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A new study reveals an "Achilles heel" of cancer cells

Researchers discovered that cancer cells with an abnormal number of chromosomes (aneuploidy) are more sensitive to inhibition of the mitotic checkpoint, a cellular mechanism that ensures proper chromosome separation during cell division. This finding has important implications for personalized cancer medicine and drug discovery.

SourceTel-Aviv University·JournalNature Medicine·DateJan 27, 2021

Gut microbe may promote breast cancers

A study from Johns Hopkins Medicine reveals that exposure to B. fragilis toxin can increase the risk of breast cancer by leaving a lasting impression on cells. Researchers found that breast tissue cells exposed to the toxin retained a long-term memory, leading to tumor growth and metastasis in mice.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalCancer Discovery·DateJan 6, 2021

Heat treatment may make chemotherapy more effective

A new UCL study found that combining heat treatment with chemotherapy delivered via magnetic nanoparticles killed cancer cells more effectively than chemotherapy alone. The therapy showed synergistic effects, enhancing the effectiveness of both treatments when combined. Heat treatment can reduce side effects by targeting only cancer ce...

SourceUniversity College London·JournalJournal of Materials Chemistry B·DateJan 5, 2021

Novel mechanical mechanism of metastatic cancer cells in substrates of different stiffness revealed

Researchers discovered a novel mechanical mechanism of metastatic cancer cells responding to varying substrate stiffness. Metastatic breast cancer cells adapt their tension and viscoelasticity to survive in new environments, enabling the development of diagnostic kits and drug-screening tests.

SourceHong Kong University of Science and Technology·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters·DateOct 16, 2020

A one-step diagnostic may bring faster, cheaper cancer testing to remote settings

A rapid and affordable test for breast cancer has been developed to combat delayed diagnoses in developing regions. The compact CytoPAN test uses image cytometry to analyze individual cells, yielding results in under 1 hour and requiring minimal training, making it ideal for resource-limited settings.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateAug 5, 2020

Starve the cancer

A team of researchers has identified a cellular mechanism that inhibits the signal to proliferate and starves malignant cells, leading to their death. The study uses a sea sponge-derived molecule XeB to block calcium ion transport, impacting cancer cell metabolism and leading to high cell death rates.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalScience Signaling·DateJul 21, 2020

A sugar hit to help destroy cancer cells

Researchers at USC Viterbi's Mork Family Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science have discovered a fatal vulnerability in many cancer cells: their inability to adapt to alternative sugars like galactose. The discovery could lead to new metabolic treatments for cancer, targeting cells with specific genetic mutations.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalJournal of Cell Science·DateJun 16, 2020

'Terminator' protein halts cancer-causing cellular processes

Researchers at Cornell University have identified a protein called TiPARP that acts as a terminator for several cancer-causing transcription factors, including HIF-1. This discovery establishes TiPARP as a potential tumor suppressor and offers new insights into the mechanisms of cancer growth.

SourceCornell University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 3, 2020