Research on chemotherapy and its side effects. Covers nerve-injury prevention, gold-nanorod therapy, less-intensive regimens, and combination treatments.
A phase III trial found that capecitabine improved disease-free survival for women with HER2-negative breast cancer that was not eliminated by presurgery chemotherapy. The study showed a 30% reduced risk of disease recurrence compared to standard therapy.
A phase III trial found that women with luminal A subtype of breast cancer had comparable 10-year disease-free survival rates regardless of whether or not they received adjuvant chemotherapy. In contrast, patients with non-luminal A subtypes who received chemotherapy were 50% less likely to have their disease recur in 10 years.
Midostaurin has been shown to improve the five-year survival rate of patients with high-risk acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who carry the FLT-3 gene mutation. The clinical trial found that midostaurin added to standard chemotherapy reduced the risk of death by 23% compared to placebo, resulting in a 50.9% five-year survival rate.
A clinical trial showed midostaurin, a multi-kinase inhibitor, improved the five-year survival rate of patients with high-risk acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who carry the FLT-3 gene mutation. The treatment resulted in a 50.9% survival rate compared to 43.9% for those without the mutation.
A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that ibrutinib, a targeted drug, was superior to chlorambucil in treating chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients. The study showed improved progression-free survival, overall response rate, and overall survival rates for patients taking ibrutinib.
UC Davis researchers have made significant progress in tumor treatment by combining guided ultrasound with nanoparticle chemotherapy, resulting in improved survival and consistent cure rates. The technique allows for complete destruction of tumors without thermal damage to surrounding tissue.
Breast cancer patients treated with anthracycline-based chemotherapy experienced lower verbal memory and default mode brain network connectivity compared to non-chemotherapy groups. Cognitive dysfunction was also elevated in both treatment groups, highlighting the need for further research into chemotherapy-related neurotoxic effects.
Researchers at National Research Tomsk State University found that neoadjuvant chemotherapy can stimulate evolution of the tumor, leading to resistance and metastasis. The study analyzed biopsies from women with breast cancer before and after surgery, revealing a 23% increase in new tumor formation.
A recent Yale University study found that black women with stage I-III cancer are less responsive to neoadjuvant chemotherapy compared to other racial groups. Despite presenting with more advanced-stage and aggressive tumors, the findings suggest biologic differences or disparities in treatment may be contributing factors.
Researchers at Brigham Young University create a system to speed up vaccine production by storing the biological machinery in a freeze-dried state. This allows labs to rapidly produce vaccines with just the addition of water, reducing the time from months to days.
The International Society of Neurogastronomy Symposium brought together scientists, chefs, and patients to explore ways to improve quality of life for those with altered taste or smell. Chefs and neuroscientists collaborated on the 'Applied Neurogastronomy Challenge' to create dishes that appealed to cancer patients.
A new study published in JAMA-Oncology found that a personalized approach to treating chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting is more effective than the existing 'one size fits all' guidelines. Patients at higher risk of nausea and vomiting due to personal factors such as age, pregnancy history, or travel sickness showed significant i...
A study at MD Anderson Cancer Center found that suppressing epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in combination with gemcitabine may boost the drug's effectiveness against pancreatic cancer. EMT suppression leads to impaired sensitivity to chemotherapy, causing poor prognosis and metastasis.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that a small dose of dexrazoxane protected ovarian function and fertility in mice after chemotherapy. The treatment also increased survival rates and reduced toxicity, providing new hope for young cancer patients.
A Grand Valley State University nursing faculty member is presenting research on the effectiveness of text messaging for medication adherence among older adults. The study found that enrolling patients through a specialty pharmacy resulted in higher enrollment rates, and that adults over 60 were more likely to participate.
A study published in Human Pathology found that lung cancer patients without the retinoblastoma tumor suppressor protein (pRB) experience significantly improved survival rates when undergoing chemotherapy. The absence of pRB was detected in 15% of patients, with a 92% 5-year survival rate compared to 49% for those with the protein.
Researchers from IMIM and partner institutions developed a new integrated computational method to predict adverse drug reactions more reliably. The method combines structure-based detection of labile fragments with information on the mechanism of action of the drug, resulting in improved ability to foresee possible adverse effects.
Researchers discovered that a protective mechanism in egg cells prevents DNA-damaged eggs from being fertilized. This checkpoint helps prevent birth defects and miscarriages caused by damaged DNA. The study's findings offer new insights into the causes of infertility, birth defects, and spontaneous miscarriage.
Washington State University researchers have developed a unique protein cage to deliver chemotherapy directly to cancer cells, showing promising results in killing over 70% of lung cancer cells. The system selectively targets cancer cells without attacking healthy cells, potentially reducing side effects.
Researchers at the University of Georgia have discovered a mechanism that could lead to better ovarian cancer treatment by targeting chemoresistance. The RGS10 protein impacts the effectiveness of chemotherapy, and manipulating its expression can improve treatment outcomes.
Scientists at MIT have found a mechanism by which cancer cells develop resistance to chemotherapy drugs. The MK2 pathway takes over when p53 is disabled, allowing cells to continue dividing even with extensive DNA damage. Measuring the levels of specific RNAs could help predict patients' response to chemotherapy.
Researchers report that up to half of surgical site infections and over a quarter of infections after cancer chemotherapy are caused by resistant bacteria. The study predicts that reducing antibiotic efficacy could lead to 120,000 more infections and 6,300 infection-related deaths annually in the USA.
Case Western Reserve University researcher Efstathios Karathanasis has received a $2.82 million grant to develop a treatment that eradicates glioblastoma multiforme with one safe dose. The treatment uses chain-like nanoparticles carrying chemotherapy medicine and inhibitors to target brain tumor cells.
Researchers at VCU Massey Cancer Center found that depleting CHD4 protein makes AML cells more susceptible to chemotherapy agents, reducing DNA damage repair and tumor-forming properties.
Computational models suggest a new design for nanoparticles used in targeted drug delivery. The researchers proposed making more stable liposomes by incorporating a nanoparticle core and polymer tethers, which acts as a hub-and-spoke-like scaffold that helps the liposome to weather stresses and strains.
Researchers develop new targeted delivery method using silk sponge to reduce chemotherapy's toxic effects on children with neuroblastoma. The approach slows tumor growth and reduces systemic toxicity, offering a promising alternative to traditional chemotherapy.
A phase I trial of rovalpituzumab tesirine has shown promising results in treating small cell lung cancer, with 34% of patients experiencing a partial response and 31% experiencing disease stabilisation. The drug targets DLL3, a protein highly expressed in SCLCs.
A study of 129 children born after prenatal exposure to cancer treatment found normal mental and heart function, contradicting fears that chemotherapy would harm fetal development. However, premature birth was more frequent among these children than in the general population, suggesting avoiding prematurity is key.
A major study published in the New England Journal of Medicine has identified a 21-gene test that can determine which breast cancer patients can safely avoid chemotherapy. The test, called Oncotype DX Recurrence Score, analyzes tumor samples and assigns scores between 0-100, indicating the risk of cancer recurrence.
A phase 3 clinical trial found that immunotherapy drug nivolumab improved overall survival and reduced toxicities compared to chemotherapy drug docetaxel for patients with non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer. The results suggest that nivolumab is a promising option for patients whose lung cancer progresses after initial treatment.
Researchers found that adding hormonal treatment during chemotherapy reduced the risk of premature ovarian failure by 45% and increased pregnancy rates among young breast cancer patients. The use of LHRHa could be a potential standard strategy to preserve ovarian function and fertility in hormone receptor positive breast cancers.
A Phase 2 open-label study found that brentuximab vedotin achieved a high response rate, including complete remissions, in older Hodgkin lymphoma patients unfit for chemotherapy. The treatment was generally well-tolerated, with peripheral sensory neuropathy being the most common adverse event.
Researchers found that patients with lower baseline microbial diversity are more likely to develop infections during chemotherapy. Monitoring the microbiome could help doctors predict infection risk and reduce antibiotic overuse.
The Women's Antiretroviral Efficacy and Safety Study found that women receiving Stribild had a higher rate of HIV suppression compared to those on ritonavir-boosted atazanavir plus Truvada. No one on Stribild developed resistant mutations, in contrast to three women in the comparator group.
Researchers have identified a potential new way to predict which patients with head and neck cancer may benefit most from chemotherapy. The use of dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI scans has shown that tumour blood flow can predict response to treatment, with patients having high blood flow more likely to respond.
Researchers found a biomarker that can predict which HER2-negative breast cancer patients will respond to bevacizumab treatment, allowing for early switch to more effective options. This discovery could spare patients from severe side effects and improve overall survival rates.
Researchers at UI Health have successfully transplanted stem cells from healthy siblings into adult patients with sickle cell disease, achieving a 92% cure rate and eliminating the need for chemotherapy. The procedure offers a new prospect for adults with the disease, who previously had limited treatment options.
Researchers identified associations between genetic variants and differential drug response in patients of Hispanic and Caucasian ethnicity. The study found that genetic ancestry strongly influences a person's response to anticancer drug treatments, with notable associations for drugs like temozolomide and etoposide.
Researchers successfully synthesized a more immediate and potent precursor to the chemotherapy agent etoposide using genetically modified tobacco. The new compound outperforms podophyllotoxin, a slow-growing Himalayan plant-based ingredient, in treating various malignancies.
A clinical trial using Pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy found the treatment to be safe for patients with advanced small cell and non-small cell lung cancer. The study, led by Dr. Glen Weiss, presented initial results from 12 lung cancer patients enrolled in the 'PembroPlus' clinical trial.
Seizures are a common occurrence in childhood brain tumor survivors, affecting 24% at the start and 14% on an ongoing basis. Certain factors such as tumor type and extent of surgery contribute to seizure risk, impacting treatment management.
Researchers have found three new drug-like compounds that target a protein responsible for chemotherapy resistance in cancers, offering hope for improved treatment options. The compounds have shown promise in re-sensitizing resistant cancer cells to chemotherapy, improving the odds of survival for prostate cancer patients.
The study reveals that drugs behave as predicted in the computer-generated model of P-gp, allowing researchers to understand how they bind and inhibit the protein. This breakthrough enables scientists to predict better what will make an inhibitor work, potentially leading to new cancer treatments.
Researchers at UC San Diego School of Medicine identified a new pathway that causes resistance to treatments, and developed a therapeutic drug that targets this pathway. The drug, KG5, inhibits the pathway and increases survival rates among patients with aggressive cancers.
A study of 44,044 Medicare patients with early-stage breast cancer found that the 21-gene recurrence score assay was associated with decreased chemotherapy use in high-risk patients and increased use in low-risk patients. The genetic test appeared to influence chemotherapy use regardless of age.
A recent study suggests that nitroglycerin could be repurposed as an anti-cancer treatment by improving tumor oxygenation and delivering anticancer drugs. The medication, traditionally used for chest pain, has excellent potential for patient benefit without significant side effects.
A recent study published in the Journal of Geriatric Oncology found that 26% of senior oncology patients use complementary or alternative medicines, which can interact with cancer treatments. The study highlights the need for comprehensive screening and documentation of CAM use in older cancer patients.
Researchers found that patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who retained genetic mutations after chemotherapy were more likely to relapse and die. This approach to genetic profiling could help predict prognosis and determine treatment response, potentially improving outcomes for AML patients.
Research found that persistent genetic mutations in at least 5% of bone marrow cells are associated with increased risk of relapse and reduced overall survival for leukemia patients. The study provides a foundation for genomic methods to risk stratify patients with acute myeloid leukemia.
Researchers at VIB and KU Leuven found that inhibiting PHD1 prevents p53 activation, leading to improved response to chemotherapy in colorectal cancer cells. This discovery offers new therapeutic potential for increasing sensitivity to chemotherapeutic treatments.
A study published in the Journal of American Geriatrics Society found that chemotherapy's effectiveness in prolonging life for older adults with most types of cancer is reduced for women over 80 with breast cancer. However, combining chemotherapy with another treatment may improve mortality risk reduction for this age group.
Researchers discovered that treating tumors with chemotherapy can trigger a response in the immune system, leading to tumor growth. By combining chemotherapy with an immune-blocking drug, they found that this response could be slowed, potentially preventing tumor regrowth.
A new algorithm developed by InSilico Medicine has the potential to improve the effectiveness of targeted therapy for cancer patients. The algorithm predicts whether a specific drug will work for an individual patient based on activation of intracellular regulatory pathways.
Patients with metastatic prostate cancer who received a two-drug combination of chemotherapy and hormone blocker lived longer than those on hormone-blocker alone, surviving for 57.6 months versus 44 months. The treatment also delayed disease progression by six months.
ATF3 is a critical protein that helps repair DNA damage and prevent cancer. When cells experience stress, ATF3 binds to the Tip60 protein, promoting DNA repair and cell response. The study suggests that increasing ATF3 levels could lead to new cancer therapies.
A study published in JAMA Oncology found that chemotherapy was associated with worse quality of life near death for patients who could still perform many life functions. The researchers concluded that chemotherapy use may be unnecessary and potentially harmful for patients with progressive metastatic disease.
Researchers have developed a new drug, CCT245737, that blocks cancer's escape route from chemotherapy, boosting its effectiveness in treating lung and pancreatic cancers. The drug, a CHK1 inhibitor, demonstrates significant anti-cancer activity when combined with chemotherapy in mice.
A Phase I research study is underway to develop a vaccine that could prevent recurrence of some childhood cancers in patients who have relapsed after surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. The trial has enrolled three patients so far and aims to stimulate the immune system to attack specific tumor proteins.
The trial showed that early FDG-PET-positive patients benefit from intensification of chemotherapy, leading to improved progression-free survival rates. However, omitting involved-node radiotherapy in early PET-negative patients did not demonstrate non-inferiority to the standard treatment in terms of progression-free survival.
Researchers at Cancer Research UK have identified a protein called Bcl-xL that helps cancer cells survive chemotherapy. Combining drugs targeting Bcl-xL with taxanes showed increased killing of cancer cells in the lab. This combination could improve treatment for patients receiving taxanes and reduce side effects.