Articles tagged with Cancer Patients
New cancer drugs have shown clinical benefit, but disparities in national health technology assessment outcomes hinder patient access. In the UK, prices for some common drugs increased by over 1000% between 2011 and 2016.
A Dartmouth study found that health insurance reduces cancer disparities, but does not eliminate them. Patients from disadvantaged communities showed a larger benefit from health insurance, highlighting the need for improved access to care.
Researchers found that metformin significantly increased tumor cell apoptosis and altered the cancer microenvironment in patients with head and neck cancer. The study suggests that metformin may make cancer more susceptible to standard therapies and has potential immunotherapeutic effects.
Premature death rates declined among Hispanics, blacks, and Asian/Pacific Islanders due to fewer deaths from cancer, heart disease, and HIV. In contrast, white and American Indian/Alaska Native populations experienced increased rates driven by accidents, drug overdoses, and suicide.
Younger patients with colon cancer are nearly 2 to 8 times more likely to receive postoperative chemotherapy than older patients, yet no added survival benefit is seen for these patients. The study's findings suggest overtreatment of young and middle-aged adults with colon cancer.
The European LeukemiaNet has released updated guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in adults, including revised genetic categories and a proposed response category based on minimal residual disease status. These recommendations aim to improve patient outcomes and harmonize clinical trials.
Patient navigators are a valuable resource for American Indians and Alaskan Natives with cancer, helping them overcome barriers to diagnosis and care. Researchers found that patients working with a navigator were almost four times more likely to have a definitive diagnosis within a year of an abnormal screening result.
Researchers at Huntsman Cancer Institute identified a protein called Macrophage Stimulating Protein (MSP) that causes bone destruction in metastatic breast cancer. A new drug, Ron inhibitor, blocks the activity of MSP, showing promising results in early clinical trials.
A study published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons found that the New York State Medicaid expansion improved access to cancer surgery for the uninsured, but failed to reduce racial disparities. The proportion of minority patients undergoing cancer surgery remained unchanged relative to whites.
UTA's integrated cancer research program is strengthening with $6 million grants, bolstering basic research, precision medicine, and screening diagnostics. The University aims to make transformative advances in key areas related to cancer while providing top-notch educational experiences for students.
Researchers found that breast cancer tumors evolve to produce their own estrogen supply, making treatments like aromatase inhibitors ineffective. The study, published in Nature Genetics, aims to increase treatment options for patients whose cancer has returned and spread.
The European Society for Medical Oncology advocates for strict adherence to approval standards and accelerated introduction of biosimilars into clinical settings. This move aims to enhance the sustainability and affordability of cancer treatment, with potential benefits including reduced costs and increased accessibility.
According to a study published in Journal of Thoracic Oncology, advanced stage Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) patients receiving standard of care treatment have significantly longer overall survival rates compared to those not receiving treatment. This trend is observed across various stages of the disease.
A new classification system for glioblastoma, a lethal brain cancer, has been developed by incorporating molecular variables. The refined model significantly improves the prognosis of patients treated with radiation and temozolomide, offering better clinical decision-making options.
A combination of steroids and sirolimus with immune checkpoint inhibitors may help prevent organ rejection in kidney transplant patients undergoing cancer treatment. This discovery shows promise for people with cancer who have also had a kidney transplant, potentially allowing them to receive full benefits from immunotherapy.
A new drug combination that adds chloroquine to targeted treatment has stabilized a 26-year-old brain cancer patient's disease, increasing both quality and quantity of life. The treatment was effective in two other brain cancer patients with similar diseases.
Chronic kidney disease patients spent a median $1,439 in annual out-of-pocket costs, compared to $770 for cancer patients and $748 for stroke patients. The study found that these high costs are due to the need for multiple medications and frequent doctor visits.
In mouse models, NRP2a inhibited tumor cell proliferation while NRP2b promoted metastasis and progression. Cancer stem cells were also reduced in NRP2b knockdown models, providing new insights into lung cancer progression. The study suggests that targeting NRP2b may lead to improved therapies for non-small cell lung cancer.
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital have found that tumor necrosis factor receptor type II (TNFR2) may be a major target for immuno-oncology treatments. The team's findings suggest that blocking TNFR2 could restore the ability of a patient's immune system to attack tumors, while also directly killing cancer cells.
A new study suggests that increasing KLL-specific T cells infiltrating the tumor improves patient survival in Merkel cell carcinoma. The research team found that about 20% of patients have T cells specific for this target, which is associated with better outcomes.
Research in mice suggests that melanomas and other cancers driven by BRAF V600E mutation will grow faster in response to a high-fat diet. Lipid-lowering agents such as statins can slow tumor growth, even on normal diets. The findings highlight the potential of precision diets tailored to individual patients' cancer mutations.
Scientists developed a biosensor that can detect cancer proteins in serum samples, allowing for early detection of tumors. The method is faster and more accurate than traditional methods, with a 440-fold higher sensitivity.
A University of North Carolina researcher argues that integrating patient-reported symptoms into clinical practice can improve patient outcomes. Despite demonstrated benefits, cost and technology barriers prevent the widespread adoption of electronic symptom reporting.
Researchers have discovered that Dab2 controls a population of fat stem cells that slowly disappears with maturity. This finding may reinforce the importance of steering children away from high-fat diets and lead to new pharmaceutical strategies to combat childhood obesity.
A landmark study reveals that men with a family history of prostate cancer and the BRCA2 gene fault have a more aggressive form of prostate cancer. The study shows that these cancers are genetically similar to advanced cancers, explaining why BRCA2 patients have poor outcomes.
A Mayo Clinic study finds that vaginal microbes are distinct in women with endometrial cancer compared to those without the disease. Researchers hope to use vaginal swabs as an early screening tool and investigate the role of the microbiome in preventing endometrial cancer.
A recent study published in JAMA Oncology suggests that chemotherapy can still benefit patients with non-small-cell lung cancer who recover slowly from surgery. The study found that delaying chemotherapy by up to four months did not increase the risk of death and may even lower it compared to earlier treatment.
A study by Yale researchers found that older lung cancer patients can spend an average of one in three days interacting with the healthcare system within the first 60 days after surgery or radiation therapy. Patients with a higher number of medical conditions treated with surgery had the most post-treatment burdens.
Researchers have identified a gene mutation driving the formation of metaplastic breast cancer, a subtype of triple negative breast cancer. A therapeutic compound has been validated to slow tumor growth and increase chemotherapy efficacy.
A study published in Journal of Clinical Oncology found that new therapies for non-small cell lung cancer resulted in a median 1.5-month survival increase, but this gain was largely offset by higher outpatient spending due to the expensive medications.
A new HER2-targeted dendritic cell vaccine has shown promising results in a clinical trial, stimulating an immune response in 80% of patients and inducing regression of early-stage breast tumors. The vaccine was well-tolerated and effective in both invasive and non-invasive disease settings.
A new oral drug, selumetinib, has shown significant tumor shrinkage in children with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) and plexiform neurofibromas. Most patients experienced partial responses, with tumor growth stopping in over 70% of cases.
A recent study has identified more than 2,000 genetic mutations in tissue samples of esophageal tumors, revealing the complexity of cancer cells within individual tumors. The findings demonstrate that different areas of a tumor have unique genetic patterns, making it difficult to target a specific genetic defect.
A major clinical trial has found that adding bortezomib to a standard two-drug regimen significantly prolongs the time before multiple myeloma cancer returns, giving patients about another year of remission. The study also shows that patients who receive this combination therapy live an average of six years after initial treatment.
Researchers developed iCAGES, a computational tool that integrates whole genome-based approach to identify individual cancer driver genes and select treatment options. The tool was found to be superior in predicting cancer drivers and identifying beneficial treatments compared to other computational tools.
Researchers developed a dual strategy combining biomimetic beads and anti-PD1 therapy to boost killer T cell immunity against skin cancer. The combination technique increased T cell activation by 35% compared to artificial beads alone and 72% compared to anti-PD1 alone.
Scientists have discovered a potential biomarker, GHRH-R, for gastric cancer, which can aid in earlier diagnoses and better staging. The team also found that the GHRH-R antagonist MIA-602 inhibited gastric cancer growth in cell lines and human xenografts.
Regular NSAID use associated with a 66% increased risk of dying from endometrial cancer, particularly among those who had used NSAIDs for over 10 years. However, the association did not apply to more aggressive Type 2 cancers.
Researchers found a strong correlation between circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) and poor outcomes in pancreatic cancer patients. ctDNA levels were associated with disease stage, grade of differentiation, and overall survival. The study suggests that detecting ctDNA could help subclassify cancers and manage treatment.
A genetic biomarker, rs28714259, identifies women with breast cancer at increased risk for anthracycline-induced congestive heart failure. The marker is associated with low ventricular ejection fraction and may help oncologists provide more precise predictions of treatment risks.
A study found that cancer patients spend a significant portion of their household income on treatment, transport, and childcare. The economic burden is often referred to as the 'financial toxicity' of cancer.
A Malaysian study found that four in five cancer survivors suffer from anxiety and depression a year after diagnosis. The study also highlighted the importance of addressing quality of life for cancer patients beyond clinical outcomes.
A routine blood test can predict how long cancer patients in palliative care will survive, researchers report. The Six Adaptable Prognostic models use three laboratory measurements to estimate death within 1-6 months, allowing physicians to re-evaluate prognosis at any time point.
Researchers present first data on rare sarcomas in Asian patients, showing poor overall survival rates. Chemotherapy improves survival in advanced cases, but treatment rates remain low, with physician-related factors possibly at play.
Researchers have created a unique model of prostate cancer biology using patient tissue, allowing them to study the differences between normal and cancerous cells. The breakthrough uses conditional reprogramming, a laboratory technique that enables continuous growth of healthy and cancer cells indefinitely.
A statewide colorectal cancer screening study found that 16% of patients diagnosed under age 50 have an inherited genetic mutation increasing their cancer risk. The study identified a broad spectrum of mutations in early-onset colon cancer patients, including those linked to breast cancer risk.
A study found that patients with oropharyngeal cancer who recur have higher levels of antibodies for proteins E6 and E7, which can detect recurrence before it's diagnosed. This biomarker could provide an early window for treatment.
A new study comparing two genetic sequencing tests found that results can differ significantly in the same patients, with only 22% of detected alterations matching between platforms. The findings have significant clinical implications, highlighting the need for more detailed comparisons of test results across larger patient populations.
A University of Alberta study found that proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) decrease capecitabine's effectiveness in gastric cancer treatment, reducing progression-free survival by over a month and overall survival by two months. PPIs can also affect colorectal cancer treatment efficacy.
A study of 450 patients found 72 with 75 unique gene mutations, affecting 16 percent of younger-onset CRC cases, suggesting genetic counseling and multigene panel testing for early-onset patients
A new study found that socially isolated breast cancer survivors had a 40% higher risk of recurrence, a 60% higher risk of dying from breast cancer, and a 70% higher risk of dying from any cause. Women with larger social networks experienced better outcomes.
A new study published in The American Journal of Pathology found that over 90% of bladder cancers lack the enzyme argininosuccinate synthetase 1, making them susceptible to arginine-degrading therapy. This approach has shown promising results in treating bladder cancer with low ASS1 expression.
A study presented at EuroEcho-Imaging 2016 found that chemotherapy caused heart damage in cancer patients with diabetes, leading to a higher risk of heart failure. The researchers also discovered that patients with diabetes experienced a significant decrease in global longitudinal strain, an early predictor of heart failure.
Research reveals that 20-40% of multiple myeloma patients have a defective ribosome, leading to a poorer prognosis but better response to Bortezomib treatment. The discovery has the potential to improve therapy selection for these patients.
A new Penn study sheds light on racial disparities in cancer-causing genetic mutations, finding differences in mutation patterns between African American and Caucasian women. The research suggests biological differences and potentially different genetic factors may be at play, guiding targeted care for at-risk patients.
A large Canadian clinical trial found that a new treatment strategy for locally advanced squamous cell head and neck cancer did not show better results compared to the current standard of care. The study provided valuable data on quality of life and biospecimens from 320 patients, informing future research.
A lack of psychiatric healthcare providers in rural areas is leaving patients without access to necessary treatment options, exacerbating the impact of untreated mental illness. The OHSU Knight Cancer Institute is working to address this issue through innovative approaches to cancer care and mental health support.
A new study published in BMC Public Health found that people who are more body vigilant are more likely to seek medical help. Researchers from the University of Surrey discovered that nearly half of those diagnosed with cancer were at an advanced stage, highlighting the importance of early diagnosis.
French researchers report harmonization study on PD-L1 immunohistochemistry testing in NSCLC. Durvalumab shows clinical activity and well-tolerability in heavily-pretreated patients with NSCLC. Patients receiving pembrolizumab report better quality of life than those on chemotherapy.
Patients with longer delays were more likely to receive palliative treatment, while early diagnosis and treatment improve cancer outcomes. The study found that patients and primary care physicians contributed significant delays, highlighting the need for increased patient awareness about symptoms and screening.