Research on chemotherapy and its side effects. Covers nerve-injury prevention, gold-nanorod therapy, less-intensive regimens, and combination treatments.
A recent study found that Asian breast cancer patients suffer from memory loss, decision-making difficulties, and speech problems after chemotherapy treatment. To cope with these changes, many turned to mind stimulation activities such as mahjong and qi gong.
A recent study published in Journal of Thoracic Oncology suggests that CYFRA21-1 levels can reliably indicate patient response to chemotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Higher baseline concentrations were linked to poorer overall and failure-free survival. Further research is needed to confirm these findings.
A team of researchers at Duke University has determined the structure of a concentrative nucleoside transporter, which works by moving nucleosides from outside to inside of cells. This discovery may lead to more effective drugs with fewer effects on healthy tissue.
Researchers found that telomeres send out a molecular SOS signal when cells take too long to divide, leading to the activation of DNA damage pathways and cell death. This discovery has implications for cancer chemotherapy, suggesting ways to make therapy more potent by combining mitotic inhibitors with other drugs.
Cancer cells use an 'emergency brake' to protect themselves from chemotherapy drugs, which can be rendered inoperative by targeting a specific enzyme pathway. The study identifies PARP inhibition as a promising therapeutic approach to improve chemotherapy effectiveness.
Researchers used X-rays to decipher how certain natural antibiotics defy chemical rules, unlocking a mechanism that could enable scientists to synthesize many important chemicals currently found only in nature. The discovery has broad implications, as the six-membered ring is a common structural feature found in hundreds of drug molecu...
A study by UNC Health Care researchers found that a supercharged version of the protective protein focal adhesion kinase (FAK) can reduce heart attack damage by 50% in mice. The enhanced protein, called SuperFAK, was engineered to activate stronger survival signals and deactivate at the right time, reducing permanent heart damage.
Researchers found that a protein called FOXM1 protects cancer cells from chemotherapy and radiation-induced cell death. Combining standard drugs with proteasome inhibitors may improve treatment effectiveness.
A new study by researchers at H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center has found that the XL888 inhibitor can prevent resistance to chemotherapy drug vemurafenib in melanoma patients, leading to induced apoptosis response and tumor regression. The study suggests a novel approach to managing drug resistance using broadly targeted strategies.
Researchers found that Aurora-A phosphorylates p73, preventing it from detecting DNA damage and triggering programmed cell death. This allows cancer cells to resist chemotherapy and radiation treatment, making them harder to treat.
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology found that women who underwent chemotherapy with the CMF regimen between 1976 and 1995 scored slightly lower on cognitive tests compared to those without a history of cancer. The differences were subtle but statistically significant, affecting word learning, memory, and information ...
Researchers have discovered that adding hydroxychloroquine to various cancer therapies can enhance their effectiveness in treating treatment-resistant cancers. By blocking autophagy, a process by which cells recycle damaged proteins, the combination of chemotherapy and HCQ can lead to improved outcomes for patients.
A new strategy combining carbon nanoparticles with chemotherapy and radiation therapy shows significant potential in treating head-and-neck cancers. The treatment uses nanoparticles to encapsulate chemotherapeutic drugs, delivering them directly to cancer cells.
Researchers found that combining chemotherapy with antibody treatment against intracellular antigens delays tumor growth and prolongs survival. The approach uses chemotherapy to release antigens from cancer cells, allowing antibodies to effectively target them.
Researchers have gained a better understanding of two key proteins that control cell division, which could lead to the development of new drugs to stop cancerous cells multiplying. This discovery could also help optimise personalised chemotherapy treatments and limit side effects associated with some chemotherapy drugs.
Researchers discuss management of cervical cancer during pregnancy, focusing on tumour size, nodal staging, term of pregnancy, and histological subtype. Chemotherapy can be used in the second or third trimester to increase chances of fetal preservation, but carries risks of premature birth and low birthweight.
A study found that children born to mothers who received chemotherapy during pregnancy have normal cognitive development and no significant differences in behavior, health, or hearing compared to the general population. However, premature birth was associated with lower cognitive scores.
A new study found that short fasting cycles can work as well as chemotherapy to treat cancer in mice, and combining both greatly improves survival rates. Fasting alone also effectively treated a majority of cancers tested in animals, including those from human cells.
A new immunotherapy for companion dogs with advanced-stage non-Hodgkin lymphoma improves survival by nearly four-fold, increasing median tumor-free survival by nine months. The treatment combination prolongs survival while maintaining quality of life.
Lab tests have found that silver compounds are as toxic to cancer cells as platinum-based drug Cisplatin, but may be less toxic to healthy human cells. Researchers hope to develop next-generation chemotherapy drugs using these findings.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have developed a new imaging technique to diagnose brain tumors, providing a definitive diagnosis based on protein levels associated with a genetic mutation. The test shows promise for precluding the need for surgery in patients whose tumors are too dangerous to biopsy.
Advanced head and neck cancer patients treated with radiation plus chemotherapy showed improved local-regional control and disease-free survival rates compared to those treated with radiation alone. At 10 years post-treatment, the local-regional failure rates were lower for those who received both therapies.
DIM inhibits ovarian cancer cell growth by blocking STAT3 activation and reducing IL-6 levels. The combination of DIM and cisplatin suppresses tumor growth in mice by an extra 50% compared to cisplatin alone.
A chromosomal abnormality, specifically the absence of chromosomes 1p and 19q, has definitive prognostic value for managing treatment of adult patients with pure and mixed anaplastic oligodendrogliomas. Treatment with combined chemotherapy and radiation therapy showed near-doubling of median survival time compared to radiation therapy ...
A study published in Leukemia identifies a molecular braking process that acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells use to evade chemotherapy, allowing them to survive treatment. When this brake is removed, AML cells die, providing hope for improved survival rates for patients with the disease.
Researchers have discovered a key to stopping brain cancer cell growth and migration by inhibiting a specific signaling pathway. The study, published in Nature: Oncogene, shows that targeting the Mer pathway can make brain cancer cells more sensitive to chemotherapy and prevent them from escaping to other areas of the brain.
New studies published in The Lancet Oncology and The Lancet show that combining lapatinib with trastuzumab is almost twice as effective as single-agent therapy, but causes more side effects. Lapatinib is less beneficial than trastuzumab for single-agent therapy.
Researchers found that chemotherapy can lead to DNA damage in cancer cells, which can cause them to evolve and become resistant to treatment. The study suggests that targeted therapies based on individual mutations may be more effective than current treatments.
Researchers have discovered a way to selectively target the glutathione pathway in brain cancer cells, making them more susceptible to chemotherapy. The breakthrough could potentially improve treatment outcomes for the nearly 45,000 people diagnosed with brain cancer each year.
A recent study identified effective agents from approved drugs with anti-cancer activity in thyroid cancer cells, offering potential repurposing opportunities for aggressive recurrent or metastatic cases. The compounds found had potent activity across different therapeutic categories and modes of action.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized control trials found no improvement in overall survival for adult patients with advanced follicular lymphoma who received high-dose chemotherapy and ASCT compared to conventional-dose chemotherapy alone. The study concluded that HDC-ASCT is not effective as a primary treatment option.
The release of genetic data on medicinal plants could lead to discovering new drug candidates and increasing the efficacy of existing ones. Researchers have developed a collection of data that will aid in understanding how plants produce medicinally useful compounds.
The RTOG is launching a phase I trial testing ganitumab for locally advanced pancreatic cancer. The trial will investigate the safety and efficacy of ganitumab when combined with chemoradiation treatment. By targeting the IGF-1R pathway, ganitumab may offer a new approach to treating this aggressive form of cancer.
A multicenter study found ruxolinitib significantly reduces symptoms of myelofibrosis, including pain and enlarged spleen, compared to placebo. The study also showed ruxolinitib is more effective than best available chemotherapies in reducing symptoms.
A team of researchers identified APNG as a contributor to GBM resistance to temozolomide, with high nuclear expression correlating to poorer survival. Monitoring APNG levels may provide insight into patient response to temozolomide treatment.
A team of US-based and Rwandan physicians have developed an innovative approach to delivering expert care to children with lymphoma in rural Rwanda. Through this 'twinning' model, American-trained pediatricians supervise Rwandan-trained generalists, supported by weekly conference calls from U.S.-based pediatric oncologists.
A standard chemotherapy regimen has been shown to increase survival rates in patients with limited-stage Hodgkin's lymphoma. This finding is significant, as it may lead to reduced radiation exposure and lower risk of long-term complications.
A new analysis found that breast cancer survivors may experience mental abilities problems several years after treatment, regardless of therapy type. Chemotherapy was linked to persistent cognitive issues, while radiation also caused similar problems in some cases.
A new treatment using leukemia patients' own infection-fighting cells appears to protect them from infections and cancer recurrence after fludarabine-based chemotherapy. With a restored immune system, patients can stop taking prophylactic antibiotics and may have prolonged progression-free survival.
A randomized Phase III study found that repeated rituximab treatment at disease progression is just as effective as ongoing maintenance therapy in managing follicular lymphoma. The study suggests that an as-needed approach to treatment may be the preferred option for patients with low-tumor-burden FL, reducing healthcare costs and impr...
A large study showed that obese patients have poorer long-term outcomes than normal-weight patients when not treated with trastuzumab. Adding trastuzumab to treatment may potentially equalize disease-free survival rates among all patient groups.
A German study found no improvement in disease-free survival among breast cancer patients treated with dose-dense chemotherapy and oral ibandronate. The results contradict previous studies, which showed benefits in postmenopausal patients receiving zoledronic acid or endocrine treatment.
Breast cancer mortality is higher in Hispanic women compared to non-Hispanic white women, with a 20% increased risk of death. The ethnic disparity may be attributed to tumor phenotypes less responsive to chemotherapy, which affects long-term survival rates.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic have found a combination of drugs that destroys 70% of chemotherapy-resistant ovarian cancer cells. The discovery highlights the role of molecule RhoB in tumor response and may help identify patients who benefit from this therapy.
A significant number of women with breast cancer are not receiving guideline-recommended adjuvant treatment. The research found that socioeconomic factors such as poverty, insurance status, and education level significantly contribute to this disparity. Women from high-poverty areas were less likely to receive guideline therapy, highli...
A new triple drug combination has been shown to increase tumour eradication in HER2-positive breast cancer by more than half, with 46% of patients achieving a pathological complete response. The treatment was well-tolerated and did not significantly increase side effects or cardiac risk compared to standard therapy.
A meta-analysis of 123 randomised trials involving 100,000 women with breast cancer shows that modern chemotherapy regimens reduce breast cancer mortality by around one-third compared to no chemotherapy. The findings suggest that standard 1980s chemotherapy regimens could produce a reduction of almost a quarter in breast cancer mortality.
A follow-up study by Moffitt Cancer Center researchers found that patients who received chemotherapy for breast cancer may experience prolonged fatigue years after treatment. This contradicts prior research and has important implications for patient education and fatigue monitoring during follow-up.
Researchers found that dopamine injections improved blood flow to tumors, doubling the concentration of an anticancer drug and increasing its effectiveness. Dopamine also normalized the structure of abnormal tumor blood vessels, a condition typically associated with reduced chemotherapy and radiation therapy effectiveness.
A small pilot study suggests that acupuncture can improve nerve signaling and alleviate symptoms of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy in cancer patients. The treatment showed positive effects on nerve conduction studies and patient-reported improvements, sparking hope for further investigation into its potential benefits.
Four US clinical centers have begun providing access to Novocure's Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) device for treating recurrent GBM, a deadly brain tumor. The device has shown clinical efficacy comparable to active chemotherapies with better quality of life.
A UK study published in The Lancet found that a surveillance-only policy can be effective for women with high human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) concentrations after molar pregnancies. Nearly all patients will spontaneously remit, avoiding unnecessary chemotherapy and its side effects.
A new study reveals that more intensive chemotherapy regimens significantly improve event-free survival and reduce mortality in younger patients with aggressive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Younger patients who received dose-intensive chemotherapy had an 81% event-free survival rate, compared to 67% for those on standard treatment.
Despite advancements in genetic profiling, breast cancer treatment remains non-personalized due to limited robust prognostic and predictive factors. Standard gene expression profiling has shown limitations in predicting chemotherapy benefit and prognosis for certain disease subsets.
A study published in Archives of Neurology found that breast cancer survivors who received chemotherapy demonstrated reduced activation in key brain areas and poorer executive function. The researchers also discovered that negative effects of chemotherapy may be exacerbated by factors such as age and educational level.
A phase III trial found that concurrent chemo-radiotherapy significantly improved the 5-year overall survival of patients with stage II nasopharyngeal carcinoma. The treatment regimen resulted in higher progression-free and distant metastasis-free survival rates compared to radiation alone.
Patients with high EGFR expression have a survival advantage when treated with cetuximab plus chemotherapy, living up to 12 months on average. In contrast, those with low EGFR expression show no difference in overall survival.
Scientists at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute have developed a test that can predict how effective chemotherapy agents will be against a patient's tumor cells. By measuring the proximity of cancer cells to self-destruction, researchers found that tumors with higher mitochondrial priming are more susceptible to chemotherapy.
Researchers have identified a gene variant associated with an increased risk of leukemia relapse in young patients treated with E. coli asparaginase, a common chemotherapy drug. This discovery may lead to personalized treatment approaches based on genetic profiles.
A phase 2 trial shows that combining standard chemotherapy with a new cancer vaccine enhances treatment effect and slows disease progression in NSCLC patients. The vaccine stimulates an immune response against the MUC1 protein, which is overexpressed in 60% of NSCLCs.