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The cancer biomarker conundrum: Too many false discoveries

Despite advancements in cancer biomarker research, many initial breakthroughs fail to translate to clinical success due to issues with study design and interpretation. Seven biomarkers initially hailed as promising have been reevaluated, highlighting problems with pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical study design.

SourceJournal of the National Cancer Institute·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateAug 12, 2010

Blood relations

Researchers at Arizona State University and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center develop a new method to identify biomarkers for ovarian cancer using antibodies. They found 19 distinct scFvs that selectively bound to proteins exclusively found in ovarian cancerous blood serum, providing potential for significant improvements in patie...

SourceArizona State University·JournalMolecular & Cellular Proteomics·DateJun 16, 2010

Curcumin nanoparticles 'open up' resistant cancers

Researchers found that curcumin nanoparticles, delivered via nanoparticles, increased the sensitivity of resistant ovarian cancer cells to chemotherapy and radiation. The treatment enables lower doses of cisplatin and radiation, improving therapeutic outcomes without increasing toxicity.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalJournal of Ovarian Research·DateApr 28, 2010

JCI online early table of contents: April 12, 2010

Chronic stress accelerates tumor growth in ovarian cancer patients by protecting cells from anoikis, a process that allows tumor cells to survive and grow. Stress hormones norepinephrine and epinephrine activate the protein FAK, leading to accelerated mortality.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateApr 12, 2010

Breast cancer patients with BRCA mutations 4 times more likely to get cancer in opposite breast

A recent study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology found that women with breast cancer before age 55 who carry an inherited mutation in BRCA1 or BRCA2 are four times more likely to develop cancer in the breast opposite their initial tumor. The study revealed a higher risk of contralateral breast cancer among younger women wit...

SourceFred Hutchinson Cancer Center·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·DateApr 5, 2010

New study questions benefits of elective removal of ovaries during hysterectomy

A new study suggests that elective removal of ovaries during hysterectomy may not be beneficial and could even increase the risk of other health problems. The study analyzed data from over 300,000 women who underwent the procedure, finding a link between oophorectomy and increased risks of coronary artery disease and hip fractures.

SourceElsevier Health Sciences·JournalJournal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology·DateMar 9, 2010

Study finds delay in referrals for older women with ovarian cancer

Researchers found that GP referrals for gynaecological investigation were delayed for older women with suspected ovarian cancer. Women over 70 years old had a 20-week wait for referral, while those aged 75-79 years had a peak wait of 24 weeks. The discrepancy may be due to differences in data recording and GPs' motivation.

SourceWellcome Trust·JournalBritish Journal of Cancer·DateMar 2, 2010

Symptoms have little value for early detection of ovarian cancer

Researchers found that ovarian cancer symptoms are not reliable for detecting the disease at an early stage. In fact, only 1 out of 100 women with symptoms will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer. This study highlights the need for better molecular markers and imaging modalities to improve screening for ovarian cancer.

SourceJournal of the National Cancer Institute·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateJan 28, 2010

Tips from the American Journal of Pathology

Research from the American Journal of Pathology reveals that glycosaminoglycans contribute to skeletal abnormalities in patients with lysosomal storage diseases. Additionally, αvβ3-integrin expression improves ovarian cancer patient prognosis, while CpG DNA may be a therapeutic candidate for Alzheimer's disease treatment.

SourceAmerican Journal of Pathology·JournalAmerican Journal Of Pathology·DateOct 21, 2009

New treatment in sight for ovarian cancer

Researchers at the University of Gothenburg have developed a new treatment that uses a radioactive substance to seek and destroy tumour cells in ovarian cancer patients. The treatment, which has shown no unwanted side-effects in an initial study, aims to provide a more effective alternative to current treatments.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalJournal of Nuclear Medicine·DateAug 31, 2009

EphA2-targeted therapy delivers chemo directly to ovarian cancer cells

Researchers developed a novel therapeutic delivery system that targets EphA2 protein in ovarian cancer cells, delivering chemotherapy with high specificity and reducing tumor growth by up to 98%. The therapy shows promising results in preclinical models and is expected to enter phase I clinical trials soon.

SourceUniversity of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateJul 29, 2009