The new ASTRO guideline provides guidance on radiation therapy for brain metastases, including evidence-based recommendations for multidisciplinary planning and delivery of advanced techniques to manage intact and resected brain tumors. The guideline aims to improve quality of life and outcomes for patients with brain metastases.
Dr. Gary J. Whitman, MD of the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, has been appointed as the 122nd President of the American Roentgen Ray Society (ARRS). He succeeds Jonathan Kruskal, MD, PhD, and will serve for the next year.
The University at Buffalo is developing new treatments for ovarian cancer by targeting the apelin receptor. Ovarian cancer cells rely on lipids for energy and survival, making this a promising therapeutic target.
A study published by Wiley found that women with low vitamin D levels are more likely to develop breast cancer, particularly among Hispanic/Latina women. The research suggests that sufficient vitamin D may protect against breast cancer, with a 21% lower risk observed in women with adequate levels.
Researchers at Texas A&M University developed a low-cost, minimally invasive wireless device that uses photodynamic therapy to kill cancer cells. The device enables precise and safe treatment options during surgery, potentially reducing the need for additional treatments like chemotherapy.
Patients with mild to moderate kidney disease and kidney transplant recipients had a higher risk of cancer. They also faced a higher risk of dying from cancer, particularly from cancers such as bladder, kidney, and multiple myeloma, compared to those with normal kidney function.
Researchers found a steady decline in annual mammography use by breast cancer survivors between 2009 and 2016, with the largest decrease seen among younger patients. The study highlights the importance of reinforcing the significance of annual mammograms for breast cancer survivors.
The NCCN Annual Conference focuses on the cancer patient journey, featuring state-of-the-art practice algorithms, updates to clinical guidelines, and new therapies. Leading experts present treatment recommendations for various cancer types, including breast, colorectal, and lung cancer.
A study published in JAMA Network Open found that half of all women will experience at least one false positive mammogram over a decade of annual breast cancer screening with 3D mammography. The risk of false positives is lower for women screened every other year, and non-dense breasts also show a lower false positive risk.
A recent study found that mutant clones expand in the normal endometrium through a rhizome structure, which arises from a common ancestral clone. This expansion increases the risk of developing endometriosis and endometrial cancer. The study proposes a new model of clonal expansion in the normal endometrium.
A retrospective study found that positive oral CT contrast material improves detection of malignant deposits, particularly with adequate bowel filling. The NPV for detection was 65.8% for positive oral contrast material with adequate bowel filling.
Two clinical trials will report groundbreaking data on adjuvant olaparib for germline BRCA1/2 associated breast cancer and pembrolizumab for early-stage non-small cell lung cancer. These treatments aim to improve survival rates and reduce recurrence.
Research found a significant drop in new cancer diagnoses during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly for screening cancers like breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer. The study estimates around 12,600 cancers went undetected between March 2020 and September 2020.
Researchers will compare proton, carbon and electron radiotherapy to protect normal tissues from harm while controlling solid tumors of the gastrointestinal tract, lungs, soft tissues throughout the body, and bones. The goal is to develop a more effective treatment with shorter duration and frequency.
Researchers have developed a low-cost, easy-to-use focused ultrasound device that can precisely target the mouse brain. The $80 device, created using a 3D printer, has been shown to achieve sub-millimeter targeting accuracy and improve drug delivery outcome.
A recent study found that gene therapy delivery vectors were unlikely to cause the blood malignancies reported in trials; however, the exact cause remains a mystery. The study's results suggest that cancer risk in sickle cell disease may be more complex than initially thought, warranting further investigation.
A new symptom management approach, WRITE Symptoms, guides patients to reflect on their symptoms and develop strategies for addressing target symptoms. Both nurse-led and self-directed versions of the tool improved women's sense of control over their symptoms after eight weeks.
A culturally tailored patient navigation program improved the rate of colorectal cancer screening among Hispanic adults, reducing historical gender disparities. The program's colonoscopy completion rate was 85%, with no difference between males and females.
A single genetic test using RNA sequencing has been used for all children with cancer in the Netherlands since 2018, improving diagnosis and treatment in seven cases. The technique picked up 78 fusion genes, 23 of which led to a more accurate diagnosis or possible treatment.
A new bilateral tumor model was demonstrated to be useful for investigating the relationship between T-cell repertoire and cancer immunotherapy's therapeutic effects. The study found that T-cell profiles of both tumors were almost identical, indicating a similar anti-tumor response in a single mouse.
Scientists at the University of Missouri discovered that bisphenol A (BPA) exposure during pregnancy can negatively impact fetal brain development. MicroRNAs in the placenta play a key role in regulating cellular functions, including neural development. Researchers believe that microRNA packages could reach the brain through the placen...
Research finds that psychological distress among AYA cancer survivors is associated with higher annual medical expenses and greater health care use, including more office visits and prescription medications. The study suggests screening for psychological distress can help mitigate these effects.
The Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging has published appropriate use criteria (AUC) for prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) PET imaging. The guidelines provide a framework for healthcare providers to determine the most effective use of PSMA PET scans in patients with suspected or known prostate cancer.
Pediatric clinicians play a crucial role in ensuring access to critical resources for children with chronic medical conditions or special education needs. Clinicians should address school-related challenges and provide support to help these patients keep up academically with their peers.
A study found that one in five cancer survivors mistakenly believed taking vitamins could reduce the risk of cancer return. Those who thought supplements reduced recurrence were three times more likely to take them. Healthcare professionals must advise patients on safe dietary supplement use.
Researchers simulated an attack that falsified mammogram images, fooling both AI breast cancer diagnosis models and human radiologist experts. The study highlights the need to develop ways to make AI models more robust to adversarial attacks, which could lead to incorrect cancer diagnoses.
A recent study found that despite some progress, the US academic workforce in radiation and medical oncology remains underrepresented compared to the broader US cancer population. The study emphasizes the need for continued efforts to recruit and retain diverse faculty members.
The COVID-19 pandemic caused a decline in diagnostic procedures for cancer and other conditions, leading to delayed new diagnoses. Colonoscopies decreased by 45% compared to annual averages, while new cancer diagnoses dropped by 13-23%, depending on the type.
A research team developed an AI framework that analyzes protein interactions to predict effective and low-toxicity cancer drug combinations. The framework, GraphSynergy, outperforms conventional models in identifying synergistic combinations.
Researchers found that tumor cells contribute differently to metastases and therapy resistance depending on their EMT status. Partial EMT breast cancer cells act as pioneer cells leading collective cell migration and promote lung metastases, while full EMT cells rarely appear in metastases.
A study published in eLife reveals that a small signalling protein called ARL4C is overexpressed in pancreatic cancer patients, facilitating their aggressive behavior. By inhibiting ARL4C, researchers have shown promise in reducing the spread of pancreatic cancer cells, opening up new therapeutic avenues.
Researchers have discovered that certain molecules inhibiting thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) have a more specific effect than gold-based therapy auranofin. TRi-1 and TRi-2 compounds show promise as anticancer drugs, with higher specificity in their inhibition of TrxR.
Despite increases in inclusion, certain groups remain under-represented in cancer clinical trials. Black and Hispanic patients showed improved participation, while women and older adults continued to be under-represented.
Researchers have identified metabolic signatures in blood plasma that can predict a patient's response to chemotherapy and prognosis. This discovery enables physicians to personalize treatment and enhance its efficiency, leading to improved outcomes for patients with gynecologic tumors.
A survey study of 400 parents and 80 clinicians found that nearly one-quarter of parents reported challenges in the therapeutic relationship with their oncologist, highlighting the need for improvement strategies. Clinicians used these strategies more frequently when they experienced relationship difficulties.
A study analyzing 93 precision oncology studies revealed significant underrepresentation of racial and ethnic minority populations in cancer research. These disparities affect the representation of diverse patient groups in clinical trials, which can impact treatment efficacy and outcomes.
Researchers have identified genetic mutations in genes CBP and p300 that drive radiation resistance in head and neck tumors. Inhibiting these proteins with certain drugs makes tumor cells more susceptible to radiotherapy.
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.