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DNA repair protein gene gone rogue may unlock new cancer treatments

Researchers discovered that overproduction of a DNA repair protein creates DNA damage mimicking BRCA mutations, which may respond to targeted treatments. Tumors with high levels of EXO1 protein exhibit characteristics similar to BRCA-mutant cells, suggesting personalized therapies could be effective.

SourcePenn State·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 21, 2026

Study sheds light on how early pancreas lesions become cancerous

Researchers have discovered that precursor lesions in the pancreas, often considered a step towards cancer, do not undergo malignant transformation if they lack a specific microenvironment. The team used advanced technologies to isolate and analyze single cells from over 150 donated pancreases, finding that the microenvironment surroun...

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalCancer Discovery·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 21, 2026

Researchers identify drivers of resistance to KRAS inhibitors in colorectal cancer

Researchers at UT MD Anderson Cancer Center have uncovered genetic and cell-state adaptive mechanisms that drive resistance to KRAS inhibitors in patients with KRAS-mutant colorectal cancer. Targeting early inflammatory responses by adding TBK1 blockade may be a promising combination strategy to overcome treatment resistance.

Decoding Inflammatory Bowel Disease – on a chip

A new study replicated patient- and sex-specific hallmarks of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) in a human organ chip, identifying stromal fibroblasts as key drivers of inflammation, fibrosis, and enhanced cancer risk. The model also recapitulated the impact of pregnancy hormones on IBD severity in female patients.

SourceWyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard·JournalNature Biomedical Engineering·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 21, 2026

CPRIT awards UT MD Anderson over $19 million for cancer research and faculty recruitment

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center has been awarded $19 million by CPRIT to support young cancer survivors, groundbreaking research, and faculty recruitment programs. The funding will enable UT MD Anderson to recruit world-class scientists and clinicians, pursue new discoveries, and accelerate cancer treatment advancements.

Overcoming a blind spot in cancer immunotherapy

Researchers at the Francis Crick Institute have developed a new method to enhance anti-cancer immunity by redirecting non-specialized immune cells to present a broader range of tumor antigens. This approach, leveraging understanding of dendritic cell biology, has shown promise in reducing tumour growth and amplifying responses in mice.

SourceThe Francis Crick Institute·JournalNature Cancer·DateMay 20, 2026

Nicotine e-cigarettes reduce harmful chemical exposure, help smokers quit

A new study found that switching to a nicotine e-cigarette reduces toxicant exposure and improves quitting rates, with the nicotine group having a higher chance of quitting entirely. The study's results suggest that nicotine e-cigarettes could serve as an effective off-ramp for smokers seeking to reduce their tobacco use.

SourcePenn State·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMay 19, 2026

Brain Network Disorders article reviews the adoption of AI in brain cancer segmentation

A systematic review of AI models for meningioma segmentation reveals that better model architecture is the key driver of improved performance. The top models achieved high accuracy and efficiency, while future research focuses on making them more generalizable and efficient for real-world clinical settings.

SourceBrain Network Disorders Editorial Office·JournalBrain Network Disorders·TypeLiterature review·DateMay 19, 2026

Just two radiotherapy sessions given over eight days can treat prostate cancer without any extra side effects

A study published by the European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology found that delivering radiotherapy in just two sessions over eight days is safe and effective for treating prostate cancer. The treatment had no additional side effects compared to the standard five doses, making it a convenient option for patients.

Bacteria may hold a cancer treatment clue

Research suggests that tumors with poor prognosis outcomes may be infected with bacteria, which can weaken treatment by altering local immunity and damaging tissue structure. The authors propose using familiar carrier-free antibiotic and chemotherapeutic drug combinations to restore treatment sensitivity in these tumors.

SourceChina Anti-Cancer Association·JournalCancer Biology & Medicine·DateMay 15, 2026

Screening modestly reduces prostate cancer deaths

Screening with a PSA blood test reduces prostate cancer deaths by approximately 2 for every 1,000 men screened. The review found that 500 men would need to be invited to screening to prevent one prostate cancer death.

SourceCochrane·JournalCochrane Database of Systematic Reviews·TypeSystematic review·DateMay 14, 2026

Share proton therapy across national borders and plan five new centres in Romania, Greece, Italy, Northern Ireland and Poland to maximise access for patients in Europe

A new study aims to make proton therapy available to more patients in Europe by planning five new centres across Romania, Greece, Italy, Northern Ireland, and Poland. Currently, 59% of European cancer patients have access to the treatment, but this can be increased to 87% with strategic location and expansion.

SourceEuropean Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology (ESTRO)·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 14, 2026

The hidden force of growth

Researchers found that self-propelled particles can spontaneously form clusters when navigating a dense colony of dividing cells. The growing medium creates an environment that transforms the particles' behavior, making them behave like active Brownian particles and attracting them to each other without explicit interaction.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalPhysical Review Research·DateMay 14, 2026

Rice researchers develop realistic ‘mock’ samples to speed cervical cancer test development

A team of Rice University bioengineers has developed a new way to create highly realistic mock patient samples that could help accelerate the development of faster and more accessible cervical cancer screening tests. The approach combines multiple factors, including viral DNA levels and cell counts, to mimic real clinical specimens.

SourceRice University·JournalJournal of Medical Virology·DateMay 13, 2026

Routine scans may reveal tumor aggressiveness in head and neck cancer – without additional tests

A new study suggests that medical imaging can capture the molecular activity of particularly aggressive head and neck tumors, opening new possibilities for more precise diagnosis and treatment planning. The research team found that tumors driven by activation of the Hedgehog signaling pathway exhibit distinct patterns on PET/CT scans.

SourceUmea University·JournalMolecular Cancer·TypeImaging analysis·DateMay 13, 2026

Ivermectin prescriptions more than doubled after a celebrity endorsed it as a cancer treatment on a high-profile podcast

Prescriptions for ivermectin and benzimidazole increased significantly following a high-profile podcast endorsement, with the highest rates among men, White patients, and those in the US South. The study raises concerns about celebrity endorsements influencing people to turn to unproven treatments.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 12, 2026

AI-powered handheld microscope aims to spot cancer earlier

The PrecisionView device enables clinicians to visualize both subcellular structures and underlying blood vessels across large tissue areas without invasive biopsies. It generates detailed maps of tissue areas spanning several square centimeters and displays results in real-time.

SourceRice University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 12, 2026

First-in-human trial demonstrates promise of implantable cytokine factories for ovarian cancer

A first-in-human trial demonstrates the potential of implantable cytokine factories for treating ovarian cancer, showing a favorable safety profile and encouraging disease stabilization in patients. The therapy successfully activated key immune cells without expanding regulatory T cells, revealing a promising mechanism of action.

SourceRice University·JournalClinical Cancer Research·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 12, 2026

Nanoparticles overcome drug-resistant cancer via sequential drug release and photothermal therapy

Researchers have developed nanoparticles that sequentially disable the cancer cell's drug-expulsion mechanism and then release anticancer drugs, combined with photothermal therapy. This approach overcomes multidrug resistance and achieves complete tumor elimination in a mouse model, with no detectable toxicity to normal tissues.

SourceTohoku University·JournalJournal of Controlled Release·DateMay 8, 2026

UCLA researchers help lead national effort to improve care for patients with glioblastoma

Glioblastoma is a highly aggressive brain tumor that has seen modest improvements in survival rates over the past decade. Researchers at UCLA's Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center are part of a national effort to develop more personalized approaches to care, combining advanced imaging and analysis of tumor tissue samples and blood test...

Scientists find blood-based biomarkers for inflammatory breast cancer

Researchers at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center have identified specific blood-based genomic biomarkers that distinguish inflammatory breast cancer from other subtypes. The study used an improved method of RNA sequencing, called TGIRT sequencing, which allowed for a more comprehensive overview of all RNA types and amou...