Six cancers that claim more than 23,000 Australian lives each year1 should be prioritised for research that makes it possible to identify the molecular fingerprint of the tumour and improve survival, according to a landmark report launched today. “Cancer Biomarkers in Australia” by the Sansom Institute for Health Research at the University of South Australia (UniSA)...
Category: <span>Cancer</span>
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Some cancer therapies may provide a new way to treat high blood pressure
WASHINGTON — Drugs designed to halt cancer growth may offer a new way to control high blood pressure (hypertension), say Georgetown University Medical Center investigators. The finding could offer a real advance in hypertension treatment because although a number of high blood pressure drugs are now available, they work by different mechanisms that are not...
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Study shows new second line therapy for metastatic colorectal cancer is effective and safe
A randomised trial in 650 patients has confirmed the safety and efficacy of a new second line treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer, researchers report at the ESMO Asia 2017 Congress. Oral fluorinated pyrimidines have been investigated to replace intravenous 5FU in colorectal cancer (CRC). Capecitabine combined with oxaliplatin (XELOX) has demonstrated comparable efficacy and safety...
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Drug combo doesn’t lengthen glioblastoma survival
(HealthDay)—In patients with progressive glioblastoma, treatment with lomustine plus bevacizumab does not confer a survival advantage over treatment with lomustine alone, according to a study published online Nov. 15 in the New England Journal of Medicine. Wolfgang Wick, M.D., from the University of Heidelberg in Germany, and colleagues randomly assigned patients with progression after chemoradiation (2-to-1...
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Lung cancer triggers pulmonary hypertension
Hypertension associated with lung cancer: In the diagram, a tumour is shown in the right lung. Histological comparison of two blood vessels shows dramatic thickening of the wall of the vessel removed from the tumour region. Changes in blood …more Shortness of breath and respiratory distress often increase the suffering of advanced-stage lung cancer patients....
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Two breast cancer drugs get NHS approval
Two breast cancer drugs have been recommended for use by the NHS in England. In draft guidance, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has approved palbociclib (Ibrance) and ribociclib (Kisqali) for patients with advanced breast cancer. The drugs are thought to slow the growth of the disease and delay the need for other treatments. Cancer...
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Tapeworm drug fights prostate cancer
Karl-Henning Kalland’s research group has done experiments with hundreds of drugs to fight cancer. Cancer researchers at the University of Bergen (UiB) in Norway have in the recent years experienced with hundreds of known drugs, to see how they influence cancer cells. Recently they found that a substance in medicine against parasites like Giardia...
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Study reveals new mechanism used by cancer cells to disarm attacking immune cells
A new study by researchers at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC – James) identifies a substance released by pancreatic cancer cells that protects them from attack by immune cells called macrophages. The study found that the substance, called Gdf-15, might be required for the...
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Decongestant ‘highly effective’ at starving cancer cells
Cancer cells. Cancer researchers seeking non-toxic alternatives to harmful chemotherapy are reporting a highly significant result for a humble cold remedy. N-Acetyl cysteine (NAC) is routinely used as a dietary supplement and as a decongestant given to children to ward off a cold. Now, clinical trials in the US indicate the cheap, over-the-counter drug,...
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Clinical trial suggests new cell therapy for relapsed leukemia patients
A Wright’s stained bone marrow aspirate smear from a patient with precursor B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. A significant proportion of children and young adults with treatment-resistant B-cell leukemia who participated in a small study achieved remission with the help of a new form of gene therapy, according to researchers at the Stanford University School...