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Radiation plus combination immunotherapy may help preserve bladder in some patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer

Researchers found that radiation combined with immune checkpoint inhibitors durvalumab and tremelimumab resulted in durable responses allowing for bladder preservation in localized MIBC patients. The study showed a high efficacy rate of 93% complete response rate, with 84% overall survival rate after two years.

SourceAmerican Association for Cancer Research·JournalClinical Cancer Research·DateFeb 18, 2025

New computational tool could improve discovery of cancer treatments

A new tool named retriever extracts disease-specific drug response signatures to predict cancer treatment combinations, improving personalized treatment strategies. The tool refines predictions using single-cell RNA sequencing data and demonstrates its potential in identifying effective treatments for triple-negative breast cancer.

SourceeLife·JournaleLife·DateFeb 4, 2025

A new triple combination of inhibitors based on precision medicine emerges as a potential new treatment for Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumors

Researchers identified a potential new treatment for aggressive sarcoma arising in nerves, using a pre-clinical platform that combines inhibitors targeting specific mutations. The triple combination of MEKi-BETi-CDKi showed promising results in shrinking tumors and even eliminating some cases, offering hope for improved treatment options.

SourceGermans Trias i Pujol Research Institute·JournalClinical Cancer Research·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 28, 2025

Innovative treatment for parasites affecting 1.5 billion people shows safety and superior efficacy in phase II-III trial

A novel drug combination of albendazole and ivermectin demonstrates superior efficacy in treating Trichuris trichiura and other soil-transmitted helminths. The treatment has shown safety in a phase II-III trial, potentially aiding endemic countries in meeting the WHO's Roadmap for Neglected Tropical Diseases.

SourceMundo Sano España·JournalThe Lancet Infectious Diseases·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJan 10, 2025

Combination approach shows promise for treating rare, aggressive cancers

Researchers at UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center have shown that combining pembrolizumab, an immunotherapy drug, with standard chemotherapy can improve treatment outcomes for patients with advanced small cell bladder cancer and small cell/neuroendocrine prostate cancer. The study found that the combination treatment resul...

Stand Up to Cancer collaborates with Johnson & Johnson to explore targeted therapies for rare disease linked to blood cancers

A new research project will test a combination of two targeted therapies, teclistamab and daratumumab, to treat AL amyloidosis, a rare disease affecting approximately 4,500 people annually in the U.S. The study aims to leverage previous findings from multiple myeloma to expand understanding of this treatment option.

SourceStand Up To Cancer·TypeNews article·DateNov 11, 2024

An old drug with new tricks

A new study by MUSC researchers reveals how cancer cells develop resistance to hydroxychloroquine, an anti-malarial drug repurposed for cancer therapy. The findings suggest that targeting specific metabolic and export pathways can prevent resistance, opening the door for novel combination therapies.

SourceMedical University of South Carolina·JournalCell Cycle·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 4, 2024

Novel immunotherapy combo shows promise in melanoma

A phase 2 clinical trial found that the combination of vidutolimod and nivolumab led to tumor control in 55% of patients, with higher levels of immune-related proteins detected in responders. The study also uncovered unique signatures of TLR9 activation and a link between gut microbiome and response to therapy.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalCancer Cell·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateNov 1, 2024

Treatments used for HER2-positive breast cancers could help patients with rare gastrointestinal cancer

A clinical trial suggests that tucatinib and trastuzumab may benefit patients with rare bile duct cancer who also have HER2-mutated breast cancer. The treatment combination showed a 46.7% objective response rate in patients with bile duct cancer, compared to 22.2% in the broader patient group.

New addition to standard-of-care treatments for non-small-cell lung cancer patients has potential to increase progression-free survival

Researchers developed a mathematical model predicting enhanced survival outcomes for NSCLC patients with novel treatment combinations. The model neutralizes the negative effects of miR-155, boosting standard-of-care treatments like cisplatin and immune checkpoint inhibitors.

SourceHouston Methodist·JournalMolecular Cancer·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 27, 2024

UT Health San Antonio urologist discovers combined anti-seizure drug and omega-3 may lower COVID-19 risks

A study by UT Health San Antonio urologist Ronald Rodriguez found that combining valproic acid, an anti-seizure medication, with DHA, a type of omega-3 fatty acid, may reduce the risk of contracting COVID-19 and lessen its severity. The combination has been shown to activate ancient antiviral pathways against coronaviruses.

Honeybees: Combinations of pesticides can be dangerous

Research found that combining neonicotinoids with fungicides significantly increased mortality of bee larvae, while also affecting adult honeybee survival rates and lifespan. The study suggests that solitary wild bees may be more vulnerable to pesticide effects due to their smaller colony size.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalEnvironmental Pollution·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 9, 2024

Risky combos of psychiatric drugs prescribed for young patients

A new study reveals that young patients treated with psychiatric medications receive potentially dangerous combinations at a concerning frequency. Researchers analyzed New York State Medicaid records for over 141,000 patients and found nearly 400 received at least one potentially dangerous combination for one month or longer.

SourceRutgers University·JournalBMC Primary Care·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 5, 2024

New study in JNCCN supports chemotherapy option that reduces side effects for people with gastrointestinal cancers

Researchers found that omitting the bolus-specific 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) portion from common chemotherapy regimens improves tolerability without sacrificing treatment effectiveness. The study of 11,765 patients shows no decrease in overall survival but a notable reduction in cytopenias.

SourceNational Comprehensive Cancer Network·JournalJournal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network·DateSep 5, 2024

Combination of drugs produces promising results in combating cancer and will be clinically trialed in Europe

Researchers developed a new approach to combat cancer by hyperactivating tumor cells, making them stressed and vulnerable to specific drugs. The combination strategy showed promising results in colorectal and pancreatic adenocarcinoma models, paving the way for potential treatment options.

Nirmatrelvir/ritonavir antiviral combination shows potential in reducing COVID-19 hospitalizations

The nirmatrelvir/ritonavir regimen has shown promise in reducing COVID-19 hospitalizations and potentially lowering all-cause mortality. However, the evidence is limited and varied, with real-world studies showing a high level of variability due to differences in patient characteristics and care practices.

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateJul 22, 2024

Combination treatment based on drug repurposing shows promise in the treatment of retinal degenerations

A combination treatment incorporating three drugs – tamsulosin, metoprolol, and bromocriptine – significantly slowed disease progression in four different animal models of IRD. The study suggests that drug repurposing could provide solutions for rare diseases like retinal degenerations, which are currently inaccessible therapeutically.

SourceUniversity of Eastern Finland·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 22, 2024

Novel drug application shows improved survival for patients with relapsed and refractory acute myeloid leukemia

A novel strategy using venetoclax and azacitidine demonstrates significant anti-cancer effect with mild toxicity for relapsed/refractory AML patients. The treatment showed markedly better survival rates after one year compared to a control group, with improved 'graft-versus-leukemia effects' via alterations of immune cells.

SourceOsaka Metropolitan University·JournalBlood Cancer Journal·TypeObservational study·DateJul 18, 2024

Combining popular diabetes drugs offers complementary heart and kidney benefits

Researchers found that combining sodium glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists reduces the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events and chronic kidney disease progression by 11% and 33%, respectively. The study suggests using this combination to further improve outcomes in patients with typ...

SourceGeorge Institute for Global Health·JournalThe Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJul 8, 2024