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Surprising culprit behind chemo resistance in rare cancer

Researchers at WashU Medicine discovered that ACA11, a non-coding RNA, helps protect cancer cells from damage and makes them resistant to chemotherapy. This finding may lead to new cancer therapeutics and help guide research into better treatments for patients with multiple myeloma.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJul 2, 2012

Chemotherapy effective for patients with resected SCLC or large-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma

Researchers found that perioperative chemotherapy improved overall survival in patients with limited large cell neuroendocrine tumors or small-cell lung cancer after surgery. The study of 74 patients showed a significant difference in overall survival between those who received chemotherapy and those who did not.

SourceInternational Association for the Study of Lung Cancer·JournalJournal of Thoracic Oncology·DateJun 15, 2012

Vanderbilt-led study identifies genes linked to resistance to breast cancer chemotherapy

A Vanderbilt-led study identified a gene expression pattern linked to resistance to breast cancer chemotherapy. The researchers found that tumors with low concentrations of the dual specificity protein phosphatase 4 (DUSP4) were more resistant to chemotherapy, suggesting new therapy options for patients with specific subtypes of breast...

SourceVanderbilt University Medical Center·JournalNature Medicine·DateJun 11, 2012

Why chemotherapy fails

A study by Weizmann Institute scientists reveals that leukemia recurrence is often caused by 'cancer stem cells' that divide slowly, evading chemotherapy drugs. These cells can give rise to new rapidly-dividing cancer cells, making them a key target for new treatment approaches.

Gene-modified stem cell transplant protects patients from toxic side effects of chemotherapy

Researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center have successfully transplanted gene-modified blood stem cells into brain cancer patients to protect their bone marrow against chemotherapy's toxic effects. The study showed that two patients survived longer than predicted, with one remaining alive for over three years.

SourceFred Hutchinson Cancer Center·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateMay 9, 2012

Good vibrations in fight against cancer

Researchers at Case Western Reserve University have developed a magnetic nanochain delivery system that explodes chemotherapy drugs inside tumors, killing cancer cells more efficiently. The technology reduced tumor growth by up to 90% and increased survival rates in rats with triple-negative breast cancer.

SourceCase Western Reserve University·JournalACS Nano·DateApr 17, 2012

DNA repair pathway score for predicting chemotherapy response in ovarian cancer patients

A DNA repair pathway-focused score has been developed to predict chemotherapy response in ovarian cancer patients. The score is positively correlated with complete response rate, recurrence-free survival, and progression-free survival, and outperforms other clinical factors in predicting overall survival.

SourceJournal of the National Cancer Institute·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateApr 13, 2012

Early PET response to neoadjuvant chemo predicts increased survival in sarcoma patients

A study by UCLA's Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center found that early Positron Emission Tomography (PET) response after neoadjuvant chemotherapy is associated with increased survival in patients with soft tissue sarcomas. Patients who showed a significant PET response had significantly longer survival rates compared to those who did not.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalClinical Cancer Research·DateApr 2, 2012

Drug makes leukemia more vulnerable to chemo

Researchers have found that a new drug called plerixafor can help drive leukemia cells out of the bone marrow and into the bloodstream, making them more vulnerable to chemotherapy. In a clinical trial, 46% of patients with acute myeloid leukemia achieved complete remission after treatment.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalBlood·DateMar 19, 2012