Research on chemotherapy and its side effects. Covers nerve-injury prevention, gold-nanorod therapy, less-intensive regimens, and combination treatments.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic have discovered that thalidomide can effectively delay the progression of early-stage multiple myeloma in some patients. In a phase II clinical trial, approximately 80% of patients remained progression-free after one year and 63% were still free from disease progression after two years.
According to a study by the National Cancer Institute, approximately 10 million women in the US aged 35-79 are eligible for tamoxifen due to high breast cancer risk. After analyzing age-related benefits and risks, researchers found that younger women (40-59) have a higher likelihood of benefiting from the drug.
Researchers have developed a novel screening technique that quickly identifies chemical compounds active only against certain cancer-causing genes and proteins. This approach opens the door to custom-tailoring chemotherapy and may lead to more effective treatments for specific types of cancer.
A new study led by Queen's University aims to increase the sensitivity of prostate cancers to anti-cancer drugs using nitroglycerine. Researchers hope to develop a better understanding of how prostate cancer cells become resistant to chemotherapy, with potential applications for other cancers such as breast cancer.
A Phase III randomized trial found that a combination of vinorelbine and gemcitabine did not improve overall and progression-free survival in elderly NSCLC patients. However, the study suggests that certain chemotherapy combinations, particularly cisplatin-based regimens, may be more effective than single-agent therapy. The results als...
Researchers have discovered a new six-drug chemotherapy regimen that significantly improves the overall survival rate of Ewing's sarcoma patients to 72% without metastases. The treatment has become routine care for patients with localized disease and has marked a substantial improvement in survival rates.
Researchers are working towards individualized treatments using DNA chip technology to analyze gene expression and detect host genetic polymorphisms. This approach aims to optimize drug selection and doses at a molecular level, reducing toxicity and improving patient outcomes for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
A new treatment, interleukin-11 (IL-11), has shown early promise in reducing the risk of infection in patients undergoing chemotherapy for blood cancer. Patients who received IL-11 experienced significantly fewer cases of bacterial infections compared to those who received a placebo.
The study found a significant discrepancy between recommended adjuvant chemotherapy and actual use, with younger women more likely to receive treatment. Overall, only 29% of women received chemotherapy, highlighting the need for re-evaluation of current NIH guidelines.
A study on breast cancer treatment found that many women do not receive adjuvant chemotherapy as recommended, with age being a significant factor. In contrast, women with known heart disease are at high risk of future heart events but often lack preventive treatments, highlighting the need for better care coordination.
Two trials found that adjuvant chemotherapy improved recurrence-free survival by 8-11% and overall survival by 5-9%, primarily benefiting patients with unrecognized residual disease. These findings suggest that adjuvant chemotherapy may be most effective in patients with non-optimal surgical staging.
A novel treatment approach combining surgery and intraperitoneal hyperthermic chemotherapy (IPHC) has shown significant promise in improving survival rates for patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis. The study found that selected patients may benefit from improved quality of life and extended survival.
Researchers have discovered that combining Avastin with chemotherapy provides superior treatment for advanced colorectal cancer, increasing median survival by 8.3 months and response rates. The study's findings suggest a more effective and less toxic option for patients with this devastating form of cancer.
Researchers studied rapamycin's molecular action and found it blocks tumor-cell growth by triggering stress responses, stopping cell proliferation. The study identified a new type of gene regulation involving the target of rapamycin (TOR) protein.
A clinical trial showed that dose-dense chemotherapy regimens improved disease-free and overall survival in breast cancer patients by 7-12 percentage points. The regimens, which involve giving drugs more frequently, resulted in fewer side effects and less neutropenia compared to conventional therapy.
The CALGB 9741 study found significant improvements in disease-free survival and overall survival for women with axillary node-positive operable breast cancer treated with dose-dense chemotherapy regimens. The study showed a 26% proportional reduction in risk of recurrence and improved quality of life with dose-dense therapy.
Researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute found that combination therapy of cytarabine, daunorubicin, and Mylotarg achieved complete remission in 83% of evaluable participants. The treatment was well-tolerated, with no significant increase in side effects.
Researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute identified a gene signature that distinguishes leukemia patients who can be cured with intensive chemotherapy from those who require bone marrow transplantation. Patients with high HOX11 expression survived for three years and were most likely cured, while those without it had poorer outcomes.
A new 'designer' drug has shown activity in treating acute myeloid leukemia (AML), with 13 of 15 patients experiencing reductions in abnormal white blood cell counts. The experimental compound targets a specific genetic flaw, offering a more targeted approach to conventional chemotherapy drugs.
A phase II clinical trial shows the oral combination of thalidomide and dexamethasone reduces tumor size by 50% or more in 64% of newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients. This treatment alternative offers a promising solution to chemotherapy's side effects, including nausea, vomiting, and hair loss.
A new strategy in cancer treatment involves using genetic information to guide drug delivery, allowing for more targeted and efficient treatments. The approach uses nucleic acid-triggered catalytic drug release, recognizing and responding to unique cancerous sequences to deliver potent anticancer drugs.
Early results of North American trials of oxaliplatin show a 70% delay in tumour progression and significant improvement in symptoms for patients with advanced bowel cancer. The US FDA has approved the drug for use in these patients.
A new trial shows that high-dose chemotherapy has no significant benefits for women with severe breast cancer. However, molecularly targeted drugs in combination with chemotherapy show promising results.
Research by Dr Anne Chantal Braud and her team has shown that older women with breast cancer can tolerate powerful medication, contradicting initial expectations. The study examined the effects of surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and hormone therapy on 179 women over 70 years old.
A study by Dr. Tony Mok and his team investigates the potential benefits of Chinese herbal medicine in reducing chemotherapy-induced toxicity in breast and colon cancer patients. Early results show a moderate reduction in symptoms, paving the way for further research into this alternative treatment approach.
A new phase III multi-national European trial involving 618 patients with advanced non small-cell lung cancer found that cisplatin and paclitaxel improved survival rates compared to carboplatin and paclitaxel. The study suggests that cisplatin-based chemotherapy remains the preferred standard treatment for lung cancer in Europe.
Healthy, nondividing cells have a biochemical switch that triggers apoptosis when inactivated by deamidation of Bcl-xL protein. This discovery suggests that tumor cells with the same switch may be resistant to chemotherapy drugs.
A new clinical trial is investigating the combination of high-dose calcitriol and docetaxel in treating advanced prostate cancer, with the goal of reducing PSA levels by 50% or more. The study builds on promising preliminary results from a previous Oregon Health & Science University trial.
A review highlights the association between excess body weight and increased cancer risk, particularly in colon, breast, endometrium, oesophagus, and kidney. The study suggests that alterations in hormone metabolism may play a role in this link, emphasizing the importance of weight management for cancer prevention.
A study found that St. John's wort significantly lowers blood levels of irinotecan's active metabolite SN-38 by 42%, decreasing detoxification and reducing overall antitumor activity. Patients receiving chemotherapeutic treatments with St. John's wort may need to increase drug dosage.
A new study from the International Collaborative Ovarian Neoplasm (ICON) Collaborators found that paclitaxel plus carboplatin produces similar effectiveness to other treatments for women with ovarian cancer, but with more serious side effects. Carboplatin may be considered a preferred treatment option due to its better toxicity profile.
A new treatment approach using cisplatin/epinephrine gel has shown significant promise in treating advanced head and neck cancer. The study found that 29% of patients experienced tumor responses, with 19% achieving complete responses.
A new study has shown that patients with mesothelioma, a cancer caused by asbestos exposure, can survive for up to 13-14 months when treated with the drug combination of pemetrexed and carboplatin. This is an improvement over previous treatments, which only offered a six-to-eight-month survival rate.
Research suggests that African-Americans with colon cancer fare equally well when receiving the same treatment as white patients, dispelling long-held theories about innate biological differences. The study found no significant disparities in survival rates between the two groups five years after treatment.
A new study found that 18F-FDG PET scans accurately predict lymphoma treatment outcomes, especially after one cycle of chemotherapy. The test's sensitivity was higher after the first cycle, making it a better predictor of outcome and response to therapy.
A randomized trial found that adding chemotherapy to tamoxifen significantly increases disease-free and overall survival rates for postmenopausal women with lymph node-negative, ER-negative breast cancer. In contrast, no survival benefit was observed for those with ER-positive tumors.
Patients with ER-negative tumors who received chemotherapy had a 15% increase in disease-free survival and 89% overall survival rate. In contrast, those with ER-positive tumors did not show additional survival benefits from chemotherapy. The study suggests tailoring cancer treatments to patient characteristics.
A study published in Journal of Clinical Oncology found that self-taught stress management techniques, such as progressive muscle relaxation and guided imagery, can significantly improve the quality of life for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. These techniques were more effective than traditional methods when learned independen...
A study identified three gene expression patterns correlated with survival after chemotherapy, which outperformed the International Prognostic Index. The patterns revealed aspects of tumor biology affecting treatment response, including immune system involvement and tumor cell division.
Kytril was found to be significantly more effective than dolasetron in controlling acute chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. The study, led by Dr. Marianne Tan, showed that 69.2% of patients treated with Kytril experienced total control of nausea and vomiting, compared to 23.1% for dolasetron.
Researchers analyzed gene expression profiles from thousands of lymphoma biopsy samples to identify predictive genes that can predict patient response to treatment and survival rates. The study found that a formula created from 17 key genes could accurately classify patients into four groups with varying five-year survival rates.
A study found that the GSTP1 polymorphism was associated with increased survival in patients with advanced colorectal cancer who received platinum-based chemotherapy. Meanwhile, research on human herpesvirus-8 suggested that the K1 gene may play a role in malignant transformation.
A new clinical trial at NCCAM investigates the effectiveness of electroacupuncture in managing delayed chemotherapy-induced nausea, which often proves difficult to treat with medications. The study aims to provide an alternative approach to alleviate this condition and its associated side effects, such as stress.
Researchers developed a test to predict which patients with locally advanced breast cancer are likely to respond to chemotherapy, and found it was accurate 100% of the time. The test used radiotracer uptake and washout rates to identify patients who would benefit from specific drugs to boost their response.
BP7787 shows impressive safety profile and high tumor response rate, indicating potential as a preventive measure for chemotherapy side effects. The Phase 1 clinical trial demonstrated no severe nerve damage and partial tumor remission in nearly all patients treated with BNP7787
Researchers found that elderly patients with lymph node involvement in colon cancer experienced a 30% reduction in mortality at five years after diagnosis with both chemotherapy and surgery. This contradicts the common assumption that age is a deterrent for these treatments, allowing doctors and patients to make more informed decisions.
A study found that 40% of patients experienced improved lung cancer symptoms after taking the experimental pill ZD 1839, leading to a longer survival and better quality of life. The pill, which targets the epidermal growth factor receptor, was found to be well-tolerated with minimal side effects.
Researchers evaluated 407 patients who had surgery to remove their cancer and were at high risk for recurrence. The study found no significant difference between radiation alone and chemotherapy plus radiation in reducing cancer recurrence or improving overall survival rates.
Researchers have developed a new breast cancer therapy that combines heat therapy, chemotherapy, and fat liposomes to deliver drugs directly to tumors. The treatment has shown promising results, destroying tumors and saving patients' breasts from surgical removal.
Scientists have created a novel approach to deliver medication through implanted medical devices using electrical currents, which could lead to improved chemotherapy treatments and enhanced patient quality of life.
A recent study by the Southwest Oncology Group found that long-term treatment with prednisone after initial chemotherapy response significantly prolonged patient survival and delayed disease progression in those with multiple myeloma. Patients receiving higher doses of prednisone lived up to 37 months longer than those on lower doses.
Researchers found that elevated troponin I levels may predict future heart failure in cancer patients, even if the heart appears to be functioning normally. ACE inhibitors have shown promise in restoring cardiac function and preventing cardiotoxicity in breast cancer patients treated with anthracyclines.
A new study found that neoadjuvant therapy can significantly improve long-term survival rates for women with locally advanced breast cancer. The treatment allows for less drastic and breast-sparing surgery, increasing the chances of successful tumor downstaging and improved outcomes.
Researchers found that mitoxantrone induction therapy significantly reduced disease activity in MS patients, with a 76% relapse-free rate at one year and 64% at four years. The annual relapse rate decreased by nearly 90% following treatment.
A survey by Johns Hopkins researchers estimates probable environmental concentrations (PECs) of the top 200 drugs, suggesting potential sublethal effects on aquatic organisms. The study suggests that certain classes of compounds, such as antimicrobials and anticancer drugs, may be found at high concentrations.
Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University found that low doses of paclitaxel and docetaxel inhibit the growth of endothelial cells, leading to smaller tumors. The study suggests that oral versions of these drugs could be effective in treating cancer with chronic, low dose concentrations.
Researchers have discovered four biochemical markers that can predict a woman's likelihood of developing metastatic disease in node-negative breast cancer. These markers, including p53, E-cadherin, and nm23H1, were found to be significant predictors of outcome, allowing for more accurate identification of patients at risk. This breakth...
A new study has validated data on 73 patients with lymph-node negative breast cancer under 55, predicting disease-free survival with 90% certainty. This could lead to a 30-40% reduction in chemotherapy use for these patients, resolving the dilemma of overtreatment.
A touch screen questionnaire found that breast cancer patients experience similar levels of adverse side-effects from chemotherapy, regardless of age. The study also revealed that older women are more susceptible to fatigue, anorexia, weight loss, and mouth ulcers during treatment.
Systematic review and meta-analysis of 12 randomised trials shows a 6% increase in one-year survival for patients receiving chemotherapy with radiotherapy compared to those receiving radiotherapy alone. Patients also experience a two-month improvement in average survival time.