Articles tagged with Chemotherapy
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 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 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 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.
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.
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.
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 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 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 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.
A study at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center found that combining cromolyn with chemotherapy reduced pancreatic tumor growth by 85% compared to control animals. The combination also increased the effectiveness of standard chemotherapy.
Researchers developed genomic tests to predict breast cancer response to chemotherapy and hormonal therapy, with promising results in clinical trials. The tests showed high accuracy in predicting treatment response and patient outcomes, offering new hope for personalized treatment planning.
Avastin, an anti-angiogenic therapeutic, improves lung cancer patient survival by 20% and reduces side effects compared to conventional chemotherapy. The drug targets tumor blood vessels, enabling chemotherapy drugs to diffuse into the tumor more effectively.
The TEACH study is a Phase III trial investigating the experimental drug Tykerb in patients with early-stage, HER2-positive breast cancer who have not been treated with Herceptin. The trial aims to determine whether Tykerb can benefit women several years after their initial diagnosis of breast cancer.
Researchers aim to reduce complications from bone marrow transplants by replenishing a natural host defense factor depleted during chemotherapy. A new multicenter study will test rBPI21, a manufactured form of BPI, in HSCT patients.
A new Italian risk model was found to be as accurate as a commonly used US model in predicting breast cancer diagnosis, suggesting the possibility of revising the model to include additional risk factors. Additionally, genetic variants have been linked to diarrhea when treated with certain cancer drugs, including gefitinib.
Researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center found that common chemotherapy drugs can be toxic to healthy brain cells, causing long-term damage and cognitive impairment. The study suggests that these drugs can disrupt neurogenesis and destroy oligodendrocytes, leading to significant neurological consequences.
Researchers found significant regions of the brain associated with memory, analysis, and cognitive functions were smaller in breast cancer patients who received chemotherapy compared to those who did not. However, these structural changes were not sustained after three years.
Genetically-modified bacteria Clostridium novyi-NT have shown promise in treating cancer by selectively killing tumor cells while sparing normal cells. The combination of bacterial therapy and chemotherapy has demonstrated significant tumor-killing effects, with over two-thirds of mice cured permanently.
Researchers have found that a new anti-cancer drug, BB-10901, is well-tolerated at higher doses than previously used, with patients responding to treatment and experiencing durable complete responses. The drug targets cancer cells expressing CD56, leading to clinical activity and stable disease in some patients.
Scientists discover 'good' and 'evil' clones of ALL cells, with the 'evil' subclones being inherently drug-resistant and causing inevitable relapse. The researchers aim to design therapies targeting these resistant subclones.
A new anti-cancer drug has shown promise for halting the progression of advanced solid tumors by blocking aurora proteins. In a phase I clinical trial, seven patients experienced disease stabilization, with four remaining stable for over seven months.
Long-term travelers face higher risk of malaria due to diverse itineraries and varying medical care quality. Individualized strategies are crucial, with advice from travel medicine specialists, focusing on personal protective measures and reliable medical facilities.
A study found that radiation after surgery and chemotherapy improves overall survival in non-small cell lung cancer patients with lymph node involvement. Patients who received radiation lived almost two years longer than those without radiation.
A randomized study found that intravenous chemoradiation was as effective as intra-arterial treatment for patients with inoperable head and neck cancer. The study compared the two treatments in 240 patients, both of which were able to control cancer growth.
A consensus statement published in Annals of Surgical Oncology calls for heated chemotherapy after colon cancer surgery to optimize patient survival. The treatment, known as HIPEC, has shown promising results with a median survival of greater than 20 months compared to six-month survival with traditional intravenous chemotherapy.
Researchers have developed a localized treatment that shrinks retinoblastoma tumors while avoiding chemotherapy side effects. The new treatment shows promise against certain breast, lung, prostate and colon cancers, offering a simpler and more effective alternative to current therapies.
A new study confirms that chemotherapy can lead to a decline in memory and cognitive functions, known as chemobrain. The effects are relatively mild and potentially manageable.
A panel of genomic tests analyzes a cancerous tumor's molecular traits to determine the most effective chemotherapy, potentially saving lives and reducing toxic side effects. The tests show 80% accuracy in predicting which drugs will kill the tumor.
A new approach uses mouse tests to predict which chemotherapy drugs work best for each patient, offering a promising way to individualize therapy earlier in treatment. The method involves implanting tiny bits of patient tumor into mice, allowing researchers to test multiple drugs simultaneously.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins have found that lung cancer cells exploit the NRF2 gene to detoxify chemicals, including chemotherapy agents, rendering them ineffective. This discovery may lead to new treatment strategies by blocking NRF2 activity, potentially improving standard chemotherapy drug efficacy.
A new UCLA study shows that chemotherapy causes persistent changes in brain function, leading to cognitive symptoms like forgetfulness and confusion. PET scans reveal a link between chemo-brain symptoms and lower brain metabolism, suggesting that monitoring brain activity could help prevent these effects.
Researchers found that KEAP1 mutations in lung cancer cells increase NRF2 activity, leading to chemotherapy resistance. Meanwhile, a new study suggests targeting school-aged children for flu vaccination could help contain outbreaks.
A new test, OncoPlan, has been developed to predict which breast cancer patients are likely to benefit from chemotherapy. The test measures the levels of two proteins that play a role in cancer growth and survival.
A potential diagnostic marker indicates anti-angiogenic drugs' effectiveness by measuring a decrease in circulating endothelial cells. Anti-angiogenic drugs target tumor blood vessels, starving them of oxygen and nutrients.
A new treatment combining high-dose radiotherapy after surgery and short-term intense chemotherapy improves the overall five-year survival rate of children with medulloblastoma to 85% for average-risk patients. High-risk patients see a significant increase in survival rates, from 55% to 70%, while reducing side effects.
A new approach to radiotherapy and chemotherapy has significantly improved the outcome for children with high-risk medulloblastoma. The study found that this adaptive treatment can cure over 70% of children with this disease.
Researchers at USC/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center discovered a new biological marker in tumors that can indicate whether a woman's breast cancer will respond to chemotherapy. Women with high levels of GRP78 protein in their tumors are more likely to have cancer recurrence, but may benefit from additional taxane treatment.
A new study finds that drinking carbonated soft drinks is not linked to esophageal cancer or cardia adenocarcinoma. Additionally, bortezomib has been shown to inhibit the growth of neuroblastoma cells, a childhood tumor type.
Researchers found that younger women with breast cancer are at risk of experiencing more chemotherapy-related serious adverse effects, including fever, infection, and low blood cell counts. These adverse effects can lead to hospitalizations, emergency room visits, and increased healthcare costs.
A recent study suggests that young breast cancer patients who receive chemotherapy may experience a higher number of serious side effects than previously reported. These side effects result in significantly higher healthcare expenditures for the affected individuals.
A study found that 9.9% of chemotherapy medications for children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia were prescribed or administered incorrectly. The errors may have put patients at risk of relapse or overdose-related complications.
A study of 173 patients with metastatic breast cancer treated with Herceptin found a 28% incidence of cardiac toxicity, but most cases could be reversed with treatment. The majority of patients improved with cardiac treatments and were able to resume Herceptin treatment.
The Lung Metagene Predictor scans thousands of genes to identify patterns of gene activity in individual tumors, predicting a patient's likelihood of recurrence and recommending chemotherapy accordingly. The test has the potential to save thousands of lives each year by targeting high-risk patients with aggressive treatment.