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.
A world-first study found that cancer patients receiving chemotherapy intravenously have more than double the risk of developing a blood clot or thrombosis if the vein is too small and the catheter occupies more than 45% of the vein. Researchers identified specific limits on catheter-to-vein ratios to reduce risks for cancer patients.
A genetic variant in the TCERG1L gene has been identified as a risk factor for cisplatin-induced hearing loss in children with cancer, increasing the risk by three times. The finding could lead to predictive tests to inform treatment decisions and advance pediatric cancer care.
Researchers found thiopurine-induced mutations in leukemia cells, inactivating a DNA repair process and making the cancer resistant to multiple chemotherapy drugs. This study provides direct genomic evidence of chemotherapy-induced drug resistance mutations in pediatric cancer.
A clinical trial in Malawi showed a five-drug combination chemotherapy provided curative benefit for people diagnosed with lymphoma, compared to current standard-of-care-therapy. The treatment was also found to be cost-effective, preventing more than seven disability-adjusted life years at a lower cost per DALY prevented.
A study published by The BMJ found that remote 24-hour monitoring for cancer patients receiving chemotherapy significantly reduces symptom burden, anxiety, and work limitations. Patients who used the system experienced improved quality of life and reduced supportive care needs.
The study found that cancer cells become less stiff after exposure to chemotherapy drugs, but the rate of stiffness change decreases under hypoxic conditions. Alteration in cytoskeletal structure influences overall cell functions, including signaling, communication, adhesion, transport, and tumor metastasis.
The investigational therapy ficlatuzumab, targeting the extracellular hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), showed clinical efficacy in patients with relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia. A 53% complete response rate was observed, with improved progression-free and overall survival rates.
Researchers have developed a new type of nanocarrier that combines photothermal, chemo-therapy, and chemodynamic therapy to target and destroy cancer cells. The nanoclusters, which are responsive to near-infrared light, show a significant inhibitory effect on mouse tumor growth in vivo experiments.
Researchers at IMIM-Hospital del Mar and CIBERONC discover a low-toxicity treatment combining chemotherapy and BRAF inhibitors eradicates malignant melanoma by preventing DNA repair. The strategy offers a new therapeutic perspective for patients with BRAF oncogene mutations.
Hematopoietic stem cells use RNA from junk DNA to enhance activation after chemotherapy, leading to increased inflammatory signaling and faster blood cell production. This mechanism helps improve blood regeneration after chemotherapy.
Researchers at Queen Mary University of London have discovered that immune cells can be stimulated to assemble into special structures within pancreatic cancer, improving the efficacy of chemotherapy. The findings suggest a potential therapeutic strategy for promoting an anti-tumour immune response in patients.
A meta-analysis found that obese patients with colorectal cancer receive lower cumulative doses of adjuvant chemotherapy relative to their body surface area than non-obese patients. This may explain the poorer survival rates observed in obese patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy for colorectal cancer. The study suggests that obese ...
A new study establishes a more tolerable chemotherapy regimen for children with high-risk neuroblastoma, while maintaining its effectiveness. The European Neuroblastoma Study Group's rCOJEC regimen showed significant reductions in side effects compared to the US-based MSKCC-N5 regimen.
A meta-analysis of pediatric patients treated with medical cannabis found the treatment to be successful in reducing seizures and nausea in children undergoing chemotherapy, while also noting potential negative effects on mental health, including fatigue and lethargy.
Researchers found that PrimPol helps cells survive chemotherapy damage by facilitating DNA repair; repressing this protein could make tumor cells more sensitive to cancer treatments. This discovery has implications for Fanconi anaemia, a rare disease with few therapeutic options.
A new study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences suggests that surgery should precede chemotherapy for certain patients with ovarian cancer. The research used a mathematical model to examine treatment outcomes and found that complete debulking surgery followed by chemotherapy provides better results. For patient...
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have developed a predictive model using tumor biomarkers and imaging parameters to forecast chemotherapy response. The model's accuracy reaches 0.94, allowing for early adjustments to treatment plans and reduced use of toxic chemotherapy drugs.
Researchers at the University of Copenhagen conducted a study on stem cell transplantation, revealing that one drug is more effective than previously thought due to its impact on cell signaling pathways. This discovery may lead to improved drugs for both stem cell mobilization and HIV treatment.
The ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group presented new research results on patients with breast and HPV-associated throat cancers. A phase III trial found platinum chemotherapy ineffective in preventing recurrence of basal-like triple-negative breast cancer, while a study on severe joint pain in postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-p...
Scientists found that platinum chemotherapy can cause genetic changes in children with neuroblastoma, leading to increased risk of secondary leukemia. The study's findings could lead to identifying high-risk children and tailoring their treatment plans to reduce this risk.
A Northwestern University study found that specific types of gut bacteria can protect other good bacteria from cancer treatments. By metabolizing chemotherapy drugs, these protective bacteria can temper short- and long-term side effects of treatment, potentially leading to new dietary supplements or probiotics.
Researchers from NUS Cancer Science Institute have discovered a link between high levels of DNA repair protein RAD51 and platinum chemotherapy resistance in ovarian cancer patients. This finding could help identify patients who may require novel immunotherapy approaches to improve treatment outcomes.
Researchers from South Ural State University and the Russian Academy of Sciences have synthesized six new acetylthioglycoside derivatives with potential anti-cancer effects. The compounds are based on a dithiolothionic cycle, which releases hydrogen sulfide, carbon monoxide, and nitric oxide.
Researchers have developed a new technique using chemically-sensitive soft X-rays to analyze the internal structure, chemistry and environmental behavior of organic nanocarriers. This non-disruptive method allows for detailed analysis of nanocarrier properties, including their size, water-content and response to changing environments.
Decitabine, used to treat blood cancers like MDS and AML, works by activating endogenous retroviruses that induce an immune response. The study found two key gene sequences involved in this process, Staufen1 and TINCR, whose expression levels determine a patient's response to the drug.
Research found that treatments with 6-mercaptopurine and/or 5-azacitidine do not reverse epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, but instead sensitize cancer cells to chemotherapeutic drugs. This approach has potential for inhibiting highly resistant triple-negative breast cancer cells.
Chemists create supramolecular cage using Pd6(TPT)4 cages that can transport and release pharmaceutically active molecules like ibuprofen and progesterone. The system uses ultrasonification to break the bonds, releasing the drugs at the desired location.
Researchers have discovered that nanoparticles containing chemotherapy drug Capecitabine can attach to diseased cells, bypassing healthy ones and reducing toxic side effects. This targeted delivery system has shown promising results in animal experiments, improving cancer treatment outcomes.
Researchers identified DUSP16 as a protein that promotes chemotherapy resistance in four types of cancer. Elevated DUSP16 levels can lead to reduced treatment effectiveness, highlighting its potential use as a biomarker for sensitivity to chemotherapy.
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital develop a new radiation technique that carefully targets tumors while sparing surrounding tissues, reducing inflammation and preserving swallowing function. The study shows promising results in patients with localized lung cancer, with none developing severe esophagitis despite high-dose ra...
Nagoya University researchers discovered a molecular pathway that enhances chemotherapy resistance in some pancreatic cancer patients. Targeting the taurine upregulating gene 1 (TUG1) RNA could improve patient response to therapy and increase overall survival.
A global phase 3 clinical study confirms the effectiveness of targeted antibody drug conjugates against refractory metastatic triple-negative breast cancer. The ADC drug sacituzumab govitecan delivered a high dose of a cancer-killing drug to tumor cells, improving progression-free and overall survival.
Researchers from Northwestern University develop technology allowing microbes to produce drugs with self-regulating feedback control systems, improving reaction conditions and product yield. The innovation has vast implications for producing other drugs and products, potentially making therapeutics more accessible.
A new biomedical implant, microMESH, has been developed to treat glioblastoma multiforme. The device wraps around tumor masses, delivering drugs in a controlled, prolonged manner, increasing therapeutic efficacy.
Researchers at Linköping University and Medical University of Graz developed an ion pump that can deliver chemotherapy agents like gemcitabine directly into the brain with high precision. This method may provide a more effective treatment for glioblastoma, a type of brain tumor.
A new study suggests that immunotherapies combined with phenformin may be an effective way to fight cancer. Researchers found that phenformin has structural and therapeutic advantages over its sister compound metformin, which was previously used as an anti-diabetic agent.
Researchers developed a two-pronged approach targeting cancer progression and cell destruction, leveraging cathepsin S and p21 BAX proteins to treat kidney cancer. The novel peptide CS-PEP1 inhibits these proteins, encouraging cancer cell death and overcoming molecular resistance found in conventional chemotherapy treatment.
Researchers identified a novel drug duo that exploits a weakness in SCLC's reproduction process, increasing replication stress and damaging DNA. The berzosertib-topotecan combination helped improve symptoms in over one-third of patients in a clinical trial.
Research from Queen Mary University of London reveals that chemotherapy activates immune cells within the tumor microenvironment to fight against cancer. Macrophages switched from pro-tumour to anti-tumour mode after chemotherapy, stimulating patient's immune response and potentially improving survival outcomes.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University developed a novel transdermal mixture of terbinafine and clotrimazole to combat Candida auris, a highly resistant fungus. The study found that this formulation can effectively reduce the presence of C. auris on skin and prevent its spread.
Researchers at Niigata University have identified a protein biomarker, APM2, that can indicate the permissible level of the chemotherapeutic drug cisplatin. The study found a significant relationship between high APM2 expression and cisplatin resistance in liver and gastric cancer cells.
A new pilot study suggests that restricting calories, reducing fat and sugar intake, and increasing physical activity can improve the effectiveness of chemotherapy for older children and adolescents with leukemia. The intervention showed promise in reducing minimal residual disease, a strong predictor of relapse.
Researchers at WashU Medicine found that administering chemotherapy drug temozolomide in the morning improved overall survival by about 4 months compared to evening, with an average increase of 3.5 months in patients with MGMT methylated tumors. The study suggests that adjusting timing of standard treatment could enhance effectiveness.
A case of atezolizumab-induced autoimmune diabetes mellitus presenting with diabetic ketoacidosis is reported, highlighting the importance of monitoring blood glucose levels in patients treated with PD-L1 inhibitors. The patient's condition was successfully managed with cessation of atezolizumab treatment and insulin therapy.
A new study from the University of Arizona Department of Surgery found that pancreatic cancer patients who undergo chemotherapy followed by resection live an average of 19.75 months, compared to 10.12 months for those who received only chemotherapy. The researchers suggest that surgery can improve survival even in difficult cases.
A team at Washington University in St. Louis has developed an imaging technique using acoustic resolution photoacoustic microscopy co-registered with ultrasound and paired with deep learning to differentiate between residual tumors and healthy tissue in rectal cancer patients after chemotherapy and radiation. This technique shows promi...
A retrospective study found that folinic acid with fluorouracil improves progression-free and overall survival in metastatic colorectal cancer patients. The combination also shows a clear clinical benefit regardless of RAS mutational status or tumor side. This suggests folinic acid may be a valuable addition to chemotherapy protocols.
Researchers at the University of Queensland have discovered that an anti-inflammatory drug called anakinra can reduce the awful nerve symptoms associated with vincristine chemotherapy. The study found that anakinra substantially reduced neuropathic pain without reducing the effectiveness of the treatment.
Researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine found that cancer cells can dodge chemotherapy by entering a state of hibernation, or senescence, which enables them to survive aggressive treatments. This discovery has implications for developing new drug combinations that could block senescence and make chemotherapy more effective.
Researchers assessed tumor cell isolation and in vitro proliferation assays to predict chemotherapy response in ovarian cancer. In 12 of 14 cases, in vitro drug sensitivity correlated with clinical outcome.
Researchers from Osaka University have identified the molecular mechanism underlying bone marrow regeneration after chemotherapy. They found that group 2 innate lymphoid cells produce granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor to aid in HSPC recovery, and their transfer accelerates hematopoietic recovery.
A recent study has identified potential risk factors for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN), including age, body mass index (BMI), and low haemoglobin levels. Patients who are older, overweight, or have lower red blood cell counts may be more at risk of developing debilitating nerve damage following chemotherapy.
Researchers have created a boron-containing chemical group that is 10,000 times more stable than its predecessors. This new group, called benzoxaboralone, can be added to compounds to provide desirable attributes such as improved protein-binding strength.
Scientists at Far Eastern Federal University have developed a compound that kills prostate cancer cells while also activating an enzyme protecting them. The compound, 3,10-dibromofascaplysin, works well in combination with approved anticancer drugs and is being studied for its potential to reduce side effects.
A new glioma-targeted nano-therapeutic developed by UH researcher Sheereen Majd delivers the highly toxic anti-cancer drug Dp44mT directly to brain tumor cells, reducing toxicity and improving treatment outcomes.
A study published in Oncotarget found that hemoglobin-based oxygen carriers increase chemotherapy effectiveness in non-small cell lung cancer. PolyHb administration attenuates tumor growth without alleviating hypoxia, suggesting a potential strategy to enhance cisplatin sensitivity.
A new class of antibiotic-drug conjugate (ADC) drugs has been found to significantly increase the survival rate of patients with bladder cancer. The study, led by Queen Mary University of London, showed that the drug reduced the risk of death by 30% compared to chemotherapy, with a median survival time of approximately 13 months.
A Mayo Clinic team developed an ionic liquid formulation that killed cancer cells and allowed for uniform distribution of a chemotherapy drug into liver tumors and other solid tumors. This discovery could solve challenges in drug delivery to tumors, particularly for patients with liver cancer awaiting a transplant.
A liquid formulation called LATTE has been shown to kill liver cancer cells and potentiate chemotherapy treatments in mice, rabbits, pigs, and human tumor samples. The treatment could provide a safer alternative to traditional methods like thermal ablation, which can be resource-intensive and damage surrounding tissues.