Research on chemotherapy and its side effects. Covers nerve-injury prevention, gold-nanorod therapy, less-intensive regimens, and combination treatments.
Researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute present positive results from clinical trials of CAR T-cell therapy and immunotherapy for patients with leukemia and lymphoma. The studies show that Yescarta provides durable benefit to lymphoma patients, while pembrolizumab achieves long-lasting responses in patients with an aggressive form ...
A randomized clinical trial found immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab more effective than standard chemotherapy in treating chemotherapy-resistant head and neck cancer. Patients receiving pembrolizumab had a higher response rate with longer-lasting responses compared to those on standard therapy.
A new combination of venetoclax with standard drugs azacitidine or decitabine has been granted accelerated approval for treating elderly patients with acute myeloid leukemia. The trial showed a 67% overall response rate, with improved efficacy and tolerability compared to traditional hypomethylating agents.
A new combination treatment of venetoclax and azacitidine has shown a 91 percent response rate in older adults with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The treatment has been associated with no more side effects than the use of azacitidine alone, and patients with IDH mutations have experienced long-lasting responses.
A Chinese scientist designed a DNA origami nanoplatform that carries chemotherapeutic drugs and RNA interference to target and kill multidrug-resistant cancer cells. The platform demonstrates the effectiveness of RNA interference in reducing drug resistance in cancer treatment.
Purdue University researchers have developed a technology that uses nanoparticles to target cancerous cells and tumors, providing more effective and safer chemotherapy treatment. The method has been tested on breast cancer and melanoma models and shows promise for treating various types of cancerous tumors.
Researchers found two genomic tests, MammaPrint and BluePrint, can predict patient response to new treatments. These tests identified subgroups of patients with high-risk tumours more likely to respond to specific therapies.
A Phase II study found a combination of azacitidine and nivolumab therapy resulted in a 33% overall response rate and 22% complete remission rate for patients with relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia. The drug combination was particularly effective in patients who had not previously received hypomethylating agents, with an overa...
A study by Washington State University researchers suggests that inhibiting CDK2 activity can alleviate chemotherapy-induced heart damage in rodents. The finding could be used to develop treatment strategies and drugs to reduce heart disease risk in cancer survivors, particularly those treated with doxorubicin.
Researchers at Georgia Tech developed an open source decision support tool using machine learning to analyze RNA expression tied to patient outcomes with specific drugs. The system predicted the chemotherapy drug that had provided the best outcome 80 percent of the time, and its accuracy could improve with additional patient records.
A study published in Cell Stem Cell found that the PPM1D gene confers a survival advantage to blood cells exposed to chemotherapy, potentially favoring the development of secondary leukemia. The research suggests that the presence of this gene and other mutations should be considered when choosing chemotherapies.
Researchers at George Washington University found cold therapy to be the most effective preventative intervention for taxane-induced dermatologic events, followed by urea-based creams for hand/foot side effects. Cold caps and scalp cooling systems also showed promise in preventing hair loss and skin/toxicity events.
The ESRF cryo-electron microscope has achieved significant results in its first year, publishing research on the 5-HT3 serotonin receptor. The study revealed the receptor's activation cycle and binding pockets, providing crucial information for developing antinausea drugs.
A small study found that rose geranium oil spray in sesame oil base helped reduce the severity of nasal vestibulitis symptoms, which are common side effects of chemotherapy. The oil was used by 20 women on chemotherapy, with most reporting moderate to substantial benefits.
Researchers discovered that chemotherapy drug paclitaxel can also activate a key cellular receptor in the innate immune system, reactivating the patient's immune response to combat tumors. This finding opens up new prospects for cancer treatment strategies, including immunotherapy and adjuvant therapy.
A phase III study found that immunotherapy with pembrolizumab improves overall survival in patients with recurrent or metastatic head and neck cancer, particularly those expressing PD-L1. The treatment also showed longer response duration and median response duration compared to standard chemotherapy.
A phase III trial has established the radiation/cisplatin combination as the standard of care for human papillomavirus (HPV)-related oral cancers, resulting in higher overall and progression-free survival rates compared to cetuximab/radiation. The treatment also showed a lower rate of serious side effects, particularly with cisplatin.
Researchers developed a targeted strategy to treat chemotherapy-resistant AML by targeting the MTF2-MDM2 axis, resulting in complete remission in all mouse models treated with the new combination. The findings hold promise for treating AML patients who would otherwise die from their disease.
A phase III clinical trial found immunotherapy pembrolizumab to be more effective than aggressive chemotherapy as a first-line treatment for advanced head and neck cancer. Patients with high PD-L1 levels saw significant improvements in survival and response rates.
A phase 3 SOLO-1 trial found that olaparib maintenance therapy significantly improved progression-free survival (PFS) in newly diagnosed patients with advanced ovarian cancer and a BRCA1 or 2 mutation. The median PFS for those who received olaparib was approximately three years longer than the placebo group.
A randomized study shows erlotinib improves progression-free survival and tumor response rate compared to gemcitabine plus cisplatin in stage IIIA-N2 EGFR-mutated NSCLC. Median progression-free survival was significantly longer with erlotinib at 21·5 months versus 11.9 months with chemotherapy.
Atezolizumab, an antibody targeting PD-L1, improved survival in metastatic triple negative breast cancer patients by 20%, particularly those with PD-L1 positive tumors. The combination therapy also reduced disease worsening and death risk by 38% in PD-L1 positive subgroup
A combination of immunotherapy and chemotherapy significantly extends survival by up to ten months in patients with triple-negative breast cancer. The treatment reduces the risk of death or cancer progression by up to 40 per cent, offering new hope for young women affected by this aggressive form of breast cancer.
A study of breast cancer survivors found that natural pregnancies are possible after chemotherapy, but many no longer wish to have children. The study also showed that fertility preservation measures are not widely needed among young breast cancer patients.
A study of oesophagogastric cancer patients found women experienced higher rates of nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, mouth ulceration, and hair loss compared to men. The researchers analyzed data from four randomised trials involving over 1,600 patients.
A pooled analysis of four UK randomised controlled clinical trials found significant differences in chemotherapy side-effects between men and women with oesophagogastric cancer. Women experienced higher rates of nausea and vomiting, diarrhoea, mouth ulceration, and hair loss compared to men.
A new blood test that detects circulating tumour DNA is being tested to determine if cancer patients need chemotherapy after surgery. The trial aims to identify high-risk patients who may benefit from aggressive treatment and low-risk patients who can avoid chemotherapy.
A study found that cancer patients are open to using complementary alternative medicines, but poorly informed about safety issues and risk of interactions with anti-cancer drugs. Vitamin D supplements were the most popular choice, followed by selenium plus zinc.
A new mouse study builds on human findings that link chemotherapy and the APOE4 gene variant to cognitive problems. The research, published in Neurotoxicity Research, reveals that APOE4 works with doxorubicin to cause significant brain changes and impair learning.
Scientists at University of Toronto's Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy have developed a combination approach using nanoparticles to improve chemotherapy response and boost anti-tumor immunity in breast cancer. The treatment resulted in a 60% cure rate and enhanced life expectancy by five-fold compared to treating with chemotherapy alone.
Researchers have developed a gel-based chemotherapy that can shrink melanoma skin tumors in mice by penetrating deep into the skin. The gel, called transfersome, was found to slow tumor growth when applied daily and administered intravenously every other day, with results showing a significant reduction in tumor size.
Researchers found that daily lactoferrin supplementation can change salivary protein profiles in cancer patients, protecting their taste buds and odor perception. This could help patients recover from chemotherapy with improved nutrition and quality of life.
A new drug called Metavert has shown promising results in blocking pancreatic cancer growth in laboratory mice. The study also found that Metavert may prevent patients from developing resistance to currently used chemotherapies.
Researchers at UC Riverside have discovered a way to target migrating cancer cells, responsible for tumor metastases, using novel agents 135H11 and 135H12. These potent agents can block EphA2, an oncogene that spreads cancer, preventing cell migration and degradation.
Researchers at Wayne State University have developed a nanoplatform technology that works in combination with existing chemotherapeutic drugs to reverse drug-resistance in renal cell carcinoma. The technology uses tumor hypoxia-directed nanoparticles to target the root cause of the problem and has shown promising results in animal trials.
Scientists have discovered a way to enhance the effectiveness of artemisinin, a powerful antimalarial drug, by combining it with chemotherapy medicines that target the parasite's waste disposal system. The combination works by jamming the recycling process, leading to cell death in the parasite.
Scientists have demonstrated that adding aluminium atoms to active carbon delivery capsules increases the adsorption of chemotherapy drugs, like 5-Fluorouracil, onto targeted delivery devices. This could lead to more effective cancer treatments with fewer side effects by encapsulating chemo drugs into active carbon.
Researchers at University of Houston develop synthetic compound that inhibits two major pathways of pancreatic cancer. The drug, MA242, targets NFAT1 and MDM2, reducing tumor growth and progression.
Researchers at McMaster University have identified a previously unknown cell population that triggers the return of acute myeloid leukemia after remission. This discovery provides a potential new target for therapies and offers hope for improving treatment outcomes for patients with leukemia.
Skin cells can detect damaged DNA in the absence of infection and trigger an immune response similar to that observed during viral infections. This discovery could lead to new cancer treatments and preventive measures against skin cancers.
A Moffitt Cancer Center research team compared chemotherapy regimens and found that a combination called ddMVAC was associated with higher complete response rates and improved survival rates compared to standard care. The study analyzed data from over 800 surgical patients with advanced bladder cancer.
A study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that short-term decline in physical function was common among older adults treated with chemotherapy for breast cancer. However, about half of patients were resilient and able to recover their ability to function within 12 months.
UTEP scientists have received a $6 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to develop new regimens and biomarkers for Chagas disease treatment. The researchers aim to improve the efficacy and safety of current treatments, which are toxic and have low effectiveness.
Scientists at Salk Institute and Purdue University discovered a key to mass-producing beneficial plant compounds, including terpenoids used in fragrances, flavorings, biofuels, and pharmaceuticals. They found that plants have an
Researchers at Washington State University discovered that cancer-fighting drugs can slow or stop fungal infections in plants by activating genes used to defend against pathogens. The study showed two different results from the applications of DNA-specific drugs on pea tissue, with differing mechanisms of action.
Researchers at University of Illinois Chicago discovered that a mutation in the NPM1 gene helps improve sensitivity to chemotherapy in patients. The study found that patients with this mutation tend to respond better to chemotherapy and have higher rates of remission.
Researchers developed a novel polymer conjugate to deliver anticancer drugs directly to cancer stem cells, significantly reducing tumor size. The combined use of standard anticancer drugs further enhanced the effect.
Researchers have discovered that antibodies in mother's milk can survive the digestive system and deliver intact molecules into a baby's bloodstream. Now, they hope to encapsulate chemotherapy drugs in milk particles to create a potential alternative to infusions.
A recent study found that 8.3% of trastuzumab-treated patients developed heart failure, highlighting the need for cardiac monitoring in high-risk breast cancer patients. The study also showed a consistent increase in heart failure risk with age, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing cardiac monitoring for younger patients.
Researchers found that doxorubicin targets enzymes controlling immune responses in the spleen and heart, disrupting metabolism and leading to impaired inflammation resolution. The drug also poisons specific immune cells, causing a loss of host defense and promoting chronic non-resolving inflammation.
The study identified four fungi species with high anti-cancer potential, including polyphenols, polysaccharides, and terpenoids. These compounds show selective targeting of malignant tumors with minimal harm to healthy cells.
Chemists at the University of Basel have developed a novel synthesis method for terpenes that uses molecular capsules to mimic nature. The method significantly reduces the number of steps and improves yield in the synthesis process.
A new study found that Cannabidiol (CBD) significantly improved the survival rate of mice with pancreatic cancer when used alongside chemotherapy. The treatment resulted in nearly tripled survival time compared to those receiving chemotherapy alone.
Research published in eNeuro suggests that cannabidiol can prevent nausea in rats by increasing serotonin levels in the brain. The findings implicate the endocannabinoid system and its role in regulating nausea, opening up new therapeutic opportunities.
Researchers have developed a novel delivery system using magnetic nanoparticles to target chemotherapy drugs to spinal cord tumors, which are difficult to reach due to the blood-brain barrier. This approach shows promise in treating intramedullary spinal cord tumors with improved survival rates and reduced side effects.
Researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago developed a magnetic surgical cement that can guide nanoparticles to lesions near spinal fractures, providing targeted drug delivery. The technology has the potential to become a surgical option for patients with primary spinal column tumors or metastasizing tumors.
Australian researchers found that follistatin, a naturally occurring hormone, can enhance the effectiveness of platinum-based chemotherapy and prevent kidney damage in lung cancer patients. The 'two birds, one stone' approach has shown promising results in mouse models.
Researchers developed a method to create 3D cultures of clustered cancer cells that better mimic tumors, enabling more accurate drug testing. A new NIH grant will model the response of colon cancer cells to anticancer drugs, aiming to identify molecular mechanisms of drug resistance and develop new treatment strategies.
Researchers developed a technique to measure drug-target engagement in individual cancer cells, revealing variation in effectiveness between cells within a tumour. The findings could help clinicians choose the best course and delivery of treatment for cancer patients, improving treatment outcomes.
Researchers developed an algorithm that combines genomic information to predict individual responses to anticancer drugs. The new tool, pGENMi, uses gene expression, DNA sequence and epigenetic factors to identify key characteristics associated with specific drug responses.