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Precancerous colon polyps in Lynch syndrome patients display immune activation

Colon polyps from patients with Lynch syndrome, a hereditary condition that raises colorectal cancer risk, display immune system activation well before cancer development, according to research from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.

16 Apr 2018

Eating red meat regularly linked to higher rates of distal colon cancer

When comparing the effects of red meat, poultry, fish or vegetarian diets to cancer development in specific subsites of the colon, a study found that those regularly eating red meat compared to a red meat-free diet had higher rates of distal colon cancer -- cancer found on the descending section of the colon, where faeces is stored.

13 Apr 2018

Common iron supplements linked to increased levels of a cancer biomarker

A new study has shown that two commonly available iron compounds, ferric citrate and ferric EDTA, increase the formation of a known biomarker for cancer.

12 Apr 2018

Surgeons identify rates of C. difficile infection in patients undergoing common colon operations

Clostridium difficile infection is the most common hospital-acquired infection and a significant cause of increased hospital stay and cost for patients and payors alike.

11 Apr 2018

Researchers discover how intestinal bacteria can influence blood glucose and lipid concentrations

Intestinal bacteria have attracted recent attention since they were discovered to influence various physiological functions and diseases in humans.

10 Apr 2018

Largest genomic analysis supports additional classification of tumors

University of North Carolina Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center researchers are reporting the concluding findings from a major analysis of nearly 10,000 different tumor samples that focused on identifying similarities between cancers based on changes in their genes, and the way their genes are expressed.

6 Apr 2018

New fluorescent probe identifies cancer stem cells

Cells with stem-cell characteristics appear to be especially important in the formation and metastasis of tumors. Scientists have now developed a universal fluorescent probe for these "cancer stem cells". As reported in the journal Angewandte Chemie, this dye also selectively kills off the cells.

4 Apr 2018

Psychiatrist stays close to home and true to her childhood promise

Dr. Yamanda Edwards, the daughter of a truck driver and a stay-at-home mom, grew up just a few miles from Martin Luther King/Drew Medical Center, at the time an iconic yet troubled hospital in South Los Angeles.

3 Apr 2018

Scientists identify new function for colon cancer gene

Colon cancer is the second most common cause of cancer-related deaths. The APC protein has long been known for its critical role in preventing colorectal cancer. When APC is inactivated, the development of colorectal cancer is triggered.

2 Apr 2018

Research reveals role of colon signaling pathway in development of IBD

The intestine encounters more foreign substances, and potential toxins, than other parts of the body, so it is not surprising that a healthy gut is maintained by the tight control of immune responses.

30 Mar 2018

First-of-its-kind cancer drug effective in 93% of pediatric patients

A first-of-its-kind drug targeting a fused gene found in many types of cancer was effective in 93 percent of pediatric patients tested, researchers at UT Southwestern's Simmons Cancer Center announced.

30 Mar 2018

New review explores potentially safer therapies for treating chronic abdominal pain

An estimated 2 million people in the U.S. are addicted to prescription opioids- powerful doctor-prescribed medications for chronic or severe pain. The drugs are commonly prescribed to treat gastrointestinal pain caused by conditions such as Crohn's disease and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), raising the risk of addiction among this population.

29 Mar 2018

Researchers discover important features of tumor cells that may help fight cancer

A research team led by Mónica Bettencourt Dias, from Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, discovered important features of cancer cells that may help clinicians fighting cancer.

28 Mar 2018

Without context or cushion, Do online medical results make sense?

As she herded her two young sons into bed one evening late last December, Laura Devitt flipped through her phone to check on the routine blood tests that had been performed as part of her annual physical. She logged onto the patient portal link on her electronic medical record, scanned the results and felt her stomach clench with fear.

27 Mar 2018

New analysis describes how childhood obesity 'pandemic' promotes cancer

A Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine researcher has compiled evidence from more than 100 publications to show how obesity increases risk of 13 different cancers in young adults.

26 Mar 2018

Two immunotherapies used together for the first time to fight against solid tumors

Two immunotherapies - one that enables the T-cells a patient already has to better attack a tumor and another that can produce an independent and vigorous immune response - are being given together for the first time to help more patients wage a stronger war on a wide range of solid tumors, researchers say.

26 Mar 2018