
A new review paper suggests scrambler therapy can yield significant relief for approximately 80-90% of patients with chronic pain. The therapy works by capturing nerve endings and replacing pain signals with signals from adjacent areas, 'scrambling' the pain signals sent to the brain.
A new open-source software, NMSM Pipeline, enables clinicians and engineers to create personalized computer models of patient movement to optimize treatment designs. The software uses physics-based models to predict and optimize functional outcomes for patients with various mobility impairments.
Scientists have developed a platform to enhance the innate ability of white blood cells from umbilical cord blood to treat various types of solid and blood cancers. Pre-clinical studies showed that these cells, known as gamma delta T-cells (GDT), possess antiviral and antitumour properties.
Researchers have identified KIAA0930 as a key factor causing muscle atrophy in cancer cells, which could lead to the development of new anti-cachexia therapies. The study found that KIAA0930 knockdown cells showed increased muscle mass and weight compared to control cells.
PSMA PET imaging provides prognostic information on cancer recurrence risk before treatment, improving personalized treatments and guiding surgical plans. The tool outperforms current standard tests in predicting biochemical recurrence, a critical factor in determining cancer-specific mortality.
Researchers at WVU have developed a way to view synthetic DNA at the atomic level, enabling them to understand how to change its structure for enhanced scissor-like function. This breakthrough could lead to new technology for medical diagnoses and treatments, including potential therapies for diseases like retinal degeneration and cancer.
The July issue of CHEST journal features 49 articles on clinically relevant topics, including disability rights and life-sustaining treatment. The journal offers complementary web resources, such as visual abstracts, to expand the reach of its research.
Dr. Beau Webber received a two-year Translation to CURE award to study genetically engineered gamma delta T cells for treating metastatic osteosarcoma. This innovative approach aims to address the limitations of current immune-cell based therapies and offers new hope for childhood cancer treatment.
A Swiss patient has achieved 20 months of HIV remission after a bone marrow transplant performed as part of cancer treatment. The patient's cells remained HIV-permissive despite the absence of a protective mutation, yet the virus was still undetectable after antiretroviral therapy was discontinued.
Researchers at the University of South Australia have discovered three new biomarkers for prostate cancer that can accurately visualize and grade the disease. The breakthrough technology will enable clinicians to determine which patients require immediate treatment, potentially saving thousands of lives annually.
A team of UVA Health experts warns that surgeon-scientists are struggling to obtain research funding, which could lead to a decline in innovations for patients. The researchers found that internal medicine trainees are six times more likely to secure R01 grants and career development awards.
A new study led by Sandra Casimiro and Luís Costa found a promising molecular target, the RANK signaling pathway, that could be used in combination with standard care to avoid resistance to treatment in metastatic breast cancer. High levels of RANK in cancer cells are associated with resistance to treatment with CDK4/6 inhibitors.
A new study by Yale University reveals that combining pembrolizumab with other treatments reduces tumor size and improves response rates for patients with advanced NSCLC. The treatment regimens resulted in higher survival outcomes, particularly in patients with specific biomarker-defined subgroups.
A new analysis found that combining weight-based dosing and shared single-use vials in VA hospitals could reduce cancer spending by 14%. This concept could be applied nationwide to improve cost-effectiveness of cancer care.
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.
A new study reveals that preoperative hydroxyprogesterone administration can improve disease-free and overall survival in patients with node-positive breast cancer by modulating cellular stress response and negative regulation of inflammation. Non-coding RNAs, such as DSCAM-AS1, play a regulatory role in this process.
A study by Weill Cornell Medicine found that state laws allowing medical cannabis use did not reduce prescriptions for opioids or other therapies for chronic non-cancer pain. The results challenge previous studies suggesting a link between medical cannabis laws and reduced opioid prescribing.
Researchers at Paul Scherrer Institute have developed a beamline modification called momentum cooling to increase the transmission of proton beams, allowing for shorter treatment times. This breakthrough could enable faster treatments while maintaining accuracy and sparing healthy tissue, with potential benefits including reduced costs...
Researchers discovered icFSP1, a novel anti-cancer drug that sensitizes cancer cells to ferroptosis by triggering phase separation of FSP1. This mechanism-of-action has great promise for combating tumors and offers a new concept in cancer therapy.
Researchers have developed a new technique to generically treat several kinds of cancer, showing tumors grew almost three times less and survival rates reached 100% after just one injection. The method targets cancer cells with alpha radiation, sparing healthy tissue.
Research found that women treated for childhood Hodgkin lymphoma may experience declining fertility and longer wait times to become pregnant, but overall success rates are high. The majority of women in the study who had tried to become pregnant were successful, with some being able to conceive at a younger age.
Researchers at MD Anderson Cancer Center have engineered a new model of aggressive renal cell carcinoma, highlighting molecular targets and genomic events that trigger chromosomal instability. The loss of interferon receptor genes plays a pivotal role in allowing cancer cells to become tolerant of chromosomal instability.
A study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology found that curettage and cryosurgery is an effective and safe treatment method for basal cell carcinoma. The procedure involves scraping the lesion with a curette followed by freezing, resulting in good outcomes with minimal side effects.
Cancer cells can hide and escape therapies leading to recurrence. Researchers identify three possible mechanisms: cancer stem cells, polyploidy, and senescence. Combination treatments involving chemoradiation-induced transitory senescence and senolytic therapies may be effective in preventing repopulation.
Researchers found that loss of the Y chromosome in bladder cancer cells allows them to evade the immune system, leading to aggressive growth. However, this loss also renders the disease more responsive to a standard treatment called immune checkpoint inhibitors.
Researchers identified a molecule that allows HIV to hide in reservoirs within CD4+ T lymphocytes. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor protein plays a crucial role in viral latency and has shown potential as a good therapeutic target.
A randomized phase II study found that adding metformin to androgen deprivation therapy did not reduce the risk of metabolic syndrome or improve PSA response in patients with advanced prostate cancer. Metformin showed some antitumor effects through mTOR inhibition, but these were not significant.
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
Researchers found a link between short telomeres in ATII cells and lung fibrosis in post-COVID-19 patients. The study revealed loss of ATII cellularity and shorter telomeres concomitant with increased fibrotic lung parenchyma remodeling.