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Research identifies, exploits vulnerability in certain high-risk cancers

A recent study published in Cancer Research identified a unique vulnerability in certain high-risk cancers that can be exploited for targeted therapy. Researchers found that cancer cells with alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) have a common weakness, leading to resistance to DNA-damaging agents and chemotherapy.

SourceTexas Tech University Health Sciences Center·JournalCancer Research·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 10, 2022

Oncotarget | Role of germline variants in the metastasis of breast carcinomas

Researchers analyzed germline variants in breast cancer patients to identify their role in metastasis development. The study found that host genetic makeup contributes to metastasis through dysregulation of gene expression, promoting the dispersion of metastatic seeds and establishing a conducive environment for their growth.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalOncotarget·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 13, 2022

Oncotarget | Continuous treatment with abemaciclib leads to sustained and efficient inhibition of breast cancer cell proliferation

Abemaciclib, a CDK4 & 6 inhibitor, showed profound inhibition of cell proliferation and triggered senescence and apoptosis in breast cancer cells. Continuous dosing provided sustained inhibition with irreversible effects through apoptosis, supporting the differentiated safety and efficacy profile.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalOncotarget·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 6, 2022

LSU Health Research suggests novel combination therapy for triple-negative breast cancer

Researchers at LSU Health Sciences Center have discovered a novel combination therapy that effectively treats chemo-resistant triple-negative breast cancer. The treatment combines two existing FDA-approved drugs, ceritinib and enzalutamide, to target the growth of cancer cells, showing promise for improving treatment outcomes.

Breast duct treatment for early breast cancer eliminates all signs of disease in laboratory experiments

Researchers at Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center developed a targeted immunotoxin that delivers into breast ducts, eliminating visible and invisible precancerous lesions in laboratory studies. The treatment showed strong cancer-killing effects in all cell lines and was well-tolerated in mouse models.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 22, 2022

Genetic study offers new insights into DCIS biology, progression

A new genetic study published in Nature Genetics found that roughly one in five invasive breast cancers following ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) are genetically unrelated to the original DCIS. The findings provide a deeper understanding of DCIS biology and suggest that DCIS should be considered a risk factor for the development of inv...

Oncotarget | A novel group of genes that cause endocrine resistance in breast cancer identified by dynamic gene expression analysis

A recent study identified 34 novel genes that contribute to endocrine resistance in breast cancer using dynamic gene expression analysis. The researchers found that these genes are differentially expressed in both estrogen receptor-positive and triple-negative breast cancers, suggesting shared genetic mechanisms underlying resistance d...

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalOncotarget·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJun 8, 2022

Promising compound kills range of hard-to-treat cancers by targeting a previously undiscovered vulnerability

A compound called ERX-41 has been shown to kill a range of hard-to-treat cancer types, including breast and ovarian cancers, by targeting a previously unexploited vulnerability. This could lead to new drugs being developed to fight these cancers, which currently have few effective treatments.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio·JournalNature Cancer·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 2, 2022

New method melds data to make a 3-D map of cells’ activities

Researchers developed PASTE, a method to analyze spatial transcriptomics data in three dimensions, enabling biologists to better understand cell environments and identify rare cell types. The technique can integrate information from multiple tissue slices, providing a more complete picture of gene expression within tissues.

SourcePrinceton University, Engineering School·JournalNature Methods·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 16, 2022

Study finds nanomedicine targeting lymph nodes key to triple negative breast cancer treatment

Researchers found that targeting both tumor and lymph node microenvironments with nanomedicine improves treatment response for metastatic triple negative breast cancer. Long-term tumor remission was achieved in mice models using nanoparticles to deliver immune-modulating drugs.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalScience Translational Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 12, 2022

Mount Sinai researchers discover how early-stage breast cancer can become a silent killer in some patients

Researchers at Mount Sinai have discovered a previously unknown mechanism by which not-yet-malignant breast cancer cells can travel to other organs and 'turn on' to become metastatic. The study identified potential diagnostic biomarkers, including the transcription factor NR2F1, that could help predict relapse.

Breast cancer: Why metastasis spreads to the bone

A team of biologists identified a protein involved in the spread of breast cancer to bones. The discovery confirms the importance of cellular plasticity during the metastatic process and could lead to new treatments. ZEB1, a protein that increases cell plasticity, was found to direct cells with metastatic characteristics to bones.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalNature Communications·TypeNews article·DateApr 21, 2022

Epigenetic treatments: New allies for chemotherapies?

Researchers identified genes and epigenomic marks that enable cancer cells to resist chemotherapy. By inhibiting these marks, epi-drugs can restore treatment sensitivity. Future clinical trials aim to adapt this concept for human use.

SourceCNRS·JournalNature Genetics·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 11, 2022

Steven A. Rosenberg, MD, PhD, FAACR, recognized with 2022 Pezcoller Foundation-AACR International Award for Extraordinary Achievement in Cancer Research

Dr. Steven A. Rosenberg's pioneering work on IL-2 and its use in treating metastatic melanoma and other cancers led to the FDA approval of first U.S.-born cancer immunotherapy. His subsequent research on CAR T-cell therapy has resulted in promising clinical results for various types of cancer.

Overcoming resistance to breast cancer treatment

A team from UNIGE has identified a potential target for restoring the efficacy of standard breast cancer treatment. The loss of SPRED2 protein leads to tumor proliferation even with tamoxifen treatment. Combining tamoxifen with an inhibitor of estrogen-independent cell activation may be promising for resistant patients.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalCancers·TypeNews article·DateMar 9, 2022

University of Houston researcher finds a new biomarker and potential drug target for breast cancer

Researchers at the University of Houston have identified a new biomarker, NPY1R, that predicts therapy outcome and has potential as a drug target in estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer. The study found that NPY1R expression is associated with favorable outcomes in Luminal A subtype breast cancer, but declines in resistant cases.

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalScientific Reports·DateFeb 21, 2022

Breast cancer classified into 12 unique biological groups

Researchers at UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center have developed a novel way to classify breast cancers into 12 distinct biological groups using both genetic and pathologic data. This classification method has the potential to aid future research efforts and enable faster translation of molecular findings into clinical use.

SourceUNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center·JournalCell Genomics·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 8, 2021

It takes more than one mutant copy of the PIK3CA gene to make breast cancer more aggressive

A new study found that tumors with one mutant copy of the PIK3CA gene tend to have lower PI3K activity, while those with two or more copies often have higher PIK3α activity, leading to more aggressive tumors and poorer prognosis. The research also discovered a counterintuitive relationship between PI3K mutations, PI3K activity, and ste...

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Genetics·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateNov 11, 2021