Research on the cell biology of tumors. Covers cancer-cell vulnerabilities, tumor spread, nanoreactor therapies, and AI-guided cancer research.
Scientists have identified the SLC25A51 gene as a key player in transporting NAD+ to mitochondria, a critical step in cellular metabolism. This breakthrough could lead to new treatments for diseases such as neurodegenerative disorders and cancer by manipulating NAD+ levels in specific cells.
Researchers discovered that mutations in ARID1A and ARID1B genes lead to the disassembly of cBAF complexes, causing aggressive liver and skin cancer. This finding challenges a proposed strategy to target these proteins for cancer treatment, highlighting the importance of understanding SWI/SNF biology.
Scientists have identified a promising new system to attack tumors directly by combining a small biomolecule with a toxic metal complex. The molecule's luminescent properties allow for detection within cells and demonstrate its toxic effect, paving the way for further research into this innovative theranostic system.
Using tattoo ink and food dyes, researchers have developed new imaging contrast agents that can illuminate cancers, allowing for better differentiation between cancer cells and normal adjacent cells. This breakthrough aims to improve early cancer detection and localization.
Researchers found that UVB exposure expands regulatory T cells expressing proenkephalin and amphiregulin, promoting wound healing and keratinocyte growth. These PENK+UVB-skin Treg cells have a novel therapeutic potential for treating psoriasis and atopic dermatitis.
Researchers at Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown discover that changes in sex cells' nutritional requirements make female flies crave sugar, affecting their food choice and fertility. The study's findings suggest a novel mechanism by which metabolism controls feeding behaviour, potentially relevant to human fertility.
Scientists at Gladstone Institutes have performed a massive cellular energy audit to understand how cells regulate ATP levels. They identified genes and proteins that can be targeted to manipulate cellular energy and treat disease, including neurodegenerative disorders and cancer. The study reveals new pathways for boosting cellular en...
Cells use self-generated chemotaxis to create attractant gradients, allowing them to read local and global information about their surroundings. This process enables cells to navigate vast distances through the human body during embryogenesis and other biological events.
Researchers have used single-cell RNA sequencing to profile transcriptome-level changes in response to DNA damage across individual cancer cells. The study found three distinct groups of genes activated in response to chemotherapy, revealing new insights into why some cancer cells survive while others die.
A new small molecule treatment reduces colon cancer metastasis by locking up cancer cells' ability to change shape and move throughout the body. The treatment cut the rate of cancer metastasis in half, according to a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
A team of researchers has identified a novel drug target, 4-hydroxyacetophenone (4-HAP), that activates a protein motor and disrupts biomechanical processes essential to cell motility. In a mouse model, targeting this protein motor reduces the metastasis of colon cancer cells.
A new mechanism for anticancer drug resistance has been discovered in gastric cancer, involving a molecule called Annexin A6. The molecule is secreted by cancer-associated fibroblasts and taken up by gastric cancer cells, leading to increased resistance to treatment.
Scientists have developed a new tool to precisely target cancer cells by distinguishing them from neighboring cells. The Co-LOCKR system uses synthetic proteins to detect specific combinations of cell surface markers, allowing for more precise targeting and improved safety for cancer-killing CAR T cells.
PIM kinases promote metastatic growth by regulating actin fibre formation in the cytoskeleton, supporting PIM-targeted therapies to prevent metastasis. The study provides critical information on factors regulating cancer cell motility, essential for preventing cancer spread.
Researchers developed experimental drugs to lower alpha-ketoglutarate levels, which slowed cancer cell growth and extended mouse lifespans. Higher alpha-ketoglutarate levels were linked to epigenetic changes that kept genes vital for cancer cells active.
Researchers developed a comprehensive study on nanoprodrugs (NPDs) inside cancer cells, revealing their internalization rate, intracellular localization, and degradation. The study shows that NPDs consistently absorbed by cells as intact particles before being transported into lysosomes.
Researchers discovered that simultaneously targeting two energy-production pathways within cancer cells can help overcome the effects of a cancer-causing mutation in DIPG. In mouse models, inhibiting both pathways at once significantly improved survival rates compared to targeting each pathway individually.
Researchers at Weizmann Institute of Science develop new technology to see inside tens of thousands of individual cells at once, identifying a subset of innate immune cells that collaborate with cancer. This breakthrough may lead to immunotherapy treatment for cancer.
Researchers identify essential cohesin STAG2 in mouse embryonic development, while its inactivation is detrimental to adult health. The study provides substantial evidence of the specific functions performed by different cohesin subunits.
Scientists have developed a protocol to measure mitochondrial activity in living animals using a bioluminescent molecule found in fireflies. This method reveals impaired mitochondrial functions in diseases such as diabetes and cancer.
Researchers at Kumamoto University discovered that NSD2 enzyme prevents cellular senescence by maintaining cell growth and serum response. Reduced NSD2 leads to increased expression of genes related to cell aging and decreased activity of growth-promoting genes.
Researchers at The Wistar Institute identified a cell-surface glycomic signature associated with persistent HIV transcription in T cells. This signature, characterized by the presence of fucose and Sialyl-LewisX, may help target hidden HIV reservoirs during antiretroviral therapy.
Researchers developed an optically induced electrokinetics (OEK) microfluidic method for label-free separation and characterization of gastric cancer cells. The new technique, published in Science Advances, achieved purity up to 71% in separating cancer cells from ascites and demonstrated rapid and non-destructive capabilities.
Researchers discovered that stressed bacteria's damage-containment system can become overwhelmed, prompting cells to activate alternative pathways for DNA replication and growth. This response allows cells to maintain normal functions under stressful conditions.
A new study reveals a previously unknown protein called STEEP that plays a crucial role in the migration of STING protein within immune cells. This discovery provides valuable knowledge about how infectious diseases affect the immune system and could lead to new principles for understanding immune function.
Researchers have discovered that iron is internalised by CD44, a membrane protein known for its association with metastases. This allows cancer cells to acquire metabolites necessary for the metastatic state.
Researchers found that factors produced by bone marrow support cells helped leukemia cells survive treatment with quizartinib, a type of tyrosine kinase inhibitor. However, when quizartinib was combined with another TKI called dasatinib, the alternative survival pathways were shut down, leading to more effective leukemia cell death.
Researchers identified a group of cells regulating T lymphocyte development, preventing leukemia. Cell competition in the thymus is crucial for immune system development and cancer prevention.
Researchers used a genome database to identify the cell type from which cancers derive, revealing new insights into cancer development. By comparing cancer cells to normal human cells, they found that different cancers mostly closely matched specific cell types, shedding light on their origins and tumor behavior.
Researchers found that combining pan-Bcl-2 inhibitors with cancer treatments can cause healthy cells to die, leading to reproductive and developmental defects. The study highlights the need for awareness about adverse effects of certain drugs like navitoclax.
A new study describes a novel label-free imaging technique that can differentiate active T cells from those in a quiescent state. The method, which uses autofluorescence detection, is non-damaging and doesn't alter the behavior of the cell, offering advantages over traditional antibody-based methods.
A clinical trial led by UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center found CAR-T cell therapy to be highly active and safe in patients with relapsed/refractory Hodgkin lymphoma. The treatment resulted in a complete disappearance of tumor in the majority of patients and had an overall survival rate of 94% one year after treatment.
Researchers found that chronic inflammation alters cell evolution in the colon, leading to a higher mutation rate and increased risk of colorectal cancers. The study also uncovered evidence of positive selection of mutations in genes associated with immune system regulation and cancer susceptibility.
Researchers have developed a new method for treating skin cancer that uses silica nanoparticles to deliver light-sensitive medication, potentially expanding its use to other types of cancer. This innovative approach could increase the effectiveness of photodynamic therapies by penetrating deeper into tissue.
Researchers at the University of Freiburg have identified a previously undiscovered domain of the T-cell receptor called RK motif. This discovery enables more precise control over T cells, potentially improving therapies for cancer and autoimmune diseases.
Scientists have tracked quadruple helix DNA formation in living human cells for the first time, allowing them to see how it works and its possible role in cancer. The discovery could reveal new targets for drugs that interrupt gene expression, a fundamental process in gene regulation.
Researchers at MU successfully treated bone cancer in dogs with a vaccine that stimulates the immune system against abnormal proteins specific to the patient's tumor. The treatment outperformed chemotherapy, resulting in over 400 days of cancer survival for dogs compared to about 270 days for those receiving traditional chemotherapy.
Researchers discovered that cancer cells with high-affinity iron collection systems collect iron more efficiently than healthy macrophages, allowing them to survive in nutrient-deprived CSF environments. This mechanism enables LM cells to evade immune attack by limiting the supply of vital iron to patrolling macrophages.
Researchers at Baylor Scott & White Research Institute receive NIH funding to investigate the molecular mechanisms that link GERD to Barrett's esophagus and cancer. The team aims to identify strategies to prevent EMT, a process that promotes cancer cell survival.
Researchers at Washington State University discovered a fatty acid called dihomogamma-linolenic acid (DGLA) that can induce ferroptosis in human cancer cells. This iron-dependent type of cell death has been linked to various diseases and may hold potential as a treatment for cancer.
Researchers mapped out immune system of haematological malignancies to identify drug targets and patient groups for immunotherapies. Cytotoxic T and NK cells are abundant in certain subtypes, such as activated B cell-like B cell lymphoma and acute myeloid leukaemia.
The study reveals that Burkholderia pseudomallei infection sets off a series of events that provoke the host's immune system, causing infected cells to self-destruct. The researchers found that abnormal cell fusion stimulates the type 1 interferon signaling pathway, leading to autophagy and cell death.
Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory found that interfering with cholesterol storage can stop pancreatic cancer cell growth in mice and lab-grown pancreas models. The study suggests a new strategy for treating deadly disease by targeting an enzyme called SOAT1.
Researchers developed nanoparticles that can deliver a localized cancer treatment by inhibiting tumor growth in mice. The nanoparticles use a specific chemistry to attach a microRNA that prevents cancer cells from producing proteins, leading to cell death.
Scientists study FG-NUPs in normal and colorectal cancer cells, finding altered conformational dynamics in cancer cells. The structure of the central plug is smaller, hindering filamentous features in cancer cells.
Two new studies reveal individual cells maintain internal clocks through a combination of genetic and random mechanisms. These findings suggest that cellular periodicity is influenced by epigenetic control and may hold insights into aging and cancer.
Researchers have successfully engineered T-cells to target a variety of solid-tumor cancer cells in humans and mice using CAR-T therapy. The new approach broadens the potential targets by recognizing proteins with short sugar chains attached, which are often mutated in cancer cells.
Researchers found that a gene's checkpoint mechanism can sometimes allow cells to divide abnormally, leading to worse damage. This discovery has important implications for treating cancer and understanding the inner workings of cells.
Researchers from Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University discovered how nanoparticles, particularly iron oxide nanocubes and nanoclusters, can selectively target and activate specific genes in liver cancer cells, leading to apoptosis and autophagy. This breakthrough could lead to personalized cancer therapy and diagnostic tools.
A new study finds that chemicals can cause changes in cells to evade the immune system and build resistance to cancer drugs. The team identified specific combinations of mutations that create cancer cells, which could aid doctors in prescribing the most appropriate course of chemotherapy.
Researchers at Lund University successfully blocked sugar uptake in cancer cells using inhibitors, making them more sensitive to chemotherapy. This breakthrough could lead to improved treatment outcomes for patients with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML).
Researchers at Nagoya University have developed a near-infrared photoimmunotherapy (NIR-PIT) treatment targeting podoplanin-positive cells in malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). NIR-PIT has shown promise in reducing fluorescence from cancer-tagged cells and demonstrating anti-cancer effects.
Researchers at Memorial Sloan Kettering have engineered CAR T cells to recognize and eliminate senescent cells, which contribute to various debilitating diseases. The uPAR-directed approach has shown promise in mouse models of liver fibrosis and lung cancer, offering hope for new treatments.
Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital have developed a software system called CICERO that enables better detection of gene fusions in cancers. The system distinguishes fusion events by comparing the cells' RNA sequence with the human genome, identifying potential cancer-causing fusions.
The Pew Scholars Program in Biomedical Sciences supports early-career researchers with four-year funding for foundational research. This year's class of 22 scholars tackles complex questions in biomedicine, including aging differences between males and females, inflammatory disease trajectories, and temperature regulation mechanisms.
UCI researchers have discovered a protein responsible for genetic changes in various cancers and identified potential targets for effective therapy. By monitoring RNA hotspots, the team found that targeting the APOBEC3A protein's activity could disrupt cancer cell vulnerabilities.
A Kazan University research team has developed a novel nanoformulation using biocompatible halloysite nanotubes and bacterial pigment prodigiosin, which selectively disrupts cancer cells without harming healthy ones.
University of California, Berkeley researchers Lydia Sohn and Molly Kozminsky introduce cellular mechanophenotyping to study cancer cell behavior. They aim to measure the mechanical properties of cells to reveal their ability to develop and spread.
A new study found that cancer cells adapt by gobbling up fat molecules from their environment when they can't make their own, potentially rendering treatments ineffective. The research identified a new gene, LUR1, involved in lipid uptake and suggests targeting this process could lead to more effective cancer treatments.
A team of scientists has provided clarity into how new cells remember their identity after cell division. They found that many genes are activated immediately after cell division, acting in a cascade to send critical signals and allow the cell to 'wake up' from its cellular amnesia.