Research on how cancer spreads through the body. Covers metastasis monitoring, bone metastasis, and nanoparticle treatments.
A meta-analysis found that circulating tumor cell dynamics were associated with overall survival in patients with metastatic breast cancer. Changes in CTC levels before and after treatment were linked to prognosis, with median overall survival greatest for those who remained CTC-negative.
A recent study published in Cancer Cell reveals that YTHDF3 plays a significant role in the spread of cancer to the brain, with increased expression correlating with poor survival outcomes. The gene is required for multiple steps in the brain metastatic process and may provide a target for new drugs.
Researchers at Tokyo Medical and Dental University have discovered that stimulating β-ARs can halt the progression of oral cancer. The study found that specific compounds, such as isoxsuprine, effectively interfered with epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), a process that enables cancer cells to spread and form secondary tumors.
Researchers have re-engineered human adenovirus to evade liver and innate immune systems, enabling systemic delivery without triggering life-threatening toxicities. The modified virus can selectively kill tumor cells while sparing healthy tissue, offering a new avenue for metastatic cancer treatment.
Researchers at University of Virginia Health System identified gene TRIM37 responsible for triple-negative breast cancer metastasis and developed potential treatment approach using nanoparticles. The approach shows promising results in lab mice, offering a new way to target a driver of metastasis and potentially improve overall survival.
A study led by Massachusetts General Hospital found that early treatment with lorlatinib improved survival rates and reduced the risk of brain metastasis in ALK-positive lung cancer patients. Lorlatinib was shown to be effective as a first-line therapy, reducing the risk of cancer progression or death by 72%.
Researchers have developed a more sensitive way to detect circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in blood, which could help doctors find and treat metastases earlier. Using fluorescence spectrometry, as few as nine breast cancer cells can be detected in 200 μL of buffer solution.
A study by Harvard Medical School scientists reveals a transient, cooperative interaction between ovarian cancer cells that allows nonmetastatic tumor cells to invade distant sites. The team identified amplified ERBB2 levels in a specific cell population, which was activated by amphiregulin, a signaling protein found in advanced ovaria...
A randomized controlled trial comparing laparoscopic and open liver surgery for patients with resectable colorectal liver metastases found no significant difference in 5-year survival outcomes. The study suggests that the laparoscopic approach may provide better short-term outcomes but does not jeopardize oncologic outcomes.
Brain metastases cause acute cerebrovascular dysfunction due to astrocyte activation, leading to decreased brain perfusion and irreversible damage. Treatment inhibition of this activation restores blood flow, limiting neurological deterioration and potentially improving patient outcomes.
Researchers have identified a gene, VSIG1, that prevents the development of metastatic tumour cells, enabling targeted therapies to be developed. The study validates the use of spiked-scRNAseq technology for testing drugs against metastases, including personalized approaches.
Researchers identified a genetic signature in localized prostate cancer that can predict metastasis and treatment response. The signature, called META-16, was highly effective at predicting time to metastasis and response to anti-androgen therapy.
A recent study found that men undergoing active surveillance for low-risk and intermediate-risk prostate cancer have very low rates of cancer spread and death from prostate cancer. The study analyzed 1,450 patients and identified three factors that affect the risk of metastases: Gleason grade, PSA velocity, and multiparametric MRI.
African American men with low-risk prostate cancer can safely undergo active surveillance without increased risk of disease progression, metastasis, or death. The study found that African Americans experienced higher rates of disease progression and treatment compared to white men, but comparable mortality rates.
Two studies found age to be a primary determinant of melanoma treatment resistance, revealing new mechanisms common in aging that contribute to melanoma spread. Researchers found that older fibroblasts upregulated FATP2 and increased fatty acid uptake, protecting melanoma cells from anti-cancer drugs.
Nelson will lead a collaborative research team to address shortcomings in breast cancer management, diagnosis, and therapy. He aims to eliminate mortality associated with metastatic breast cancer by leveraging cholesterol homeostasis.
Researchers found that higher-quality diets were associated with improved overall survival among individuals with metastatic colorectal cancer. The study, published in JAMA Network Open, suggests that dietary interventions may be a crucial component of cancer treatment and management.
Scientists discovered that radioresistant cancer cells' invasiveness increases following radiotherapy, thanks to upregulated lysosome trafficking. The Arl8b molecule plays a key role in this process, while the BORC complex is required for its interaction with lysosomes.
The study reveals that KDM5A and PHF2 positively control the expression of pro-metastatic genes in Ewing sarcoma. These genes include L1CAM, which promotes migratory and invasive properties. The researchers identified KDM5A and PHF2 as novel disease-promoting factors and potential new targets for metastasis inhibition.
Researchers found that fluorine-18-labeled fluciclovine PET/MRI accurately identified prostate cancer lesions, suspicious lymph nodes, and detected nodal metastases not visible on conventional imaging. The technology also showed promise in evaluating response to androgen deprivation therapy.
A recent study published in Cell reveals that microglia, a type of immune cell, promote breast cancer metastasis to the brain by suppressing T-cells. The activation of VISTA checkpoint suppresses immune response, allowing cancer cells to spread and form secondary tumors.
A randomized phase II/III trial found that SBRT reduced pain in patients with spinal metastases by 35% after three months, compared to 14% for conventional radiation. Patients treated with SBRT also experienced higher satisfaction rates related to financial considerations.
Scientists identified an antibody that blocks a signaling molecule in vascular system, causing tumor lymph vessels to die and preventing metastasis. This approach may lead to new ways to block the spread of tumor cells.
A randomized phase III trial found that stereotactic radiosurgery reduces cognitive decline without compromising survival for patients with four or more brain metastases. Patients who received SRS had better preserved cognitive function compared to those who received whole-brain radiation therapy.
The study compared survival rates in patients undergoing surgery for brain metastases with conventional white light microscopy versus 5-ALA fluorescence microscopy. The results showed no significant difference in local recurrence or mortality between the two groups, but radiotherapy was strongly associated with improved survival.
Researchers have developed a new diagnostic tool that can detect cancer cells in small blood samples and connect them to their original tumor. This method has shown significant correlations between circulating tumor cells and tumor expression levels, allowing for targeted therapeutic agents to be used more accurately.
Rutgers researchers identified 16 gene markers that collaborate to cause metastatic prostate cancer, enabling the prediction of high-risk patients. These markers can help inform personalized therapy and improve outcomes for those with advanced disease.
Researchers discovered a novel mechanical mechanism of metastatic cancer cells responding to varying substrate stiffness. Metastatic breast cancer cells adapt their tension and viscoelasticity to survive in new environments, enabling the development of diagnostic kits and drug-screening tests.
Sarah-Maria Fendt and Markus Ralser receive the EMBO Gold Medal for their pioneering work in understanding metabolic changes during cancer proliferation and metastasis formation. Their discoveries have the potential to develop more effective cancer therapies.
A study by Tampere University and the University of Oxford has identified a principle that explains how prostate cancer spreads, with implications for liquid biopsy. Researchers discovered that not all subclones spread to the entire body, and some may be confined to the prostate.
Research at NYU College of Dentistry identifies genes highly expressed in painful, metastatic oral cancers, revealing a mechanism for cancer pain. The study's findings may lead to the development of biomarkers and objective molecular tests to diagnose risk of metastasis.
A Purdue University team has developed a magnetically moving cell culturing system to evaluate the impact of mechanical forces on breast cancer cells. The technology allows for the growth of 3D cancer cells in a new tissue environment, mimicking the physiological conditions found in the lungs during breathing.
Researchers at UVA Cancer Center developed a set of metrics to evaluate care provided for brain metastases, aiming to enhance treatment decisions and coordination. The findings, published in JCO Oncology Practice, will help hospitals improve their interdisciplinary treatment programs.
Research at the European Breast Cancer Conference highlights a significant difference in survival rates between breast cancers detected during screening and those detected in the interval between screenings. Screen-detected cancers have higher eight-year distant metastasis-free interval rates, even among high-risk tumours.
A new method for identifying sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) in breast cancer uses photoacoustic microscopy and CD44 and SR-B1 dual-targeting nanoparticles. The technique distinguishes between metastatic SLNs and inflamed LNs, providing a potential solution for reducing complications during surgery.
Researchers found that asymptomatic breast cancer patients with brain metastases had fewer and smaller tumors, received less aggressive treatment, and lived longer than those who developed symptoms. The study suggests that early detection of brain metastases could improve survival rates for these patients.
Scientists have identified enzymes ASB13 and USB20 that regulate the recycling of a dangerous protein called SNAI2, which helps cancers metastasize. Targeting these enzymes may provide a way to control SNAI2's aggressiveness and prevent cancer progression.
A new study by City of Hope researchers found that Black patients are less likely to receive chemotherapy and have a higher chance of death compared to white patients with advanced colorectal cancer. The study suggests that all patients with liver metastases should be evaluated for surgery, regardless of race.
A study by Professor Nicola Aceto's research group at the University of Basel found that a lack of oxygen in tumors triggers the formation of metastases. The team discovered that cancer cells with insufficient oxygen leave the primary tumor to migrate and form new tissues.
Researchers found that EMT promotes successful rounding and cell division in tumor cells, making them stiffer while surrounding non-dividing cells become softer. The study suggests a new direction for understanding how EMT influences cancer cell behavior.
Researchers identified EphA2 as a key driver of metastasis and BRAF-MEK inhibitor resistance in melanoma. The study found that the noncanonical pathway of EphA2 induces an amoeboid phenotype that enhances metastatic potential.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center created a 3D blood vessel model to study how cancer cells spread. They found that cancer cells can take over existing blood vessels, causing them to leak or constrict, and release tumor cells into the bloodstream.
A new combination therapy targeting breast cancer tumors in the brain has been shown to reduce tumor size and increase survival in a study with mice. The treatment, which combines vinorelbine and I-BET-762, was found to be effective in curing up to 75% of mice with brain metastases.
A team of researchers has identified a novel drug target, 4-hydroxyacetophenone (4-HAP), that activates a protein motor and disrupts biomechanical processes essential to cell motility. In a mouse model, targeting this protein motor reduces the metastasis of colon cancer cells.
A new small molecule treatment reduces colon cancer metastasis by locking up cancer cells' ability to change shape and move throughout the body. The treatment cut the rate of cancer metastasis in half, according to a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
A new study reveals that melanoma cells that pass through lymph nodes pick up a protective coating, allowing them to survive high levels of oxidative stress in the blood. This coating, composed of oleic acid, protects cancer cells from ferroptosis and enables them to form distant tumors.
PIM kinases promote metastatic growth by regulating actin fibre formation in the cytoskeleton, supporting PIM-targeted therapies to prevent metastasis. The study provides critical information on factors regulating cancer cell motility, essential for preventing cancer spread.
Scientists at Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology developed a novel chemotherapeutic agent using nanotechnology and genetic engineering. The agent, called photothermogenetics, targets cancer cells with high potential and effectively regulates cancer stemness.
Researchers have discovered genes that facilitate the penetration of cancer cells into the brain, a process that complicates cancer treatment. The study highlights potential targets for therapy, including enzymes and microRNAs involved in disrupting blood-brain barrier integrity.
Researchers successfully reduced metastatic spread by using medication treatment around the time of surgery, preventing development of metastases. The study found a significant reduction in metastasis development rate in treated patients compared to those receiving a placebo.
A recent clinical trial found that aspirin use increased the risk of advanced cancer progression and early death in older adults. Aspirin was associated with a higher risk of metastasized cancer and stage 4 cancer, leading to higher mortality rates among those diagnosed with advanced solid cancers.
Researchers developed an optically induced electrokinetics (OEK) microfluidic method for label-free separation and characterization of gastric cancer cells. The new technique, published in Science Advances, achieved purity up to 71% in separating cancer cells from ascites and demonstrated rapid and non-destructive capabilities.
Deborah Lang's research aims to discover innovative treatments for melanoma by targeting molecular pathways involved in normal cell development. The grant will support her study on the role of YAP and TAZ genes in melanoma progression.
A new pathological grading system evaluates the therapeutic effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy for metastatic lymph nodes in esophageal cancer patients. The system predicts recurrence and prognosis more accurately than conventional methods.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University found that immunotherapeutic treatment and stress-reducing measures can prevent cancer metastasis development. The critical period around tumor removal surgery is crucial for prevention, which is often overlooked in medical practice.
Researchers found that Fusobacterium nucleatum, a common mouth bacteria, can initiate cancer cell migration by sticking to and entering cancer cells using protein Fap2. This causes cancer cells to release cytokines IL-8 and CXCL1, leading to inflammation and attracting immune cells.
BRD4 protein regulates key proteins contributing to prostate cancer progression, suggesting new therapeutic target. Current treatments for castration-resistant prostate cancer are limited and focus on suppressing tumor cells' reliance on androgen receptor signaling.
Researchers discovered that cancer cells with high-affinity iron collection systems collect iron more efficiently than healthy macrophages, allowing them to survive in nutrient-deprived CSF environments. This mechanism enables LM cells to evade immune attack by limiting the supply of vital iron to patrolling macrophages.
Researchers found the AZIN1 gene associated with metastatic prostate cancer, with reduced expression leading to fewer metastases. Further investigation is needed to confirm findings in all prostate cancers.
Researchers developed a microfluidic device to study breast cancer cells' invasion process, identifying 244 different genes that enable invasive cells. The tool mimics human tissue environments, offering new avenues for biomarkers and targeted therapies.