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New medicine from Norwegian university spin-off extends terminally-ill cancer patients’ lives

The new medicine has shown promising results in a Phase 1 clinical trial, with 70% of patients stable after six weeks and one patient remaining stable for over two years. Developed by NTNU researcher Marit Otterlei, ATX-101 targets cancer cells' stress regulation system, leaving healthy cells unaffected.

SourceNorwegian University of Science and Technology·JournalOncogene·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMar 22, 2023

Dual immunotherapy plus chemotherapy before surgery improves patient outcomes in operable lung cancer

A Phase II trial led by researchers from the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center demonstrated that adding ipilimumab to a neoadjuvant combination of nivolumab plus platinum-based chemotherapy resulted in a major pathologic response in half of all treated patients with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer. The treatment also...

Oncotarget | Selective protection of normal cells from chemotherapy, while killing drug-resistant cancer cells

A new review paper suggests that selective protection of normal cells from chemotherapy could increase the therapeutic window and improve outcomes for cancer patients. The authors propose using antagonistic drug combinations to kill drug-resistant cancer cells, reducing side effects and improving quality of life.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalOncotarget·TypeLiterature review·DateMar 13, 2023

Chemotherapy alters immune cell landscape in pancreatic cancer

A new study found that chemotherapy alters the immune cell landscape in pancreatic cancer, reducing checkpoint molecules and increasing tumor growth. The research suggests that this may lead to resistance to subsequent immunotherapy, highlighting the need for further study on combining chemotherapy with immunotherapy.

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 1, 2023

Alternative bladder cancer treatment emerges amid worldwide shortage of standard of care BCG

A new study finds that a combination of chemotherapy drugs performs better than BCG in preventing high-grade cancer recurrence in patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer. This alternative treatment has shown excellent safety and efficacy outcomes, providing a viable option for patients facing a shortage of standard care treatm...

SourceUniversity of Iowa Health Care·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 28, 2023

Immunotherapy costs drive increase in Medicare spending for outpatient cancer care at the end of life

A recent study found that immunotherapy costs accounted for 84% of the net increase in Medicare spending on outpatient cancer care at the end of life. Payments for radiation oncology decreased by 2%, while palliative care spending rose, reflecting a shift towards hypofractionated radiation treatments.

SourceAmerican Society for Radiation Oncology·JournalInternational Journal of Radiation Oncology*Biology*Physics·DateFeb 27, 2023

Researchers discover the mechanism by which tumor cells become resistant to chemotherapy in colorectal cancer

A study published in Nature Communications reveals that platinum accumulates in healthy cells surrounding cancer cells, particularly fibroblasts, and induces gene activation associated with poor response to chemotherapy. Periostin levels serve as a marker of TGF-β activity in fibroblasts and predict treatment benefit.

Oncotarget | Novel prognostic index to predict survival outcomes in gastric cancer patients

Researchers have developed a novel prognostic index to predict survival outcomes in gastric cancer patients. The inflammation-combined prognostic index (ICPI) combines three biomarkers - lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio - to provide a personalized prognosis for each patient.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalOncotarget·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 14, 2023

Tweezers untangle chemotherapeutic’s impact on DNA

Etoposide's impact on DNA structure has been untangled by Cornell researchers using optical tweezers and magnetic tweezers. The study found that etoposide promotes DNA loop trapping and barrier formation by topoisomerase II, enabling the creation of sensitive screening tools for improving patient treatment.

SourceCornell University·JournalNature Chemical Biology·DateJan 30, 2023

Identified mechanism involved in development and intensification of cancer treatment-related pain

A study found that immune checkpoint inhibitors enhance chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain by blocking interaction between macrophages and neurons via PD1-PDL1 synergy. This discovery could lead to the development of therapeutic alternatives to prevent pain while maintaining anti-neoplastic effects.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalCancer Immunology Research·DateJan 30, 2023

World-first guidelines created to help prevent heart complications in children during cancer treatment

The world's first international clinical guidelines have been created to prevent and treat heart complications in children undergoing cancer treatment. The guidelines cover cardiovascular disease assessment, screening, and follow-up for pediatric patients receiving various cancer treatments.

SourceMurdoch Childrens Research Institute·JournalJACC Advances·TypeContent analysis·DateJan 29, 2023

Afternoon chemotherapy proved to deliver more desirable results for female lymphoma patients

Researchers found that female lymphoma patients who received afternoon chemotherapy had a 12.5 times reduced mortality rate and a 2.8 times decreased cancer recurrence rate compared to morning treatment. This is due to the body's natural circadian rhythm, which affects white blood cell counts and bone marrow proliferation.

SourceThe Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)·JournalJCI Insight·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJan 27, 2023

Cancer-selective supramolecular chemotherapy by disassembly-assembly approach

Researchers developed a cancer-selective therapeutic agent that targets cancer cells' unique acidic pH microenvironment, inducing mitochondrial dysfunction and killing only cancer cells. The agent, Mito-SA, forms charge-shielded nano-assemblies that selectively disassemble in the tumoral environment.

SourceUlsan National Institute of Science and Technology(UNIST)·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·DateJan 26, 2023

Chemotherapy in the afternoon dramatically improves treatment outcomes in female lymphoma patients

Researchers found that female patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma treated in the afternoon had reduced mortality rates and cancer recurrence compared to those treated in the morning. The study suggests that timing chemotherapy delivery according to an individual's circadian clock may improve treatment outcomes.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalJCI Insight·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJan 24, 2023

A 4-drug chemotherapy regimen improves survival in stage 4 pancreas cancer

A Phase 3 clinical trial has shown that a four-drug chemotherapy regimen significantly increases overall survival and progression-free survival in patients with stage 4 pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. The study's results suggest that this more aggressive treatment approach may be considered for eligible patients.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJan 20, 2023

Pusan National University researchers identify therapeutic targets to overcome radioresistance of brain cancer cells

A team of researchers from Korea and USA identified the importance of lipid homeostasis in overcoming brain cancer radioresistance. They found that regulating diacylglycerol kinase B and diacylglycerol acyltransferase 1 could potentially sensitize brain cancer cells to radiotherapy, offering a new treatment strategy.

SourcePusan National University·JournalCell Reports Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 18, 2023

New precision therapy for bile duct cancer extends patients’ lives

A new personalized treatment for bile duct cancer has shown remarkable results, with patients surviving for up to two years when treated with the drug futibatinib. The Phase II clinical trial found that the drug was more effective at reducing tumor size and producing modest side effects compared to chemotherapy.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJan 18, 2023

Microprotein increases appetite in mice

Researchers at Salk Institute discover thousands of previously unknown microproteins in brown and white fat tissue, finding that one, Gm8773, increases feeding activity in mice. This discovery could lead to the development of a therapeutic to promote weight gain in certain disease situations.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalCell Metabolism·DateJan 3, 2023

Oncotarget | Serum microRNAs as new criteria for referral to early palliative care services in treatment-naïve advanced cancer patients

Researchers developed predictive models using serum microRNAs to identify patients at risk of requiring early palliative care. The study used serum samples from 178 patients with various types of cancer and found that miRNA-based models had higher accuracy than clinical models in predicting referral to a palliative care unit.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalOncotarget·TypeObservational study·DateDec 29, 2022

Technique for tracking resistant cancer cells could lead to new treatments for relapsing breast cancer patients

Researchers from the University of Cambridge have identified a method to track and kill resistant cancer cells in mice. By tagging different types of breast cancer cells with unique genetic barcodes, they were able to identify which cells are evading chemotherapy and target them specifically with a new treatment approach.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournaleLife·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 20, 2022

Oncotarget | Combined epigenetic and immunotherapy for blastic and classical mantle cell lymphoma

Researchers describe results using cladribine-based combination epigenetic and immunotherapy in MCL, achieving an increased overall survival greater than 40 months with durable remissions without relapse for longer than 5 years. The approach is promising in the treatment of MCL and potentially other previously treatment-refractory canc...

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalOncotarget·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 13, 2022

Extending chemo slashes risk of aggressive childhood leukemia coming back

A new treatment protocol has been shown to significantly reduce the risk of aggressive childhood leukemia returning after chemotherapy. The ALL-11 protocol, which includes an extra year of maintenance chemotherapy for children with specific genetic mutations, has improved five-year survival rates and quality of life for these patients....

SourcePrincess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateDec 10, 2022

Largest study of its kind reveals adjuvant chemotherapy improves overall survival for pancreatic cancer patients

A nationwide retrospective study showed that adjuvant chemotherapy after neo-adjuvant chemotherapy and surgery significantly improved overall survival in patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma, regardless of lymph node status or resection margins. The study included nearly 900 patients and was published in JAMA Oncology.

CU Anschutz researchers find less-invasive treatment for certain head and neck cancers

Researchers at CU Anschutz Medical Campus have identified a less invasive way to treat HPV-unrelated head and neck squamous cell carcinomas by combining radiation with immunotherapy. The approach resulted in remarkable success rates, including 75% of patients experiencing major pathological responses or complete responses.

Intestinal microorganisms influence white blood cell levels in blood

A team of researchers discovered that the gut microbiome plays a critical role in driving granulopoiesis, a process formation of granulocytes, in mice models. The study found that alterations in the gut microbiome composition induced by neutropenia stimulate reactive granulopoiesis via interleukin 17A secreted by T cells, promoting neu...

SourceHokkaido University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 21, 2022

Longest follow-up of patients with early breast cancer shows radiotherapy does not improve survival after 30 years

A 30-year follow-up study of patients with early breast cancer found that radiotherapy does not improve overall survival rates after 10 years but reduces the risk of recurrence in the same breast. The study's findings challenge traditional concepts of long-term anti-cancer benefits of radiotherapy.

SourceEuropean Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateNov 17, 2022

Researchers identify how certain immune cells contribute to worse survival in patients with HER2-positive breast cancer

Researchers found that HER2-positive breast cancer patients with high levels of tumour infiltrating lymphocytes in residual disease have significantly shorter overall survival. High levels of TILs are associated with poorer outcomes, while lower levels are linked to improved survival rates.

Oncotarget | Mutation analysis performed on tumor biopsies from patients with newly-diagnosed germinal center aggressive B cell lymphomas

A new study analyzed tumor biopsies from patients with newly-diagnosed germinal center B cell lymphoma and found that CREBBP mutations were associated with lower disease-free survival rates. The researchers identified CLMA as a practical tool to translate experimental findings into clinical applications.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalOncotarget·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 17, 2022