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Oncology
Graphene neutralises cancer stem cells
University of Manchester scientists have used graphene to target and neutralise cancer stem cells while not harming other cells.
The 'golden hour' in paediatric cancer tx
Paediatric cancer patients who receive antibiotics within 60 minutes of reporting fever and showing neutropenia, have decreased intensive care needs and lower mortality.
Chemo after bladder cancer surgery
Patients that received chemotherapy after bladder cancer surgery demonstrated an approximately 30% lower risk of death than those that underwent surgery alone, according to an analysis to be at the 2015 Genitourinary Cancers Symposium.
Kidney cancer drugs found not effective
Two widely used targeted therapy drugs – approved for use in metastatic kidney cancer – are no more effective than a placebo in achieving disease-free survival, according to an ECOG-ACRIN study.
Leukaemia mutation 'almost inevitable' with age
Up to 20% of people aged 50-60 and more than 70% of people over 90 have blood cells with the same gene changes as found in leukaemia, finds Sanger Institute research.
New drug extends advanced breast cancer survival
Investigational oral medication Palbociclib is well tolerated and extends progression-free survival in newly diagnosed, advanced breast cancer patients, according to a US phase II study.
'Ethical imperative' for mammography information
Women exposed to evidence-based information on the risk of over-detection and over-diagnosis associated with mammography screening have lower intentions to have a breast screening test, according to an Australian study.
Radiation therapy vs active surveillance
Radiation therapy is the most common US treatment for prostate cancer regardless of cancer stage, prostate-specific antigen level, and prognosis and risk rating, according to a University of California study. Another study suggests active surveillance may be an initial approach for men with favourable intermediate-risk prostate cancer but requires further research.
Improved cancer survival, especially among young
Survival has improved with cancers of the colon or rectum, breast, prostate, lung and liver, and those improvements were better among younger patients, according to a Vanderbilt study of follow-up data on 1m patients over 20 years to 2010.
Doctors miss lesions in breast exams
Sensor technology has the potential to significantly improve the teaching of proper technique for clinical breast exams, according to University of Wisconsin research that found 15% of physicians were at 'significant risk' of missing deep tissue lesions.
Thyroid cancer on the increase
Thyroid cancer incidence has increased in individuals of all US races and ethnicities, according to a retrospective review, with the greatest increase occurred among non-Hispanic whites.
Slight ovarian cancer risk for HRT women
A University of Oxford analysis of 52 separate studies has found that hormone replacement therapy for five years modestly increases the risk of ovarian cancer.
Diabetes drug lessens lung cancer risk
A Kaiser Permanente study has found that among non-smokers who had diabetes, those who took the diabetes drug metformin had a decrease in lung cancer risk.
New genetic variants found in breast cancer
A worldwide study of the DNA of 100,000 women has discovered two new genetic variants associated with an increased risk of breast cancer.
Device delivers cancer drugs more efficiently
A new device that delivers cancer drugs directly into tumours without relying on perfusion via the bloodstream, could increase life expectancy for patients with pancreatic, breast and other solid cancers, say researchers from the University of North Carolina.
Coffee keeps endometrial cancer at bay
An Imperial College London study on 1,303 women has found that drinking three to four cups of coffee a day could reduce the risk of endometrial cancer by almost a fifth.
Eight signs of impending cancer death
US and Brazilian researchers have identified eight highly specific physical and cognitive signs associated with imminent death in cancer patients. The findings could guide both the medical team and caregivers on complex decision making, such as discontinuation of tests and therapy, plans for hospital discharge and hospice referral.
Autophagy link with aggressive breast cancer
University of Texas scientists have, based on a large analysis, identified a strong link between the most aggressive type of breast cancer and a gene that regulates autophagy, the body’s natural cellular recycling process.
Smoking complicates prostate cancer treatment
According to a Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre study, prostate cancer patients who were current smokers had a 40% relative increase of relapse and were twice as susceptible to disease spread and death due to the disease compared with non-smoking counterparts.
Genetic variation marker in paediatric cancer
Genetic variation rather than the presence of individual mutations might be a better way to identify the most malignant tumours in childhood cancers, Swedish researchers have found
Some breast cancer patients can avoid radiotherapy
A Edinburgh University study shows that older women with early breast cancer who are given breast-conserving surgery and hormone therapy gain very modest benefit from radiotherapy and could avoid it without damaging their chances of survival.
Gene associated with lung cancer discovered
Researchers of the Genetic Epidemiology of Lung Cancer Consortium, have identified the PARK2 gene mutation as being associated with lung cancer, implicating it as a genetic susceptibility factor for the disease.
Liver tumours affected by hepatitis
Using whole genomic sequencing, scientists from RIKEN in Japan have for the first time demonstrated the profound effect that chronic hepatitis infection and inflammation can have on the genetic mutations found in tumours of the liver.
Pancreatic cancer cells sidestep chemo
Pancreatic cancer cells have found a way to sidestep chemotherapy by hijacking the vitamin D receptor, normally associated with bone health, and repurposing it to repair the damage caused by chemotherapy, according to a Fox Chase Cancer Centre study.
Enzymes don't promote but suppress tumours
Upending decades-old dogma, University of California scientists say enzymes long categorised as promoting cancer are, in fact, tumour suppressors and that current clinical efforts to develop inhibitor-based drugs should instead focus on restoring the enzymes' activities.
Technique improves breast cancer detection
A new breast imaging technique pioneered at Mayo Clinic nearly quadruples detection rates of invasive breast cancers in women with dense breast tissue, according to a recent major study.
Genetic mutations linked to testicular cancer
A British study has uncovered several new genetic mutations that could drive testicular cancer and identified a gene which may contribute to tumours becoming resistant.
Gene promotes pancreatic cancer growth
University of Michigan researchers found the ATDC gene promotes cancer growth and spread, helping to explain why pancreatic cancer is so lethal, with fewer than a third of patients surviving even early stage disease.
Insulin levels may predict breast cancer risk
After menopause, unhealthy insulin levels may predict breast cancer risk even more than excess weight, according to research at Imperial College London.
Experimental sputum test for lung cancer
The University of Maryland has developed an experimental test that checks sputum for chemical signals of lung cancer. Although not yet accurate enough for diagnosis, it was able to distinguish early stage lung cancer with 83% accuracy.
UK trials new skin cancer drug
A drug that scientists believe could revolutionise treatment for advanced skin cancer is to be trialled in the UK.
Breast cancer gene identified
A study by researchers at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute has identified a gene that is especially active in aggressive sub-types of breast cancer. The research suggests that an overactive BCL11A gene drives triple-negative breast cancer development and progression.
Osteoporosis drugs beat off endometrial cancer
Women using bisphosphonates – used to treat osteoporosis and other bone conditions – have about half the risk of developing endometrial cancer as women who do not use the drugs. The finding supports earlier research showing an anti-cancer effect to this type of medication.
Limiting heart exposure to radiation
Women with breast cancer in their left side have higher heart disease because it is difficult to adequately shielding the heart from radiation treatment. Research shows a woman who holds her breath during radiation pulses can greatly reduce radiation exposure to the heart.
Standalone HPV test for cervical cancer
New interim US guidelines recommend use the HPV test alone as the primary screen for cervical cancer. Thee Pap smear would still be used for follow-up tests and for primary screening of women under age 25.
Higher stroke risk in new cancer patients
New cancer patients face a heightened risk of stroke in the months immediately following their diagnoses, with that risk escalating with the aggressiveness of their disease, according to a study from Weill Cornell Medical College.
No link between biopsies and cancer spread
Mayo Clinic research bolsters earlier findings that cancer biopsies do not cause cancer to spread.
Random mutations responsible for most cancers
Johns Hopkins researchers have created a statistical model that concludes two-thirds of adult cancer risk can be explained primarily by 'bad luck', when random mutations occur in genes that can drive cancer growth. Meanwhile, Cancer Research UK says a new study indicates four out of 10 cancer cases of could have been avoided by lifestyle changes.
Blood test to give breast cancer early warning
A simple blood test could offer many women an early warning of breast cancer even if they did not inherit genes linked to the...
Cancer identification improved by 3-D mammography technique
Combining digital mammography with a 3-D technique may improve doctors’ ability to identify breast cancers and decrease the need for additional testing. ‘We’re detecting...