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Study investigates combined effects of cancer therapy and inherited genetics

Scientists at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital are studying the combined effect of cancer treatments and inherited mutations in DNA-repair genes.

5 Jun 2020

Scientists uncover why developing nerve cells take a wrong turn

A group of scientists from CECAD, the Cluster of Excellence 'Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases,' have found a mechanism by which neurodevelopmental diseases concerning neurons can be explained: The loss of a certain enzyme, UBE2K, impeded the differentiation of stem cells by silencing the expression of genes important for neuronal differentiation and, therefore, the development and generation of neurons.

3 Jun 2020

Study compares cediranib plus olaparib and standard of care therapy for platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer

Results of the NRG Oncology phase III clinical trial NRG-GY004 indicated that the addition of the investigational agent cediranib to olaparib and standard platinum-based chemotherapy did not improve progression-free survival (PFS) outcomes for women with platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer; however, activity between the treatments was similar in patients.

30 May 2020

Clinical study shows promising results for treatment of VHL disease-associated renal tumors

In an international trial led by researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, treatment with MK-6482, the small molecule inhibitor of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-2a was well tolerated and resulted in clinical responses for patients with von Hippel-Lindau disease (VHL)–associated renal cell carcinoma.

28 May 2020

Platinum-based chemotherapy may improve outcomes for some metastatic pancreatic cancer patients

Patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer who had germline or somatic mutations in DNA repair genes had better clinical outcomes after platinum-based chemotherapy, as compared with patients without these mutations.

22 May 2020

SWOG scientists to deliver online presentations at ASCO20 Virtual Scientific Program

Researchers from SWOG, a cancer clinical trials group funded by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of the National Institutes of Health, will make 31 presentations as part of the ASCO20 Virtual Scientific Program, the online annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), which runs May 29-31.

19 May 2020

Study shows human monoclonal antibodies can effectively neutralize SARS-CoV-2

US researchers have published a proof of concept on the efficacy of human monoclonal antibodies against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in laboratory conditions, as well as their pioneering use in a mouse model. The study is available on the preprint server bioRxiv*.

17 May 2020

New algorithm could help investigate the genetic clues behind immunity

Scientists with UC San Diego's Jacobs School of Engineering and the Qualcomm Institute have developed a new gene prediction algorithm, called MINING-D, that could help researchers investigate the genetic clues behind the variation of symptoms shown in COVID-19 patients - information that is key to creating a versatile and effective vaccine.

15 May 2020

Study shows the combined effect of inherited and acquired mutations on cancer development

The common belief that tumors arise via activation of a few genes that "drive" cancer development is unsupported by a widespread investigation into those genes and others in three large patient genetic databases, according to a study led by Yale Cancer Center researchers.

15 May 2020

Researchers identify transcription factor that preserves the genomic integrity of germline

The germline is the cell lineage of an organism that passes on its genetic material to its progeny. Genetic damage to the germline can cause developmental defects and even death of that same progeny.

7 May 2020

New study shows the importance of genetic testing in people with solid tumor cancers

A new Cleveland Clinic study demonstrates the importance of genetics evaluation and genetic testing for children, adolescents and young adults with solid tumor cancers

6 May 2020

ACCC's BiomarkerLIVE project facilitates integration of precision medicine into practice

As the science and knowledge around biomarkers and molecular profiling continues to expand, oncology providers are challenged with efficiently implementing molecular testing into their everyday practice.

30 Apr 2020

Talazoparib did not show overall survival benefit in patients with advanced BRCA-mutated breast cancer

New data from the Phase III EMBRACA trial led by researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center found the PARP inhibitor talazoparib did not demonstrate a statistically significant overall survival (OS) benefit for patients with metastatic HER2-negative breast cancer and mutations in the BRCA1/2 genes.

27 Apr 2020

Combination of rare, damaging mutations negatively affects healthspan and longevity

Scientists report that the combined effects of rare, damaging mutations present at birth have a negative impact on healthspan and longevity, according to a study published this week in eLife.

9 Apr 2020

Hereditary genetic defect linked to medulloblastoma destabilizes protein regulation

The causes of 40 percent of all cases of certain medulloblastoma - dangerous brain tumors affecting children - are hereditary.

1 Apr 2020

Inherited gene mutation can predispose children to SHH medulloblastoma

Investigators at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, the European Molecular Biology Laboratory, and the German Cancer Research Center have identified ELP1 as a novel predisposition gene in the SHH subgroup of pediatric medulloblastoma.

1 Apr 2020

UVA researchers find way to enhance cancer outcomes by examining patients' genetic data

By mining a vast trove of genetic data, researchers at the University of Virginia School of Medicine are enhancing doctors’ ability to treat cancer, predict patient outcomes and determine which treatments will work best for individual patients.

30 Mar 2020

Targeted therapy may increase overall survival in patients with pancreatic cancer

Results from 46 patients given treatments that target specific molecular changes in tumor cells suggest that these therapies could help patients with pancreatic cancer whose tumors harbor those changes survive an extra year.

2 Mar 2020

Mayo study recommends genetic testing to all women diagnosed with breast cancer under the age of 66

A study by researchers at Mayo Clinic published this week in the Journal of Clinical Oncology suggests that all women with a breast cancer diagnosis under the age of 66 be offered germline genetic testing to determine if they have a gene mutation known to increase the risk of developing other cancers and cancers among blood relatives.