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Uniquely human gene may drive numerous cancers

Researchers discovered that a high proportion of advanced carcinomas carry a mutant form of the Siglec-XII protein, which is rarely expressed in normal humans. This finding may explain why humans are more prone to aggressive cancers compared to chimpanzees.

SourceWiley·JournalFASEB BioAdvances·DateDec 9, 2020

Antibiotic overuse reduces bladder cancer survival rates

A new study by Flinders University researchers found that antibiotic use is directly associated with worse survival rates in patients with urothelial carcinoma treated with atezolizumab. The study suggests antibiotics may specifically reduce the effectiveness of cancer immunotherapies, highlighting a need for extra caution when using t...

SourceFlinders University·JournalEuropean Urology·DateAug 16, 2020

Cancer surgery: It depends on experience

A study published in BJS Open found that mortality rates from colorectal cancer surgery are significantly higher in smaller hospitals with lower annual case numbers. Hospitals performing more operations per year have better patient survival rates, likely due to increased access to specialized care and equipment.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalBJS Open·DateJan 14, 2020

Medicare Advantage beneficiaries run higher risk of readmission compared with traditional Medicare

Researchers found that Medicare Advantage beneficiaries had higher 30-day risk-adjusted readmission rates than traditional Medicare beneficiaries for three common medical conditions. Despite previous studies suggesting better post-acute care outcomes for Medicare Advantage enrollees, the study found no evidence of improved readmission ...

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateJun 25, 2019

New diagnostic technique reveals a protein biomarker that accurately differentiates bladder cancer from benign inflammation

A new diagnostic technique using infrared imaging and proteomics has identified a protein biomarker called AHNAK2 that can accurately distinguish between bladder cancer and benign inflammation. The technique has been shown to have high sensitivity and specificity in differentiating between various stages of bladder cancer.

SourceElsevier·JournalAmerican Journal Of Pathology·DateFeb 12, 2019

Immunotherapy drug used as 1st-line therapy for Merkel cell carcinoma improved survival

Pembrolizumab, a new immunotherapy drug, shows lasting tumor control and improved overall survival in advanced Merkel cell carcinoma patients. The study reports generally manageable side effects and supports the use of immunotherapy as an effective treatment option for this aggressive form of skin cancer.

SourceLouisiana State University Health Sciences Center·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·DateFeb 7, 2019

JCI early table of contents for June 17, 2013

Researchers identified a genetic translocation that can precipitate disease in adenoid cystic carcinoma patients. They also found that variants in the SIM1 gene are associated with severe obesity, while vitamin B3 blocks cyst formation in a mouse model of polycystic kidney disease.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJun 17, 2013

Scouring the genome of adenoid cystic carcinoma

Researchers identified a genetic translocation that can precipitate disease in adenoid cystic carcinoma, with many disease-associated mutations occurring in genes modifying DNA. Identifying individual mutations will aid in the development of personalized therapy, according to accompanying commentary.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJun 17, 2013

Researchers provide rationale for use of targeted immunotherapy in sarcomatoid lung carcinomas

Sarcomatoid lung carcinomas are rare and aggressive diseases resistant to chemotherapy. Researchers found higher levels of programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) in these tumors, which may lead to the use of anti-PD-1/PD-L1 targeted therapies. This discovery supports potential novel immunotherapy approaches for this difficult-to-treat disease.

SourceInternational Association for the Study of Lung Cancer·JournalJournal of Thoracic Oncology·DateMay 28, 2013

Combination therapy beneficial for head and neck skin carcinomas, UNC study shows

A UNC-led study shows that patients with high-risk non-melanoma skin carcinomas of the head and neck may benefit from concomitant radiotherapy and chemotherapy, achieving better outcomes compared to radiation alone. The study provides preliminary data on the feasibility of combining chemotherapy with radiotherapy.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina Health Care·JournalInternational Journal of Surgery·DateOct 4, 2011

Which is accurate, CT or MRI?

A study published in World Journal of Gastroenterology found that CT scans and MRI scans are equally accurate in detecting paraaortic lymph node metastasis in patients with pancreatico-biliary carcinoma. The results support the current clinical practice of using both imaging modalities for evaluating this condition.

SourceWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·JournalWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·DateMay 20, 2008