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Beating cancer by eating cancer

A research team has engineered bacteria capable of consuming tumours from the inside out, using a novel tool for cancer treatment. The bacteria, Clostridium sporogenes, are designed to multiply in oxygen-free environments found in solid tumours, where they can effectively target and destroy cancerous cells.

SourceUniversity of Waterloo·JournalACS Synthetic Biology·DateFeb 24, 2026

Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation awards $3.2 million to innovative early-career scientists

The foundation awarded $400,000 over two years to five early-career researchers and continuation support to three current Innovators with significant progress on their proposed research. The recipients focus on developing targeted therapeutics, decoding dendritic cell function, defining NKT cell interactions with tumors, engineering T ...

Singapore study uncovers why some colorectal cancer tumors return and spread after chemotherapy

A Singapore study reveals that a specific gene called SERPINE1 drives resistance to chemotherapy and cancer spread in colorectal cancer patients. The findings also identify a molecular signature called RESIST-M, which can predict poorer survival and higher relapse risk, supporting earlier intervention and more targeted follow-up care.

Scientists report landmark “evolutionary double-bind” strategy to overcome treatment resistance in prostate cancer

Researchers found that radiation-resistant cancer cells are vulnerable to NK cell-mediated killing due to increased expression of specific cellular membrane proteins, creating an 'evolutionary double-bind'. The combination of radiation therapy and NK cell-based immunotherapy was more effective in suppressing both sensitive and resistan...

New biomarker predicts chemotherapy response in triple-negative breast cancer

Researchers developed a new computational approach to predict chemotherapy response in triple-negative breast cancer, outperforming current methods. The TmS biomarker accurately sorts patients into those with favorable or poor prognosis, highlighting its potential as an effective starting point for patient stratification.

SourceUniversity of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center·JournalCell Reports Medicine·DateFeb 17, 2026

Multiple myeloma: Established cancer drug reactivates immunotherapy

Researchers have discovered a new mechanism by which an existing cancer drug can block the loss of BCMA molecules on cancer cells, allowing CAR T cell therapy to become effective again in some patients. The study shows that carfilzomib can prevent the degradation of BCMA and restore its presence on the surface of malignant plasma cells.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalBlood·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 11, 2026

Biomarkers predict patients with glioblastoma who will survive longer after treatment with cancer-targeting virus

Researchers identified blood-based biomarkers that can help distinguish patients with glioblastoma who are most likely to live longer from novel treatment with an engineered oncolytic virus. The study found that adding an immune booster increased survival times and improved immunological fitness.

SourceUniversity of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center·JournalClinical Cancer Research·DateFeb 10, 2026

How a heart medication could unlock a new targeted approach in lymphoma

A team of researchers at VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center has discovered an innovative way to use a drug already approved in treating irregular heartbeat to selectively target specific functions of enzymes in lymphoma, effectively killing cancer cells and reducing tumor growth with little to no toxicity. The study found that RBF4...

SourceVirginia Commonwealth University·JournalPharmacological Research·DateFeb 3, 2026

New England Journal of Medicine publishes phase 3 PATINA trial data demonstrating a significant progression-free survival benefit with palbociclib in metastatic HR+, HER2+ breast cancer

The PATINA trial demonstrates a significant progression-free survival benefit with palbociclib in patients with hormone receptor-positive (HR+), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive (HER2+) metastatic breast cancer. The study showed a median progression-free survival of 44.3 months, compared to 29.1 months in the control arm.

SourcePrECOG, LLC·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJan 29, 2026

New international study shows access to patient-reported outcome data improves the consistency of the evaluation of cancer treatment adverse events

A large multinational clinical trial found that giving healthcare providers access to patient-reported outcome (PRO) data significantly improves the consistency of how treatment-related side effects are assessed in patients with cancer. This study highlights the importance of integrating the patient's voice into routine clinical evalua...

SourceEuropean Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer·JournalThe Lancet Oncology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJan 27, 2026

Mount Sinai study finds antibody-producing immune cells can help shape cancer immunotherapy

A Mount Sinai study found that antibody-producing immune cells called IgG1 plasma cells help patients respond to PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibitors, which have transformed cancer care. The researchers identified IgG1 plasma cells as a critical factor in determining clinical outcomes.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalNature Medicine·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJan 27, 2026

Carbon-ion therapy spares surgery for early breast cancer

A study published by the National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology found that carbon-ion radiotherapy provided durable tumor control with minimal side effects while preserving breast appearance in carefully selected patients who were unable or unwilling to undergo surgery. The treatment resulted in excellent local control ...

SourceThe National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology·JournalInternational Journal of Radiation Oncology*Biology*Physics·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJan 22, 2026

Treating cancer with medication before surgery continues to increase, report shows

The report shows a notable increase in medication treatments, such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and hormone therapy, used before surgery to treat many cancers. Neoadjuvant systemic therapy increased notably for certain cancers, including gynecologic cancers, pancreatic cancer, and rarer abdominal lining cancers.

SourceAmerican College of Surgeons·JournalJournal of the American College of Surgeons·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 22, 2026

Hope for smarter lung cancer care

A study from Flinders University found that patients with progressive disease, which describes the way cancer grows, have varying survival rates depending on whether their existing tumours re-grow or new ones appear. Understanding this progression can help doctors make better decisions about future treatment strategies.

SourceFlinders University·JournalCancer Letters·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJan 21, 2026

LLM treatment advice agrees with physician recommendations in early-stage HCC, but falls short in late stage

Large language models (LLMs) provide treatment recommendations for early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) that align with clinical guidelines. However, their performance is limited in late-stage disease, where they prioritize tumor factors over liver function. LLMs should be used as a supplement to clinical expertise.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 13, 2026

AI model identifies how every country can improve its cancer outcomes

A machine learning model has identified the most important drivers of cancer survival in nearly all countries, highlighting factors such as national wealth, access to radiotherapy and universal health coverage. The model provides data-driven roadmaps for policymakers to prioritize resources and close survival gaps.

SourceEuropean Society for Medical Oncology·JournalAnnals of Oncology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 13, 2026

Researchers uncover how tumors become resistant to promising p53-targeted therapy

A Mass General Brigham study identifies new mutations that emerge in tumor cells following treatment, driving resistance in patients with different types of cancer. The researchers found two main categories of mutations: those impairing p53 function and others disrupting drug binding, highlighting a path forward for overcoming resistance.

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalCancer Discovery·TypeObservational study·DateJan 12, 2026

Stem cell engineering breakthrough paves way for next-generation living drugs

Researchers at University of British Columbia have successfully grown specialized immune cells called helper T cells from stem cells in a controlled laboratory setting. This breakthrough could lead to more accessible and effective off-the-shelf treatments for various conditions, including cancer, autoimmune disorders, and infectious di...

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalCell Stem Cell·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 8, 2026

Mathematicians tame cellular “noise” to control life at the single-cell level

Researchers create a novel mathematical framework to control biological noise, enabling precise single-cell control. The 'Noise Robust Perfect Adaptation' technology suppresses stochastic fluctuations while maintaining stable average behavior, with promising applications in cancer therapy and synthetic biology.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalNature Communications·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 2, 2026

A new study explores why the same mutation in the BRAF gene leads to different therapeutic responses to its inhibitors in melanoma and colorectal cancer

A new study by researchers from the Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute provides a comparative analysis of the impact of BRAF gene mutations in melanoma and colorectal cancer. The review highlights molecular, cellular, and tumour microenvironment factors that explain the therapeutic dichotomy between the two tumour types.

SourceGermans Trias i Pujol Research Institute·JournalBiochimica et Biophysica Acta·TypeLiterature review·DateDec 22, 2025

A platform to test new cancer treatments

Researchers at the University of Geneva have created a laboratory platform to rapidly evaluate the toxicity of new cancer treatments using human tissue-derived cell clusters. This approach allows for safer evaluation and could lead to personalized treatment options.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalBiomedicine & Pharmacotherapy·TypeNews article·DateDec 16, 2025