Retinoblastoma News and Research

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A retinoblastoma is a malignant tumor of the retina, occurring most often in young children below 5 years. In one of three cases it is bilateral i.e., affecting both eyes. About 250-350 new cases occur every year in the USA, in children younger than 15 years.

New smartphone app can help detect early signs of eye diseases in children

A Baylor University researcher's prototype smartphone app -- designed to help parents detect early signs of various eye diseases in their children such as retinoblastoma, an aggressive pediatric eye cancer -- has passed its first big test.

4 Oct 2019

Study reports role of cancer gene in tumor microenvironment

The tumor microenvironment is a mix of fluids, immune cells and blood vessels which envelops the tumors. Interactions between tumor cells and the TME determine the progression and fate of tumors.

4 Jul 2019

Genomics study reveals five genes linked to treatment resistance in prostate cancer

A new genomics study has found that men are three times more likely to die from prostate cancer if they possess mutations the retinoblastoma 1 (RB1) gene.

8 May 2019

Key discoveries could shed light on retinoblastoma

Retinoblastoma is a tumor of the retina that generally affects children under 5 years of age and accounts for approximately 4% of childhood cancers. If not diagnosed early, retinoblastoma may result in loss of one or both eyes and can be fatal.

15 Mar 2019

Revolutionary new technology sheds light on why cancers form in specific cell types

While many cells in our bodies can accumulate oncogenic mutations, the majority of these events do not lead to tumor formation as these abnormal cells are eliminated by defense mechanisms.

29 Nov 2018

Growth and spread of deadly eye tumor suppressed in cells, animals

By comparing genetic sequences in the eye tumors of children whose cancers spread with tumors that didn't spread, Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers report new evidence that a domino effect in cells is responsible for the cancer spreading.

12 Nov 2018

Novartis announces winners of 2018 eXcellence in Ophthalmology Vision Award

Novartis announced the winners of the 2018 eXcellence in Ophthalmology Vision Award for nonprofit eye health initiatives at EURETINA 2018.

25 Sep 2018

Investigators pinpoint exact stage of retinoblastoma development in children

Investigators at Children's Hospital Los Angeles have been able to pinpoint the exact stage of development of the human retina, when cells can grow out of control and form cancer-like masses.

14 Sep 2018

Molecular inhibitors found to arrest tumor cell proliferation in lung cancer and mesothelioma

Inhibition of the oncogenic kinase AKT, a key protein governing the cell cycle, was found to arrest cancer cell proliferation and triggered their programmed death by apoptosis.

2 Apr 2018

Scientists target tumor suppressor as a new treatment approach to 'triple-negative' breast cancer

Researchers studying “triple-negative” breast cancer have found that the loss of a specific tumor suppressor provides clues about potential new treatments.

6 Feb 2018

Sex steroid hormone fluctuations may have direct effects on eye physiology and AMD

Gender-based differences may influence several ocular conditions, suggesting that fluctuations in sex steroid homeostasis may have direct effects on eye physiology and the pathogenesis of conditions like Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

18 Jan 2018

WPI professor receives Smith Family Foundation grant to explore biology of cancer cells

Amity Manning, assistant professor of biology and biotechnology, has received a three-year, $300,000 award from the Smith Family Awards Program for Excellence in Biomedical Research.

8 Jan 2018

CHLA and Keck Medicine of USC develop new liquid biopsy for tumor of the retina

Retinoblastoma is a tumor of the retina that generally affects children under 5 years of age. If not diagnosed early, retinoblastoma may result in loss of one or both eyes and can be fatal. Unlike most cancers that are diagnosed using a biopsy, retinoblastoma tumors cannot be directly biopsied.

16 Oct 2017

St. Jude creates world’s largest collection of pediatric solid tumor samples

In an effort to improve outcomes for patients with some of the deadliest childhood cancers, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital scientists have created the world's largest collection of pediatric solid tumor samples, drug-sensitivity data and related information and have made the resource available at no charge to the global scientific community.

31 Aug 2017

ASTRO releases updated insurance coverage recommendations for proton beam therapy to treat cancer

The American Society for Radiation Oncology has issued an update to its recommendations for medical insurance coverage regarding the use of proton beam therapy to treat cancer.

13 Jul 2017

Study prompts further assessment of tomato extracts’ use in gastric cancer prevention

A new study shows that whole tomato extracts from two different Southern Italy cultivars inhibit gastric cancer cell growth and malignant features, paving the way for future studies aimed at implementing lifestyle habits not only for prevention but potentially as a support to conventional therapies.

15 May 2017

Retinoblastoma protein plays larger role in tumor suppression, study finds

The Retinoblastoma protein (pRB) has long been studied for its role in cell growth and the prevention of cancer.

16 Dec 2016

Experimental cancer drug Nutlin-3 shows promise in cancelling effects of fragile X syndrome

A University of Wisconsin-Madison researcher who studies the most common genetic intellectual disability has used an experimental drug to reverse — in mice — damage from the mutation that causes the syndrome.

28 Apr 2016

Survivin inhibitor with chemotherapy provides therapeutic advantage for Rb cells, tumors

Researchers at The Saban Research Institute of Children's Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) have demonstrated that targeting survivin - a protein that inhibits apoptosis or cell death - enhances the effectiveness of chemotherapy in cells and mouse models of retinoblastoma (Rb), the most common malignant tumor of the eye in children.

18 Apr 2016

Research shows tumor suppressor protein regulates polarity genes

What does Brad Pitt have in common with a fruit fly? His Hollywood hairstyles cover a prominent cowlick - the swirl of hair that that is caused by a patterning mechanism also active in our two-winged friends -- that similarly feature "polarized" hair patterns.

24 Mar 2016