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Toughest breast cancer may have met its match

A team of researchers has discovered a way to make triple-negative breast cancer cells susceptible to chemotherapy by inhibiting the HIF protein network. The study found that HIF inhibitors can decrease tumor size and prevent relapse in mice, offering new hope for treatment-resistant patients.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 8, 2014

Pricing for new drugs lacks transparency

Market-access agreements for anti-cancer drugs lack transparency, leading to higher prices for patients in small and low-income countries. The financial arrangements between pharmaceutical manufacturers and health systems are kept confidential, making it difficult for these countries to negotiate lower prices.

SourceSAGE·JournalJournal of the Royal Society of Medicine·DateDec 8, 2014

Stressed-out cancers may provide drug target

Researchers at the University of Adelaide have discovered that cancer cells with chromosomal instability are vulnerable to mild metabolic disruption, making them a potential target for new therapy. The study's findings suggest that targeting these unstable cells could lead to more effective treatments with fewer side effects.

SourceUniversity of Adelaide·JournalOncogene·DateDec 1, 2014

Discovery may lead to lower doses of chemotherapy

Scientists at Brigham Young University have discovered two proteins that trigger autophagy in cancer cells, offering a potential therapeutic avenue for targeted treatment. The study's unique approach led to the identification of a protein pair responsible for switching on autophagy under stress conditions.

SourceBrigham Young University·JournalMolecular and Cellular Biology·DateOct 8, 2014

Adding cediranib to chemo improves progression-free survival for meta or recurrent cervical cancer

Adding cediranib to standard chemotherapy improves tumour shrinkage and adds a modest improvement in progression-free survival for patients with relapsed or metastatic cervical cancer. The study, published in Annals of Oncology, shows greater tumour shrinkage and increased median progression-free survival compared to chemotherapy alone.

SourceEuropean Society for Medical Oncology·JournalAnnals of Oncology·DateSep 28, 2014

Good news for young patients with a leukemia subtype associated with a poor prognosis

Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital found that adjusting treatment based on early response to chemotherapy significantly boosts the survival of young patients with a poor-prognosis leukemia subtype associated with the Philadelphia chromosome-like acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The study included 344 children and adolesc...

SourceSt. Jude Children's Research Hospital·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·DateSep 24, 2014

Cancer-fighting cocktail demonstrates promising results as treatment for advanced cervical cancer

A combination of chemotherapy drugs cisplatin and pemetrexed improved survival rates and response to advanced cervical cancer by 31% compared to standard alternative, while being less toxic to patients. Adding bevacizumab further increased patient survival, suggesting the cocktail may offer further benefits.

SourceUT Southwestern Medical Center·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·DateSep 15, 2014

Increased overall survival for advanced stage non-small cell lung cancer patients is associated with availability of less toxic chemotherapy

Increased use of less toxic chemotherapy treatments in advanced NSCLC is associated with higher overall survival. The study found a significant increase in survival rates among patients receiving second-line therapy, with median overall survival ranging from 3.9 to 11.8 months.

SourceInternational Association for the Study of Lung Cancer·JournalJournal of Thoracic Oncology·DateJul 21, 2014

UGA researchers use nanoparticles to enhance chemotherapy

Researchers at the University of Georgia have developed a new formulation of cisplatin that significantly increases its ability to target and destroy cancerous cells. The modified version of cisplatin, called Platin-M, is designed to overcome resistance by attacking mitochondria within cancerous cells.

SourceUniversity of Georgia·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 7, 2014