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Fred Hutch at ASCO: Progress in treating metastatic cancer, hospice access for cancer patients, use of machine learning with CAR T-cell therapy

Fred Hutch researchers present progress in treating metastatic cancer with novel therapies, including a Phase II study testing TNF-a inhibitors for castration-resistant prostate cancer. The center also explores improving hospice access and using machine learning with CAR T-cell therapy to enhance patient outcomes.

Research spotlight: AI enabled body composition analysis predicts outcomes for patients with lung cancer treated with immunotherapy

A recent study uses AI to analyze body composition in patients with lung cancer treated with immunotherapy, finding that changes in muscle mass and fat quality are important indicators of outcomes. The research provides a more nuanced understanding of the relationship between body composition and response to immunotherapy.

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalJAMA Oncology·TypeObservational study·DateMay 23, 2024

Gene cluster expression index and potential indications for targeted therapy and immunotherapy for lung cancers

A novel gene cluster expression analysis was introduced to potentially expand treatments for more lung cancer patients. The study found that a gene cluster expression index can classify cancers with dramatically different recurrence risks, with higher risk groups suitable for targeted therapy or immunotherapy.

SourceXia & He Publishing Inc.·JournalCancer Screening and Prevention·DateMay 22, 2024

Pre- and post-surgical immunotherapy improves outcomes for patients with operable lung cancer

A Phase III study found that perioperative nivolumab plus chemotherapy significantly improved event-free survival in patients with resectable early-stage non-small cell lung cancer. The treatment also showed higher rates of pathological complete response and major pathological response compared to chemotherapy alone.

SourceUniversity of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMay 15, 2024

Affordable Care Act expansions improved access to cancer care, study suggests

A study published by University of Pittsburgh researchers found that ACA insurance expansions led to an increase in patients receiving care at accredited cancer hospitals in Pennsylvania. The study suggests that these expansions make a difference in improving access to high-quality cancer care, particularly for those living in areas wi...

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalHealth Services Research·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 3, 2024

Smoking-related deaths could be reduced if people attending lung cancer screening are offered stop-smoking support

A new study found that offering stop smoking support alongside lung cancer screening can significantly increase quit rates among high-risk individuals. Up to half of those who attend for lung cancer screening currently smoke, and dedicated funding is urged to provide this essential support.

SourceUniversity of Nottingham·JournalEuropean Respiratory Journal·TypeObservational study·DateApr 18, 2024

Moffitt researchers discover new therapeutic target for non-small cell lung cancer

Researchers at H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute discovered a new therapeutic target for non-small cell lung cancer by targeting the Jagged2 protein. Disrupting this signaling pathway activates anti-tumor immunity via Notch-induced functional reprogramming of tumor-associated macrophages.

SourceH. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute·JournalImmunity·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 18, 2024

Antibiotics reveal a new way to fight cancer

Tetracycline antibiotics have been found to enhance the antitumor activity of T lymphocytes by targeting galactin-1, an immunosuppressive protein produced by cancer cells. This breakthrough discovery may lead to the development of new drugs that target different immune pathways and benefit patients with cancer.

SourceOsaka University·JournalJournal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 15, 2024

A study in Science Advances suggests liquid biopsy could detect and monitor aggressive small cell lung cancer

A new lab assay developed by Fred Hutch Cancer Center researchers detects differences between types of lung cancer using patterns in cell-free tumor DNA. The blood-based test has the potential to classify clinical subtypes driven by transcriptional programs and expand treatment selection for patients with small-cell lung cancer.

SourceFred Hutchinson Cancer Center·JournalScience Advances·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 10, 2024

The correlation between traditional Chinese medicine syndrome of lung cancer and tumor-node-metastasis staging indexes

The study assessed relationships between TCM syndromes and lung cancer TNM staging indicators, finding phlegm dampness syndrome dominant in stages I & II, Qi Yin deficiency syndrome in stages III & IV. The findings suggest bias in included literature, emphasizing the need for larger sample sizes and clinical experimental investigations.

SourceXia & He Publishing Inc.·JournalFuture Integrative Medicine·DateApr 8, 2024

Mount Sinai study calls for major changes in the way people with comorbidities are selected by physicians for lung cancer screening

A Mount Sinai study found that primary care physicians' approach to selecting patients with comorbidities for lung cancer screening is influenced by subjective clinical judgments. The researchers recommend streamlined protocols and clearer guidelines to increase adoption of lung cancer screening for this high-risk population.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateMar 26, 2024

Patients With multimorbidity and limited life expectancy may undergo lung cancer screening unaware that it could cause them more harm than good

Patients with multimorbidity and limited life expectancy are often unaware of the potential harms of lung cancer screening. Despite this, many agree to undergo screening due to personal health goals, trust in their clinician, and anticipation of regret over not getting screened. Discussions between patients and clinicians about the ben...

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateMar 25, 2024

Circulating tumor DNA levels predict treatment outcomes for patients with gastroesophageal cancer treated with a novel immunotherapy combination

A new study from Johns Hopkins Medicine found that circulating tumor DNA levels can accurately assess how gastroesophageal cancers respond to treatment and predict future prognosis. The study tracked minimal residual disease by analyzing ctDNA, showing a correlation between ctDNA clearance and cancer-free survival.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalNature Medicine·DateMar 19, 2024

Cancer deaths plummet in middle-aged people

A study by Cancer Research UK reveals that mortality rates have dropped by 37% in men and 33% in women, with significant reductions in cervical cancer and lung cancer. However, cancer cases are on the rise overall, and researchers warn of an immense challenge ahead to maintain progress.

SourceCancer Research UK·JournalBMJ·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 13, 2024

‘Junk DNA’ no more: Johns Hopkins investigators develop method of identifying cancers from repeat elements of genetic code

Scientists at Johns Hopkins have developed a novel approach to identify cancer-causing repeats in DNA sequences, enabling non-invasive detection and monitoring of cancers. The ARTEMIS method uses machine learning to analyze cell-free DNA and distinguish between tumor and normal tissues with high accuracy.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateMar 13, 2024

Large-scale study explores link between smoking and DNA changes across six racial and ethnic groups

A large-scale study has found a significant link between smoking and DNA methylation, with two new epigenetic markers identified that differ by race or ethnicity. The research could lead to better ways to predict smoking-related disease risk and improve early detection and treatment.

SourceKeck School of Medicine of USC·JournalAmerican Journal of Human Genetics·TypeObservational study·DateMar 1, 2024

Precision pulmonary medicine: Penn engineers target lung disease with lipid nanoparticles

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have developed a new method to efficiently determine which lipid nanoparticles are likely to bind to the lungs, rather than the liver. This breakthrough enables targeted delivery of mRNA therapeutics beyond the liver, offering new hope for treatments of cystic fibrosis and lung cancer.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 1, 2024

Health care inequities behind shorter life spans for Inuit from Nunavik, Quebec, with lung cancer

Researchers found that Inuit residents in Nunavik had shorter survival rates for lung cancer compared to Montreal residents, despite similar disease stages. The study attributes this disparity to chronic under-resourcing of healthcare services and lack of Inuit representation in healthcare provision.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 20, 2024

Chinese Medical Journal Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine study reports a novel prognostic biomarker for lung cancer

Researchers identify a promising prognostic biomarker for lung cancer using circulating tumor DNA-based minimal residual disease detection. The study found that this method can effectively guide treatment decisions and predict recurrence risk, potentially modifying the lung cancer treatment paradigm.

SourceCactus Communications·JournalChinese Medical Journal - Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine·TypeLiterature review·DateFeb 14, 2024

Evaluation of on- and off-target effects of self-assembled EGFR siRNA delivery system

The research group evaluated the on- and off-target effects of a self-assembled EGFR siRNA delivery system, finding potent interference with only 1/2000000 of synthetic transfection amount. Transcriptomic analysis revealed minimal off-target effects in normal tissues and significant anti-EGFR effects in tumor cells.

SourceNanjing University School of Life Sciences·JournalClinical and Translational Medicine·DateFeb 6, 2024

Cancer risk following smoking cessation

A study of 2.9 million Korean adults found that quitting smoking at any age reduced the risk of cancer, particularly lung cancer, after 10 years. Early cessation before middle age led to a substantial risk reduction in lung cancer.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateFeb 6, 2024

Ethnic disparities in cancer mortality in the capital and northeast of the State of São Paulo, Brazil

Cancer kills more Black people than White individuals in the Barretos region, whereas in São Paulo city, it is the opposite, according to a study published in Cancer Causes & Control. The disparity is most pronounced for breast and cervical cancer among Black women.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalCancer Causes & Control·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 30, 2024

Obesity and alcohol are contributing to increases in bowel cancer rates among young adults

Experts predict a significant increase in bowel cancer death rates among young adults in the EU and UK, driven by rising obesity and heavy alcohol consumption. Death rates are predicted to rise by 26% in men and nearly 39% in women in the UK, with similar increases seen in Italy and other European countries.

SourceEuropean Society for Medical Oncology·JournalAnnals of Oncology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 28, 2024