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A type of immune cell strengthens immunotherapy and prevents tumor relapse in animal models

Scientists have discovered a new immunotherapy strategy using type I dendritic cells to activate strong immune responses and generate immune memory against cancer. The treatment helps prevent tumor relapse in mouse models by triggering an immune memory response.

SourceCentro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III (F.S.P.)·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 15, 2025

Study: Platform-predicted treatments improve outcomes for platinum-resistant ovarian cancer

A Phase 3 trial found that ChemoID improves objective response rates, median progression-free survival, and duration of response in patients with recurrent platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. The test identifies effective treatments by challenging cancer stem cells against specific anticancer drugs.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·Journalnpj Precision Oncology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateApr 4, 2025

circTP63-N suppresses the proliferation and metastasis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma via engaging with HSP90AB1 to modulate the YAP1/Hippo signaling pathway

A novel circular RNA, circTP63-N, generated by back-splicing exons 2–4 of the TP63 gene is significantly downregulated in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) tissues. Restoring its expression effectively inhibits NPC cell proliferation and metastasis via engagement with HSP90AB1 to modulate the YAP1/Hippo signaling pathway.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience China Life Sciences·DateApr 3, 2025

UT Health San Antonio develops drug found to more than double survival time for glioblastoma patients

A new drug formulation called Rhenium Obisbemeda has been shown to significantly extend the median survival and progression-free time of glioblastoma patients, with a median overall survival time of 17 months. The treatment, which uses convection-enhanced delivery, shows promise as a potential cure for this deadly brain tumor.

A new triple combination of inhibitors based on precision medicine emerges as a potential new treatment for Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumors

Researchers identified a potential new treatment for aggressive sarcoma arising in nerves, using a pre-clinical platform that combines inhibitors targeting specific mutations. The triple combination of MEKi-BETi-CDKi showed promising results in shrinking tumors and even eliminating some cases, offering hope for improved treatment options.

SourceGermans Trias i Pujol Research Institute·JournalClinical Cancer Research·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 28, 2025

Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation awards $3.2 million to innovative early-career scientists

The foundation has awarded eight recipients of the 2025 Damon Runyon-Rachleff Innovation Award, including five early-career researchers with initial grants of $400,000 over two years. The awardees aim to develop novel cancer therapies using innovative approaches such as engineered skin bacteria and small molecule-boosted drug delivery.

Tumor-secreted protein may hold the key to better treatments for deadly brain tumor, study finds

A study suggests targeting endocan, a protein produced by endothelial cells in blood vessels, could slow tumor growth and make glioblastoma more vulnerable to existing treatments. The discovery may lead to new strategies to combat glioblastoma, which has an average lifespan of just 12-15 months.

Breakthrough in treatment approach showing promise in the fight against glioblastoma, the deadliest and most aggressive type of brain cancer

A phase 2 study conducted by Mayo Clinic found that 56% of participants were alive after 12 months, with a median overall survival of 13.1 months. The treatment, which combines short-course hypofractionated proton beam therapy with advanced imaging techniques, was more effective in patients over 65 with favorable tumor genetics.

SourceMayo Clinic·JournalThe Lancet Oncology·DateDec 16, 2024

Common food poison toxin speeds colon cancer spread

A study led by UF Health Cancer Center researchers found that a toxin in the bacteria Campylobacter jejuni accelerates the spread of colorectal tumors. The findings could lead to new tools for detecting metastatic colorectal cancer early, ultimately helping determine patients who need more aggressive treatments.

SourceUniversity of Florida·JournalCell Host & Microbe·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 6, 2024

POSTECH team pioneers new cancer therapy strategy: targeting GLUT3 in regulatory T cells to supercharge anti-tumor immunity

Researchers at POSTECH have identified GLUT3 as essential for the suppressive function of regulatory T cells in tumor microenvironments, which can be targeted for cancer immunotherapy. The team's findings highlight the critical role of GLUT3 in regulating protein modifications that sustain immune suppression within tumors.

SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·JournalCellular and Molecular Immunology·DateNov 12, 2024

New imaging technique to improve head and neck cancer surgery

Researchers developed a new imaging technique using fluorescence-guided surgery to enhance visibility of tumors and nerves during head and neck cancer surgery. The technique uses two near-infrared fluorophores, one for tumors and another for facial nerves, allowing for clear differentiation between cancerous tissues and nerves.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalJournal of Biomedical Optics·DateNov 7, 2024

How hypoxia helps cancer spread

Scientists at Johns Hopkins Medicine identified 16 genes that breast cancer cells use to survive in the bloodstream, including MUC1, which is already in clinical trials. The research showed that hypoxic cells are able to migrate to higher oxygen levels and form metastasis in the body, leading to a worse prognosis.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 5, 2024

Tumor dormancy initiated by lymphovascular embolus

Researchers discovered that tumor dormancy in breast cancer can be triggered by specific signaling changes within small cell clusters, called tumor emboli. Key mechanisms include reduced activity of mTOR and structural shifts in E-cadherin, which are regulated by the PI3K pathway.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalOncotarget·TypeNews article·DateOct 30, 2024

Transferrin receptor-targeted immunostimulant for photodynamic immunotherapy against metastatic tumors through β-catenin/CREB interruption

A new transferrin receptor-targeted immunostimulant is fabricated for photodynamic immunotherapy against metastatic tumors by interrupting the β-catenin signal pathway. The recognition of PTI and TfR promotes drug delivery into tumor cells, inducing an immunogenic cell death with the release of tumor-associated antigens.

SourceCompuscript Ltd·JournalActa Pharmaceutica Sinica B·DateSep 25, 2024

Preventing cancer cells from colonizing the liver

Cancer cells can attach themselves to liver cells when specific proteins are present, allowing them to colonize and form new tumors. This discovery provides insights into the metastatic process and may lead to potential treatments that prevent cancer from establishing new tumors.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 24, 2024

A new proteogenomics analysis of high-grade gliomas offers hints on tumor evolution

The study provides a detailed analysis of high-grade glioma molecular characteristics, revealing shifts in gene expression and tumour microenvironment. Longitudinal samples revealed unique opportunities to observe tumour evolution, shedding light on genetic and epigenetic events associated with recurrent disease.

SourceJosep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute·JournalCancer Cell·TypeObservational study·DateJul 10, 2024

Rapid test of cerebrospinal fluid decreases time to diagnosis for brain tumors

Researchers developed a rapid genotyping test for patients with central nervous system lesions, detecting key mutations associated with brain cancers in samples taken during a lumbar puncture. The test eliminated the need for surgical brain biopsies in seven cases and significantly accelerated time to treatment, from an average of 12 d...

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalBlood·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 17, 2024

Association for Molecular Pathology publishes evidence-based recommendations for tumor mutational burden testing

The Association for Molecular Pathology has published guidelines for tumor mutational burden (TMB) testing, aiming to standardize calculation and reporting of TMB as a predictive biomarker for immune checkpoint inhibitor therapies. These recommendations emphasize the importance of comprehensive methodological descriptions in publications.

SourceAssociation for Molecular Pathology·JournalJournal of Molecular Diagnostics·DateJun 6, 2024

‘Goldilocks’ binding strength determines anti-cancer T-cell efficacy and fate

Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital found that a 'Goldilocks' binding strength between T-cell receptors and cancer proteins determines anti-cancer T-cell efficacy. The optimal middle-ground binding strength creates cancer-killing effector cells, while too little or too much stimulation leads to exhaustion.

SourceSt. Jude Children's Research Hospital·JournalNature Immunology·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 30, 2024

Immune evasion tactics of liver cancer cells revealed

A faulty beta-catenin gene helps tumours evade immunity by stopping tumor cells releasing message-containing cargoes called exosomes. Silencing mutant-beta-catenin could be a viable therapeutic strategy to trigger immune cell infiltration and increase tumour-to-immune cell communication.

SourceeLife·JournaleLife·DateMar 19, 2024