Research on chemotherapy and its side effects. Covers nerve-injury prevention, gold-nanorod therapy, less-intensive regimens, and combination treatments.
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.
A Phase III clinical trial at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital shows that erythropoietin (EPO) increases hemoglobin levels in anemic children with cancer, reducing the need for red blood cell transfusions and improving their quality of life.
Researchers identified a new gene, txr1, that promotes taxane resistance by suppressing thrombospondin 1. Depletion of txr1 or treatment with TSP-1 restores taxane sensitivity, offering a new avenue to modulate chemotherapeutic drug response.
Researchers found that cystic fibrosis patients develop unique diabetes due to differences in insulin-producing cell function, rather than pancreas destruction. This discovery may help improve understanding of other forms of diabetes and work towards a cure.
Researchers identified PAR-domain basic leucine zipper transcription factors as key players in modulating detoxifying genes and handling chemicals. The study suggests that circadian clocks play a crucial role in modulating drug toxicity, potentially leading to improved treatment regimens.
Researchers found that missing portions of chromosomes can predict which patients will likely do better with therapy. Patients with tumors having deletions in chromosome locations 1p and 19q tended to live nearly two and a half times longer than those without such deletions.
A study by Johns Hopkins Medicine found that tracking computer-based error reports can improve patient safety. The researchers analyzed 1,010 medication errors and found that nearly one-third of all errors occurred with anti-infective medications.
Scientists at Rice University and M.D. Anderson Cancer Center have developed a method to load multiple anticancer drugs into a single antibody, increasing the effectiveness of chemotherapy. The use of buckyballs, soccer ball-shaped molecules of pure carbon, allows for the creation of targeted therapeutics with unique properties.
Researchers found that a single dose of Taxol had induced significant testicular weight loss compared to the control group. However, an injection of AS101 a day before Taxol prevented this damage. The study suggests that immune reaction to treatment causes additional testicular damage.
Researchers reviewed data from 156 patients with inflammatory breast cancer and found that a standard combination of therapies did not significantly increase survival rates. The study highlights the need for further research to identify subsets of patients who may benefit from alternative treatment approaches.
Researchers at UT Southwestern identified a defect in the Ly108 gene as a cause of immune cells attacking healthy tissues, leading to systemic lupus erythematosus. The study's findings could lead to better diagnostic tests and therapies for human lupus.
Researchers developed a gene expression signature to distinguish Burkitt lymphoma from diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL), leading to improved treatment outcomes. The test's accuracy was validated in a study of 71 untreated patients, with marked superiority in overall survival rates.
Researchers found that patients with higher HtrA1 levels responded better to chemotherapy, while lower levels were associated with resistance. The study suggests HtrA1 mediates cancer cell killing and loss of HtrA1 contributes to chemotherapy resistance.
A study found that HtrA1 protein contributes to chemotherapy resistance in ovarian and gastric cancers by inducing cell death, while ghrelin hormone promotes the storage of energy as fat by altering gene expression in adipose cells. The findings suggest potential therapeutic targets for obesity treatment.
The St. Jude program in Brazil reduced abandonment rates from 16% to 0.6% and increased event-free survival from 32% to 63%, providing continuous care and psychosocial support to families. The program's success is a model for reducing disparities in cure rates between high- and low-income countries.
A new approach to improving cancer chemotherapy involves giving anticancer drugs basic properties, allowing them to accumulate in both normal and malignant cells. This approach may lead to more effective treatment with fewer side effects.
The study found that black patients had a significantly lower response rate to chemotherapy treatments compared to white patients. However, they also showed less severe toxicity and longer survival rates. Genetic differences in metabolism of chemotherapy drugs may play a role in these racial differences.
Researchers found that when treatment was restarted after a chemotherapy holiday, roughly three-quarters of study subjects responded again or experienced stabilized PSA levels. The median duration of the first chemotherapy holiday was 16 weeks, providing a clinically meaningful break for most patients.
A new study by Dr. Ramalingam found that adding the drug vorinostat to standard chemotherapy improved outcomes for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer, with partial responses in 11 patients and disease stabilization in 7 more. The recommended dose of 400mg daily for two weeks was well-tolerated.
A phase-2 clinical trial found that Pfizer's oral drug, sunitinib malate, showed activity similar to other approved agents for non-small cell lung cancer, resulting in six confirmed partial responses and disease stabilization in 27 patients. The study also explored the effectiveness and safety of a continuous dosing strategy.
A new three-drug regimen combining Taxotere with standard chemotherapy reduces mortality by nearly 30 percent in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. The study, conducted at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, showed improved survival rates with this treatment approach.
A new study explores how people make medical decisions, revealing that stepping into others' shoes can lead to better choices. By considering multiple perspectives, including those of doctors, parents, and medical directors, participants made treatment decisions that were more informed than their own self-interest would suggest.
A new clinical trial called TAILORx aims to determine whether chemotherapy is necessary for women with early-stage breast cancer. The study will use OncotypeDXTM, a genetic test that estimates a patient's risk of recurrence and predicts treatment outcomes.
Developed by Johns Hopkins Medicine, online calculators and computerized drug ordering systems significantly reduce medication errors in children. Studies show that these systems can prevent up to 17-18 errors per 100 chemotherapy orders, particularly in pediatric oncology centers.
A study found that 17% of patients with non-small cell lung cancer experienced a significant change in tumor size after just 31 days of chemotherapy. Tumors either grew or shrunk by 20-48% during this period, prompting changes to treatment plans.
Researchers found that inhibiting myosin light chain kinase with ML-7 induces cell suicide in breast and prostate cancer cells. Combination with etoposide treatment reduces tumor growth by 88.5% and 79.1%, offering new target for cancer therapies.
A new study analyzed data from 3,193 stage III colon cancer patients and found that 78.2% completed adjuvant chemotherapy treatment. Incomplete treatment was linked to physical frailty, treatment complications, and lack of social support.