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Increased survival with eye melanoma in clinical trial

A new combination treatment has shown significant tumor shrinkage and prolonged survival in patients with metastatic uveal melanoma. The treatment, which targets HDAC and PD-1 proteins, was found to work better in tumors with active BAP1 genes, a key discovery that may lead to improved survival rates.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalNature Communications·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateAug 30, 2021

JNCCN study reveals neuroendocrine tumor mortality patterns to inform treatment decisions

A population-based cohort study in Canada identified mortality patterns for different types of neuroendocrine tumors (NETs), revealing varying risks of cancer-related and non-cancer death. The study found that small NETs can be safely monitored, while larger tumors may require more aggressive treatment.

SourceNational Comprehensive Cancer Network·JournalJournal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 26, 2021

A “helping hand”: Intervention for early cancer screening in patients with mental illness

Researchers from Okayama University conducted a randomized trial to assess the benefits of interventions for early cancer screening in patients with schizophrenia. The study found that 47.1% of counseled patients underwent colorectal cancer screening, compared to 11.8% of those receiving only usual treatment.

SourceOkayama University·JournalActa Psychiatrica Scandinavica·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateAug 23, 2021

Patients helping researchers to advance treatments for prostate cancer

Monash University researchers have established a vast collection of living prostate cancer tumors from patients, enabling the testing of new treatments and advancing patient care. The PDX collection comprises 59 tumors collected from 30 patients between 2012-2020, providing a unique resource for scientists and pharmaceutical companies.

SourceMonash University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 19, 2021

OU-MRU: A berry vine found in Asia proves useful in combating lung cancer

A research team from Okayama University has reported the potential of a berry-producing vine, Vitis coignetiae Pulliat (Yamabudo), against lung cancer in mice. The study found that extracts from Yamabudo and its chemical compounds display tumor-suppressing properties by repairing DNA damage and suppressing growth signaling pathways.

SourceOkayama University·JournalFood and Chemical Toxicology·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 17, 2021

AI DBT impact on mammography post-breast therapy

A single-center retrospective study found that AI-CAD reduced recall rates and improved accuracy compared to digital mammography (DM) and DBT. The study showed lower recall rates and higher accuracy for DM with AI-CAD, indicating a practical addition to lowering false-positive findings.

SourceAmerican Roentgen Ray Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Roentgenology·TypeObservational study·DateAug 11, 2021

New 10-year patient safety analysis highlights areas for improvement in acute medical units

A new study analyzes 377 severe harm and death incidents in acute medical units across England and Wales between 2005-2015. The most common incident types were diagnostic errors, medication-related errors, and failures in monitoring patients. Implementing electronic prescribing systems and checklists can reduce diagnostic errors, while...

SourceSAGE·JournalJournal of the Royal Society of Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 4, 2021

Cancer treatments didn’t falter in Australia during 2020 COVID-19 lockdowns

A big data study from UNSW Sydney found that Australian cancer patients kept up their pharmaceutical treatments during last year's COVID-19 lockdowns. The researchers attribute the good news to relatively low rates of COVID-19 infections in Australia, which minimally impacted cancer treatment patterns.

SourceUniversity of New South Wales·JournalThe Lancet Regional Health - Western Pacific·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 3, 2021

Researchers reveal pathogenesis and therapeutic strategy of pre-engraftment syndrome

Severe PES is characterized by high fever, rash, diarrhea, and increased transplant-related mortality. A study revealed that monocytes derived from cord blood produce proinflammatory cytokines, leading to PES. Tocilizumab treatment significantly controlled clinical symptoms and reduced mortality in patients with severe PES

SourceUniversity of Science and Technology of China·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 17, 2021

Anti-tumor agent from the intestine

Scientists have found that short-chain fatty acids can increase the efficiency of tumor therapies by boosting the activity of killer cells. The researchers identified pentanoate, produced by Megasphaera massiliensis bacteria, as a key player in this process.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 9, 2021

A step forward for IVF patients with predicted poor response to treatment

A new study found that a double stimulation approach, known as DuoStim, is as efficient as conventional two cycles of ovarian stimulation and reduces the time to pregnancy in predicted poor responders. This strategy recruits multiple follicles on any day of the cycle, benefiting patients with low egg collection and high treatment failu...

EMBO Gold Medal 2021 awarded to Andrea Ablasser

Andrea Ablasser is awarded the EMBO Gold Medal 2021 for her groundbreaking research on how cells recognize double-stranded DNA as a danger signal. Her work may pave the way for therapeutic opportunities for inflammatory conditions and cancer treatment.

SourceEMBO·DateJun 15, 2021

Malaysia registers first hepatitis C treatment developed through South-South cooperation

The National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency of Malaysia has granted conditional registration to a new hepatitis C treatment combination developed through public-private partnership. The treatment, ravidasvir, was shown to be effective and well-tolerated in clinical trials, with cure rates of up to 97%.

SourceDrugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative·JournalThe Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology·DateJun 14, 2021