Research on new and better ways to treat cancer. Covers radiotherapy, targeted microdroplets, nerve-injury protection, drug combinations, and tumor models.
Researchers at Cardiff University have identified a specific gene, Ligase 3, that human cells require to survive chromosomal defects and evade death. This discovery has significant implications for understanding the development of cancer and could lead to new therapeutic targets.
A study of nearly 3,000 cancer survivors found that nearly one in ten continued to smoke many years after diagnosis. The highest rates were seen among bladder and lung cancer patients. Meanwhile, sociodemographic factors such as age, education, and income played a role in smoking status.
The US Multi-Society Task Force on Colorectal Cancer recommends genetic testing of tumors for all newly diagnosed colorectal cancer patients with a familial risk of the disease. Genetic testing can confirm the diagnosis of Lynch syndrome and direct management for affected individuals, as well as family members.
A recent study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology suggests that patient navigation can lead to better breast cancer care for high-risk populations, including minority women. Researchers found that patients assisted by trained navigators were more likely to start recommended treatments, such as hormonal therapy.
A new study suggests that consuming resistant starch alongside red meat can lower the risk of colorectal cancer. The study found that butyrated resistant starch reduced levels of certain genetic molecules associated with cell proliferation and increased risk of cancer.
A recent study has shown that a lung cancer diagnosis tool can be used safely in elderly patients, allowing doctors to make more accurate diagnoses and choose appropriate treatments. The tool, known as EBUS-TBNA, is effective for assessing whether a patient's tumour has spread to the lymph nodes.
The study found that skull-base heating can result in hazardous temperature elevations when sonications are performed close to the skull-base. Three new methods to counteract this phenomenon were developed. Additionally, the formation of standing-waves is greatly reduced with specifically designed large-area ultrasound transducers.
A large DNA analysis has identified several new genetic markers that signal increased risk of developing pancreatic cancer. The markers are variations in the inherited DNA code at particular locations along chromosomes.
Recent studies have shown that clustered DNA mutations are common in cancer development and may result from the process of DNA repair. The discovery provides a mechanism to potentially explain how genetic changes form in human cancers.
Researchers identified a genetic switch that stifles blood vessel development and used it to prevent peripheral vascular disease in a mouse model. The study's findings offer hope for new treatments targeting conditions like diabetes and atherosclerosis.
Researchers have identified a combination of pills that cures 9 out of 10 hepatitis C patients, achieving a 93% cure rate in 12 weeks. The treatment was well-tolerated by patients and offers a higher cure rate than previous standard care.
Researchers have discovered an innovative way to visualize where proteins touch each other using brightly hued dyes, a breakthrough that could lead to new treatments for various diseases. The technique involves mixing dyes with proteins and then separating them to reveal the 'hot spots' where proteins interlock.
The VOICES project at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital allows HIV-infected youth to anonymously share their stories, providing a powerful tool for clinicians and students to improve patient care. The project has empowered participants and given health care providers another layer of understanding into the emotional impact of HIV.
Patients with advanced cancer can experience improvement in fatigue, physical endurance, and mood through rehabilitation programs combining exercise and nutritional counselling. Palliative care services should incorporate these elements to enhance patient outcomes.
Researchers developed a powerful single-cell technique to study environmental effects on DNA, mapping epigenetic marks in individual cells. This approach has the potential to enhance clinical applications like cancer therapy and fertility treatments.
Researchers at The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research have identified a brain network that measures placebo effects in Parkinson's disease patients. This breakthrough discovery has the potential to improve the accuracy of clinical trials by excluding subjects who are more likely to experience placebo effects.
A new study by Henry Ford Health found that robot-assisted surgery can control prostate cancer for up to 10 years. The research followed 483 men who had not spread cancer beyond the prostate and received robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) as their first treatment, with 98.8% surviving the disease for 10 years.
A two-year study will examine the effects of cognitive behavioral and relaxation training on immune system functioning after surgery. Women who received these interventions reported reduced distress, improved mood, and enhanced emotional-well-being.
A new theory of cancer development proposes that recently evolved genes are damaged, leading to the use of older, inappropriate genetic pathways. This model could lead to innovative treatments by targeting the weaknesses in cancer cells' ability to proliferate rapidly.
Researchers developed a simple setup for X-ray phase-contrast imaging, which uses scrambled X-rays to produce high-quality images. The new technique demonstrates efficiency and versatility, enabling accurate measurement of specimen thickness and mapping of small structures.
A Baylor University study found that hypnotic relaxation therapy significantly reduced hot flashes in a 69-year-old man with prostate cancer. The treatment also improved his sleep quality, with a 94% decrease in hot flashes and an 87% improvement in sleep quality.
Researchers discovered that trace amounts of HCV RNA in successfully treated patients can be infectious. The study used an animal model to show that blood from these patients could cause HCV infection, which may be hard to detect due to delayed onset of disease.
Researchers from Case Western Reserve University report a high degree of satisfaction among caregivers who received support teams for terminal cancer patients. The intervention improved satisfaction in five areas: pain relief, managing pain, speed in treating symptoms, information about side effects, and coordination of care.
Rheumatoid arthritis is considered a syndrome rather than a single disease, and blocking inflammasomes may be an effective therapeutic target. Researchers have developed a mouse model that demonstrates the role of inflammasomes in RA and show promise for new treatments.
Researchers have identified a type I interferon marker that can predict patients with an increased risk of HCV relapse after antiviral therapy. Patients who maintain a strong type I interferon response are more likely to remain HCV-free.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center suggest that inhibiting the action of enzyme Cdk5 could substantially reduce brain damage after a stroke. The study found that aberrant Cdk5 activity causes nerve cell death during stroke and that blocking this enzyme can help preserve brain tissue.
Researchers have created a device using microchannel technology that can remove endotoxins from blood, preventing sepsis. The technology may offer an alternative to antibiotics and could be used as a prophylactic treatment.
A new microRNA has been identified as a potential therapeutic target for treating osteoporosis by blocking bone destruction. Researchers believe this discovery could lead to innovative treatments for conditions such as osteoporosis and other bone diseases.
A new research approach could improve medical study recruitment by adjusting treatment odds based on early results. In a recent study, patients shown an explanation of the odds were more willing to participate, with 67% volunteering compared to 54% without such explanation.
Activation of estrogen receptor β (ERβ) has been shown to limit tumor cell growth in breast cancer. In mouse models, cancer cells with activated ERβ did not grow well. Conversely, breast cancer patients with activated ERβ in their tissue had increased disease-free survival rates.
New mutations in cohesin proteins are common in various cancers, including bladder cancer and melanoma. Cohesin regulates cell division and DNA repair, making it a potential driver or facilitator for tumours.
Researchers have identified a new therapeutic target for certain myeloproliferative diseases by targeting the microenvironment that sustains hematopoietic stem cells. The treatment involves using clinically approved medications to prevent or reverse damage to this microenvironment.
Researchers at the University of Gothenburg have developed a new combination treatment for cancer using the molecules RVX2135 and HDAC inhibitors. The treatment has been shown to increase survival rates in mice with MYC-driven lymphoma by activating similar genes as existing cancer treatments.
A randomized trial found that telephone-based weight loss advice reduced breast cancer recurrence risk by lowering weight and inflammation. Postmenopausal women with breast cancer who received lifestyle coaching via phone achieved comparable sustained weight loss to in-person consultations.
Seven research projects funded to study genetic changes associated with autism spectrum disorders and improve diagnostics for hereditary cancers. Funding aims to advance understanding and treatment of these conditions, impacting families worldwide.
A team of researchers has found a potential way to enhance the body's ability to sense and inhibit viral infections by boosting a naturally occurring protein called OASL. This discovery could lead to more effective treatments for viruses ranging from hepatitis C to the flu.
A study found that childhood cancer survivors were hospitalized more often and for longer durations than the general population, with conditions like blood disorders and infections leading to hospitalizations. The study highlights the need for regular cancer-focused healthcare to identify health problems throughout their lives.
The study reveals that each glioblastoma tumor contains individual cells from multiple cancer sub-types, and that the distribution of these cells varies from tumor to tumor. This heterogeneity may contribute to drug resistance and disease recurrence, highlighting the need for personalized treatment approaches.
A study of over 2,600 adults with hepatitis B found that antiviral therapy significantly reduced the occurrence of liver cancer (HCC) by 60%. The therapy was more effective than treatment in preventing HCC than untreated patients. Results suggest a potential new approach to preventing a common and deadly form of cancer.
A recent study found that frequent use of permanent dyes and perming treatments may expose hairdressers to banned aromatic amines, linked to increased cancer risk. The researchers recommend protective measures such as wearing gloves to minimize skin exposure.
Researchers discovered a new hormone called Metrnl that activates brown and beige fat, leading to improved metabolic health in obese mice. Interleukin-4 signaling also played a crucial role in stimulating beige fat formation.
Researchers found that intravenous injections of dental pulp stem cells have a protective effect against brain damage from heat stroke in mice. The treatment inhibited neurological deficits and reduced oxidative damage to the brain. However, further studies are needed to determine the precise mechanism of SHED-mediated growth factors.
A University of Houston chemist has received a $600,000 NSF CAREER Award to develop synthetic strategies for increasing the efficiency and yields of chemical reactions. The goal is to improve the treatment of diseases such as cancer and malaria by better understanding molecular reactivity.
Researchers at CNIC and CNIO successfully reproduce chromosomal translocations in human cells, identical to those found in leukemia and sarcoma patients. This breakthrough enables the study of new therapeutic targets and therapies for cancer treatment.
Researchers from CNIO and CNIC successfully reproduced chromosomal translocations in human stem cells, identical to those found in patients with acute myeloid leukemia and Ewing's sarcoma. This breakthrough allows for the study of new therapeutic targets and experimental recapitulation of tumour development.
The number of cancer survivors in the US is expected to grow from 14.5 million to almost 19 million by 2024 due to an aging population and improved treatment outcomes. The majority of cancer survivors were diagnosed five or more years prior, with nearly half aged 70 or older.
A study found that smokers are more likely to quit after receiving a serious lung cancer screening result. The effect appeared to be durable, lasting up to 5 years after the last screening.
Ronald M. Evans, director of the Gene Expression Laboratory at Salk Institute, is one of three scientists chosen for The Lustgarten Foundation's Distinguished Scholars program to focus on finding a cure for pancreatic cancer. He will expand his research on Vitamin D therapies using clinical trials in patients.
A new Vanderbilt University study found that women with blood in their urine were less likely to be referred to a urologist for further tests than men with the same issue. The disparity may contribute to delayed diagnoses and worse mortality rates among women with bladder cancer.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center discovered a critical role for microRNA cluster miR-143 and miR-145 in regulating wound healing in the intestine, which may lead to potential treatments for chronic digestive diseases like ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.
Researchers will analyze fat stem cells from obese patients to understand the mechanism underlying excess fat storage and insulin response. The study aims to identify potential therapeutic strategies for treating different groups of obese individuals at varying risk of developing diabetes and other health issues.
A systematic review compared the efficacy and safety of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and complete endoscopic resection (EMR) for dysplastic Barrett's esophagus. Both treatments were found to be effective in short-term treatment, but RFA had lower short-term adverse event rates. Long-term esophageal strictures were more common with EMR.
The Prolaris test accurately predicted 10-year death rates from prostate cancer and outperformed antiquated upgrading practice. In conservatively managed patients, the test differentiated high-risk disease from lower-risk disease.
Researchers have developed a lab-on-a-chip platform capable of detecting protein cancer markers in blood at extremely low concentrations, enabling early diagnoses and treatment monitoring. The device's high sensitivity and portability make it an attractive tool for future cancer treatments.
Researchers developed herpes-loaded stem cells that significantly improved survival rates in mice with glioblastoma multiforme when applied to tumors. The treatment used mesenchymal stem cells as drug delivery vehicles, allowing oncolytic viruses to replicate and kill residual cancer cells.
Beaumont Children's Hospital has been awarded a $20,000 grant from CureSearch to support therapeutic clinical trials for children with cancer. The hospital believes that clinical trials are essential in helping children with cancer, and this funding will enable them to open additional studies and reach more patients.
Rice University researchers have developed a tunable virus that can target and destroy cancer cells by unlocking only in the presence of two selected proteases. The virus uses peptides to lock its capsid, which is then unlocked by specific enzymes, allowing it to bind to diseased cells.
A recent study used hip bone mineral density (BMD) measurements to predict fracture risk in postmenopausal women who stopped taking bisphosphonate therapy. The findings suggest that older age and lower hip BMD at the time of discontinuation were associated with higher rates of clinical fractures.
Men with low-risk prostate cancer who have low testosterone levels may be at increased risk of developing more aggressive disease. Low levels of free testosterone were significantly linked to an increased risk, suggesting a contradictory role for testosterone in prostate cancer progression.
Scientists have discovered that endogenous dendritic cell-derived interleukin-27 promotes tumor growth by recruiting regulatory T-cells. This finding suggests that targeting IL-27 could lead to more effective cancer immunotherapies.