All articles tagged with #cancer research
Pi Day honors the constant pi and its pervasive role in science and engineering, from calculating trajectories for spaceflight to modeling cancer research, illustrating how a single number underpins complex work across disciplines.
A study published in APL Bioengineering tested four diets (high-insulin, high-glucose, high-ketone, and high-fat) on engineered triple-negative breast cancer tumor models and found the high-fat diet sped up tumor growth and invasion, with increased activity of the enzyme MMP1. Using a plasmalike medium to mimic the body’s nutrient environment, researchers isolated dietary effects on cancer behavior and plan to explore whether diet also influences chemotherapy response in the future; however, these results are from lab models and human relevance remains to be established.
A pilot NYU Langone Health study found microplastic particles in 9 of 10 prostate tumor samples, with cancerous tissue averaging about 40 micrograms per gram versus 16 in healthy tissue (roughly 2.5x higher). The team took rigorous contamination precautions, including using nonplastic tools, and analyzed 12 common plastic molecules. While findings raise the possibility that microplastics could influence cancer risk via inflammation, researchers caution that the small sample size requires larger studies to confirm any causal role; results will be presented at the ASCO Genitourinary Cancers Symposium.
South Korean researchers report that silencing NSMF, a regulator of replication stress in colorectal cancer, triggers irreversible aging in cancer cells and slows or halts tumor growth in mouse models, suggesting a potential new therapy that spares healthy tissue. Published in Nucleic Acids Research, the study highlights NSMF as a key driver of cancer cell replication under stress. With rising colorectal cancer rates in younger Americans and calls to lower screening ages, the findings underscore the push for targeted treatments and earlier detection.
A Science study analyzing nearly 500 feline tumors from five countries across 13 cancer types finds genetic similarities with human cancers, notably FBXW7 mutations in feline mammary tumors that mirror aggressive human cases; two chemotherapy drugs show promise against these tumors in cats, suggesting a potential path for new treatments in humans and enabling faster veterinary testing—highlighting cats as a valuable model for cancer biology and shared environmental factors.
Researchers report that MakA, a toxin from Vibrio cholerae, when delivered systemically, slows colorectal tumor growth in mice by increasing tumor cell death and reshaping the tumor's immune environment, with no observable harm to healthy tissue or organs, suggesting a tumor-targeted anti-cancer strategy that requires further clinical study.
More than 50 leading cancer vaccine researchers convene a two-day global think tank—organized by the Cancer Vaccine Coalition and AACR—to align priorities and accelerate development and access to therapeutic cancer vaccines through practical strategies, AI-driven antigen prediction, and coordinated funding and regulatory pathways, with trials across glioblastoma, melanoma, pancreatic, breast, ovarian and liver cancers and support from HSBC Innovation Banking, Northwest Biotherapeutics, Pfizer, and Anixa Biosciences.
Peter H. Duesberg, a celebrated cancer biologist who helped identify the Src oncogene and later argued that HIV does not cause AIDS, died Jan. 13 in Lafayette, California, at 89 from kidney failure. His work shaped early ideas about oncogenes and cancer genetics, but his AIDS-denial advocacy drew sharp criticism for influencing public health policy; he retired in 2022 and is survived by his wife and four children.
A 75th American Cancer Society Cancer Statistics report shows the U.S. five-year cancer survival rate has risen to about 70% (7‑in‑10) thanks to earlier detection and new treatments like immune checkpoint therapy and CAR‑T cell therapy. Survival has improved across cancers (breast 92%, melanoma 95%, prostate 98%), with leukemia and non‑Hodgkin lymphoma up ~20% and 18% and pancreatic and liver cancers also rising (to 13% and 22%). Myeloma and lung cancer survival have climbed to 62% and 15–28%, while late-stage survival now averages 35% (up from 17%). The death rate has fallen about 34% since 1991, saving roughly 4.8 million lives by 2023 — achievements driven by diagnosis, screening, and innovative therapies rather than a cure.
Many cancers can recur years after initial treatment due to dormant tumour cells that evade therapy and immune detection, with ongoing research aiming to understand and target these cells to prevent relapse.
Florida Panthers GM Bill Zito is auctioning life-sized panther sculptures, painted by artists and celebrities, to raise funds for cancer research, with the campaign having already raised $700,000 and ongoing bidding through Charitybuzz until February 6.
Scientists have discovered that in colorectal cancer, two subtypes of regulatory T cells play opposing roles, with one subtype helping to restrain tumor growth and the other promoting it. This finding could lead to more targeted immunotherapies that selectively eliminate harmful Tregs, improving outcomes for patients.
New blood tests like the Grail Galleri offer hope for early detection of pancreatic cancer, which is crucial as most cases are diagnosed late with poor survival rates. Early detection can significantly improve treatment outcomes, but current screening options are limited, and the disease remains deadly, especially in Ohio where incidence and mortality rates are high. Researchers emphasize the importance of clinical trials and awareness efforts to improve prognosis and develop better therapies.
Researchers at UBC Okanagan have decoded how plants produce mitraphylline, a rare compound with potential anti-cancer properties, by identifying key enzymes involved in its biosynthesis, paving the way for sustainable drug production.
Scientists have created a detailed 4D map of the human genome, revealing how its components interact over time in three dimensions, which could lead to advances in understanding gene regulation and developing new cancer therapies.