Potential markers identified for early detection and prevention of liver cancer

Liver cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, claiming 700,000 lives each year. Most cases are discovered too late for a cure—but now a study offers hope of early detection, and targets for new treatments. Published in Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology, the results show a dramatic increase in expression of sugar-burning ‘glycolytic’ enzymes in precancerous […]

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Brigatinib becomes potential new first-line option for ALK-positive non-small lung cancer

Results of a 275-patient, multi-national phase III clinical trial known as ALTA-1L published today in the New England Journal of Medicine and presented concurrently in the press program at the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) World Conference on Lung Cancer 2018 argue for brigatinib as a first-line treatment option for advanced ALK-positive non-small cell lung cancer. […]

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Thrombospondin-1 may serve as a potential therapeutic target for thoracic aortic aneurysms

Researchers at the University of Tsukuba and Kansai Medical University in Japan reveal matricellular protein Thrombospondin-1 (Thbs1) contributes to the development of aortic aneurysm in mice and humans. The thoracic aorta is constantly exposed to mechanical forces generated by heart contraction and blood flow. Thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAAs) are life-threatening diseases defined as a permanent abnormal dilatation of the thoracic […]

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Doctor-patient discussions neglect potential harms of lung cancer screening, study finds

Although national guidelines advise doctors to discuss the benefits and harms of lung cancer screening with high-risk patients because of a high rate of false positives and other factors, those conversations aren’t happening the way they should be, according to a study by researchers from the University of North Carolina Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center. Lung cancer screening is recommended for […]

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Breast tissue tumor suppressor PTEN: A potential Achilles heel for breast cancer cells

In an article published July 17, 2018 by Nature Communications, a highly collaborative team of researchers at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) and Ohio State University report that normal breast cells can prevent successful radiation treatment of breast cancer due to dysregulation between tumor suppressors and oncogenes. Tumor suppressors act like brakes that stop cells from undergoing uncontrolled […]

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New study points to a potential ‘Achilles heel’ in brain cancer

Scientists at Virginia Commonwealth University believe they have uncovered an “Achilles heel” of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), the most common and deadly form of brain cancer. Their study published this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences details how a mechanism that protects glioma stem cells can potentially be exploited to develop new and more effective treatments for […]

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Researchers map the potential spread of yellow fever virus to cities around the world

The deadly yellow fever virus has the potential to spread into cities around the world where it previously hasn’t been seen, according to a new study led by St. Michael’s Hospital. Researchers led by Dr. Kamran Khan of St. Michael’s have mapped the worldwide pathways through which yellow fever virus could spread by analyzing global patterns of airline travellers, the […]

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New paper suggests that tumor cells may develop resistance to potential Ras inhibitors

Researchers have long sought a treatment aimed specifically at the Ras family of genes, the most common oncogenes and those that initiate many of the most lethal tumours. However, the results of a hypothetical treatment may be far less positive than speculated, according to a manuscript published in Genes & Development by the Genomic Instability Group at the Spanish National […]

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