Research on chemotherapy and its side effects. Covers nerve-injury prevention, gold-nanorod therapy, less-intensive regimens, and combination treatments.
Researchers at University of Rochester Medical Center identified a compound, AZD6244, that counteracts tamoxifen's toxic effects on brain cells. The finding offers hope for preventing 'chemo brain' and its debilitating symptoms.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute developed new compounds that show 10-200 times greater potency than vinblastine and overcome drug resistance. These improvements aim to boost the effectiveness of vincristine against childhood leukemias and Hodgkin's disease.
A recent retrospective study found that chemotherapy improves median survival among elderly patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC) by more than 6 months. The study analyzed data from 10,428 patients aged 65 and older who received chemotherapy between 1992 and 2001.
Researchers develop microcapsules containing BCNU for targeted brain cancer therapy, improving drug delivery and reducing side effects. The uniform spheres provide precise control over drug release, enhancing treatment outcomes.
A study by University of North Carolina Health Care researchers found that problems with topoisomerases can affect brain development and potentially lead to autism spectrum disorder. The discovery has significant implications for ASD detection and prevention, as inhibiting these enzymes could have a profound effect on neurodevelopment.
A phase I clinical trial shows that diffuse, large B-cell lymphomas resistant to chemotherapy can be reprogrammed to respond using the drug azacitidine. Patients whose tumors do not respond to standard therapies are being treated with a combination of approaches, including high-dose chemotherapy and stem cell transplant.
Researchers found that giving chemotherapy drug carboplatin before radiotherapy could reduce relapse rates and allow radiation doses to be lowered in men with stage IIA and IIB testicular seminoma. The study showed improved treatment outcomes and reduced long-term side effects.
Researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine discovered that pretreating patients with low doses of azacitidine, a targeted drug, can enhance chemotherapy's ability to kill cancer cells. This approach has the potential to change the standard of care for patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and may be applicable to other tumor types.
A study suggests blocking part of a DNA repair complex can increase chemotherapy effectiveness and enhance survival in therapy-resistant leukemia. Researchers found that combining mTOR inhibitors with chemotherapy was far more effective at treating T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) than standalone treatments.
A targeted cancer drug has shown dramatic responses in patients with specific gene mutations, raising questions about the need for expensive Phase III trials. The author argues that a lower bar for approval could streamline the process and bring effective treatments to patients sooner.
A study found cisplatin-induced ototoxicity in mice is mediated by calpain 1 and 2, particularly calpain 2. Calpain's role suggests potential for clinical prevention and treatment strategies to mitigate deafness caused by cisplatin.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute have successfully synthesized a highly complex, plant-derived compound called ingenol, which has long been of interest for its potential in treating various cancers. The efficient chemical synthesis will enable scientists to investigate the therapeutic properties of ingenol derivatives and pote...
Researchers discovered a biological mechanism that preserves intestinal tracts in mice treated with lethal doses of chemotherapy, increasing survival rates by up to 75%. The findings could revolutionize cancer therapy by allowing humans to tolerate stronger doses of chemotherapy and radiation, potentially curing later-stage metastasize...
Reducing overall antibiotic consumption does not necessarily decrease resistance, particularly for MRSA, where some antibiotics like clindamycin and methicillin are more effective in reducing resistance. The success of antibiotic reduction programs depends on the targeted antibiotics that are reduced.
Researchers have found that supporting cells in the inner ear can actively help repair damaged sensory hair cells, potentially offering a pathway to prevent hearing loss. The study suggests that these cells produce heat shock protein 70 (HSP70), which protects neighboring hair cells from death.
Researchers have discovered a novel approach to combat hormone-resistant breast cancer, exploiting the epigenetic 'silencing' of the BCL-2 gene. This process may be detectable in blood samples, offering a diagnostic marker for resistant tumors.
A two-year trial has shown that Avastin is equally effective to Lucentis in treating wet AMD, with better visual acuity and contrast sensitivity in the regular treatment group. The study, led by Queen's University Belfast, could lead to changes in treatment protocols and save the NHS £84.5m annually.
A new study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that epoetin alfa can help alleviate anemia in high-risk breast cancer patients while maintaining overall and relapse-free survival rates. However, the treatment may increase the risk of thrombotic events.
Recent studies have found chemotherapy-associated adverse neurological effects, including vascular complications and neuropathic pains. Chemotherapy triggers changes in ion channels on dorsal root ganglia, resulting in secondary changes that affect neurogenesis and plasticity.
A team of scientists at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory has discovered a way to prevent pancreatic tumor cells from responding to chemotherapy. The antibody FG-3019 targets survival cues inside the tumor mass, increasing the effectiveness of treatment and reducing drug resistance.
A phase III trial found that adding chemotherapy to surgery after curative D2 gastrectomy improved 5-year survival by 34% compared to surgery alone. The study, CLASSIC, added combination chemotherapy (XELOX) to standard treatment, showing a significant reduction in cancer-related death.
A new treatment approach using MGN1703, a small DNA molecule that stimulates the immune system, has shown promise in prolonging progression-free survival in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. The drug is designed to broadly activate all components of the innate immune system to destroy cancer cells.
Researchers found that neuroblastoma cells with low levels of HDAC10 enzyme are more resistant to chemotherapy, and blocking this enzyme using autophagy prevents cancer cell survival. The study suggests a new approach for treating aggressive neuroblastoma tumors.
Drusano's work in pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic modeling has been instrumental in simulating and validating dosing regimens to maximize the safety and efficacy of antibiotics. He is recognized for his groundbreaking research on anti-infective pharmacology and antimicrobial resistance.
A new phase 2 trial is underway to evaluate the efficacy of HER-2 targeted regimens in elderly patients with HER-2 positive metastatic breast cancer. The study aims to delay or avoid conventional chemotherapy while maintaining tumor control.
Researchers at Northwestern University have found a molecular pathway that prevents the death of immature ovarian eggs due to chemotherapy, potentially preserving fertility and endocrine function. Adding a specific chemotherapy drug combination may protect young women's reproductive health during cancer treatment.
Researchers used parallel PET/MR imaging to map chemotherapy distribution before surgery, improving risk stratification and patient management. This study suggests simultaneous PET/MR imaging can benefit patients by predicting cancer recurrence and avoiding unnecessary chemotherapy.
The EORTC BOS 2 trial aims to improve outcomes for patients with resectable liver metastases from colorectal cancer by testing the efficacy of bevacizumab or panitumumab added to standard peri-operative FOLFOX 4 chemotherapy. The trial plans to accrue 360 patients in 50 sites across ten countries.
A recent study by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania found that cancer drug shortages have left physicians unable to prescribe standard chemotherapies for a range of cancers. As a result, many doctors are forced to delay or substitute treatment, leading to increased costs and potential harm to patients.
Researchers found that crizotinib boosts median disease progression time to 7.7 months, compared to 3 months with standard chemotherapy, in patients with non-small cell lung cancer harboring an abnormal ALK gene.
Two MGH-led studies show crizotinib is superior to chemotherapy for advanced ALK-positive non-small cell lung cancer, with over double the progression-free survival. A second study reports the first crizotinib resistance in a ROS1-positive lung tumor, revealing the mechanism underlying that resistance.
Doctors at WashU Medicine have shown that testing cervical tumors before treatment can predict whether patients will do well with standard chemotherapy. The study supports personalized medicine for cervical cancer, a tumor normally treated with a one-size-fits-all approach.
Researchers at Lund University have developed a vaccine-based treatment that stimulates the immune system to fight brain tumors, with promising results in animal experiments. The treatment has shown significant effectiveness in curing rats of their brain tumors.
Researchers from Fox Chase Cancer Center have identified two potential biomarkers that may help identify patients with head and neck cancer whose tumors are unlikely to respond to treatment by the targeted therapy cetuximab. These biomarkers, PTEN loss and PIK3CA mutation, were found in a subset of tumor samples and showed promise in i...
The EORTC trial 26951 found that CpG island methylator phenotype status and MGMT promoter methylation are key factors in determining which patients benefit from PCV chemotherapy. The study suggests that other molecularly defined subsets of grade III tumors may also respond to treatment.
A study from Western University has identified the Numb-p53 pathway as a key mechanism underlying chemotherapy resistance in triple-negative breast cancer. By targeting this pathway, researchers hope to develop novel therapies that can sensitize cancer cells to chemotherapy.
Researchers have developed a new drug delivery system that uses nanoparticles and siRNA to target lung cancer cells, eliminating resistance and reducing systemic damage. In laboratory tests, the system showed significant improvement in treating lung tumors, with nearly 83% of the drug delivered directly to the lungs.
A University of Michigan Health System study found that peripherally inserted central catheters more than double the risk of blood clots in critically ill patients and those with cancer. The device is often used for IV medication delivery and has lower infection risks, but may not be suitable for all patients.
Cancer chemotherapy can cause peripheral neuropathy and delay recovery after bone marrow transplantation. Researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine discovered that nerve damage in the bone marrow also causes anemia by impairing hematopoietic stem cell regeneration.
Researchers at The Jackson Laboratory identified a molecule that prevents repair of some cancer cells, providing a potential new approach to cancer treatment. The molecule, DIDS, blocks the DNA repair action in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), causing cancer cells to die while leaving healthy cells unaffected.
A new study identifies osteopontin as a potential new leukemia treatment target. The protein helps leukemia cells avoid the effects of chemotherapy by appearing dormant in the bone marrow environment.
Researchers identified an eight-gene signature that correlates with chemotherapy outcome in lung and breast cancer patients. The gene signature, which includes the receptor for growth factor EGF, helps predict relapse-free survival after chemotherapy.
Gabriel Hortobagyi, a renowned breast cancer researcher, is being recognized for his contributions to advancing minority investigators in cancer research. He has developed groundbreaking therapies and treatment regimens that have become standard practices for managing breast cancer.
A Mayo Clinic study found gene variations that can predict chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, a debilitating condition affecting 20-30% of cancer patients. The study implicates genes EPHA5, ARHGEF10, and PRX, enabling clinicians to individualize treatment and improve patient outcomes.
Researchers at Penn Medicine discovered that cells with low helicase-like transcription factor (HLTF) expression are more likely to respond to autophagy inhibition. This finding could lead to the development of a predictive biomarker for patients who may benefit from this treatment approach.
A Phase III clinical trial found that adding cetuximab to chemotherapy enables previously inoperable patients to undergo surgery, tripling the rates of successful surgery for liver metastasis. The combination also extends median overall survival by 10 months compared to chemotherapy alone.
Researchers found that Paragazole increases the sensitivity of triple-negative breast cancer cells to chemotherapy by inducing expression of estrogen receptors. The drug outperforms chemotherapy alone in a range of breast cancer cell lines, offering new hope for treatment options.
New research reveals chemotherapy activates the body's immune system to target and destroy cancer cells. The treatment converts dying tumors into therapeutic vaccines, boosting the host's immune response against cancer.
A randomized phase 3 trial found that duloxetine reduced pain from chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy compared to placebo. Patients who received platinums showed greater benefits from duloxetine.
Scientists investigate multidrug transporters and anionic lipids to improve antibiotic, anti-malarial, and cancer treatment effectiveness. By understanding lipid-protein interactions, they aim to develop novel drugs that can control these protein complexes.
A new chemotherapy drug, arsenic trioxide, has been developed to be less toxic to female fertility while being more effective against cancer. The drug is packed into a nanobin, a tiny Trojan horse that delivers the drug directly to tumor cells.
EPFL scientists have developed a tiny implant that can analyze proteins and organic acids in the blood, sending results to doctors' computers for more personalized care. The device has demonstrated reliable detection of several substances and has potential applications in chemotherapy and chronic illness monitoring.
A study found that medicines intended for chronic use lack sufficient patients to evaluate safety and efficacy. The number of patients studied before regulatory approval was often lower than recommended guidelines specify.
A UK study found that epigenetic changes play a key role in the development of chemotherapy resistance in bladder cancer. The researchers identified DNA hypermethylation as a potential biomarker to predict response to treatment, which could increase pathological complete response rates and spare nonresponders from adverse events.
Researchers are developing tiny sensory implants that can measure vital tumor factors, enabling doctors to target radiotherapy and chemotherapy for more effective treatment. The devices aim to personalize therapy based on individual patient responses, improving recovery chances.
Researchers have found that inhibiting the Mer receptor increases sensitivity to chemotherapy in leukemia cells, reducing toxic side effects while maintaining effectiveness.
Researchers found African-Americans have a 1.4-fold greater risk for heart failure compared to their white counterparts after breast cancer treatment. The study also highlights the importance of closer monitoring and pretreatment with cardioprotective drugs.
A clinical trial comparing two treatments for advanced head and neck cancer found that adding a targeted biologic therapy to chemotherapy did not improve patient outcomes. The study's results suggest that the current standard of care therapy may be sufficient, at least for now.
A new tool developed by EPFL researchers can accurately determine the optimal dose of chemotherapy for individual patients, reducing the risk of resistance mechanisms and relapse. The method measures a cancerous cell's electrical conductivity to assess the treatment's effect, allowing oncologists to make more patient-specific decisions.
A prospective study found that children with low-risk retinoblastoma do not need postoperative chemotherapy to prevent disease recurrence or metastasis. The results suggest that certain patients with intermediate-risk disease can receive less aggressive adjuvant treatment or even forego it altogether.