Articles tagged with Chemotherapy
A new study reveals that combining chemotherapy agents with 5FU increases disease-free survival for patients under 70, but does not provide similar benefits for those aged 70 and older. The research found that the aggressive treatment strategy is better tolerated by younger patients, while older patients may experience more side effects.
A national survey reveals that nearly all oncologists and ID specialists are highly concerned about the negative impact of infection on treatment outcomes in chemotherapy patients. Infections among chemotherapy patients are common, with one in four patients experiencing an infection in the last 12 months.
AT-101, a cottonseed-derived compound, has shown promise in treating glioblastoma multiforme by halting the growth of tumor cells. The treatment, which must be properly dosed and monitored, has been effective in slowing cancer progression in many patients, offering new hope for those with this aggressive form of brain cancer.
The shift towards oral chemotherapy agents poses risks of non-adherence, which can lead to increased healthcare costs and reduced efficacy. Studies show that non-adherence is often linked to financial constraints, education issues, and side effects, highlighting the need for innovative strategies to improve patient compliance.
Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine found that conventional methods to adjust for confounding, such as restriction and multivariable regression, leave residual confounding because of unmeasured factors. Propensity scores and instrumental variable methods have limitations in resolving confounding by indication.
Research from Northwestern University found Abraxane effectively prevents metastatic breast cancer progression and has fewer side effects compared to Taxotere. The study prolonged progression-free survival by almost seven months.
Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a Nanofountain Probe that can precisely deliver tiny doses of drug-carrying nanomaterials to individual cells. The tool enables targeted cancer treatments and improves drug delivery by reducing side effects and increasing targeting accuracy.
A study by M. D. Anderson Cancer Center researchers found that over one-third of metastatic breast cancer patients receive chemotherapy off-label, with 34.9% of women treated with an unapproved drug at some point during their care. The most common off-label chemotherapies noted were vinorelbine and gemcitabine, both shown to be efficac...
Researchers at the Mayo Clinic have found a triple drug combination to be an effective and tolerable option for treating metastatic HER2+ breast cancer. The regimen, which combines capecitabine, vinorelbine, and trastuzumab, has shown promising results in reducing tumor size and improving survival rates compared to traditional treatments.
A Phase II/III study found that ginger supplements, taken three days prior to and after chemotherapy, reduced nausea levels in cancer patients by 40%. The study included 644 participants who received at least three chemotherapy treatments and showed significant anti-vomiting effects.
A study found that 45% of older women with early-stage breast cancer choose chemotherapy, higher than the national average. The researchers suggest that these women are weighing risks and benefits more thoroughly, making informed decisions about their treatment.
A recent study found that chemotherapy in addition to surgery or radiation improves survival rates among older women with early-stage breast cancer. Combination therapy showed significantly better outcomes than single-drug treatment, with a 17% higher relapse-free survival rate at three years.
A Phase III trial found that adding casopitant mesylate to a conventional two-drug regimen significantly reduced chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting events. The study showed that 86% of patients achieved complete response with the new regimen compared to 66% with the placebo.
A phase III study found that adding cetuximab to standard chemotherapy for non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) extends survival by almost one month compared to chemotherapy alone. The treatment has been shown to target epidermal growth factor receptor, which plays a key role in tumour growth.
A new combination of chemotherapy drugs, topotecan and docetaxel, has produced clinical benefit for patients with recurrent gynecologic cancers. The treatment showed an unusually high proportion of women experiencing clinical benefit, with a median survival time of 18.5 months.
A study at Duke University Medical Center has led to the development of a new technique that uses light scattering to determine whether chemotherapy is working. The method, called angle-resolved low coherence interferometry, measures changes in cellular structure following treatment with chemotherapeutic agents.
Researchers found hypofractionated stereotactic radiotherapy improved symptoms and survival time in patients with recurrent low-grade glioma. The treatment was well-tolerated and allowed patients to complete the full course of therapy.
Researchers at UCLA's Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center have developed a non-invasive method to determine whether chemotherapy is working after a single treatment cycle, allowing oncologists to discontinue ineffective treatments sooner. This breakthrough enables faster decision-making and potentially improves patient outcomes.
A new study by researchers at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center found that higher doses of radiation combined with chemotherapy improve survival in patients with stage III lung cancer. Concurrent chemotherapy increases treatment effectiveness and overall survival rates.
Researchers at NC State University have discovered that a molecule found in soy, genistein, can inhibit the growth of canine lymphoma cells. The study's findings suggest that this compound could be used to enhance traditional cancer treatments like chemotherapy, leading to reduced stress and costs for dog owners.
DHA reduces tumour size and enhances chemotherapy's effects while limiting its harmful side effects, according to a new study. The researchers call for greater deployment of omega-3s in the fight against cancer.
Researchers developed mouse models of human acute myeloid leukemia (AML) that accurately predict response to chemotherapy and identify key genes promoting resistance or sensitivity. These models provide valuable insights into AML's genetic heterogeneity and may help redesign therapy for maximum benefit.
Researchers reviewed data on Japanese herbal medicines and found them to be effective in reducing symptoms of functional dyspepsia, constipation, and postoperative ileus. The use of standardized formulations of herbal medicines requires further examination for their health benefits.
A randomized controlled trial found that a 3-drug chemotherapy combination of docetaxel, cisplatin, and 5-fluorouracil (TPF) increased organ preservation rates in patients with locally advanced larynx cancer. Compared to the single-agent TPF, the addition of docetaxel improved larynx function and overall response rates.
A national study of over 700 patients will measure the cost and clinical effectiveness of acupressure wrist bands in reducing chemotherapy-related nausea. The device aims to provide a drug-free alternative for a debilitating symptom that affects quality of life, social life, and mental health.
Researchers found that blocking dual leucine zipper kinase (DLK) gene may help prevent degeneration of ailing nerve cell branches, a potential trigger for painful neuropathy. The study could lead to the development of a drug to spare cancer patients considerable pain during chemotherapy.
A new study has found that maintenance rituximab therapy improves progression-free survival in patients with stage III-IV indolent lymphoma. The treatment showed significant benefits, including a 22% improvement in disease response and a 68% three-year progression-free survival rate.
The EORTC-NCIC trial found that adding chemotherapy to radiotherapy significantly increases survival in glioblastoma patients, with improved outcomes seen across all clinical prognostic subgroups. The study suggests testing tumour MGMT gene methylation status to identify patients most likely to benefit from this treatment.
The IU Simon Cancer Center has launched a new web site section providing information on diagnosis, treatments, and unexpected symptoms for cancer patients. The section, funded by the Walther Cancer Foundation, aims to improve patient support and communication between patients and healthcare providers.
Researchers have developed a new drug delivery technology that targets cancer cells specifically, leaving surrounding healthy cells intact. The technology utilizes tiny bubbles containing therapeutic drugs to deliver medication directly to cancer cells, enhancing treatment effectiveness and reducing side effects.
A new study published in The Lancet Oncology found that azacitidine significantly improves the survival of patients with high-risk forms of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). Patients treated with azacitidine had a median overall survival of 24.5 months, compared to 15 months for those receiving conventional care.
Patients with relapsed follicular lymphoma who continue on maintenance rituximab therapy after chemotherapy have better overall survival than those without treatment. Rituximab maintenance therapy was associated with a 40% improvement in overall survival relative to observation or retreatment.
A new method uses circulating tumour cells to monitor disease status and predict survival in patients with advanced prostate cancer. Changes in CTC number before and after treatment are strongly associated with risk, making it a more predictive biomarker than PSA.
Researchers at USC found that green tea extract (GTE) renders the cancer drug Velcade ineffective in treating multiple myeloma and mantle cell lymphoma. The study suggests that patients on Velcade should avoid green tea products to minimize side effects, which may be misattributed to the supplement's beneficial effects.
A new genomic signature has been developed to predict how breast cancer patients respond to chemotherapy. The study found that the magnitude of the tumor's microenvironment, or reactive stroma, is predictive of a response to treatment. Patients with strong stroma reactions are more likely to have a bad response.
Researchers describe a technique to determine tumor blood vessel leakiness using digital mammography, allowing prediction of chemotherapy efficacy. The method is closely correlated with the ability of clinically approved chemotherapy agents to enter tumors.
UCLA researchers have created a non-invasive probe that enables real-time monitoring of chemotherapy drug activity in living bodies. This allows doctors to quickly pinpoint the most effective treatment and personalize it to each patient's unique biochemistry, reducing wasted time and toxic side effects.
Researchers developed an imaging method to analyze thousands of living cells and reveal how a chemotherapy drug affects each one. They identified two proteins, DDX5 and RFC1, that play a role in cancer cell survival and boosted the effectiveness of current drugs.
A randomized controlled trial found that alternating cycles of chemotherapy and radiation have similar outcomes to sequential chemotherapy followed by radiation in treating larynx cancer. The study showed no significant difference in clinical outcomes between the two treatment groups.
Scientists at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital discovered 102 inherited genetic variations that affect chemotherapy response in acute lymphoblastic leukemia. These variations can help predict early treatment success and identify potential targets for novel drugs.
Researchers from Université de Montréal have detected chemotherapy products and hypertension/cholesterol medications in wastewater released into the St. Lawrence River. The study highlights a growing concern about pharmaceutical waste's impact on the environment, with minimal quantities of these substances present in treated water.
A new UNC study found that the circadian clock influences a cell's repair machinery, which can affect the potency of cancer drugs. By targeting the daily oscillations of this enzyme system, researchers believe clinicians can maximize treatment effectiveness and minimize side effects.
Researchers have identified a new subtype of childhood T-lymphoblastic leukemia, also known as ETP-ALL, which is characterized by poor response to standard intensive chemotherapy. The disease has a dire prognosis, with high rates of remission failure and relapse compared to typical T-ALL patients.
A phase III trial found that palonosetron was non-inferior to granisetron in preventing acute nausea and vomiting but more effective in the delayed phase, offering a safer alternative for chemotherapy prevention.
A recent study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology found that medication errors involving chemotherapy are common in outpatient cancer treatment settings. The study revealed that adults and children alike were at risk of receiving incorrect doses or experiencing other medication-related mistakes.
Researchers discovered that compounds like sulforaphane inhibit cell proliferation and kill precancerous cells, similar to anticancer drugs. This finding suggests that consuming cruciferous vegetables like broccoli may help prevent breast cancer.
Artificial human bone marrow can replicate blood stem cells and produce B cells, key immune cells, in a test tube. This development could lead to simpler drug testing and a continuous supply of blood for transfusions.
A recent study by Tel Aviv University researchers validates Prozac's potential in fighting cancer itself. Prozac dramatically enhances the effectiveness of doxorubicin, an anti-cancer drug, by blocking resistance mechanisms in cancer cells.
A recent study by the University of Alberta found that individuals with sarcopenic obesity, a condition characterized by low lean muscle mass, had significantly reduced survival rates and poorer physical function compared to those with only obesity. This suggests that body composition may play a crucial role in cancer treatment outcomes.
Researchers created carbon nanotube sensors that can detect chemotherapy drugs like cisplatin, environmental toxins, and DNA-damaging agents. The sensors use DNA-coated nanotubes to identify specific molecules, allowing for precise monitoring of cancer treatment effectiveness.
Researchers found that Tau expression is predictive of survival, but in an unexpected way. Low Tau levels were linked to a good response to pre-operative chemotherapy and higher sensitivity to paclitaxel, but also a relatively poor overall survival rate.
Researchers discover new biomarkers that can predict breast cancer risk, respond to tamoxifen treatment, and identify patients who may benefit from anthracycline chemotherapy. A genetic model also improves diagnostic accuracy in high-risk populations.
A meta-analysis of 128 clinical trials has found that nonhormonal treatment regimens, including anthracycline-based regimens and taxanes, have improved overall survival in women with advanced breast cancer. The use of these regimens led to a significant relative risk reduction in overall mortality.
A new study from Michigan Medicine found that a commonly used tool for estimating breast cancer recurrence risk is not effective at explaining risk to patients. Women with early-stage breast cancer may struggle to understand the benefits and risks of chemotherapy, leading to poor treatment choices.
A Mayo Clinic study found that statins do not interfere with rituximab treatment for lymphomas. In fact, statins may slow the progression of certain types of lymphoma. The study included over 500 patients and showed that statin use did not affect treatment outcomes, but may even improve them in some cases.
Scientists identified a protein called Akt as the key to exploiting a vulnerability in cancer cells. By targeting this protein, researchers were able to selectively kill cancer cells while sparing normal cells.
Researchers have found that preventive use of antithrombotic medication can reduce incidence of thromboembolic events in cancer patients. The PROTECHT Study shows a 47.2% reduction in risk, while also demonstrating safety with minimal major bleeding episodes.
A phase III, international randomized clinical trial supports a new standard of treatment for women with advanced ovarian cancer, reducing complications and post-operative deaths. The study demonstrates that neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by interval debulking surgery can be the preferred treatment for patients with very extensive d...
Researchers at McGill University are targeting a small organelle called glycosome to develop new treatments for Leishmania parasite. The goal is to create less toxic drugs with fewer side effects. A potential breakthrough could help combat devastating diseases like African Sleeping Sickness and Chagas' Disease.
The Novo-TTF device was shown to enhance the efficacy of standard chemotherapy in treating newly-diagnosed glioblastoma multiforme patients. Combination therapy with the device prolonged time to disease progression by nearly 31 months and increased survival by more than 25 months compared to historical results.