Research on the cell biology of tumors. Covers cancer-cell vulnerabilities, tumor spread, nanoreactor therapies, and AI-guided cancer research.
A phase I clinical trial of patients with advanced pancreatic cancer showed promise with rigosertib, achieving stable disease in 11 of 19 patients for a median duration of 113 days. The drug targets PLK1 and PI3K signals that allow cancer cells to divide rapidly.
Researchers developed a novel technique to turn immune system killer T cells into more effective weapons by delivering DNA into instructor cells. The method proved effective in jumpstarting defective immune systems in immuno-compromised mice and human killer T cells, paving the way for potential cancer therapy.
Researchers at Harvard's Wyss Institute have developed a DNA nanorobot that can seek out specific cell targets and deliver molecular instructions to cause cancer cells to self-destruct. The technology uses modular components to mimic the body's immune system and has the potential to treat various diseases.
Researchers used Hi-C technology to generate a 3D model of a mouse genome and mapped chromosomal breaks to explore the impact of spatial proximity on reassembly. The study found that breaks near each other were more likely to be incorrectly attached to neighboring chromosomes.
Researchers at Yale University have identified a new regulator that controls p53's activity in sperm production, which could lead to breakthroughs in fertility treatments and cancer therapy. The study found that a molecule called Pumilo 1 plays a crucial role in this process.
Researchers have gained a better understanding of two key proteins that control cell division, which could lead to the development of new drugs to stop cancerous cells multiplying. This discovery could also help optimise personalised chemotherapy treatments and limit side effects associated with some chemotherapy drugs.
Scientists discovered that T cells can temporarily lose their ability to fight cancer when exposed to self-antigens, but return to normal function under certain conditions. Researchers hope to develop new cancer therapies by understanding and overcoming this tolerance mechanism.
Researchers discovered that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) inhibit tumor metastasis by reducing lymphatic vessel dilation and prostaglandin pathways. This mechanism provides a potential target for cancer treatment.
Researchers at the University of Washington have developed a new method to stimulate neurons in the brain using quantum dots. This technique allows for precise control over cell activity and could provide insights into disease processes and potential treatments for conditions like Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's, and severe depression.
Monocytes are extremely sensitive to reactive oxygen species (ROS), while macrophages and dendritic cells derived from monocytes are resistant due to their defective DNA repair mechanisms. This sensitivity may play a role in regulating the immune response and preventing excessive ROS production.
Cell biologists have identified key steps in how small molecules alter a cell's skeletal shape and drive cell movement. By manipulating the cell membrane, researchers created ruffles that helped pull cells across surfaces, a process previously difficult to recreate.
Researchers have developed a novel technology platform that enables viewing of biological processes in dynamic, life-sustaining liquid environments. This innovation allows for high-resolution imaging of cancer cells and other macromolecules, providing new targets for drug therapy.
Researchers at the Translational Genomics Research Institute and University of Arizona have received a grant to study targeted cancer therapies for pancreatic cancer, which shows promise in reducing side effects. The center aims to develop novel antitumor agents that can extend the productive lives of patients with cancer.
Ziv Bar-Joseph, a Carnegie Mellon University professor, has received the Overton Prize for his outstanding contributions to computational biology. He has made significant breakthroughs in gene regulatory networks and their applications to cancer cells.
Researchers found grape seed extract to be effective in killing head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cells without harming healthy cells. The extract damages cancer cells' DNA and prevents repair pathways from functioning.
A study published in The Journal of Cell Biology reveals how DGK-alpha, a lipid-converting enzyme, enables invasive cancer cells to recycle integrins, providing better traction on fibronectin fibers. This process is essential for tumor progression and metastasis.
Research by Michael Goldberg and Phillip Sharp found that selectively inhibiting PKM2 can kill cancer cells by depleting energy sources. This approach has shown promise in regressing established tumors in mice, suggesting a potential strategy against various cancers.
Scientists found that caffeoylquinic acid derivatives from mate tea induce apoptosis in human colon cancer cells, reducing markers of inflammation. The study suggests mate tea has potential as an anti-cancer agent and may be beneficial for other diseases associated with inflammation.
Researchers have discovered that luteolin, a flavonoid found in fruit and vegetables, can inhibit the activity of cell signaling pathways important for colon cancer cell growth. This inhibition leads to reduced IGF-II secretion, decreased receptor expression, and ultimately, cell death.
Researchers discovered that the interaction between CD4 T cells and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) can inhibit T-cell function, while CD8 T cells are not affected. The study suggests a potential mechanism for controlling dysregulated immune responses in cancer.
A faulty version of the RHBDF2 gene is responsible for tylosis with oesophageal cancer, a rare inherited condition. The study reveals that this gene malfunction leads to uncontrolled cell growth and division, causing cancer.
Researchers at UCSF have found that neutrophils use mechanical force to transmit tension across their membrane, restricting activity to the leading edge and enabling them to attack invaders. This discovery could lead to new therapies for conditions such as spinal cord injury and cancer.
A new imaging platform has been developed by Lawson researchers to study the moment when cancer cells turn deadly. The approach uses a shell-less chick embryo model implanted with human cancer cells, allowing scientists to modulate and monitor protein effects in real-time.
A study published in Leukemia identifies a molecular braking process that acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells use to evade chemotherapy, allowing them to survive treatment. When this brake is removed, AML cells die, providing hope for improved survival rates for patients with the disease.
A new study has found that stomach cells from the cardia region may give rise to esophageal adenocarcinoma, a particularly lethal form of esophageal cancer. The research suggests a link between chronic inflammation and bile acid reflux in the development of this disease.
The study reveals that Raf-1 regulates cell adhesion, enabling cells to form new bonds and new blood vessels. The discovery may lead to cancer treatment approaches by targeting Raf-1 and disrupting tumor environments.
A new study has discovered that medications targeting the protein Mcl-1 can rapidly kill aggressive AML cells without harming non-cancerous blood cells. This finding provides hope for improved treatment options and potentially better patient outcomes for AML patients.
Researchers at UH Case Medical Center have discovered a novel treatment approach for cutaneous T-Cell lymphoma, which is a chronic and progressive disease affecting the skin. The new study finds that adding O6-benzylguanine to carmustine enhances topical chemotherapy efficacy, reducing toxicity and improving treatment outcomes.
MDC researchers found that both forms of therapy are highly effective against large tumors, but T-cell therapy also destroys the tumor blood vessel system, impeding nutrient supply and eradicating resistant tumor cells. This breakthrough may improve future clinical trials and cancer treatment
Scientists have discovered a new mechanism to identify Barrett's dysplasia cells using fluorescent probes and sugar molecules. This technology has the potential to monitor patients with pre-cancerous conditions and prevent the development of esophageal cancer.
Researchers created three-dimensional lab-made tissue models to study oral cancer, revealing the importance of epigenetic mechanisms in cancer development and progression. The findings support the need for more complex tissue-like systems in cancer drug screening, replacing conventional petri dish cultures.
A Stanford study found that a well-known protein complex controls DNA expression and prevents pancreatic cancer. The researchers discovered genetic changes in the protein complex were present in nearly a third of human pancreatic cancers, suggesting its role in tumor suppression.
Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital create drug delivery system that effectively targets prostate cancer cells, delivering high amounts of chemotherapeutic drugs. The innovative approach simplifies targeted nanoparticle development and broadens applications in cancer therapy.
Researchers identify PDHK enzyme as a key player in cancer cell metabolism, enabling targeted anti-cancer therapy. Inhibiting PDHK activity slows tumor growth and reduces glucose uptake by cancer cells.
Scientists at Albert Einstein College of Medicine have discovered a mechanism that controls the survival of messenger RNA in cells, which could lead to new treatments for cancer. The study found that mRNAs made from specific genes are born with molecular self-destruct timers that ultimately destroy them.
Researchers at the University of Southampton are working on enhanced MRI scans that can detect cancerous cells before they cause health problems. The new technology uses hyperpolarization to create incredibly strong NMR signals that last long enough for scans, allowing for earlier detection of abnormalities.
Researchers at Queen's University identified a new mechanism that could explain immune resistance in cancer cells, suggesting nitroglycerin may boost the body's natural immune response to cancer. The discovery sheds light on the role of hypoxia and ADAM10 enzyme production in cancer cell resistance.
Researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center have identified a chemical disrupter of the Rb-Raf-1 interaction, which may be vulnerable to targeting to prevent cancer cell proliferation and tumor growth. The study found that this disruption can limit metastasis in test mice, suggesting a potential new approach for combating metastatic disease.
Researchers at UWE Bristol and University of Bristol discovered that mutations in one specific cancer gene can control splicing balance, allowing a master switch to be turned on. This enables the growth of cancer cells and blood vessels, but new drugs targeting this process may block tumour growth.
A new drug, KPT-SINE, targets CRM1 protein to restore normal cell death pathways in cancer cells. This study provides proof-of-concept data for phase I clinical testing of KPT-SINE in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and related diseases.
Researchers have visualized telomerase molecules in living cells using advanced microscopy techniques, revealing that they cluster on specific telomeres and elongate them during cell division. This breakthrough provides new insights into the regulation of telomerase activity, a key factor in cancer development.
A new molecular imaging probe using ghrelin exploits the hunger hormone's unique consumption pattern by malignant prostate cancer cells. The test showed the signal was almost 5 times stronger in malignant cancer cells than in normal or benign cells.
Researchers found distinct binding patterns of tumor suppressor protein p53 with the entire genome in normal human cells compared to cancer cells. The study reveals a link between p53 function and human epigenome.
A study by NTU researchers found that nano-sized Zinc Oxide particles may cause DNA damage, activate p53 protein and lead to cancerous cells. The team's findings suggest reassessment of the health impact of these particles in everyday products.
Researchers have developed a system to measure the mechanical properties of living cells, which could lead to new ways to diagnose diseases and understand biological processes. The technique uses an atomic force microscope to study three types of cells, including bacteria, human red blood cells, and rat fibroblasts.
A new method for counting molecules has been developed by researchers at Karolinska Institutet, allowing for the accurate measurement of RNA and DNA molecules in cells. This breakthrough enables the counting of absolute numbers of molecules, rather than just relative differences between samples.
A new mathematical model predicts individual patient responses to therapy and identifies optimal treatments for advanced prostate cancer. The model incorporates personalized data, including tumor cell characteristics, to provide more accurate treatment decisions.
Researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine discovered that cancer cells use autophagy, a natural recycling process, to obtain energy. By blocking this process, the study found that tumor growth and metastasis can be stopped, providing potential new strategy for cancer treatments.
Researchers at VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland have discovered the SHARPIN protein, which regulates human cell activity and movement. The study's findings may have significant implications for conditions such as Crohn's disease, psoriasis, rheumatism and multiple sclerosis.
Professor Andreas Strasser has been awarded the 2011 Victoria Prize for his groundbreaking research into programmed cell death, which has shown that defects in apoptosis can lead to cancer and autoimmune disease. His work aims to improve anti-cancer treatments by increasing cancer cells' propensity to die.
A new method visualizes mechanical forces on cell surfaces in real-time, providing detailed view of forces as they occur. The technique has potential to diagnose and treat diseases related to cellular mechanics.
Researchers have found a novel mechanism by which cancer cells can continue to divide without the help of telomerase, a key enzyme involved in cell aging. The discovery identifies a special protein complex called APBs as a potential target for cancer therapy.
A new study identifies PKM2 as a critical enzyme for cancer cell survival under oxidative stress. Researchers found that activating PKM2 can sensitize cancer cells to ROS-induced death, opening up potential therapeutic avenues for cancer treatment. The study suggests that manipulating PKM2 activity could be a way to disrupt tumor growth.
Researchers discovered signals within exons 9 and 10 of the PK-M gene that determine mutually exclusive splicing, promoting PK-M2 production in cancer cells. This finding has implications for developing therapies to reverse the Warburg effect.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic found that eliminating senescent cells can prevent or delay the onset of age-related disorders and disabilities. The study showed that lifelong elimination of these cells delayed age-related disorders such as cataracts and muscle loss, and slowed their progression in already established diseases.
Scientists have developed a technique using scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) to view proteins tagged with gold nanoparticles in whole, intact cells. This method offers ten times better resolution than optical microscopes and could help study cancer processes and understand how viruses hijack healthy cells.
Scientists at University of Warwick discover mechanism for cell division ensuring correct chromosome number, a key factor in cancer development. The study found that the 'spindle checkpoint' is conserved from yeast to human cells and can be targeted by drugs to prevent cancer.
Patterns formed by a new DNA letter, 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5-hmC), suggest it has specific functions in stem cells and brain. The study's findings indicate that 5-hmC may poise genes to be turned on after being repressed.
Scientists at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute have developed a test that can predict how effective chemotherapy agents will be against a patient's tumor cells. By measuring the proximity of cancer cells to self-destruction, researchers found that tumors with higher mitochondrial priming are more susceptible to chemotherapy.
Researchers have developed a potent compound that selectively kills cancer cells while leaving healthy ones intact. This breakthrough has the potential to revolutionize leukemia treatment and could be a game-changer for patients with this life-threatening disease.