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New method to measure cell stiffness could lead to improved cancer treatments

Researchers at UCLA have developed a new method called quantitative deformability cytometry (q-DC) to rapidly determine a single cell's stiffness and size. This technique allows for standardized measurements of single cells and could lead to improved cancer treatments by tracking patient progress and predicting drug effectiveness.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalBiophysical Journal·DateOct 3, 2017

New inhibitor brings new hope

Scientists at the University of Freiburg have developed a new model to isolate and study cancer stem cells from breast cancer patients. The team found that inhibiting the epigenetic regulator KDM4 can block proliferation of cancer stem cells, induce changes in their molecular make-up, and reduce tumor growth.

SourceUniversity of Freiburg·JournalCancer Research·DateSep 14, 2017

Cancer cells force normal cells to mimic viruses to help tumors spread, resist treatment

Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine identified a process where cancer cells instruct normal cells to act like viruses, enabling tumors to spread and resist treatment. This 'virus mimic' is detected in the blood of cancer patients and could explain why some breast cancers are more aggressive than others.

Synthetic nanochannels for iodide transport

Scientists at IBS create nanostructures that function as channels for iodide transport in cell membranes, offering a new approach to diagnose and treat iodide transport disorders. The newly developed synthetic ion channels, called porphyrin boxes 1A (PB-1A), selectively allow the passage of negatively-charged ions, such as iodides.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateJun 8, 2017

Moffitt researchers demonstrate mathematical modeling limits aggressive tumor cell growth

Moffitt researchers demonstrate that mathematical models can be used to predict how different tumor cell populations interact with each other and respond to environmental changes. By applying small biological forces, they show that complex systems like cancer can be steered into a less invasive growth pattern.

Researchers document how melanoma tumors form

A team of researchers at the University of Iowa documented how melanoma cells form tumors in a 3D model, finding similarities with breast tissue cancer cells. They identified two drugs, anti-beta 1 integrin/(CD29) and anti-CD44, that block tumor creation in both types of cancer.

SourceUniversity of Iowa·JournalPLOS ONE·DateApr 3, 2017