Cancer Research:Obesity increases risk of developing cancer ♦ New targets for cancer treatments ♦ Taking immortality away from cancer

Potential new targets for cancer treatments identified Key steps in cell division have now been revealed by new research, possibly leading to treatments aimed at inhibiting cancer cell division,

Researchers take step toward bringing precision medicine to all cancer patients Researchers have developed and tested a new tool that searches for the most common genetic anomalies seen in cancer. The assay demonstrates the ability to make gene sequencing easier over a large volume of samples.

MRI shows potential to improve breast cancer risk prediction Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides important information about a woman's future risk of developing breast cancer. The findings support an expanded role for MRI in more personalized approaches to breast cancer screening and prevention.

Obesity increases risk of developing cancer Cancer is more likely to develop in people who are very overweight (obese), because surplus body fat interferes with various hormone cycles and with glucose and fat metabolism. A metabolic expert draws attention to the fact that more and more people are suffering from obesity, spurring several studies to investigate the links between obesity, metabolic disorders and cancer

Taking immortality away from cancer Researchers report that they have blocked the shelterin protein TRF1 in cancer cells, disrupting telomere protection and preventing immortal proliferation of cancer cells. Their work shows for the first time that telomeres -- the structures protecting the ends of the chromosomes -- may represent an effective anti-cancer target: by blocking the TRF1 gene, which is essential for the telomeres, they have shown dramatic improvements in mice with lung cancer.

Cancer Research:Nanoparticles inhibit breast cancer metastasis ♦ Assessing cancer risk of pollutants ♦ Potential new targets for cancer treatments identified

siRNA-toting nanoparticles inhibit breast cancer metastasis Researchers combined finely crafted nanoparticles with one of nature's potent disrupters to prevent the spread of triple-negative breast cancer in mouse models. The researchers are working toward clinical trials.

New method developed to assess cancer risk of pollutants A faster, more accurate method to assess cancer risk from certain common environmental pollutants has been developed by scientists. The study focused on pollutants known as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons that commonly occur in the environment as diesel exhaust and cigarette smoke.

Potential new targets for cancer treatments identified Key steps in cell division have now been revealed by new research, possibly leading to treatments aimed at inhibiting cancer cell division.

First-in-class antibody mixture shows clinical activity against Tx-resistant, advanced CRC Sym004, a mixture of two anti-epidermal growth factor receptor antibodies, was found in patients with advanced colorectal cancer that had become resistant to prior therapies.

New treatment option for subtype of aggressive lymphoma A specific combination of mutations and new gene fusions have been discovered, that appear to be heavily implicated in tumor growth in patients with a particularly aggressive subtype of lymphoma. The findings could lead to new targeted treatments for this disease and even to successful treatment of other types of cancer