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Follow-up costs can add up if a free cancer screening shows a potential problem

New studies from Michigan Medicine researchers aim to remove financial barriers for patients who receive abnormal test results, enabling them to complete the diagnostic process. The findings suggest that removing cost barriers could save lives by increasing screening uptake, particularly among women and underserved populations.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 14, 2022

Genetic and lifestyle calculator reveals which younger adults are most at risk of colorectal cancer

A new polygenic risk score is made from genetic variants and lifestyle factors to identify younger adults at risk of colorectal cancer. The study found those with the highest risk scores were four times more likely to develop colorectal cancers than those with lower scores.

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 27, 2022

Mouse study led by Bloomberg school researchers identifies bacterial protein associated with colorectal cancers

Researchers discovered a bacterial toxin that can accelerate colon cancer in mice, sharing similarities with human tumors. The study's findings suggest a potential link between transient food poisoning and colorectal cancer development, highlighting the need for further epidemiological studies.

Primary care clinicians adjust recommendations for colorectal cancer screening to accommodate patient needs and preferences, study finds

A study found that primary care clinicians prefer noninvasive options for patients who are unwilling to undergo invasive procedures, concerned about work time, or unconvinced of the need for screening. The researchers suggest tailoring recommendations to patient preferences to improve adherence to colorectal cancer screening.

SourceMayo Clinic·JournalMayo Clinic Proceedings·DateDec 14, 2021

City of Hope researchers help find improved treatment options for patients with advanced colorectal cancer

A Phase 2 clinical trial showed sotorasib can shrink tumors and achieve disease control in heavily pretreated patients with advanced colorectal cancer. The study results exceeded the historic benefits linked to approved therapies, offering new hope for a population with limited treatment options.

SourceCity of Hope·JournalThe Lancet Oncology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateDec 14, 2021

Improving drug options for colorectal cancer patients

Researchers have discovered that a common class of targeted therapies can help more colorectal cancer patients than previously thought. By analyzing cell studies and computer modeling, the team identified 10 distinct RAS mutations that do not preclude the use of EGFR inhibitors, which are already approved for other uses.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalCell Reports·DateDec 14, 2021

AI that classifies colorectal polyps proves useful in the clinic

A new AI model has been developed to classify colorectal polyps, demonstrating accuracy and sensitivity at a level comparable to practicing pathologists. The model was tested in a clinical trial involving 15 pathologists, showing significant improvements in accuracy compared to traditional methods.

SourceDartmouth Health·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateNov 18, 2021

Flexible sigmoidoscopy screening associated with long-term reduction in colorectal cancer incidence and mortality

Flexible sigmoidoscopy screening significantly reduces colorectal cancer incidence and mortality, with a substantial protective effect maintained up to 19 years. The study's findings confirm the safety and effectiveness of flexible sigmoidoscopy as a preventive measure.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateNov 8, 2021

Survival similar for younger and older patients with metastatic colorectal cancer, study finds

A new study by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute found that younger patients with metastatic colorectal cancer have a similar overall survival time as older patients, defying expectations. The study included data from the CALGB/SWOG 80405 clinical trial and compared survival times in 514 younger patients under 50 with 1,812 older patients.

SourceDana-Farber Cancer Institute·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 27, 2021

Research points to a strategy for overcoming colorectal cancers’ immunotherapy resistance

New research reveals that boosting numbers of immune cells called dendritic cells may be key to overcoming colorectal cancers' immunotherapy resistance. By augmenting dendritic cells in liver metastases, treatment led to increased cytotoxic T lymphocytes and made tumors sensitive to immune checkpoint inhibitors.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 11, 2021

Killer T cells could be recruited to ignite immune response against cancer, new study suggests

Researchers have discovered a way to bring cancer-killing T cells to bear against a specific type of colorectal cancer, showing promising results. The findings may represent a therapeutic strategy to target other types of cancers, and the next step is to further explore how T cells become activated in the tumor environment.

SourceUniversity of Alberta Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry·JournalJournal of Experimental Medicine·DateOct 8, 2021

A peptide-drug conjugate that targets the acidic environment of cancer cells may improve the efficacy of immunotherapy

A peptide-drug conjugate called CBX-12 has been shown to enhance the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors in preclinical cancer models by targeting the acidic environment of cancer cells. The treatment exhibited significantly delayed tumor growth, improved survival, and complete tumor regressions compared to immunotherapy alone.

First-of-its-kind study: Use of computer-assisted colonoscopies reduces rate of missed lesions

A new study published in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology found that computer-aided detection can improve colonoscopy quality by reducing the miss rate, with a relative reduction of nearly a third when used in conjunction with standard-of-care colonoscopy. The study suggests that artificial intelligence may be an important tool...

SourceBeth Israel Deaconess Medical Center·JournalClinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology·DateSep 17, 2021

September/October 2021 Annals of Family Medicine tip sheet

The article highlights the need for financial and technological support to enable effective interprofessional teams in primary care. The authors suggest training community members to serve their communities and exploring how diversity impacts patient care outcomes. They also advocate for innovative payment models that allow primary car...

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateSep 16, 2021

For good measure: A virtual ruler estimates the size of colorectal polyps

Researchers developed a method to overlay a virtual scale on acquired endoscope images in real-time, allowing accurate estimation of colorectal polyp sizes. The approach uses triangulation principles and minimal image processing, enabling cost-effective diagnosis without adding extra instrumentation.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalJournal of Biomedical Optics·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 2, 2021

New discovery made by MUSC Hollings Cancer Center researchers enhances understanding of colorectal cancer

MUSC Hollings Cancer Center researchers discovered a novel mechanism showing how a certain gene mutation can allow tumors to evade detection by the immune system in colorectal cancer patients. The study found that APC mutations lead to increased levels of PD-L1, which allows tumors to evade T-cell function and increase immunosuppression.

A “helping hand”: Intervention for early cancer screening in patients with mental illness

Researchers from Okayama University conducted a randomized trial to assess the benefits of interventions for early cancer screening in patients with schizophrenia. The study found that 47.1% of counseled patients underwent colorectal cancer screening, compared to 11.8% of those receiving only usual treatment.

SourceOkayama University·JournalActa Psychiatrica Scandinavica·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateAug 23, 2021

Poorer survival in obese colorectal cancer patients possibly linked to lower chemotherapy doses

A meta-analysis found that obese patients with colorectal cancer receive lower cumulative doses of adjuvant chemotherapy relative to their body surface area than non-obese patients. This may explain the poorer survival rates observed in obese patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy for colorectal cancer. The study suggests that obese ...

SourceEuropean Society for Medical Oncology·JournalAnnals of Oncology·DateJul 2, 2021