Research on chemotherapy and its side effects. Covers nerve-injury prevention, gold-nanorod therapy, less-intensive regimens, and combination treatments.
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 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 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 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.
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.
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.
A new method predicts hip joint decay in pediatric leukemia and lymphoma survivors, with over 30% of bone deterioration linked to high risk of collapse requiring surgical repair. Researchers found that genetic or other tests may be developed to help identify at-risk patients, improving quality of life.
A randomized controlled trial of high-risk gastric cancer patients showed no significant difference in survival between two treatment groups. The five-year survival rate was around 50%, higher than previous studies, suggesting that the quality of surgery and potential toxicity of postoperative chemotherapy may be factors.
A study found that nearly a third of cancer patients take at least one medication that can cause serious harm or interact with other medications, including anticancer treatments. The most common interactions involve warfarin and anticonvulsants, posing significant risks to patients with brain tumors.
A phase III trial of darbepoetin alfa found that the drug did not reduce blood transfusion risk in non-chemotherapy patients, but increased overall patient mortality. Patients with certain types of cancer saw better survival outcomes when treated with the drug.
A new protein-targeted drug, MCP110, has been found to have a synergistic effect when combined with current chemotherapy drugs like taxanes and vinca-alkaloid compounds. This combination improves the efficacy of systemic treatment for human lung and colon cancer cells.
Researchers used a high-throughput technology to screen human genes for biological activity and identified 87 genes that affect chemotherapy drug paclitaxel's sensitivity in lung-cancer cells. Blocking these genes increased cell sensitivity by up to 10,000 times.
Patients undergoing minimally invasive lung cancer surgery experience shorter hospital stays and accelerated recovery times compared to traditional open surgery. This approach also improves chemotherapy delivery, reducing delays and increasing treatment efficacy.
Early-stage breast cancer patients who receive a single method of treatment, such as tamoxifen or chemotherapy, have improved survival rates. Chemotherapy shows modest yet sustained benefits in relapse-free and overall survival, particularly in younger women and those without ovarian suppression.
According to a randomized controlled trial, radiation therapy is the preferred treatment option for patients with locally advanced stage IIIA-N2 non-small-cell lung cancer who have responded to chemotherapy. This finding suggests that surgery may not improve survival rates compared to radiation after chemotherapy treatment.
Studies found that TP53 mutant tumors in breast cancer are sensitive to a dose-dense epirubicin-cyclophosphamide chemotherapy regimen. This suggests the regimen may be effective for patients with these specific tumor types.
Researchers at Purdue University have developed a digital holographic imaging system that uses laser light to observe the effects of an anticancer drug on living tissue. The system detects changes in organelle motion within cancer cells, resulting in reduced shimmer and improved diagnostic capabilities.
A team of researchers from Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona has identified the mechanism by which cancer cells resist chemotherapy. By understanding this pathway, scientists can develop strategies to make tumours more vulnerable to certain drugs, leading to improved treatment outcomes for patients with cancer.
New research by Rockefeller University shows that bortezomib can kill multiple myeloma cells in a way that elicits an immune response, potentially enhancing patients' immunity to tumors. The treatment works by exposing heat shock proteins on dying cells, which then activate dendritic cells to present antigens to memory and killer T cells.
A phase III clinical trial found that the first antisense drug, oblimersen, improved response rates in CLL patients who remained sensitive to chemotherapy drug fludarabine. The study showed a four-fold increase in 'CR/nPR' in these patients compared to those no longer responding to fludarabine.
A study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that women with breast cancer who received growth factors during chemotherapy had a higher risk of developing leukemia or myelodysplastic syndrome. The absolute risk is small, but it should be considered when making treatment decisions.
A breast cancer treatment based on MIT research is documented in a new book, including promising results from the latest clinical trials of the therapy. The technique uses microwaves to heat-and-kill-cells containing high amounts of water and ions, showing minimal side effects.
Obese and less educated women with breast cancer are more likely to receive reduced chemotherapy doses, threatening their survival. Research shows that doctors often reduce doses for these patients without solid medical basis, highlighting treatment disparities in cancer care.
A new study found that breast cancer patients with lower household income and less education are more likely to receive reduced doses of chemotherapy. Severely obese women were four times as likely to receive a reduced dose, while those with less than a high school education were three times as likely.
Researchers found that adding cetuximab to radiation therapy and chemotherapy improved local regional control and overall survival in patients with locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Seventy-two percent achieved a complete response two months after completion of therapy, while 95 percent were disease-free.
Researchers have created a new generation of medicinal products using biodegradable materials, allowing for controlled release and reduced side effects. The novel synthetic process enables the production of diverse polymers, increasing the chances of finding an appropriate excipient for various active substances.
A study found that chemotherapy with gemcitabine significantly delayed cancer recurrence in patients following pancreatic cancer surgery. The estimated median disease-free survival was 13.4 months for the gemcitabine group compared to 6.9 months for those without chemotherapy.
A randomized trial found that increasing chemotherapy dose intensity did not improve survival rates in patients with osteosarcoma. However, the dose-intensive regimen showed better tumor cell death and lower risks of certain side effects. The study challenges the use of histologic response as a key predictor factor for treatment outcomes.
A survey of 54 cancer centers found few organizations have standardized prescribing practices for oral chemotherapy, with variations in prescription generation and required information. The study highlights the importance of forging a consensus on standardized safeguards and practices for prescribing and monitoring oral chemotherapies.
Researchers found that a medication used to reduce toxic side effects of chemotherapy can also increase bone tumor growth in mice. Physicians are advised to closely monitor cancer patients' bone health with regular scans and prescribe medications to prevent bone loss when needed.
Researchers developed an efficient synthetic route to produce cryptophycin 1, a promising anti-cancer drug from blue-green algae, and identified a key enzyme that introduces the epoxide group in the desired beta configuration.
Giving women with HER2-receptor positive breast cancer Herceptin for one year after standard chemotherapy improves their survival. The study found a significant overall survival benefit in the drug group compared to the control group.