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Measuring changes in brain tissue oxygenation for personalized cancer radiotherapy

Researchers developed a method to measure individual biological response to therapy using functional near-infrared spectroscopy, enabling real-time evaluation of radiotherapy's impact on patients. This technique allows for tailored radiation doses to optimize treatment and improve outcomes.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalJournal of Biomedical Optics·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 31, 2023

How tumors transform blood vessels

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.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalMatrix Biology·DateJan 18, 2023

Artificial intelligence tool developed to help make real-time diagnoses during surgery

A new AI tool developed by Brigham and Women's Hospital improves the accuracy of time-critical pathology diagnostics during surgery. The tool, which leverages deep-learning technology, translates frozen tissue samples into high-quality images, increasing diagnostic accuracy and reducing the need for lengthy laboratory tests.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalNature Biomedical Engineering·TypeObservational study·DateDec 23, 2022

Ultrasound-guided surgery is quicker, less painful and more effective for treating early form of breast cancer

Researchers at Clinica Universidad de Navarra found that ultrasound-guided surgery (IOUS) is more effective and quicker than traditional wire-localisation methods for treating ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). This technique reduces the risk of positive margins, a common cause of second operations.

Combined effect of bacteria and iron levels on the progression of colorectal cancer

Researchers found that excessive iron accumulation accelerates tumor growth in F. nucleatum-positive colorectal cancer by enhancing inflammatory responses in immune cells, promoting interpatient prognostic variability. Iron levels also modulate macrophage expression profiles, transforming them into pro-tumor cells expressing CCL8.

SourceKumamoto University·JournalJCI Insight·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 9, 2022

Interdisciplinary researchers receive $2M to develop next-generation 3D ultrasound imaging device

Interdisciplinary researchers at the Beckman Institute have received a four-year, $2M award from the National Institutes of Health to develop a device that can instantly enable real-time 3D ultrasound imaging. The device, named FASTER, is designed to improve high-quality medical imaging accessibility in diverse communities.

Researchers develop a new surgical training model for fluorescence-guided cancer surgery using the Japanese food konjac jelly

A team of researchers at Nagoya University has developed a novel tissue-mimicking phantom using konjac, enabling surgeons to practice fluorescence-guided cancer surgery. The model's use of indocyanine green and konjac jelly makes it suitable for training with electrocautery, promoting safer and more reliable surgical techniques.

SourceNagoya University·JournalLaryngoscope Investigative Otolaryngology·DateSep 30, 2022

New endoscope uses bendable GRIN lens for 3D microscopy

Researchers have developed a flexible endoscopic imaging probe using a bendable graded index (GRIN) lens, enabling 3D microscopic imaging of tissue. The new technology could shorten biopsy waiting times to minutes and enable real-time monitoring of tissue changes.

SourceOptica·JournalOptics Express·DateSep 21, 2022

Tumor-infiltrating B cells and plasma cells influence early-stage lung cancer biology, immunotherapy responses

A new study provides valuable insights into the roles of B cells and plasma cells in early-stage lung cancer biology, highlighting their influence on tumor development and treatment outcomes. The research also reveals environmental factors and molecular features that contribute to the landscape of infiltrating immune cells.

Oncotarget | Glypican-3 (GPC3) is associated with MCPyV-negative status and impaired outcome in Merkel cell carcinoma

Researchers found that Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) Glypican-3 (GPC3) is expressed in nearly 70% of MCC tumors and up to 90% of MCPyV-negative cases. GPC3 expression is associated with worse prognosis, including increased risk of death from MCC. This makes GPC3 a promising target for chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapy.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalOncotarget·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 11, 2022

Oncotarget | Chemoradiation-induced alteration of programmed death-ligand 1, CD8+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and mucin expression in rectal cancer

Researchers investigated the effects of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy on CD8+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, PD-L1, and mucin expression in rectal cancer patients. The study found that nCRT exposure was associated with higher mucin expression and a non-significant difference in PD-L1 expression, suggesting an immunosuppressive phenotype.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalOncotarget·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 2, 2022

Immune cells anchored in tissues offer unique defenses against pathogens and cancers

A new atlas of tissue-resident memory T cells reveals their adaptation to distinct tissue environments, offering insights into immune defense strategies. The study's findings could inform the development of targeted vaccines and therapies, leveraging 'first responders' in tissues vulnerable to infection.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalNature Immunology·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 29, 2022

Dynamic cells linked to brain tumor growth and recurrence

A study by Michigan Medicine researchers has identified oncostreams, highly active cells connected to brain tumor growth and invasion. The team found that eliminating Collagen 1 production from tumor cells reduces tumor aggressive behavior. This discovery could lead to novel therapeutic targets for treating lethal brain tumors.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 28, 2022

New fluorophores could help fight cancer

Scientists have created new fluorescent chemical compounds for photodynamic therapy of cancerous tumors, which can stain affected tissues and destroy tumor cells without harm to healthy ones. The compound containing pyrene shows the highest fluorescent and anticancer activity.

SourceUral Federal University·JournalDyes and Pigments·DateJun 27, 2022

Biomarker in liquid biopsy for lung cancer appears more accurate in predicting immunotherapy response than tumor biopsy

Researchers validated a liquid biopsy test as a better predictor of immunotherapy response in lung cancer patients compared to traditional tumor biopsies. The test measures the PD-L1 biomarker in blood, showing improved accuracy in predicting treatment outcomes and survival.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalJournal of Experimental & Clinical Cancer Research·DateJun 2, 2022

Rice chemists skew the odds to prevent cancer

Researchers at Rice University have developed a theoretical framework to explain how cancers caused by multiple genetic mutations can be identified and potentially stopped. By analyzing energy landscapes of cellular transformation pathways, they found that the most dominant pathways are favored by chance.

SourceRice University·JournalBiophysical Journal·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 17, 2022

New method melds data to make a 3-D map of cells’ activities

Researchers developed PASTE, a method to analyze spatial transcriptomics data in three dimensions, enabling biologists to better understand cell environments and identify rare cell types. The technique can integrate information from multiple tissue slices, providing a more complete picture of gene expression within tissues.

SourcePrinceton University, Engineering School·JournalNature Methods·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 16, 2022

Patient-derived micro-organospheres enable cutting-edge precision oncology

Researchers developed a droplet-based microfluidic technology to produce micro-organospheres from cancer patient biopsies within an hour. These miniature tumors retain the original microenvironment and can be used for testing many drug conditions, showing almost perfect correlation with actual clinical treatment outcomes.

SourceTerasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation·JournalCell Stem Cell·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 5, 2022

Breast cancer: Why metastasis spreads to the bone

A team of biologists identified a protein involved in the spread of breast cancer to bones. The discovery confirms the importance of cellular plasticity during the metastatic process and could lead to new treatments. ZEB1, a protein that increases cell plasticity, was found to direct cells with metastatic characteristics to bones.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalNature Communications·TypeNews article·DateApr 21, 2022

Lockdown for tumour cells

A novel inhibitor has been discovered that stalls a critical enzyme inside tumour cells, locking them in place and preventing invasion into healthy tissue. The findings hold promise for the development of metastasis-blocking agents.

SourceUniversity of Konstanz·JournalCell Chemical Biology·DateApr 20, 2022

Researchers have developed a Russian-language method for the preoperative mapping of language areas

Researchers have created a Russian-language protocol for functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to map individual language areas before neurosurgical operations. The study successfully validated the protocol in a control group, showing its ability to comprehensively map brain regions and reveal lateralisation of language function.

SourceNational Research University Higher School of Economics·JournalFrontiers in Human Neuroscience·DateApr 8, 2022