Researchers Uncover Promising Combination for Renal Cancer by Angela Mohan on January 21, 2021 at 12:29 PM
Loss of ACE2 mediates resistance to classical treatments to renal cell carcinoma (RCC) , and treatment with a drug that could downstream ACE2, can improve tumor responses in RCC and prolong survival.
Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most common form of cancer of the kidney. In 2018, there were an estimated 403,000 new cases of RCC and 175,000 deaths due to kidney cancer worldwide. Currently, the 5-year survival rate for patients with metastatic RCC is only about 12 percent.
Current treatments include inhibitors of the VEGF and PD-1 pathways. However, resistance to therapy occurs in most patients and new combination treatments are still needed to enhance the efficacy of these current approaches.
Computers Help Cancer Patients Manage Symptoms by Pooja Shete on January 11, 2021 at 12:19 PM
In an unique UK trial, it was found that hundreds of cancer patients have benefitted from using computer algorithms to manage their symptoms and improve their wellbeing.
In the trial eRAPID, early stage colorectal, breast or gynecological cancer patients took part, which allowed them to report online symptoms from home and receive instant advice on whether to self-manage or seek medical attention.
The trial developed by the University of Leeds is published in the
Journal Of Clinical Oncology.
After 12 weeks,
9 percent patients reported better symptom control and physical wellbeing in the early weeks of treatment, with the system preventing symptom deterioration. The patients also reported more confidence in managing their health at the end of their four-month trial period.
Knowing How Cancer Cells Avoid Defenses Open Gates for New Therapy by Angela Mohan on December 29, 2020 at 7:18 PM
Cancer Discovery.
Cells interpret these rogue bits of DNA as evidence of viral invaders, which sets off their internal alarm bells and leads to inflammation. Immune cells travel to the site of the tumor and churn out defensive chemicals. A mystery has been why this immune reaction, triggered by the cancer cells, does not spell their downfall. The elephant in the room is that we didn t really understand how cancer cells were able to survive and thrive in this inflammatory environment, says Samuel Bakhoum, a physician-scientist at MSK and a member of the Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program.
Enzyme Blocks The Formation Of New Blood Vessels in Cancer by Pooja Shete on December 24, 2020 at 10:04 PM
Almost all the living things require oxygen to grow including cancerous tumors. A feature of the tumors is that it can develop new blood vessels (angiogenesis) if they do not get enough oxygen in order to survive.
The research conducted by Xiang-Lei Yang, PhD, a professor In the Department of Molecular Medicine at Scripps Research is published in the journal
PLOS Biology.
The study points to the exact molecular machinery that leads to angiogenesis providing scientific insights that can help develop drugs to kill tumors and stop their spread in the body.