Research on the cell biology of tumors. Covers cancer-cell vulnerabilities, tumor spread, nanoreactor therapies, and AI-guided cancer research.
Research on heparanase-specific shRNA reveals its potential as a novel therapeutic strategy for human gastric cancer. The study successfully knocked down HPA expression in gastric cancer cells, leading to decreased invasiveness and metastasis. This finding suggests a new approach for treating cancers overexpressing HPA.
Researchers have identified a number of proteins that allow them to distinguish between cancer and normal cells with high accuracy. This discovery may lead to the development of drugs specifically targeting these proteins to inhibit their activation.
A new study by Université de Montréal scientists has developed a simple way to decouple one cellular network from another, allowing researchers to distinguish between different cell functions. This discovery could have applications in cancer research, where blood-thirsty cells can be targeted and their growth slowed.
Researchers developed a tool to visualize bacterial communication, revealing that chemical signals function simultaneously in interspecies interactions. This approach may aid in understanding microbial interactions with human cells, leading to novel immune system modulators and anti-infectives.
Researchers at Yale University developed synthetic molecules that enhance the body's immune response to HIV and prostate cancer cells. The molecules work by binding to antibodies and proteins on infected cells, triggering an immune response and preventing infection.
A new study found that preventative brain radiation therapy for lung cancer patients reduces the risk of developing brain metastases by 10%, but negatively affects short-term and long-term memory. Despite this, the treatment has no significant impact on survival or quality of life.
A team of researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine has identified a small molecule that inhibits heat shock protein HSP70, which is overexpressed in tumor cells. The inhibitor, called PES, blocks HSP70's stress-relieving functions and induces cell death by disrupting autophagy.
Arizona State University scientists will study cancer cells as physical objects, examining forces, mechanical properties, and electrical properties to develop new methods for arresting tumor growth and metastasis. The goal is to understand cancer's role in the biological scheme of things and its behavior as a physical object.
Researchers found a two-tier defense mechanism in the DNA of naked mole rats, which expresses a gene called p16 that stops cell proliferation when too many cells crowd together. This discovery could potentially lead to new cancer treatments for humans.
A new Johns Hopkins Engineering in Oncology Center will study physical underpinnings of cancer growth and spread, aiming to develop innovative therapies and diagnostic tools. Researchers hope to gain a better understanding of the complex forces involved in metastasis.
Researchers from Texas A&M University and the University of Cincinnati have discovered a new set of essential telomere proteins in Arabidopsis, a plant found worldwide. The team identified human counterparts to these proteins, which could help understand human cancers and cellular aging.
Researchers exploit a relationship between the KRAS and TBK1 genes, known as 'synthetic lethality,' to kill cancer cells that are resistant to standard treatments. By targeting TBK1, the strategy bypasses the difficulties in treating KRAS-driven tumors, offering a new approach against aggressive cancers.
The Penn team demonstrated a novel method for controlled formation of patchy particles using charged, self-assembling molecules. The positive electrical charges of calcium ions form bridges between negatively-charged polymers, creating patchy structures that can be used as drug-delivery vehicles or in small batteries.
A new class of compounds containing Ruthenium and Osmium has been found to be highly effective in killing ovarian and colon cancer cells, even those resistant to Cisplatin. The discovery is a significant step forward in the field of medicinal chemistry.
A team of international molecular scientists has discovered a fast mechanism by which cells communicate changes, such as location during cancer spread, to adjacent cells. This discovery sheds light on cell behavior and could lead to the development of new drugs for diseases like cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, and Alzheimer's disease.
A human liver fluke contributes to the development of bile duct (liver) cancer by secreting granulin, a growth hormone that causes uncontrolled cell growth. The International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies the parasite as a Group I Carcinogen.
Xiaoqi Liu's research found that cytoplasmic linker protein-170 plays a major role in proper cell duplication and DNA distribution. The absence of this protein can lead to uneven DNA distribution, resulting in cancerous cells. Without proper regulation, cells may become confused, leading to an increased chance of becoming cancerous.
Researchers discovered that plasmacytoid dendritic cells assist in the growth of multiple myeloma cells by promoting their survival and shielding them from drugs. Compounds targeting pDCs restore immune system function, stopping myeloma cell growth.
Researchers have successfully reprogrammed human umbilical cord blood cells into cells with properties similar to human embryonic stem cells. This breakthrough identifies cord blood as a potential alternative to adult cells for generating cells with theoretically limitless potential.
Researchers decipher missing piece of MRN complex, revealing how Nsb1 bends and channels molecules for homologous recombination. This discovery could lead to improved cancer treatments with fewer side effects.
Scripps researchers have discovered the Nbs1 component of the Mre11-Rad50-Nbs1 complex, which helps cells repair severe DNA damage. The complex is critical in preventing cancer development and can also repair diseased cells targeted by chemotherapy.
Case Western Reserve University scientist Dave Wilson has developed a cryo-imaging system that enables the identification of single molecules, counting of cells in organs, and comparison of normal and abnormal tissues. The system produces incredibly detailed images showing the effectiveness of different drug therapies.
A new study has associated Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) with Merkel cell carcinoma, a rare and aggressive skin cancer. The study found that nearly all patients with Merkel cell carcinoma carried antibodies against MCPyV, suggesting a strong link between the virus and the disease.
A study published in the British Journal of Cancer found that 60% of prostate cancer cases lack aggressive protein Hsp-27, allowing for careful monitoring instead of treatment. The research could lead to a blood test to distinguish between aggressive and non-aggressive forms of prostate cancer.
The team found that the particles' interactions allow them to heat up better when exposed to an alternating magnetic field, destroying cancer cells without harming surrounding tissue. This breakthrough could lead to more effective treatment methods and design of better nanoparticles.
Johns Hopkins researchers find two force-sensitive proteins, myosin II and cortexillin I, cooperate to sense cell shape disturbances and resculpt cells for smooth division. This discovery could lead to new targets for diagnosing and treating diseases like cancer.
Researchers at UCSB have developed a novel drug delivery system that uses nanoparticles and laser exposure to deliver siRNA into cancer cells, providing temporal and spatial control over gene expression. The technique has potential applications in delivering multiple drugs against diverse biological targets.
Researchers at Fox Chase Cancer Center have identified a unique method to inhibit signaling enzymes called kinases using the small molecular inhibitor IPA-3. By targeting PAK1's regulatory domain, IPA-3 is highly selective and takes a more-or-less backdoor approach to shutting down cancer cells.
A Syracuse University research team discovered a second molecular switch within the Mixed Lineage Leukemia protein complex, which could be exploited to prevent abnormal cell production. The W-RAD switching mechanism signals cells to create multiple copies of cancer cells.
A small molecule called DAz-2 helps identify over 190 proteins involved in diverse biological processes affected by reactive oxygen species (ROS). The tool will aid in understanding chronic oxidative stress and its role in diseases.
A team of researchers from Mayo Clinic and Harvard Medical School found that the protein FOXO3a, previously believed to prevent cancer development, can actually fuel tumor growth in certain situations. This discovery sheds light on the complex roles proteins play in cancer progression.
University of Michigan scientists have identified a fundamental mechanism regulating immune T-cell activity, with implications for conditions like autoimmune diseases, cancer, and organ transplants. The discovery reveals that regulatory T cells influence aggressive immune cells through redox chemistry.
Researchers found a way for healthy cells to take charge of cancerous cells by opening up communication channels, stopping them from developing into tumors. The chemicals, known as kinase inhibitors, appear to be relatively non-toxic and can persist even when withdrawn.
Scientists have found that the ends of mRNAs may play a role in preventing normal cells from becoming cancerous. In normal cells, long 3'UTRs regulate gene expression, but in cancer cells, these regulatory sequences are often lost, leading to overproduction of proteins and uncontrolled cell growth.
Researchers develop a new technique using light to control protein behavior in cells and animals, enabling precise manipulation of cellular activity. This breakthrough has significant implications for understanding cancer spread and developing new treatments.
A single cell in a nematode worm is providing clues into cancer's ability to invade new tissues. Researchers found that integrin and netrin molecules may be a valuable target in halting cancer's spread via metastasis.
Scientists at Michigan State University have discovered a new mechanism for regulating proteins involved in cell migration and division, which could lead to the development of targeted pharmaceutical treatments. This breakthrough offers hope for treating cancer by exploiting the unique properties of these proteins.
University of Illinois researchers found that thiazole antibiotics stabilize other cancer-causing proteins and inhibit the proteasome, a molecular complex degrading old proteins. This inhibition may lead to effective anti-cancer treatment through combination therapy with well-known proteasome inhibitors.
Scientists discovered that two cancer-promoting genes enable tumor cells to grow and survive under conditions where normal cells die. The KRAS and BRAF mutations allow cancer cells to thrive in environments with limited glucose, which may be used to develop new treatments.
Researchers at Weizmann Institute of Science have developed a program for biomolecular computers that enables logical thinking. The device can answer intricate queries involving multiple rules and facts, performing millions of calculations in parallel.
Recent studies at WCLC reveal that specific volatile organic compounds can help detect early stage lung cancer, while iloprost improves endobronchial dysplasia in former smokers. Researchers hope to develop a test examining exhaled breath for early detection of lung cancer using this information.
Studies presented at the WCLC confirm that targeted therapies have improved efficacy and prolonged progression-free survival time compared to chemotherapy. Patients with EGFR mutations who received gefitinib experienced longer progression-free survival and greater objective response rates, while erlotinib showed prolonged progression-f...
Researchers developed a 'Multiplex cell Contamination Test' to identify 37 different cell contaminations in a single run, detecting viruses and mycoplasmas with high sensitivity and specificity. The test has been tested in over 700 samples and found frequent contamination rates in some laboratories.
Researchers at NIST have developed a microfluidic palette to produce multiple, steady-state chemical gradients for studying complex biological mechanisms. The device uses diffusion instead of active mixing, allowing cells to remain in the microchamber without disruption.
Researchers created airway spheres using animal and human cells, providing a new model to study dynamic processes in lung diseases. The 3-D spheres lined with ciliary and secretory cells can be used to investigate mechanisms underlying cancer and chronic asthma.
Fox Chase researchers found that DLX5 promotes cancer by activating the expression of MYC, a potent factor in numerous cancers. The discovery suggests that DLX5 could be an ideal target for future anti-cancer drugs.
Dr. Kai Fu receives $300K Clinical Investigator Career Development Award for mantle cell lymphoma research, focusing on miR-17~92 expression and its correlation with patient survival. The funding aims to support a pre-clinical study to determine the effectiveness of suppressing miR-17~92 in improving chemotherapy outcomes.
Researchers used high-speed microscopy to observe NK cell behavior when interacting with healthy or diseased cells, discovering that the cell's surface receptors determine whether it kills or leaves a cell alone. Understanding this process could lead to new ways of boosting immune defenses to treat disease.
Researchers at Burnham Institute for Medical Research identified Caspase-8 as a key player in promoting cancer cell proliferation and migration. The study found that Caspase-8 activates the MAPK pathway through Src, leading to increased cell division and invasion.
Researchers discovered that cancer cells and their neighboring cells share similar structural abnormalities on the nanoscale level, validating the 'field effect.' This finding could lead to early detection of cancer through simple blood or tissue tests.
A new molecule finds and penetrates prostate cancer cells, allowing for targeted treatment and improved imaging. The targeting molecule has the potential to reduce toxic side effects and improve diagnosis of prostate cancer.
Researchers discover that a secondary viral infection can trigger the reactivation of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV), leading to uncontrolled cell growth and potentially developing into cancer. Activation of specific toll-like receptors allows the virus to replicate, spreading throughout the body.
Researchers at Kansas State University have discovered a special breed of purple sweet potato with high levels of anthocyanins, which are linked to reduced cancer risk. The study found that the potato's antioxidants and phenolic compounds inhibit cancer cell growth.
A new study from Cornell University engineers tiny containers that deliver drugs with almost 100% efficiency to targeted cells. The technique mimics a natural immune response and could be used to treat cancer, blood disorders, and autoimmune diseases.
A novel adenoviral vector specifically targets the EphA2 receptor on pancreatic cancer cells, improving transduction by 10-fold in vitro. However, in vivo studies show limited targeting to human pancreatic cancer nodules upon injection into mice.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University discovered that the Ras protein can be transferred from cancer cells into immune cells, strengthening the immune system and activating it against cancer. This discovery opens up new possibilities for creating cancer drugs targeting this specific threat.
Researchers at USC identified a key mechanism that causes chromosomal breakages in blood cells, leading to the development of human lymphoma. The RAG complex enzyme occasionally cuts chromosomes at off-target sites, causing cancerous cell proliferation.
A study analyzing the mutator hypothesis found that cancer cells' efficient pathways to cancer are often driven by genetic instability, supporting the hypothesis. This discovery has implications for cancer therapy, as it may enable cancer cells to rapidly evolve resistance.
Cancer cells have been found to rarely undergo explosive divisions, with resulting daughter cells often surviving only a few days. The extra centrosomes cause an unequal pull on some chromosomes, leading to chromosomal instability and irregular numbers of chromosomes.
Researchers at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center found that dysfunctional telomeres can trigger cancer mutations, even in the absence of shortening. The study used mice prone to develop cancer and found that deprotection alone is enough to trigger cancer.