Research on the biology of tumor cells. Covers tumor spread, cell-particle diagnostics, new anti-tumor molecules, and cancer-killing immune cells.
Researchers at the Swiss Cancer Center Léman have discovered a way to prolong the functionality of CAR-T cells, which are used against blood cancers. By inhibiting a specific metabolic mechanism, they created CAR-T cells with enhanced immune memory, capable of fighting tumour cells for longer.
Researchers from Politecnico di Milano have discovered the early manifestation of therapy-induced senescence in human tumor cells. The study highlights the importance of non-invasive technologies in understanding cancer biology and paves the way for personalized treatments.
A recent study from MIT found that measuring diversity of mutations within a tumor generates more accurate predictions of treatment success than overall mutation count. This discovery could help doctors identify patients who would benefit most from checkpoint blockade inhibitors.
New research from Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory suggests that high tumor mutation burden does not guarantee an effective immune response in patients with mismatch repair deficiency. The study found that tumors with identical mutations across all cells responded to immunotherapy, while those with subclonal mutations did not.
A new study presents a promising method for developing user-defined agents that can selectively target and destroy malignant cells. The agents, called programmable T-cell engagers (PTEs), are created with DNA origami and can be fitted with different antibodies to target specific tumor cells.
Glutamine metabolism plays a crucial role in cancer cell growth and survival, with its inhibition shown to block cancer cell growth in vivo and in vitro. A recent editorial paper suggests that glutamine dysregulation may also impact the tumor microenvironment, potentially leading to increased oxidative stress and cancer cell death.
Researchers find immunotherapy treatment anti-CTLA-4 leads to greater survival in mice with glioblastoma and discover new way cells kill cancer by triggering microglia, specialized immune cells in the brain. This breakthrough could lead to more effective treatments for human brain cancer.
Researchers identified a mechanism regulating tumor growth in the skeleton, which decreases with age and can result from hormonal changes or chemotherapy. Mineralization of bone matrix reduces tumor cell growth and promotes genes associated with better patient prognosis.
A new study improves the chances of finding the right drug to kill individual cancers in children by incorporating high-throughput drug screening into precision medicine. The approach reveals additional drug sensitivities and predicts clinical response, leading to better treatment options.
Researchers created a flexible and potent 'on-demand' whole tumor cell vaccine (TCV) that responds to near-infrared laser irradiation, boosting the immune response and effectively suppressing tumor growth. The TCV was tested in various murine xenograft models and showed promising therapeutic efficacy.
A breakthrough treatment targeting bone marrow cancer cells destroyed 90% of multiple myeloma cells in laboratory tests and 60% in human tissue samples. Researchers developed lipid-based nanoparticles containing RNA molecules that silence the CKAP5 gene, inhibiting cancer cell division.
Researchers at NUS developed a new photodynamic therapy that selectively kills breast cancer cells without damaging surrounding tissues. The treatment uses a biocompatible silicone implant loaded with nanoparticles activated by near-infrared light, reducing the risk of toxicity and improving tumour control.
Research reveals NADPH's crucial role in accurate chromosome segregation and genomic integrity in aneuploid tumor cells. The study identifies potential targets for novel therapies by intervening in metabolic pathways, providing new biomarkers for selective inhibition of aneuploid tumors.
A novel biomaterials-based approach enhances adoptive T cell therapy with cancer vaccine technology, providing strong and long-lasting effects against solid tumors. In mice carrying melanomas, SIVET enables fast tumor shrinking and long-term protection.
Researchers at Tokyo Institute of Technology developed a novel boron agent that selectively accumulates in brain tumor cells, exhibits enhanced blood retention, and can be administered at low doses. The agent, PBC-IP, shows promising results in preclinical studies, highlighting its potential for radiotherapy in treating glioblastoma.
Research suggests that glioblastoma cells possess large-scale coordination, allowing them to respond unison to therapies. Disrupting this organization may result in more powerful treatments for brain tumors.
The study investigates the effects of DPDT on human colon cancer HCT116 cells and non-tumorigenic MRC5 fibroblasts. The results show that DPDT preferentially targets HCT116 cells, inducing apoptosis and G2/M cell cycle arrest, likely through DNA topoisomerase I poisoning.
Researchers at Aarhus University have discovered a new method to activate the complement system using bispecific single-domain antibodies, termed BiCEs. These molecules can specifically target cancer cells and activate the complement system, leading to the killing of targeted cancer cells.
Researchers have developed a new approach to treating tumors using 'self-immolative' polyferrocenes that trigger a fatal cycle of oxidative stress in cancer cells. In experiments, these copolymers inhibited tumor growth with negligible side effects, offering potential for chemodynamic therapy.
Scientists from Institut Pasteur and Inserm discovered that CD4 T cells can remotely neutralize tumor cells by producing interferon gamma, offering new hopes for patients with incomplete responses to CAR T cell therapy. This study raises the possibility of personalized treatment approaches using larger quantities of CD4 CAR T cells.
A team of researchers found that a hydrogen sulfide donor adjuvant can disrupt mitochondrial respiration, suppressing heat shock protein production and making tumor cells more sensitive to photothermal therapy. This approach led to the eradication of tumors in laboratory mice with breast tumors within just a few days.
Researchers discovered that melanoma skin cancer cells adopt an efficient style of movement called rounded-amoeboid migration, which requires less energy than traditional cell movement. This process involves reshaping mitochondria to operate in a low-power mode, allowing cells to survive in stressful environments.
A research team at Göttingen University has discovered that mobile and stationary cells have different mechanical properties due to their cytoskeleton. The study found that intermediate filaments, which are crucial for cell stability, exhibit metal-like plasticity when stretched, similar to non-biological materials.
Researchers discovered that FDA-approved HDAC-inhibitors can impact energy metabolism in solid tumor cells, including glioblastoma. The combination of HDAC-inhibitors and imipridones may synergize to enhance killing of GBM cells by reversing cellular respiration.
Researchers from China explore the mechanisms of action and clinical data of bispecific antibodies, which have shown promise in increasing cytotoxicity against cancerous cells and enhancing immune response towards tumor clearance. Several bsAbs are being evaluated in phase I-III clinical trials for lung cancer treatment.
A team of researchers is exploring the potential of HDAC inhibitors to treat sickle cell disease by reactivating the fetal hemoglobin gene. Early evidence suggests that panobinostat, a specific inhibitor, can increase fetal hemoglobin levels in red blood cells and mouse models.
Research reveals that brain tumor cells communicate with astrocytes through microtubes, transferring mitochondria to enhance growth. This connection increases treatment resistance and tumorigenicity in glioblastoma tumors.
A clinical trial of 406 patients found that a fluorescent agent allowed surgeons to identify and remove residual tumor tissue with favorable results. The technique showed promising results in detecting tumor tissue missed by standard lumpectomy procedures, potentially avoiding second surgeries for positive margins.
Researchers developed glass filters to capture tumor cells from blood samples, enabling more efficient culture of these cells. The optimized filter design enhances the accuracy of cancer detection, allowing for earlier treatment and improved patient health.
A novel cell signaling pathway has been identified that could be targeted to treat aggressive pancreatic cancers. The High Mobility Group A1 (HMGA1) protein functions as a 'molecular switch' that activates genes required for tumor growth and invasion. Silencing HMGA1 or disrupting FGF19 signals in mouse models resulted in decreased tum...
A study of 5,000 patients with breast cancer found that women from disadvantaged neighborhoods had shorter breast cancer-specific survival rates compared to those from advantaged areas. The findings suggest potential unaccounted mechanisms, including social determinants of health and access to care.
Tumors with low PD-L1 levels use genetic strategies like MYC activation to avoid immune attack, but this can be predicted by monitoring for MYC status. The study's findings could lead to new clinical trials assessing MYC status as a marker for selecting patients for immunotherapy.
Scientists discovered that deleting a protein called sphingosine kinase 2 (SphK2) reprograms the tumor microenvironment, decreasing S1P levels and increasing p53 tumor suppressor gene accumulation. This creates an inhospitable environment for aggressive breast tumors.
Researchers develop mechanical nanosurgery to destroy tumour cells from within, reducing GBM tumour size universally, including in TMZ-resistant cases. The treatment uses magnetically controlled carbon nanotubes to provide mechanical stimulation, damaging cellular structures and causing tumour cell death.
A new nuclear medicine therapy has been shown to cure human non-Hodgkin lymphoma in an animal model, achieving a median survival of over 221 days. The treatment, [177Lu]Lu-ofatumumab, was found to quickly eliminate tumor cells and showed favorable in vitro characteristics.
Researchers found that neutrophils activated by T cell-based immunotherapy can kill tumor cells that evade targeted therapies. This unexpected antitumor response could lead to new immunotherapies that harness this potent immune mechanism.
Researchers propose conjugating a cell-penetrating peptide to oxaliplatin to overcome chemotherapy resistance in colorectal cancer. The new approach reduces platinum accumulation in tumour microenvironment and healthy tissues.
Research at IRB Barcelona reveals CPEB4's essential role in T lymphocytes' adaptation to chronic cellular stress. By overcoming this stress, these cells can exert their antitumour function and halt tumour growth.
A new technique combines machine learning with short-wave infrared fluorescence imaging to detect precise tumor boundaries with higher accuracy than traditional methods. The approach achieved a remarkable per-pixel classification accuracy of 97.5 percent and demonstrated robustness against changes in imaging conditions.
Researchers created a three-dimensional structure that mimics bone and houses osteosarcoma cells beside immune cells, finding increased inflammation reduces chemotherapy effectiveness. The study highlights the importance of the tumor microenvironment in disease progression and treatment.
A team of researchers has discovered a simple way to deliver cancer therapeutics to tumor cells by fluidizing the cell membrane using lipid nanoparticles containing EDTA. The mechanism is independent of metal chelation properties and involves changing the characteristics of the cell membrane to promote nanoparticle uptake.
A study found that Spp24 inhibits osteosarcoma tumor cell proliferation, invasiveness, and promotes apoptosis. It achieves this by neutralizing bone morphogenetic protein 2.
Tumour cells exhibit an innate randomness in their ability to respond to chemotherapy, which can lead to resistance. Researchers identified a marker for resistance and propose combining chemotherapy with drugs targeting this 'noise' to improve treatment outcomes.
Researchers developed a new device that detects and analyzes cancer cells in blood samples, enabling doctors to avoid invasive biopsies and monitor treatment progress. The Static Droplet Microfluidic device uses metabolic signatures to differentiate tumour cells from normal blood cells.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have developed a new type of CAR T-cell therapy that effectively attacks and destroys ovarian cancer cells, significantly prolonging the lives of mice with the disease. The treatment has shown promising results in reducing tumor size and curing several mice.
Researchers have discovered that inhibiting conventional signalling pathway by disrupting LCK allows more efficient tumour cell killing, using FYN protein instead. This approach enhances T-cell function and reduces graft-versus-host disease, making CAR-T therapy more accessible to patients.
Researchers developed a cancer-selective therapeutic agent that targets cancer cells' unique acidic pH microenvironment, inducing mitochondrial dysfunction and killing only cancer cells. The agent, Mito-SA, forms charge-shielded nano-assemblies that selectively disassemble in the tumoral environment.
Researchers analyzed tumor microenvironment of pancreatic cancer, revealing two major defects that inhibit immune response. The study suggests a new approach using anti-CD137 agonist antibody treatment in combination with anti-PD-1 immunotherapy to activate T cells.
Researchers discover that tumour tracks, formed by transformed blood vessels, trap immune cells and promote healing processes. The tension of extracellular matrix fibers plays a key role in tumour development, allowing cancer cells to grow undisturbed.
A new method utilizes an unnatural sugar to anchor cytokines to T cells, enhancing their functions without systemic side-effects. The approach has shown promise in stimulating the host immune system against tumor cells and inhibiting tumor growth in mice with melanoma.
Researchers tracked 392 patients with diffuse low-grade glioma over 20 years and found that aggressive surgical removal offered a distinct survival advantage. Smaller tumor sizes were associated with longer survival times, highlighting the importance of early intervention.
Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital have developed a dual-action cell therapy approach to eliminate established tumors and induce long-term immunity. The vaccine, engineered using CRISPR-Cas9, is designed to kill tumor cells and stimulate the immune system to destroy primary tumors and prevent cancer recurrence.
Researchers have made a breakthrough in precision oncology for patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma, identifying that certain cell surface molecules decrease or are absent in these patients, making them resistant to the new drug enfortumab vedotin.
Researchers at Tulane University discovered that breast cancer cells use complex immune-modulatory programs to evade immune clearance, leading to treatment resistance. They identified 16 immune checkpoint genes and found that chemotherapy triggers a program of immune checkpoints that shield cancer cells from different lines of attack.
The TIL trial has demonstrated that cell therapy using patient's own immune cells is an extremely powerful immunotherapy for metastatic melanoma, with significant shrinkage of metastases in half of patients. Progression-free survival after six months was 53%, significantly better than standard immunotherapy with ipilimumab.
Researchers found that tumor cells directly interact with blood vessel cells, altering their normal clockwise orientation to a counterclockwise position. This interaction may play a role in cancer metastasis and could be targeted for prevention and treatment.
Comprehensive metabolic changes convert mature liver cells into immature progenitor cells that proliferate rapidly and develop tumors. The main causes of liver cancer are metabolic disorders and infections with hepatitis C virus and high alcohol consumption.
Kevin McHugh, a Rice bioengineer, has received the Distinguished Scientist Award from The Sontag Foundation for his work on gene editing to defeat glioblastoma multiforme. His approach involves delivering gene therapy agents directly to tumor cells, aiming to improve survival and reduce side effects.
Researchers at Goethe University Frankfurt found that dying colon cancer cells release ATP to neighboring tumor cells, activating a survival signaling pathway. Interrupting this communication can significantly increase the effectiveness of chemotherapy against resistant tumors.
A new study reveals that the protein fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP) plays a crucial role in helping tumors evade immune destruction, leading to treatment resistance. FMRP regulates a network of genes and cells in the tumor microenvironment, contributing to its ability to hide from immune cells.