Eye Cancers
Articles tagged with Eye Cancers
The SCD1 inhibitor aramchol, regorafenib, and metformin combine to kill uveal melanoma cells
Researchers found that the three-drug combination increased autophagosome formation and autophagic flux in uveal melanoma cells, killing them via enhanced autophagy. The study suggests a potential therapeutic approach for treating metastatic uveal melanoma, particularly in liver-targeted disease.
Moffitt study creates more realistic mouse model of eye cancer
Researchers created a more realistic mouse model of eye cancer that replicates genetic changes found in human patients, allowing for better study of disease evolution and development. The model reveals molecular biomarkers linked to aggressive tumors, providing new clues for risk assessment and treatment strategies.
New AI tool helps doctors treat cancer patients after heart attack
Researchers developed an AI tool called ONCO-ACS to predict the risk of secondary heart attacks in cancer patients after a heart attack. The tool combines cancer-related factors with standard clinical data to provide reliable information for doctors to balance treatment benefits and harms.
Vision-saving eye surgery may also improve survival in patients with rare eye cancer, study finds
Researchers have found that a unique surgical technique combining radiation with silicone oil shows unexpectedly low rates of cancer metastasis and death in patients with uveal melanoma. Over four years, more than 80% of patients remained free of metastatic disease.
Scientists develop super strong antibodies for new cancer treatment
Researchers from the University of Southampton engineered a new type of super-strong antibody that triggers a stronger response from the immune system compared to naturally produced antibodies. The study confirms that making subtle increases in rigidity stimulates immune activity, creating a powerful immune response against disease.
Moffitt-led international study finds new drug delivery system effective against rare eye cancer
A new drug delivery system has been shown to be effective in treating a rare form of eye cancer that has spread to the liver. The treatment, which was approved by the FDA in 2023, delivers a high dose of chemotherapy directly to the liver via percutaneous insertions.
EphA2 signaling in eye lens aging: wild-type, knockout, and aging mice
Researchers from Indiana University have uncovered how the EphA2 protein receptor contributes to cataract formation. The study found that canonical ligand-dependent EphA2 signaling remains stable in aging lens tissue, while non-canonical signaling increases with age, affecting lens fiber cell maturation.
Retinal disorder diagnosis improved by new AI-powered medical imaging, study shows
Researchers have introduced DSFN to improve the speed and accuracy of diagnoses of retinal disorders. This AI-powered medical imaging technique combines retina images with vascular distribution information to accurately locate the fovea in complex clinical scenarios, enabling doctors to detect early signs of ocular diseases.
Chemotherapy before surgery helps patients with nose and sinus cancer avoid debilitating eye and bone removal
A clinical trial by the ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group shows striking results from chemotherapy before surgery to shrink tumors and reduce tissue removal. Patients who received chemotherapy had a 50% chance of preserving vital organs, compared to 15% for those having surgery.
Scientists discover how the body's killer cells attack cancer
Researchers have found that natural killer cells instinctively recognize and attack the XPO1 protein, which drives cancer growth. By targeting this protein, scientists may be able to activate more killer cells to destroy cancer cells. The study suggests that this approach could lead to personalized cancer treatment with less side effects.
Thousands of high-risk cancer gene variants identified
Scientists have mapped over 5,000 genetic variants in the 'tumour protection' gene BAP1 that significantly increase cancer risk. These variants can be used to develop new treatments, including IGF-1 inhibitors, to slow down or prevent cancer progression.
New insights could unlock immunotherapy for rare, deadly eye cancer
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have discovered how to overcome resistance to conventional immunotherapies in metastatic uveal melanoma. They developed a clinical tool called Uveal Melanoma Immunogenic Score (UMIS) to predict patient response and improve treatment outcomes.
Study reveals health impact of eating disorders
A new UK study finds that people with eating disorders are 2.11 times more likely to report physical multimorbidity. Anxiety, insomnia, and perceived stress are key influencers in this relationship.
Researchers develop innovative technique for distinguishing tumor from normal tissue
A team of researchers has developed a new visualization tool combining high-speed cameras and fluorescent injection to distinguish tumor tissue from normal tissue across cancer types. The technique, known as fluorescence lifetime (FLT) imaging, achieved an accuracy of over 97% in distinguishing tumor tissue from healthy tissue.
Offspring of teen, young adult women with cancer history more likely to have birth defects
A recent study by UTHealth Houston found that the offspring of adolescent and young adult women with a history of cancer face a higher risk of birth defects. The study examined 6,882 offspring ages 12 months and younger and found an increased risk of specific types of defects in the offspring of women with a history of cancer.
Beamline innovation could enhance the potential of cancer treatment with proton therapy
Researchers at Paul Scherrer Institute have developed a beamline modification called momentum cooling to increase the transmission of proton beams, allowing for shorter treatment times. This breakthrough could enable faster treatments while maintaining accuracy and sparing healthy tissue, with potential benefits including reduced costs...
Pioneering device can take 3D images to detect eye diseases
A low-cost device can capture 3D images of the retina, cornea, and back of the eye, revolutionizing eye screening and treatment globally. The technology has the potential to detect eye diseases like glaucoma and improve patient care.
Improving eye health essential to achieving Sustainable Development Goals
A new study published in The Lancet Planetary Health found that improved eye health services are associated with moving closer to achieving seven SDGs. Multiple direct connections were discovered between eye health services and increased productivity, household expenditure, income, education, and equality.
New color-coded test quickly reveals if medical nanoparticles deliver their payload
Researchers developed a color-coded test that quickly signals whether medical nanoparticles deliver their cargo into target cells. The tool, tested in mouse cells and living mice, assesses nanoparticle formulations on their ability to escape cellular defenses and reach the cell's interior.
WVU gets FDA approval for clinical trial of drug to treat eye cancer ‘from the inside out’
Researchers at West Virginia University have received FDA approval for a new drug to treat uveal melanoma, a rare form of eye cancer. The drug, MTI-201, targets specific biomarkers in diseased cells, allowing for more precise treatment with minimal damage to healthy cells.
Increased survival with eye melanoma in clinical trial
A new combination treatment has shown significant tumor shrinkage and prolonged survival in patients with metastatic uveal melanoma. The treatment, which targets HDAC and PD-1 proteins, was found to work better in tumors with active BAP1 genes, a key discovery that may lead to improved survival rates.
Mantis shrimp eyes inspire six-color imaging platform for cancer surgery
Researchers have developed a six-color imaging platform inspired by mantis shrimp eyes to accurately label tumors in mice and visualize lymph nodes near breast cancer tumors. The system detected cancerous tissue in 92% of cases and successfully integrated into the operating room without disrupting surgeons' workflow.
Wearable sensor monitors health, administers drugs using saliva and tears
A new wearable device collects biofluids such as tears and saliva to analyze conditions like oral ulcers, oral cancer, and eye infections on a rapid, continuous basis. The sensors also administer medicine with microneedles through the skin, offering improved treatment options for patients.
Scientists discover autoimmune disease associated with testicular cancer
Researchers identified a unique biomarker, KLHL11, that targets autoantibodies in men with testicular cancer-associated paraneoplastic encephalitis. The discovery has the potential to diagnose this condition earlier and improve treatment outcomes for patients.
Jerry A. Shields, M.D. receives Howe Medal from American Ophthalmological Society
Dr. Jerry A. Shields, MD is honored with the 2019 Lucien Howe Medal for his distinguished service to the fields of ocular oncology and ophthalmology. He has made significant contributions to life-saving treatments and cures in eye cancer.
Innovative treatment restores sight in patient
Researchers have developed an innovative treatment using long-acting steroid implants to improve vision and reduce symptoms in patients with melanoma-associated retinopathy. After three years of monitoring, the patient's visual acuity remained stable at 20/20, marking a significant breakthrough in treating this debilitating ailment.
Study links BAP1 protein to tumor suppression in kidney, eye, bile duct and mesothelioma cancers
Researchers identified BAP1-regulated target genes and mechanisms linking ferroptosis to tumor suppression in various cancers. Treatment with ROS inducer resulted in increased ferroptosis-related cell death in BAP1 cancer cells, suggesting a potential new area of therapy research.
Scientists identify weak point in deadly eye melanoma
A natural plant compound called FR900359 has been identified as a potential treatment for uveal melanoma, shutting down the overactive signaling that drives cell growth. The compound traps G alpha q in its inactive state, preventing tumor cell growth and potentially reversing cancer-like changes.
International eye cancer research project to improve future therapies
A new international research project has identified four distinct subtypes of uveal melanoma, a rare and deadly eye cancer. The study suggests that each subtype requires different management strategies due to unique genomic abnormalities and patient outcomes.
Georgia State's Inlighta Biosciences gets $2 million grant to develop enhanced MRI contrast agents
Inlighta Biosciences is developing a novel, protein-based MRI contrast agent called ProCA32 to detect early stages of liver cancers and other metastatic tumors. The agent has shown improved imaging contrast compared to conventional agents, enabling earlier detection and characterization of cancerous lesions.
Protein that promotes 'cell-suicide' could revolutionize eye cancer treatment
Researchers have identified protein p63 as crucial for triggering 'cell-suicide' in eye cancer cells, providing a breakthrough for metastatic uveal melanoma treatment. The discovery may lead to novel therapeutic strategies by targeting this protein in combination with other genes.
Doc versus machine
A new study led by Harvard Medical School researchers found that human physicians vastly outperform digital diagnosticians in clinical diagnosis. Physicians made a correct diagnosis more than twice as often as commonly used symptom-checker apps, with an accuracy rate of 72% compared to 34%. The study suggests that computer-based algori...
Increased eye cancer risk linked to pigmentation genes that dictate eye color
New research links specific inherited genetic differences to an increased risk for eye melanoma, a rare form of melanoma arising from pigment cells that determine eye color. Genetic mutations associated with skin melanoma were also found to be linked to uveal melanoma risk.
Allaying fears
A study by Harvard Medical School researchers found that implementing electronic health record (EHR) systems has no significant impact on patient outcomes, including inpatient mortality and adverse events. The study analyzed data from 17 hospitals that went live with new EHR systems within a single day.
Rare eye disease that struck Oliver Sacks gives rise to new cancer treatment strategy
A new treatment shows promise against a rare and deadly eye cancer by blocking the protein ARF6, which distributes cancer-promoting signals. The study found that inhibiting ARF6 inhibited eye tumors in mice, suggesting a potential strategy for treating other cancers as well.
Telemedicine use increases among rural Medicare beneficiaries
The use of telemedicine is on the rise among rural Medicare beneficiaries, with over 40,000 people receiving visits in 2013. Disabled beneficiaries with mental illness were the most likely to receive these services, indicating potential for improved health care access and quality for vulnerable populations.
Affordable Care Act payment reform achieves early gains
Accountable care organizations that joined the Medicare Shared Savings Program achieved modest savings while maintaining or improving quality of patient care. Independent primary care groups participating in the program achieved significantly greater savings than hospital-integrated groups.
USC Roski Eye Institute researchers publish largest Chinese American eye study
The USC Roski Eye Institute's largest Chinese American eye study found a higher percentage (85 percent) of neovascular or 'wet' AMD among Chinese Americans compared to other ethnic groups. The study also revealed that participants with diabetes were three times more likely to experience significant visual impairment.
Up to 50 percent of women with advanced-stage ovarian cancer could be cured with 1 treatment model
A new treatment model recommends aggressive surgery followed by targeted chemotherapy to achieve a 50% cure rate for women with advanced-stage ovarian cancer. This approach differs from current conventional treatments, which often result in a 20% survival rate.
Protein's work in eye lens suggests a way to tame cancer
Researchers discovered connexin protein's ability to suppress cancer growth by tethering itself to cell-proliferating molecules. This finding could lead to new cancer therapies based on connexin molecules.
Moffitt's Physical Sciences -- Oncology Center receives $10.4 million grant
The Integrated Mathematical Oncology Department at Moffitt Cancer Center has been awarded a $10.4 million grant from the National Cancer Institute to develop new strategies to prevent and treat cancer by exploiting Charles Darwin's concept of natural selection.
Rating hospital readmissions
A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that Medicare's readmission penalties disproportionately affect hospitals serving disadvantaged communities. By adjusting for more comprehensive patient characteristics, the gap in readmission rates between best- and worst-performing hospitals is nearly halved. The researchers propose a...
A new perspective on Phantom Eye Syndrome
More than a third of patients experience phantom eye symptoms every day, with some feeling pain in the non-existent eye and others perceiving visual patterns or colors. The study provides insights into the prevalence and characteristics of phantom eye syndrome in patients with intraocular melanoma.
Melanoma of the eye caused by 2 gene mutations
Researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine have identified two gene mutations that cause uveal melanoma, a type of eye cancer. They also found that an existing FDA-approved drug can slow tumor growth in experiments with mice.
Genetic diversity within tumors predicts outcome in head and neck cancer
A new measure of genetic diversity within tumors has been found to predict treatment outcomes in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Higher levels of genetic heterogeneity were associated with shorter overall survival, and the relationship was seen across different risk groups.
Parents and readers beware of stereotypes in young adult literature
A new genre of young adult literature, 'teen sick-lit,' portrays chronically ill protagonists as vessels for others' emotional development rather than self-actualized women. The study found little empowerment in these books, instead reinforcing negative stereotypes and societal norms.
Genetic test identifies eye cancer tumors likely to spread
Researchers developed a genetic test to predict ocular melanoma tumor spread, classifying tumors with over 97% accuracy. The test identified two classes of tumors: those unlikely to spread (class 1) and those more likely to develop metastatic cancer (class 2).
Ohio State researchers discover hereditary predisposition of melanoma of the eye
Researchers at Ohio State University have discovered a hereditary cancer syndrome that increases risk for uveal melanoma, lung cancer, brain cancer, and possibly other types of cancer due to mutations in the BAP1 gene. The study identifies six families with this syndrome, which can be screened for using a clinical test.
Researcher finds revolutionary way to treat eye cancer
A new technique developed by Dr. Scott Oliver may revolutionize the treatment of eye cancer, preventing blindness in most patients by blocking up to 55% of harmful radiation with silicone oil.
UCLA surgeons find new way to shield vision during radiation for eye cancer
Researchers have discovered that silicon oil can absorb nearly 50% of radioactive rays during radiation therapy for ocular melanoma. The study, published in Archives of Ophthalmology, suggests that the substance acts as a physical shield to reduce radiation exposure to the eye.
Wining and dining your way to better eyesight
Researchers found resveratrol inhibits pathogenic new blood vessel growth, a central role in various cancers and eye disease. The compound may offer a novel therapeutic strategy to treat these diseases.
Battling cancer with engineering: NCI funds new $13 million cancer research center led by Cornell
The National Cancer Institute funds a new $13 million cancer research center at Cornell University, led by Harold Craighead. The center will focus on using nanobiotechnology and other physical science approaches to advance cancer research.
NCI awards $15.2 million to create Princeton Physical Sciences -- Oncology Center
The center aims to understand the explosive evolution of cancer under stress using an interdisciplinary team and physics-based approach. Researchers will create microhabitats to manipulate variables and observe cell responses, informing the development of sophisticated computer models to simulate tumor growth.
Cancer patients want genetic testing to predict metastasis risk
A UCLA study found that most cancer patients with ocular melanoma would want genetic testing to predict metastasis risk, regardless of treatment availability. The test results showed little impact on quality of life or depression symptoms, suggesting it could provide a valuable tool for planning and emotional preparation.
Mobile phone use not associated with melanoma of the eye
Researchers examined the link between mobile phone use and uveal melanoma in a large study of 1,453 participants. No significant increased risk was found among regular users or those who used radio sets, suggesting that phone use may not be associated with this type of eye cancer.
Electronic health records may lower malpractice settlements
A study found that physicians with electronic health records (EHRs) had a lower incidence of paid malpractice claims, with 6.1% of EHR users and 10.8% of non-users settling claims in the past decade.
Donors' health associated with risk of infection among recipients of corneal transplants
A study found that recipients of corneal transplants from donors who died in the hospital or had cancer were more likely to develop infections, including endophthalmitis. Donors' health status before death may affect their eye tissue, but excluding all hospitalized patients and those with cancer is not warranted.
New strategies work to put cancer on the firing line
Researchers develop novel viral vector delivery system to alert immune system against cancer cells, bypassing the tumor's immune-suppressive mechanisms. The approach has potential for treating persistent infections and cancers.
Editorial: Better science, more rigorous studies characterize field of ophthalmic plastic surgery
The collaboration between ophthalmology and facial plastic surgery has led to fresh approaches in clinical problems, exemplified by well-designed clinical studies. Articles in this issue of Archives of Ophthalmology showcase new technology and precise measurements during eyelid surgery.