All articles tagged with #targeted therapy
Keaton Herzer, diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma, was told he’d remain in lifelong treatment, but a newer targeted therapy shrank his tumors enough to qualify for a liver transplant. Post‑transplant, doctors see no signs of cancer, offering new hope and reshaping his outlook and that of others facing similar diagnoses.
A former Ironman triathlete’s vision problems led doctors to diagnose stage 4 lung cancer, and after a sequence of targeted therapies—including afatinib, osimertinib, and the IV drug amivantamab (Rybrevant)—he has lived seven years beyond an initial 12–24 month prognosis and now raises awareness through advocacy and endurance events.
A pancreatic cancer patient on Revolution Medicines' KRAS inhibitor daraxonrasib reports a dramatic extension of life, illustrating how targeting historically 'undruggable' KRAS can yield durable benefits and fueling optimism for KRAS inhibitors across pancreatic and other KRAS-mutant cancers.
In a trial for metastatic pancreatic cancer, Revolution Medicines' targeted pill daraxonrasib extended median overall survival to 13.2 months versus 6.7 months with chemotherapy, a dramatic near-doubling that experts described as very impressive.
A Lafayette father with stage 4 pancreatic cancer is the first patient in Colorado to receive Zenocutuzumab, a newly FDA-approved targeted therapy that targets the tumor's NRG1 gene fusion after chemotherapy stopped working; since starting the drug, he has shown a dramatic response and improved quality of life, illustrating a broader shift toward precision medicine in pancreatic cancer that could extend survival for some patients.
A growing share of lung cancer cases now occur in never-smokers, especially women, with radon exposure and other factors contributing to risk. Laura Hamann’s story illustrates this trend, often asymptomatic and found incidentally; advances in targeted therapies are improving outcomes, and experts urge radon testing and discussion of screening for high-risk individuals.
New data from the American Cancer Society show seven in 10 U.S. cancer patients survive at least five years after diagnosis (based on 2015–2021 data), marking a historic milestone driven by advances like immunotherapy and targeted therapies, earlier detection, and reduced smoking; the report credits ongoing research for preventing thousands of deaths since the 1990s, but notes rising colorectal cancer rates in younger adults, persistent disparities, and concerns about funding cuts and screening disruptions that could affect future progress.
Heather Quintana, a mother of two, initially thought her persistent cold was minor but was diagnosed with advanced Stage 4 lung cancer after a series of tests. She received targeted treatment and radiation, which significantly shrank her tumors, and emphasizes the importance of trusting healthcare providers over Dr. Google. Her story highlights the need for early detection and personalized treatment in cancer care.
Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a nanotech-based reformulation of the chemotherapy drug 5-fluorouracil using spherical nucleic acids, making it 20,000 times more effective against leukemia cells with minimal side effects, potentially revolutionizing cancer treatment.
Researchers have discovered that D-cysteine, a mirror form of the amino acid cysteine, selectively inhibits the growth of certain cancer cells by blocking a key mitochondrial enzyme, showing promise for targeted cancer therapies with minimal effects on healthy cells, as demonstrated in mouse models.
New research presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology Congress highlights the promising potential of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) as targeted cancer treatments, especially for breast cancer, showing improved survival rates and earlier intervention possibilities, though challenges like toxicity and patient selection remain.
US researchers have developed a new light-based cancer treatment using inexpensive LED light and tin oxide nanoflakes to selectively kill cancer cells with minimal harm to healthy tissue, offering a promising, safer, and more accessible alternative to traditional therapies.
Scientists have developed a new targeted therapy for head and neck cancer in cats, which shows promise for treating similar human cancers. The study involving 20 cats found that over a third responded positively to the treatment, with some living significantly longer than expected. This research highlights the potential of using pet animals as models for human cancer studies, offering a more effective alternative to traditional mouse models.
Tania Rodrigues, a 66-year-old woman from California, was diagnosed with Stage 4 non-smoking lung cancer after experiencing a sudden visual disturbance, which was later identified as a seizure caused by brain metastases. Despite the advanced stage, targeted therapies have significantly improved her prognosis, allowing her to continue her life with a positive outlook and renewed appreciation for life. The article highlights the rise of non-smoking lung cancers, especially among women, and the importance of early detection and advancements in treatment.
UNC researchers have developed a novel 'two-in-one' molecule using inverted RNAi technology that can simultaneously silence two challenging cancer genes, KRAS and MYC, and deliver drugs to tumors, offering promising new treatment avenues for difficult cancers.