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Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is known to be associated with the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but how and why they are connected remains unknown. Researchers from Mass General Brigham discovered that HBV does not cause liver inflammation or cancer on its own, but worsens liver inflammation and may make patients more susceptible to early cancer development caused by environmental carcinogens. Limiting carcinogen exposure or reducing inflammation could mitigate this risk. "Our research sheds light on the intricate interplay between HBV infection and carcinogen exposure to generate immune dysregulation in the liver that leads to cancer development," said corresponding...

A study led by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute researchers found that combining chemotherapy and immunotherapy before surgery for patients with aggressive stage III non-small cell lung cancer that is considered difficult or impossible to surgically remove can help shrink tumors and make surgery possible. The multicenter observational study was conducted in collaboration with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute in Rome, Italy. It analyzed data from 112 patients who were treated at cancer centers across the U.S. and Italy with chemoimmunotherapy—a combination of chemotherapy and an immune checkpoint inhibitor blocking PD-1 or PD-L1. After treatment,...

In a study conducted at São Paulo State University involving 80 women over the age of 45, low-dose vitamin D supplementation nearly doubled the rate of treatment response. A study conducted at the Botucatu School of Medicine at São Paulo State University (FMB-UNESP) in Brazil found that low-dose vitamin D supplementation can improve the effectiveness of chemotherapy in women with breast cancer. The findings suggest that vitamin D may serve as an alternative to other drugs designed to boost chemotherapy response, especially those that are difficult to access. The research, supported by FAPESP, included 80 women over the age of...

Researchers have harnessed a deadly fungus (Aspergillus flavus) to create a powerful cancer-fighting agent.The development is particularly notable as this toxic crop fungus has a grim historical connection. The fungus was linked to mysterious deaths among archeological teams excavating ancient tombs.For instance, in 1922, the opening of King Tutankhamun's tomb was reportedly followed by unexplained deaths, fueling rumors of a "pharaoh's curse."But it was later hypothesized that a dormant fungus might have been responsible.Fast forward to the 1970s. A similar tragedy unfolded in Poland, where 10 scientists died within weeks of entering the tomb of Casimir IV.The culprit was identified...

Results from a new clinical trial suggest that a high-fiber plant-based diet could benefit patients at risk of developing multiple myeloma, the second most common type of blood cancer. Multiple myeloma is often preceded by early, non-cancerous conditions involving abnormal plasma cells. Having a high body weight, a poor-quality diet and an unhealthy balance of gut bacteria have been shown to increase the risk of developing these conditions and progressing to multiple myeloma. The pilot study, which is part of the NUTRIVENTION Trials, included 20 patients at risk of developing multiple myeloma due to precursor conditions and an elevated body...

Patients with colon cancer who consumed an anti-inflammatory diet during a Phase III clinical trial showed longer overall survival post-treatment compared to those on a proinflammatory diet, according to analysis. Engaging in higher levels of physical activity may amplify the positive influence on survival. The median 5-year survival for patients with stage III colon cancer is around 80%. The CALGB/SWOG 80702 (Alliance) trial was initiated in 2010 to reduce the risk of cancer recurrence. Patients in the trial were treated with surgery followed by either three or six months of chemotherapy, with or without celecoxib, an anti-inflammatory drug. Of 2,526...

First-line treatment with the triplet combination of encorafenib, cetuximab and mFOLFOX6 significantly improved survival compared to the standard of care in patients with BRAF V600E-mutated metastatic colorectal cancer, according to data from the Phase III BREAKWATER trial. The findings demonstrated significantly longer progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) compared to standard chemotherapy-based regimens. The median PFS was 12.8 months with the triplet combination compared to 7.1 months in the standard-of-care group, and the median OS was 30.3 months compared with 15.1 months, respectively. "The latest data from the BREAKWATER trial further confirms that targeting the BRAF V600E mutation up...

Appendix cancer is a condition that, until recently, was so rare that most people never gave it a second thought. For decades, it was the kind of disease that doctors might encounter only once or twice in a career, and it was almost always found in older adults. But now a surprising and concerning trend is emerging: appendix cancer is being diagnosed more often, and it's increasingly affecting people in their 30s, 40s and even younger. This shift has left many experts puzzled and searching for answers. The appendix is a small, finger-shaped pouch attached to the large intestine. Its...

Appendix cancer is a condition that, until recently, was so rare that most people never gave it a second thought.For decades, it was the kind of disease that doctors might encounter only once or twice in a career, and it was almost always found in older adults.But now a surprising and concerning trend is emerging: appendix cancer is being diagnosed more often, and it's increasingly affecting people in their 30s, 40s and even younger. This shift has left many experts puzzled and searching for answers.The appendix is a small, finger-shaped pouch attached to the large intestine. Its purpose in the...

The most common cancer in women — and one of the deadliest — may have finally met its match. Development of a breakthrough vaccine researchers say could eradicate breast cancer by 2030 wrapped up phase one of its clinical trial this week, with more than 75% of women showing a strong immune response, as measured by antibodies on their white blood cells. The vaccine is aimed at both preventing and treating breast cancer — which affects one in eight women. “It’s very exciting,” said Dr. Amit Kumar, CEO of Anixa Biosciences, which is designing the vaccine along with the Cleveland...

Chemotherapy is one of the most popular ways to treat breast cancer. Even though it has proven to be effective, it also has downsides, such as a higher risk of side effects, as it doesn't only attack the cancer cells but can also affect normal cells. Chemotherapy-related side effects such as fatigue, weakness, and proneness to infections can influence treatment adherence and undermine the effectiveness of the therapy and the patients' quality of life. Probiotics are among the emerging alternative supplements being studied for their potential benefit in cancer treatment. A new study published in the open-access journal Pharmacia explored...

In a study, researchers explore a surprising phenomenon in which high doses of radiation cause growth in existing metastatic tumors that weren't directly treated with radiation. Scientists had previously observed that radiation can cause distant tumors to shrink after radiation, known as the "abscopal effect." The researchers dubbed the opposite response the "badscopal effect." They believe this unexpected response happens because high-dose radiation increases the production of a protein called amphiregulin by tumor cells that are directly treated with radiation. High amounts of amphiregulin weaken the immune system's ability to fight cancer and make cancer cells better at protecting themselves....

An interdisciplinary research team has demonstrated a durable and lasting response to a novel treatment—combined locoregional therapy and immunotherapy (LRT-IO)—for advanced liver cancer patients. Advanced liver cancer is often considered incurable, but it can sometimes be converted to a treatable stage through a combination of therapies, potentially leading to curative surgery. This innovative strategy consists of three treatments: stereotactic beam radiotherapy (SBRT) with optional transarterial chemoembolization (TACE), followed by immunotherapy (IO). In previous studies, the team found that the cancer completely disappeared in 42% of patients after treatment, as evidenced by MRI or CT scans—even without curative surgery. The research...

Chemotherapy doesn't just kill cancer cells. It also affects the microbes in the digestive tract. Researchers have discovered that some gut bacteria can reduce the side effects of these potent treatments, and that one family of cancer drugs may actually boost these protective bacteria. The phenomenon could help physicians to predict the severity of a patient's side effects, and it points the way to supplements that could help those whose guts aren't sufficiently protecting them. Turnbaugh's team found colorectal cancer patients taking a class of chemotherapy drugs known as fluoropyrimidines had less diverse microbiomes in their digestive systems. But the...

The suit alleges a coordinated effort to block medical care for those exposed to toxic chemicals. Also named are Vanguard, Mercy Health, and Quest Diagnostics, with the CDC accused of instructing healthcare providers not to test for dioxins or other hazardous substances. Plaintiffs claim this led to widespread misdiagnoses, delayed treatment, and that a letter was circulated telling providers to dismiss patient health concerns. ...

The liberal media had been trying to make a lot of hay out of accusations that the Trump family had tried to sell access to themselves and their president-elect father. So far such concerns seem to have little merit since all of the instances pointed to by accusers have not actually happened. But that didn’t stop it from being a topic of conversation on CNN’s OutFront on Wednesday. “This has been a stumbling block for the Trumps,” argued fill in host Poppy Harlow, after a long winded report about the accusations was aired, “Why even open yourself up to this...

Former US President Joe Biden delivered his first public address since the announcement of his Stage 4 prostate cancer diagnosis, participating in a Memorial Day commemoration in his home state of Delaware on Friday. Speaking to reporters following the event, Biden addressed his health and his decision not to seek re-election in 2024. Biden firmly dismissed any concerns regarding his cognitive and physical fitness. "You can see that I‘m mentally incompetent and I can‘t walk, and I can beat the hell out of both of them," he quipped in response to a reporter's query about discussions surrounding his health during...

The family of Devarjaye “DJ” Daniel recently revealed a heartbreaking diagnosis just months after the teen brain cancer survivor captured America’s hearts when he was sworn in as an honorary member of the Secret Service by President Trump. DJ, who was given five months to live after being diagnosed with incurable brain and spine cancer in 2018, has “three new tumors,” his father, Theodis Daniel, told Fox 7 Austin last week. “It’s rough, there isn’t a class that can teach you how to deal with it. You’re hearing that your child has a nasty disease,” the heartbroken dad said. “We’re...

A widely used antidepressant drug could help the immune system fight cancer, according to a new research study. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs, significantly enhanced the ability of T cells to fight cancer and suppressed tumor growth across a range of cancer types in both mouse and human tumor models found. Yang and her team first began investigating serotonin's role in fighting cancer after noticing that immune cells isolated from tumors had higher levels of serotonin-regulating molecules. The researchers tested SSRIs in mouse and human tumor models representing melanoma, breast, prostate, colon and bladder cancer. They found that SSRI...

A study has uncovered a surprising link between diet, intestinal microbes and the efficacy of cancer therapy. The study could help explain why drugs known as PI3 kinase (PI3K) inhibitors—which disrupt an abnormally activated biochemical signaling pathway that spurs cancer cell proliferation—haven't led to consistent, durable cancer control in patients with solid tumors. The Rabinowitz lab and others have shown that ketogenic diets dramatically enhance responses to cancer drugs in preclinical mouse models of cancer. Such diets are rich in fat and very low in carbohydrates like starch and sugar, and their enhancement of therapeutic responses was thought to be...