Articles tagged with Oncology
A new study found that vulnerable populations are less likely to receive cancer survivorship care plans, which can help with transition out of active treatment. The Regenstrief Institute and Indiana University School of Medicine analyzed data from the 2016 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System's Survivorship modules.
A study investigates the role of the TGF-β/SOX9 axis in promoting cancer migration and invasion in oral squamous cell carcinoma. The research found that CAF-induced TGF-β1 upregulates SOX9 expression, leading to increased cancer invasiveness and poor prognosis. The findings suggest a potential therapeutic target for developing novel tr...
A study published in Psycho-Oncology found that breast cancer patients with low resilience are more likely to experience depressive symptoms and poor health-related quality of life during chemotherapy. Patients with high resilience, on the other hand, were less likely to develop depression and reported better health outcomes.
The new ESMO Clinical Practice Guideline provides comprehensive guidance on diagnosing, staging, and treating patients with metastatic breast cancer. The guideline incorporates recent clinical trial data to inform treatment choices, taking into account tumour biology and emerging targeted therapies.
Researchers found that combining zinc oxide with small-molecule UV filter ingredients reduced UVA protection by 84.3-91.8% compared to non-mineral sunscreens. The study also showed toxic effects on zebra fish embryos when exposed to sunscreen mixtures containing zinc oxide.
A survey of breast cancer patients found that nearly half use cannabis to alleviate pain, fatigue, and other symptoms while undergoing treatment. Physicians are often unaware of patients' cannabis use, highlighting the need for informed conversations about its potential benefits and risks.
Researchers have discovered a way to bring cancer-killing T cells to bear against a specific type of colorectal cancer, showing promising results. The findings may represent a therapeutic strategy to target other types of cancers, and the next step is to further explore how T cells become activated in the tumor environment.
A retrospective cohort study of 27 patients with sarcoma lung metastases found high primary technical success rates for percutaneous image-guided microwave and cryoablation. The treatment modality and tumor location did not affect local progression, and smaller tumors showed lower cumulative incidence of local progression.
The MAP Virtual Congress 2021 focuses on integrating tumour sample analysis into daily practice, enabling personalized treatment. Key findings include actionable mutations in patient DNA and the role of the tumour microenvironment in metastasis.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet developed an AI-based tool to improve breast cancer diagnosis and predict recurrence risk. The method divides patients with grade 2 tumours into high-risk and low-risk sub-groups, enabling personalized treatment.
New targeted therapies are being developed to target genetic alterations in cancer cells, such as the ARID1A mutation found in 10-50% of solid tumours. Early clinical trials suggest that these agents may be effective in treating multiple cancers, including breast, ovarian, and gastric cancer.
The FIRSTMAPPP trial found that sunitinib significantly prolongs progression-free survival in patients with malignant pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma. The study demonstrated the efficacy of sunitinib as a treatment option for this rare cancer, which is commonly treated with old and toxic agents.
A clinical trial found that over half of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with a HER2 gene mutation had their tumors stop growing or shrink after treatment with trastuzumab deruxtecan. The drug showed durable responses in 54.9% of patients, with median survival period of 17.8 months.
Researchers identified DNA mutations from platinum-based chemotherapies in AML patients, suggesting treatment-associated cancer development. The study's findings imply that clonal hematopoiesis precedes chemotherapy exposure.
A new study from Penn Medicine demonstrates that RN7SL1, a naturally occurring RNA, can activate the body's own natural T cells to seek out cancer cells that have escaped recognition by CAR T cells. This approach may help improve efforts to treat solid tumors.
A new study reports that chemotherapy plus immunotherapy before surgical removal reduces tumor invasiveness in muscle-invasive bladder cancer. In the phase II clinical trial, nearly 25% of bladder cancers were found to be invasive, and surgery often had limited success due to microscopic cancer cell spread.
Researchers at McGill University identified proteins that drive cancer stem cells in brain tumours. Targeting the protein galectin1 may provide a more effective treatment for glioblastoma when combined with radiation therapy. The study found significant improvement in tumour response to radiation therapy, resulting in expanded lifespan.
A modified chemotherapy regimen for Burkitt lymphoma has been developed, combining CODOX-M and IVAC with rituximab, to reduce toxicity and improve survival rates. The study found a higher overall survival rate and lower frequency of severe side effects compared to standard regimens.
Researchers have uncovered a weakness in the key enzyme that solid tumour cancer cells rely on to adapt and survive when oxygen levels are low. Inhibiting this enzyme, called Carbonic Anhydrase IX (CAIX), can effectively stop cancer cell growth.
A population-based cohort study in Canada identified mortality patterns for different types of neuroendocrine tumors (NETs), revealing varying risks of cancer-related and non-cancer death. The study found that small NETs can be safely monitored, while larger tumors may require more aggressive treatment.
Gastrointestinal stroma tumors (GIST) are rare cancers that can be problematic to detect and treat. Researchers have identified the mutational drivers for GIST in the stomach and found a potential drug therapy, temozolomide, which showed promising results in treating patients with specific mutations.
A recent study has uncovered the evolutionary forces at play in the aging of the blood system and identified individuals at increased risk of blood cancer. The research provides a robust indicator for classifying patients with ARCH mutations, allowing for more frequent screening and early treatment.
A big data study from UNSW Sydney found that Australian cancer patients kept up their pharmaceutical treatments during last year's COVID-19 lockdowns. The researchers attribute the good news to relatively low rates of COVID-19 infections in Australia, which minimally impacted cancer treatment patterns.
Researchers found changes in erythrocyte morphology and nanoparticles on cell surfaces during radiation therapy, which may indicate treatment effectiveness or prognosis. The study suggests that analyzing these changes could lead to the development of a diagnostic method for assessing RT efficacy.
A new clinical guideline from ASTRO provides guidance on the use of radiation therapy to treat adult patients with soft tissue sarcoma, recommending optimal radiation dosing and techniques. The guideline also addresses the role of radiation therapy for retroperitoneal sarcomas.
The study, led by Caicun Zhou, found that sintilimab-gemcitabine/platinum improved progression-free survival over placebo-gemcitabine/platinum. The results demonstrated a 46.4% reduction in disease progression or death risk.
A new lymph node collection kit has been shown to improve long-term survival after curative-intent lung cancer surgery. The kit helps surgeons attain complete resection by improving pathologic nodal evaluation, leading to a significant increase in R0 resections and reduction in non-examination of lymph nodes.
The ESMO Targeted Anticancer Therapies Congress 2021 presented new data on drug discovery and development for a range of targets, including precision medicine. World-renowned experts discussed breakthroughs in the microbiome and oncolytic viruses, highlighting their potential as tools and targets.
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a detrimental impact on the progress of achieving gender balance in academic oncology. Disruptions to research and education have hindered the advancement of this specialty, particularly for women. The article proposes potential solutions to counteract these negative effects.
Patients with non-small cell lung cancer who enrolled in a phase III early-stage trial showed a high rate of smoking reduction and cessation following study entry. Smoking rates were significantly lower among never-smokers, leading to improved overall survival compared to smokers.
Researchers report factors preventing effective launch of oncology biosimilars, including market share struggles and patent litigation lawsuits. The 'Pay-for-Delay' strategy by AMGEN and Genentech/Roche holds the market hostage.
The COVID-19 pandemic has posed significant financial risks to independent oncology practices. Experts propose various strategies to promote stability and survival in these vulnerable entities.
The FDA has issued guidance on clinical trials for cancer drug development during the COVID-19 pandemic. The guidance highlights regulatory challenges and lessons learned from recent experiences. By providing this support, the FDA aims to facilitate oncology drug development in a challenging environment.
A phase 3 trial found that combining nivolumab and cabozantinib was superior to sunitinib for progression-free survival, overall survival, and response rate in patients with metastatic kidney cancer. The treatment reduced the risk of progression or death by almost 50%.
The ESMO Virtual Congress 2020 will feature a virtual meeting between 19-21 September, including access to scientific programme, e-poster area, and industry satellite symposia. Accredited journalists can also access congress webcasts for re-watching presentations.
The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted oncology clinicians to prioritize cancer care, leveraging expertise from low-resource settings for guidance. Prioritization involves weighing the benefits and harms of different treatments, considering factors such as patient outcomes and healthcare resource availability.
The ESMO Virtual Congress 2020 will deliver a scientific programme featuring the presentation of latest cancer research results. More than 2100 abstracts will be included, including around 100 expected late-breaking abstracts.
The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on oncologists, leading to a loss of personal connection with patients and their families. This essay highlights the need for maintaining emotional connections in oncology despite the challenges posed by the pandemic.
A meta-analysis of 15 studies found that minimally invasive radical hysterectomy for early-stage cervical cancer is linked to a 71% higher risk of recurrence or death compared to open surgery. The study's findings suggest that the benefits of minimally invasive procedures may not outweigh the risks for this specific type of cancer.
Researchers used molecular imaging to track DNA damage in neuroendocrine tumors treated with 177Lu-DOTATATE. The technique enabled visualization of γH2AX foci just days after treatment, providing insights into therapeutic outcomes and potential dose adjustments.
The Oncotarget review explores the use of biomarkers, CA19-9, gemcitabine-abraxane, FOLFIRINOX, and other treatments to identify patients who benefit most from therapy in pancreatic cancer. Further studies are needed to better understand pancreatic cancer biology and improve prognosis.
Including smoking cessation with existing lung cancer screening efforts would significantly reduce lung cancer mortality and increase life-years gained. The study found that point-of-screening cessation interventions could further reduce lung cancer deaths by 14% and increase life-years gained by 81%.
A recent study published in Annals of Oncology found that excess body fat in middle to late adulthood increases the risk of developing advanced prostate cancer. Maintaining a healthy weight through healthy eating and exercise can help reduce this risk.
A new study suggests that monitoring patients' activity levels prior to chemoradiation therapy for lung cancer can predict treatment outcomes. Inactive patients are more likely to experience hospitalization, treatment delays, and disease recurrence, while active patients have better survival rates.
A three-year longitudinal study found that having a hematologist mentor during medical education is associated with an increased likelihood of fellows specializing in hematology. Fellows who co-authored papers or engaged in research activities with mentors in hematology were more likely to pursue careers in the field.
Professor Fatima Cardoso will receive the award for her foresight in understanding advanced breast cancer and launching the ABC Global Alliance. The alliance, now an independent organization, aims to improve lives of patients worldwide through awareness and advocacy.
The CheckMate-227 trial found that the combination of nivolumab and low-dose ipilimumab improves overall survival in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer compared to chemotherapy. The treatment was well-tolerated, with a low rate of discontinuation and treatment-related toxicities.
Researchers from University of Colorado Cancer Center Department of Radiation Oncology won the IAEA safety competition by recognizing the importance of a positive attitude towards radiation safety and developing department-wide processes for communicating safety standards. The team used Safety Month as an opportunity to broadcast and t...
A 16-year study of 452,000 Europeans found a positive association between artificially sweetened and sugar-sweetened soft drinks and an increased risk of death from circulatory and digestive diseases. The findings support public health campaigns aimed at limiting soft drink consumption.
A survey of early career oncologists found that women are less likely to attend scientific meetings due to family obligations. Onsite childcare is essential to promote work-life integration and increase female participation.
A new diagnostic test has the potential to determine if breast cancer patients require chemotherapy, giving them control over their treatment. The test uses gene profiling to identify low-risk patients who may not benefit from chemotherapy.
Susan Band Horwitz, an NFCR fellow, has been named a Giant of Cancer Care for her pioneering work on Taxol and its role in stabilizing microtubules to prevent cancer cell growth. Her research enabled the development of life-saving medications for ovarian, breast, and lung cancers.
Christine Menias, MD, is recognized for her dedication to radiology education, with a notable track record of instructional courses and awards. She has been named the 2019 ARRS Distinguished Educator for her inspirational teaching and commitment to improving competence and patient outcomes.
The global HER2 testing survey reveals major access and affordability issues in low and middle income countries, with some upper middle income countries also affected. The study suggests that governments need better information to set planning priorities for investing in infrastructure, testing, and treatment.
A recent study published in JAMA found that magic mouthwash significantly reduced pain from oral mucositis, a common side effect of radiation therapy for head and neck cancers. The treatment, which contains diphenhydramine, lidocaine, and antacids, was well-tolerated by patients and outperformed placebo.
Consuming garlic and onions has been shown to lower the risk of colorectal cancer in a Chinese study involving 833 patients. Adults who ate high amounts of allium vegetables had an 79% lower chance of developing the disease compared to those who consumed low amounts.
A large European study found that small lung spots in rhabdomyosarcoma patients do not affect survival prospects or require aggressive treatment, unlike larger metastases.
The MYSTIC trial found that first line immunotherapy combination with durvalumab and tremelimumab does not improve overall survival in unselected patients with lung cancer. However, a subgroup of patients with high tumour mutational burden showed improved overall survival with the combination treatment.
The NRG Oncology clinical trial BR001 found that SBRT is safe for patients with 2 metastases or 3-4 metastases in specific locations, including peripheral lung and abdomen/pelvic. The study showed zero protocol-defined dose-limiting toxicities across evaluable anatomic locations.
Oncologists require more education on the use of biosimilars, which could increase patient access to innovative therapies due to economic constraints. ESMO supports their use as cheaper alternatives to reference biologics, promoting sustainable and widely accessible cancer care.