Research on cancer as a disease, from cause to care. Covers tumor biology, small-cell lung cancer, cancer-linked stroke risk, and cancer center research.
A KAIST research team developed an antibody candidate that blocks a signal responsible for appetite suppression and weight loss in cancer cachexia. The candidate restored food intake and reduced muscle and fat loss in mouse experiments, demonstrating therapeutic effects.
Researchers at UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center identified a new strategy to strengthen immune cells and improve their ability to kill cancer cells. Temporarily activating p53, a protein that prevents cancer, helps engineered immune cells resist exhaustion and improve their ability to kill tumor cells.
Researchers identified age-associated differences in tumor composition and gene activity in younger patients with colorectal cancer, including a higher proportion of connective cells and long non-coding RNAs. These differences may contribute to chemotherapy resistance and increased cancer aggression in younger adults.
A new study led by UC Davis researchers finds that narrower surgical margins than previously thought can achieve cancer control in pediatric patients with non-rhabdomyosarcoma soft tissue sarcomas. The study, which evaluated 266 patients, found that close surgical margins as little as a millimeter can preserve precious healthy tissue a...
Researchers have engineered CAR-T cells that target brain tissue, allowing them to selectively destroy tumor cells in pediatric brain cancer DMG. The new therapy, B-SYNC CAR-T, has shown promise in laboratory tests, with the cells persisting and fighting cancer for over 70 days.
A recent study found that a greater reduction in dorsal lung ventilation is independently associated with postoperative pulmonary complications in laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery. Patients with a reduction of dorsal lung ventilation ≥14.5% had a higher incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications.
A new study has found that combining medications dobutamine and norepinephrine during septic shock surgery can significantly lower the risk of acute kidney injury. The trial, which tracked 584 adult patients, showed that the drug combination cut the risk of severe kidney damage in half, reducing moderate to severe kidney injuries.
The study found the highest hysterectomy-corrected incidence of endometrial cancer in the Upper-South region, including San Antonio and Bexar County, with a rise of 53.8 per 100,000 women between 2010-2019. Hispanic women under 50 had the highest incidence of endometrial cancer, with rates 17.2 per 100,000 in the Upper-South region.
Research highlights the importance of gut microbiota in regulating various diseases, including intestinal and extra-intestinal disorders. The authors call for a shift from one-strain-fits-all approaches to personalized interventions based on host factors.
GradientScreen, a 'lab-on-a-chip,' measures how a patient's leukemia cells respond to various drug combinations before treatment starts. This technology helps clinicians identify which patients are likely to be unresponsive to standard treatment and personalize treatment approaches.
The updated guideline recommends moderate hypofractionation over conventional fractionation for patients across all prostate cancer risk groups who choose EBRT, supported by high-quality randomized data showing comparable outcomes, side effects and quality of life. Ultrahypofractionation is also strongly recommended as a standard optio...
The new NCCN Guidelines for Patients: Caregiving for People with Cancer offer concrete tips for handling difficult situations and provide concrete support for caregivers. The guide includes a chapter dedicated to the caregiver's own wellbeing, emphasizing the importance of self-care and providing trusted, easy-to-find information.
A new study published in NEJM Evidence found that colorectal cancer rates are rising across younger and older age groups, with younger adults now at the highest risk. The study found that the age-adjusted incidence rate fell in the early 2000s but rose to 38.3 in 2023, with the sharpest increase among 45-49-year-olds. The researchers w...
The Annenberg survey found that 58% of Americans know that drinking alcohol increases cancer risk, a 5-point increase since 2026. This represents an 18-point increase from 2024. Despite this improvement, 42% of Americans do not recognize the link between alcohol consumption and cancer risk.
The case report highlights the challenges of monitoring residual disease in stage IIIc colon cancer, where conventional imaging shows no measurable tumor but circulating tumor DNA and DNA methylation patterns suggest molecular residual disease. Molecular profiling and international collaboration may help guide treatment decisions in su...
A study of 3504 individual breast microcalcifications reveals that the surrounding tissue microenvironment provides stronger diagnostic information than the calcified core alone for distinguishing benign from malignant breast lesions. The results suggest that radiomic biomarkers focusing exclusively on mineralised deposits may overlook...
A UT San Antonio College of Sciences researcher has developed a novel molecular smart probe that illuminates breast cancer cells during surgery, providing surgeons with cleaner margins and patients lower risk of recurrence. The probe targets proteins in the cells that fuel tumor growth and is paired with an FDA-approved drug to form a ...
Targeting fat cells with sphingosine kinase 2 inhibitors could be a new strategy to combat obesity and lower the risk of its comorbidities like cancer. The researchers found a significant reduction in body weight, improved glucose tolerance, and reduced lipid accumulation in the liver.
A new study found that the location of rare leiomyosarcoma tumors affects patient survival rates. Researchers analyzed 11,700 patients and discovered that tumors in certain locations had poorer outcomes, particularly for black patients and those from lower-income households. The study suggests that accounting for tumor location when an...
SDSU researchers found that poverty burden, not race or ancestry, is associated with poorer HR+ breast cancer outcomes in Black women. The study highlights the importance of considering lifestyle factors and social determinants in cancer research.
A nationwide UK study found that Black patients and people with a learning disability face longer waiting times in breast cancer care, with Black patients having a 29% lower odds of being diagnosed through routine screening. Patients with a learning disability waited 18% longer for a diagnosis, on average, and both groups faced longer ...
MIT researchers have designed an implantable drug-delivery device that uses ultrasound to enhance the distribution of drug molecules in the brain. The device, called LUCID, can release drugs over an extended period and bypass the blood-brain barrier, offering a potential way to prevent the recurrence of aggressive brain tumors.
Researchers developed machine learning models to predict cancer risk using routine clinical data, achieving promising results for lung, oesophageal, and liver cancers. However, performance varied across cancer types, and further studies are needed to establish whether this approach improves early detection and patient outcomes.
Patients who received high-dose EPA before and after surgery for colorectal cancer liver metastases had longer overall survival compared to those receiving placebo. However, EPA did not significantly improve progression-free survival, the trial's primary endpoint.
Researchers at UT MD Anderson presented findings on cancer interception vaccines, ctDNA clearance and targeted therapies for various cancer types, including lung, breast, and skin cancer. These innovative approaches aim to strengthen and sustain immune responses, improve treatment outcomes and prevent cancer development.
A new immunotherapy combination extends survival in patients with advanced endometrial cancer, with patients receiving durvalumab plus olaparib living almost one year longer than those treated with chemotherapy alone. The treatment was particularly effective for patients with mismatch repair proficient tumors, who have traditionally ha...
Researchers propose targeting G protein-coupled receptors to slow aging, exploring AI, systems biology, and digital twins for therapy design. The approach could work alongside senolytic, metabolic, and regenerative strategies.
Cancers can evade chemotherapy by entering a 'zombie-like state' called premature senescence, which tricks the immune system into helping malignant cells. This phenomenon allows tumours to acquire extra oxygen and nutrients, making them more resistant to chemotherapy.
Blocking the CD44 molecule in pancreatic cancer-associated fibroblasts can alter tumor-promoting cells in the tumor microenvironment, leading to improved prospects for treatment. The study suggests that targeting CD44 in the supportive tissue could be therapeutically promising, although further research is needed.
A new diagnostic test, Decipher, has shown promise in helping doctors determine which patients with high-risk prostate cancer will benefit from more intensive treatment. The test predicts worse outcomes for patients with higher scores, suggesting that those with low scores may be spared more intensive treatment.
Researchers at the Centre for Genomic Regulation have discovered a six-gene scoring system that reliably predicts patient survival in acute myeloid leukemia. The PHFScore system, which combines the activity of six genes, can divide patients into groups with sharply different survival prospects.
Research from Michigan Medicine found that combining online resources and phone-based coaching increased genetic testing rates by 5% after six months and 10% after a year. The interventions aimed to overcome barriers to testing, including lack of knowledge and fear, and tailored approaches for individual needs.
Researchers have discovered vulnerabilities in bowel cancer tumours and identified potential new treatment targets using AI and repurposed drugs. The study provides a clear roadmap for developing more effective, personalised treatments for thousands of patients with limited options.
Small cell lung cancer cells are equally dependent on cysteine, but react differently when deprived of it. Cells with low ASCL1 levels die via ferroptosis, while those with high ASCL1 levels are protected and can evade treatment. The study provides a potential starting point for new therapeutic strategies.
A new analysis of a phase 3 clinical trial found that daraxonrasib improved survival compared with standard chemotherapy across multiple groups of patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. The treatment consistently provided a benefit regardless of tumor RAS mutation status or previous treatment history.
Researchers at RIKEN have developed a synthetic compound that uses excess carbon monoxide produced by cancer cells to trigger the production of anti-cancer drugs within the cells themselves. The compound selectively targets tumors and avoids harming healthy cells, offering a promising new approach to cancer treatment.
The NICHE-2 study demonstrates durable disease control with no disease recurrences in 111 patients with locally advanced mismatch repair-deficient colon cancer treated with short-course neoadjuvant immunotherapy. Circulating tumor DNA analysis reveals rapid molecular response to immunotherapy, with implications for treatment de-escalat...
A new study by the University of Pittsburgh found that patients who received earlier survivorship care had better outcomes, including lower recurrence and death rates, compared to those who received care later. The study suggests that timing of survivorship care can be modified to improve patient outcomes.
Eight new members have joined the Board of Visitors at UT MD Anderson, bringing vast expertise in law, business, and finance to advance the institution's mission to end cancer. The new members will support the institution's fundraising efforts, including the $2.5 billion 'Only Possible Here' campaign.
Researchers identified a novel oncogenic mechanism involving DNA demethylation in hepatocellular carcinoma, promoting tumor formation without canonical driver gene mutations. Suppressing TET1 reduced tumor formation in mice, supporting the relevance of these findings in human liver disease data.
Researchers propose novel therapies to rebalance GPCR signaling, potentially extending healthy years of life and delaying multiple age-related diseases. This network-level approach could give rise to personalized treatments and complement emerging longevity strategies.
A 55-year-old man with glioblastoma exhibiting amplifications in MDM2 and EGFR genes underwent comprehensive genomic profiling and an international molecular tumor board. The case highlights the potential for precision oncology to identify potential treatment strategies for aggressive brain cancer.
Researchers developed a diet-based mouse model to study a serious immunotherapy side effect affecting up to 40% of patients. The study found that a protein in unstable immune cells can cause inflammation, which can be reversed by shutting off the protein or switching to a high fiber diet.
A new study links 12 blood proteins to prostate cancer diagnosed over 15 years after blood sampling, including immune cells and cancer driver genes. The research may help identify men at greater risk of aggressive prostate cancer and inform future studies.
A large US-based study found loneliness to be the strongest factor associated with depression among cancer survivors. The study analyzed data from 70,620 adult cancer survivors and found that those who reported feeling lonely had nearly three times the odds of reporting a lifetime diagnosis of depressive disorder.
A new trial shows that a shorter three-week radiation course is as safe and effective as the standard five-week treatment for women undergoing breast reconstruction. The RT CHARM trial found no increase in complications or effects on reconstruction efforts.
Researchers used Cell Painting to study 52 cancer drugs in 3D minispheres, revealing differences in how they affect cells. The study found that two drugs, 5-fluorouracil and olaparib, behaved differently when looking at individual cells, with 5-fluorouracil causing less DNA damage but stopping cells from dividing more effectively.
A case report describes a patient who developed toxic epidermal necrolysis after combination therapy with pembrolizumab and enfortumab vedotin for metastatic urothelial carcinoma. The patient's high-grade urothelial carcinoma and recent radiotherapy may have contributed to the severe skin reaction.
A new imaging agent JAS239 enables pinpointed removal of lung cancer tumors with near-infrared fluorescent imaging. The agent selectively binds to lung cancer cells and successfully accumulates in excised human lung tumors.
Researchers found quercetin slowed lung cancer cell division and reduced oxidative stress, while increasing Interferon-alpha-2 and gut microbiome, suggesting a potential quercetin-rich diet for lung cancer treatment and prevention
The ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group will conduct a phase 2/3 clinical trial to evaluate ivonescimab combined with chemotherapy for first-line treatment of advanced biliary tract cancer. The trial aims to test the efficacy of ivonescimab beyond standard chemotherapy and immunotherapy.
A review highlights how altered fatty acid metabolism fuels glioma growth, reshapes immune responses, and influences treatment sensitivity. Fatty acid metabolism-based treatments, such as an FASN inhibitor, have shown promise in improving progression-free survival rates.
A new AI platform, MAESTRO, has been developed to identify promising drug combinations for overcoming treatment resistance in prostate cancer. The platform uses large language models to analyze scientific knowledge and ranks the most promising candidates, providing a clear biological rationale for experimental testing.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine report a 96% survival rate among children with severe aplastic anemia treated with half-matched bone marrow transplants from family donors. The approach expands access to potentially curative treatment, with patients experiencing strong engraftment and durable survival rates.
A new review examines how gut microbiota and metabolites reshape liver immunity and propose strategies to overcome immunotherapy resistance. The review discusses four major directions of gut microbiota intervention, including probiotics, fecal microbiota transplantation, engineered bacteria, and metabolite-based interventions.
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is presenting Phase 3 data for lung cancer and multiple other cancer types, including prostate, breast, and kidney cancer, at the 2026 ESMO Congress. The institution is also showcasing its expertise in personalized cancer vaccines, including mRNA vaccines.
A new PET imaging approach using carbonic anhydrase IX (CAIX) detected 97.9% of lesions in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), outperforming ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT. The approach improved patient-level diagnostic accuracy in ccRCC, leading to changes in clinical management or disease stage in 30.9% of patients.
A UTHealth Houston-led team has identified a region of chromosome 3q that contains the gene encoding Phospholipase D1, which lung cancer cells produce unusually high levels of and send out cancer-promoting materials through the Golgi apparatus, allowing tumors to grow and survive.
A new study found that oxaloacetate, a molecule that helps cells produce energy, may improve cognitive function and reduce fatigue in breast cancer survivors with 'chemo brain' or brain fog. The study showed significant improvements in memory, concentration, and physical functioning after 8 weeks of treatment.
A new study identifies an immune pathway that contributes to radiation-related lung damage and finds a potential strategy to block it. The study, published in Nature Communications, reveals that radiation reprograms rare immune cells called innate lymphoid cells, leading to inflammation that damages healthy lung tissue.