Articles tagged with Chemotherapy
A St. Jude clinical trial has shown promising results in treating acute lymphoblastic leukemia with a new chemotherapy regimen that eliminates irradiation, achieving high event-free survival rates of over 80% and overall survival rates of around 86%. The trial's stringent risk classification and early intensification of chemotherapy le...
A study suggests chemotherapy, not tamoxifen, is linked to increased stroke risk in women with breast cancer. Chemotherapy remains a key component of treatment despite this finding.
A study found that chemotherapy, but not tamoxifen, is linked to an increased risk of stroke in breast cancer patients. Women who had not completed menopause and those with a history of hypertension or diabetes were more likely to experience a stroke. The researchers conclude that women can use tamoxifen without concern for stroke risk.
Researchers at UNC Chapel Hill develop new technique to trap single water molecule inside protein molecule using mass spectrometry, improving inhibitor molecules for cancer treatment. The discovery may lead to more effective combination therapies with anti-cancer agents like cytarabine.
A European study found that shorter chemotherapy courses for children with Wilms' tumour are as effective as traditional treatment, but with reduced side effects and healthcare costs. The two-year survival rate was around 90% in both groups.
A recent study led by Dr. Ardeshir Ghavamzadeh and Dr. Kamran Alimoghaddam found that arsenic achieved complete remission in over 90% of newly diagnosed APL patients. The treatment has also shown promising results in other cancers like multiple myeloma, with a mean survival time of nearly 34 months for most patients.
A meta-analysis of RCT data found that patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy had a lower risk of death and recurrence than those not receiving chemotherapy. Women with optimally staged stage I ovarian cancer may have an excellent prognosis without adjuvant chemotherapy.
A 39-year-old woman gave birth to a healthy baby girl after undergoing orthotopic autotransplantation of cryopreserved ovarian tissue. This procedure bypasses the need for in-vitro fertilization, offering new hope for young cancer patients facing premature ovarian failure.
A study of 4,522 patients found that 48-53% received less than 85% of recommended chemotherapy doses due to treatment delays or dose reductions. Patients over age 60 had significantly higher risk of under-treatment. The study emphasizes the importance of timely and effective chemotherapy management.
A study of 128 women found that immediate breast reconstruction after mastectomy did not delay the initiation of postoperative chemotherapy. The overall rate of wound complications was 15.5%, with higher rates in patients who underwent immediate breast reconstruction, but these complications did not affect chemotherapy timing.
Researchers have developed core/shell nanogels that can target cancer cells using folic acid, a nutrient that cancer cells absorb more than healthy cells. The nanoparticles can be heated to kill cancer cells, but applying targeted heat sources like ultrasound can spare healthy cells.
Researchers have created a group of rhodium-based compounds that can target and kill cancer cells, as well as deactivate viruses like West Nile and yellow fever viruses. These compounds work by binding to DNA in tumor cells and rendering them inert, and they offer a promising alternative to traditional chemotherapy drugs.
Researchers have uncovered a powerful new cancer-fighting property of Herceptin, which targets HER-2 positive breast cancer cells. The study found that high levels of PTEN in tumor cells predict response to the drug, and offers potential combination therapy with PI3K inhibitors.
A new compound called OSU 111 has been developed to target both cancer cells and the formation of new blood vessels that feed them. In laboratory experiments, it was found to be highly effective in killing prostate cancer tissue cells within three days.
The American Chemical Society has recognized four companies for developing innovative therapies for various ailments, including eye disease and high cholesterol. These breakthroughs were made possible by the work of industrial chemists and chemical engineers who have led to commercially successful products that improve quality of life.
The guideline states that routine adjuvant chemotherapy is not recommended for medically fit, average-risk patients with Stage II colon cancer. Patients who receive adjuvant chemotherapy have a small but significant benefit in survival rates, around 4-5% more chance of survival five years after surgery.
Researchers at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center found that combining an anti-tumor vaccine with chemotherapy significantly extended patient survival to 26 months on average. The treatment, which involves dendritic-cell immunotherapy, was shown to slow tumor growth and increase the effectiveness of chemotherapy.
Researchers have discovered a common binding site on tubulin protein crucial to cell division, providing more options for developing effective anti-cancer drugs. This finding could lead to the creation of safer and more effective artificial forms of existing compounds.
A study found that low levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol are associated with an increased risk of postmenopausal breast cancer in overweight and obese women. The association was strongest in women who gained weight over the years of follow-up.
A randomized clinical trial showed that adjuvant chemotherapy and immunotherapy for colon cancer patients offer no disease-free or overall survival benefits after 10 years. The improvements in 5-year survival rates observed in the past have disappeared over time, suggesting that newer chemotherapy regimens may be more effective.
Researchers found that adherence to St-Gallen guidelines improved overall survival at 7 years, especially for those at moderate risk of recurrence. Women whose treatment conformed to guideline recommendations experienced better survival and lower recurrence rates compared to those with non-guideline therapy.
Researchers have developed a new approach to identify connections between genes and chemotherapy drugs, which may enable clinicians to customize treatment plans. By analyzing cell lines from large families, the team found potential links between genetic markers and increased sensitivity to two chemotherapy drugs.
The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) has released a new technology assessment recommending against the use of chemotherapy sensitivity and resistance assays. The assessment found limitations in the literature, including small sample sizes and low yield of assays, cast doubt on their effectiveness in determining treatment.
A sub-study of the FASG-05 trial found that a higher dose of ELLENCE improved disease-free and overall survival in patients with node-positive breast cancer. The study also showed a low risk of adverse cardiac events, despite concerns about cardiotoxicity.
Stanford researchers have developed a new technique to analyze cellular behavior in leukemia patients, identifying patterns that predict response to treatment. By understanding how cells respond to environmental signals, doctors can propose less common therapies and tailor treatment options to individual patients.
A new phase 2 study shows that combining cetuximab with irinotecan can resensitize tumors resistant to irinotecan, offering patients a new treatment option. The study's modest benefits in stopping cancer growth and improving patient response are seen as a step forward in treating colorectal cancer.
Researchers have discovered that N-acetylcysteine (NAC) can prevent cisplatin-induced ototoxicity, a type of progressive and irreversible hearing loss in patients undergoing chemotherapy for head and neck cancer. The study found that NAC was most effective when given 15 minutes before chemotherapy.
Researchers used gemcitabine and low doses of radiation to treat muscle-invasive bladder cancer in 24 patients. Most were able to keep their bladders intact and were cancer-free after four years, with 65% still cancer-free.
A randomized trial of 605 patients with four or more positive lymph nodes found no difference in 5-year relapse-free survival and overall survival between conventional and high-dose chemotherapy. High-dose chemotherapy was shown to confer extra cost and toxicity without added anticancer benefit.
Scientists have solved the structure of a human protein called AGT, which repairs damaged DNA inside human cells. The protein can inadvertently protect cancer cells from chemotherapy agents, rendering them ineffective.
Researchers found that combining doxorubicin with dexrazoxane reduced heart damage in high-risk ALL survivors by 25 percent compared to doxorubicin alone. The study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, used blood tests to detect heart damage before it could be seen on echocardiograms.
Researchers developed a novel treatment combining chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and immunotherapy to target genetic mechanisms protecting metastatic tumor cells. The treatment successfully induced apoptosis in tumor cells by blocking oncogene expression and DNA synthesis.
Research shows that children who survive ALL have a higher rate of genetic mutations, which can lead to increased risk of developing secondary malignant neoplasms and other complications. The study found that the number of genetic mutations accumulated over the course of treatment and remained elevated after completion.
Researchers developed a new cancer treatment combining radioimmunotherapy with conventional chemotherapy, achieving complete remission in 72% of patients with follicular non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The approach may improve treatment outcomes by targeting remaining cancer cells after chemotherapy.
A study found that 35% of women with noninvasive breast cancer had baseline cognitive impairment prior to chemotherapy, including deficits in verbal learning and memory. The research challenges previous studies' findings on the frequency of cognitive decline secondary to chemotherapy.
Researchers found that 35% of patients with non-metastatic breast cancer exhibited impairments in verbal learning and memory functions before treatment. After treatment, 61% demonstrated 'chemobrain' declines in memory and learning, with improvements seen in 50% one year later.
Researchers developed a sequential radioimmunotherapy and chemotherapy approach, achieving a 75% overall response rate and 90% complete remission rate in patients with advanced mantle cell lymphoma. The study's findings suggest this novel treatment may be a promising advance for the disease.
A new technique for preserving fertility in young women with cancer has been successfully used on eight female patients. The method involves removing immature eggs from the ovaries, maturing them through in-vitro maturation (IVM), and freezing them for later use.
Researchers found that clinicians missed about half of symptoms reported by patients, and patients also missed about half of the symptoms recorded by physicians. The study suggests that new patient reporting tools should be developed for use in chemotherapy clinical trials to improve accuracy.
A retrospective study of 110 elderly leukemia patients found similar complete remission and two-year survival rates as younger patients when treated with anthracyclin-based induction chemotherapy. The study's findings suggest that age is not a predictor of survival, but rather the treatment protocol received.
A Phase III clinical trial of Tarceva and chemotherapy showed no overall benefit in survival or response, but a subgroup analysis found young non-smokers treated with Tarceva survived longer than those using chemotherapy. The study suggests that this class of drug may not function well when combined with chemotherapy.
A new clinical trial data shows Saforis reduces incidence of moderate to severe oral mucositis by 22% and demonstrates excellent safety profile. Saforis has been evaluated in pediatric and adult patients with various cancer types, showing promise for treatment of this debilitating side effect.
In a Phase III trial, over 65% of early-stage HER-2 positive breast cancer patients achieved a complete response rate when treated with Herceptin and chemotherapy. The results were so striking that the trial was halted early after accruing 42 patients.
A new study demonstrates that Xeloda reduces the risk of colon cancer recurrence (relapse-free survival) by 14% compared to i.v. 5-FU/LV after surgery. The global trial, X-ACT, met its primary endpoint and offers new hope for patients with early stage colon cancer.
A new biologic drug, Lipo-ATRA, offers long-term disease-free survival to patients with rare acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) without traditional chemotherapy. In a small trial, approximately one-third of patients remained in remission for over five years after treatment.
A study has identified a biomarker that can predict which colon cancer patients are most likely to respond to a specific chemotherapy regimen. The enzyme thymidine phosphorylase (TP) is found in some, but not all, cancers and is believed to activate the drug capecitabine.
Researchers have developed a gene therapy that protects bone marrow cells from chemotherapy's debilitating effects. The study found up to 41% transfer of the protective gene to blood stem cells in patients with advanced cancer, offering new hope for improved treatments.
Researchers at UC Davis Cancer Center discovered that sequential administration of erlotinib and docetaxel enhances effectiveness in treating non-small cell lung cancer. The study showed that giving docetaxel first, then erlotinib, was more effective than simultaneous or alternative administration.
A new sequential dose-dense chemotherapy regimen including ELLENCE significantly improves survival in high-risk breast cancer patients, with estimated 3-year relapse-free and overall survival rates of 80% and 90%, respectively. The study confirms the benefits of this optimal dose dense therapy for women at highest risk of recurrence.
A multicenter trial demonstrated that Taxotere in combination with cisplatin and 5-FU prolonged progression-free survival by 12.7 months compared to the standard treatment. Patients also showed significantly improved overall response rates, indicating a potential new paradigm for treating head and neck cancer.
Researchers at Fox Chase Cancer Center have discovered genetic markers that can predict how well patients with colorectal cancer will respond to certain chemotherapy drugs. The study found that variations in genes involved in metabolizing irinotecan may be useful predictors of response and side effects.
The FDA-approved Avastin increases patient survival by almost five months when combined with chemotherapy, showing a 10.6-month progression-free survival rate compared to 6.2 months in the control group.
Researchers found that combining Avastin with chemotherapy improves median survival, reduces risk of death and increases response rates in patients with advanced colorectal cancer. The study showed a nearly five-month improvement in patient survival, demonstrating the potential of targeting tumor blood supply as a viable treatment option.
Researchers found that genetic variations in XPD and XRCC1 genes are associated with decreased median survival in non-small cell lung cancer patients. Patients with more variations in these genes had shorter survival times, with those having no variations surviving the longest.
Pharmacogenomics has the potential to improve health outcomes and reduce costs by identifying genes that govern drug responses. However, conducting clinical trials with pharmacogenomic studies poses challenges due to multiple genetic influences and interactions with other drugs.
A randomized clinical trial found that regional and systemic adjuvant chemotherapy regimens had similar survival rates for colon cancer patients, with the combination regimen offering no added benefit. The study, published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, also showed lower adverse reaction rates for regional therapy.
Researchers found that blocking a molecule that rid cells of potentially toxic molecules may make chemotherapy for leukemia more effective but also leaves healthy stem cells vulnerable. The study discovered that a protective molecule called BCRP helps protect hematopoietic stem cells from excess heme, which is toxic to cells.
Researchers at VIB have developed nanobodies, tiny proteins that can target specific cancer cells. These nanobodies have shown promise in treating various diseases, including inflammatory and heart conditions.
Researchers found a novel genetic insertion associated with increased MCL-1 gene expression, leading to reduced response to chemotherapy and poorer outcomes. This discovery provides new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) progression.
A new calculator tool, developed by Mayo Clinic researchers, helps physicians estimate colon cancer patient prognosis and aid in treatment decisions. The calculator considers four factors: lymph node status, tumor depth, grade, and age to provide more accurate five-year survival estimates with or without adjuvant chemotherapy.