Cancer Research: Suicide gene therapy kills prostate tumor cells ♦ Imaging test detects aggressive, treatment-resistant cancers ♦ Understanding of ovarian cancer

Imaging test detects aggressive, treatment-resistant cancers A new imaging test has been developed that could enable doctors to identify more dangerous tumors before they spread around the body -- and tailor treatment accordingly. Researchers describe detailed development of magnetic resonance imaging technology to map areas of oxygen deprivation within tumors.

Younger and older patients experience different symptoms from the same breast cancer drugs, The long-term outcomes in postmenopausal women who took two widely used breast cancer treatments have been analyzed. Researchers found that although both drugs were safe and effective, and had no detrimental effect on overall quality of life, there were some differences in the type and severity of symptoms the women experienced with each treatment, and these especially differed by age.

Fallopian tube organoids promise better understanding of ovarian cancer, infertility A new way of growing fallopian tube cells in culture is expected to give a boost to our understanding and prevention of female genital diseases, such as infertility, inflammatory disease, and ovarian cancer.

Suicide gene therapy kills prostate tumor cells Results from a long-term clinical trial conducted by cancer researchers show that combining radiation treatment with 'suicide gene therapy' provides a safe and effective one-two punch against the disease.

Cancer Research: Liquid metal 'nano-terminators' target cancer cells ♦ Breast density alone not a risk factor for cancer ♦ Nanobombs' might deliver agents that alter gene activity in cancer stem cells

Liquid metal 'nano-terminators' target cancer cells A new drug delivery technique has been developed that uses a biodegradable liquid metal to target cancer cells. The liquid metal drug delivery method promises to boost the effect of cancer drugs.

Breast density alone not a risk factor for cancer Breast density may not be a strong independent factor for breast cancer risk, according to a new study. Prior research has shown an association between breast density and breast cancer. In addition, cancers in dense breast tissue are more difficult to see on mammograms. As a result, some women with dense breasts are advised to get supplementary screening with ultrasound or MRI. Some U.S. states have enacted legislation mandating breast density reporting to women undergoing mammography

'Nanobombs' might deliver agents that alter gene activity in cancer stem cells Nanoparticles that swell and burst when exposed to near-infrared laser light have been developed by researchers. These 'nanobombs' might overcome a biological barrier that has blocked development of agents that work by altering the activity -- the expression -- of genes in cancer cells. The agents might kill cancer cells outright or stall their growth.

Neurotoxic effects of chemotherapies on cognition in breast cancer survivors Cancer-related cognitive impairment is often referred to as 'chemobrain' and anthracycline-based chemotherapy may have greater negative effects on particular cognitive domains and brain network connections than non anthracycline-based regimens.

Health News:Diet guidelines take account of cancer risk ♦ Another scandal rocks confidence in Chinese dairy products ♦ Bacterial infection suspected in deaths of four at Pennsylvania hospital

Diet guidelines take account of cancer risk The Chief Specialist in Public Health Nutrition with the Food Safety Authority has said a report from the World Health Organisation, which found links between processed and red meats and cancer, is about risk assessment rather than risk management. Dr Mary Flynn said the risk would come from consuming high quantities of red meat and processed meat. She said dietary guidelines in

Another scandal rocks confidence in Chinese dairy products Yet another scandal, this one involving elevated levels of sodium sulfocyanate in dairy products, has further eroded Chinese consumer confidence in their government’s ability to ensure a safe food supply. Food safety officials ordered the recall of dairy products from Huishan Dairy in September after the elevated levels were...

Bacterial infection suspected in deaths of  four at  Pennsylvania hospital WellSpan York Hospital in York, Pennsylvania, announced October 27 that it is informing about 1,300 patients who underwent open-heart surgery from October 2011 to July 2015 that they may have been exposed to nontuberculous mycobacterium (NTM) after the hospital identified 8 patients who contracted the bacterial infection, 4 of which died. The hospital replaced its heater-cooler devices in July and implemented new safety procedures when the devices are in use

New hope for the treatment of multiple sclerosis A new study gets closer to identifying the mechanisms responsible for multiple sclerosis and makes headway in the search for better treatments.

Study of inner ear development hints at way to restore hearing and balance These genes, or others in the same pathway, could be promising targets for efforts to treat hearing loss or balance problems by regenerating hair cells.

Cancer Research: Scientists find evidence of how incurable cancer develops ♦ New test could help personalize treatment for common childhood cancer

Study reveals high rates of preventable cancers in Indigenous peoples of high-income countries New research highlights the scale and profile of cancer in indigenous peoples of the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, revealing high rates of often preventable cancers including lung and cervical cancer, emphasizing the need for targeted prevention strategies in these populations

Decoding the microbial signature of aggressive form of breast cancer Researchers have identified, for the first time, an association between two microbial signatures and triple negative breast cancer, the most aggressive form of the disease.

New test could help personalize treatment for common childhood cancer A new gene test can identify which patients are likely to suffer more aggressive forms of the childhood cancer rhabdomyosarcoma, new research reports. Examining the activity of only five genes in a sample of the tumor was enough to identify high-risk children who might benefit from more intensive treatment or from new therapies in clinical trials.

Scientists find evidence of how incurable cancer develops Researchers have made a breakthrough in explaining how an incurable type of blood cancer develops from an often symptomless prior blood disorder. The findings could lead to more effective treatments and ways to identify those most at risk of developing the cancer.

Cancer Research: More men at risk for prostate cancer ♦ In terminally ill patients, some types of delirium are a sign of imminent death

More men at risk for prostate cancer as a result of less regular screening The US Preventive Services Task Force recommendation against regular prostate specific antigen (PSA) screening for prostate cancer is controversial. While it may reduce the risk of overdiagnosis and overtreatment, the reduction in intermediate and high risk cancer diagnoses raises concern because of the potential for delayed diagnoses of important cancers in men who may benefit from treatment, according to investigators.

'Cancer seeing' technology is one in a hundred innovations to change our world A groundbreaking piece of medical imaging technology that could revolutionize cancer treatment will be featured as part of a showcase of 100 engineering ideas that have changed our world.

In terminally ill patients, some types of delirium are a sign of imminent death In cancer patients nearing the end of life, certain subtypes of delirium -- specifically, hypoactive and 'mixed' delirium -- are a strong indicator that death will come soon,

Almost one-third of families of children with cancer have unmet basic needs during treatment Almost one-third of families whose children were being treated for cancer faced food, housing or energy insecurity and one-quarter lost more than 40 percent of household income, according to a new American study. The study follows emerging research in pediatric oncology finding that low-income status predicts poor adherence to oral chemotherapy and decreased overall survival.