Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Burst of rapid cell motion in 3D tumor model

A new phenomenon was discovered where increased pressure leads to a sudden burst of rapid and coordinated cellular motion, spraying outwards from the tumour. This fluid-like pushing mechanism can kill cancer cells but also enables them to survive and multiply in new environments.

SourceUniversity of Göttingen·JournalAdvanced Science·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 16, 2022

Researchers find natural mechanism to sensitize cancer to immunotherapy

A U-M study defines how a cytokine and fatty acid combination triggers ferroptosis, a type of cell death previously studied with synthetic molecules. This natural mechanism could make immunotherapy treatments more effective, particularly for cancers where the treatments currently work for only about 30% of patients.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalCancer Cell·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 4, 2022

Moffitt researchers identify key genomic alterations and potential therapeutic vulnerabilities in transformed cutaneous T-cell lymphoma

Moffitt researchers have identified key genomic alterations and potential therapeutic targets in transformed cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. The study, which analyzed 56 patient samples, found high tumor mutation burden and UV mutation signatures associated with survival outcomes. The research also uncovered novel therapeutic vulnerabilitie...

SourceH. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute·JournalCancer Discovery·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 28, 2022

Traditional Chinese medicine, Shengmai Yin, improves the effects of radiation therapy, says new study in Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis

A new study found that traditional Chinese medicine Shengmai Yin increases the sensitivity of cancer cells to radiation, reducing radioresistance. By altering DNA methylation status, SMY enhances the efficacy of radiation therapy and reduces side effects.

SourceCactus Communications·JournalJournal of Pharmaceutical Analysis·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 25, 2022

The secret hideouts of ovarian cancer revealed

Researchers at the University of Helsinki discovered that tumour cells in ovarian cancer hide from the body's immune system by interacting with specific gene mutations. Tumours with BRCA1/2 mutations are more effectively targeted by killer T-cells, leading to better patient outcomes.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 11, 2022

“Inflaming” cold tumors

Scientists at Technical University of Munich discovered a promising combination therapy for mesenchymal PDAC subtype, showing improved T-cell infiltration and cell cycle arrest when using nintedanib with trametinib. The treatment significantly improves the response of highly aggressive mesenchymal PDAC subtypes in mice.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalNature Cancer·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 3, 2022

Study of Penn patients with decade-long leukemia remissions after Car T cell therapy reveals new details about persistence of personalized “living drug” cells

Researchers discovered two patients with CAR T cell therapy achieved the longest-known remission to date, providing new details about treatment effects and outcomes. The study shows that the infused CAR T cells remained detectable for at least a decade, with sustained remission in both patients.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalNature·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 2, 2022

Lighting up tough pancreatic cancers

Researchers have designed a nanoparticle system that can deliver fluorescent dyes to diagnose and treat pancreatic cancer tumors. The system overcomes the challenge of reaching cells deep within dense tumor masses, enabling detailed images of tumor structures and potentially targeted therapies.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalJACS Au·DateFeb 2, 2022

Moffitt researchers discover mechanism controlling tertiary lymphoid structure formation in tumors

Researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center have identified the molecular and cellular mechanisms that control the formation of tertiary lymphoid structures within tumors. These structures contain immune cells and can promote anti-tumor activity when Tfh cells are introduced, leading to improved outcomes in patients with certain types of cancer.

SourceH. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute·JournalImmunity·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 11, 2022

Tumor evolution

Researchers analyzed 140 neuroblastoma samples to understand the genetic changes associated with the disease. They found that mutations can disappear and reappear, occurring in distinct sections or individual cells, making targeted therapy less effective.

SourceCharité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 10, 2021

Alpha-1 Biologics announces positive data published in Frontiers in Oncology on Alphataxin in combination with anti-PD-1 therapy that suppressed murine renal cancer and metastasis

Alphataxin, a small-molecule drug, has been shown to significantly suppress tumor growth in mouse models of kidney cancer, including those with lung metastasis. The treatment also increased the formation of CD4+ T cells, which is essential for the immune system's ability to kill tumor cells.

SourceLaVoieHealthScience·JournalFrontiers in Oncology·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 8, 2021

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and artificial intelligence (AI) can detect early signs of tumor cell death after novel therapy

Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital have developed a method to detect early signs of tumor cell death using MRI and AI, allowing for non-invasive monitoring of cancer treatment. This approach has shown promise in detecting treatment-responsive regions in mouse brain tumors and healthy human brains.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalNature Biomedical Engineering·DateDec 1, 2021

Critical conflict in cancer cells

A study found that the MYCN protein creates conflicts between DNA replication and transcription in cancer cells, leading to increased division rates and potential damage. The researchers hope to develop therapies by disrupting the cooperation between MYCN and a molecule called BRCA1.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalMolecular Cell·DateNov 30, 2021

New review highlights cancer-crushing viruses

A recent review article describes a class of viruses known as oncolytic viruses, which have the remarkable ability to target and destroy cancer cells. Researchers are exploring these viruses for cancer therapy, with some showing promising results in stimulating an immune response against cancer.

SourceArizona State University·JournalCancers·TypeLiterature review·DateNov 30, 2021

Palmitic acid promotes cancer metastasis and leaves a more aggressive “memory” in tumour cells

A diet rich in palmitic acid makes tumor cells more aggressive and increases their metastatic capacity, a process that is responsible for 90% of cancer deaths. Exposure to palmitic acid leads to permanent epigenetic modifications in tumor cells, allowing them to conserve metastatic capacity even after the fatty acid is removed.

SourceInstitute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona)·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 10, 2021