Research on chemotherapy and its side effects. Covers nerve-injury prevention, gold-nanorod therapy, less-intensive regimens, and combination treatments.
A phase II trial involving 45 patients found that an alternating regimen of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, plus cetuximab, yields favorable complete response rates and long-term results comparable to the best reported in literature. However, skin toxicity and toxicities resulting in patient deaths were also observed.
Researchers found that anti-angiogenic drugs block chemotherapy-induced blood vessel formation, thereby hindering tumor regrowth. This mechanism may explain why some chemotherapy combinations enhance treatment efficacy.
Researchers discovered that injections of N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) can prevent memory loss induced by breast cancer chemotherapy drugs. The study, published in the Springer journal Metabolic Brain Disease, suggests a potential remedy for chemobrain symptoms, which affect up to 40% of cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.
Scientists have discovered that phosphatidic acid, a phospholipid component of cellular membranes, may be a promising novel anti-cancer drug target. Researchers found that siramesine, a previously failed anxiety medication, effectively inhibits the growth of cancer cells and tumors in mice.
Researchers discovered that combining a tumor-boosting drug with radiation therapy can effectively shrink large tumors, but not small ones. The treatment works by increasing the expression of vessel proteins required for killer T cells to target the tumor.
Researchers have engineered the first drug-delivery particles capable of passing through human mucus, which could treat a range of diseases. The new system uses a polymer coating to allow drugs to penetrate mucus layers in minutes.
Grapefruit juice and other common fruit juices, such as orange and apple, can decrease the absorption of certain drugs, including those used for heart disease, cancer, and organ transplantation. This interaction may lead to a loss of beneficial effects and potentially toxic overdoses.
Researchers at Stanford University have developed a method to get around one of the most common forms of resistance, thereby opening up some resistant diseases to the reinvigorated fury of medications. The method uses an arginine-rich transporter to deliver potent medication inside a resistant cell.
Researchers at Stanford University have developed a new method using single-walled carbon nanotubes as delivery vehicles for cancer chemotherapy drugs. They found that the nanotubes can deliver up to 10 times more medication into tumor cells than traditional formulations, reducing side effects and improving treatment outcomes.
A combination of S-1 and irinotecan appears to offer a promising alternative to standard treatment for advanced non-small cell lung cancer, with similar response rates and progression-free survival. The experimental therapy resulted in less severe side effects compared to platinum-based chemotherapy regimens.
Medical physicists are developing new imaging technologies to improve breast cancer detection and treatment. Researchers have also identified ways to predict treatment success using oxygen levels within tumors, and are exploring innovative techniques such as modulated electron therapy for shallow tumor treatment.
Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory have identified Top2A and Top1 enzymes as significant contributors to chemotherapy drug resistance. The team developed a novel screening technique to investigate the genetic basis of cancer therapy response, which could be applied widely to explore genetic mechanisms underlying drug resistance.
Researchers found that mitochondrial cholesterol increases resistance to chemotherapy in liver cancer. Statins could potentially sensitise cancer cells against chemotherapy by reducing mitochondrial cholesterol levels.
A team of researchers at Washington University in St. Louis has developed polymeric nanoparticles that can slowly release doxorubicin, a chemotherapy drug, over an extended time period. The approach aims to improve the delivery of cancer-killing drugs to pediatric brain tumors without harming healthy cells.
Researchers have discovered that a natural compound from magnolia cones can block a previously 'undruggable' pathway for cancer growth. This finding could lead to the development of new treatments by making tumors more sensitive to traditional chemotherapy drugs.
A new study from Duke University Medical Center found that changes in doctors' reimbursement for chemotherapy treatments did not affect patients' access to care. The study measured patient access by looking at distance traveled and time between diagnosis and initiation of chemotherapy.
New research indicates that the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003 has not led to significant changes in patient wait times or travel distance for chemotherapy treatment. The study found that the number of patients traveling farther for chemotherapy remained stable after 2003, with no major increases in wait times.
Researchers at UC San Diego develop a nanoscale drug delivery system targeting integrin ανβ3 protein on tumor blood vessels, reducing collateral damage. The approach shows promise in treating metastatic disease with lower chemotherapy doses.
Researchers at ESMO Conference Lugano report improved treatment outcomes for aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma patients when chemotherapy is administered every 2 weeks, rather than every 3 weeks.
Researchers at McGill University have discovered a compound called silvestrol that can re-sensitize tumors to chemotherapy, making them susceptible to anticancer drugs. Silvestrol, derived from Malaysian folk medicine, has been shown to effectively reduce resistance to chemotherapy agents used to treat cancer.
A study showed that Caphosol use led to lower OM rates and severity, as well as low pain medication use and high patient satisfaction among cancer patients. High efficacy ratings were also reported by physicians.
Researchers at Ohio State University found that acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients with mutations in the RAS gene are more likely to be cured when treated with high doses of cytarabine. Testing for RAS mutations may help doctors identify which AML patients should receive this therapy.
The study introduces HB-19, an experimental synthetic molecule that inhibits both tumor cell growth and angiogenesis. In mice models, HB-19 treatment suppresses tumor development and eliminates measurable tumors without toxicity.
A new study found that women with severe SLE who received a 6-month course of cyclophosphamide followed by mycophenolate mofetil treatment had preserved ovarian function and fertility. Disease activity was equally controlled in both groups, but patients treated with long-course CYC pulses had a higher risk of amenorrhea.
A new class of compounds, cyclopenta[b]benzofuran flavaglines, has been found to inhibit translation initiation and reverse cancer cell resistance to anticancer agents. This approach targets the eIF4A protein, which plays a central role in translation initiation.
Dan Savage, 25, survived testicular cancer at 20, gaining more confidence and starting his own art studio. He worries about losing regular medical checks after five years in remission, feeling the need for continued health monitoring.
Researchers found that solid tumor cells can adapt to chemotherapy and radiation by increasing a regulatory factor called HIF1, which drives oxygen production and growth. Blocking HIF1 may provide a clear mechanism for killing resistant tumor cells.
A pilot study at Duke University Medical Center found that disabling a protein on melanoma cells makes them more vulnerable to chemotherapy, resulting in complete responses in 8 out of 16 patients. The compound ADH-1 was tested in combination with chemotherapy and showed promising results.
Physician-scientists from NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell presented Phase II trial data showing a monoclonal antibody targeting prostate cancer cells effectively reduces PSA levels in patients with late-stage metastatic disease. The researchers also present results on RAD001, which slows cancer progression in recurrent endometrial c...
A study by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute found that chemotherapy can diminish ovarian reserve, making it harder for premenopausal breast cancer survivors to get pregnant. The research suggests that tracking breast cancer survivors' fertility after treatment is crucial.
USC researchers have identified specific genetic markers in cancer cells that predict the benefit of a novel cancer drug. The study suggests that patients with tumors exhibiting these gene expression profiles may experience increased patient benefit from the incorporation of the drug into their treatment.
Researchers reviewing randomized trials found that antioxidant supplementation may reduce overall survival in patients receiving radiotherapy. Conversely, no clear evidence suggests that antioxidant treatment increases tumor response rates during chemotherapy.
CAPHOSOL, an advanced electrolyte solution, has been shown to relieve oral mucositis and improve quality of life for cancer patients. The study found that 95% of patients reported favorable OM scores and high levels of patient and practitioner satisfaction with CAPHOSOL.
A quality-control audit found high compliance with Fox Chase Cancer Center's Partners program, which shares advanced cancer treatment guidelines with community hospitals. The study suggests that this partnership is an effective model for quickly disseminating advances in cancer treatment.
A study presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology annual meeting found that adding epratuzumab to standard chemotherapy (R-CHOP) resulted in a 95% response rate and 63% disease-free survival in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. The treatment was well-tolerated, but final results will be reported next year.
Researchers conclude that adding chemotherapy to active symptom control does not improve overall survival or quality of life for mesothelioma patients. However, exploratory analyses suggest that vinorelbine may merit further investigation.
A new study suggests that targeting and disabling a protein in melanoma tumors can make them more vulnerable to chemotherapy. Researchers found that combining targeted therapy with melphalan chemotherapy reduced tumor size by up to 30-fold, compared to chemotherapy alone.
A study by Mayo Clinic researchers found that administering calcium and magnesium before and after oxaliplatin chemotherapy significantly reduces neurological side effects in patients with advanced colon cancer. This reduction enables patients to complete a full course of treatment, increasing the likelihood of successful therapy.
A new study from the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center found that black patients are 23% less likely to receive chemotherapy and 12% less likely to receive radiation therapy for rectal cancer compared to white patients. Despite similar rates of consultation with oncologists, disparities in treatment initiation persist.
Researchers assessed various regimens for treating advanced gastric cancer and found that new agent-containing regimens can achieve higher response rates. Chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil remains a mainstream treatment option, prolonging median survival time for AGC patients.
A study by researchers at Baylor College of Medicine found that conventional chemotherapy often fails to eliminate breast cancer stem cells, leading to potential relapse. Treatment with lapatinib and other drugs appears to kill both tumor cells and stem cells, reducing the risk of recurrence in patients with HER2-positive tumors.
A new clinical trial found that MAGE-A3 ASCI reduces the risk of lung cancer relapse after surgery, similar to chemotherapy but with fewer side effects. The treatment, which boosts the immune system, showed minimal reactions at injection sites and was suitable for long-term maintenance treatment.
A clinical trial evaluating sorafenib added to carboplatin/paclitaxel chemotherapy for lung cancer patients showed the combination offers no improved overall survival. Sorafenib results in worse outcomes for some patients with squamous histology.
A new treatment combination using a genetically altered herpes virus and chemotherapy drug reduces tumor size in mice with aggressive human sarcoma. The therapy appears to be well-tolerated, but further development is needed before clinical trials can begin.
A randomized controlled trial found that chemotherapy with cisplatin before concurrent chemoradiation did not improve disease-free survival for patients with anal canal cancer. The therapy resulted in a higher rate of colostomy procedures and was associated with severe hematologic toxicity.
Researchers found that a single chemotherapeutic agent, 5-fluorouracil, can cause delayed degeneration in the central nervous system of mice, leading to extensive myelin pathology. This damage is not self-repairing and worsens over time.
Researchers detail chemotherapy's damage to the brain, finding that healthy cells die off long after treatment ends. The study identifies 5-fluorouracil as a contributor to chemo brain, with damaged oligodendrocytes leading to cognitive decline and demyelination.
The 'GeparQuattro' trial shows that combining anthracycline and taxane chemotherapy with trastuzumab improves HER2 breast cancer response rates to 41.3%, compared to 19.5% without trastuzumab. The regimen also minimizes cardiac toxicity, making it a promising treatment option.
A new chemotherapy combination of docetaxel and capecitabine showed no improved efficacy in early breast cancer treatment, but increased non-haematological toxicities. The study found that the addition of capecitabine produced more side effects, such as hand-foot syndrome and diarrhoea.
A recent study found that women with BRCA2-associated breast cancer had a higher response rate and longer overall survival when treated with anthracycline-based regimens. Researchers believe this may be due to the lack of functional BRCA1/2 proteins, which impair DNA repair after chemotherapy.
Two studies suggest that chemotherapy is not the cause of memory problems in breast cancer patients, but rather stress and quality of life factors. Women with recent diagnoses performed similarly on cognitive tests to those without cancer, while those who had completed treatment showed better scores.
Researchers at UAB have discovered that triphendiol induces cell death in pancreatic and bile duct cancer cells, slowing tumor growth and sensitizing tumors to chemotherapy treatments. The investigational drug has shown promise as a potential treatment for pancreatic adenocarcinoma.
The Novo-TTF device demonstrated significant efficacy in reducing tumor volume and improving outcomes for patients with locally advanced breast cancer. The device's non-invasive technology disrupts cancer cell proliferation, offering a potential alternative to traditional chemotherapy.
Recent studies suggest that preoperative chemotherapy can be effective in early breast cancer treatment, but individual responses may vary. Additionally, a case-control study found no increased risk of cancer among frequent blood donors. Furthermore, researchers have identified a novel mechanism to overcome resistance to targeted thera...
A randomized controlled trial found that high-dose chemotherapy did not increase survival rates for patients with small cell lung cancer. Despite increased tumor shrinkage, the high-intensity approach was deemed ineffective and highly toxic.
Researchers used nanotechnology to target tumors in rabbits, achieving a 1,000-fold reduction in chemotherapy dose while slowing tumor growth. The nanoparticles delivered a fungal toxin called fumagillin directly to growing blood vessels, inhibiting tumor expansion.
A study integrating genetic information with breast cancer risk factors refines estimates of relapse-free survival and predicts response to chemotherapy. Gene expression signatures provide valuable insights into breast cancer heterogeneity, enabling more precise clinical outcomes.
Researchers at USC have found that fasting for two days protects healthy cells from chemotherapy, while leaving cancer cells vulnerable. This discovery holds promise for developing more selective and less toxic chemotherapy treatments.
Researchers have created a novel nanomachine, called nanoimpeller, that can capture and store anticancer drugs inside tiny pores and release them into cancer cells in response to light. The device has strong implications for cancer treatment and may open a new avenue for drug delivery under external control.
The EORTC Intergroup trial found that chemotherapy plus surgery on liver tumors improved progression-free survival by 26% in patients with colorectal cancer. Patients who received chemotherapy before and after surgery had a higher rate of progression-free survival compared to those who underwent surgery alone.