Research on how cancer spreads through the body. Covers metastasis monitoring, bone metastasis, and nanoparticle treatments.
The new TNM 7 lung cancer staging system better predicts local or regional recurrence after surgery, according to a study published in the Journal of Thoracic Oncology. The updated system improved accuracy for predicting disease recurrence among patients with non-small cell lung cancer.
A study published by Scottsdale Healthcare and TGen identified microRNA-328 as a biomarker that can predict lung cancer patients' risk of developing brain metastasis. The study found that over-expression of microRNA-328 resulted in increased cancer cell migration, suggesting its involvement in 'brain-seeking' metastatic potential.
Researchers found low Rho GDI-alpha protein levels in tamoxifen-resistant breast cancer tumors, predicting recurrence. MTA2 protein levels rose with declining Rho GDI-alpha, combining to predict tumor progression.
A new microfluidic device, developed by MIT researchers, can detect single cancer cells in a blood sample and also identify viruses like HIV. This device has the potential to revolutionize cancer diagnosis and make it more accessible in developing countries.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh discovered a new nitric oxide pathway that protects against intimal hyperplasia in rats. The study found that supplementing rats with nitrate before vessel injury markedly limited damage, while a diet low in nitrate exacerbated it.
A Wayne State University researcher has found that continuous restructuring of the extracellular matrix, which supports tumor weight, enables highly invasive cancer cells to spread to other parts of the body. The study identified fibronectin and cofilin as crucial components required for this mechanical response.
Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine have identified Neuropilin-2 as a potential biomarker and therapeutic target for melanoma. The novel cell screening method clarifies the process behind tumor metastasis and may allow the identification of biomarkers for other aggressive cancers.
The authors refine the original six hallmarks using information from transgenic animals and biochemical assays, adding two new categories: enabling characteristics and emerging hallmarks. This updated review provides a solid basis for cancer research and identifies therapeutic targets.
Researchers at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center have identified a new mechanism driving lung cancer metastasis, involving the suppression of microRNA miR-200 by Jagged2. The study found that low levels of miR-200 may indicate susceptibility to Notch inhibitors currently in clinical trial.
Researchers have discovered that T cells from elite HIV controllers upregulate a protein called p21, which inhibits viral replication. This finding may inform the development of new treatments for patients susceptible to HIV's devastating effects. Meanwhile, two new studies shed light on pediatric brain tumors and lung cancer metastasis.
Researchers at UCSD School of Medicine identified Twist1's role in promoting invadopodia formation and matrix degradation in tumor cells. This process facilitates the spread of cancer to surrounding tissues and other parts of the body.
Trapping prostate cancer stem cells with self-assembling nanomaterials inhibits colony formation and cell division in vitro. The approach may offer a new treatment strategy for metastatic hormone-refractory prostate cancer by targeting cancer stem cells, which are thought to be the origin of tumor metastasis.
Researchers used gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) technology to study urinary metabolite changes in mice with gastric cancer. The study identified low molecular weight biomarkers that may play a significant role in early diagnosis and screening of metastasis or recurrence.
A cohort study found that hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection decreases the percentage of metastases in colorectal cancer patients, while increasing extrahepatic metastases. This suggests HBV may serve as a prognostic factor for hepatic metastasis formation in CRC patients.
A UCLA research team has developed a device using Velcro-like nanoscale technology to efficiently identify and capture circulating tumor cells, or CTCs, in blood samples. The new approach captures a greater number of CTCs than existing methods and could enable early detection and diagnosis of cancer.
A recent study discovered a blood protein linked to lung adenocarcinoma, which could serve as a diagnostic marker for the disease. Elevated levels of serum amyloid A (SAA) were found in patients with lung cancer, making it a promising target for developing drugs that stop cancer spread.
Researchers discovered that zoledronic acid can prevent lung cancer metastases from recruiting new blood vessels. The drug showed a statistically significant reduction in VEGF and b-FGF levels, suggesting potential anti-angiogenic effects.
A new gene expression test distinguishes between metastasizing and non-metastasizing head and neck cancers with high accuracy. The test was validated in a large multi-center cohort, predicting the absence of metastasis in 89% of cases.
A newly discovered biological pathway transforms normal cells into aggressive tumors by regulating the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process. This mechanism involves a specific molecular factor called hnRNP E1, which can be used as a diagnostic approach for cancer.
Researchers identified a new role for focal adhesion kinase in producing vascular leakiness in lung tissue, increasing expression of E-selectin and attracting cancer cells. Blocking FAK activity reduced both vascular permeability and metastatic cell adhesion.
Research at University of California, San Diego School of Medicine identifies regulatory T cells as primary source of RANKL protein, accelerating breast cancer spread. Interfering with RANKL interaction with cancer cells may block tumor progression, offering potential target for drug therapy.
Researchers found that photodynamic therapy can eliminate tumor-associated lymphatic vessels and in-transit tumor cells, reducing metastasis. This approach could be combined with existing surgical techniques to destroy lymphatic vessels draining from tumors.
A study found that removing only the first lymph node (sentinel lymph node dissection) did not impact overall survival for women with early-stage breast cancer. The use of this method resulted in fewer complications compared to more extensive axillary lymph node dissection.
Scientists at Georgia Institute of Technology have found a regulatory RNA called miR-429 that can induce metastatic cancer cells to convert back into less invasive forms. This discovery may allow physicians to treat ovarian cancer more effectively with traditional chemotherapy.
A team of researchers has identified a potential biomarker for predicting future metastasis in patients with the most common form of liver cancer. They also explored a new gene therapy approach to treating the underlying cause of most forms of muscular dystrophy.
Researchers found that high levels of a particular protein in cancer cells can predict cancer spread with high accuracy. The protein, CPE-delta N, was measured in tumors and surrounding tissues from patients with liver and rare tumors, with results showing that it can accurately predict metastasis or recurrence.
A team of researchers has identified a potential biomarker for predicting future metastasis in patients with the most common form of liver cancer. Quantification of the mRNA template for a truncated version of the protein carboxypeptidase E (CPE) was found to predict intrahepatic metastasis with high sensitivity and specificity.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have developed a new method to detect the ability of breast cancer cells to metastasize, using specific silicon microdevices. The technology has the potential to provide important diagnostic and prognostic markers unique to the tumor.
VIB-K.U. Leuven scientists have decoded a potential new anti-cancer mechanism by normalizing abnormal tumor blood vessels through HRG, which prevents metastasis and enhances chemotherapy efficiency. This mechanism offers alternative possibilities for cancer treatment.
A new study shows that protein HRG activates specific immune cells to inhibit tumor growth and metastasis. HRG enhances chemotherapy effects and transforms inflammatory cells from promoting to inhibiting tumor growth.
Researchers found that endothelin-A receptor antagonist drugs only reduce tumor growth at metastasis sites, not large tumors. These drugs block the action of protein ET-1, which stimulates cancer cell growth and spread.
Denosumab was found to delay the time to first skeletal-related event by 18% and the time to first and subsequent event by 22%, while overall survival and disease progression were similar between groups. The treatment also showed a lower rate of jaw osteonecrosis compared to zoledronic acid.
A study found that high circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are an independent prognostic marker for poor overall survival in metastatic breast cancer patients undergoing first-line chemotherapy. Persistence of high CTC levels during therapy was also an early marker of poor outcome.
Fox Chase researchers have discovered several tumor characteristics that increase the risk of brain metastases in breast cancer patients. These include high-grade tumors, negative progesterone receptor status, and inflammatory breast cancer. The study aims to identify women at risk for brain metastases, potentially leading to preventiv...
Researchers found decreased alpha-2 integrin expression predicts tumor dissemination and lower survival rates in breast and prostate cancer. Alpha-2 integrin suppression of metastasis was confirmed using a mouse model and human microarray databases.
A study found that PET/CT scans can predict local recurrence in lung cancer patients treated with radiofrequency ablation by analyzing lesion size, tumor type, and glucose metabolic activity. This non-invasive tool may help improve diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer.
A study found that decreased physician reimbursement for hormone therapy reduced its use in low-risk prostate cancer cases by 40%. However, AST usage remained unchanged in patients with metastatic disease. The decrease is attributed to the real effect of reimbursement change.
A new study finds that a less invasive method for determining lung cancer stage improves detection of metastases and reduces surgical procedures. The method, which combines endosonography and ultrasound, was more effective than traditional surgical staging in identifying patients who needed further treatment.
A recent study published in Cancer found that clinical stage does not predict recurrence risk for patients with localized prostate cancer after having their prostate removed. Despite frequent errors in assigning stage, there was no association between clinical stage and prostate cancer recurrence.
Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine identified a gene linked to eye melanoma metastasis. BAP1 mutations were found in 84% of metastatic tumors but rare in non-metastatic ones. The discovery may lead to more effective treatments and insights into cancer cell evolution.
A recent IRCM breakthrough reveals a novel molecular mechanism that regulates cell motility, a key factor in tumour spread. The study identifies the ELMO protein's regulatory feature as critical in preventing uncontrolled cell migration.
Researchers uncovered unique genomic instability in pancreatic cancer, which drives tumor adaptation and spread. This study highlights the need for improved early diagnosis methods and targeted treatments.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic discovered that epithelial cadherin (E-cadherin), a protein believed to be a beneficial tumor suppressor, can act as an oncogene in some lethal brain tumors. This finding suggests E-cadherin expression may promote tumor growth and migration, challenging current understanding of its role in cancer progression.
A new study from Johns Hopkins Medicine finds that pancreatic cancers develop and spread much more slowly than previously thought. The research suggests that there is a potentially broad window for diagnosis and prevention of the disease, with an average progression time of 11.7 years.
A large study found that men with localized prostate cancer who take aspirin with radiation therapy or surgery have a lower risk of dying from the disease. The use of anticoagulants reduced the risk of death by 6 percentage points, from 10% to 4%, at 10 years.
Researchers at MD Anderson Cancer Center identified a key signaling pathway that promotes osteosarcoma metastasis when blocked in mice. The study found significant decreases in lung metastases by targeting the Notch pathway and Hes1 gene.
Routine prostate cancer screening significantly reduces the risk of metastatic disease within 10 years after treatment. Men diagnosed post-screening had a lower risk of spreading cancer compared to those treated prior to widespread screening.
Researchers at Penn State College of Medicine have identified a potential new treatment approach targeting the protein c-Met in patients with metastatic liver cancer. By analyzing data from 1,051 patients and six published manuscripts, they found that c-Met activation is strongly associated with poor prognosis and aggressive features. ...
Researchers at UT MD Anderson Cancer Center found that TAp63, a tumor-suppressing protein, blocks cancer spread by activating Dicer and miR-130b. This discovery has far-reaching implications for understanding cancer development and metastasis.
A Phase-II trial investigating pazopanib for relapsed/refractory urothelial cancer has generated promising results, with four patients experiencing tumor shrinkage and twelve seeing their metastases die due to 'necrotic evolution'. Researchers are eager to translate this activity into a survival advantage.
A new meta-analysis shows that continuing chemotherapy after bringing cancer under control can increase survival time and reduce disease progression in metastatic breast cancer patients. The analysis found a 34% reduction in disease progression and a 9% reduction in death rates for patients who received longer chemotherapy durations.
A new melanoma treatment has shown a robust activity in shrinking brain metastases in patients with advanced disease. The drug, GSK2118436, targets the BRAF protein mutation common in human melanomas and has been found to control and reduce brain tumor size in nearly all patients.
The final phase-II results show that iniparib plus chemotherapy significantly improves overall survival from 7.7 to 12.3 months, offering a promising new treatment option for metastatic triple-negative breast cancer patients. Over half of patients experience clinical benefit, and there is little increase in adverse events.
Researchers reported that adding cetuximab to a three-drug chemotherapy regimen for first-line treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer did not improve response rates, progression-free survival, or overall survival. The NORDIC VII study included 566 patients and found no statistically significant differences between the treatment groups.
Researchers have found that cancer cells are accompanied by growth-enabling stromal cells when they travel to new sites in the body. This discovery challenges current understanding of metastasis and has implications for effective treatments.
A new type of cancer treatment has shown encouraging activity as a first-line therapy in HER2-positive metastatic disease. The study demonstrated that T-DM1 has good anti-tumor activity and much lower toxicity compared to the older standard.
The $1.5 million grant will fund Ben Major's work to identify functional human genes contributing to specific cellular processes, such as cancer growth and migration. The goal is to develop a low-cost approach to determine gene function in the human genome.
Researchers have identified LIMK as a crucial regulator of actin cytoskeleton dynamics in cancer metastasis. Inhibiting LIMK function blocks collective invasion of tumor cells, preventing metastasis in breast and squamous carcinoma cells.
A recent clinical study has shown that patient-specific vaccines can sometimes induce durable complete regression of progressing soft-tissue melanoma metastases. The vaccine was found to be effective in one particular patient who remained in complete remission for over two years, more than four years after her initial diagnosis.
Research found that chronic stress increases cancer spread by 30-fold in stressed mice compared to unstressed controls. Stress alters the biology of immune cells, promoting metastasis to distant organs. Beta blockers blocked this effect, suggesting potential prevention strategies.