Cancer Research:'Smart fat cells' cross blood-brain barrier to catch early brain tumors ♦ Magnesium intake may be beneficial in preventing pancreatic cancer

'Smart fat cells' cross blood-brain barrier to catch early brain tumors An MRI contrast agent that can pass through the blood-brain barrier will allow doctors to detect deadly brain tumors called gliomas earlier, say researchers. This ability opens the door to make this fatal cancer treatable.

Multiple-dose, targeted radiation more effective for treating pituitary tumors Multiple small doses of highly focused radiation therapy is safer and more effective than a single larger dose of radiation at destroying pituitary gland tumors.

Immunotherapy breakthrough now approved as standard of care for advanced melanoma A first-of-its-kind (anti-PD-1) immunotherapy was recently approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration as first-line treatment for metastatic melanoma—allowing greater access to this therapy for patients without having to previously receive other prior treatments.

Magnesium intake may be beneficial in preventing pancreatic cancer Researchers have found that magnesium intake may be beneficial in preventing pancreatic cancer. Using information from the VITamins and Lifestyle study, the study analyzed data on more than 66,000 men and women, between the ages of 50 and 76, looking at the direct association between magnesium and pancreatic cancer.

Cancer Research: Antibody-drug compounds and immunotherapy to treat breast cancer ♦ Drug may prevent life-threatening muscle loss in advanced cancers

Investigational drug may prevent life-threatening muscle loss in advanced cancers New data describes how an experimental drug can stop life-threatening muscle wasting (cachexia) associated with advanced cancers and restore muscle health. The experimental agent, known as AR-42 while in testing, was tested in preclinical studies

Detecting cancer cells before they form metastases A new method to detect cancer cells in the blood before they settle in the tissue and form a new tumor has been developed by a team of researchers. To date, it has been difficult to detect cancer cells in the blood at an early stage: about one malignant cell is encountered per billion of healthy cells.

Anticancer agent FL118 more potent than its analogs, not prone to typical channels of resistance A new synthetic form of camptothecin appears to have greater potency, longer efficacy and fewer adverse side effects than irinotecan and topotecan.

Antibody-drug compounds and immunotherapy to treat breast cancer To more efficiently treat breast cancer, scientists have been researching molecules that selectively bind to cancer cells and deliver a substance that can kill the tumor cells, for several years. Researchers have now, for the first time, successfully combined such an antibody-drug conjugate with a therapy that stimulates the immune system to attack tumor cells. This opens the door to new therapeutic options in the treatment of breast cancer

Cancer Research: World first 3-D image of a protein involved in cancer spread ♦ Cancer cells hijack glucose, alter immune cells ♦ Gut bacteria can dramatically amplify cancer immunotherapy

World first 3-D image of a protein involved in cancer spread Scientific history has been made by determining the first three-dimensional image of a protein linked to the spread of cancer. The 3-D image shows the architecture and intimate atomic-level detail of a bacterial heparanase, an enzyme that degrades a sugar molecule known as heparan sulfate, say scientists.

Cancer cells hijack glucose, alter immune cells When cancer cells compete with immune cells for glucose, the cancer wins. As a result, the immune T cells are not healthy and don't have the weapons to kill the cancer. New research findings, report scientists, have potential as a tool to predict ovarian cancer survival, or a marker to predict effectiveness of immunotherapy including checkpoint blockade or immune vaccination.

Cancer-associated mutations are common in patients with unexplained low blood counts Patients with unexplained low blood counts and abnormally mutated cells who do not fit the diagnostic criteria for recognized blood cancers should be described as having clonal cytopenias of undetermined significance  suggest researchers in a recent paper. The researchers found the condition surprisingly common in older patients with low blood counts.

Gut bacteria can dramatically amplify cancer immunotherapy Introducing certain bacteria into the digestive tracts of mice with melanoma can help their immune systems attack tumor cells. The gains were comparable to treatment with anticancer drugs known as checkpoint inhibitors. The combination of bacteria and anti-PD-L1 nearly abolished tumor outgrowth, report scientists.

Cancer Research: Orange lichens are potential source for anticancer drugs ♦ Alcohol intake increases the risk of breast cancer ♦ Studies point to clinical advantages of proton therapy

Discovery opens door to new strategy for cancer immunotherapy Scientists raise the prospect of cancer therapy that works by converting a tumor's best friends in the immune system into its gravest enemies. The team has uncovered a mechanism that allows key immune system cells to keep a steady rein on their more belligerent brother cells, thereby protecting normal, healthy tissue from assault. The discovery has powerful implications for cancer immunotherapy.

Studies point to clinical advantages of proton therapy New data from clinical trials demonstrate the technology's potential advantages over conventional radiation, including less side effects and survival in some cases, for several harder-to-treat tumors: pancreatic, late-stage, non-small cell lung and chordoma and chondrosarcoma, two rare cancers found in bone or soft tissue.

Orange lichens are potential source for anticancer drugs An orange pigment found in lichens and rhubarb called parietin may have potential as an anti-cancer drug because it interferes with the metabolic enzyme 6PGD.

Test could predict whether breast cancer will spread to the brain Women with particularly aggressive forms of breast cancer could be identified by a test that predicts whether the disease is likely to spread to the brain. An analysis of almost 4,000 patients with breast cancer found that testing for high activity in a particular gene could pick out women who were at greater risk of developing secondary brain tumors compared to women who tested negative.

Alcohol intake increases the risk of breast cancer Saying that the link between alcohol and cancer is dangerous is nothing new. Five Spanish universities and more than 300,000 female volunteers participated in a European investigation that is now confirming that alcohol intake increases the chances of developing breast cancer. This risk quadruples with the intake of each daily glass of wine or beer.

Pulmonary Research: Immunotherapy superior to chemotherapy for lung cancer ♦ Rapid testing for TB aims to reduce drug resistance ♦ Algorithm interprets breathing difficulties

Algorithm interprets breathing difficulties to aid in medical care Researchers have developed an efficient algorithm that can interpret the wheezing of patients with breathing difficulties to give medical providers information about what's happening in the lungs. The work is part of a larger, ongoing project to develop wearable smart medical sensors for monitoring, collecting and interpreting personal health data.

Drug for fungal infections in lung transplant recipients increases risk for cancer, death Voriconazole, a prescription drug commonly used to treat fungal infections in lung transplant recipients, significantly increases the risk for skin cancer and even death.

Rapid testing for TB aims to reduce drug resistance, lower mortality rate Researchers have documented the accuracies of three new tests for more rapidly diagnosing drug-resistant forms of tuberculosis (TB), which are much harder and more expensive to treat and which represent a major threat to global public health.

First UK Biobank genetic study reveals new links between lung disease and smoking behavior Smokers who survive their habit into old age may hold the key to better lung health for all. The new discoveries may one day help scientists develop better treatments for diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a life-threatening condition that affects millions of people.

Immunotherapy superior to chemotherapy for lung cancer in international trial "Game-changing results” have been announced by a team of scientists using the immunotherapy drug nivolumab to treat certain lung cancers that failed to respond to first-line therapies

Cancer Research:Nerve-guiding protein that aids pancreatic cancer spread ♦ Drug candidate kills cancer cells through over stimulation ♦ Advanced cell screening technology for cancer immunotherapy

Researchers identify nerve-guiding protein that aids pancreatic cancer spread Scientists have identified a molecular partnership in pancreatic cancer cells that might help to explain how the disease spreads -- metastasizes -- in some cases. Their findings reveal urgently needed new targets to treat pancreatic cancer, which strikes nearly 50,000 people in the US each year and has only a 5 percent survival rate five years after diagnosis.

Drug candidate kills cancer cells through overstimulation A drug candidate that overstimulates proteins crucial for tumor growth shows promise as a new strategy to treat a wide range of cancers. The demands of rapid cell division put a strain on cancer cells, and the approach works by tipping cell stress over the edge. Researchers show that the drug candidate inhibits tumor growth in a mouse model of breast cancer and efficiently kills a broad range of human cancer cells.

Poor survival among colorectal cancer patients tied to biomarker csn6 A protein called CSN6 has been found to be correlated with poor survival among patients with colorectal cancer, according to a study. The study revealed that CSN6, a subunit of a protein complex known as COP9 signalsome, is overexpressed in colorectal cancer tissue samples. The finding could be significant in the search for alternative treatment strategies for colorectal cancer.

Researchers develop advanced cell screening technology for cancer immunotherapy Researchers have created a new method for screening cells used in immunotherapy cancer treatments, allowing high-performing immune system cells to be studied in isolation and potentially expanding the number of patients for whom the breakthrough treatment proves successful.

Cancer Research: Gene therapy, surgery could mean eight more months for sickest brain cancer patients ♦ Immunotherapy drug improves survival for common form of lung cancer

Immunotherapy drug improves survival for common form of lung cancer In a head-to-head clinical trial comparing standard chemotherapy with the immunotherapy drug nivolumab, researchers found that people with squamous-non-small cell lung cancer who received nivolumab lived, on average, 3.2 months longer than those receiving chemotherapy

Possible new combination chemotherapy for patients with advanced prostate cancer A role for combination therapy using two or more chemotherapy agents at the same time has not been well studied. This week, however, results of a clinical trial may change the perspective on a role for combination chemotherapy in advanced disease.

Risks of whole brain radiation therapy added to radiosurgery outweigh benefits for patients with limited brain metastases Whole Brain Radiation Therapy is associated with significantly worse cognitive function than radiosurgery, and should no longer be used in the adjuvant setting after radiosurgery to treat cancer patients with brain metastases.

Immunotherapy combo increases progression-free survival in advanced melanoma patients Treating advanced melanoma patients with either a combination of the immunotherapy drugs nivolumab and ipilimumab or nivolumab alone significantly increased progression-free survival over using ipilimumab alone

Gene therapy, surgery could mean eight more months for sickest brain cancer patients As the most malignant of primary brain cancers, glioblastomas are frustratingly difficult to treat. Surgery is often risky and cannot remove all of the tumor, and chemotherapy eventually becomes ineffective for most patients. Median survival is around 15 months for patients with this tumor, and the quality of life in the last five months is often quite poor

Cancer Research: Revealing kidney cancer's secret ♦ Stress relief techniques help cancer patients ♦ Drug extends life of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer

New release of Glioblastoma Atlas sheds light on deadly disease  Robust new data added to the Ivy Glioblastoma Atlas Project changes the scope and impact of this publicly available resource for researchers and clinicians searching for treatments for this most deadly and aggressive of brain cancers, glioblastoma multiforme.

Revealing kidney cancer's secret An international team of scientists showed how renal cell carcinoma (RCC) reprograms its metabolism and evades the immune system. In addition, the study found that cancer grade has a major impact on this reprogramming. These results point to new therapeutic options for this particularly deadly cancer.

Stress relief techniques help cancer patients overcome fear of treatment The benefit of rapid stress management techniques to help cancer patients who experienced 'procedure-related' stress has been revealed by a new study. Patients experiencing distress related to medical procedures were able to achieve a 'calm state' both before and during procedures as a result of the interventions.

Drug extends survival of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer  A drug developed 50 years ago and abandoned because it was considered to be too toxic has gained a second life in an international clinical trial. Research shows the drug and a potentiating agent lengthened the lives of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer, all of whom had exhausted available standard treatments.

Experimental immunotherapy shows high response rate in advanced lung cancer An early phase study testing an anti-PDL1 agent in combination with standard chemotherapy in the treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer has provided promising early results, prompting multiple phase III studies in lung cancer.

Cancer Research: How cancer tricks the lymphatic system ♦ Individualized cancer immunotherapy ♦ Food dye, near infrared light can aid in breast resection

How cancer tricks the lymphatic system into spreading tumours Swollen lymph nodes are often the earliest sign of metastatic spread of cancer cells. Now cancer researchers and immunologists have discovered how cancer cells can infiltrate the lymphatic system by ‘disguising’ themselves as white blood cells.

Food dye, near infrared light can aid in breast resection Roughly 1 in 4 women having breast conserving surgery return to the surgical suite for further resection because of cancerous tissue left behind due to unclear margins. A research team focuses on coming up with a practical solution that both preserves the surgical practice of inking the margins of breast cancer tumors, and allows quality imaging post-inking.

Survival from rare bone cancer remains low Ten-year survival of a rare malignancy called mesenchymal chondrosarcoma has been reported to be as low as 20 percent. But a new study has found survival is not as dismal as prior reports. More than half (51 percent) of patients survived at least five years, and 43 percent survived at least 10 years.

Inconsistent Medicaid expansion would widen disparities in screenings for women's cancers Researchers recently conducted a study that found low-income and uninsured women in states that are not expanding their Affordable Care Act Medicaid coverage are less likely to receive breast and cervical cancer screenings.

Significant progress made towards individualized cancer immunotherapy Significant advances have been made with regard to the development of individualized immunotherapy strategies for treating cancer. They have managed to identify the relevant genetic changes or mutations associated with various types of cancer and have determined their individual blueprints. This makes it possible for the scientists to readily produce customized cancer vaccines

Cancer Research:Combined chemotherapy and immunotherapy for advanced prostate cancers ♦ Gene implicated in cancer growth ♦ Discovery may change cancer treatment

Uncovering new functions of a gene implicated in cancer growth opens new therapeutic possibilities A gene previously implicated in blood vessel formation during embryonic development and tumor growth also induces immune suppression during tumor development. This finding opens the door for new therapeutic approaches and vaccine development in treating patients with melanoma and other advanced-staged cancers.

Combined chemotherapy and immunotherapy shows promise for advanced prostate cancers Blocking or removing immune-suppressing cells allows a special type of chemotherapy — and the immune cells it activates — to destroy prostate tumors, researchers report. This novel combination therapy, termed chemoimmunotherapy, achieved near complete remission in mouse models of advanced prostate cancer

Discovery may change cancer treatment A discovery has been made that may change the principles for treating certain types of cancer. The discovery relates to the so-called telomeres that constitute the ends of human chromosomes. Short telomeres are related to unhealthy lifestyles, old age and the male gender -- all of which are risk factors in terms of high mortality. The challenge for researchers worldwide has therefore been to find out whether or not the short telomeres were indeed a signifier or an indirect cause of increased mortality

Five-year survivors of esophageal cancer still face low but constant risks According to the American Cancer Society, in 2015 about 17,000 new cases of esophageal cancer will be diagnosed, and about 15,600 people will die from the disease. While the 5-year survival rate in the 1960s and 1970s was only about 5%, improvements in diagnosis, treatment, and management have led to improved survival. However, information is lacking about what happens to long-term survivors of esophageal cancer. New research shows that while five-year survival is up to 39%, these patients still face many health risks and should be monitored for 10 years or more.

HIV Immunotherapy Promising in First Human Study

HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, attacks and destroys immune cells. Current treatment with antiretroviral therapy helps to prevent the virus from multiplying. But despite advances in treatment, scientists haven’t yet designed a vaccine that protects people from HIV.

HIV-infected immune cells. Image credit: Comstock /Stockbyte/Thinkstock.

Researchers have discovered many human antibodies that can neutralize multiple strains of HIV. They’ve gained important insights into how these broadly neutralizing antibodies bind to the virus and why they're effective. However, it’s been a challenge to design a vaccine that prompts the human immune system to generate such antibodies and mount an effective attack against the virus.

A team led by Dr. Michel C. Nussenzweig of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute at Rockefeller University has been exploring a different approach. In previous work, they isolated broadly neutralizing antibodies from people and produced them in the lab. These so-called monoclonal antibodies could prevent or treat infection with HIV or its monkey equivalent in mice and macaques.

In the current study, the researchers evaluated one of these promising monoclonal anti-HIV antibodies in people. The small phase 1 clinical trial included 29 volunteers—17 HIV-infected and 12 uninfected
The participants received a single intravenous dose (of 1, 3, 10, or 30 milligrams per kilogram of body weight) of the experimental antibody called 3BNC117. The antibody was well-tolerated by all participants. Among those infected with HIV, the 2 lower doses caused small and transient changes in blood HIV levels. The 8 participants who received the highest dose, however, had significant and rapid decreases in HIV. The virus’s resistance to the antibody was variable. In some people, HIV remained sensitive to 3BNC117 for 28 days.

“What’s special about these antibodies is that they have activity against over 80% of HIV strains and they are extremely potent,” says study coauthor Dr. Marina Caskey.

“In contrast to conventional antiretroviral therapy, antibody-mediated therapy can also engage the patient’s immune cells, which can help to better neutralize the virus,” adds co author Dr. Florian Klein.

This study suggests that 3BNC117 is safe in people and could help to control HIV. Future studies will continue to explore the use of this and other broadly neutralizing antibodies in HIV prevention and treatment.

Women's Health: Could a tampon one day help predict endometrial cancer? ♦ Women with ovarian cancer ♦ Ozone air pollution could harm women's fertility

Could a tampon one day help predict endometrial cancer? It is possible to detect endometrial cancer using tumor DNA picked up by ordinary tampons, researchers say. The new approach specifically examines DNA samples from vaginal secretions for the presence of chemical “off” switches — known as methylation — that can disable genes that normally keep cancer in check.

Immunotherapy delays recurrence for stage III and IV ovarian cancers  Personalized medicine is getting closer to reality for women with late-stage ovarian cancer. An experimental immunotherapy is in the works that can target an individual woman’s tumor and extend the time period between initial treatment and the cancer’s return.

Women with ovarian cancer gain extra months with addition of drug to standard chemotherapy Overall survival for women who received standard chemotherapy treatment plus bevacizumab was a median five months longer than for women who received the standard chemotherapy treatment alone.

Ozone air pollution could harm women's fertility Many urban and suburban areas have high levels of ground-level ozone, an air pollutant that can adversely affect lung and heart health. New research in mice suggests breathing high levels of ozone could also affect women’s ability to conceive.

History of depression puts women at risk for diabetes during pregnancy, study finds  A history of depression may put women at risk for developing diabetes during pregnancy, according to research. This study also pointed to how common depression is during pregnancy and the need for screening and education

Cancer Research: Lethal subtype of prostate cancer ♦ New genome-editing technology ♦ Cancer-targeted treatment in triple combo drug for melanoma + more

Study identifies 'lethal' subtype of prostate cancer  Of prostate cancer patients with combination MAP3K7 and CHD1 deletions, about 50 percent will have recurrent prostate cancer, which ultimately leads to death, a study concludes. About 10 percent of all prostate cancers harbor combined MAP3K7-CHD1 deletions Continue Reading

New genome-editing technology to help treat blood cancers  A new genome editing technology has been developed that can target and kill blood cancer cells with high accuracy. Using the technology,they were able to kill human lymphoma cells by locating and deleting an essential gene for cancer cell survival Continue Reading

Link between aspirin, NSAIDs and colon cancer prevention may hinge on genetic variations  The link between taking aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDS, and colorectal cancer prevention is well established, but the mechanisms behind the protective effect have not been understood. A new study suggests this protection differs according to variations in DNA.Continue Reading

Benefits of immunotherapy, cancer-targeted treatment in triple combo drug for melanoma  Groundbreaking new triple combination therapy shows signs of more effectively controlling advanced melanoma than previous BRAF + MEK inhibitor or BRAF inhibitor + immunotherapy combos alone, and with fewer side effects Continue Reading

Scientists pioneer new drug regimen that reduces toxicities for renal cancer patients Conclusive results have been revealed in reducing toxicities for Asian patients with cancer that has spread beyond the kidney. The findings have revolutionized the standard protocol for patient management  Continue Reading

Strengthening the immune system’s fight against brain cancer

When cancer strikes, it may be possible for patients to fight back with their own defenses, using a strategy known as immunotherapy. According to a new study published in Nature, researchers have found a way to enhance the effects of this therapeutic approach in glioblastoma, a deadly type of brain cancer, and possibly improve patient outcomes. The research was funded by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke as well as the National Cancer Institute (NCI), which are part of the National Institutes of Health.

“The promise of dendritic cell-based therapy and other immunotherapies for brain cancer has been upheld for some time, but an important implication of this work is a demonstrated capacity to significantly improve the clinical impact of immunotherapy for patients with this very difficult disease,” said Duane A. Mitchell, M.D., Ph.D., director of the Brain Tumor Immunotherapy Program at the University of Florida in Gainesville and co-lead author of the study.

Dendritic cells are specialized immune cells that normally capture microorganisms, and then migrate to the lymph nodes to prepare other immune players, such as T cells, to fight off the invaders.

Dendritic cells have been used for immunotherapy to target a variety of tumor types, including those that affect the brain. These cells are taken from the patient, engineered to express antigens from the tumor­ to create a vaccine, and then injected back into the patient. Once in the patient, the engineered dendritic cells activate T cells, which can fight the tumor and also prevent it from coming back, via an immune memory response.

Dr. Mitchell and his colleagues wanted to know if increasing dendritic cell migration to lymph nodes would improve the effects of the vaccine. To test this idea, a group of glioblastoma patients was randomized to receive a tetanus booster shot before getting the tumor-antigen expressing dendritic cell vaccine. The booster was designed to set off an inflammatory response at the site of the vaccination, prepping the immune system for a larger battle. The other group of patients were injected with their own native dendritic cells instead of a tetanus shot, and then treated with the tumor-antigen expressing dendritic cell vaccine. Both sets of patients were treated with the vaccine which was being tested for effectiveness against glioblastoma.

The vaccine used in this study was targeted against cytomegalovirus (CMV). Studies have shown that CMV is found in glioblastoma tumors, but it is unclear if the virus causes tumors or contributes to disease progression. Glioblastomas are a devastating form of brain cancer with five year survival rates under 10 percent. From the time of diagnosis, average survival time is less than two years.

“The role of CMV in glioblastoma has been a controversial area of research for several years. These new findings, and especially the dramatic survival rates, suggest that the virus may be an effective target for immunotherapy. The results presented by Dr. Mitchell and his colleagues should stimulate more basic research on CMV and its potential therapeutic role in brain tumors and possibly other cancers,” said Jane Fountain, Ph.D., program director at the NINDS.

The results showed that administering a tetanus booster before the vaccine increased dendritic cell migration to lymph nodes and also had a significant effect on clinical outcomes. The patients who received the tetanus booster lived more than 36.6 months after diagnosis compared to an average survival time of 18.5 months in those who received dendritic cells alone.

“We did not expect that enhancing dendritic cell migration would be associated with such a dramatic improvement on clinical outcomes in our patients,” said Dr. Mitchell.

Next, the investigators used a mouse model to determine how the tetanus booster increased dendritic cell migration to the lymph nodes. The results suggested that giving a booster shot to mice that have received the tetanus vaccine activated a recall response in the exposed T cells. Acting through a chemical messenger known as CCL3, those T cells increased dendritic cell migration to the lymph nodes, which ultimately enhanced the effect of the dendritic cell vaccine on tumor growth suppression.

“Dendritic cell vaccines targeting glioblastoma can be very effective by enhancing migration of dendritic cells. We now understand how we may improve outcomes for patients receiving this type of therapy,” said Dr. Mitchell. He added that larger clinical studies need to be conducted to confirm these results.

In addition, more research is necessary to define the role of CMV in glioblastoma and further determine mechanisms to enhance efficacy of vaccines in cancer therapy.

11/21/14 Health News:Sunlight reduces nearsighted kids ♦ Hand dryers spread bacteria ♦ Oat oil preparation makes you feel full ♦ Immunotherapy avoids diabetes complications

Scientists study effects of sunlight to reduce number of nearsighted kids

Kids who spend more time outside are less likely to need glasses for nearsightedness – but scientists don’t know why. Researchers are now looking more closely at physical changes in the eye influenced by outdoor light exposure in the hopes of reducing cases of myopia, which affects one-third of the American population Continue Reading

Hand dryers can spread bacteria in public toilets, research finds

Modern hand dryers are much worse than paper towels when it comes to spreading germs, according to new research. Airborne germ counts were 27 times higher around jet air dryers in comparison with the air around paper towel dispensers. Continue Reading

Oat oil preparation makes you feel fuller

Oats contain more fat than other cereals, and oat oil has a unique composition. Researchers have now outlined why oat oil supplement makes you feel fuller Continue Reading

With immunotherapy physicians avoid diabetes complications

What is the difference between the treatment of diabetes under an immune scheme compared to the traditional one? The patient gets a diagnosis and receives attention, but is also checked for a systemic immune problem and thereby prevent possible consequences as diabetic foot, glaucoma, nephropathy and retinopathy, experts say. Continue Reading