Articles tagged with Blood Cancer
Researchers have developed a new diagnostic method for early detection of hepatocellular carcinoma, based on a simple blood sample containing circulating tumor DNA. The test has been shown to highly correlate with tumor burden, treatment response, and stage of cancer.
A blood test for human papillomavirus (HPV) may help forecast treatment response in throat cancer patients, according to preliminary findings. Patients with low or undetectable HPV16 levels in the blood had higher risk of persistent or recurrent disease.
A genetic fault in the CDKN2A gene has been linked to reduced effectiveness of leukemia treatment, highlighting the need for personalized treatment approaches. The study, which treated 259 people with AML or MDS, found that those with the mutation survived for 4.5 months on average, compared to 11 months for those without it.
Researchers found melatonin boosts immune response against cancer cells, inhibits growth and protects healthy cells from chemotherapy effects. Timing of melatonin treatments is crucial for their anticancer effects due to its role in regulating circadian rhythms.
A new blood test developed by Johns Hopkins Medicine accurately identifies more than half of people with early-stage colorectal, breast, lung, and ovarian cancers. The test distinguishes between cancer-specific DNA and altered DNA that can be mistaken for biomarkers.
Muller Fabbri's research focuses on targeting immune cells contributing to disease progression in neuroblastoma. He aims to identify new molecular targets to prevent and overcome cancer resistance to treatment.
Researchers at the University of Sheffield have discovered that methotrexate, an arthritis drug, shows promise in treating Polycythemia Vera, a type of blood cancer affecting 3,000 people annually. The treatment has been shown to suppress JAK/STAT pathway activation and normalise blood counts in mice models.
Researchers at Queen Mary University of London have developed a highly accurate blood test that can identify patients with aggressive prostate cancer. The test detects rare cells in the blood, including megakaryocytes, which are strongly linked to patient survival, and 'EMTed' CTCs, associated with poor patient outcomes.
Researchers have identified histologic subtype distinctions and heterogeneity of neurofibromatosis type 1-associated tumors through immune profiling. The findings suggest potential targets for T cell-based immunotherapies, but also highlight the complexity of tumor heterogeneity within subtypes.
A large-scale study found that raised blood platelet counts are a strong predictor of cancer, with lung and colorectal cancers being more commonly diagnosed. The research suggests that substantial numbers of people could have their cancer diagnosed up to three months earlier if thrombocytosis prompted investigation.
Research shows that blood cancer patients are less likely to enroll in hospice care compared to solid cancer patients. However, a survey of hematologic oncologists found that 68% agree that hospice care is helpful for blood cancer patients, and most would refer patients if red blood cell transfusions were available.
Research from Ohio State University found a surprising relationship between blood sugar and brain tumors. While diabetes increases cancer risk at other sites, it lowers the risk of gliomas, the most common type of malignant brain tumor.
Researchers have found that a signaling molecule produced by T-cells can induce the regression of blood vessels in tumors, effectively shutting down their supply of oxygen and nutrients. This discovery could lead to improved treatment options for solid tumors using immunotherapy with T-cells.
TET2 mutations are found in various blood cancers, including myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myeloid leukemia. The enzyme plays a crucial role in controlling gene expression, and its loss allows other genes to mutate, creating conditions for cancer to thrive.
Combining anti-angiogenic and immune-stimulating therapies creates specialized blood vessels that deliver cancer-fighting immune cells to tumors, leading to better therapeutic outcomes. This breakthrough research may improve treatments and prolong survival periods for patients.
Researchers have developed a biomarker that can detect early signs of HPV16 E6 antibody presence in blood samples, indicating high risk of developing oropharyngeal cancer. The test is highly specific but not suitable for larger population groups due to low new case incidence rates.
The Georgia Cancer Center is part of a national effort to study cancer disparities across racial and ethnic groups. Researchers will collect data from 2,400 patients with early-onset cancers to better understand the underlying causes.
Researchers developed a computer program to diagnose cancer and locate tumors in blood samples, with an accuracy rate of 80% for early-stage cancers. The program uses molecular patterns in cancer DNA to identify the type and location of cancer.
Researchers identified a series of proteins in blood plasma that signify cancer presence, offering a promising early detection method. The breakthrough discovery could enable regular blood tests to monitor treatment effectiveness and detect cancer recurrence.
A new compound has been found to reverse the allegiance of innate immune system cells, turning them from tumor enablers into tumor opponents. When combined with chemotherapy or another immunotherapy, it significantly extended the period of tumor remission.
Researchers have developed a new blood test that can detect cancer and identify its location in the body, offering an alternative to invasive surgical procedures. The test works by analyzing DNA released by dying tumor cells and identifying specific methylation patterns unique to each tissue type.
Researchers found several gene variants near ABCB4 and ABCB1 genes that may predispose individuals to gallbladder cancer. These variants could lead to better understanding of the disease causes and potentially develop new treatments.
Researchers discovered genetic mutations in TP53, RAS pathway genes, and JAK2 gene associated with shorter survival and increased relapse risk after stem cell transplant. The findings provide a guide for identifying patients most likely to benefit from a transplant, enabling personalized treatment strategies.
A blood test detecting hypermethylation in tumor DNA predicts shorter survival for women with high levels of cancer-linked DNA, indicating worsening disease. The test, cMethDNA, may help identify breast cancers at higher risk for recurrence and track treatment success.
A study from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute found that 30% of lymphoma patients with autologous transplants carry genetic mutations increasing their risk of developing second blood cancers and dying from other causes. The most commonly mutated gene was PPM1D, associated with an abnormal condition called CHIP.
Researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute have found that an immunotherapy drug called nivolumab can induce lasting remissions in patients with recurrent or refractory primary central nervous system lymphoma and primary testicular lymphoma. Four out of five patients treated with the drug showed a complete response to treatment.
A phase 1 clinical trial has demonstrated the safety and effectiveness of a combination of two targeted agents, ibrutinib and TGR-1202, in treating relapsed or hard-to-treat chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). The regimen showed promising results, with one patient achieving complete remission.
Researchers from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute found that an immunotherapy-based drug combination can prevent progression of high-risk 'smoldering' multiple myeloma, causing tumor shrinkage in 82.6% of patients. The treatment was well-tolerated with low toxicities and resulted in remission for many patients.
Researchers found that oral vancomycin prevented C. diff in 73% of patients undergoing stem cell transplants, compared to 20% in those without the medication. The study suggests a potential new standard of care for transplant patients, but further study is needed due to rising antibiotic resistance.
A new color-coding tool enables scientists to track live blood stem cells over time, revealing how blood disorders and cancers like leukemia arise. The tool has many implications for hematology and cancer medicine, including understanding clonal diversity and regulating its development.
Researchers found that palliative care intervention reduced decline in quality of life and depression among patients with hematologic malignancies undergoing stem cell transplantation. Caregivers also reported a smaller increase in depression.
Research suggests that excess weight increases the risk of progression from MGUS to multiple myeloma. Maintaining a healthy weight may be a way to prevent this progression, particularly in African-American men and those with elevated M protein levels.
Researchers at the University of Sussex have discovered how the Epstein-Barr virus controls two genes involved in cancer development, MYC and BCL2L11. The study found that the virus hijacks enhancer DNA regions to turn on or off these genes, leading to blood cancer development.
A new Penn Medicine study fails to find NLR reliable for predicting cancer progression and treatment response in bladder cancer patients. The researchers analyzed data from a prospective clinical trial, which showed that NLR was not effective as a prognostic or predictive biomarker.
Researchers found that manipulating macrophages' metabolism can prevent tumor cells from spreading by stealing glucose, leading to a structured vessel barrier. The study's findings may lead to new cancer therapies targeting mTOR inhibitors and improving treatment outcomes for patients.
An international team of researchers identified eight additional types of cancer linked to excess weight and obesity, including stomach, liver, gall bladder, pancreas, ovary, meningioma, thyroid cancer, and multiple myeloma. Limiting weight gain may help reduce the risk of these cancers.
A new study published in Cancer found that uninsured and Medicaid-covered men with testicular cancer had a higher risk of death from the disease compared to insured patients. The researchers analyzed outcomes and insurance status for 10,211 men diagnosed with testicular cancer between 2007 and 2011.
Two new studies estimate the economic cost of malignant and non-malignant blood disorders in Europe, with a total cost of €23 billion in 2012. Blood cancers account for a significant proportion of cancer costs, with healthcare expenses being twice as high as average across all types of cancer.
A Dana-Farber Cancer Institute study found that repeated doses of an immunotherapy drug, ipilimumab, restored complete remission in some patients with relapsed blood cancers after a stem-cell transplant. The treatment reduced cancer in 59% of the patients.
Researchers discovered changes in bone marrow that can develop into myeloma have already taken hold in the preceding condition MGUS. Early medical intervention may prevent this incurable type of cancer from taking root.
Scientists at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute have identified a natural molecular pathway that enables brown and beige fat cells to burn calories as heat rather than store them as fat. The discovery raises the possibility of a new approach to treating obesity, diabetes, and other related metabolic disorders.
A new study by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute found that surgery to remove a cancerous kidney can lengthen the lives of patients receiving targeted therapy for metastatic kidney cancer. Patients who undergo the procedure survive for a median period of 17.1 months, compared to 7.7 months for those who don't receive the surgery.
A new study found a statistically significant association between high levels of residential radon and the risk of hematologic cancer in women. The analysis included over 140,000 participants and showed a 63% higher risk of hematologic cancer in counties with the highest mean radon concentration.
Young adult childhood cancer survivors have overall health-related quality of life similar to that of middle-aged adults. The presence or absence of chronic health conditions plays a crucial role in determining their sense of well-being, with those without conditions reporting higher scores.
A new study published in Cell Reports found that tumors with high neoantigen loads are more likely to be infiltrated by lymphocytes and have a better prognosis. Researchers hope this discovery will help identify patients most likely to benefit from immune checkpoint inhibitors, which have produced impressive results in some cases.
Researchers found that adequate vitamin D levels can prevent all types of invasive cancer combined. The study suggests a reduced risk of cancer at serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations of 40 ng/ml or greater.
Researchers have discovered that high doses of cyclophosphamide can selectively kill reactive immune cells, reducing the severity of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) in patients. This breakthrough has paved the way for the use of mismatched donors in stem cell transplantation, improving access to treatment for many patients.
A study of 3879 patients found that 3.6% developed venous thromboembolism within a month, increasing to 4.7% at 2 months and 5.4% at 3 months. Most VTE events occurred after hospital discharge, and the study identified no strong predictive factors for the condition.
Researchers have discovered a key protein that drives blood cancer development and may prevent it with MCL-1 inhibitors. Seventy percent of human cancers have abnormally high levels of MYC, which forces cells into rapid growth.
The ORFeome Collaboration has created a comprehensive library of open-reading frames, comprising 17,154 clones that code for full-length proteins. This resource allows researchers to express virtually any cell protein, enabling large-scale mapping of protein-protein interactions and functional screening.
Researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute propose securitized consumer healthcare loans to spread the cost of therapies over many years, making them more accessible to patients. This approach aims to generate attractive returns to investors while providing affordable access to life-saving drugs and cures.
A new Northwestern Medicine study links a biological age discrepancy to increased cancer risk and mortality. The study found that individuals with an epigenetic age 2.2 years older than their chronological age have a higher risk of dying from cancer.
The researchers discovered that genetic variations in IGHV1-69 gene affect the immune system's ability to recognize and fight influenza viruses, leading to variable vaccine effectiveness across ethnic groups. The findings may lead to new tools for predicting individual responses to vaccines and development of universal flu vaccines.
A special issue of Pediatric Blood & Cancer establishes evidence-based standards for pediatric psychosocial care, addressing topics like monitoring psychosocial health and supporting siblings. The standards aim to improve quality of life outcomes for children with cancer and their family members.
A study by Baylor College of Medicine found that genetic testing can identify the cause of childhood cancer in 40% of patients, including mutations not previously associated with the disease. The test can also reveal potential clinical targets for treatment and risk of hereditary diseases.
Genomics assessments have identified actionable genetic alterations in pediatric patients with extracranial solid tumors, paving the way for individualized cancer therapy recommendations. Combined tumor and germline whole-exome sequencing has also shown diagnostic yield in children with solid tumors.
The American College of Physicians issues guidelines for evaluating blood in the urine as a sign of cancer. Doctors should confirm heme-positive results with microscopic urinalysis before initiating further evaluation in asymptomatic adults. Urology referral is recommended for cystoscopy and imaging in adults with microscopically confi...
Researchers at McMaster University have discovered a clear and compartmentalized sequence of events leading to the development of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) from myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). The study provides an early and accurate prediction tool for this aggressive cancer.
A majority of hematologic oncologists report that end-of-life discussions happen too late, with most discussions occurring when death was clearly imminent. The delay may be attributed to the curative potential of many advanced hematologic cancers, leading to a lack of clear distinction between curative and palliative care phases.
A pediatric chemotherapy regimen significantly improved outcomes for young adults with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), with a three-year overall survival rate of over 70%, according to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute scientists.