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New Barrett's esophagus monitoring method could aid in easier and more precise prognoses

A new technique for sampling and testing cells from Barrett's esophagus patients can detect specific chromosomal alterations, including the presence of esophageal adenocarcinoma. The approach combines esophageal brushing with massively parallel sequencing to provide an accurate assessment of disease stages and identify high-risk patients.

SourceCase Western Reserve University·JournalGASTROENTEROLOGY·DateMar 22, 2021

Reversing cancer's gluttony

Researchers discovered pancreatic cancer cells employ macropinocytosis, a novel pathway to procure nutrients when autophagy is inhibited, enabling them to thrive despite starvation. A combination of autophagy and macropinocytosis inhibitors resulted in rapid tumor regression in mouse models.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalCancer Cell·DateMar 18, 2021

Stimulating the immune system to fight cancer

Researchers from Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology have developed a cell-based assay that identifies highly potent IDO1 inhibitors with different mechanisms of action, which could lead to promising immunotherapies for cancer treatment. The new approach overcomes limitations of existing cell-free assays and holds promise for ...

SourceMax Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateMar 17, 2021

New tool to dissect the "undruggable"

Researchers at Harvard University have designed a new highly-selective tool to study proteins that are difficult to target with drugs, known as 'undruggable' proteins. The tool uses a nanobody to add or remove specific sugars from proteins, providing a detailed understanding of their function.

SourceHarvard University·JournalNature Chemical Biology·DateMar 11, 2021

Finding their comfort zone

Researchers discovered artificial microswimmers slow down and accumulate in low-fuel regions where their speed is minimized. This finding suggests a new strategy to improve targeted cancer therapy by delivering chemotherapy drugs to the most problematic cells.

SourceGeorge Mason University·JournalScientific Reports·DateFeb 26, 2021

Metabolic response behind reduced cancer cell growth

A study published in Cell Death & Disease found that inhibiting the EZH2 protein can reduce cancer cell growth in multiple myeloma. The researchers discovered that certain metabolic pathways are altered in cells sensitive to EZH2 inhibition, providing potential markers for treatment response.

SourceUppsala University·JournalCell Death and Disease·DateFeb 12, 2021

T cells depressed

Research on T cells reveals that prolonged exposure to antigens can lead to exhaustion, reducing their ability to contribute to immune responses. A new model study identifies dynamic adjustments in T helper cells' states of exhaustion and suggests potential therapeutic targets.

How lipids distribute proteins within cells

Researchers at the University of Seville have solved a long-standing enigma in basic biology by discovering how lipids distribute proteins within cells. Using a new microscopy technology, they found that membrane lipids select and direct specific proteins to correct exit doors.

SourceUniversity of Seville·JournalScience Advances·DateJan 29, 2021

Cholesterol starvation kills lymphoma cells

Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a novel therapy that uses synthetic nanoparticles to trigger the destruction of lymphoma cells by depriving them of cholesterol. This approach has potential for targeting other cancers with an appetite for cholesterol, such as kidney and ovarian cancer.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateJan 25, 2021

New single-cell lineage tracing technique offers detailed insights into drivers of metastasis

A new method traces real-time cancer progression across thousands of cells, identifying rare events and distinct gene expression profiles associated with metastatic phenotypes. The approach could inform aspects of cellular cancer biology, including genetic mutations, microenvironment adaptation and resistance to therapeutic agents.

Spontaneous cell fusions amplify genetic diversity within tumors, Moffitt researchers say

Researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center discovered that cancer cells can fuse and recombine their genetic material, leading to increased diversity and adaptability. This mechanism, similar to parasexual recombination in pathogenic microbes, enables cancer cells to rapidly evolve and acquire resistance to treatments.

SourceH. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·DateJan 20, 2021

Nanodiamonds feel the heat

Researchers created nanodiamond sensors that can act as both heat sources and thermometers, allowing for the measurement of thermal conductivity inside living cells. This breakthrough may lead to new diagnostics tools and cancer therapies, as well as a better understanding of metabolic disorders such as obesity.

Moffitt researchers discover biochemical pathway that protects cells from ferroptosis

Researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center have identified a novel biochemical pathway that protects cells from ferroptosis, a type of cell death caused by oxidation imbalance. The discovery involves the activation of the protein GCLC, which leads to the production of gamma-glutamyl-peptides that shield cells against ferroptosis.

Ovarian cancer cells adapt to their surroundings to aid tumor growth

Researchers discovered that ovarian cancer cells undergo structural changes in their mitochondria to survive and proliferate in the peritoneal cavity. This adaptation enables aggressive cancerous cells to grow and spread, making it harder to detect and treat. Understanding these cellular adaptations could lead to new targeted therapies.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Oncology·DateJan 13, 2021