Research on new and better ways to treat cancer. Covers radiotherapy, targeted microdroplets, nerve-injury protection, drug combinations, and tumor models.
Lorenz Studer, a renowned stem cell biologist, has been awarded the prestigious Ogawa-Yamanaka Stem Cell Prize for his groundbreaking research on cellular reprogramming and human induced pluripotent stem cells. His work has advanced the therapeutic potential of stem cell-based therapies in Parkinson's disease.
Researchers have identified a wide genetic variety in medulloblastoma, the most common type of childhood brain cancer. This discovery could lead to more precise subgroups and individualized treatments, improving curative chances and reducing side effects.
Researchers have patented a mobile device that can detect cancer quickly, cheaply, effectively, and noninvasively. The device uses two systems: a flow system to align blood cells and an optical system to analyze and count tumor cells.
A study published in Cell Reports found that altering the levels of microRNA miR-128 can induce a more homogeneous subtype of glioblastoma cells, making them more responsive to treatment. This discovery opens the door for using miR-128 as a therapeutic agent.
A Western diet high in fat and sugar has been shown to cause hepatic inflammation in mice, especially in males, with FXR-deficient mice being more susceptible. The study found that probiotics and bile acid receptor agonists may hold promise for preventing and treating hepatic inflammation and progression into advanced liver diseases.
Researchers used mathematical modeling to examine patterns in lung cancer metastases, revealing a preferential pattern for brain spread in patients with EGFR mutations. The findings suggest that Markov modeling could help predict metastatic spread and personalize treatment for non-small cell lung cancer patients.
A new sub-population of immune cells plays a key role in the development of pulmonary fibrosis. Targeting these cells could lead to new treatments with fewer adverse effects.
Researchers have developed novel secreted reporter proteins that can be detected for several months after infusion into the liver, demonstrating potential for monitoring therapeutic gene delivery and ongoing expression. The findings show promise for scaling up this method to humans.
A team of researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital developed a potential therapy using stem cells loaded with oncolytic viruses to target skin cancer metastases in the brain. The study found that this approach led to the elimination of metastatic skin cancer cells from the brain, resulting in prolonged survival.
A new study indicates that Holocaust survivors have a small but consistent increase in cancer risk, linked to extreme population-level tragedies. Survivors exposed to starvation, overcrowding, and psychological stress had higher risks of developing certain types of cancer, including colorectal and lung cancers.
A recent study found that nearly 10% of terminal cancer patients are unwilling to face their prognosis, hindering them from making informed end-of-life plans. Healthcare professionals should assess patients' readiness for prognostic information and provide sensitive coaching to cultivate accurate awareness.
Researchers from McGill University Health Centre cracked the code to understanding regulatory T cell function, a key component of our immune system. The study's findings have significant implications for treating autoimmune diseases such as arthritis and Crohn's disease.
Researchers have developed a nanolock-nanopore sensor to detect a specific cancer mutation with single-molecule resolution. The approach can accurately identify disease-causing mutations in various types of cancer.
A Berkeley Lab-led study reveals phosphate steering, an electrostatic force, guides key enzyme used by both healthy and diseased cells. This finding provides new directions for cancer treatment research.
Women living in lower-income areas were more likely to be diagnosed with late-stage breast cancer after a substantial rollback of Medicaid coverage, according to a new analysis. The study found a significant shift towards later stage diagnosis in low-income areas compared to higher-income areas.
A recent study published by The BMJ found that cancer control measures have led to rising life expectancy in rich populations but not in poorer ones. Urgent global action is needed to develop effective and affordable cancer control measures for countries undergoing socioeconomic transitions.
A survey of 102 young cancer patients aged 13-24 found that digital resources could enhance their experience and engagement. The study's lead author believes digital support resources can address unmet needs and improve patient outcomes.
Researchers at Scripps Florida and collaborators have won a $7.2 million grant to develop new RNA-based treatments for ALS and frontotemporal dementia. The project aims to create small-molecule drug candidates that target the root cause of these diseases.
A study found that PD-L2 protein expression was associated with clinical response to pembrolizumab in patients with HNSCC, independent of PD-L1 expression. Clinical response rates were higher among patients whose tumors expressed both PD-L1 and PD-L2.
Researchers at Monash University have developed a therapeutic approach that promotes muscle mass growth by inhibiting three proteins responsible for muscle wasting. The approach, combining molecules to target activin A, activin B, and myostatin, resulted in a 150% increase in skeletal muscle mass in preclinical models.
A recent study published in CANCER found that Asian women are less likely to receive timely follow-up tests after an abnormal mammogram compared to non-Hispanic White women. The study highlights disparities in breast cancer screening and outcomes among Asian ethnic groups, with Vietnamese and Filipino women facing the longest delays.
Researchers at the American Society of Hematology report on the effectiveness of enasidenib in treating a rare form of leukemia. Enasidenib demonstrates significant benefits as a targeted treatment for this aggressive disease, offering new hope for patients with limited options.
A study published in Journal of Clinical Oncology found that patients undergoing androgen deprivation therapy experience significant changes in physical function and skills of daily living. After treatment, most patients show improvement in overall geriatric health, with some even experiencing increases in daily function.
A study analyzing SWOG treatment trials from 1965 to 2012 found positive trials resulted in substantial gains in patient survival, with estimates suggesting over 3.34 million life-years were saved through these trials.
A new study by Cleveland Clinic researchers found that delays in initiating cancer therapy are associated with a substantially increased risk of death. Patients who wait more than six weeks for treatment have significantly worse survival rates, with some cancers experiencing declines of up to 40% in five-year survival rates.
A new study found that generous health insurance plans with low deductibles and copays can lead to unnecessary treatments for chronically ill patients. The study suggests that personalized medicine interventions, providing more information about treatment effectiveness, can reduce healthcare costs and improve patient outcomes.
A study of 23,600 childhood cancer survivors found a decline in severe health problems occurring five or more years after diagnosis, with the largest decreases seen in Wilms' tumor and Hodgkin lymphoma. Advances in treatment have improved five-year survival rates from 58% to 84% today.
A phase II randomized clinical trial found that the Conquer Fear psychological intervention significantly reduced fear of cancer recurrence in survivors. The intervention lowered general anxiety, cancer-specific distress, and improved quality of life compared to relaxation training.
A randomized clinical trial of 305 patients with advanced cancer found that a brief psychological intervention called Managing Cancer And Living Meaningfully (CALM) significantly reduced depressive symptoms. CALM also improved psychological well-being and preparedness for the end of life, with greater benefits at six months.
A web-based stress management program improved quality of life and reduced distress in patients with cancer, according to a prospective study. The STREAM intervention showed significant clinical improvements after two months, with a greater improvement in quality of life compared to the control group.
The AACR Project GENIE initiative has published its first analysis of nearly 19,000 de-identified genomic records, showing that over 30% of samples had clinically actionable mutations. The data can be used to facilitate clinical research and improve patient care.
Scientists have found a biocompatible material in silicon that can heat up quickly and signal its temperature through Raman scattering. The nanoparticles are more efficient than gold at converting laser radiation into heat, making them a potential cheaper alternative to metal-based treatments.
A new study suggests that CT scans can be used to detect core muscle frailty in elderly patients with hip fractures, predicting survival rates and guiding treatment decisions. The research found that patients with better core muscle had significantly better survival rates over a 10-year period.
The omentum, a layer of fat over intestines, liver, and stomach, has immune functions and secretes hormones related to obesity. It also plays a role in cancer development, serving as a breeding ground for aggressive tumors.
Researchers have developed a new drug delivery strategy to block pain within nerve cells, offering a major breakthrough in treating chronic pain. The target protein, NK1 receptor, is controlled once it enters the cell, allowing for more effective pain suppression.
Scientists at Trinity College Dublin discovered that dendritic cells become better at stimulating T lymphocytes when starved of glucose. This finding opens the door to developing new therapies for debilitating immune-related diseases.
The Affordable Care Act has improved access to and affordability of cancer-related care, but critical gaps remain. The ACA has expanded insurance coverage, led to earlier diagnoses, and ensured access to cancer treatments.
A new treatment modality called PPCA has been discovered that targets the DNA damage in rapidly expanding T cells, reducing autoimmune damage in mouse models of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) and multiple sclerosis (MS). The therapy, which leverages p53 potentiation with checkpoint abrogation, selectively interrupts DNA damag...
A recent study found that approximately 22.1 percent of adult patients prescribed antibiotics for community-acquired pneumonia do not respond to treatment, highlighting the need for updated guidelines and more aggressive antibiotic therapy for vulnerable populations such as older adults. The study also revealed regional variations in t...
According to a new report, rare cancers account for over one-fifth of all cancer diagnoses in the United States, with notable disparities in incidence rates among different ethnic groups. Rare cancers often present unique challenges, including limited research, delayed diagnosis, and limited treatment options.
Researchers developed a new FISH-Flow protocol to analyze hundreds of thousands of cells simultaneously, allowing for faster and more accurate disease detection. The protocol identifies telltale mRNA species and proteins, enabling early diagnosis and treatment of infectious and non-infectious lung diseases.
Researchers analyzed thousands of social media posts to find that IBD patients are more concerned with the risks of biologic medications than their benefits or financial costs. The study suggests that physicians need to do a better job explaining the pros and cons of treatments.
Researchers aim to use Zika virus to target glioblastoma, the most common and aggressive form of brain tumour. The virus can cross the blood-brain barrier, sparing healthy tissue and opening a potential new way to attack the disease.
A global study reveals significant disparities in healthcare access and quality among countries, with the US scoring poorly due to preventable causes. The study uses a novel analysis of mortality rates from 32 amenable causes, providing insights into gaps in healthcare systems worldwide.
Research predicts achieving a 'tobacco-free' UK by 2035 will save the NHS £67m in direct costs and £548m in economic costs. The study forecasts nearly 100,000 new cases of smoking-related disease will be avoided, including 35,900 cancers over 20 years.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center developed a new technique for delivering stereotactic partial breast radiation, which was found to be as safe as traditional radiation while significantly reducing treatment time from six weeks to just five treatments delivered every other day. The study showed outstanding tumor control and...
A new guideline aims to reduce opioid use for chronic non-cancer pain by optimizing non-opioid therapy, restricting dosing, and tapering opioids. The guideline is focused on preventing harm and reducing addiction, with the goal of addressing Canada's opioid crisis.
A survey of 5,782 physician mothers found that 78% experienced discrimination, with forms ranging from disrespect and reduced pay to being overlooked for promotions. Employers can mitigate this by implementing policies like longer paid maternity leaves, backup child care, lactation support, and schedule flexibility.
A new study reveals an association between cumulative exposure to harmful environmental factors and cancer incidence across the United States. Counties with poor environmental quality demonstrated a higher incidence of cancer cases, with prostate and breast cancer showing strong links.
A new cell separator developed by University of Surrey Biomedical Engineers uses dielectrophoresis to sort cells electrostatically, reducing costs and increasing efficiency. This innovation has significant promise for stem-cell therapy and cancer research, offering a more affordable and effective solution.
A new report by RTI International highlights the significant treatment burden faced by younger women with breast cancer, who often receive more aggressive treatments and incur substantially higher costs. The study estimates that younger women cost $97,000 to treat annually, compared to $76,000 for older women.
A new study from Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute uncovers the role of non-coding RNA SPRIGHTLY in tumor growth and metastasis, suggesting it as a potential therapeutic target or diagnostic marker for skin cancer. The molecule binds to over 115 RNA partners, including genes implicated in various cancers.
A noninvasive PET imaging method measuring granzyme B can distinguish responders from nonresponders to immune checkpoint inhibitors. The method accurately predicted treatment outcomes in both mice and human melanoma samples.
A new study has unravelled the mystery of how mitochondria can withstand attacks on their DNA from rogue molecules. The discovery could lead to new treatments for cancer and neurodegenerative diseases by boosting DNA repair capacity or selectively damaging mitochondria in cancer cells.
A newly-created prognostic tool reliably predicts the recurrence of parathyroid cancer, allowing physicians to identify patients at highest risk. The tool is based on three key indicators: serum calcium level, age over 65, and tumor invasion into blood vessels.
The Neuroendocrine Tumor Research Foundation (NETRF) has awarded $4 million in grants to study neuroendocrine tumors, a widely misunderstood and misdiagnosed cancer type. Researchers will use genomic sequencing, gene editing, and bioengineering approaches to identify key vulnerabilities and develop personalized treatment options.
A retrospective study found that treatment improved overall survival in elderly patients with early-stage esophageal cancer. Surgery and local therapies such as chemoradiation showed significantly improved five-year overall survival rates compared to observation, with a median age of 84 years.
A growing number of preclinical studies suggest that rAAV-mediated gene therapy may cause insertional mutagenesis and increase the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma. Research emphasizes the need for careful reconsideration of potential genotoxicity risks in human clinical applications.
Black men in the US are at a higher risk of developing preclinical prostate cancer and having it progress quickly to advanced stages. Screening policies may need to be tailored to their higher-risk status.
A global understanding of breast cancer dissemination is crucial to improve treatment, and this study reveals that most metastases originate from a single precursor. Analyzing the genomic profile of metastases can help make therapeutic decisions, particularly for targeted treatments.