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Combination of breast cancer and chemotherapy may speed up physical decline in older adults

A UCLA-led study reveals that chemotherapy for early-stage breast cancer in women over 65 can lead to a significant decline in physical function. The study found that 30% of older women who received chemotherapy experienced a substantial decline, with climbing stairs and walking being the most affected activities.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalJournal of Cancer Survivorship·DateMay 10, 2024

CNIC scientists identify therapeutic targets for the prevention of heart injury linked to cancer treatment

Scientists at CNIC have identified mechanisms by which anthracyclines damage the hearts of cancer patients, leading to cardiac injury. The study suggests that a protein-enriched diet may prevent muscle atrophy caused by anthracycline chemotherapy.

SourceCentro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III (F.S.P.)·JournalJACC CardioOncology·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 16, 2024

Targeted liver cancer treatment kills cancer cells and cuts chemo side effects

Researchers have developed a new treatment that uses tailored doses of anti-cancer drugs released directly into the surgical cavity to treat liver cancer. The approach has shown promise in reducing recurrence rates and minimizing chemotherapy side effects, with potential applications for other types of cancer.

SourceUniversity of South Australia·JournalInternational Journal of Pharmaceutics·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 14, 2024

AACR: Preliminary study finds immunotherapy combination before surgery improves outcomes for patients with pancreatic cancer

A pilot study by UCLA Health investigators suggests that treating patients with immunotherapy and chemotherapy before surgery may improve long-term outcomes for those with borderline resectable pancreatic cancer. The study found a higher rate of successful tumor removal and increased overall survival when compared to historical controls.

New study finds triple-negative breast cancer tumors with an increase in immune cells have lower risk of recurrence after surgery

A new study suggests that early-stage triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients with high levels of immune cells in their tumors may have a lower risk of recurrence and better survival rates even without chemotherapy. Higher TILs in breast cancer tissue were associated with lower recurrence rates among participants.

SourceMayo Clinic·JournalJAMA·DateApr 2, 2024

New study shows association of historical housing discrimination and shortfalls in colon cancer treatment

A nationwide study finds that individuals diagnosed with colon cancer who resided in previously redlined neighborhoods are more likely to be diagnosed with advanced-stage disease and have worse survival rates. The research highlights the long-lasting impact of institutional racism on access to quality cancer care.

SourceUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham·JournalJCO Oncology Practice·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 28, 2024

Collaborative University of Cincinnati Cancer Center team opens Phase 2 brain tumor trial

The University of Cincinnati Cancer Center team has opened a Phase 2 clinical trial to test a new combination treatment for glioblastomas, a deadly form of brain tumors. The treatment uses letrozole, a drug that targets an enzyme present in breast cancer cells, and temozolomide, a chemotherapy drug already approved as a GBM treatment.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalClinical Cancer Research·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMar 26, 2024

A new path to drug diversity

A team of scientists discovered new fusion sites in protein evolution that enable faster and more targeted drug development. By combining evolutionary processes with synthetic biology, they created customized biological drugs with improved therapeutic properties.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalScience·DateMar 21, 2024

Breast cancer patients can safely avoid extensive removal of lymph nodes if they respond well to primary systemic treatment

A new study suggests that tailored treatment can predict the response of breast cancer patients to chemotherapy, allowing for safe omission of extensive lymph node removal. The MARI protocol showed a 95% overall survival rate and 89% disease-free survival rate in patients who achieved pathological complete response.

Researchers from IRB Barcelona and Sant Joan de Déu unveil the origin of second pediatric cancers and chemotherapy-induced mutations in healthy tissues

A study by IRB Barcelona and Sant Joan de Déu Hospital reveals three distinct patterns explaining the occurrence of second cancers in children, including a mutational footprint from chemotherapy. The research advances understanding of pediatric cancer and highlights the importance of clinical data sharing.

New data show pembrolizumab improves breast cancer outcomes regardless of age or menopausal status

New data show that adding pembrolizumab to chemotherapy before and after surgery for breast cancer leads to better outcomes, with significant increases in pathological complete response rates across all age groups. The study also found similar rates of breast-conserving surgery and mastectomy, as well as lower residual cancer burdens.

SourceEuropean Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMar 19, 2024

Addition of atezolizumab to chemotherapy after surgery does not improve survival for triple negative breast cancer

The ALEXANDRA/IMpassion030 phase 3 trial found that adding atezolizumab to chemotherapy after surgery did not improve survival for early-stage triple-negative breast cancer patients. Researchers also found no benefit in different sub-groups, such as those with lymph node spread and PD-L1 positive cancer.

SourceEuropean Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMar 19, 2024

Genetic test identifies patients with triple negative breast cancer who are unlikely to respond to immunotherapies

A new genetic test has identified patients with triple negative early-stage breast cancer who are unlikely to respond to immunotherapy drugs. The test, called ImPrintTN, can predict a patient's likelihood of responding to these treatments and help avoid severe side effects.

SourceEuropean Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMar 19, 2024

A noninvasive treatment for “chemo brain”

Researchers at MIT discovered that daily exposure to light and sound with a frequency of 40 hertz protects brain cells from chemotherapy-induced damage, preventing memory loss and improving cognitive functions. The treatment also helped prevent DNA damage, inflammation, and promoted the growth of oligodendrocytes, the cells responsible...

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateMar 6, 2024

European treatment recommendations in the fight against acute lymphoblastic leukemia

The European LeukemiaNet has published two-part guidelines for adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia treatment, covering diagnostics, prognostic factors, response assessments, and comprehensive management. These recommendations are based on a decade of systematic work by European experts, improving the prognosis of adult patients with ALL.

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalBlood·TypeMeta-analysis·DateMar 1, 2024

Exposure to secondhand smoke during chemotherapy makes treatment less effective, study shows

Head and neck cancer patients exposed to secondhand smoke during chemotherapy have reduced treatment effectiveness. Secondhand smoke alters protein expression, restricting chemotherapy's ability to kill cancer cells. This raises concerns about cancer prognosis and the importance of smoking cessation.

SourceUniversity of Oklahoma·JournalInternational Journal of Molecular Sciences·TypeNews article·DateFeb 27, 2024

UK cancer treatment falls behind other countries

Two new studies reveal that UK cancer patients face long waits for chemotherapy and radiotherapy, leading to poorer outcomes. The research highlights the need for a strategic approach to addressing treatment variation and improving cancer services in the UK.

SourceCancer Research UK·JournalThe Lancet Oncology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 26, 2024

Elenagen, a novel DNA immunotherapy for the deadliest form of ovarian cancer, delays disease progression

Researchers created Elenagen, a novel DNA immunotherapy for deadly ovarian cancer, which significantly enhances standard chemotherapy and provides clinical benefits. The study shows that Elenagen delays disease progression in patients with stage III and IV platinum-resistant ovarian cancer.

SourceCureLab Oncology Inc.·JournalFrontiers in Oncology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateFeb 22, 2024

Outsmarting chemo-resistant ovarian cancer

Researchers have discovered a new way to target chemotherapy-resistant ovarian cancer cells by depriving them of cholesterol, leading to significant tumor growth reduction. The nanoparticles starve the cells of cholesterol, triggering cell death through oxidation of lipids in the cell membrane.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalAdvanced Science·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 21, 2024

Modifying chemotherapy treatment can make life better for older adults with cancer

Research shows that lowering doses and adjusting chemotherapy schedules for older adults with advanced cancer can reduce toxic side effects and preserve daily functions. Over 30% of patients benefited from treatment regimen modifications, with a 15% reduced risk of serious clinician-rated toxic effects.

SourceUniversity of Rochester Medical Center·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 16, 2024

Moffitt study finds neoadjuvant chemotherapy significantly improves outcomes for penile squamous cell carcinoma patients

A large retrospective cohort analysis found that neoadjuvant chemotherapy improved overall and progression-free survival for locally advanced penile squamous cell carcinoma patients. The study also showed that platinum-based chemotherapy was well-tolerated, with low treatment-related mortality.

SourceH. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·TypeMeta-analysis·DateFeb 16, 2024

New treatment for a rare and aggressive cancer improves survival rates in breakthrough clinical trial

A new treatment combining a novel drug with traditional chemotherapy has been shown to increase the survival of patients with malignant mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive cancer. The ATOMIC-meso trial found that this treatment quadrupled the survival at 36 months compared to placebo-chemotherapy.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalJAMA Oncology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateFeb 15, 2024

UCLA-led research results in FDA approval of 4-drug combination for frontline treatment of metastatic pancreatic cancer

A four-drug chemotherapy regimen, NALIRIFOX, has been approved by the FDA for frontline treatment of metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma. The regimen, combining irinotecan liposome, oxaliplatin, leucovorin, and fluorouracil, resulted in longer overall survival compared to a two-drug protocol.

Discovered how to predict whether patients with leukemia will be sensitive to epigenetic drugs

Researchers discovered a link between single cancer cell mutations and clinical response to epigenetic therapy in myelodysplastic syndrome. Patients showing treatment benefits had decreased mutation counts in stem cells and immature granulocytes, suggesting early tumor elimination is key to therapy success.

SourceJosep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute·JournalCancer Research Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 5, 2024

Breast cancer test may make bad chemotherapy recommendations for Black patients

A study found that the 21-gene breast recurrence score test may underestimate chemotherapy benefits for young Black women with estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer. The researchers recommend lowering the test's cutoff point to ensure accurate treatment recommendations for all patients regardless of race or ethnicity.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Chicago·JournalJournal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network·DateJan 29, 2024

High-dose radiotherapy with chemotherapy effective in treating people with non-small cell lung cancer

Researchers found a combination treatment involving high doses of radiation and chemotherapy to be safe and effective in treating locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer. The treatment, which includes an adaptive boost plan, showed promising results in improving progression-free survival and reducing toxic side effects.