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Organoids help bridge gap between laboratory study and animal modeling of disease

Researchers biofabricated human colorectal cancer organoids to understand how tumors grow in their natural microenvironment and respond to treatments. The study replicated native tumor tissue in a laboratory model and validated its effects on whole-body physiology, paving the way for new therapies targeting the extracellular matrix.

SourceAtrium Health Wake Forest Baptist·JournalScientific Reports·DateAug 5, 2020

Pioneering cell therapies for non-responders to current immunotherapies

A new approach to identifying killer T lymphocytes in patients with gastrointestinal tumors has been developed, which can hone in on unique mutations expressed in cancer cells. This breakthrough could lead to the development of personalized and effective cell therapies for patients who do not respond to current immunotherapies.

SourceVall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateOct 16, 2019

Outcompeting cancer

Researchers at Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown discovered a cell-competition mechanism called fitness fingerprints that allows cancer cells to disguise themselves as healthy cells. By blocking this mechanism, they found that tumour growth can be slowed down, but not eliminated.

Bacterial therapy in a dish

Researchers at Columbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science have developed a system called BSCC, which enables rapid screening of engineered bacterial therapies in vitro. They successfully tested a potent therapy for colon cancer using a novel bacterial toxin combined with an optimal drug delivery genetic circuit.

SourceColumbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 17, 2019

'Nanobodies' from alpacas could help bring CAR T-cell therapy to solid tumors

Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital and MIT have developed nanobodies that can target the tumor micro-environment, allowing for more effective treatment of solid tumors. The nanobodies were tested in mouse models of melanoma and colon cancer, showing promising results in slowing tumor growth and improving survival rates.

SourceBoston Children's Hospital·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 11, 2019

A new way to cut the power of tumors

A new approach to treating tumors has been discovered by regulating vascularization through a gene that is overexpressed in the tumor vasculature. By targeting the insulin receptor, scientists hope to deliver treatments more accurately and effectively.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalBritish Journal of Cancer·DateDec 20, 2018

New nuclear medicine method shows promise for better detection of neuroendocrine tumors

Researchers have developed a new nuclear medicine procedure that can safely and effectively detect cancerous gastrointestinal and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. The novel radiolabeled tracer Ga-OPS202 has been shown to improve imaging contrast and sensitivity for detecting primary tumors or liver metastases.

SourceSociety of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging·JournalJournal of Nuclear Medicine·DateJun 6, 2018

Protein can slow intestinal tumor growth

Researchers at Stockholm University discovered a new mechanism regulating stem cells in the fruit fly's intestine and found that a specific protein can slow tumour growth. The study sheds light on how intestinal diseases occur and may contribute to the development of new medicine to prevent and cure them.

SourceStockholm University·JournalStem Cell Reports·DateApr 19, 2018

Novel hypothesis on why animals diversified on Earth

A novel hypothesis proposes that animal diversification resulted from a revolution within the animals' own biology, rather than in surrounding chemistry. Cells with stem cell properties are vital for multicellular life, and tumor cells have developed mechanisms to maintain these properties despite high oxygen levels.

SourceLund University·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·DateJan 18, 2018