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 recent study by Goethe University Frankfurt has identified a mechanism that could be a suitable starting point for developing novel drugs against leukemia cells. The researchers discovered that the mutated NPM1 gene variant drives pro-autophagic activity, enabling cancer cells to recycle their structures and meet their needs.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine discovered a promising experimental drug combination that reduces the size of peripheral nerve sheath tumors in mice and increases survival rates. The combination blocks glutamine metabolism and purine recycling, producing a better anti-tumor response with less toxicity.
Researchers have identified 'backbones' in HLA complexes that link to peptide-centric CARs, allowing for targeted therapies across different variants and tumor types. This breakthrough enables the design of more efficient CAR therapies for a broader range of patients with complex and difficult-to-treat cancers.
The Cre-LoxP system's specificity is compromised due to non-specific promoters driving Cre expression, leading to inaccurate results. This limitation requires careful consideration for proper interpretation of experimental outcomes.
A new study finds that structural racism is a significant contributor to unequal lung cancer risk factors, affecting different racial and ethnic groups differently. The research highlights the need for tailored preventive interventions to address these disparities.
Researchers at the University of Virginia Health System have discovered how Lactobacillus, a bacterium found in fermented foods and yogurt, influences mood disorders. The findings suggest that maintaining a healthy level of Lactobacillus may help prevent depression and anxiety by regulating immune response to stress.
Researchers from Japan have discovered a novel targeted molecular therapy using microRNA-451a to suppress the progression of gemcitabine-resistant biliary tract cancers. The study found that miR-451a significantly diminished cell proliferation, induced cell death, and reduced chemoresistance in cancer cells.
Researchers confirm that pancreatic cancer triggers a response in the immune system, but T cells struggle to infiltrate tumors. This finding could guide future treatment development for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), a deadly form of pancreatic cancer.
Researchers at iGCORE in Japan developed two synthetic versions of an ADP-ribose fragment to study cellular functions. The approach enables the production of structurally well-defined oligo- and poly(ADP-ribose) samples, accelerating ADP-ribose biology research.
A study of 438,000 U.S. adults found that smoking cessation can significantly reduce cardiovascular, cancer, and respiratory mortality rates. Within a decade of quitting, former smokers' risk of cardiovascular death was approximately one-third that of continuing smokers.
A study of 103,000 early-stage breast cancer patients reveals a significant racial disparity in chemosensitivity and survival rates. Black patients are more likely to experience residual disease after neoadjuvant chemotherapy, leading to a higher mortality risk.
Researchers found that cancer cells with multiple mutations alter cell competition, allowing them to infiltrate and form highly invasive tumors. The study identified a key mechanism, MMP21, which promotes the production of diffusely invasive cancer cells.
Researchers at Goethe University Frankfurt have identified a specific gene locus, MYNRL15, that is critical to the survival and replication of leukemia cells. Inhibiting this gene has been shown to deactivate genes necessary for AML cell survival, offering a new possibility for fighting leukemia.
Researchers at UChicago find that trans-vaccenic acid (TVA), a fatty acid in meat and dairy, enhances CD8+ T cell immunity against tumors. TVA also improves response to immunotherapy treatments for patients with higher levels of the nutrient in their blood.
A study found that cancer patients with COVID-19 had significantly higher mortality and hospitalization rates compared to non-cancer patients, highlighting the increased risk of severe illness. COVID-19 vaccination in cancer patients reduced this risk, emphasizing the importance of vaccination in protecting vulnerable populations.
Researchers identified a promising dual-purpose target, KDM1A, using AI analysis of transcriptomic data from 16,740 healthy samples and 11,303 tumors. KDM1A was found to significantly extend lifespan in Caenorhabditis elegans and has anti-cancer activities established in preclinical and clinical studies.
Scientists at Texas Biomedical Research Institute found a promising cancer therapy also effectively reduces TB growth, even for drug-resistant bacteria. The therapy combines MCL-1 and BCL-2 inhibitors with antibiotics to control TB up to 98%.
Researchers Reshmi Parameswaran and Carlos Subauste at Case Western Reserve University have received funding for their work on finding new treatments for B-cell cancer and diabetic retinopathy, a leading cause of blindness. They aim to develop more effective cell therapies and inhibitors to treat these diseases.
A new ASTRO clinical guideline recommends partial breast irradiation as a viable alternative to whole breast radiation for patients with early-stage invasive breast cancer or DCIS, based on evidence from large randomized trials. The guideline provides guidance on patient selection and best practices for delivering effective partial bre...
A recent study by Harvard researchers provides an engineering approach to understanding the failure of macrophages in cancer therapies. The team found that different phenotypes exhibit different penetration into tumors, with M0 macrophages showing improved transport efficiency.
Researchers found a modest improvement in predicting pathologic response to chemotherapy using molecular subtypes, but no association with overall survival and progression-free survival. The study suggests the need for subtype-directed therapy trials to test targeted treatments.
A study by Bansaccal et al. reveals that oncogene-expressing cells in the ear epidermis undergo vertical invasion to form invasive basal cell carcinoma, whereas those in the back skin expand laterally without invading the dermis. The team found that the extracellular matrix composition, particularly collagen density, plays a crucial ro...
Researchers at Université de Montréal's Department of Chemistry have created a new fluorogenic probe to study interactions between sugars and proteins, which are essential to life. The probe can visualize these interactions using fluorescence, providing a valuable tool for studying biological processes critical to human health.
Researchers have summarized recent advances in enzyme-activated near-infrared fluorescent probes for non-invasive visualization of enzyme dynamics and disease status. These probes offer high specificity, sensitivity, and biocompatibility, making them valuable assets in biomedical research and healthcare.
Researchers found that higher alcohol consumption is associated with biological age acceleration and hypertension in middle-aged and older adults, but not in young adults. The study suggests that alcohol consumption may mediate the association between alcohol intake and quantitative traits like hypertension.
A new study by Cleveland Clinic researchers reveals significant differences in cell communication between breast tissue with and without BRCA1/2 gene mutations. This discovery provides a foundation for personalized medicine approaches to prevent and treat breast cancer in mutation carriers.
The UTHealth Houston Institute for Implementation Science has received a five-year, $5 million grant from the National Cancer Institute to support research and training in implementation science. Researchers will focus on improving cancer control efforts in Mexico and Latin America.
A study of 3.5 million patients diagnosed with cancer found a deficit in cancer treatments during the first year of the pandemic. The data showed decreases in cancer diagnoses but not changes in treatment strategies, highlighting the impact of the pandemic on cancer care.
Researchers at IRB Barcelona have identified the mechanism by which the MAF protein promotes breast cancer metastasis, revealing a key interaction with the estrogen receptor. This finding opens up new therapeutic options for patients with high MAF levels, who may benefit from treatments aimed at preventing metastases.
Researchers using cancer as a model system are uncovering basic principles of immune cell communication and spatial dynamics. Understanding these principles can lead to new treatments for various diseases, including viral infections and cancer.
Researchers have found that simultaneously inhibiting two proteins, LOXL2 and BRD4, can help slow the growth of triple-negative breast cancer cells. This 'double strike' strategy shows promise in improving the prognosis of this aggressive disease, which is resistant to existing treatments.
Researchers used computer modeling to analyze cancer incidence and mortality rates among diverse populations, confirming the validity of the approach. The studies aimed to address critical public health issues by identifying leverage points to increase equity in cancer burden among Black populations.
Researchers developed a drug that triggers the destruction of damaged mitochondria, restored motor function in aging mice with ALS-like symptoms. The results show promising promise for treating neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers at the University of Freiburg have developed modified CAR-T cells that prevent exhaustion and significantly enhance therapy effectiveness in a preclinical animal model. The new approach uses the delta chain signaling subunit instead of the zeta chain, which triggers a more balanced immune response.
An international team of researchers analyzed 1.7 million cells from 225 samples across 11 different cancer types, identifying regions in the DNA that are differentially activated or inactivated in a cancer-specific manner. These epigenetic changes create a signature for each tumour and correspond to hallmarks of cancer.
A recent study found that formaldehyde, a common environmental hazard, can change the epigenetics of cells. The toxic substance alters the regulation of genes and is linked to an increased risk of developing cancer, as well as other diseases such as hepatic degeneration and asthma.
Researchers at Mainz University Medical Center aim to improve patients' quality of life by applying smart data technology to physical activity. The DECIDE project aims to provide individualized control of patients' daily physical activity, while the RELEVIUM project focuses on alleviating pain and weight loss in pancreatic cancer patie...
Researchers found that urine biomarkers can be more accurate than serum biomarkers for detecting specific diseases. The study highlights the potential of combining urinary and serum biomarkers for holistic disease diagnosis and management. However, challenges remain in standardizing urinary biomarker assays and expanding their applicat...
A new study by NUS provides insights into how BRCA2 mutations impact breast tissue cells, leading to early breast cancer development. The research found that healthy mammary glands are not predisposed to form lesions, but HR- luminal cells with BRCA2 mutations exhibit enhanced organoid formation and survival under replication stress.
Researchers at Duke University developed an innovative antibody approach to target and kill tumor-promoting molecules found in cancer cells. The study revealed notable reductions in tumor growth and minimal side effects, making it a promising new treatment option for various types of cancer.
The Center for Innovation and Translation of POC Technologies for Equitable Cancer Care will prioritize development of POC tests for oral, cervical and gastrointestinal cancers. CITEC's goal is to identify needed technologies, accelerate their development, evaluate their performance in diverse settings.
A study by researchers at the University of Illinois found a significant relationship between soy expansion and childhood leukemia deaths in Brazil. Pesticide use in the region has been linked to increased cancer mortality, with an estimated 123 children under 10 dying from ALL associated with pesticide exposure between 2008 and 2019.
A new therapeutic option has been found for patients with a treatment-resistant tumor mutation called KRAS G12C. The sotorasib and panitumumab combination demonstrated superior progression-free survival rates compared to standard of care.
Researchers have discovered a novel biomarker that enables the evaluation of near-infrared photoimmunotherapy (NIR-PIT) treatment success. The biomarker uses microbubbles to track tumor vessels and measure the effectiveness of NIR-PIT, which combines antibodies and near-infrared light to destroy cancer cells.
Researchers aim to validate noninvasive screening test using exosomal microRNAs for early detection of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. The goal is to reduce unnecessary surgeries and improve health equity by including diverse populations in the study.
Researchers developed a blood test to detect cancer earlier in individuals with Li-Fraumeni syndrome, an inherited condition with a high risk of developing cancer. The study provides a proof-of-principle framework for detecting specific cancers earlier, paving the way for further clinical trials and improved patient care.
A study of 5,435 adolescents and young adults with cancer found that those receiving specialty palliative care experienced a decrease in pain severity. However, the intervention did not affect other symptoms, highlighting the need for new interventions targeting other symptoms during treatment.
A new study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that consuming more red meat is associated with a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Replacing red meat with plant-based protein sources like nuts and legumes may reduce this risk.
A new method for studying cancer cells' behavior on soft and stiff tissue environments has been developed, revealing crucial survival cues for cell growth. The study challenges the long-held assumption that cells prefer stiffer surfaces, opening up new possibilities for research in cancer biology and tissue engineering.
Jinglei Ping, a UMass Amherst engineering professor, has received a $1.9 million grant to investigate a new method of regulating exosome traffic using electronic signals. This approach aims to control cell communication in cancer and heart disease research.
The Ludwig Leadership Fellows Program aims to address the loss of young talent from academic science by offering independent research funding, laboratory space, and mentorship. The program provides up to five years of support, including $350,000 per year for research expenses and salary.
A new probiotic-guided chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T platform uses engineered bacteria to infiltrate and produce synthetic antigen targets, enabling CAR-T cells to find and destroy tumor cells in situ. The approach expands the scope of CAR-T cell therapy to include solid tumors, which are poorly infiltrated by T cells.
Researchers at Columbia University have engineered tumor-colonizing bacteria to produce synthetic targets that direct CAR-T cells to destroy cancer cells. The probiotic-guided CAR-T cell platform has shown safety and effectiveness in multiple models of human and mouse cancers.
Female cancer survivors perceive high fertility risks despite actual rates being lower, highlighting need for counseling on infertility risk throughout survivorship. Counseling may reduce misalignment between perceptions and actual risk, decreasing fertility-related distress and informing family planning decisions.
A multilevel primary care intervention, including electronic health record reminders and patient outreach, improved timely follow-up of overdue abnormal cancer screening test results for breast, cervical, colorectal, and lung cancer. The intervention was found to be effective in reducing missed screenings.
Researchers discovered the STAT3 signaling pathway as a potential target for treating H3K27M-mutant diffuse midline gliomas (DMGs), a uniformly lethal central nervous system malignancy. The current standard of care, including palliative radiation and chemotherapy, remains ineffective in this disease.
A new cancer drug candidate has been found to restore the effectiveness of the immune system in fighting tumors, including melanoma, bladder cancer, leukemia, and colon cancer. The drug works by lowering a toxic compound called MTA, which impairs normal functioning of immune cells and blocks immunotherapies.
Researchers propose a novel method for early cancer diagnosis using standardized mechanical property measurements, potentially detecting cancer earlier than current optical techniques. The method involves analyzing the elasticity coefficient of cells using atomic force microscopes or simpler indenters.
A new study reveals that changing nutrient use can reprogram immune cells, potentially treating cancer and infections. By blocking choline metabolism, researchers found a 'tremendous reprogramming of the immune profile' in mice, suggesting this knowledge could lead to novel therapies.
Case Western Reserve University and University Hospitals researchers will focus on understanding the molecular and genetic factors that trigger Barrett's esophagus development and progression to esophageal cancer. The goal is to translate discoveries into effective prevention and treatments for patients, reducing cancer mortalities.