Articles tagged with Chemotherapy
Rice scientists have successfully grown hairy roots for 4-and-a-half years, a breakthrough that could lead to mass production of medicines like vincristine and vinblastine. The transgenic roots contain genes from both the host plant and bacteria, offering a stable alternative to traditional cell cultures.
Researchers found that quantitative index adds accurate information about patients' responses to first-line chemotherapy, improving tumor response prediction. This method can also identify disease transformation and shorten treatment for favorable responders.
A new study found that a combination of bevacizumab (Avastin) and chemotherapy may increase survival time for patients with glioblastoma multiforme, a deadly type of brain tumor. The treatment showed promising results in improving outcomes for patients who have already been diagnosed with the disease.
Researchers examined the effectiveness of intra-arterial combination chemotherapy in treating advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT). The treatment led to a median survival time of 457.2 days and a one-year survival rate of 70%.
Researchers have developed nanodiamond clusters that efficiently carry and release chemotherapy drugs, sparing healthy cells from toxicity. The material's stability, safety, and high surface area make it a promising alternative to current drug delivery agents.
A recent study found that women with HER-2 positive breast cancer who receive Taxol alongside chemotherapy experience improved survival rates. In contrast, estrogen-receptor-positive and HER-2-negative patients do not benefit from the added treatment, offering a targeted approach to personalized medicine.
Research suggests that young women with estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer who undergo adjuvant chemotherapy do not experience higher survival rates than those with ER-negative tumors. The study, published in Breast Cancer Research, found a 5% difference in survival rates between the two groups.
A new study found that cancer patients receiving chemotherapy did not notice restrictions in their treatment access following the enactment of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act. Despite significant reductions in government reimbursement to oncologists, patients perceived no barriers to their care.
A study of 447 patients with multiple myeloma found that thalidomide improved overall survival and response rates compared to standard chemotherapy. The MPT regimen was associated with significantly better outcomes, making it a potential new treatment option for elderly patients.
A new study found that gemcitabine chemotherapy after surgery doubles disease-free survival from 4.9 to 11.4 months in patients with operable pancreatic cancer, improving outcomes by 41 percent
Pertuzumab prolongs survival time for women with Stage 3 ovarian cancer, a Phase II clinical trial found. The experimental drug added weeks to the standard survival period and was well-tolerated by the body.
A large study of European patients has identified promising biomarkers to distinguish between patients with a high likelihood and low likelihood of relapse, paving the way for more targeted treatment approaches.
The experimental drug STA-4783 has been shown to delay cancer progression and prolong patient lives by inducing oxidative stress in cancer cells. In a randomized trial, patients treated with the combination of STA-4783 and chemotherapy lived up to 12 months after diagnosis, compared to 7.8 months for those receiving only chemotherapy.
A study suggests that patients with non-squamous histology achieve statistically significant higher survival when treated with ALIMTA in the second-line setting compared to those with squamous histology. The analysis also identified other predictive factors for potential benefit from treatment, including adenocarcinoma histology and go...
Researchers found that high BRCA1 expression in non-small cell lung cancer patients is associated with poor survival and increased risk of death. Patients with high BRCA1 levels may benefit from taxane-based chemotherapy, while those with low levels may not respond to cisplatin-based treatments.
Research shows PET scans with fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) can predict a breast tumor's response to chemotherapy and a patient's likelihood of survival. Women with high initial FDG uptake and significant reduction after treatment are more likely to achieve complete response.
A new method of molecular profiling has accurately predicted which stage II colon cancer patients are most likely to have their disease recur after surgery. The analysis identified two groups with distinct clinical outcomes, allowing for more accurate selection of patients who would benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy.
Scientists have developed a method to detect circulating tumour cells (CTCs) in blood before and after chemotherapy treatment, potentially identifying patients at risk of cancer recurrence. The study found that CTCs persisted in the blood of patients who were more likely to experience recurrence.
A two-year study from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine found that women who took a weekly dose of risedronate lost significantly less bone than those who did not take the drug. Risedronate improved bone density and prevented excess bone loss in breast cancer survivors, even among those on aromatase inhibitors.
Researchers at Rice University have discovered a way to load dozens of molecules of the anti-cancer drug paclitaxel onto tiny gold spheres, creating a uniform delivery system that targets cancer cells more effectively. The new approach aims to reduce side effects and improve the effectiveness of chemotherapy.
A new study finds breast cancer survivors who received both chemotherapy and radiotherapy reported the most severe and prolonged fatigue. The study, published in CANCER, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society, found women who received both treatments experienced more days with reported fatigue at each assessment.
Two studies found that exercise and yoga can improve quality of life in women with early-stage breast cancer by increasing physical fitness and self-esteem. Yoga was particularly beneficial for women not receiving chemotherapy, promoting better social well-being and overall quality of life.
A common molecular pathway called retinoblastoma (RB) tumor suppressor could help predict which lung cancer patients will benefit from chemotherapy drugs. Researchers found that turning off the RB pathway resulted in an altered response to chemotherapy agents and more cancer cell death.
Liang’s research aims to develop ‘smart’ peptide drugs that can selectively kill cancer cells without damaging normal tissues. These peptide drugs have shown high activity against both drug-sensitive and drug-resistant cancers in studies on cultured tumor cells and animal models.
Researchers found that a Western diet was associated with a three-and-a-half times higher risk of colon cancer recurrence in patients who had undergone surgery and chemotherapy. In contrast, a prudent-pattern diet did not significantly influence cancer recurrence or mortality.
A study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that chemotherapy with bevacizumab increases the risk of blood clots in arteries, with a higher incidence among patients over 65 years old. The risk of arterial thromboembolic events was significantly higher in patients treated with the combination therapy compared...
Researchers at MGH confirm that bone marrow transplantation after chemotherapy restores fertility in female mice, with donor-derived egg cells observed but not involved in fertilization. The study also reveals that resuming mating and bone marrow transplants shortly after chemotherapy improve fertility rates.
A study led by Duke University researchers found that a white blood cell booster can significantly reduce the risk of chemotherapy-related complications characterized by fever and low white blood cell levels. The study, published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, involved over 3,000 patients and showed that patients taking the drug ...
A recent study published in The Lancet Oncology found that children with intracranial ependymoma can avoid the damaging effects of radiotherapy by receiving chemotherapy treatment instead. In a study of 89 children, 42% avoided radiotherapy and had better overall survival rates.
Researchers propose a 'value meal' approach to decrease medication costs while increasing benefits from expensive cancer drugs. By taking certain medications with meals or grapefruit juice, patients may use up to 80% of the prescribed dose and reduce side effects.
Researchers found that patients treated with single-drug therapy had shorter overall survival, but those receiving sequential treatment had similar survival rates to combination therapy regimens. The study results challenge conventional clinical practice and suggest a more gentle approach for some patients.
Researchers developed a new drug delivery method using ultrasound to target cancer tumors, releasing chemotherapy drugs from nanobubbles. They found this approach was more effective at blocking tumor growth than other nanoparticle delivery methods. Vitamin D levels were also associated with reduced colon cancer risk in a separate study.
A new special issue of Integrative Cancer Therapies Journal presents research on milk thistle's liver-protective effects and its potential as an anticancer agent. The studies suggest that silymarin, the active compound in milk thistle, can preserve liver function and provide clinical benefits for cancer patients.
A new drug candidate, abiraterone, has shown significant anti-tumor activity in early trials for patients with advanced prostate cancer whose tumors have continued to grow despite medical or surgical castration. The drug reduced PSA levels and shrunk tumors in both pre- and post-chemotherapy patients.
A recent meta-analysis confirms that combining trastuzumab with chemotherapy reduces mortality by -34% and increases disease-free survival by 38% in women with operable HER-2 positive breast cancer. This treatment strategy also decreases the risk of locoregional and distant recurrences.
A pilot study found that gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonists can suppress ovarian function in women receiving chemotherapy, protecting their fertility. The treatment was well-tolerated with minimal side effects and restored ovarian function after chemotherapy stopped.
Researchers have developed a new drug delivery method using nanoparticles that carries the chemotherapy drug doxorubicin deeper into solid tumors, improving its effectiveness. This treatment approach resulted in increased tumor growth prevention and longer survival times for mice compared to traditional methods.
Researchers at UCLA have successfully manipulated nanomaterials to create a new drug-delivery system for anticancer drugs. The system uses silica-based nanoparticles to deliver water-insoluble drugs into human cancer cells, increasing their effectiveness and reducing toxicity.
A review of nine randomized trials shows that patients treated with cisplatin lived slightly longer than those treated with carboplatin, with a median survival of 9.1 months compared to 8.4 months. However, the difference in survival was not statistically significant for all patient groups.
Researchers have confirmed that arsenic trioxide significantly improves patient survival in newly diagnosed acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) patients. Nearly 600 patients participated in a six-year phase III study, showing improved disease-free rates and longer survival compared to standard chemotherapy alone.
A study of 829 patients with refractory multiple myeloma found that autologous bone marrow transplantation did not improve survival rates. However, a subgroup of patients who showed a response to chemotherapy treatment experienced a slight increase in life expectancy, raising questions about the role of transplantation in this group.
Four-year data from two large clinical trials found that trastuzumab significantly improves disease-free survival and overall survival rates in women with HER2-positive breast cancer. The study showed a 52% decrease in the risk of disease recurrence and a 35% reduction in mortality rates compared to chemotherapy alone.
A trial found that circulating tumor cells in the blood of patients with metastatic prostate cancer can predict how well they will respond to chemotherapy. Patients with more than five tumor cells per blood sample had a worse prognosis, while those whose CTC number went down fared better.
A recent study published by researchers at Duke University Medical Center and The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center has found that chemotherapy may actually enhance the effectiveness of cancer vaccines used to treat brain tumors. The process by which immune cells regenerate after being wiped out by chemotherapy makes the...
Adding radioimmunotherapy to chemotherapy increased complete response rates for patients with follicular lymphoma, a slow-growing type of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Over 90% of study patients responded completely to the treatment, with limited side effects.
A five-year study found no significant increase in congestive heart failure among women treated with Herceptin and chemotherapy. The research team developed a prediction model to assess individual cardiac risk factors and personalize treatment.
A Phase II study has shown that combining chemotherapy drugs with an antiangiogenic agent can significantly delay the spread of tumors in patients with metastatic melanoma. The treatment, which included paclitaxel and carboplatin with bevacizumab, prevented tumor growth for almost six months and improved survival rates.
A study of 519 patients found no benefit in overall survival from pre-operative chemotherapy for nonsmall cell lung cancer. Neo-adjuvant therapy did result in tumor down-staging and improved response rates, but its use should be targeted towards specific patient subgroups.
A new genomic test can identify specific patterns among thousands of genes to determine the precise pathways that led to lung cancer. Researchers found that tumors with defects in certain pathways responded well to targeted therapy, offering a potential alternative to traditional chemotherapy.
A predominantly Western diet high in red meat, fatty foods, refined grains, and desserts is associated with faster cancer recurrence and lower overall survival rate in stage III colon cancer patients. In contrast, a prudent diet rich in fruits, vegetables, poultry, and fish does not significantly influence cancer recurrence or mortality.
Dr. Gianni Bonadonna's innovative adjuvant treatment of breast cancer using CMF chemotherapy significantly reduced disease recurrence and death over 30 years. The new Gianni Bonadonna Breast Cancer Award and Fellowship supports emerging researchers in breast cancer, honoring his legacy and impact on the field.
Patients with liver cancer undergoing chemotherapy who have high serum levels of hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA are at risk of developing severe hepatitis, which is associated with poor survival. Researchers found that a pre-chemotherapy HBV viral load above 10^5.65 copies per milliliter was linked to poorer outcomes.
A comprehensive study found that 85% of pediatric chemotherapy errors reached patients, with most common mistakes involving improper dosing and timing. The antimetabolite class of chemotherapeutic agents was most frequently associated with errors, highlighting the need for targeted medication administration safeguards.
New guidelines provide a rational treatment approach for managing skin reactions caused by Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Inhibitors (EGFRIs), which are used to treat various types of cancer. The recommended treatment involves using moisturizers, protecting against sunlight, and targeted medications to manage the severity of the rash.
A study of 149 patients with low-grade gliomas found that temozolomide reduced tumor size in 53% and stabilized it in 37%, while increasing it in 10%. Genetic testing revealed that missing the 1p/19q gene was associated with better treatment outcomes.
A recent study has found that the gene p53, which is thought to assist chemotherapy in killing cancer cells, may actually help them thrive. In contrast, patients with normal p53 had only a 30% survival rate after five years. The research suggests that inhibiting p53 in tumors during chemotherapy could improve patients' long-term survival.
Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital found inherited genes associated with chemotherapy drug toxicity in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The study identified specific polymorphisms linked to toxic side effects during treatment, which could enable individualized therapy and reduce toxicity.
Researchers found that FDG-PET imaging can identify patients who respond to chemotherapy, allowing for early termination of futile treatment. This improves patient care by providing an alternative approach, such as stopping chemotherapy or switching to a more adequate therapeutic option.
Researchers at UIC College of Pharmacy have developed a hydrogel-based delivery system to control chemotherapy drug release for glioblastoma multiforme and other solid tumors, reducing side effects. The innovative approach aims to improve survival rates for brain tumor patients.
Researchers found that combining a diabetes drug with platinum-based chemotherapy boosted its potency in various cancer cell lines and mouse tumors. The combination halted or shrunk tumors up to three times more effectively than either drug alone.