Research on chemotherapy and its side effects. Covers nerve-injury prevention, gold-nanorod therapy, less-intensive regimens, and combination treatments.
A study published in Science Translational Medicine found that acetazolamide increases sensitivity to treatment and enhances survival in mice with glioblastoma. The drug, which is also used to treat altitude sickness, was able to restore the effectiveness of chemotherapy by blocking a protein called BCL-3.
A study published in Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy found that nearly half of all prescriptions reviewed were prescribed unnecessarily, with a third of cases involving non-face-to-face encounters. The research highlights the need for improved antibiotic stewardship in outpatient clinics.
The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) has awarded City of Hope $3.7 million to develop a phase 1 clinical trial for glioblastoma patients that will genetically engineer their stem cells to better tolerate chemotherapy's side effects, allowing them to receive higher doses of the therapy. The trial is expected to star...
Macrophage receptors trigger intestinal contractions, leading to severe diarrhea in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. The discovery opens up new avenues for developing targeted treatments for this debilitating side effect.
Scientists at Scripps Research have discovered a previously unknown mechanism by which bacteria protect themselves from toxic substances, providing new clues for improving chemotherapies. The study reveals that three genes encode proteins that bind to toxins, keeping them separate from the rest of the organism.
Researchers found that PARP inhibitors, such as rucaparib, showed promise in treating pancreatic cancer in patients with BRCA mutations. In a small study, 32% of patients experienced disease control after treatment.
A Phase II study found that over half of women with early-stage BRCA+ breast cancer who took talazoparib once daily prior to surgery had no evidence of disease at the time of surgery. The oral medication showed high response rates and manageable toxicities, offering an alternative to chemotherapy for this patient population.
A new trial presented at ASCO18 shows that PET scans can improve treatment outcomes for esophageal cancer patients. Patients who responded to induction chemotherapy had a median overall survival of 46 months, while those who did not respond had a 27-month median survival, significantly better than previous studies.
A landmark study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that most breast cancer patients with intermediate scores on a 21-gene test can safely avoid chemotherapy. The study's results have significant implications for doctors and patients, allowing for more personalized treatment options.
According to a new analysis of over 8,000 patients, African-American men with advanced prostate cancer who received docetaxel-based therapies had a lower risk of death than white men. This finding is significant, as it challenges the long-held notion that racial disparities in prostate cancer survival are due to biological differences.
Researchers discovered a naturally occurring protein called apolipoprotein A-I binding protein (AIBP) that inhibits inflammatory response underlying chronic pain processing. A single spinal injection of AIBP alleviated chemotherapy pain in mice for two months with no side effects.
Children with leukemia experience frequent vertebral fractures during chemotherapy, often persisting into adulthood. Vertebral deformities are more common in older children and those with severe collapse.
A small study of adults with pancreatic cancer reveals that patients with BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations have poorer overall survival rates compared to those without the mutations. However, those with BRCA1 or BRCA2 had better survival rates with platinum-based chemotherapy.
Researchers have developed new treatment regimens that significantly boost survival rates for children and young adults with rare forms of leukemia and lymphoma, such as T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) or T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma (T-LL). The trial showed that 90% of patients lived at least four years after starting tre...
Cancer cells express specific sugar receptors that can be targeted for better drug delivery. Researchers are developing nanocarrier formulations to accumulate in tumor sites and minimize side effects.
A clinical trial conducted by Boston Children's Hospital has shown that adding chemotherapy to a treatment regimen including catheterization and surgery can deter abnormal cellular growth in children with pulmonary vein stenosis. The approach led to the stabilization of PVS progression and prevention of further lung damage in 31% of pa...
A targeted 'click-to-release' chemotherapy approach has shown promising results in mice, demonstrating effective anticancer effects against ovarian and colon cancers. The innovative method, developed by Tagworks Pharmaceuticals, releases a large quantity of chemotherapy drug quickly, attacking the tumor cells.
Researchers have found a novel therapeutic that interrupts signaling cascades in the body required for multiple forms of neuropathic pain. The treatment targets the nNOS-NOS1AP protein-protein interactions, reducing neuropathic pain in rodents and disrupting nociceptive signaling.
A WSU research team has made a breakthrough in 3D-printed bone health by combining natural medical cures with modern biomedical devices. The addition of curcumin to ceramic scaffolds improved bone growth capabilities by 30-45%, offering new hope for treating bone diseases like osteoporosis.
A new study presented at the AATS Annual Meeting shows that patients with malignant lymph nodes following preoperative therapy were less likely to survive than those with no cancer. The study found a strong association between pathologic nodal response and improved survival, highlighting the need for optimized neoadjuvant strategies.
Researchers discovered that a multiple sclerosis drug can mitigate the painful side effect of cancer treatment bortezomib. Fingolimod, an approved multiple sclerosis medication, blocks the production of molecules causing nerve damage and alleviates neuropathic pain.
Researchers found that blocking tumor-associated macrophages can improve chemotherapy response in neuroblastoma, even in T cell deficient mice. This new approach may be effective for children with high-risk disease and could lead to the development of new combination therapies.
Researchers have made significant breakthroughs in treating pancreatic, colon and breast cancers, as well as developing new pain treatments for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. A new compound has shown promise in targeting cancer cell death pathways, while indomethacin has been found to inhibit colon cancer growth.
Researchers discovered that pre-existing chemoresistant genotypes in tumors can adapt to become fully resistant to chemotherapy, leading to poor overall survival. The study's findings may lead to diagnostic opportunities for detecting resistant clones in TNBC patients before treatment.
Researchers developed a nanodisc delivery system that combines chemotherapy with immune checkpoint blockers to eliminate tumors in 85% of treated mice. The therapy also showed an excellent response rate of 88% in a challenging model, and no overt side effects were detected.
Researchers have systematically mapped connections between 625 breast and ovarian cancer genes and nearly every FDA-approved chemotherapy for these cancers. The map reveals new genetic factors that determine the response of tumor cells to common classes of chemotherapy treatment.
Combination therapy of pembrolizumab and chemotherapy significantly improves overall survival and reduces progression risk in patients with non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer. The study found a 51% reduced risk of death compared to chemotherapy alone.
A new liquid biopsy-based cancer model has revealed insights into the development of chemotherapy resistance in small-cell lung cancer. The study found that intratumoral heterogeneity, or differences in gene expression between tumor cells, contributes to rapid chemotherapy resistance.
A new NCI study revises molecular classification for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, identifying four prominent genetic subtypes that can help explain treatment response. The study's findings will aid in predicting prognosis and tailoring therapy for patients with DLBCL.
Researchers identified PDE5 inhibitors, like Viagra, as potential treatments for glioblastoma multiforme and other rare cancers. The study suggests these drugs may increase permeability to improve drug delivery to brain tumors.
Researchers found that simultaneous chemotherapy and immunotherapy is safe and patients with certain genetic mutations may respond particularly well. The combination approach was shown to boost immune cells in the blood, allaying previous concerns about chemotherapy's impact on immunotherapy.
A study by researchers at the National University of Singapore found that almost half of breast cancer patients experience cognitive decline during treatment, with symptoms persisting up to a year after. The study highlights the importance of early screening and management to improve quality of life for survivors.
A new biomarker identified a 'window of opportunity' for cancer chemotherapy timing, optimizing the effectiveness of anti-angiogenic and anticancer drug combinations. The biomarker, CD109 expression in vascular endothelial cells, correlates with tumor cell growth and enables the visualization of proliferating blood vessels.
Seven new grants will support studies on personalized treatments, non-invasive cancer cell killing, and early tumor detection using advanced imaging techniques. These projects aim to improve survival statistics for pancreatic cancer patients and accelerate research progress.
The American Society for Radiation Oncology updates its clinical guideline to recommend concurrent chemotherapy for certain patients with incurable stage III non-small cell lung cancer, improving quality of life and alleviating symptoms. The new guideline also provides recommendations for delivery and dosing of radiation therapy.
A new device developed by MIT researchers can monitor white blood cell levels at home without taking blood samples, potentially preventing thousands of infections among chemotherapy patients. The technology uses a tabletop prototype that records video of blood cells flowing through capillaries beneath the skin's surface.
A global clinical trial collaboration published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that stage III colon cancer patients can cut their chemotherapy treatments in half after surgery, reducing costs and side effects. For low-risk patients with shallow tumors and few affected lymph nodes, a three-month course is shown to be safe ...
Researchers at Saint Louis University discovered a method to block chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain by supplementing a key signaling pathway. The study found that oxaliplatin, a widely used cancer drug, causes debilitating side effects due to increased adenosine kinase expression in astrocytes.
Researchers at the University of Johannesburg have discovered a new family of economical silver-based complexes that show very promising results against various human cancers. These complexes, such as UJ3, are selective and have low toxicity, making them a potential alternative to existing chemotherapy drugs.
A study found that ACE-inhibitors and beta blockers can reduce the risk of heart damage in women receiving anthracycline-based chemotherapy alongside trastuzumab. However, these medications were not effective for those without a history of anthracycline exposure.
A multi-arm, placebo-controlled study showed that ACE inhibitors and beta blockers can significantly offset the risk of heart problems for patients with HER2-positive breast cancer. The data demonstrated a significant reduction in cardiotoxicity for patients on these medications who received doxorubicin before Herceptin.
A study found that women with breast cancer who took the beta blocker carvedilol during chemotherapy had lower levels of a protein indicative of heart injury, but no difference in heart function. The study's lead author notes that further research is needed to confirm these findings and explore potential benefits for higher-risk patients.
Researchers developed light-responsive vesicles that can deliver anticancer drugs at precise timing and location. The technology uses a near-infrared laser to break the vesicles apart, releasing the drug only in targeted areas, reducing damage to healthy tissue.
Research reveals geographical differences in lung cancer treatment rates in England significantly impact patient survival. If optimal treatment levels were achieved, approximately 800 additional years of life could be gained annually for patients.
Scientists at University of Cambridge have found a rare mineral vaterite in the protective silvery-white crust on alpine plants' leaves. The discovery has potential uses in drug delivery and other industries due to its high loading capacity and solubility properties.
Researchers found that antibiotics can hinder the efficacy of some cancer treatments, particularly adoptive T-cell therapy, by impacting the gut microbiota. However, CAR T-cell therapy appears to be less affected by antibiotic use.
Elevated GRP78 expression is linked to resistance to chemotherapy and poor prognosis in various cancers. The unfolded protein response regulates cell survival through GRP78, which modulates the PI3K/AKT pathway.
A study found that delivering infused chemotherapy in a physician office resulted in lower healthcare expenditures for commercial health insurers. The study analyzed data from over 283,000 patients who received infused chemotherapy between 2004 and 2014. Delivering chemotherapy at a physician office was associated with lower spending c...
A study of nearly 800 postmenopausal women found that four commonly used prognostic breast cancer tests have varying abilities to predict disease recurrence. The tests, including Oncotype Dx and Prosigna Risk of Recurrence Score, were compared for their accuracy in predicting whether the cancer will return after five years.
Research identified gene variant ABCC2's role in eliminating chemotherapy, affecting treatment response. Variants associated with high drug elimination rates may lead to reduced treatment effectiveness.
Researchers at University of Warwick and Monash University have developed a platinum-based chemotherapy drug candidate that kills cancer cells in targeted areas without harming healthy tissue. The treatment is activated by light, reducing toxic side effects.
A new optical imaging system uses red and near-infrared light to identify breast cancer patients who are likely to respond to chemotherapy. The system analyzes blood flow dynamics in response to a single breath hold and has been shown to correctly identify responders in 92.3% of patients.
Researchers used molecular simulations to understand resistance to osimertinib, an effective anticancer drug for non-small-cell lung cancer. The study identified a novel mutation, L718Q, that causes drug resistance by changing the protein's structure, making it harder for the drug to bind.
Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a new mechanism for controlled, sustained drug delivery using self-assembled nanomaterials. The system can slowly release drug carriers over months, reducing systemic side effects and inflammation.
A European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer trial found that combining a 'soft' chemotherapy with antiHER2 therapy is highly active and has low toxicity in older patients with HER2 positive metastatic breast cancer. The regimen resulted in a seven-month longer progression-free survival compared to targeted therapy alone.
Researchers discovered that inhibiting HDAC6 improves the structural stability of cells, protecting against neuronal damage. This finding has therapeutic potential for treating peripheral neuropathies caused by Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease and chemotherapy side effects.
Cancer cells can lose multidrug resistance capabilities for days, creating a therapeutic window for chemotherapy. A breakthrough technique uses nanoparticles and near infrared laser treatment to cut off energy supply to efflux pumps, reducing resistance.
Researchers have developed 'hairy' nanoparticles that can assemble and disassemble on demand, allowing for simultaneous delivery of therapeutic drugs and heating to cancer cells. This technology combines light-sensitive materials with water-repelling yet light-absorbing materials to create photo-responsive gold nanoparticles.
Scientists at ICIQ discover a novel methodology to create carbynes using visible light and photocatalysts. They use these molecules to add chiral fragments to existing compounds, accelerating the drug discovery process.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have discovered that two proteins, COX2 and YAP1, work together to maintain bladder cancer stem cells, which cause chemotherapy resistance. Targeting these proteins may lead to improved treatment outcomes for patients with bladder cancer.