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.
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.
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.
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 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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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 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.
Dr Yeo's study found that prophylactic lamivudine significantly reduces the incidence of HBV reactivation and hepatitis in breast cancer patients. The drug was effective in reducing the risk of liver damage caused by HBV reactivation during and after chemotherapy.
Researchers found that high S-phase fraction and diploid status were key predictors of early and late recurrence rates. Patients with poor prognostic indicators, including older age at diagnosis and larger tumor size, had poorer outcomes.
A new clinical trial called TREE-2 is evaluating the safety and efficacy of three regimens of ELoxatin as a first-line treatment for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. The study combines an effective anti-angiogenesis antibody with chemotherapy to improve treatment outcomes.
According to Dr. McDougall, high-fat low-carbohydrate diets can increase the risk of heart disease, kidney failure, colon cancer, and more. In contrast, populations that consume high-carbohydrate foods tend to have a lower risk of these conditions.
The future of drug delivery involves 'smart' systems addressing issues like gut, skin, and lung penetration, promising improved patient compliance and treatment efficacy.
Women experience a range of physical symptoms, including hot flashes and vaginal dryness, following breast cancer treatment. Mood and emotional functioning are similar among all women at the end of primary treatment.
A widely used anti-nausea drug, dexamethasone, may interfere with cancer chemotherapy. Pretreatment with dexamethasone reduces the ability of paclitaxel and doxorubicin to kill cancer cells by upregulating genes that protect breast cancer cells from cell death.
Phenoxodiol, a chemo-sensitizer, has shown encouraging results in treating late-stage ovarian cancer. The study found 25% response rates and synergy with chemotherapy, suggesting potential benefits for patients.
Researchers found that a combination of surgery and intraperitoneal hyperthermic chemotherapy (IPHC) can increase survival rates for patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis. The procedure, which delivers heated chemotherapy directly to the tumor site, has shown promise in improving quality of life and extending survival.
A study from Duke University Medical Center found that virtual reality interventions significantly reduced symptom distress and fatigue in breast cancer patients during chemotherapy. Participants reported a decrease in nausea and vomiting, as well as improved mental state, after using the technology.
A meta-analysis of genetic counseling for breast, ovarian, and colorectal cancer found improved knowledge of cancer genetics, but no impact on perceived risk. A gene mutation affecting folate metabolism alters the sensitivity of colon and breast cancer cells to chemotherapy drugs.
A new study suggests that premenopausal women with ER-negative breast cancer may benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy alone or followed by goserelin, while those with ER-positive tumors show no significant difference in outcomes. The findings support the idea of ovarian suppression as a treatment alternative for some premenopausal women.
A nationwide survey found that 56% of women with early stage breast cancer received less than 85% of their prescribed chemotherapy dose intensity. Treatment delays and dose reductions were common due to neutropenia, a shortage of infection-fighting white blood cells.
St. Jude scientists have discovered a new method to target the Topoisomerase 1 enzyme, crucial for cell division, leading to potential novel anti-cancer drugs that can work in combination with existing agents. This approach may also reduce cancer cells' ability to become resistant to treatment.
Researchers at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center found that pairing Gleevec with high-dose chemotherapy produces a synergistic effect in patients with Philadelphia-positive ALL, resulting in complete remissions that have lasted up to 29 months. The two-year disease-free survival rate is 85 percent, offering a promisi...
A phase II trial found that AMD-3100, a new drug, increases the availability of stem cells in cancer patients undergoing transplantation. This boosts the chances of successful transplantation and may reduce the number of collections needed.
A recent study found that over 20% of patients with estrogen-negative breast cancer had a complete pathologic response to treatment, compared to just 5% in estrogen-positive cancers. The researchers suggest that endocrine therapies may be a more effective initial treatment for these patients.
A study of 362 patients has shown that breast conservation after neoadjuvant chemotherapy is a safe and effective alternative to mastectomy for many patients. The key to success lies in careful patient selection and coordination among treatment specialists, with low rates of local-regional recurrence reported.
A new study found that chemotherapy and radiation together is more effective than sequential treatment in preserving the voice box, with 88% of patients still having their voice after two years. Overall survival rates were similar for all three treatment options.
Researchers at Fox Chase Cancer Center discovered a novel DNA-repair gene mutation that causes resistance to cancer drugs, particularly in colorectal cancer. The defective MED1 enzyme interferes with chemotherapy's effectiveness, making cancers resistant to widely used treatments.
Researchers found decreased tumor blood flow correlated significantly with survival in patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The study suggests tumor biology should be an important factor in considering patient response to treatment.
Researchers used transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) to treat patients with liver tumors, shrinking them by up to 35% in size. Patients who responded successfully were then treated with laser-induced thermotherapy (LITT), allowing for a more aggressive approach to tumor treatment while preserving patient quality of life.
Women with BRCA1 mutations have a poorer prognosis for breast cancer compared to those without the mutation. However, chemotherapy may improve survival rates for these patients. The study suggests that physicians should consider BRCA1 mutation status when making treatment decisions.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center have discovered a gene silencer that blocks cancer cells' ability to repair themselves after chemotherapy and radiation. By reducing the production of targeted repair proteins, the silencer enables cancer cells to become susceptible to therapy.
A new study found that adding aprepitant to standard treatment for nausea and vomiting can effectively prevent these symptoms following chemotherapy. The medication reduced nausea and vomiting both on the day of chemotherapy administration and in the days that followed.
A study found that using aggressive chemotherapy with high doses of methotrexate, asparaginase, and doxorubicin improves survival rates for children with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia by 15 percentage points. The new approach also showed minimal long-term effects beyond those seen in lower-dose treatment regimens.