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New study: Mental illness obstructs cancer screening

A new study from Aarhus University found that people with mental health issues are less likely to accept offers of colorectal cancer screening. The research showed that those with severe mental disorders had a 13.8 percentage point lower participation rate compared to those without mental illness.

SourceAarhus University·JournalThe Lancet Psychiatry·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 29, 2023

DNA test could broaden access to cervical cancer screening

Rice University engineers developed a low-cost, point-of-care DNA test for HPV infections that can be used to screen for cervical cancer. The test, which requires just two pieces of equipment and delivers results in 45 minutes, has the potential to make cervical cancer screening more accessible in low- and middle-income countries.

SourceRice University·JournalScience Translational Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 21, 2023

Making immunotherapy safer

Researchers developed CrossDome, a tool that uses genetic and biochemical information to predict T-cell immunotherapy's impact on healthy cells. The tool identified high-risk candidates in cases where treatments mistakenly attacked heart cells.

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalFrontiers in Immunology·DateJun 14, 2023

Association of immunotherapy duration with overall survival in advanced non–small cell lung cancer – this study is being released to coincide with a poster presentation at the 2023 ASCO annual meeting

A study published in JAMA Oncology suggests that stopping immunotherapy after two years for patients with advanced non–small cell lung cancer who remain responsive may be a reasonable strategy, providing sustained clinical benefit. The findings provide reassurance for patients and their healthcare providers.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Oncology·DateJun 4, 2023

ComboMATCH investigators are translating robust pre-clinical evidence for new anti-cancer drug combinations into a series of early-phase clinical trials

ComboMATCH initiates patient enrollment to test new cancer drug combinations guided by tumor biology, exploring precision medicine and targeting proteins that control cancer growth. The project aims to identify beneficial therapies for patients with rare malignancies and/or rare molecular abnormalities.

CSI Singapore researchers uncover potential novel therapeutic targets against natural killer/T-cell lymphoma

A team of researchers from CSI Singapore has identified a transcription factor, TOX2, as a potential target for treating Natural Killer/T-cell Lymphoma (NKTL), an Epstein-Barr virus-associated cancer with poor treatment outcomes. The study found that TOX2 is overexpressed in NKTL patients and negatively associated with patient survival.

SourceNational University of Singapore·JournalMolecular Cancer·DateMay 29, 2023

LSU Health New Orleans study finds diet contributes to risk of HPV-related cancer

A new study published by LSU Health New Orleans found that a diet high in fruits, dark-green vegetables, and beans can significantly lower the risk of genital high-risk-HPV infection, which is associated with cervical cancer. The research also showed that women who eat healthily tend to practice other healthy behaviors.

SourceLouisiana State University Health Sciences Center·JournalThe Journal of Infectious Diseases·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 25, 2023

Cervical cancer screening doubles when under-screened women are mailed testing kits

Researchers found mailing HPV self-collection tests and offering assistance improved cervical cancer screening nearly two-fold among low-income women. Screening uptake increased to 72% among women who received mailed HPV kits, compared to 37% for those with scheduling assistance alone.

SourceUNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center·JournalThe Lancet Public Health·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMay 11, 2023

New research in JNCCN finds telemedicine consistently outperforms in-person visits for cancer care when both are available

A large-scale study of patient experiences with telemedicine and in-person visits found that telemedicine consistently outperformed in-person visits in terms of access to care and provider engagement. The study analyzed survey responses from over 39,000 patients across more than 50,000 visits.

SourceNational Comprehensive Cancer Network·JournalJournal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network·TypeSurvey·DateMay 8, 2023

How to increase the chance of survival in older patients with head and neck cancer

An international study of 1,044 patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma found that combining radiotherapy with chemotherapy significantly improves survival rates compared to radiotherapy alone. The benefit was particularly notable in patients between 65-79 years old with good general health.

SourceUniversität Leipzig·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateApr 26, 2023

Creating an artificial pathologist

A team of scientists created a new, fast, and precise method for analyzing cells in tissue samples from cancer patients without the need for a trained pathologist. The method uses artificial intelligence to evaluate data produced by a technique called real-time deformability cytometry.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature Biomedical Engineering·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 8, 2023

Cancer-associated fibroblasts: Challenges and opportunities

Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are a type of cell that plays a crucial role in the tumor microenvironment. The authors suggest that understanding CAFs is essential for developing effective cancer therapies. Research targeting CAFs has shown promise, but challenges remain due to their complex nature.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalOncotarget·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateApr 5, 2023

Delaying treatment for localised prostate cancer does not increase mortality risk, trial shows

The ProtecT trial found that active monitoring of prostate cancer has the same high survival rates after 15 years as radiotherapy or surgery. Men on active monitoring were more likely to see their cancer progress, but this didn't reduce their likelihood of survival.

SourceEuropean Association of Urology·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMar 11, 2023

National Comprehensive Cancer Network updates annual conference with new in-person venue, hybrid format, expert-led sessions, highlighted research perspectives, and small-group conversations

The NCCN Annual Conference will debut a new hybrid format featuring in-person events at a new venue, allowing for hallway conversations and networking opportunities. The conference will also showcase more than 100 abstract poster presentations on various oncology-related categories.

Oncotarget | Oncogenic driver FGFR3-TACC3 requires 5 coiled-coil heptads for activation and disulfide bonds for stability

Researchers identify the minimum contribution of TACC3 for FGFR3-TACC3 fusion protein activation, revealing a novel target for treating FGFR translocation-driven cancers. The study shows that clinically identified FGFR3-TACC3 fusion proteins differ in biological activity depending on specific breakpoints.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalOncotarget·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 23, 2023

Pusan National University researchers uncover novel gene that regulates leukemia development and progression

Pusan National University researchers have identified a novel gene, SURF4, that regulates cell death and differentiation in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The study found that suppressing SURF4 expression increases cell differentiation, cell death, and accumulation of ROS, leading to arrested tumor growth in mice.

SourcePusan National University·JournalCancer Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 31, 2023

Geographic access to pediatric cancer care in US

Most children in the continental US have adequate access to pediatric cancer care, but disparities exist among racial and ethnic groups and in rural areas. Reducing these disparities requires innovative approaches such as expanding local facilities and partnerships with adult oncology centers.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateJan 19, 2023

Surgery first for colon cancer? Not so fast, according to new study in JNCCN

Researchers discovered that pre-surgery immunotherapy significantly improved patient outcomes for locally advanced colorectal cancer. The treatment showed substantial longer survival benefits, including low recurrence rates, in patients with mismatch repair-deficient or microsatellite instability-high (dMMR/MSI-H) CRC.

SourceNational Comprehensive Cancer Network·JournalJournal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network·DateJan 11, 2023

Concentration of surgery has improved operations for childhood cancer

Researchers at the Princess Máxima Center found that concentrating surgery for children with neuroblastoma resulted in shorter operation times and reduced blood loss. The study also showed a decrease in side effects, although further research is needed to confirm improved survival rates.

SourcePrincess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology·JournalEuropean Journal of Surgical Oncology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 19, 2022

Patients and doctors agree on treatment goals only half the time, according to JNCCN study on people with neuroendocrine tumors

A recent study by City of Hope found that only 30% of patients with advanced neuroendocrine tumors prioritize living longer as their top goal. Instead, 70% focus on addressing pain, fatigue, and losing function. The research highlights the need for better communication between care providers and patients to develop personalized treatme...

SourceNational Comprehensive Cancer Network·JournalJournal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network·DateDec 12, 2022

Extending chemo slashes risk of aggressive childhood leukemia coming back

A new treatment protocol has been shown to significantly reduce the risk of aggressive childhood leukemia returning after chemotherapy. The ALL-11 protocol, which includes an extra year of maintenance chemotherapy for children with specific genetic mutations, has improved five-year survival rates and quality of life for these patients....

SourcePrincess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateDec 10, 2022