Research on the cell biology of tumors. Covers cancer-cell vulnerabilities, tumor spread, nanoreactor therapies, and AI-guided cancer research.
A novel connection between genes involved in mitosis and glucose metabolism was found by researchers at Nagoya University. They demonstrated a gene bypass process using evolutionary repair experiments, suggesting that suppressing both Plk1 and CK1 could be more effective in cancer treatment.
Researchers at MIT discovered that cells shed 4% of their mass before cell division to eliminate toxic components. This process allows newborn cells to start with fresh, functional contents, which may help explain why neurons accumulate toxic proteins in Alzheimer's disease.
A new sensor technology allows for real-time monitoring of lactate levels in the brain, providing insights into energy metabolism and potential applications in cancer detection. The sensors corrected for hemodynamic artifacts using MRI-informed corrections enable accurate cell-specific lactate level recordings.
Researchers have discovered that a human enzyme converts marine sponge chemicals into cell-killing compounds, which could lead to the development of new cancer and infection treatments. The findings identified an untapped toolbox of natural and synthetic compounds that can be converted by widespread enzymes into potentially useful drugs.
A recent study published in Nature Communications found that healthy developing neurons promote metastatic behaviour in neuroblastoma cells. This discovery highlights the importance of understanding the unique developmental environment within which cancers of embryonic origin form.
Researchers found phosphatidylinositol bisphosphate (PIP2) essential for epithelial cell-cell adhesion and maintaining cellular identity. PIP2 regulates epithelial properties by recruiting Par3 to the plasma membrane, facilitating the formation of adherens junctions and preventing epithelial-mesenchymal transformation.
Scientists have identified a novel drug target that may help overcome resistance to EZH2 inhibitors in cancers with SMARCB1 mutations. By inhibiting the KDM2A gene, cancer cells can regain sensitivity to EZH2 inhibition, offering new hope for effective treatment.
A recent study by Weill Cornell Medicine and Dana Farber Cancer Institute reveals that CDC7 is replaceable by CDK1 in cell division, opening up new avenues for cancer therapies. The finding highlights the complex molecular orchestration of the cell cycle and suggests a powerful new strategy against cancer.
José McFaline-Figueroa, a genomicist at Columbia University, has received a three-year NSF CAREER Award to investigate how cancer cells respond to anti-cancer therapy. His research aims to understand the molecular changes induced in aggressive cancer cells after exposure to treatment and how these changes alter response to treatment.
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.
Deleting or inhibiting a protein called lysine-specific demethylase 1 (LSD1) may curb the growth of oral squamous cell carcinoma tumors. The study found that disrupting LSD1 promotes anti-tumor immunity, which can help fight cancer. The discovery could lead to new and potentially more effective therapies for oral cancer patients.
Researchers found that a critical enzyme called AAG plays a crucial role in making cells respond to stress by communicating between different parts of the cell. This new understanding could lead to improved cancer treatments using alkylating agents, a class of drugs commonly used in chemotherapy.
Researchers have discovered that palmitoylation can occur at the plasma membrane, paving the way for innovative drug discovery strategies. A novel tool, SwissKASH, allows for dynamic observation of this process, enabling precise targeting of oncogenic proteins in cancer therapy.
Researchers discovered that immune cells can enter tissues by exploiting the division of surrounding cells, which creates a gap for them to pass through. This process is crucial for the immune system's rescue service, and understanding it could lead to new strategies for cancer research and autoimmune diseases.
Researchers at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin have discovered a novel mechanism that restricts cell division in healthy stomach tissue, protecting against cancerous changes. However, Helicobacter pylori infection deactivates this mechanism, enabling cells to grow uncontrollably and increasing the risk of stomach cancer.
Researchers at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine defined 11 subsets of cells found in esophageal tissue using single cell gene-expression profiling. This study could help clinicians diagnose or treat certain types of cancer by identifying functional cell types contributing to cancer progression.
Researchers have found that treating prostate cancer cells with novel CDK8 and CDK19 inhibitors reduces their potential to migrate into surrounding structures. This suggests a promising approach to overcome resistance against anti-androgenic therapy, offering new therapeutic options for patients with advanced disease.
Researchers load CAR-T cells with an oncolytic virus to target and kill solid cancer tumors, providing a potent immune response. The combination approach overcomes challenges in treating solid tumors with CAR-T cell therapy alone.
A new study at the University of Bath found that a key ingredient is missing from all sunscreens, leaving skin vulnerable to damage. The researchers identified iron-trapping extracts that can improve protection against UV rays and oxidative stress, reducing the risk of aging and cancer.
Researchers at Purdue University discovered that some lung cancer patients become resistant to common therapeutics due to epigenetic regulation of the KMT5C gene. This understanding lays the groundwork for future therapeutics and provides insight into the biology and progression of cancers.
MIT biological engineers have developed a new technique that allows them to precisely identify interactions between immune cells and their target antigens. This tool, which uses engineered viruses, enables large-scale screens of such interactions and could accelerate the development of more effective vaccines and immunotherapies.
A study by University of Helsinki researchers found that the immune system attacks itself in rare type of blood cancer. The immune system plays a role in the development and growth of cancer cells, making current therapies less effective.
Researchers at UC San Diego found that ovarian cancer tumors activate FAK protein to regulate CD155 expression, creating a shield against immune detection and evading treatment. New molecular targets may boost immune response and lead to new combinatorial strategies for this disease.
Adding immunotherapy to chemotherapy before surgery reduced the risk of recurrence and death in lung cancer patients by 37%, according to a phase III trial. The treatment also led to a nearly twelvefold increase in pathological complete response, with 24% of patients achieving no active cancer remaining when the tumor was removed.
The CodeBreaK 100 trial demonstrated prolonged tumor responses and favorable safety profiles in patients treated with sotorasib. Long-term treatment was well-tolerated, with a two-year overall survival rate of 32.5%.
Researchers used mathematical modeling to characterize the interplay between immune suppression, immune blockade and antigenicity in pre-cancerous cells. They found that an immunosuppressive environment is crucial for colorectal cancer progression.
Researchers at Okayama University have created a new method to kill cancer cells using light-activated protein AR3, reducing the risk of adverse reactions. The approach uses green light to trigger apoptosis in targeted cells, offering a promising alternative to conventional treatments.
Researchers at Penn Medicine have developed a new approach to alter immune cells for CAR T cell therapy in just 24 hours, cutting manufacturing time from nine to 14 days. This could make the therapy more cost-effective and accessible to more patients.
A team of Danish researchers has shed new light on a fundamental mechanism in all living cells that helps them explore their surroundings and even invade tissue. By studying the mechanical behavior of filopodia, they discovered how cancer cells use these structures to move towards their targets and penetrate tissues.
Researchers create detailed 'atlas' of fallopian tube cells to better understand fertility and disease. The study identifies 10 epithelial cell subtypes and reveals new insights into ovarian cancer origins.
Researchers have identified a new mechanism of action for extracellular vesicles in the development and progression of lymphomas. sPLA2 secreted by tumor-associated macrophages degrades EV-derived phospholipids, enhancing EV function and inducing vital phenomena. This discovery may lead to new drug targets for cancer treatment.
Researchers at Duke University have developed a device that manipulates particles and cells using complex sound waves, enabling selective pairing of individual cells to measure adhesion forces. This technology could lead to personalized medicine by allowing doctors to determine treatment for individual cancer patients.
Researchers at the University of Houston have developed a novel technology to monitor membrane protein trafficking in real-time using bioluminescence. This allows for the study of cellular processes and drug development for heart disease, metabolic disorders, cancer, infectious diseases, COVID-19, and others.
Researchers have identified two glucose transporters that disrupt the energy supply to invading worm cells and stop them in their tracks. By deactivating these genes, glucose and ATP levels dropped, and worm cells stalled their spread. This discovery could lead to new ways to cut off cancer cells' fuel lines and prevent metastasis.
A new phenomenon was discovered where increased pressure leads to a sudden burst of rapid and coordinated cellular motion, spraying outwards from the tumour. This fluid-like pushing mechanism can kill cancer cells but also enables them to survive and multiply in new environments.
Researchers found that hydroxychloroquine inhibits pathways that drive resistance to cisplatin in head and neck cancers, restoring tumor-killing effects. The study paves the way for a clinical trial combining hydroxychloroquine and cisplatin to treat chemotherapy-resistant patients.
Researchers developed a novel genetic barcode system to mark cancer cells with different gene modifications and image their characteristics. The Perturb-map platform identified specific genes controlling lung tumor growth, immune composition, and response to immunotherapy, offering new approaches for targeting anti-cancer drugs.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have found a way to stabilize the cancer-suppressing protein p53 by adding a spider silk protein, creating a more potent variant. This discovery has potential as an approach for cancer therapy.
Researchers found that chronic lactate exposure can lead to cellular disruptions, decreased fatty acid transport, and alterations of mitochondrial membranes, which may contribute to the development of heart failure and type 2 diabetes. The study suggests that lactate accumulation could be a major player in disease progression.
Scientists discovered that ants can differentiate healthy from cancerous human cells based on distinct smell signatures. The insects, trained to recognize volatile organic compounds, show high potential for cancer detection with lower costs and efficiency.
A study published in eLife reveals that cancer cells undergoing confined migration become more resistant to anoikis and exhibit increased invasiveness. This process may boost survival in cancer cells and make them more prone to forming deadly metastases.
A new fluorescent DNA label has been developed to visualize disrupted DNA architecture in cancer cells, with promising results for improved cancer diagnoses and risk stratification. The study showed that the label can distinguish normal tissue from precancerous and cancerous lesions.
Researchers found that some painkillers and fever medications may help fight infection, while others can weaken the immune system. The review highlights the need for more studies on the impact of these medicines on infectious diseases.
Scientists have discovered a new therapeutic approach to aid the immune system in fighting cancer, offering hope for better solutions for patients. Researchers found that blocking the EP4 molecule can 'free' the immune system and restore its cancer-fighting functions.
Scientists at the Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology discovered a new combination treatment strategy for childhood T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) by analyzing protein activity. The study found that blocking specific proteins, such as LCK and SRC, in combination with an overactive chain reaction of INSR/IGF-1R, k...
Researchers at University of Cincinnati develop a new probe and imaging technique to study lysosomes, aiding in cancer and neurodegenerative disease research. The probe, known as EC Green, enables multidimensional analysis of lysosome dynamics and provides stable tracking capabilities.
A new study from Karolinska Institutet shows how certain RNA molecules control the repair of damaged DNA in cancer cells. The researchers discovered two molecule types that interact to regulate an enzyme involved in DNA-repair mechanisms, leading to faulty DNA repair in cancer cells.
Researchers at the University of Helsinki found that a cellular stress state predicts a poor chemotherapy response in ovarian cancer patients. High-stress tumours with an inflammatory microenvironment may resist chemotherapy, making combination therapies a potential solution.
A recent review highlights the effects of different intestinal bacteria on colorectal cancer, exploring new therapies for disease prevention and treatment. Beneficial probiotics, such as Akkermansia muciniphila and Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, exhibit anticancer properties and reduce CRC cell proliferation.
A new imaging method, combining optimal imaging and machine learning, can determine cell viability without chemical staining. The approach achieved a 95% accuracy rate and has the potential to be applied in hospitals and research labs.
Researchers from National Cancer Centre Singapore have found a potential new strategy to treat peritoneal carcinomatosis, a metastatic form of intra-abdominal cancer. The team identified targeting ascites, excess fluid in the abdomen, as a way to remove fuel that drives cancer growth.
Researchers at Tokyo University of Science have developed bionanoparticles derived from corn that selectively target and inhibit the growth of cancer cells, inducing tumor necrosis factor-α release. These findings suggest a novel, economical, and safe anti-cancer therapy approach.
Patients with severe coronary artery calcium have a significantly increased risk of major adverse cardiovascular events during thoracic radiation therapy for non-small cell lung cancer. The study found that patients with severe coronary artery calcium had a 21.4 times increased risk compared to those with no coronary artery calcium.
Researchers have developed a rapid and affordable test to identify specific genetic mutations in cancer cells using SuperSelective PCR primers. This assay can detect rare mutations, enabling targeted therapy and monitoring minimal residual disease. The study demonstrates the potential of this approach for personalized cancer treatment.
A team of researchers has identified over 250 gene activators in human cells, expanding our understanding of transcriptional regulation and its role in cancer. The study also reveals new insights into how proteins interact with each other to regulate gene expression, potentially leading to the development of targeted therapies.
A novel immune-profiling method can return detailed immune cell type proportions using only DNA from blood, potentially allowing for individualized prediction of outcomes in immunotherapy patients. This approach offers the opportunity to ask and answer questions about the immune system in health and disease.
Researchers have developed a new therapeutic approach to block mutated RAS proteins, which are frequently found in cancers. The method, using small molecules, has the potential to work with multiple mutant forms of RAS in various types of cancers, including pancreatic, lung, and colorectal cancers.
Pulmonary lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is a rare cancer affecting up to 1 in 1 million women worldwide, characterized by uncontrolled tumor cell growth. Researchers aim to identify new therapeutic targets using extracellular vesicles, with the goal of developing new therapies for LAM patients.
Researchers discover that chemotherapy triggers the secretion of mucins in colorectal cancer cells, forming a physical barrier that prevents drugs from reaching their intended target. The study found potential new biomarkers for disease prognosis and a promising treatment strategy using NCX blockers like SN-6.
Researchers developed a new personalized test for monitoring cancer recurrence in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) patients. The MP PCR uses multiple genomic markers to detect disease recurrence sooner, improving treatment strategies and patient stratification.