Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Phase 1 study shows novel KRAS inhibitor well tolerated by patients with adenocarcinoma and non-small cell lung cancer

A Phase 1 study demonstrated early promising antitumor activity and few adverse side effects in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer harboring KRAS G12C mutation. The therapy, AMG 510, showed encouraging anti-tumor activity with no dose-limiting toxicities or adverse events leading to discontinuation.

Toxic frogs with weak defenses persist in the gene pool alongside stronger competitors

A team of evolutionary biologists found that diversity exists even when expecting otherwise, as rare warning colors in poison frogs persist alongside stronger signals. The research suggests that predators learn to avoid more distasteful yellow frogs and generalize this avoidance to white frogs.

SourceUniversity of Jyväskylä - Jyväskylän yliopisto·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 2, 2019

Study finds key metabolic changes in patients with chemotherapy-associated cardiotoxicity

Researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center found that metabolites associated with energy powerhouse mitochondria changed differently in patients who developed heart dysfunction compared to those who did not. Citric acid and aconitic acid levels differentiated the two groups of patients.

SourceBeth Israel Deaconess Medical Center·JournalJournal of Cardiovascular Translational Research·DateJul 18, 2019

Concurrent chemo-radiotherapy should be a treatment option for elderly patients with LS-S

A study published in the Journal of Thoracic Oncology found that elderly patients with limited-stage small cell lung cancer (LS-SCLC) can benefit from concurrent chemo-radiotherapy, similar to younger patients. The analysis showed comparable survival rates and toxicity between older and younger groups, providing robust evidence for tre...

SourceInternational Association for the Study of Lung Cancer·JournalJournal of Thoracic Oncology·DateNov 1, 2018

Database analysis more reliable than animal testing for toxic chemicals

A study published in Toxicological Sciences suggests that computer algorithms can predict toxic properties of chemicals more accurately than standard animal tests. The researchers developed a large database of known chemicals and used machine-learning algorithms to create a map of chemical structures and their associated toxic properties.

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalToxicological Sciences·DateJul 11, 2018

Novel in vitro approaches for toxicity testing of inhaled substances

Researchers have made significant progress in developing computational models, human tissue-based assays, and other advanced systems to assess the toxicity of inhaled materials without using animals. These novel approaches aim to improve safety and regulatory compliance in industries such as pharmaceuticals and personal care.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalApplied In Vitro Toxicology·DateJun 14, 2018

Safety concerns over tungsten

A recent study published in Communications Chemistry found that tungsten accumulates in specific regions of the bone, particularly in bone marrow and cancellous bone tissue. This accumulation raises concerns over the element's safety for human exposure, especially among young individuals.

SourceMcGill University·JournalCommunications Chemistry·DateApr 17, 2018

Some e-cigarette ingredients are more toxic than others

A new study found that e-liquid ingredients can vary widely in toxicity, with some being more toxic than nicotine alone and propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin. The researchers developed a system to rapidly evaluate e-liquid toxicity using plastic plates with tiny wells containing human cells exposed to different e-liquids.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateMar 27, 2018

Commercial pesticides: Not as safe as they seem

A comprehensive review of gaps in risk assessments for adjuvants in commercial pesticides highlights the need for new regulations to protect people and the environment. The review found that exposure to environmental levels of some adjuvant mixtures can affect non-target organisms and even cause chronic human disease.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Public Health·DateMar 8, 2018

Newly published report outlines roadmap for modernizing inhalation toxicity testing

A new report recommends steps toward achieving global regulatory acceptance of non-animal testing approaches for acute inhalation toxicity. The report highlights the need for more efficient and human-relevant methods that don't use animals, with working groups formed to gather reference data and conduct testing.

Organic material matters

A team of scientists from UC Santa Barbara tested the effect of sulfurized nano-zero-valent iron on a common freshwater alga and found that it picked up cadmium and alleviated toxicity. Organic material produced by the algae mitigated the nanoparticle's toxicity, allowing for greater remediation.