Articles tagged with Cancer Patients
Researchers call for increased palliative care in China to address non-malignant disease management and family involvement. A systematic review highlights the need for better pain control, truth-telling, and emotional support.
Researchers found that angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), commonly used for high blood pressure and heart failure, may increase the likelihood of responding to anti-PD(L)1 therapy. Patients taking ARBs showed a statistically significant improvement in objective response rate and complete response rate compared to those not taking them.
Researchers at the University of South Australia have developed a novel microfluidic approach to purify CAR-T cells, reducing dead cells by over 70% and increasing cell viability by 20%. This method could significantly benefit patients by lowering manufacturing costs and side effects associated with CAR T cell therapy.
Researchers at UC have identified metabolic fingerprints that distinguish cancers from nonsmokers compared to smokers, providing important steps toward new and better therapeutic strategies for kidney cancers in both smoking and nonsmoking populations. The study reveals a separate metabolic subtype of kidney cancer with different weakn...
Researchers at UArizona Health Sciences have identified a biomarker, MiR130b, that appears in patients before stomach cancer develops. The biomarker can be detected through a simple blood test, potentially saving time and lowering costs compared to current diagnostic procedures.
Non-invasive ventilation use increased nine-fold between 2000 and 2017, but data on its effectiveness for cancer and dementia patients is lacking. The therapy may prolong suffering for patients near the end of life.
A novel combination of immunotherapy targeting CTLA-4 and PD-1 led to a rapid and complete response in a 19-year-old patient with stage 4 epithelioid sarcoma. The patient achieved complete remission within two weeks, resuming normal activities and physical examination.
Baseline ctDNA levels predicted responses to first-line immune checkpoint inhibition in patients with melanoma, but not second-line treatment. Low ctDNA levels associated with longer progression-free survival in both discovery and validation cohorts.
A Penn-developed machine learning tool helps sustain end-of-life care discussions with cancer patients, tripling the rate of those discussions. The study shows that clinicians engage more in conversations when prompted by an algorithm and a behavioral nudge.
The NCI-MATCH trial, the largest precision medicine cancer trial to date, has made significant contributions to the use of tumor gene testing in selecting treatment for patients. The study found that nearly 40% of patients have matching tumor gene defects for targeted treatments.
A new study led by Massachusetts General Hospital found that frequent phone counseling significantly improves quit rates among cancer patients who smoke. The intensive program resulted in a 34.5% abstinence rate, compared to 21.5% for those receiving less frequent counseling.
Research shows that intensive smoking cessation counseling for newly diagnosed cancer patients improves quality of life, reduces complications and increases survival. The study found that providing six months of inexpensive tobacco cessation support at diagnosis can result in significant cost savings and improved health outcomes.
A Phase I trial found neoadjuvant combination immunotherapy with tremelimumab and durvalumab showed early signs of activity in patients with high-risk disease, with a pathologic complete response rate of 37.5%.
A new urine-based liquid biopsy test, UroCAD, has been developed to detect bladder cancer with higher sensitivity and similar specificity compared to traditional urine cytology. The test analyzes DNA copy number variants in urine exfoliated cells and shows promise for reducing the frequency of cystoscopy examinations.
MUSC researchers have identified a new biomarker that may predict which patients are at risk of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. High levels of plasmacytoid dendritic cells expressing ICOS ligand are associated with increased severity of GVHD and lower survival rates.
A Yale professor has received a $500,000 grant to develop a versatile and highly scalable strategy for treating pancreatic cancer. The technology, called MAEGI, targets multiple differences in cancer cells and activates multiple immune system responses.
Researchers found that 91% of patients with limited stage DLBCL who received no radiation were alive five years after treatment. A PET scan after three cycles of R-CHOP can determine if patients need additional chemotherapy or radiation. This approach may improve patient outcomes and reduce toxicity.
The study reveals that while COVID-19 complicates cancer care, it also spurs innovative solutions to clinical challenges. Researchers found that patients with cancer are at heightened risk of severe illness due to weakened immune systems, but also highlighted the benefits of telemedicine and creative approaches to treatment.
Preliminary results from two large clinical trials investigating a new PD-1-based immune therapy for metastatic cervical cancer suggest improved response rates and potential new treatment options. The trials involved over 150 patients with recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer and tested the combination of balstilimab and zalifrelimab.
The SWOG Cancer Research Network will share innovative approaches to cancer care, including telemedicine and quality improvements, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The network's trials have led to significant advancements in cancer treatment and patient outcomes.
Pediatric brain cancer researcher Jezabel R. Blanco will receive a $300,000 grant to explore medulloblastoma, a subtype of brain tumor that tends to be particularly deadly in children under three. Her research aims to target the stem cell reservoir of these tumors and develop new treatments.
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.
Researchers discovered that cancer mutations follow specific patterns, with internal factors leading to enriched mutations in active domains and external factors resulting in mutations in inactive domains. This understanding may lead to new therapeutic targets and treatment options.
A major study of women with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) found that surgery followed by radiotherapy offers better protection against invasive cancer. However, the benefit of radiotherapy decreases over time, suggesting a need for personalized treatment decisions.
Researchers found that patients receiving personalized cancer therapy had improved survival rates and longer progression-free periods compared to those with unmatched treatment plans. The use of next-generation sequencing allows for more precise targeting of cancer cells.
Researchers found high variability in DNA changes between individuals, suggesting a wide range of factors influence bladder cancer development. A new mutational signature linked to smoking was also identified, shedding light on why tobacco is the single greatest risk factor for bladder cancer.
A recent study published in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians found that little effort has been made to increase older adult participation in cancer clinical trials, despite the disproportionate impact of cancer on this age group. The researchers called for a more inclusive approach, recommending that trials ask targeted questions an...
Catherine Marinac receives Sharp Tank Award to study health disparities in multiple myeloma and tailor interventions for diverse patient populations. The award supports research on early intervention and treatment for precursor multiple myeloma, a rare blood cancer disproportionately affecting people of color.
Researchers at the University of Colorado Cancer Center found that disparities in cancer outcomes for Black patients are largely caused by unequal access to healthcare. The study examined Medicare data for individuals with squamous cell cancer of the head and neck, controlling for factors such as stage of diagnosis and treatment receiv...
Researchers at MUSC Hollings Cancer Center identified multiple obstacles that prevent head and neck cancer patients from receiving timely radiation treatment, leading to worse survival outcomes. The study presents a novel framework for understanding these barriers and aims to improve patient care through an intervention strategy.
A new CDK 4/6 inhibitor, abemaciclib, has been shown to reduce the risk of breast cancer recurrence in high-risk patients with hormone receptor-positive (HR+) early-stage disease by 25%. The monarchE study found that adding abemaciclib to standard hormone therapy significantly improved patient outcomes.
A repeated testing protocol for COVID-19 among patients with cancer was examined in a quality improvement study. The study found that asymptomatic cancer patients can be safely screened for COVID-19 without increasing the risk of infection.
A clinical trial of selpercatinib has shown promising results for patients with non-small cell lung cancer, achieving high response rates and prolonged survival. The drug specifically targets cancers driven by mutations in the gene RET, with minimal side effects.
Genetic testing is cost-effective for newly diagnosed metastatic GIST patients, enabling clinicians to prescribe tumor-specific chemotherapy. This approach avoids ineffective treatment and reduces disease progression rates.
A new app called Close2U has been developed to monitor the physical and mental health of cancer patients using gamification. The app rewards users with advice or songs for answering daily questions about their mood and pain levels, promoting motivation and continuous monitoring.
A new bioinformatics tool called DrBioRight has been developed to enable biomedical researchers to conduct routine analyses of large datasets without specialized expertise in bioinformatics or programming languages. The tool uses a natural-language interface to allow users to ask questions and receive intuitive analysis results.
The National Comprehensive Cancer Network has published a new patient and caregiver resource focused on childhood cancer type, pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The guidelines provide easy-to-understand information on treatment options, including charts and images, to help patients and caregivers make informed decisions.
Research suggests that cancer patients with COVID-19 have a higher mortality rate due to their age and comorbidities, rather than the cancer. The study found that survival at 30 days was worse in cancer patients compared to non-cancer patients.
A national survey found that many cancer patients lack nutritional advice and face difficulties such as diarrhoea, appetite loss, and changes in taste and smell. Researchers emphasize the importance of individualized guidance for improved quality of life and overall survival.
In a Phase I clinical trial, sotorasib achieved a confirmed response rate of 32.2% and disease control rate of 88.1% in patients with KRAS G12C-mutant non-small cell lung cancer, with durable clinical benefits and manageable toxicities
A UC study found that patients with cancer who contract COVID-19 have a higher risk of death if treated with certain anti-cancer therapies at specific times. The study analyzed data from over 3,000 patients and found that those treated one to three months prior to diagnosis had the highest mortality rates.
A phase III clinical trial led by Queen Mary University of London shows that immunotherapy drug avelumab significantly improves survival in patients with the most common type of bladder cancer. Avelumab resulted in a 31% reduction in risk of death and extended median survival by over seven months.
A study found that using proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) worsened survival rates and disease progression in patients with urothelial cancer treated with atezolizumab. PPI use did not affect overall survival or response to chemotherapy.
A single-center observational study found that PET/MRI improves lesion detectability in select cancers and significantly reduces overall radiation exposure compared to PET/CT. The study, published in The Journal of Nuclear Medicine, shows that PET/MRI can promote fast, efficient local and whole-body staging in one step.
A team of researchers developed a mathematical model that can determine the impact of the immune system on tumour evolution. The model predicts when cancer cells will activate their cloaking mechanisms against the immune system and informs on whether immunotherapy is likely to be effective.
A clinical trial is underway to test psilocybin therapy for depression in cancer patients. The study aims to investigate the combination of individualized treatment and group administration to provide long-term relief from depression symptoms.
A new study finds that high viral loads are associated with a greater risk of death among patients with both cancer and COVID-19. Patients with hematologic malignancies who had recently been treated for cancer had the highest levels of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).
Smokers have worse chemotherapy response and higher mortality rates from bladder cancer, with a higher risk of cancer recurrence. Former smokers also fare poorly in these categories.
A new biomarker has been identified that reliably predicts the aggressiveness of biliary tract cancer in patients, which could help doctors make informed decisions about chemotherapy. The biomarker, IL-6, has been shown to provide prognostic information not captured by other inflammatory markers already in use.
The University of Louisville will establish a Center for Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy to develop and improve cancer treatments that utilize the immune system. Researchers will focus on advancing strategies to use the immune response to fight cancer, with the goal of saving lives through immunotherapies.
Researchers at Ohio State University have discovered that RNA nanoparticles exhibit elastic and rubbery properties, enabling them to target tumors by slipping through tumor blood vessels. The particles are also excreted from the body quickly via urine, reducing toxicity.
A preclinical study from MD Anderson and BridgeBio's Navire Pharma shows that SHP2 inhibition can overcome osimertinib resistance in lung cancer. The study found that IACS-13909 suppressed tumor cell proliferation and caused tumor regression in various activated kinase-driven models.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University are developing a novel technique using nanotechnology to wake up 'cold' tumors, allowing immune cells to locate and neutralize them. The approach aims to improve treatment outcomes for metastatic breast cancer patients by combining nanotechnology with immunotherapy.
The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a huge backlog of cancer treatments and research, with delays and cancellations reported across 18 countries. Oncology professionals are also facing burnout and wellbeing damage due to the pandemic's impact on their workload and job performance.
Researchers at Huntsman Cancer Institute discovered that HIF-1α is linked to aggressive tumors, metastasis, and poor patient survival, while HIF-2α is associated with less aggressive tumors and better outcomes. The study suggests a potential new paradigm for understanding kidney cancer.
A Phase II trial found that a combination of ipilimumab and nivolumab generated durable responses in 25% of patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. The treatment achieved disease control in 46.9% of patients, with median progression-free survival of 5.5 months.
Researchers found that 27% of immune checkpoint inhibitor recipients experienced irAEs, with 5% developing multi-organ irAEs sequentially. Multi-organ irAEs were generally amenable to satisfactory management and associated with better overall survival rates.
A program using mail-in stool samples is shown to be an effective and cost-effective alternative to in-person colonoscopies for detecting colon cancer. The study identified nine best practices for implementing such programs, including patient navigation and high-quality testing kits.
Researchers developed a statistical model using genomic data to predict risk of developing oesophageal cancer in patients with Barrett's oesophagus. The model accurately identified high-risk patients years before diagnosis, allowing for early treatment and reducing unnecessary surveillance.
A five-year grant will follow over 2,000 testicular cancer survivors to examine the role of genetic variants in platinum toxicities and assess the impact on physical, emotional, and social functioning. The study aims to identify high-risk subgroups and provide guidelines to decrease damaging side effects.