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Study shows surgery provides good long-term outcomes for patients with gastrointestinal cancers

A study published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons found that laparoscopic removal of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) is safe and effective. The disease-free survival rate for patients who underwent laparoscopic treatment was nearly 80% after an average follow-up time of three and a half years.

SourceWeber Shandwick Worldwide·JournalJournal of the American College of Surgeons·DateJan 14, 2009

Phase II study of therapeutic vaccine shows efficacy in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer

A phase II trial found that six of 17 patients with metastatic colorectal cancer showed significant tumor shrinkage after receiving the therapeutic vaccine TroVax. The study demonstrated the safety and immunogenicity of the vaccine, suggesting its potential as an immuno-therapy approach to enhance the immune response to tumors.

SourceAmerican Association for Cancer Research·JournalClinical Cancer Research·DateAug 1, 2007

Other highlights in the March 1 JNCI

Researchers have created a new model to examine the process by which tumor cells develop an angiogenic phenotype, enabling them to grow rapidly. The study found that non-angiogenic tumor cells can switch to angiogenesis after several months, and that this switch is crucial for tumor growth and metastasis.

SourceJournal of the National Cancer Institute·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateFeb 28, 2006

Study provides clues to alcohol's cancer connection

A recent study found that ethanol exposure increases tumor size, blood vessel density, and VEGF levels in chick embryos, supporting the hypothesis that ethanol-induced angiogenesis contributes to cancer progression. The study provides new insights into the mechanisms underlying alcohol's association with various types of cancer.

SourceWiley·JournalCancer·DateDec 13, 2004

Predicting progression of common cancers

A study published in PLOS Biology discovered a common genetic signature linked to the progression of various cancers, including prostate and liver cell carcinomas. Patients with tumors carrying this signature had an increased risk of metastasis and death compared to those without it.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateJan 13, 2004

'Smart bomb' delivery destroys tumors in mice

Scientists have developed a method that uses allicin, found in garlic, to selectively kill cancer cells in mice. The method involves injecting an antibody and enzyme combination that targets specific receptors on cancer cells, triggering the production of lethal allicin molecules that destroy tumors while leaving healthy cells intact.

SourceAmerican Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science·JournalMolecular Cancer Therapeutics·DateDec 29, 2003

The Lancet Oncology (TLO)

Imatinib mesylate has shown significant effectiveness in treating gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs), a previously difficult-to-treat cancer type. The drug's success is attributed to its ability to target KIT tyrosine kinase mutations, which are present in most GISTs.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet Oncology·DateOct 30, 2002