Researchers at UT MD Anderson Cancer Center have made significant advancements in cancer care, including the development of a targeted RAS inhibitor therapy for pancreatic cancer and a biomarker of chemotherapy resistance in relapsed lung cancer. The studies also explore the tumor microenvironment of triple-negative breast cancer and i...
Researchers found that Rhein reduces pancreatic and intestinal damage, restores intestinal barrier integrity, and promotes repair macrophage responses. PPARγ is identified as the central mediator of Rhein's effects.
Dr. Marcus Ruscetti receives the prize to study senescence and its impact on immune responses in cancer metastasis. The funding will help him develop novel treatments targeting senescent cells.
The PanAMP study assesses the impact of PanCystPro on clinicians' decision-making for patients with pancreatic cysts. The study aims to provide insights into surveillance and treatment strategies for those at higher risk for pancreatic cancer.
The Phase 1/2 trial demonstrated a 29% response rate and median overall survival of 15.6 months, outperforming historical chemotherapy response rates. Daraxonrasib targets RAS in its 'on' state and has shown durable responses with a manageable safety profile.
A study published in Cancer Medicine reveals that the same genes active in pancreatic cancer are also linked to obesity and diabetes, driving inflammatory and immune pathways. This discovery helps explain poorer cancer outcomes for those with metabolic disease and offers new avenues for targeted treatment.
Researchers at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center presented several studies at ASCO 2026 exploring new treatment options for patients with advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) and melanoma. These include velzatinib, a targeted therapy for GIST patients, and PRAME-directed T-cell receptor therapies for synovial sarcoma.
Researchers at Trinity College Dublin have published a comprehensive review of pancreatic cancer, explaining why it's resistant to treatment and where new hope may emerge. The study identifies multiple biological systems interacting to drive the disease's growth and suggests combination-based treatments targeting multiple hallmarks of ...
A phase 1/2 trial of daraxonrasib, a RAS(ON) multi-selective inhibitor, demonstrated safety and broad activity against RAS-mutant metastatic pancreatic cancer. The drug showed promising signs of activity, with approximately 30% of patients experiencing an objective response and 90% experiencing disease control.
Researchers at OHSU have developed a sophisticated blood test that can detect early signs of pancreatic cancer with a 97% accuracy rate, distinguishing it from benign conditions. The technique uses nanoparticles shed by tumors into blood, offering a non-invasive way to identify the disease.
The Mayo Clinic AI model detects pancreatic cancer on routine abdominal CT scans up to three years before clinical diagnosis, identifying subtle signs of disease. The model identified 73% of prediagnostic cancers at a median of about 16 months before diagnosis.
A team of researchers has developed a 'tumor-on-a-chip' system designed to recreate the complex environment surrounding pancreatic tumors. The system, which combines patient-derived organoids with microfluidic technology, closely mimics the behavior of human pancreatic tumors and demonstrates potential for studying immune responses.
A first-in-human clinical trial found that setidegrasib, a targeted therapy drug, demonstrated early antitumor activity in advanced lung and pancreatic cancers. The therapy shrank tumors and delayed disease progression in some patients, providing a potential new treatment approach for KRAS G12D-driven cancers.
An AI model called REDMOD can pick up the very early subtle tissue changes of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, which conventional imaging and the human eye find difficult to detect. The model detected 'invisible' signature of pre-clinical pancreatic cancer an average of 475 days before clinical diagnosis.
Researchers have discovered a vulnerability in pancreatic cancer that could be targeted as a potential therapy. Damaged mitochondria leak double-stranded RNA within cancer cells, causing inflammation that fuels cancer growth.
A new composite scoring system, HOST-Factor, quantifies the functional state of the tumor microenvironment in pancreatic cancer. The study demonstrates the effectiveness of pulsed low-dose-rate chemoradiation in shifting the tumor microenvironment from a tumor-promoting to a tumor-restricting state.
Researchers developed an electrochemical sensor to detect pancreatic cancer at low concentrations, improving accessibility and effectiveness of treatment. The device identifies CA19-9 protein, a key biomarker for the disease, allowing for early diagnosis and potentially increasing survival rates.
A recent study published in Cell reveals the molecular mechanisms underlying the transformation of benign pancreatic cells into malignant tumors. Researchers identified a subset of precancerous cells that closely resemble tumor cells, characterized by high oncogenic drive and strongly activated tumor-suppressors. This discovery offers ...
A phase 2 clinical trial shows that a new drug, elraglusib, when combined with chemotherapy, doubles one-year survival rates in pancreatic cancer patients, reducing the risk of death by 38%. The study is a rare success in showing a survival benefit applicable to a broad population.
Researchers from Penn Medicine will showcase progress in CAR T cell therapies for solid tumors, as well as a multi-chain CAR T cell therapy for ovarian cancer. The presentation also highlights a new strategy targeting pancreatic cancer before it forms and at-home cervical cancer testing.
Researchers at OHSU have uncovered that pancreatic tumors co-opt regulatory immune cells, leading to resistance against immunotherapy. A promising strategy involves reprogramming these cells to support anti-tumor activity, potentially making immunotherapy viable for treatment-resistant cancers.
UCLA investigators present new research on targeted drug delivery for colorectal cancer, COVID-19's impact on breast cancer outcomes, and AI in cancer diagnosis. These studies offer insights into overcoming drug resistance, enhancing immune responses, and improving outcomes for patients with difficult-to-treat cancers.
Researchers at UT MD Anderson have made significant advancements in cancer care, including a blood-based biomarker for cancer risk in people with Lynch Syndrome and a new target to sensitize pancreatic tumors to immunotherapy. The studies also identified a strategy to overcome radiation therapy resistance in lung cancer.
A study published in Cancer Research has identified DPY30 as an epigenetic target that can sensitize pancreatic tumors to immunotherapy. By modulating DNA replication stress, DPY30 promotes the addition of activation signals at stressed replication forks, supporting cancer cell survival and proliferation.
Researchers have developed a new CAR T therapy that targets tumor-supporting cells in pancreatic cancer, paving the way for a potentially safer and more effective treatment. The therapy uses lipid nanoparticles to deliver CAR instructions directly to patient T cells, resulting in higher expression rates and improved efficacy compared t...
A study by researchers at Institute of Science Tokyo has identified a key gene, DOCK10, involved in abnormal insulin secretion in insulinomas. The findings pave the way for novel diagnostic biomarkers and treatment options.
A new study has identified a PRRX2+ epithelial cell/SPP1+ macrophage axis that promotes gemcitabine resistance via TGF-β signaling in pancreatic cancer. The study suggests that targeting this cellular communication network may be key to overcoming drug resistance.
Researchers developed an experimental therapy to target microscopic precancerous lesions in the pancreas, which nearly doubled survival in mouse models of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Long-term treatment with the therapy tripled median overall survival time compared to untreated mice.
The Sylvester Cancer Tip Sheet for March 2026 highlights the importance of genetic testing for cancer risk assessment. Researchers have made significant progress in developing new treatments, including mRNA-based immunotherapy for colorectal and pancreatic cancers. Additionally, the Dolphins Cancer Challenge has surpassed $100 million ...
Researchers found that depleting fibrinogen, a clotting protein, slows down pancreatic cancer by shrinking tumors and reducing liver metastasis. Fibrinogen contributes to tumor growth and environment, and its depletion changes tumor cells to alter behavior and aggressiveness.
Researchers at OHSU found that sympathetic nerves support pancreatic tumor growth by communicating with cancer cells and nearby fibroblasts. The study suggests that removing these nerves may lead to smaller tumors, particularly in female mice.
Researchers identified a key gene GATA6 that helps control the 'switch' between aggressive and manageable states in pancreatic cancer cells. By targeting this pathway, combination therapies with standard chemotherapy may improve treatment outcomes.
Researchers found that early precancerous cells in pancreas gather into specific clusters and interact with immune cells, weakening the body's ability to fight them. The study provides fresh insight into how pancreatic cancer may begin taking shape years before it is clinically detected.
A new study analyzing 519 patients with cancer reveals that financial toxicity significantly impacts not only finances but also psychological resources like hope and social support. As these resources weaken, overall life satisfaction declines.
The ESE and ESPE have launched a landmark Joint Clinical Practice Guidance to support structured and effective transition of young people with endocrine conditions. The Guidance provides practical, evidence-based recommendations to ensure continuity, safety and quality of care during this critical phase in a patient's life.
A new UCLA study found that adding immunotherapy to standard chemotherapy before surgery is safe and shows promise for some patients with borderline-resectable pancreatic cancer. The combination treatment helped patients live long enough to reach surgery, shrank tumors, and produced encouraging survival outcomes.
A new study shows that pancreatic cancer cells' ability to detect the extracellular matrix determines their growth rate and response to chemotherapy. The researchers found that cells detecting ECM have low autophagy levels and high growth rates, while those farther away from ECM have high autophagy levels and can survive chemotherapy.
Cancer cell researchers at the University of Oklahoma have developed a novel 'triangle regulation theory' that explains the development of cancer-induced cachexia and anorexia. The theory reveals how cancer cells recruit immune cells to trigger excess production of growth factor 15, leading to muscle wasting and loss of appetite.
A study published in Molecular Cancer found that the KLF5 gene plays a crucial role in fueling the growth of spreading pancreatic cancer by altering epigenetic changes. The researchers used CRISPR technology to silence genes and identified KLF5 as the most impactful gene associated with cell growth.
Researchers found that an experimental compound SB-216 reduced the growth of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cells by inhibiting oncogenic microtubules and mitochondrial function. This approach may reduce cancer cell adaptation and survival.
Researchers found that when pancreatic tumors touch the superior mesenteric vein, patients who undergo surgery first experience reduced survival rates. In contrast, those who receive chemotherapy before surgery have similar survival outcomes to those with non-vein touching tumors. The study suggests reclassifying tumors based on vein i...
Scientists found that tumor-promoting fibroblasts attract nerve fibers through a vicious cycle of signaling and neurotransmitter release. This cycle promotes pre-cancerous growth and pulls in more nerve fibers, leading to a self-reinforcing loop. Disrupting this cycle may lead to new therapies for pancreatic cancer.
A new study reveals that the surrounding microenvironment plays a crucial role in driving basal cell development, leading to treatment failure. The study also discovers intermediate tumor subtypes that could lead to new therapeutic strategies.
Researchers from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center reveal the origins of Thetis cells, which play a crucial role in teaching immune system tolerance. The team used single-nucleus DNA sequencing to shed light on pancreatic cancer evolution and identify genetic changes that occur earlier or later in disease progression.
A study published in PNAS successfully eliminated pancreatic tumours in mice completely and durably, with no significant side effects. The treatment, combining three molecular targets, induced robust regression of experimental PDACs without causing tumor resistance.
Researchers developed an AI tool called ONCO-ACS to predict the risk of secondary heart attacks in cancer patients after a heart attack. The tool combines cancer-related factors with standard clinical data to provide reliable information for doctors to balance treatment benefits and harms.
Researchers have developed a four-marker panel that can detect early-stage pancreatic cancer with high accuracy, potentially improving survival rates. The new test distinguishes cancer patients from healthy individuals and those with non-cancerous conditions, such as pancreatitis.
A four-biomarker blood panel including aminopeptidase N, polymeric immunoglobulin receptor, and thrombospondin-2 has been shown to enhance the detection of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma compared to CA19-9 alone. The panel correctly detected 91.9% of pancreatic cancers across all stages.
Cancer researchers have identified a key mechanism by which cancer cells protect themselves from the immune system. The study found that MYC protein can bind to RNA molecules, eliminating alarm signals that would activate the immune defense.
A study led by Aaron Hobbs and Rachel Burge reveals the distinct cell signaling and tumor microenvironment behind a slower-growing pancreatic tumor mutation. G12R KRAS mutations lead to better patient outcomes, including earlier diagnoses and longer survival times.
Predictions for lung cancer death rates among EU and UK women indicate stabilization of mortality rates at 12.5 deaths per 100,000 in 2026. Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death for both sexes in the EU, with mortality rates continuing to decline among men.
Pancreatic cancer cells use specific microRNA molecules to reprogram nearby immune cells called macrophages, helping tumors grow. By blocking this communication, researchers found a potential way to reverse the process and restore macrophage function to fight cancer.
The study reveals that low levels of CTDNEP1 drive early and deadly pancreatic tumors, highlighting its role as a tumor suppressor. Tumors with low CTDNEP1 expression showed stronger metabolic activity and immune evasion.
A new consensus classifier for pancreatic cancer has been developed, enabling accurate determination of tumor subtypes and informing treatment choices. The tool also identifies risk factors for the disease, including smoking, which may be more significant in certain subtypes.
A new study by CNIO has identified two genes in the complement system that increase the risk of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. These genes, FCN1 and PLAT, may serve as biomarkers for screening high-risk populations.
Researchers have discovered a complex regulatory circuit involving SRSF1, AURKA, and MYC that promotes aggressive pancreatic cancer progression. The circuit, which involves alternative splicing, can be targeted with an antisense oligonucleotide to reduce tumor cells' viability and trigger apoptosis.
A new nanodrug called Nano-273 could offer improved survival for patients with pancreatic and lung cancers by activating the immune system and blocking tumor growth. The drug, developed by University of Houston researcher Wei Gao, has shown promising results in early studies.
A systematic review found that pancreatic cancer surgery significantly increases the risk of new-onset diabetes mellitus (NODM), particularly in patients with known risk factors. The study analyzed 45 studies and found an overall incidence of NODM of 24.5%, with a higher rate in those who underwent distal pancreatectomy.
Proton therapy has been shown to provide a significant survival benefit for patients with head and neck cancers. In another study, researchers have identified a promising target for treating pancreatic cancer by inhibiting the mitochondrial enzyme GFER. Additionally, diagnostic breast MRI may be unnecessary for some patients with early...
Researchers at MD Anderson Cancer Center have found that inhibiting GFER, a mitochondrial enzyme, in combination with immune checkpoint blockade improves antitumor response in preclinical models. This two-pronged approach holds promise for patients with pancreatic cancer.