Mutations in two gene pairs point to a promising drug target in 5% of adult cancers
Scientists from the Cancer Dependency Map (DepMap) at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard and Columbia University have discovered that about 5% of adult cancers rely heavily on a gene called PELO to survive and that disabling the gene kills those cancer cells. These cancers have mutations in one of two genes, FOCAD or TCC37.
Light-activated compound offers hope for overcoming drug resistance in cancer treatment
A research team affiliated with UNIST has unveiled an innovative technology to eliminate drug-resistant cancer cells using light. Professors Tae-Hyuk Kwon and Duyoung Min from the Department of Chemistry at UNIST, alongside Professor Taiho Park from POSTECH, have created a photoreactive compound capable of suppressing autophagy in cancer cells—one of the key mechanisms contributing to resistance against anticancer therapies.
How hungry fat cells could someday starve cancer to death
Liposuction and plastic surgery aren’t often mentioned in the same breath as cancer. But they are the inspiration for a new approach to treating cancer that uses engineered fat cells to deprive tumors of nutrition.
Disrupting the RBM42 protein could throw a wrench in the gears of cancer’s growth
For decades, scientists have tried to stop cancer by disabling the mutated proteins that are found in tumors. But many cancers manage to overcome this and continue growing. Now, UCSF scientists think they can throw a wrench into the fabrication of a key growth-related protein, MYC, that escalates wildly in 70% of all cancers. Unlike some other targets of cancer therapies, MYC can be dangerous simply due to its abundance.
Rethinking metastatic brain cancer as a central nervous system disease
A Personal View published in The Lancet Oncology challenges the long-standing perception of metastatic brain cancer, calling to recognize it as a distinct central nervous system (CNS) disease rather than a mere extension of its primary tumor.
Metastatic cancers: Targeting a protein that fuels treatment-resistant tumors may be key to better outcomes
One of the biggest challenges in cancer treatment is addressing the ability of cancer cells to adapt and become resistant, reducing the effectiveness of therapies over time.
AI-supported breast cancer screening—new results suggest even higher accuracy
New research results now published from Lund University’s MASAI trial are even better than the initial findings from last year: AI-supported breast screening detected 29% more cases of cancer compared with traditional screening. More invasive cancers were also clearly detected at an early stage using AI. Now the final part of the research study will focus on breast cancer missed by screening.
Potential new therapy for childhood brain cancer could heal treatment-resistant tumors
Brain cancer is the second-leading cause of death in children in the developed world. For the children who survive, standard treatments have long-term impacts on their development and quality of life, particularly in small children and infants.
For detailed information on these approvals, you can refer to the FDA’s official page on novel drug approvals for 2024.
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute researchers report that all nine patients in a clinical trial being treated for stage III or IV clear cell renal cell carcinoma (a form of kidney cancer), generated a successful anti-cancer immune response after initiation of a personalized cancer vaccine.
Computer model simplifies immune cell identification for lung cancer treatment
Researchers at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center and Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy have developed a computer model to help scientists identify tumor-fighting immune cells in patients with lung cancer treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors.
Cancer vaccine shows promise for patients with stage III and IV kidney cancer
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute researchers report that all nine patients in a clinical trial being treated for stage III or IV clear cell renal cell carcinoma (a form of kidney cancer), generated a successful anti-cancer immune response after initiation of a personalized cancer vaccine.
Researchers develop targeted treatment for aggressive pregnancy cancer
A new drug delivery system shows promise for treating a rare, aggressive form of cancer affecting pregnant women and new mothers, and it has potential for other cancers as well.
