Research on chemotherapy and its side effects. Covers nerve-injury prevention, gold-nanorod therapy, less-intensive regimens, and combination treatments.
Researchers have used single-cell RNA sequencing to profile transcriptome-level changes in response to DNA damage across individual cancer cells. The study found three distinct groups of genes activated in response to chemotherapy, revealing new insights into why some cancer cells survive while others die.
Recent studies suggest that adding sofosbuvir and daclatasvir to standard care may reduce the duration of hospital stays for COVID-19 patients. The combination showed a lower median duration of stay and reduced mortality rates compared to standard care alone.
Researchers developed a comprehensive study on nanoprodrugs (NPDs) inside cancer cells, revealing their internalization rate, intracellular localization, and degradation. The study shows that NPDs consistently absorbed by cells as intact particles before being transported into lysosomes.
Scientists have unraveled the structure and mechanism of DNA polymerase ζ, an enzyme that replicates through daily DNA-damaging events. This discovery offers valuable insights into developing effective inhibitors to make cancer cells more sensitive to chemotherapy.
A new study aims to investigate how chemotherapy affects children's brain development and cognitive function, particularly sensory processing, memory, and attention. The researchers hope to develop protective interventions to prevent permanent harm from 'chemo brain'.
The combination of first-line nivolumab and ipilimumab demonstrated an improvement in overall survival compared to platinum-based chemotherapy for patients with unresectable malignant pleural mesothelioma. The study showed a two-year overall survival rate of 40.8% for the treatment arm vs 27.0% for the chemotherapy arm.
The addition of sintilimab to pemetrexed and platinum chemotherapy significantly improved progression-free survival in patients with non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer, with a nearly two-fold increase observed. The overall response rate was also higher in the sintilimab-combination group compared to the placebo combination.
A new study uses patient-specific tumor organoids to identify the most effective chemotherapy protocol for treating advanced stages of colon and appendiceal cancer. The approach shows promise in tailoring treatment to individual patients, potentially increasing life expectancy.
Researchers found that chemotherapy is rarely used to treat adults with localized sarcoma, affecting only 22% of patients. Facilities performing more surgeries for sarcoma tend to use chemotherapy more frequently.
Researchers at Stanford University have created a handheld, portable device to measure ammonia levels in blood. The device, which assesses ammonia levels from a finger or earlobe prick, can report results in less than a minute and is significantly more efficient than current methods.
Researchers at the University of Arkansas have developed a new nano drug candidate that kills triple negative breast cancer cells. The discovery aims to target breast cancer cells directly, reducing adverse and toxic side effects associated with chemotherapy.
The study of Jurassic fossils from northeastern China provides evidence that ancient catkin-yew species existed during the Middle-Late Jurassic period. The fossils, which bear a striking resemblance to modern catkin-yews, demonstrate morphological stasis and are among the most completely known fossil Taxaceae.
Indian University researchers identify circulating tumor DNA and cells in plasma as indicators of disease recurrence and survival. The study, published in JAMA Oncology, enables stratification of patients for targeted therapies.
A new clinical trial has tested a cocktail of chemotherapy drugs for patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer, showing a median survival time of 14.5 months and a 1-year survival rate of 60.9%. The treatment strategy involves injections of paclitaxel into the abdomen and gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel into the blood.
Small interfering RNA (siRNA) shows potential for treating human diseases by selectively silencing pathological pathways. The review examines siRNA therapeutics in preclinical and clinical trials, challenges faced in siRNA therapy, and the feasibility of combining siRNA with anticancer drugs.
A study of over 2,800 breast cancer patients found that those who were overweight or obese had poorer outcomes when treated with docetaxel. The researchers believe this is due to the fat in their bodies absorbing part of the drug before it can reach the tumor.
Researchers at Hokkaido University found that inflammatory changes in tumors caused by chemotherapy trigger drug resistance in blood vessels, resulting in poorer cancer outcomes. The team also discovered a treatment strategy involving the combination of an ABCB1 inhibitor and anticancer drugs to overcome this resistance.
Researchers have identified a promising new strategy to target tumors with metabolic weaknesses, particularly in patients with IDH mutant gliomas. Combining chemotherapy and PAR glycohydrolase inhibitors has shown promise in enhancing treatment effectiveness.
A Yale Cancer Center study confirms the effectiveness of combining chemotherapy and trastuzumab in treating aggressive uterine serous carcinoma, a rare form of endometrial cancer. The treatment significantly improves progression-free survival, with no increase in toxicity.
UConn researchers use patented nanoparticle with common chemotherapy drug doxorubicin to target leukemia stem cells, reducing treatment-resistant relapses. The nanoparticle enables slow release of the drug to bone marrow, improving survival rates and inhibiting cancerous stem cells.
In a phase 2 trial, berzosertib, an ATR protein inhibitor, was found to significantly extend progression-free survival for patients with ovarian cancer compared to chemotherapy alone. The drug targets a protein crucial for cancer cell growth and division.
A novel treatment for advanced mesothelioma has been shown to be safe and effective, with a 70.3% disease control rate and median overall survival rate of 8.5 months. The transarterial chemoperfusion treatment may improve the quality of life for patients who have few treatment options.
The COVID-19 pandemic is worsening existing drug shortages in the US, particularly for cancer treatments and critical care medications. Experts recommend improved communication and sharing mechanisms among hospitals and healthcare providers to address these shortages.
A new study reveals that chemotherapy and cancer contribute to the development of neuropathy, a condition affecting millions of cancer patients. Researchers found that cancer itself causes significant distress to neurons, while chemotherapy amplifies this effect, leading to more severe trauma.
Researchers found that ovarian cancer patients with a modified BRCA1 gene do not respond better to platinum chemotherapy or have a better prognosis than those with the normal functioning gene. However, they did live longer on these treatments compared to those without any gene modifications.
Oncology pharmacy practitioners worldwide are struggling with limited and restricted PPE supply, making it difficult for them to provide high-quality cancer care. In a study, half of the surveyed countries reported impaired access to essential medications, including anti-infective agents and anticancer medications.
Dietary changes can trigger changes in the host's response to chemotherapy drugs, increasing or decreasing their effectiveness and toxicity. Researchers found that common components of daily diets can have a profound impact on cancer treatment outcomes.
A new study suggests that genetic testing for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) can be delayed without negatively impacting patient outcomes. For stable patients, waiting a week or more for test results allows doctors to assign the correct subgroup and select targeted treatment.
A Phase 2 clinical trial has shown a novel treatment protocol to be effective in patients with intravascular large B-cell lymphoma (IVLBCL), achieving two-year survival rates of up to 76% and overall survival rates of 92%. The treatment, combining conventional drugs with high-dose methotrexate and intrathecal chemotherapy, has been fou...
A large international trial found that pembrolizumab more than doubled the progression-free survival time of patients with a specific subtype of advanced bowel cancer, compared to chemotherapy. The treatment also showed durable benefits, with 48.3% of patients experiencing no disease progression after two years.
A phase III clinical trial found that the addition of cediranib to olaparib and standard platinum-based chemotherapy did not improve progression-free survival outcomes, but showed similar activity in patients. The study suggests potential for non-platinum based alternatives in certain biomarker subgroups.
A WPI-led research team has identified drugs that target triple-negative breast cancer tumors in mice without inducing toxic side effects. The targeted therapies use molecular recognition units to specifically target the tumors, reducing their sizes and eliminating them.
An exploratory study found that metformin combined with rapamycin was well-tolerated in patients with stable or responding metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (mPDA) after 6 months of chemotherapy. The combination was associated with exceptionally long survival rates and improved disease stability.
The dose-adjusted (DA) EPOCH-R regimen was found to be highly effective and better tolerated than standard chemotherapy for adults with Burkitt lymphoma. The treatment was effective across age groups, including patients in their 70s and 80s, and regardless of HIV status.
Boosting the activity of tumor proteasomes could improve chemotherapy treatment outcomes and enhance immunotherapy for aggressive triple-negative breast cancer. Researchers analyzed 3,500 breast tumors to make this finding.
Researchers identified two novel biomarkers, PDL1/CD274 copy number alteration and PD-L1 combined positive score, that correlate with improved outcomes in patients with metastatic breast cancer treated with immunotherapy. These biomarkers may help identify patients most likely to benefit from this treatment.
Patients with germline or somatic mutations in DNA repair genes showed better clinical outcomes after platinum-based chemotherapy. These mutations were found in genes such as BRCA1, BRCA2, and PALB2, which are involved in a form of DNA repair known as homologous recombination.
Researchers at Kazan Federal University have developed new in vitro test systems for selecting effective antitumor drugs, which take into account the complex interactions between tumor cells and healthy tissue. The new models aim to improve primary screening of substances with antitumor activity.
Researchers have developed a new method to stabilize liposomes using nanobowls, which improves the delivery of chemotherapy drugs to cancer cells. The nanobowl-stabilized liposomes showed reduced leakage and increased efficacy in treating metastatic breast tumors in mice.
A research team at Pohang University of Science & Technology has developed an integrative cancer therapy using adoptive natural killer cell therapy and chemotherapy. The new method enhances the effectiveness of cell therapy in treating solid cancers by selectively releasing anticancer drugs, reducing side effects.
Researchers at Waseda University have successfully developed a method for the total synthesis of cotylenin A, a plant growth regulator with promising bioactivity as an anti-cancer agent. The new method allows for the production of a stable and effective anticancer drug without the side effects associated with traditional treatments.
Women who watched Disney movies during chemotherapy experienced improved measures of quality of life compared to those who did not watch the movies. The study found that Disney movie watching had a positive impact on emotional well-being and stress levels in these patients.
A new method uses CAR-T therapy to eliminate leukemia stem cells and blood stem cells selectively, sparing mature blood cells and other tissues. The treatment is achieved through genetic modification of immune cells, which then target and destroy only the leukemic stem cells.
A clinical trial found that olanzapine significantly improved patient quality of life by reducing nausea and vomiting scores. The study showed that patients who received olanzapine reported less vomiting, better appetite, and better well-being compared to those who received a placebo.
Researchers developed a new conjugated drug, Nav-Gal, that selectively removes senescent cells, minimizing harm to healthy cells and reducing toxicity. The use of this compound in combination with chemotherapy may be a promising strategy for treating cancer.
A new study led by Yale Cancer Center researchers shows that immunotherapy prior to surgery can increase the rate of complete eradication of high-risk HER2-negative breast cancer from the breast and lymph nodes. The treatment combination of durvalumab, a checkpoint inhibitor, with chemotherapy resulted in a higher pCR rate compared to ...
Dexrazoxane has been shown to preserve cardiac function and reduce risk of severe cardiac events in pediatric patients undergoing chemotherapy for acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The study suggests dexrazoxane should be considered for cardioprotection in all pediatric patients undergoing standard chemotherapy for AML.
The Phase III EMBRACA trial found talazoparib improved patient-reported quality-of-life measures and had a tolerable safety profile in patients with metastatic HER2-negative breast cancer and BRCA1/2 mutations. However, the study did not demonstrate a statistically significant overall survival benefit due to subsequent treatments.
Researchers have discovered a new approach to overcome chemotherapy resistance in clear cell ovarian cancer by using low doses of 2-deoxy-D-glucose. The treatment has shown significant improvement in laboratory models and is expected to be safer for patients with reduced side effects.
A study published in Nature found that glioma patients with hypermutated tumor cells did not benefit from checkpoint blocker treatments. The researchers suggest that approaches increasing cytotoxic lymphocyte infiltration may improve immunotherapy response in gliomas.
The TAILORx trial found that women on hormone therapy also experienced cognitive decline, which leveled off over time. Cognitive function did not return to pre-treatment levels in either group, and hormone therapy may play a role in this impairment.
A study led by Washington State University researchers found that inhibiting the FOXO1 protein can protect the heart from cell death and atrophy caused by chemotherapy drugs like doxorubicin. This breakthrough discovery may lead to promising new treatment strategies or drugs that combine a FOXO1 inhibitor with doxorubicin.
A study published in Neuro-Oncology Advances suggests that chemotherapy can be effective against diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG), a devastating childhood brain cancer. Researchers found that the medicine reaches DIPG tissue in good quantities, offering new hope for treatment.
A new case study using 5 head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cell lines shows improved drug screening through morphology and dead cell readouts. The research aims to enhance the value of cancer drug discovery and development success rates.
A recent study found that older cancer patients taking 15 or more medications prior to chemotherapy treatment had a 114% increase in hospitalization rates. The researchers also identified similar increases in breast and prostate cancer patients, with median medication counts of 6, 10, and 11 therapies respectively.
Combining therapeutic HPV vaccine ISA101 with chemotherapy drugs carboplatin and paclitaxel may extend survival in patients with advanced cervical cancer. The vaccine was well-tolerated, reducing suppressive myeloid cells to better stimulate T cell responses.
Researchers developed a microRNA-based signature that predicts local-regional failure and overall survival in patients with pancreatic cancer. The four-miRNA risk score provides prognostic information for clinical outcomes after surgical resection.
Researchers found that pairing Abraxane with Intralipid enhances tumor-killing macrophages, reducing cancer growth and protecting organs from damage. The combination also decreases the amount of expensive drugs needed for treatment.
A new imaging technique allows researchers to study 3D printed brain tumors in unprecedented detail, revealing how treatments affect complex tumor cells. This method provides a more accurate evaluation of drug effectiveness than traditional methods, which could lead to improved treatment outcomes for patients with glioblastomas.
A new trial has found that chemotherapy after surgery significantly reduces the risk of rare kidney cancer returning. The treatment has been shown to increase survival rates by over half, with 71% of patients living cancer-free for three years or more.