Research on the cell biology of tumors. Covers cancer-cell vulnerabilities, tumor spread, nanoreactor therapies, and AI-guided cancer research.
A new clinical trial, led by Scott Waldman, aims to determine if a test for the protein guanylyl cyclase C can accurately diagnose colorectal cancer spread. The test may improve diagnoses and treatment outcomes by detecting tiny amounts of cancer in lymph nodes.
A new diagnostic faecal test detected MCM2-positive cells in 37 of 40 patients known to have colorectal cancer, but not in healthy individuals. The findings suggest that the test could be suitable for population screening, either alone or in combination with other tests.
Researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago have discovered a signaling mechanism in yeast cells that controls cell growth and differentiation, with potential implications for cancer treatment. The study found that pheromone triggers cells to stop dividing and orient their growth toward the source of pheromone.
Researchers at Rockefeller University have discovered that the 'Reaper' protein triggers programmed cell death by instructing a fly cell's principal guard protein, DIAP1, to self-destruct. This finding may lead to novel strategies for targeting immortal cancer cells without harming healthy cells.
The study found patients who received the high-dose regimen had significantly longer overall and disease-free survival rates than those who received a lower dose. The company plans to initiate a Phase III trial of GVAX prostate cancer vaccine in the first half of 2003.
Researchers Dr. Stella Pelengaris and Dr. Mike Khan found that a single protein, c-Myc, causes faulty cell growth leading to cancer. Their study reveals a simplified model of cancer development, offering new optimism in developing effective treatments.
Imatinib mesylate, a drug used to treat leukemia, has shown remarkable success in reducing eosinophil levels in people with hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES), a difficult-to-treat inflammatory disease. Four of five patients studied experienced complete elimination of symptoms.
Researchers found celecoxib induces cell death without blocking COX-2 enzyme. Alternate mechanism involves decreased phosphorylation of Akt and ERK2 proteins. Newer generations of COX-2 inhibitors may be safer and more effective for colon cancer treatment.
Scientists have developed a new 'gene silencing' strategy using short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) that can efficiently silence specific genes in mammalian cells. This technique has the potential to revolutionize gene function exploration and could lead to targeted therapies for cancer, AIDS, and other diseases.
Researchers have synthesized peptide mimics that may inhibit Pin1's action, which regulates cell division. The goal is to develop new anticancer therapies by targeting the cell-cycle-regulating enzyme Pin1.
Researchers at Stanford University Medical Center have developed a novel approach to fighting cancer using a modified cold virus that targets cancer cells while leaving normal cells unharmed. In a phase I study, 28 patients who received the highest dose of the virus survived for nearly a year and saw significant tumor shrinkage.
Aging cells retire when their telomeres become too short to function, according to a new Rockefeller University study. The researchers found that protein TRF2 helps critically short telomeres function better, allowing old cells to live longer.
Robert Eisenman, a leading oncogene expert, has made significant contributions to understanding how normal cells become cancerous and impacted studies of AIDS and other diseases. He will receive the award at the AACR annual meeting in San Francisco.
Researchers have created a virtual cell model to study cell motion, driven by a single protein that changes shape in response to pH levels. This model has potential implications for understanding various diseases, including cancer, heart disease, and wound healing.
A team of USC researchers has identified the key role of a previously unknown protein, Artemis, in repairing double-stranded DNA breaks. They found that oxygen causes chromosomal breaks due to oxidative free radicals, leading to genetic information loss.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center have identified a new protein called Interleukin 24 (IL-24) that is expressed in colon cancer cells and promotes cell growth or prevents cell death. The discovery could lead to the development of molecules to interrupt an autocrine loop, potentially fueling tumor growth.
A study by Prof. Kerem and Asaf Hellman found that chemotherapy drugs can cause chromosomes to break at specific regions, known as fragile sites, potentially leading to cancer growth. The research creates a better understanding of how cancer drugs work, paving the way for more effective treatments.
Researchers found sulforaphane's phase 2 enzymes protect cells against oxidants for up to three days, preventing damage from cancer, retinal degeneration, and other conditions. Eating large quantities of vegetables, especially cruciferous ones, helps fight disease by increasing antioxidant defenses.
Researchers used molecular scissors to alter the sugar coats of cancer cells, promoting tumor growth with one fragment and inhibiting it with another. This discovery could lead to targeted cancer treatments by exploiting the biological balancing act between different sugar fragments and signaling molecules.
Researchers at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center have developed a new cell-based approach for anticancer drug discovery, which identified 39 new compounds selective for yeast cells with faulty DNA repair enzymes. This approach is adaptable to high-throughput screening methods and complements target-based screening, potentially...
A prospective population study found that HIV-1-positive women are 16 times more likely to develop vulvovaginal or perianal lesions than HIV-1-negative women. The study suggests that HIV-1-positive women should have a thorough inspection of the vulva and perianal region during gynaecological examination.
Researchers used genetic tricks with fruit flies to identify the key signal allowing stationary cells in the ovary to travel. They found a protein called Unpaired that activates these cells, which may help clarify how human cancer cells invade distant tissues.
Researchers have determined the three-dimensional structures of Eph and Ephrin proteins, which mediate bidirectional signaling between cells. This discovery holds promise for developing new cancer therapies by inhibiting or altering these protein interactions.
A recent study by Columbia researchers suggests that low doses of radiation can cause widespread mutations in living cells, even if they only affect a small percentage of the population. The findings highlight the importance of considering the 'bystander effect' when assessing radiation exposure risk.
Researchers have discovered a genetically distinct form of leukemia that affects infants in their first year, characterized by abnormal gene activity and stuck cell development. The 'Mixed Lineage Leukemia' may be treatable with designer drugs targeting its specific weak points.
Telomeres, protective caps on chromosome ends, are shorter in people exposed to arsenic, increasing cancer risk. Long-term arsenic exposure has been associated with accelerated telomere shortening, a potential biomarker for arsenic poisoning.
Arsenic inhibits transcription of the hTERT gene, which in turn inhibits telomerase, causing genetic instability that may lead to cancer in healthy cells. The study's findings also have implications for developing more effective chemotherapy treatments for leukemia.
Researchers discover that compounds in garlic, such as disulfides, can inhibit malaria infection and kill cancer cells due to their similarity in glucose metabolism. These findings suggest potential uses for garlic-derived compounds in treating malaria and certain types of cancer.
Researchers have identified the anthrax toxin receptor, a single protein that allows the toxin to enter host cells. The discovery may lead to the development of new treatments for anthrax infection by blocking the toxin from entering cells.
A study by UC Berkeley researchers found that a specific type of soy protein called lunasin can prevent the development of skin tumors in mice. The high dose group showed a 70% lower incidence of tumors compared to the control group, with fewer tumors per mouse and a two-week delay in appearance.
Researchers studying Drosophila flies have identified key molecules regulating epidermal growth factor receptor signalling, which is crucial for developmental processes and cell growth. The study's findings have implications for understanding human diseases like cancer, with potential applications in medical advances.
Leland Hartwell received the Nobel Prize for his work on cell cycle control, discovering over 100 genes involved in regulating cell division. His research has led to a deeper understanding of normal cellular function and the molecular basis of diseases like cancer.
The study found that critically short telomeres signal cells to arrest or die, rather than average length. Turning on telomerase can restore function without significantly increasing overall telomere length, offering new insights into cancer treatment options.
Scientists have developed a technique to map the circuitry underlying fundamental life processes, shedding light on diseases such as cancer. The study reveals a circular network of regulators regulating regulators controlling the cell cycle, providing new insights into cellular processes and potential therapeutic targets.
Scientists at UIC found that increasing FoxM1B gene expression restored liver cell growth rates and division activity in aged mice, potentially treating aging-related diseases such as cancer and Alzheimer's. This breakthrough could lead to new therapies for the elderly using gene therapy.
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital have found a gene called archipelago, or ago, involved in destroying the protein cyclin E. This regulation is crucial for cell division, and irregularities may lead to uncontrolled growth and cancer.
Researchers used DNA-coated microchips to discover that flavopiridol works by broadly inhibiting messenger RNA molecules, which are responsible for carrying genetic information to cellular protein factories. This inhibition ultimately leads to a halt in the production of certain proteins, allowing normal cellular processes to continue.
Researchers have isolated a new version of a herpesvirus that kills cancer cells but spares normal tissue, dramatically reducing prostate cancer tumors in mice. The new virus contains an extra genetic mutation that enables more robust reproduction and prevents the cell from mounting a response to stop viral replication.
Scientists found that weakening cell death signal and blocking engulfment increases cell survival rates, with some cells surviving outright. This finding suggests modulating engulfment machinery could be an effective therapy for neurodegenerative diseases, stroke, and cancer.
Researchers discover bacterial toxin ST can slow down metastatic colorectal cancer tumor growth by targeting GCC receptor. GCC is a protein marker on cancer cells that allows scientists to detect if they have spread, and it can also be used as a diagnostic tool.
Researchers discovered a multi-layered protection mechanism in yeast cells that prevents duplicate genes from causing cancer. The system involves three overlapping controls requiring the reversal of multiple chemical processes before genes can be re-copied.
A UC Berkeley scientist proposes that chromosome reassortment, rather than genetic mutations, is the cause of cancer's tendency to develop drug resistance. This theory suggests aneuploid cells, with abnormal numbers of chromosomes, are more prone to producing drug-resistant cancer cells.
A laboratory study found that vitamin E concentrations did not interfere with the killing of cancer cells by radiation therapy. However, the study's limitations mean that the impact on real-world treatment outcomes is unclear.
A Duke University study reveals that long-term genetic instability in cancer cells can be induced by stresses beyond DNA damage, including nutrient starvation and heat. This persistent genetic instability may play a key role in carcinogenesis and could help explain the large number of mutations seen in cancer cells.
Researchers at Rutgers University have developed a new pharmaceutical 'smart bomb' that targets cancer cells using an improved prodrug delivery system. The system uses nitroreductase as the activating trigger, guaranteeing a direct hit on cancerous cells and minimizing damage to normal cells.
Researchers found that trans-Resveratrol modulates NF-kappa B activity, turning off a natural protective mechanism that prevents cancer cells from being killed. The study suggests that consuming more grapes and grape products may help prevent or treat certain cancers.
Researchers are using focused microwave radiation to heat and kill breast cancer cells, achieving significant tumor shrinkage in clinical trials. The technique uses high water content in cancer cells to deliver precise heat damage.
Researchers documented the earliest steps of tumor formation in mice and rats, showing that cancer cells can grow new blood vessels when just hundreds are present. The study suggests that angiogenesis inhibitors might be useful at the earliest stages of tumor development to prevent recurrence and spread.
The study shows how chromosomes are distributed unevenly during cancer cell division, leading to genetic defects and abnormal growth. The researchers also discovered a breakage-fusion-bridge cycle that can amplify gene copies contributing to cancer growth.
Researchers at Yale Cancer Center identified two mechanisms to inhibit the Survivin gene's protective function, which can lead to cancer cell death. The study used molecular antagonists and showed promise in preclinical studies, paving the way for potential therapeutic applications.
Researchers discovered that green tea's EGCg compound inhibits an enzyme required for cancer cell growth and can kill cultured cancer cells. Drinking more than four cups of green tea a day may provide enough of the active compound to slow and prevent cancer cell growth.
A new study by University of Wisconsin-Madison biochemist Ron Raines found that a ribonuclease A protein in humans has the same cancer-fighting potential as a frog-derived protein. The finding opens a door to creating a new class of natural drugs aimed at fighting cancer without side effects.
Researchers found cancer cells self-destruct when glucose is cut off, suggesting a potent new way to fight cancer with few side effects. The discovery was made using a compound that disrupts glycolysis, the process that produces energy from sugar, and could be used in combination with existing treatments.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University have discovered that epigallocatechin-3-gallate, a green tea compound, can induce programmed cell death in cancer cells without harming healthy cells. This finding offers new hope for cancer prevention and treatment, and may lead to the development of purified polyphenolic derivatives.
Researchers are developing a new approach to cancer treatment called adoptive immunotherapy, which uses tumour antigens to stimulate immune cells. Tumour antigens are identified and used to sensitize T cells, which then recognize and attack cancer cells.
Researchers have discovered compounds in the bark of the pawpaw tree that show preliminary success in fighting some drug-resistant cancers. The compounds, called Annonaceous acetogenins, preferentially kill multidrug-resistant cells by inhibiting ATP production, pulling the plug on their energy source.
A team of physicians from Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and the University of Rochester's Cancer Center have developed a herpes-based gene therapy that recruits the immune system to target and eliminate cancer cells in the liver. The vaccine has shown promising results, with laboratory rats achieving complete remission and few...
A promising hepatitis-based gene therapy has been developed to target and eliminate liver cancer cells. The treatment, created by a team of physicians, recruits the body's immune system to attack and wipe out cancerous tumors.
Cancerous cells produce high amounts of free-radicals that promote uncontrolled cell growth; antioxidants and protein inhibitors can suppress this process, slowing down runaway cell division.
Researchers have identified an inactive gene that contributes to cancer development when it fails to work in harmony with the tumor-suppressing p53 gene. The findings suggest that the bax gene can act as a tumor suppresser, and its dysfunction may lead to increased cancer cell death and tumor growth.