Articles tagged with Oncology
A quality improvement analysis found that many US residents live within 30 miles of a clinical trial site, highlighting disparities in access. The study highlights concerns about equity and fairness in healthcare resource distribution, particularly for marginalized communities.
A cohort study found that decentralization through telemedicine and local care can substantially reduce cancer care's environmental impact. The study also showed small reductions in human mortality as a result of these changes.
A stepped-care model integrating palliative care at key points in patients' cancer trajectories shows reduced palliative care visits without compromising quality of life. The approach enables more efficient delivery of early palliative care, enhancing patient-reported outcomes.
This study found that lowering the fecal immunochemical test positivity threshold can achieve comparable sensitivity and specificity to the multitarget stool RNA test without additional testing. The findings are similar to previous observations with multitarget stool DNA testing, suggesting a potentially simpler screening method.
Ivonescimab plus chemotherapy significantly improved progression-free survival (7.1 vs 4.8 months) compared to chemotherapy alone in TKI-treated non-small cell lung cancer patients. This treatment may offer a new option for patients with EGFR variant and limited treatment options.
Active surveillance for favorable-risk prostate cancer demonstrated to be a safe and effective management strategy, with less than 2% developing metastatic disease. The study found no significant association between delayed treatment during surveillance and worse outcomes.
A team of researchers from Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University has engineered a short sequence of artificial DNA to target the mutant protein p53-R175H, linked to lung, colorectal, and breast cancers. The new molecule, dp53m, inhibits cancer cell growth and increases sensitivity to chemotherapy agent cisplatin.
A study presented at ASCO highlights biases reported by female cancer physicians, including racial and ethnic discrimination. The researchers emphasize the importance of representation and diversity in overcoming these issues.
Researchers found no significant 'participation effect' in cancer trials, contrary to common belief among patients and healthcare providers. The study's results provide reassurance that not enrolling in a trial doesn't disadvantage a patient's survival outcomes.
A cross-sectional study reveals racial and ethnic disparities in treatment delays and discontinuations among patients with SARS-CoV-2, leading to increased cancer mortality among minoritized adults. The disproportionate burden varied across SARS-CoV-2 waves.
A new study led by UT Health San Antonio found that long-term ketogenic diets can induce senescence, or aged cells, in normal tissues, affecting heart and kidney function. However, an intermittent ketogenic diet regimen eliminated these pro-inflammatory effects.
Adult carriers of BAP1 tumor predisposition syndrome show a high incidence of onychopapillomas, a benign nail tumor. This finding suggests using these skin abnormalities to identify family members and patients with cancers associated with the syndrome.
Researchers used AI to detect localized versus advanced cancer stages in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma patients. The study suggests improved patient care and clinical decision-making through AI-assisted health record extraction.
A study published in JAMA Oncology found that AI chatbots can generate empathetic and readable responses to cancer patient questions, comparable to those from physicians. The research also highlights the need for further investigation into the scope, process integration, and patient outcomes of chatbot-facilitated interactions.
A recent analysis of WHI findings indicates that MetS and obesity each have different associations with breast cancer subtypes and mortality risk. Women with higher MetS scores are at a higher risk of poor-prognosis, estrogen receptor-positive, progesterone receptor-negative breast cancers.
A cross-sectional study found racial and ethnic disparities in breast cancer treatment declination and overall survival. The study suggests that patient education on treatment benefits and improved communication between patients and clinicians can help reduce disparities and improve patient outcomes.
Young survivors of childhood cancer experience prevalent symptoms years after diagnosis. Interventions to reduce caregiver anxiety and neighborhood adversity may alleviate symptom burden.
Substantial geographic disparities in cancer clinical trials availability exist in the US, with socially vulnerable counties facing significant limitations. The disparity has worsened over time, with these counties often having fewer trial options available.
Text messaging and bulk ordering can significantly increase mammogram completion rates for breast cancer screening outreach. The study found that these interventions are effective in improving adherence to recommended screening guidelines.
A cohort study found that individuals with a first colonoscopy with negative findings for colorectal cancer may benefit from longer screening intervals, potentially up to 15 years. This could lead to fewer unnecessary invasive examinations and improved patient outcomes.
A plant-based diet after prostate cancer diagnosis was associated with lower cancer progression risk. Higher intake of plant foods was linked to reduced disease progression in men with prostate cancer.
The USPSTF updates its breast cancer screening recommendation to biennial mammography for women ages 40-74. However, the balance of benefits and harms is unclear for women over 75 or those with dense breasts. Breast cancer is a common cause of death among US women.
A randomized clinical trial of 3,020 patients with high-risk nonmetastatic breast cancer found daily aspirin therapy had no effect on breast cancer recurrence or survival in early follow-up. Aspirin should not be recommended as an adjuvant breast cancer treatment despite its potential benefits and wide availability
Researchers at TUM have uncovered a mechanism by which tumor cells prevent the formation of immune responses, including cytotoxic T cells. This discovery provides rationales for new cancer immunotherapies and could enhance existing treatments.
Women with germline BRCA pathogenic variants face increased risk of mortality from postpartum breast cancer, particularly those diagnosed under 10 years after giving birth. The study highlights the importance of genetic counseling and tailored prevention strategies for these high-risk individuals.
Only 4% of cancer survivors met all four American Cancer Society guidelines, with a mean of 2.0 guidelines met. This study aims to improve understanding of guideline adherence and inform recommendations for patients who have completed cancer treatments.
A national cohort study found that neighborhood disadvantage was independently associated with shorter breast cancer–specific survival. The study suggests potential unaccounted-for mechanisms, including both nonbiologic and biologic factors, and highlights the need for further research.
Researchers have developed a new urine-based test that identifies high-grade prostate cancer by analyzing 18 genes linked to the disease. The test, called MyProstateScore2.0, was shown to be nearly 100% correct at ruling out aggressive cancers and helped avoid up to 41% of unnecessary biopsies.
Researchers have identified a novel protein FOXF1 that stabilizes blood vessels inside lung tumors, decreasing intertumoral hypoxia and preventing lung cancer metastases. Increasing levels of FOXF1 or FZD4 shows promise to improve therapeutic outcomes in lung cancer patients.
Young breast cancer survivors without germline pathogenic variants are at lower risk for developing a second primary breast cancer within the first decade after diagnosis. This study informs treatment decision-making and follow-up care considerations in this population.
Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital designed a combination therapy to effectively treat relapsed or resistant B-cell leukemia by targeting the developmental stages of cancer cells. The findings revealed that a protein called BCL-2 is a hidden vulnerability in asparaginase-resistant tumor cells.
Most cancer drugs granted accelerated approval show no benefit in overall survival or quality of life within five years. Patients should be informed about the limited effectiveness of these drugs.
A systematic review of 41 randomized clinical trials suggests that late-stage cancer incidence can be a suitable alternative end point to cancer-specific mortality in some cancer types, but not others. This finding has implications for multicancer screening tests and may change the way these trials are designed.
Integrating magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in prostate cancer screening pathways is associated with reduced unnecessary biopsies and overdiagnosis. MRI maintains clinically significant prostate cancer detection, reducing harm from overtreatment.
A simple blood test every five years is sufficient to screen low-risk men for prostate cancer, according to new research. Researchers found that only 0.13% of men with low PSA levels developed cancer after a decade.
Scott Kopetz recognized for his development of novel therapies for BRAF-mutated colon cancer, while Elizabeth Travis awarded for her research on radiation effects on normal tissues. Their work has defined current practices in medical and radiation oncology.
Researchers uncover how EBV infects host genome, leading to tumor formation and finding novel therapeutic targets. EBV-host interactions reveal epigenomic rewiring, dysregulated gene expression, and potential cancer treatment.
Researchers will characterize initial environmental exposures and collect biospecimens and data from residents potentially impacted by the disaster. Investigators will evaluate biospecimens for early signs of liver dysfunction, detecting known liver carcinogen vinyl chloride.
Researchers identified a small set of proteins governing anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) identity and found that drugs targeting the STAT family of proteins already exist for treatment. The study provides insight into potential vulnerabilities in ALCL cells.
Children's Hospital Los Angeles will develop innovative stem cell approaches to treat children and adolescents with recurrent solid tumors using CAR T-cell therapy. The new approach targets B7H3, an immune marker on cancer cells, to identify and destroy them.
A new study estimates that over 134,000 cancer cases went undiagnosed in the US during the first 10 months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Cancer diagnoses were found to be 13% lower than expected during this period, with a 28.6% reduction in March to May 2020.
A study published in JAMA Oncology revealed a significant decline in US cancer incidence during the first 10 months of the pandemic. The research found 134,395 potentially undiagnosed cancer cases between March and December 2020, highlighting an unusual drop in all-site cancer incidence.
A single-center study found that ultrahypofractionated whole breast irradiation after breast-conserving surgery had no severe toxicities and did not affect patient-reported outcomes. Most patients (83.9%) were diagnosed with pathological stage I disease, and cosmetic effects showed no obvious differences before and after treatment.
A new study evaluates AI algorithms for autocontouring prior to radiotherapy in head and neck cancer. OpenAI's GPT-4-turbo demonstrated the best performance, while Llama-2 models underperformed. The study highlights the potential of generative AI to revolutionize radiation oncology education and practice.
Researchers mapped changes in tumor-related bacteria to uncover potential strategies to combat the rise of young-onset colorectal cancer. Unique bacterial signatures were found in tumors from younger patients, including Akkermansia and Bacteroides, which are more likely to have left-sided, rectal, and advanced stage tumors.
Researchers have identified mechanisms of resistance to tazemetostat in epithelioid sarcoma and rhabdoid tumors, leading to the development of a combination therapy strategy. The therapy uses an epigenetic treatment approach to target specific mutations that drive cancer growth.
Scientists at City of Hope discovered a new cellular mechanism that plays a key role in cancer cells' ability to cause disease. The study identified integrin αV and β5 as crucial proteins that partner to spur cancer cell growth, offering a promising target for new therapies.
A study found that the 21-gene breast recurrence score test may underestimate chemotherapy benefits for young Black women with estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer. The researchers recommend lowering the test's cutoff point to ensure accurate treatment recommendations for all patients regardless of race or ethnicity.
Despite declining overall US cancer mortality rates, substantial racial disparities persisted for many common cancers, including breast and colorectal cancer. Structural racism, medical mistrust, and health care access inequities contribute to these disparities.
A study of nearly 15,000 adults with non–small cell lung cancer found that Medicaid expansion decreased postoperative mortality within 30 and 90 days after hospital discharge. This suggests that expanded Medicaid coverage may improve cancer outcomes and access to care for this population.
Adult cancer survivors are at higher risk for substance use disorders (SUD), especially those with certain types of cancer; the study suggests integrated care could benefit these patients. The research highlights the need to address comorbid SUD in cancer populations with high SUD prevalence, prioritizing high-risk cancers.
A systematic analysis of cancer cells identifies 370 candidate priority drug targets across 27 cancer types. Researchers used machine learning methods to find promising targets and linked them to specific biological markers and genetic features.
The study found a decline in localized head and neck cancer incidence during the first year of the pandemic. However, advanced-stage diagnoses may rise in subsequent years, indicating a potential shift in the disease's progression.
A Phase 2B clinical trial, led by City of Hope, found that carvedilol may improve heart health markers and reduce the risk of heart failure in childhood cancer survivors. The study suggests that carvedilol could benefit long-term survivors and those who are highly adherent to the treatment.
A new framework has been established for standardized imaging of diffuse gliomas using amino acid PET, enabling the evaluation of treatment success and improving therapies. The RANO group has developed criteria that enable reliable imaging of tumor activity and extent.
An international team of researchers has developed new criteria for the standardized imaging of gliomas using amino acid PET, allowing for more accurate evaluation of treatment success. These criteria open up possibilities for improved therapies in clinical studies and everyday practice.
A Wayne State University study reports progress in a therapeutic approach that can restore immune surveillance and provide long-term protection against ovarian cancer tumors. The therapy, CARG-2020, has shown promise in animal models and may prove more effective than existing immunotherapies.
Researchers from Japan have discovered a novel targeted molecular therapy using microRNA-451a to suppress the progression of gemcitabine-resistant biliary tract cancers. The study found that miR-451a significantly diminished cell proliferation, induced cell death, and reduced chemoresistance in cancer cells.
A new study finds that structural racism is a significant contributor to unequal lung cancer risk factors, affecting different racial and ethnic groups differently. The research highlights the need for tailored preventive interventions to address these disparities.
A new method has been developed to rapidly identify genes that drive tumor growth in various types of cancers. Organoids were used to test candidate genes, revealing promising targets for precision oncology. The study's findings may lead to the development of targeted therapies for patients with esophageal squamous cancer.