Research on how cancer spreads through the body. Covers metastasis monitoring, bone metastasis, and nanoparticle treatments.
A modified XELIRI regimen with reduced doses of irinotecan and capecitabine has been shown to be non-inferior to FOLFIRI in terms of overall survival. The treatment, combined with bevacizumab, demonstrated favourable tolerability and efficacy comparable to XELOX plus bevacizumab.
Researchers analyzed EGFR mutation status in blood and cerebrospinal fluid to identify relationship with neurological symptoms and leptomeningeal metastases. The study found higher rates of EGFR mutations in cerebrospinal fluid for patients with brain metastases, offering new non-invasive testing options.
The ALEX study shows alectinib 600 mg is more effective than standard of care crizotinib in Asian patients with anaplastic lymphoma kinase positive non-small-cell lung cancer. Progression-free survival was longer with alectinib compared to crizotinib in both Asian and non-Asian populations.
A new study found that analyzing genetic variations in tumor tissues can help physicians make better treatment choices for patients with gastric and esophageal adenocarcinoma. The research suggests focusing on metastatic sites to improve outcomes.
Researchers developed a bone-targeted nanoparticle that delivers chemotherapy directly to bone lesions, reducing tumor size and pain. The targeted nanoparticles showed a strong burst release of cabazitaxel and increased binding to bone compared to non-targeted nanoparticles.
A UK study published in Scientific Reports has identified a novel cell signaling interaction that may prevent a key step in lung cancer progression. The research, conducted by the University of Kentucky, found that microRNA molecules can alter TGFβ activity and prevent epithelial-mesenchymal transition, a critical process in metastasis.
The Cleveland Clinic has been awarded a 5-year, $2.6 million grant from the National Cancer Institute to create innovative models of colorectal cancer. The project aims to better understand how the disease develops and spreads.
Researchers at the University of Basel have identified a microRNA that inhibits epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), a process linked to tumor cell spread and metastasis. This discovery may lead to new treatment approaches for breast cancer.
Researchers discovered that cells retain properties from their previous environment for several days, known as mechanical memory. This property can aid in tumor invasion and metastasis. The study's findings may lead to new insights into the mechanisms behind cancer spread.
Research from Helmholtz Zentrum München reveals a new mechanism by which obesity fuels the growth of breast cancer. The enzyme ACC1 plays a central role in this process, and blocking its activity with an antibody treatment can halt this mechanism.
A study published in Lancet Oncology identified MAF amplification as a tool to stratify breast cancer patients for zoledronic acid treatment. In MAF-negative patients, the inclusion of zoledronic acid improved outcomes, while non-postmenopausal MAF-positive patients experienced increased adverse outcomes.
A new synthetic compound, E260, has been developed to target the energy generation system of cancer cells, inhibiting an enzyme that supports their survival and dissemination. This approach has shown promising results in treating mice with metastatic cancer, completely curing them with no toxic effects.
Lina Cui, a UNM Assistant Professor, is leading a large-scale research project to understand the chemistry of disease progression and its role in cancer metastasis. The goal is to develop diagnostic tools that target specific enzymes involved in disease spread.
Researchers at Notre Dame's Harper Cancer Research Institute have made a breakthrough in understanding how ovarian cancer cells spread throughout the body. They found that a specific membrane proteinase called MT1-MMP plays a crucial role in regulating the transition of cancer cells from floating to sticking phases.
A randomized phase II clinical trial found that adding consolidative stereotactic radiation therapy to chemotherapy significantly increased progression-free survival expectancy nearly tripling it for patients with limited metastatic disease. Treatment-related side effects were similar between the two treatment approaches.
A study found that vessel growth created by tumors can enhance immunotherapy effects against melanoma. The growth secreted chemokines that attracted T cells into the tumor environment, leading to long-lasting anti-tumor immunity.
Researchers led by Mauro Ferrari, Ph.D., develop injectable nanoparticle generator polymeric doxorubicin (iNPG-pDox) to target cancer cells in lungs and liver with limited toxicity. The therapy aims to improve long-term survival and quality of life for triple-negative breast cancer patients.
PharmaMar presents positive results of PM1183 (lurbinectedin) in a cohort of 36 patients with advanced and relapsed small-cell lung cancer (SCLC), achieving an objective response rate of 36%. This finding is significant given the limited therapeutic options for SCLC, which has a high mortality rate.
Researchers at The Wistar Institute have discovered a novel metastasis suppressor pathway orchestrated by the mitochondrial protein SNPH. This pathway promotes tumor cell proliferation in local growth but inhibits invasion and metastasis. By studying SNPH, scientists may uncover new therapeutic approaches to target metastatic cells.
The phase III RANGE trial showed that ramucirumab plus docetaxel significantly prolonged investigator-assessed progression-free survival compared to placebo plus docetaxel. The treatment also nearly doubled the objective response rate in patients with platinum-refractory advanced or metastatic urothelial cancer.
The KEYNOTE-059 trial found an overall objective response rate of 12% with pembrolizumab alone in pretreated patients, and more promising activity in patients with newly diagnosed metastatic cancer. The study also showed that patients with PD-L1 expression were more likely to respond to the treatment.
A team of researchers developed a tiny microfluidic device to track the long-term evolution of invasive cancer cells. The device allowed them to cultivate cells for up to three weeks, providing valuable insights into the biology of aggressive cells and potential targets for therapy.
Researchers at Children's Hospital Los Angeles are studying the role of extracellular vesicles, or exosomes, in cancer metastasis. Exosomes, released by cancer cells, can modify the behavior of surrounding cells, making them hospitable to cancer growth.
Recent phase 3 studies (ALEX and ALUR trials) demonstrate alectinib's efficacy in treating non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with central nervous system (CNS) involvement. The medication significantly decreases CNS progression, improving median progression-free survival by up to 8 months compared to standard chemotherapy.
Researchers present a comprehensive overview of novel approaches to combating metastatic colorectal cancer, highlighting the potential of immunotherapies and targeted biological agents. The article discusses recent progress and future prospects for these treatments, including combination therapies and overcoming drug resistance.
A new research study reveals that a nanolaser called spaser can detect and kill circulating tumor cells in the bloodstream, preventing cancer metastases. The spaser is biocompatible and selectively targets cancer cells with high folate receptor expression.
A study using liquid biopsies found distinct genomic profiles in 99.7% of patients with CUP, harboring potentially targetable alterations. These findings suggest that liquid biopsies can guide treatment response in this patient population.
Scientists have found that breast cancer cells spread to other parts of the body relatively late in disease development. This discovery supports the importance of early diagnosis and treatment, which can increase the chances of preventing cancer cell spread and improving survival rates.
Researchers at McMaster University have discovered two new genes, SPOCK1 and TWIST2, that regulate brain metastases in lung cancer patients. These genes are present in the primary lung cancer of all patients with brain metastases but not in those without them.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine discovered a biochemical process that gives prostate cancer cells the ability to change shape and invade other tissues. The study found that a gene called AIM1 is deleted in approximately 20-30% of prostate cancers confined to the gland and 40% of metastatic prostate cancers.
A Tel Aviv University study finds that pre- and post-surgery administration of beta blockers and anti-inflammatory medication significantly reduces metastatic cancer recurrence. The treatment improves long-term survival rates and is safe, inexpensive, and easily administered.
Houston Methodist researchers have identified a distinct group of circulating tumor cells associated with breast cancer brain metastasis. This finding could lead to the development of more sensitive screening tools and real-time monitoring of disease progression and response to therapy.
A new study sequenced DNA and RNA of 500 patients with metastatic cancer, revealing a host of molecular factors driving tumor growth and spread. The analysis identified potential treatment targets and shed light on the underlying mechanisms behind metastatic cancer.
Researchers identified a new HER2 mutation that activates tyrosine kinase, triggering tumor formation. A circulating tumor DNA analysis was developed to diagnose and monitor patients with this mutation, showing promise for treatment with neratinib.
Researchers found manmade peptides significantly reduce metastasis in a mouse model of aggressive breast cancer. These peptides directly disrupt the WASF3 gene, which helps cancer cells move and invade other tissues.
Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory have discovered an epigenetic factor, FOXA1, that reprograms gene enhancers in cancer cells, allowing them to 'remember' an earlier developmental state and become metastatic. This mechanism is a major breakthrough in understanding the spread of pancreatic cancer.
Researchers at UCI have developed a stem cell-based method that selectively targets and kills cancerous tissue while preventing side effects. By identifying unique physical properties of cancer cells, the treatment enables targeted therapy, reducing harm to healthy tissue.
Researchers at VCU Massey Cancer Center have found a potential cure for colon cancer by targeting the gene CtBP with a drug called HIPP, which reduces pre-cancerous polyps by half and increases mouse lifespan. This breakthrough may also extend to other cancers depending on the same mechanism.
Tumor cells develop resistance to immunotherapy by downregulating MHC class I molecules and triggering immunosuppressive processes. Inhibiting the epigenetic control protein Ezh2 improves treatment efficacy, leading to increased tumor mass shrinkage and extended tumor-free survival.
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.
Researchers have discovered new genes associated with the development of pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas, which are rare neuroendocrine tumors with a strong hereditary component. The study identifies alterations in enzymes involved in cell respiration as a key factor in tumor growth.
Research funded by NFCR finds two distinct patterns of metastatic spread in human colorectal cancer, where distant metastases originate directly from primary tumors without involving the lymph system. The study provides genetic evidence towards resolving the enigma of lymph node metastases and distant metastases.
A team of researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital developed a potential therapy using stem cells loaded with oncolytic viruses to target skin cancer metastases in the brain. The study found that this approach led to the elimination of metastatic skin cancer cells from the brain, resulting in prolonged survival.
The EPICUP® test, based on DNA analysis, can correctly diagnose CUP in 70% of cases, increasing the detection rate from traditional methods' 30%. This leads to the development of more specific treatments for these patients.
Researchers have found that lymph node metastases are not always the source of cancer's spread to other organs, and instead, distant metastases can originate directly from the primary tumor. In most cases (65%), both lymph node and distant metastases originated from the same cell type in the primary tumor, indicating independent origins.
Researchers have developed a method to visualize cancer metastasis in whole organs at the single-cell level, enabling early detection of dormant or resistant cancer cells. This breakthrough uses transparent mice and advanced imaging techniques to create 3-D maps of cancer cells throughout the body and organs.
Scientists in Japan develop a method to image cancer at the single-cell level, revealing cancerous colonies in detail. The technique allows researchers to track cancer cells as they multiply and metastasize, providing insight into metastatic pathways.
Researchers developed an engineered opsonin protein to capture CTCs in the bloodstream, reducing detection time and increasing efficiency. The technology shows promise for improving cancer diagnostics by targeting specific carbohydrate molecules on CTCs.
Researchers at CNIO have developed a technique to study melanoma progression in mice, revealing unknown mechanisms and identifying new markers of metastasis. The MIDKINE protein has been identified as a key factor in melanoma metastasis, representing a new therapeutic target.
A study published in Oncogene has shed new light on the molecular mechanisms of ovarian cancer spread. Researchers found that N-cadherin plays a key role in metastasis by enabling cancer cells to anchor to new sites in the body, and that disrupting this process may provide a therapeutic strategy.
Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology have developed a new treatment that prevents cancer cells from migrating and spreading, known as metastasis. The treatment uses locally administered gold nanorods heated by a low-energy laser to target and destroy cancer cells' leg-like protrusions, effectively halting their migration.
Researchers found that dual-agent PET/MR with time of flight detects more bone metastases in breast and prostate cancer patients, improving detection accuracy and reducing radiation dose. The study used combined imaging agents <sup>18</sup> F-FDG and <sup>18</sup> F-NaF to enhance image quality.
A team of NYU researchers has pinpointed a sugar modification in cells that spurs the spread of skin cancer, specifically melanoma. The study reveals that silencing FUT8 enzyme suppresses cancer onset and tumor dissemination in laboratory mice.
Researchers found that metastatic breast cancer cells signal neighboring cells through the GLI transcription factor, allowing otherwise anchored cells to metastasize. The discovery highlights a promising link in the hedgehog signaling pathway, which can be targeted to reduce metastatic potential.
A phase III clinical trial found that alectinib, a next-generation ALK inhibitor, extended the median time to progression by about 15 months compared to crizotinib. Alectinib also caused fewer severe side effects and was more effective in preventing brain metastases.
Researchers have discovered a novel mechanism behind treatment resistance in brain metastatic breast cancers, and a potential treatment strategy that may overcome this resistance. Targeting the Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 3 (HER3) protein has been shown to significantly slow tumor growth and improve survival.
Adding abiraterone acetate to standard hormonal therapy reduces the chance of death by 38% and doubles the median time until cancer worsens. Cancer growth is delayed by 18 months, but severe side effects like high blood pressure and liver enzyme abnormalities are more common with abiraterone.
Researchers at MD Anderson Cancer Center present two combination therapies that significantly shrink metastatic brain tumors in over half of patients with stage IV melanoma. The trials demonstrate the feasibility of conducting clinical trials for these patients and offer new hope for those with brain metastases.
A phase III clinical trial shows that a single radiation treatment is as effective as a full week of radiation in relieving spinal cord compression symptoms. This breakthrough finding could help patients with advanced cancer spend more time focusing on the things they enjoy, without compromising care.
A study by researchers at the University of Freiburg found that activation of FOXO can induce tumors in stem cells without initial DNA damage. The team discovered that signals inducing this cancer come from surrounding tissues, including epidermis.