Research on chemotherapy and its side effects. Covers nerve-injury prevention, gold-nanorod therapy, less-intensive regimens, and combination treatments.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The INTEREST study found oral gefitinib comparable to injected docetaxel in non-small cell lung cancer patients, with better quality of life. Common side effects included rash and diarrhoea with gefitinib, while neutropenia and asthenic disorders were more common with docetaxel.
The Texas Emerging Technology Fund has awarded a record $3.5 million to NanoMedical Systems Inc., a startup founded by Mauro Ferrari, to develop a Personalized Molecular Drug-Delivery System for controlled medicine release. The system aims to provide a safer and more reliable alternative to traditional injection methods.
A study found that patients with locally advanced lung cancer who received proton therapy and chemotherapy had fewer instances of bone marrow toxicity compared to those receiving IMRT and chemotherapy. This suggests that proton therapy may be a more effective option for treating this serious side effect, enabling doctors to give higher...
A study led by The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center has found a four-drug regimen of carboplatin, paclitaxel, bevacizumab, and cetuximab to be safe for patients with advanced lung cancer. The regimen showed modest improvement in survival rate, with 53% of patients experiencing tumor shrinkage.
A phase III clinical trial found that adding bevacizumab to erlotinib therapy improves progression-free survival in advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients, but not overall survival. The combination also shows a response rate and tumor shrinkage.
A multi-center phase II clinical trial found improved survival in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer treated with chemotherapy and targeted therapies bevacizumab and cetuximab. The combination showed no safety concerns, indicating a potential future treatment option for lung cancer.
A study found that pemetrexed-based treatment is more effective in patients with non-squamous histology than those with squamous histology, indicating improved survival benefits for some lung cancer patients.
Dr. Gary J. Bennett's research focuses on understanding how chemotherapy drug paclitaxel causes neuropathy, a painful and debilitating side effect of cancer treatment. The $80,000 grant will support his two-year study to identify novel mechanisms and potentially lead to new therapeutic strategies.
Researchers found that dense networks of blood vessels thought to promote cancer growth may actually hinder tumor progression. Tumors fed by more normal vascular were also more vulnerable to chemotherapy drugs.
Researchers found that blocking VEGF levels in a tumor props up existing blood vessels, making them stronger and more normal. This makes the tumor more susceptible to chemotherapy drugs, offering a new strategy for cancer treatment.
Researchers have successfully treated HIV-seropositive women with assisted reproduction, achieving pregnancies and stable infant outcomes. Additionally, studies found that SC Ovidrel can be reliably used for egg-cell donation and pregnancy is possible in breast cancer patients after chemotherapy, despite reduced fertility.
Researchers at Indiana University School of Medicine report Gleevec's potential as the first effective treatment for neurofibromatosis. The anti-cancer drug has shown dramatic results in clinical tests and compassionate use cases, reducing tumor size by up to 80%.
A review found that off-label use of anticancer drugs ranged from 6.7% to 33.2% between 1990 and 2002, primarily used in palliative care. The study highlights the need for accurate data on off-label use to inform decision-making by health professionals.
Researchers have developed a novel drug delivery system that can cross the blood-brain barrier to reach and kill cancer cells in the brain. The technology has shown promise in preclinical trials, with increased survival rates and reduced tumor growth in mice and rats.
Researchers identified an 11-gene signature that separates responders from non-responders to FOLFIRI chemotherapy. The gene signature can predict treatment outcomes with 100% accuracy in a small sample size of 19 patients.
A new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that apigenin, a naturally occurring compound in fruits and vegetables, improves cancer cells' response to chemotherapy. By localizing tumor suppressor p53 in the cell nucleus, apigenin facilitates cell death and stops tumor growth.
Scientists have created a new compound that selectively kills cancer cells while sparing healthy cells, offering hope for more effective chemotherapy drugs. The compound targets cancer cells' high iron levels, delivering toxic molecules that ultimately lead to cell death.
A University of Cincinnati study finds that bisphenol A (BPA) induces proteins protecting cancer cells from chemotherapy's toxic effects. Researchers suggest BPA may be a contributing factor to chemotherapy resistance in cancer patients.
A Northwestern University research team developed a nanomaterial-based biomedical device that delivers chemotherapy drugs locally to tumor sites, reducing unnecessary exposure to toxic drugs. The device takes advantage of nanodiamonds for sustained drug release, which was demonstrated to be effective for one month.
The study found that CAPHOSOL treatment significantly limits the occurrence and severity of oral mucositis, with high levels of medication compliance and patient/physician satisfaction reported. Compliance was very high, with nearly all patients rinsing with CAPHOSOL at least once daily.
A case report describes a patient with stage IV diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) infiltrating the stomach, who responded well to chemotherapy. Endoscopic examination and biopsy confirmed the diagnosis, highlighting the importance of this diagnostic method for suspected gastric DLBCL.
Fluorouracil-related pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis is a newly reported case. The mechanism of this condition is unclear but may be related to altered mucosal blood flow and bowel toxicity. Researchers highlight the need for clinicians to monitor patients for potential complications during fluorouracil chemotherapy.
Multidisciplinary approaches combining chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery have shown promise in treating various cancers, including lung and head and neck cancers. The addition of targeted therapies like pazopanib and cetuximab has demonstrated significant activity in reducing tumor size and improving patient outcomes.
A phase II trial of the investigational drug pazopanib has shown promising results in treating ovarian cancer. The study found that 31% of patients experienced a significant decrease in CA-125 levels, with a median duration of response of 113 days.
A study at ESMO found gefitinib to be more tolerable and result in a greater likelihood of response in non-smoking Asian patients with adenocarcinoma of the lung. The targeted therapy is now considered a first-line treatment for this population.
Adding intravenous iron to chemotherapy-induced anemia treatment boosts response rates by up to 50% and reduces treatment duration, according to a new study. Lower doses of darbepoetin alfa also show improved results with the addition of iron therapy.