Articles tagged with Cancer Patients
The Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation has awarded nearly $4.16M in fellowships to 18 early-career scientists conducting basic and translational cancer research. These four-year awards provide independent funding to investigate novel ideas with potential impact on cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
A study found that women with breast cancer who undergo nipple-sparing mastectomy have a low rate of recurrence within five years, comparable to standard mastectomies. The procedure leaves the natural nipple intact and has several advantages over standard mastectomy.
A 20-year study found that surgery for early-stage prostate cancer did not prolong life and often caused serious complications. Most men with early prostate cancer are more likely to survive with limited or no treatment.
A newly identified biomarker panel correctly detects early pancreatic cancer in human cells, improving the ability to diagnose patients at different stages of their disease. The panel combines plasma thrombospondin-2 with CA19-9 levels for reliable detection of pancreatic cancer, potentially altering treatment outcomes.
Entinostat inhibits myeloid derived suppressor cells, leading to enhanced antitumor activity when combined with PD-1 blockade. This preclinical study suggests entinostat may provide an effective combination treatment approach for patients with solid tumors.
A simple test for bladder cancer has been developed that can predict its return in over 80% of patients, identifying the faulty protein TERT. This new method detects bladder cancers earlier than existing tests and distinguishes them from urinary tract infections, potentially helping doctors start treatment sooner.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge have developed a new statistical model to estimate kidney function in cancer patients, improving chemotherapy dosing accuracy. The model reduces errors from over 20% to 11.7% compared to existing methods.
A recent study found that nearly 10% of terminal cancer patients are unwilling to face their prognosis, hindering them from making informed end-of-life plans. Healthcare professionals should assess patients' readiness for prognostic information and provide sensitive coaching to cultivate accurate awareness.
Common insurance plans leave access to top cancer hospitals at risk due to narrow network exclusions. Researchers call for greater transparency and more patient access.
A new study found that patients with pre-existing serious health conditions, such as heart disease or Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), may experience a delay of up to 26 days in receiving a bowel cancer diagnosis. This can lead to more severe outcomes and poorer treatment options.
A study by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital found that abdominal radiation increases the risk of premature ovarian insufficiency in female cancer survivors, which can lead to infertility and poor overall health. Researchers recommend estrogen replacement therapy to mitigate these risks.
The Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation has awarded four physician-scientists with over $1.8 million in funding to pursue cancer research. The awards provide critical support to enhance translation and clinical research, addressing the financial disincentives that often deter physicians from pursuing a research career.
TGen is developing 'liquid biopsies' that can help clinicians accurately treat patients with high-risk breast cancer. These non-invasive blood tests could enable continuous monitoring of a patient's progress, reducing the need for surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation.
A new study shows that liquid biopsies can provide more information than traditional tissue biopsies, helping doctors tailor care based on individual disease biology. The tests detected genetic mutations that made cancer resistant to treatment, allowing for better patient care.
Researchers identified significant gene mutations and differences in the upper digestive tract that could help develop tailored treatment options for cancer patients. The study found a set of frequently mutated genes in small bowel adenocarcinomas, which may affect therapy choice and targeting.
The National Cancer Institute's Proteogenomic Translational Research Centers aim to bring proteogenomics to cancer patients. By analyzing blood samples, researchers hope to identify proteins that indicate response to specific treatments.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of published studies found strong evidence that e-cigarette use increases the risk of subsequent cigarette smoking among adolescents and young adults. E-cigarettes may mimic smoking behavior through similar hand-to-mouth movements and contain nicotine, potentially enhancing addiction.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have discovered a new antibody that can restore the effectiveness of chemotherapy rituximab in leukemia patients with natural resistance. The study found that adding the antibody to rituximab increased cancer cell death by 45% in five out of 11 patients.
A recent study found that the percentage of breast cancers diagnosed at early Stage 1 increased by 3.6 percentage points after the Affordable Care Act took effect. This increase was particularly notable among African American and Latina patients, who saw significant gains in Stage 1 diagnoses.
Scientists have successfully employed a novel type of imaging that uses glucose metabolism activity to identify solid tumors or aggressively growing areas. This method, called magnetization transfer effect, allows for the visualization of changes in glucose levels in brain tissue without the need for radioactivity.
A combined molecular biology test can accurately identify benign pancreatic lesions, potentially sparing patients from unnecessary cancer screenings and operations. The test uses two proteins to rule out precancer and cancer, with a sensitivity of 95.5% and specificity of 100% for distinguishing between serous cystic neoplasms (SCN) an...
A phase III clinical trial shows that nivolumab improves response rates in stage IV lung cancer patients with specific molecular characteristics. The study found a 75% response rate among patients with high tumor mutation burden and PDL-1 positive status.
A survey of 102 young cancer patients aged 13-24 found that digital resources could enhance their experience and engagement. The study's lead author believes digital support resources can address unmet needs and improve patient outcomes.
Researchers from Nationwide Children's Hospital used a combination of immunotherapies in a mouse model of rhabdomyosarcoma, finding that combining oncolytic virotherapy and PD-1 blockades was more effective than either approach alone. This new strategy marshals more T-cells to attack tumors without increasing regulatory T-cells.
Children as young as 8 years old can reliably assess experimental therapy effects on symptoms and quality of life. Self-reported patient outcomes could be a new endpoint in clinical trials, enabling clinicians to better manage side effects.
A new study suggests that the experimental drug GGTI-2418 can block a specific protein from degrading another protein that helps kill cancer cells. This discovery has important implications for treating cancers with defective PTEN, as it may allow for a combination of inhibitors to target multiple pathways involved in tumor growth.
Researchers at Queen Mary University of London have developed a highly accurate blood test that can identify patients with aggressive prostate cancer. The test detects rare cells in the blood, including megakaryocytes, which are strongly linked to patient survival, and 'EMTed' CTCs, associated with poor patient outcomes.
Researchers at Wayne State University and Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute aim to improve cancer immunotherapy by using PET imaging to detect dendritic cells in tumors. This non-invasive method may help predict treatment outcome and guide patient care.
A Phase III trial shows that peptide-receptor radionuclide therapy significantly improves patient wellbeing, particularly in advanced midgut neuroendocrine tumors. Lutathera treatment provided more relief for patients than high-dose octreotide, with improved quality-of-life metrics and fewer side effects.
Researchers at Huntsman Cancer Institute discovered a new science that could provide better therapeutic options for Philadelphia chromosome-positive ALL patients. The new drug inhibits DNA repair proteins, reducing leukemia load by 50-70% in mouse models.
In a clinical trial of 86 patients with colorectal and other cancers, scientists found that half respond to pembrolizumab due to mutations in their tumors. This could lead to a new standard-of-care including mismatch repair deficiency testing to identify patients who may benefit from immunotherapy.
A new clinical study found that genetic defects in mismatch repair (MMR) pathway tumors can indicate successful response to PD-1 blockade immunotherapy. The trial showed pembrolizumab controlled disease in 66 patients and caused complete tumor disappearance in 18, with no recurrence for an average of 8.3 months.
A new study found that chemotherapy can significantly impair walking gait and balance in breast cancer patients, leading to a higher risk of falls. Researchers advocate for integrating objective measures of physical function into oncology follow-up care to reduce fall risk and improve treatment compliance.
Research found that slow-growing breast cancers with favorable biologic factors have an excellent prognosis, often outliving patients. The study suggests that large, aggressive tumors are more likely to cause harm and should be prioritized for screening.
The NCI-MATCH precision medicine cancer treatment trial has reached its goal of sequencing the tumors of 6,000 patients two years ahead of schedule. This is due to wide-scale adoption throughout the NCTN and NCORP networks, resulting in an unprecedented rate of patient enrollment.
Cancer genomics researchers found a significant association between PONDS-forming sequences and cancer. They discovered that short inverted repeats are enriched at translocation breakpoints in human cancer genomes.
Researchers developed nanoparticles that combine two immunotherapy tactics to target and destroy tumor cells, slowing growth in mice with different cancers. The treatment showed promise in treating various tumor types without severe side effects.
Researchers found that capecitabine results in fewer side effects and improved quality of life, while being as effective as CMF in preventing breast cancer recurrence. Over 85% of patients did not experience their cancer returning for at least five years.
A study published in Journal of Clinical Oncology found that patients undergoing androgen deprivation therapy experience significant changes in physical function and skills of daily living. After treatment, most patients show improvement in overall geriatric health, with some even experiencing increases in daily function.
A study analyzing SWOG clinical trials found that cancer patients in the US have gained a cumulative 3.34 million years of life due to successful therapies. The analysis calculated that an NCI investment of $125 for each year of life saved was sufficient, making it a cost-effective approach.
A study analyzing SWOG treatment trials from 1965 to 2012 found positive trials resulted in substantial gains in patient survival, with estimates suggesting over 3.34 million life-years were saved through these trials.
A new study by Cleveland Clinic researchers found that delays in initiating cancer therapy are associated with a substantially increased risk of death. Patients who wait more than six weeks for treatment have significantly worse survival rates, with some cancers experiencing declines of up to 40% in five-year survival rates.
Early research suggests that immunotherapy may provide new hope to patients with relapsed mesothelioma. A phase II clinical trial found that the combination of nivolumab and ipilimumab slowed cancer growth by 44% and tumor shrinkage in 26% of patients.
A recent study found that cancer patients who reported their symptoms using a web-based survey lived five months longer than those who did not. The study, led by UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center researcher Ethan Basch, showed a significant median overall survival benefit of 20 percent.
A study published in JAMA found that integrating electronic patient-reported outcomes into routine care led to a significant increase in survival among patients with metastatic cancer. The trial showed a median survival difference of 5 months between the electronic patient-reported symptom monitoring group and usual care.
A French study of 1,944 patients with advanced cancer found that comprehensive genomic profiling can guide treatment choices and lead to higher survival rates. The study's results suggest that routine genomic testing may not benefit all patients but offers hope for personalized medicine.
Olaparib has been shown to improve progression-free survival compared to chemotherapy in patients with BRCA-related advanced breast cancer. The phase III OlympiAD trial demonstrates the efficacy of olaparib as a treatment option for this patient population.
A web-based tool enables patients to report symptoms in real time, triggering alerts to clinicians, resulting in a median survival of 5 months longer. Patients experience improved quality of life and are able to tolerate chemotherapy longer.
A new cancer medicine, larotrectinib, has demonstrated compelling evidence for treating a range of advanced cancers. The therapy, which targets TRK fusion proteins, resulted in responses in 76% of patients across 17 different types of cancer. After 12 months of treatment, 79% of responding patients remained progression-free.
A randomized clinical trial of 305 patients with advanced cancer found that a brief psychological intervention called Managing Cancer And Living Meaningfully (CALM) significantly reduced depressive symptoms. CALM also improved psychological well-being and preparedness for the end of life, with greater benefits at six months.
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 web-based stress management program improved quality of life and reduced distress in patients with cancer, according to a prospective study. The STREAM intervention showed significant clinical improvements after two months, with a greater improvement in quality of life compared to the control group.
A new analysis found that nearly three-quarters of patients with advanced cancer could be referred to a targeted treatment based on their tumor's genetic landscape. Genetic sequencing identified anomalies in 11% of patients, including hereditary variations that increase cancer risk.
The AACR Project GENIE initiative has published its first analysis of nearly 19,000 de-identified genomic records, showing that over 30% of samples had clinically actionable mutations. The data can be used to facilitate clinical research and improve patient care.
Researchers from Fred Hutch Cancer Center are showcasing promising new treatments for various types of cancer, including pancreatic cancer, Merkel cell carcinoma, and early-stage breast cancer. The findings suggest that experimental drugs, triple immunotherapy, and novel sarcoma vaccines may provide extended progression-free survival p...
Researchers at Queen's University Belfast have made a significant advance in treating bowel cancer by defining precise gene signatures within cells. This allows for the development of novel prognostic and predictive markers, enabling personalized medicine approaches.
A study by Penn State researchers suggests a possible link between the partial meltdown at Three Mile Island Nuclear Power Plant and thyroid cancer cases in nearby areas. The study found an increase in genetic mutations caused by low-dose radiation exposure in patients who developed thyroid cancer after living in at-risk regions.
Researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center have developed a test called the radiosensitivity index to determine how sensitive a patient's tumor is to radiation therapy. This allows them to select the optimum radiotherapy dose for each patient based on their individual tumor biology.
Researchers at German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) found a substance that blocks cancer-promoting metabolic products in leukemia and brain tumors. The investigational compound BAY1436032 is effective against AML and glioblastomas, reducing stem-cell properties and tumor cell growth.
A new study at Penn Medicine identified several barriers to discussing cost transparency in cancer care, including patient fear of being 'profiled' based on socioeconomic status. Strong doctor-patient relationships, availability of financial expertise, and scalability are potential facilitators for improving cost transparency discussions.