Articles tagged with Chemotherapy
A new gene test can identify which bladder cancer patients may have cancer spread in their lymph nodes, allowing doctors to determine the best course of treatment. The test analyzes 20 genes on tumor biopsies and has shown promising results in a large sample of patients.
A new three-drug regimen including docetaxel has been shown to significantly improve the long-term survival of patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer. The addition of docetaxel to a standard two-drug chemotherapy regimen reduced the likelihood of death by 26% over six years, according to results from the TAX 324 trial.
A recent study by Leif Ellisen and colleagues found that inhibiting certain microRNAs decreased tumor growth and made cells more sensitive to chemotherapy in a model of squamous cell carcinoma. The researchers identified a feedback loop between p63, microRNAs, and p73 that promotes cancer cell survival and chemoresistance.
VIB-K.U. Leuven scientists have decoded a potential new anti-cancer mechanism by normalizing abnormal tumor blood vessels through HRG, which prevents metastasis and enhances chemotherapy efficiency. This mechanism offers alternative possibilities for cancer treatment.
Researchers at the University of Arizona have developed a way to deliver chemotherapeutic drugs to cancer tissues in controlled doses without harming healthy body cells. The gold-coated liposomes can target specific receptors on tumor cells, allowing for more effective treatment and reduced side effects.
Research by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital found that intensive chemotherapy significantly increased the cure rate to nearly 88% for older adolescents with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, narrowing the survival gap between older and younger patients.
The PRIMA study found that rituximab-maintenance therapy significantly improved progression-free survival and response rates compared to no treatment in patients with follicular lymphoma. After 2 years, 71.5% of patients in the rituximab group achieved complete or unconfirmed complete response compared to 52.2% in the observation group.
Patients who develop an acne-like skin rash after starting chemotherapy and cetuximab treatment have better overall survival, progression-free survival, and response rates compared to those without a rash. The study suggests that an early skin rash could be a predictor of treatment success in lung cancer patients.
Researchers investigating bevacizumab's efficacy in early breast cancer report promising results, with a higher pathological complete response rate compared to chemotherapy alone. The study, which included over 1,900 patients, will provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of bevacizumab as an adjuvant treatment.
Researchers have tested a cocktail of three drugs that targets gene regulation and cancer cell growth in triple negative breast cancers. The combination therapy halted tumor growth in laboratory-cultured cells and rejuvenated RARbeta expression in mice engrafted with breast tumor cells.
A Phase III study compared the efficacy of neoadjuvant therapy with lapatinib or trastuzumab in combination with chemotherapy for patients with early breast cancer. The study, conducted at 85 centers in Germany, included 2,500 patients and found similar results between the two treatment groups.
A Phase II study found that the combination of pertuzumab and trastuzumab had superior antitumor activity, eradicating 46% of tumors in patients with early HER2-positive breast cancer. The treatment also showed promise in eliminating tumors without chemotherapy in 17% of cases.
A new study from the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center found that chemotherapy delays are common among patients with surgical complications after colorectal cancer surgery. The study, which analyzed data from 17,108 patients, suggests that surgical complications can have long-term impacts on quality of care.
Researchers present promising new treatment options for advanced asymptomatic follicular lymphoma, mantle cell lymphoma, and early Hodgkin disease. The study shows that upfront rituximab therapy can significantly prolong the time until a patient may require chemotherapy.
Researchers at VCU Massey Cancer Center discovered that the gene AEG-1 promotes cancer cell survival and resistance to chemotherapy by regulating protective autophagy. Inhibiting AEG-1 expression may lead to effective treatments for aggressive cancers, such as breast and prostate carcinomas.
Phase III trial data suggests Tumor Treating Fields (TTF) therapy increases median survival time and improves quality of life scores compared to standard chemotherapy. Younger patients and those with better functional status show an impressive survival advantage.
Scientists have developed a way to deliver an anti-cancer drug to brain tumours using a tiny capsule called a Trojan Horse Liposome. The nanocarrier successfully reduced tumour growth by 73% and prevented severe side effects compared to traditional treatments.
Researchers found that administering arsenic trioxide after initial standard treatment improved survival rates for patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). The study, which involved 481 patients, showed significant benefits in event-free survival and overall survival.
Experiments with artificial stomach suggest that taking Sprite with an oral anticancer drug improves its absorption and effectiveness. The study found that the soft drink helps control stomach acidity, allowing for better absorption of the drug.
A study by Oregon State University researchers found that low birth weight can cause lifelong problems processing medications. The kidneys of underweight animals had significantly less ability to process and transport drugs due to a protein called a 'drug transporter'.
Researchers have developed an algorithm to predict breast cancer patients with little risk of disease recurrence, potentially eliminating unnecessary chemotherapy. The tool uses gene expression signatures and achieves 87-100 percent accuracy in different patient groups.
Researchers at MIT identified a new cancer drug target by shutting down an enzyme that controls DNA repair, which can enhance the effectiveness of traditional chemotherapy drugs. The findings suggest that inhibiting this enzyme may help treat difficult cancers resistant to ordinary treatments and prevent drug resistance.
Scientists have discovered a way to eliminate debilitating diarrhea caused by CPT-11, a chemotherapy drug used for treating colon cancer. By inhibiting an enzyme in bacteria of the digestive tract, patients may be able to receive higher doses of the drug without severe side effects.
Researchers found a Japanese asthma drug can stop the spread of breast cancer cells and reduce tumour growth by 50%. Tranilast targets a molecule in cancer cells that binds to the aryl hydrocarbon receptor, making it beneficial for treating allergies, inflammatory diseases, and cancer.
Tumor cells can escape chemotherapy by hiding in the thymus, an organ where immune cells mature, and are bathed in growth factors that protect them from drugs' effects. Researchers plan to test drugs that interfere with these protective factors to prevent cancer relapse.
A randomized study found that standard chemotherapy and radiation therapy remain the most effective treatment for early, intermediate-stage Hodgkin's lymphoma patients. The study also showed that a more intensive chemotherapy regimen is not more effective than standard ABVD chemotherapy in treating this group of patients.
Research by the University of Missouri School of Health Professions reveals that women's environments and support systems significantly impact their quality of life after chemotherapy. Those with limited social support, including therapy, report lower quality of life and higher depression rates.
Researchers have developed miniature solar cells that can release chemotherapeutic drugs directly to tumors, reducing systemic side effects. The devices convert light into electric current and can be controlled by varying the intensity of light.
Researchers have identified how a membrane protein transfers essential copper ions throughout the body, which could lead to improved treatment of cancer patients. The study's findings may also help develop more effective chemotherapy drugs by understanding how essential minerals are transferred into cells.
Researchers at UCLA's Jonsson Cancer Center found that combining curcumin with Cisplatin suppresses head and neck cancer cell growth, slowing tumor progression. The study showed that curcumin regulates cell cycling, inhibiting cancer-promoting NFκB.
A renowned gynecologic oncologist expresses concerns about a major ovarian cancer study, highlighting the need for targeted genetics-based treatments over delayed treatment timing. The study found no significant difference in survival rates between early and delayed chemotherapy groups.
Experiments with artificial stomachs suggest that combining Compound X with Sprite improves its absorption. This could lead to better treatment outcomes for patients taking the oral anticancer drug.
Researchers have found a synthetic molecule, LLL12, that blocks activation of the oncogene STAT3 in liver cancer cells, halting their survival and increasing sensitivity to chemotherapy. This discovery offers potential for an anti-cancer therapy option.
A recent study found that newer treatments for age-related macular degeneration, including intravitreous bevacizumab and ranibizumab, do not significantly increase the risk of cardiovascular complications or death. The study analyzed data from 146,942 Medicare beneficiaries treated for AMD in 2005 or 2006.
The Phase III trial confirms that abiraterone acetate extends life by four months for patients with advanced prostate cancer, improving median overall survival to 14.8 months. This breakthrough treatment challenges the standard care for men with advanced disease.
Researchers reported that adding cetuximab to a three-drug chemotherapy regimen for first-line treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer did not improve response rates, progression-free survival, or overall survival. The NORDIC VII study included 566 patients and found no statistically significant differences between the treatment groups.
A study of Italian women with breast cancer found that most cases were diagnosed in people over 50 and had not spread to lymph nodes. The disease was hormone-receptor positive and HER2-negative, indicating a classical endocrine-responsive type. Treatment choices were influenced by tumor stage rather than biological factors.
A new study found that both high-dose chemotherapy with stem cell transplant and conventional treatment with lenalidomide achieved positive responses in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients. The study showed improved quality of response compared to induction alone.
A new meta-analysis shows that continuing chemotherapy after bringing cancer under control can increase survival time and reduce disease progression in metastatic breast cancer patients. The analysis found a 34% reduction in disease progression and a 9% reduction in death rates for patients who received longer chemotherapy durations.
In a phase II study, patients with locally advanced and metastatic NSCLC experienced significant increases in survival time when treated with TTF therapy in combination with chemotherapy. The therapy has also been shown to have clinical efficacy in human trials for other solid tumors, including recurrent glioblastoma.
The final phase-II results show that iniparib plus chemotherapy significantly improves overall survival from 7.7 to 12.3 months, offering a promising new treatment option for metastatic triple-negative breast cancer patients. Over half of patients experience clinical benefit, and there is little increase in adverse events.
A study presented at the ESMO Congress found that a patient's overall survival time is linked to the time to treatment failure for each line of chemotherapy. Analyzing data from 980 women with metastatic breast cancer, researchers identified this key factor as the most significant determinant of overall survival.
Erlotinib has been shown to improve progression-free survival in patients with advanced lung cancer carrying EGFR activating mutations. The OPTIMAL trial found that erlotinib nearly tripled progression-free survival compared to a standard chemotherapy combination. Safety analyses also showed lower rates of adverse events with erlotinib.
A new type of cancer treatment has shown encouraging activity as a first-line therapy in HER2-positive metastatic disease. The study demonstrated that T-DM1 has good anti-tumor activity and much lower toxicity compared to the older standard.
Researchers have discovered a new way that DNA-repair enzymes detect and fix damage to the chemical bases in the genetic code. The newly discovered mechanism detects and repairs a common form of DNA damage called alkylation, which is caused by environmental toxins and chemotherapy drugs.
A new study published in the Journal of Thoracic Oncology found that approximately half of advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients received chemotherapy treatment, exceeding previous estimates. The retrospective analysis showed age and insurance type were associated with chemotherapy administration.
A phase 3 trial shows cabazitaxel improves overall and progression-free survival in men with advanced multi-drug resistant prostate cancer. The medication was found to be effective in patients whose disease progressed after standard chemotherapy with docetaxel.
Researchers found that adding rituximab to chemotherapy significantly prolongs lives of CLL patients. Chemoimmunotherapy showed improved response rates and disease progression rates compared to standard chemotherapy alone.
A new randomised trial shows that starting chemotherapy earlier does not improve survival or quality of life for women with relapsed ovarian cancer. The study found that patients who received early treatment experienced a faster deterioration in quality of life, including role, emotional, social, and fatigue symptoms.
A new clinical trial found that 96% of patients with intermediate-risk neuroblastoma survived for three years after receiving reduced chemotherapy doses. The study, led by Katherine Matthay at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital, aimed to minimize the toxic effects of cancer drugs on young children.
Researchers at Indiana University School of Medicine found gray matter changes in breast cancer patients' brains during and after chemotherapy treatment. Memory and executive functions were most affected, with some women experiencing subtle and others severe cognitive impairments.
Scientists have developed a new form of methotrexate as nose drops to treat brain cancer, showing promise in bypassing the blood-brain barrier. In initial testing on laboratory rats with brain cancer, the nose drop drug reduced tumor weight by almost one-third compared to injectable treatment.
Studies identified that postmastectomy irradiation triples the risk for an unplanned return to the operating room and immediate breast reconstruction increases that risk eight-fold. Women considering immediate reconstruction may benefit from a sentinel lymph node biopsy prior to mastectomy.
Researchers propose new clinical trial endpoints for immunotherapies, accounting for delayed responses and novel patterns of anti-tumor activity. The immune-related response criteria (irRC) offer a revised approach to measuring treatment success, considering factors such as lymphocyte infiltration and tumor burden.
A genetic signature has been identified that can help doctors determine which patients with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer are at high risk for developing disease recurrence and may benefit from chemotherapy after surgery. The study found that the 15-gene signature predicted aggressive disease in 62 patients, and those with agg...
Researchers have created a new cancer treatment that uses conditional small RNA molecules to selectively kill cancer cells. The approach exploits characteristics of DNA and RNA to separate diagnosis and treatment steps, potentially eliminating unwanted side effects.
A study published in Journal of Thoracic Oncology found that using the histoculture drug response assay to guide chemotherapy improves lung cancer survival and prognosis for patients who have undergone surgery. The use of adjuvant chemotherapy based on assay results showed a higher five-year survival rate compared to traditional treatm...
Researchers at Tel Aviv University have developed a nano-sized vehicle that can deliver chemotherapy drugs directly into cancer cells while avoiding interaction with healthy cells. This technology has the potential to increase the efficiency of chemotherapeutic treatments while reducing their debilitating side effects.
A phase 3 trial found trastuzumab improves median survival to 13.8 months for HER2-positive advanced gastric cancer patients, with a 26% reduction in death rate compared to chemotherapy alone. The treatment's cost effectiveness is questioned due to its estimated £13,857 per patient cost and $55,000 cost per life-year gained.
A centuries-old traditional Chinese medicine, PHY906, may reduce intestinal side effects of chemotherapy by stimulating gut cell division and reducing inflammation in cancer patients. Researchers found that PHY906 triggers Wnt signaling, which drives the replacement of damaged intestinal stem cells with healthy ones.