Researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University have found that dietary inorganic nitrate can stabilize mitochondria and protect against free-radical damage in the heart. The study suggests that nitrate supplementation may reduce the risk of heart damage in patients undergoing chemotherapy with doxorubicin.
Researchers at Ohio State University found that adding low-dose sorafenib to chemotherapy and radiation can improve treatment efficacy while reducing harsh side effects. The triple combination was well-tolerated in an animal model.
A new genomic test has shown promise as a predictor of chemotherapy response and survival benefit in women with invasive breast cancer. The test combines multiple signatures, including estrogen receptor status, endocrine therapy response, chemotherapy resistance and sensitivity, to predict treatment outcomes.
A new predictive test developed from gene expression microarrays identified patients with a high probability of survival following chemotherapy for breast cancer. The test had a positive predictive value of 56 percent and showed significant association between predicted sensitivity to treatment and improved distant relapse-free survival.
Two widely used multi-gene tests produce broadly similar results for high- and low-risk breast cancer patients, but differ for those at intermediate risk. The study's findings suggest that these tests can provide additional independent prognostic information to help clinicians make informed treatment decisions.
Researchers have identified sFRP1 as a molecular marker that correlates with chemotherapy sensitivity in triple-negative breast cancers. The study found that sFRP1 expression levels in individual tumors predict response to chemotherapy, and knocking down the gene in cell culture decreased sensitivity to certain chemotherapies.
A study found that most patients experience a return to normal motor and memory function within five years after stem cell transplant. However, some patients continue to have measurable deficits in fine motor skills and verbal memory, highlighting the need for cognitive rehabilitation strategies.
Researchers found that temsirolimus strongly blocked mTOR-mediated signals and had a cytostatic effect on all mesothelioma cells. The study suggests using mTOR inhibitors as a novel anti-mesothelioma strategy, particularly in combination with chemotherapy.
Researchers have identified potential human molecular targets of Nelfinavir, an anti-HIV drug also effective as a cancer therapy. The study suggests that the collective effect of weak interactions with multiple protein kinases leads to clinical efficacy.
Researchers have identified multiple molecular targets of the anti-HIV drug nelfinavir, which may explain its effectiveness as a cancer therapy. The study, published in PLOS Computational Biology, suggests that the collective effect of these weak interactions leads to the clinical efficacy of nelfinavir.
A phase III clinical trial will recruit 4,000 women with low to intermediate Oncotype DX recurrence scores to determine whether a gene expression test can spare thousands of women from unnecessary chemotherapy. The RxPONDER trial aims to identify an optimal recurrence score cutpoint for these patients.
A modified chemotherapy regimen combining reduced CHOP doses with rituximab has shown substantial response and improved survival in very elderly patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. The R-miniCHOP regimen is well-tolerated, with a high overall response rate and low treatment toxicity.
A Phase III study found that GOLFIG increased progression-free survival to 16.5 months, compared to 7.5 months with FOLFOX regimen. Researchers added gemcitabine and granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor to boost immune system.
A UCSF research team has made a breakthrough in predicting breast cancer survival by analyzing the immune profile of tumors. By identifying specific patterns of immune cells, they were able to develop a treatment strategy that slows tumor growth and improves patient outcomes.
A team of researchers has developed a new model that uses artificial neural networks to predict adverse drug reactions (ADRs) among 10,000 observations with 99.87% accuracy. The technology has the potential to save lives by identifying potential ADRs at an early stage of drug development and marketing.
A long-term study reports the effectiveness of stem cell transplants in replacing bone marrow and reducing disease activity in people with rapidly progressive MS. The treatment showed promising results, with an average improvement in symptoms lasting two years.
Professor Sylvain Martel's team at Polytechnique Montréal successfully guided microcarriers loaded with an anti-cancer drug to a targeted area in the liver, where it was administered. This breakthrough improves chemoembolization treatment for liver cancer by precisely targeting cancerous cells without harming surrounding tissue.
Researchers used laser light to force cancer cells to take in chemotherapy drugs and fluorescent dyes, creating a potential delivery system. The technique also allowed them to target anti-Alzheimer's medicines to the brain non-invasively.
A new study shows that a surgical technique called microdissection testicular sperm extraction (TESE) can effectively locate and extract viable sperm in over one-third of adult male childhood cancer survivors who were previously considered sterile. This technique enabled many men to father children with the help of in vitro fertilization.
A new treatment strategy using chemotherapy drugs Erlotinib and Gefitinib has been found to be effective in treating a subset of patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer. The drugs, which target the EGFR mutation, produced a response rate of over 70% and had fewer side effects compared to traditional treatments.
A Northwestern University research team found that binding chemotherapy drugs to nanodiamonds significantly improves the effectiveness of cancer treatment, particularly in cases where tumors are resistant to conventional therapies. The discovery holds promise for treating aggressive cancers with fewer toxic side effects.
Researchers discover that malaria parasite relies on host cell signaling pathways to proliferate. A class of cancer-fighting drugs targeting these pathways can effectively kill the parasite.
The phase 3 trial shows that zalutumumab treatment is associated with a long-term benefit in progression-free survival, with a 20% PFS rate at 6 months compared to 7.3% in the best supportive care group. However, overall survival was not significantly increased.
A study published in The Lancet found that eribulin monotherapy extends the lives of breast cancer patients with extensive treatment by a median 2.5 months compared to physician's choice treatment. The drug targets microtubules, leading to cell death and improved survival rates.
Researchers at York University have identified a key role for microRNA 376c in allowing ovarian cancer cells to thrive despite chemotherapy. By targeting the receptor ALK7, this microRNA enables cancer cells to survive and resist cell death.
Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine found that patients with invasive T3 and T4 non-small lung cancer who received chemotherapy before surgery had a significantly improved survival rate. The study, published in the Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, showed that median survival was greatest for those who rec...
A new phase III trial has shown that erlotinib has comparable efficacy to chemotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer patients whose disease has progressed after first-line treatment. The study found no difference in overall survival or progression-free survival time between the two groups.
Researchers at the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center found that combining rituximab with fludarabine can produce long-term remissions in CLL patients. After nearly 10 years of follow-up, 13% of patients achieved remissions lasting more than seven years.
A long-term study confirms trastuzumab's benefit for women with early-stage HER2-positive breast cancer, showing a significant reduction in disease-free survival and no increase in mortality risk. The treatment also improves outcomes in patients who cross over to trastuzumab therapy.
Scientists at Queen's University Belfast have discovered the role of an enzyme that causes life-threatening damage to the heart when cancer patients receive chemotherapy, restricting treatment doses. New drugs targeting this enzyme could reduce heart damage and increase survival rates.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University have developed a new chemotherapy method that targets cancer tumors more effectively by using gold nanoparticles to deliver an anti-cancer drug directly into the tumor. This approach allows for lower doses of toxic chemicals, reducing damage to healthy tissue.
A study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that low doses of losartan improved the effectiveness of two nanotherapeutic approaches against several types of cancer. Losartan normalized the abnormal extracellular matrix of tumors, allowing for better delivery and efficacy of therapies.
Bevacizumab, a cancer treatment drug, increases the risk of fatal adverse events (FAEs) when combined with chemotherapy or biological therapy. According to a review of published trials, the overall incidence of FAEs was 2.5%, with a significant increase in patients receiving taxanes or platinum agents.
Scientists successfully applied home device technology to increase solubility of anticancer drugs like tamoxifen and paclitaxel. The process has potential for improving performance of dyes, paints, rust-proofing agents and other products.
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.
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.
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 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 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.
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.
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.