Articles tagged with Cancer Patients
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.
A small clinical trial found that three out of four patients treated with a combination of T-cell therapy, avelumab, and either radiation or interferon achieved complete remission. The treatment approach may offer new hope for patients with Merkel cell carcinoma, a rare skin cancer with limited treatment options.
A study from Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center found that up to 53% of cancer patients' non-admission ED visits could be prevented with timely care in an outpatient setting. The most common reason for ED visits was pain, costing a median $1,127 per visit.
A new test based on a patient's epigenetics may accurately identify those at highest risk of anal cancer, minimizing painful procedures and over-treatment. This test has the potential to reduce costs, pain, and anxiety associated with diagnosis, particularly in high-risk groups such as men who have sex with men and people with HIV.
The Affordable Care Act has improved access to and affordability of cancer-related care, but critical gaps remain. The ACA has expanded insurance coverage, led to earlier diagnoses, and ensured access to cancer treatments.
Researchers at the Universities of Birmingham and Newcastle studied DNA of two types of acute myeloid leukemia to explain clinical prognosis differences. They discovered how oncogenes reprogram blood stem cells, leading to variable treatment responses.
A study analyzing 3,640,229 patients in the SEER database found that lung cancer diagnoses are associated with a nearly 420% higher suicide rate compared to the general population. The highest suicide risk was observed in lung cancer patients, particularly older individuals, widowed patients, and those with metastatic disease.
A large-scale study found that raised blood platelet counts are a strong predictor of cancer, with lung and colorectal cancers being more commonly diagnosed. The research suggests that substantial numbers of people could have their cancer diagnosed up to three months earlier if thrombocytosis prompted investigation.
Research shows that blood cancer patients are less likely to enroll in hospice care compared to solid cancer patients. However, a survey of hematologic oncologists found that 68% agree that hospice care is helpful for blood cancer patients, and most would refer patients if red blood cell transfusions were available.
According to a new report, rare cancers account for over one-fifth of all cancer diagnoses in the United States, with notable disparities in incidence rates among different ethnic groups. Rare cancers often present unique challenges, including limited research, delayed diagnosis, and limited treatment options.
A multi-institutional research team analyzed nearly 11,000 human cancers to identify molecular changes involved in cancer development. They confirmed previously known pathways and discovered new ones, such as IDH1 and VHL, which may be linked to targeted therapy.
A new study estimates that more than 150,000 US women are currently living with distant metastatic breast cancer, a form of the disease that has spread to distant sites in the body. Despite poor prognosis, survival rates for women diagnosed with MBC at younger ages have been increasing significantly.
Patients with stage III colon cancer who reported a healthy lifestyle had a 42% lower chance of death and a trend for lower cancer recurrence risk than those with less healthy lifestyles. A healthy diet, regular physical activity, and maintaining a healthy body weight were all important factors.
Patients with stage III colon cancer who consumed two ounces or more of tree nuts per week had a 42% lower chance of cancer recurrence and 57% lower chance of death than those who did not eat nuts. This benefit was consistent across known factors that can influence cancer recurrence.
The Emperor Science Award program recognizes 100 high school students who will conduct research in a lab or virtually on a multi-week cancer project, receiving a computer and $1,500 stipend. The program aims to inspire students to pursue careers in cancer research.
A new study found that younger colorectal cancer patients have a higher tumor mutation load, with significant differences in gene mutations related to DNA repair, and may benefit from immunotherapies
A phase III trial of 447 patients with biliary tract cancers showed that giving capecitabine after surgery extended survival by a median of 15 months compared to surgery alone. The treatment was associated with a 20% lower chance of death, but the difference was not statistically significant for the overall population.
A recent trial funded by Cancer Research UK found that patients who take capecitabine after surgery for bile duct cancer live for almost a year and a half longer than those not given the drug. Three-year survival improved by almost a quarter in these patients.
Researchers found tumor mutation load correlates with age and cancer type, potentially increasing immunotherapy effectiveness. High TML is seen in melanoma, non-small cell lung cancer, and tumors lacking specific genes.
Researchers have 'carbon dated' a patient's cancer for the first time, showing it can spread rapidly within a year of initial appearance. The study provides insights into genetic instability and its impact on cancer progression.
Researchers identified 22 genes-of-interest with mutation frequencies across the largest group of CCEC patients. They also uncovered mutations in the TAF1 gene and found similarities to serous endometrial cancer or endometrioid endometrial cancer in a substantial number of CCECs.