Articles tagged with Chemotherapy
A study at the American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting found that a targeted cancer drug combined with low-dose chemotherapy shrinks ovarian cancer tumors in nearly half of patients. The treatment also slows disease progression and achieves stable disease in 59% of patients.
A large community-based clinical trial showed a significant reduction in febrile neutropenia and chemotherapy dose reductions among older patients receiving Neulasta. The study found that Neulasta reduced the incidence of serious adverse events, including hospitalizations and pneumonia.
Researchers have developed a new treatment called RADPLAT, which combines radiation and cisplatin delivered directly to the tumor via tiny catheters. This approach has shown encouraging results in patients with advanced stage IV-T4 disease, with high rates of local and regional tumor control and overall survival.
Researchers found that using limited amounts of chemotherapy improved outcomes in 86.4% of patients and overall survival rates of 95.9%. Factors such as bone marrow count and extra chromosomes were key predictors of response to less intensive treatment.
A Phase 3 study of Aranesp dosed every three weeks achieved a 91% success rate in maintaining target hemoglobin levels, with 72% of patients sustaining the level over 16 weeks. The treatment showed reduced need for red blood cell transfusions and consistent adverse event profile.
A randomized head-to-head study demonstrates Aranesp dosed every two weeks is comparable to Epoetin alfa dosed weekly in terms of transfusion rates and hemoglobin achievement. The study involved over 1,200 patients with chemotherapy-induced anemia and found similar outcomes between the two treatment groups.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic have developed a pharmacogenetic test to determine the best dose of three-drug chemotherapy treatment for various cancers. By analyzing a patient's genetic makeup, they can identify individuals with a higher risk of toxicity from irinotecan and tailor their treatment plan accordingly.
Researchers found that adding docetaxel to a combination chemotherapy regimen increased complete pathological response rates by 89% for patients with locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. The treatment is expected to result in high survival rates, including 95% two-year and 90% five-year survival rates.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center found that adding bevacizumab to standard chemotherapy extended median survival by 2.3 months, improving overall tumor response rates and progression-free survival. This new treatment regimen is recommended as the standard for advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center have developed a new understanding of the molecular structure and function of MsbA, a key player in drug resistance. The team used spin labeling to create a dynamic model of the protein, revealing its mechanism of action and opening and closing processes.
Researchers have discovered the structure of a membrane transporter protein used by bacteria and human cancer cells to evade drugs. This finding could lead to improved cancer therapy and more effective treatments for antibiotic-resistant infections. The protein, MsbA, plays a crucial role in bacterial cell growth and is now being studi...
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation has identified a new protein called SPARC that plays a crucial role in tumor therapy resistance. The researchers found that restoring SPARC expression in resistant cells improved their sensitivity to chemotherapy, suggesting potential therapeutic applications.
A new protein called SPARC is involved in tumor therapy resistance, while complement component C5 contributes to airway inflammation in asthma. BMP signaling pathways may also be therapeutic targets for treating spondyloarthropathies.
A large collaborative analysis of early breast cancer trials found that standard treatments such as chemotherapy and hormonal therapy can halve the 15-year risk of death from breast cancer. The study included data from 145,000 women with early breast cancer in 194 randomised trials.
A combination of chemotherapy drugs showed improved overall and progression-free survival rates compared to a single drug, gemcitabine. Patients treated with the combination regimen (PEGF) had a higher percentage alive without disease after 4 months than those on standard treatment.
A new study found that increasing Pap screening adherence and improving its accuracy could reduce the incidence of invasive cervical cancer among women with access to screening. The study also identified factors associated with screening failure, including lack of Pap testing and unrelated outpatient visits.
Researchers found that motexafin gadolinium creates oxidative stress in tumor cells, increasing metallothionein production and inhibiting thioredoxin reductase. This leads to cell death via disruption of critical enzymes needed for cell survival and replication.
A recent study, led by Dr. Edward Romond, found that adding trastuzumab to chemotherapy significantly improves prognosis for women with aggressive HER-2 positive breast cancer. The study involved over 3,300 patients and demonstrated substantial benefits of combining trastuzumab with chemotherapy.
A clinical trial found that elderly patients with locally advanced limited stage small cell lung cancer can benefit from combined modality therapy, with similar two- and five-year survival rates compared to younger patients. However, severe pneumonitis was more common in the elderly group.
A new study found that altering food schedules and light/dark exposure in mice modified the expression of circadian clock genes and genes involved in carcinogenesis and tumor progression. The authors conclude that the altered light/dark or feeding schedules may slow tumor growth in chronic jet-lagged mice.
Researchers at VCU demonstrated that administering Viagra before an anti-cancer drug like doxorubicin can prevent heart damage and dilated cardiomyopathy in a mouse model. The study suggests that Viagra may be used to reduce the incidence of DOX cardiomyopathy in patients receiving chemotherapy.
A high-throughput screening method using automated imaging and bioinformatics has identified a novel compound with promising potential as an anticancer agent. The compound, hydroxy-PP, targets carbonyl reductase 1, an enzyme involved in chemotherapy-related cardiotoxicity.
A study in Southern Mexico found that implementing DOTS (short-course chemotherapy) significantly reduced the incidence of drug-resistant tuberculosis, from 9.4 to 1.5 cases per 100,000 people between 1996 and 2000. The strategy also improved treatment outcomes for patients with drug-resistant TB.
Researchers found that combining chemotherapy with Herceptin before surgery in early-stage breast cancer patients resulted in a 42% higher tumor reduction and 66.7% pathological complete remission rate compared to chemotherapy alone. The combination also showed less risk of heart damage, leading the clinical trial to be halted early.
Researchers at OHSU have developed a medication that blocks the MC4 receptor to reverse the effects of cachexia, increasing appetite and weight while decreasing metabolic rate. The study demonstrates a potential new treatment for this serious disorder, providing hope for patients affected by AIDS and cancer.
Researchers discovered BIM accumulation is crucial for paclitaxel-induced apoptosis, while H-ras/MAPK pathway suppresses it. Cotreatment with proteosome inhibitors restored BIM accumulation, enabling tumor regression. This study highlights the importance of understanding signaling mechanisms to guide rational combination therapy.
A new discovery may lead to more precise cancer treatment by creating damaged DNA that is deadly to cancer cells. Researchers created synthetic double-stranded DNA with specific chemical characteristics and exposed it to long wavelength light, selectively triggering the damage process.
A new chemotherapy combination has shown significant improvement in survival rates for brain tumour patients, with almost half of those with an inactivated MGMT gene surviving after 2 years. The treatment also did not negatively impact patients' quality of life, offering a promising breakthrough in glioblastoma treatment.
Researchers have found that a combination of surgery and intraperitoneal hyperthermic chemotherapy (IPHC) improves overall survival and quality of life in patients with tumors of the appendix, small bowel, ovarian cancer, colon, rectum, stomach, and mesothelioma. The treatment has been shown to be effective for high-grade and low-grade...
A new study finds that MRI is more accurate than current standards in assessing the effectiveness of neoadjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer. The imaging technique correctly identified the presence of residual tumor in 71% of cases, while sonography and clinical examination were less accurate.
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital finds that upfront treatment with radiation followed by chemotherapy can cure brain tumors in children over 3 years old, raising survival rates to 78% for two-year event-free survival and 89% for overall survival. The study shows promise for treating relapse cases using ICE chemotherapy.
A study analyzing data from four clinical trials found that older patients with lymph node-positive breast cancer can tolerate standard and intensive chemotherapy regimens similarly to younger patients. The findings suggest that age is not a barrier to the effectiveness of adjuvant chemotherapy in healthy older women.
Researchers identified a 76-gene signature that can predict disease relapse in patients with lymph-node negative breast cancer. The signature showed high sensitivity (93%) but lower specificity (48%) in predicting distant recurrence within five years.
Researchers at Purdue University have created a chip with thousands of tiny vessels on top of a material containing pores to mimic synthetic cell membranes. This innovation aims to develop 'laboratories-on-a-chip' that can screen individual drugs and increase the efficiency of drug discovery.
Researchers found that a genetic component of the body's internal clock affects immune cells' sensitivity to cyclophosphamide, an anti-cancer drug. The study's findings may lead to more effective and less toxic cancer treatments.
A new study in JAMA found that over 75% of patients with malignant brain tumors underwent common procedures like radiation therapy, MRI, or surgery. However, the study also discovered that some practice patterns contradict published guidelines, such as the infrequent use of chemotherapy and anti-depressant medications.
The study found significant variations in treatment practices for patients with malignant glioma, including differences in the use of radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and antidepressants. These variations were associated with differences in survival rates, highlighting the need for further investigation and potential improvements to tr...
Chemists in Australia have created a molecule called the 'superbowl' that can carry large molecules of medicinal value, including painkillers and chemotherapy drugs, to specific areas of the body. The molecule shows promise for precision drug delivery and may one day improve medical treatments and save lives.
The addition of locoregional radiation therapy significantly improved breast cancer survival and reduced mortality in high-risk patients. A 20-year follow-up study found that the regimen resulted in a 32% reduction in breast cancer mortality and a 27% reduction in overall mortality compared to chemotherapy alone.
Researchers found women with invasive lobular carcinoma have a different disease type, benefiting from tailored treatment approaches. Alternative therapies like hormonal treatments may be more effective for this rare form of breast cancer.
A newly discovered compound, SP-4-84, has shown potential to enhance cancer treatments by increasing the effectiveness of chemotherapy drugs while reducing side effects. The compound works by inhibiting cancer cells' ability to survive chemotherapeutic treatment, allowing for lower drug dosages and fewer side effects.
A Stanford study found that infusing bone marrow cells from a donor mouse into laboratory mice before chemotherapy can significantly improve their ability to fight infections and survive. This new approach boosts neutrophil production, reducing the risk of neutropenia-related complications.
A recent study suggests that Akt3 protein is key to melanoma's resistance to chemotherapy, promoting tumor cell survival and development in 43-60% of non-inherited melanomas. Lowering Akt3 activity can reduce tumor-creating potential and make cancer cells more susceptible to signals inducing apoptosis.
A study found that cancer patients receiving long-term bisphosphonate therapy were at risk of developing jawbone necrosis, a condition that can lead to bone death and require surgery. The condition is often associated with tooth extractions or other major dental work while on the drugs.
A recent re-analysis of large clinical trials found that chemotherapy significantly improves survival rates in patients with ER-negative tumors, reducing the risk of death by 56 percent. The study suggests that chemotherapy has a greater impact on ER-negative patients than previously thought.
A new molecular test uses a panel of genes to predict the risk of breast cancer recurrence and identify patients who will benefit from chemotherapy. The test shows that women with low risk of recurrence do not derive much benefit from chemotherapy, while those with high risk have a large benefit.
A large phase III trial showed that sequential treatment with ELLENCE delivered superior disease-free and overall survival compared to FEC 100 alone. The sequential regimen resulted in a 17% reduction in relapse risk and a 23% reduction in mortality risk.
A new study by Loyola Medicine found that tamoxifen or other hormonal therapy alone may not be sufficient to treat hormone-dependent breast cancer. Chemotherapy proved more effective in stopping cancer recurrence, especially when combined with tamoxifen.
Researchers found that patients with basal-like and erbb2+ subgroups had the highest rates of pathological complete response to chemotherapy, while luminal tumors showed minimal response. The study suggests stratifying patients into molecular subgroups for more accurate treatment predictions.
Researchers found that breast cancer patients who lose tau protein expression are twice as likely to have a good response to Taxol treatment. The discovery suggests that tumor tissue could be screened to predict which patients will respond to the chemotherapy, leading to improved treatment outcomes.
U of MN researchers have developed a new approach to adult cord blood transplantation, achieving high engraftment rates and low complications. The treatment uses combined use of two cord blood units from different donors, offering potentially life-saving therapy to patients previously denied treatment.
A combination of two biologic agents, alemtuzumab and rituximab, with chemotherapy has shown a promising response rate of 55% in CLL relapse patients. Complete remission was achieved by 23% of patients, while leukemia levels were reduced by at least half in 35% of cases.
A new oral therapy, Zarnestra, has shown benefit in improving blood counts and preventing leukemia development in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). The drug, a farnesyl transferase inhibitor, produces responses in about one-third of patients, offering hope for those at high-risk for developing acute myelogenous leukemia (AML).
A team of researchers from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine has developed a host of imaging techniques to develop better ways to look noninvasively at the molecular characteristics of tumors. They aim to forecast early response to chemotherapy so that treatment choices can be adjusted.
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons warns that breast enhancement pills can be dangerous and interact with prescribed medications. Many women may place their health at risk by taking these pills, which are sold as herbal supplements and lack FDA scrutiny.
BRCA1 mutations are found in only 5% of breast and ovarian cancers, but loss-of-function mutations can significantly increase cancer risk. Researchers review preclinical and clinical evidence to determine if BRCA1 function can predict chemotherapy response, highlighting the need for prospective studies.
A new study suggests that increased selenium levels in the blood are associated with a lower risk of developing colorectal adenoma recurrence. The research pooled data from three randomized trials and found that participants in the highest quartile for blood selenium levels had a 34% decreased risk of developing a new adenoma.
A study of 189 breast cancer patients found no association between paclitaxel chemotherapy and radiation pneumonitis. No hospitalized cases or deaths from the side effect occurred, regardless of treatment group.
Researchers found that patients' neuromotor functions, including problem-solving and motor skills, significantly declined after cancer treatment but recovered within a year. Factors such as chemotherapy type and immune suppressant use lowered the risk of impaired function.
Researchers developed a method combining CYP3A4 phenotyping with UGT1A1 genotyping to optimize irinotecan chemotherapy. Greater height, obesity, and lower physical activity levels are linked to increased endometrial cancer risk.