Tag Archives: cancer

What is the best time to take cancer medication?

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Every year, scientists around the world offer research to cancer treatment. What if the answer is related to the time when cancer patients are taking medicine? Group of German scientists wanted to find out if a 24 -hour clock of the body was also known as itself. Approximately rhythmIt can affect the fight against cancer.

To test their hypothesis, scientists monitor how cancer cells behave with various drugs at various times. First, they collected a variety of cells from human milk cancer patients, including some healthy tissue cells and several tumor cells. They thoroughly monitored cell characteristics such as growth, drug reactions, and outline rhythm strength. They explained that the intensity of the rhythm of the day refers to cells that usually change the movement determined by the day and night cycle.

Scientists used the method called to determine the rhythmic intensity. Self -correlationWe measured how cells work at different times. They used the second method to identify the dominant frequency and time of the cellular signal. Continuous wavelength conversion。 They use this method to break down the signals into small parts, each represents different frequencies and time range.

Finally, they use another method to simultaneously look at both large and small cell processes and further disassemble the signals called. Multi -election analysis。 By combining these methods, we measured how the drug affected the growth of cells over time, and identified what has changed based on time -dependent or dunning effects.

Researchers have grown a group of special breast cancer cells, which are known to have biological watches incorporated in the controlled environment. They added drugs to fight a variety of cancers at different times of the day, and evaluated how they changed their effectiveness. They also administered a variety of drugs and found the best dosage for their daily time. In order to test how the cells react over time, the cell growth rate was measured by imaging with a microscope and growing fast under various conditions. Later, scientists organized cells and drugs into groups based on how they responded to the test.

In addition, researchers conducted tests to measure the efficiency of the administered drugs. First, we used a series of light dark cycle to synchronize the cells to a specific outline. Later, they used live cell imaging to monitor cell growth and survival, and administer drugs at a different period of one day, exceeding four hours. After that, the team compared the way cells react to drugs on various occasions and identified the best time to administer drugs for cancer treatment. Scientists have discovered a strong correlation between the aid clock and drugs.

In order to explore the influence of the outline clocks on cell treatment, scientists also tested the overall contribution of each gene component in cells to the overall drug reaction. They explained that the gene of our body decides how well the drug can suppress cancer and how strongly it can accept the drug. However, with almost 20,000 gene, scientists want to match each drug to the most effective target gene.

To do this, the team used two methods to collect very large datasets and create called forecasts. Linear discrimination analysis and Main ingredient analysis。 They used these methods to rank the cell gene according to how effectively the cells react to drugs, and identify the mutant pattern between gene. They discovered that different genes show different sensitivity to each drug.

Scientists concluded that the rhythm of the solar cells affects drug sensitivity and effectiveness. They suggested that future workers test other undeveloped gene and confirm that they are sensitive to specific cancer drugs. The team concluded that their results would help scientists to understand how the 24 -hour cycle of the body would affect cancer treatment, which is sensitive to time.


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Source: sciworthy.com

AI enhances radiologists’ ability to detect breast cancer in real-world exams

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Radiologists can benefit from AI assistance

Amelie Benoist/BSIP/Universal Images Group via Getty

Artificial intelligence models can actually help detect cancer and reduce the burden on doctors, according to the largest study of its kind. Radiologists who chose to use AI were able to identify an additional 1 in 1,000 breast cancers.

Alexander Katalinic and his colleagues at the University of Lübeck in Germany worked with about 200 board-certified radiologists to test an AI trained to identify signs of breast cancer from mammograms. Radiologists examined 461,818 women at 12 breast cancer screening centers in Germany between July 2021 and February 2023, allowing each woman to choose whether or not to use AI. As a result, 260,739 patients were examined by AI and a radiologist, and the remaining 201,079 patients were examined by a radiologist only.

Those who chose to use AI were able to detect breast cancer at a rate of 6.7 per 1000 scans. This is 17.6% higher than the 5.7 cases per 1000 scans for people who chose not to use AI. Similarly, when women diagnosed with suspected cancer underwent a biopsy, women diagnosed with AI were 64.5% more likely to undergo a biopsy in which cancer cells were found. Among women for whom AI was not used, the rate was 59.2%.

The scale of improvement in breast cancer detection with AI is “very positive and exceeded our expectations,” Katalinic said in a statement. “We were able to demonstrate that AI significantly improves cancer detection rates in breast cancer screening.”

“The goal was to show noninferiority,” says Stefan Bank of Vara, an AI company also participating in the study. “If we can prove that AI is as good as radiologists, it becomes an interesting scenario where we can reduce the workload. We were surprised that we were able to show an advantage.”

Over-reliance on AI in healthcare is a concern for some, as it risks missing signs of symptoms and could lead to a two-tiered treatment system where those who can pay are afforded the luxury of human touch. are. Radiologists spent less time examining scans that the AI ​​had already suggested were “normal,” meaning cancer was unlikely to be present, and scans that the AI ​​could not examine took an average of 16 seconds to examine. In contrast, there is some evidence that radiologists spend less time performing exams. Not classified. But these latest discoveries have been welcomed by those who specialize in the safe implementation of AI in healthcare.

“This study provides further evidence of the benefits of AI in breast cancer screening and should be a further wake-up call for policymakers to accelerate the adoption of AI,” she said. Ben Glocker At Imperial College London. “The results confirm what we have seen time and time again: With the right integration strategy, the use of AI is safe and effective.”

He welcomes the study's ability to empower radiologists to make their own decisions about when to use AI, and hopes to see more testing of AI in a similar way. . “This cannot be easily evaluated in the lab or in simulations, and instead we need to learn from real-world experience,” Glocker says. “The technology is ready. We need policies to follow now.”

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  • cancer /
  • artificial intelligence

Source: www.newscientist.com

The incidence of colorectal cancer is increasing in young populations globally

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It’s not entirely clear why colorectal cancer is increasing among adults under 50

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The incidence of colorectal cancer in young adults is increasing worldwide, but this trend appears to be most prevalent in high-income countries.

Previous studies have shown that the incidence of bowel or colorectal cancer is increasing. Over the past few decades, it has increased in this age group in Western countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. This has led to speculation that Western lifestyles, including a diet high in meat and processed foods, may be to blame.

To better understand the extent of the problem, song hyunah Researchers from the American Cancer Society in Atlanta, Georgia, and colleagues looked at the incidence of colorectal cancer in 50 countries and territories around the world. They typically used the World Health Organization’s database to collect data on incidence rates from 1975 to 2017, although some countries started reporting this information several years after 1975. Ta.

The research team found that the incidence of colorectal cancer among people aged 25 to 49 is rising in 27 countries and territories. These also include non-Western countries such as Japan and less wealthy countries such as Turkey, raising the possibility that Western lifestyles are not solely behind this trend.

The increase is also unlikely to be related to improved screening tests, the researchers said in the paper, as most countries do not routinely test people for colorectal cancer until age 50.

However, all 27 countries and territories have high or very high scores on the United Nations Human Development Index, which is based on life expectancy, education level, and per capita income.

Additionally, all but six are considered high-income earners, according to the World Bank. Unlike most of the high-income countries studied, in these six countries, cases of colorectal cancer among older people are increasing at the same or faster rate than among younger people.

“I think there’s still evidence of trends that economic development and westernization of lifestyles are really having an impact,” he says. Andrew Chan The Harvard University researchers noted that many countries are adopting aspects of this lifestyle as their economies grow. for example, Japanese meat intake It increased more than seven times between 1961 and 2021.

“Having said that, I think we need to take into account the fact that there are probably other factors at play, such as environmental contaminants,” Chan says.

The researchers note that their study has several limitations, the most obvious being that countries in Africa, Asia and small islands were underrepresented. For example, only one African country was included: Uganda. Some countries did not have complete datasets. For example, India’s figures represent only 4 percent of the population.

Still, these findings could improve our understanding of how colorectal cancer incidence varies in many countries and help devise new ways to prevent the disease, Zhang said. say.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Shared DNA Mutations Impacting the Genome in Cancer Cells

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The human genome consists of approximately 3 billion DNA base pairs. If these base pairs were letters grouped together on a single line, they would fill more than 6,000 novels, too large to fit in a cell. Instead, some proteins organize and reform DNA into a more functional 3D structure called DNA. chromatin. These proteins regulate how different parts of the genome interact, controlling which genes are activated and which remain silent within each cell. One such protein is CCCTC binding factor or CTCF.

For CTCF to work, it must first bind to a specific spot on the DNA called CTCF. binding site. Scientists report that these CTCF binding sites behave differently in each scenario. Some lose their binding ability due to chemical interactions within the DNA, while others remain stable. Scientists call something stable Persistent CTCF binding site.

Scientists have previously reported that mutations in CTCF binding sites are common in cancer cells and disrupt the normal 3D structure of the genome. However, it was unclear whether these mutations were concentrated at persistence sites or what role they played. Australian researchers sought to understand mutations in persistent CTCF binding sites and how they affect different cancers.

To address these questions, the research team developed a computational tool based on machine learning models. CTCF-INSITE. Their tool uses genetic data and the interactions of organic compounds such as methyl in the genome to predict which CTCF binding sites are likely to persist even as CTCF protein levels decline. Researchers will use this tool to determine which persistent CTCF binding sites across the genome may be particularly vulnerable to mutations and whether these mutations are associated with cancer growth. I mapped it.

Using data from several human cell culture samples, including prostate cancer cells, breast cancer cells, and lung cancer cells, researchers developed a tool that allows them to distinguish between stable and unstable CTCF binding sites. trained. They exploited characteristics such as protein binding strength, the relative location of binding sites within the genome, and how distant regions of DNA interact to produce proteins.

The researchers then looked at mutation data from 12 types of cancer. International Cancer Genome Consortium. To avoid imbalance, we filtered out data entries with too few or too many mutations. Next, we applied CTCF-INSITE. A tool to test whether persistent CTCF binding sites are more likely to mutate in cancer cells than other CTCF binding sites.

They found significantly more mutations in persistent CTCF binding sites in all cancer types examined. This means that there were more mutations at these sites than would be expected by random chance. The researchers noted that the mutations were specific to the CTCF binding site, rather than in parts of the DNA close to it. They also reported that these mutations were more prominent in breast and prostate cancer cells than in other types of cancer.

The researchers also sought to understand whether these mutations alter the 3D structure of the genome. Using experimental techniques such as fluorescence imaging, they examined some of these cancer-specific mutations and found that many of them alter the genome structure and reduce the strength and effectiveness of CTCF binding. It turned out that. They explained that this reduction could affect gene expression in a way that promotes cancer growth.

The researchers emphasized that their findings were not limited to one or two types of cancer, as similar results were found for stomach, lung, prostate, breast and skin cancers. Although the exact mutation patterns vary between cancers, persistent CTCF binding sites were reported to have consistently higher mutations overall.

The researchers concluded that their findings may help other cancer researchers understand similarities in the onset and progression of multiple cancer types. They also proposed that their machine learning tools could provide future researchers with CTCF binding site candidates relevant to experiments investigating undocumented causes of cancer.


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Source: sciworthy.com

Not undergoing traditional cancer therapy, such as that of Elle Macpherson, poses significant risks

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Supermodel Elle Macpherson refuses chemotherapy to treat breast cancer

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Half of us will develop cancer at some point in our lives, but how many of us can confidently reject mainstream medical advice after consulting dozens of doctors?

In a recent interview Australian Women's Weekly Australian supermodel Elle Macpherson revealed that she did just that, telling the magazine that she was diagnosed with breast cancer seven years ago but refused chemotherapy, opting for an “intuitive, heart-led, holistic approach” to her treatment.

According to the magazine, MacPherson mulled over her decision for weeks after consulting with “32 doctors and specialists,” and finally, in February 2017, she decided to pursue non-pharmaceutical treatment under the guidance of her family doctor, who specializes in “integrative medicine.”

Fortunately, MacPherson is currently in clinical remission, or as she prefers to say, “perfect health.” It's futile to try to assess the risk of her decision to forego chemotherapy without knowing important details about the extent of her cancer, her coexisting risk factors, and the advice she received. For example, she underwent a partial mastectomy, her first surgery to remove a suspicious lump, but Some doctors said That might have been enough treatment.

Nevertheless, the story has sparked outrage online, galvanizing both the growing number of people who distrust “conventional medicine” and those who seek to defend it from growing attacks.

What's behind this distrust? Some researchers say the COVID-19 pandemic “Scientific skepticism” Heated debates are taking place around the world about the severity of the illness, the merits of lockdowns, and the safety of vaccines. More and more Used To hide their anti-scientific views, Conspiracy thinking.

For members of black and minority ethnic communities, Distrust of doctors The reluctance to seek cancer testing and treatment is also being driven by public health and medical institutions. Decades of failure Engaging with them and ensuring equal care in many countries.

In the UK in particular, confidence in the National Health Service's ability to treat cancer has declined. Has fallen in recent yearsand Reports Delaying the start of vital cancer treatment for months.

All of this means that if you're diagnosed with cancer today, your options may seem less clear than they once were. Add to that the typically grueling experience of chemotherapy, and it's no wonder that MacPherson's story of a “non-pharmaceutical” alternative therapy has garnered so much attention.

But it's worth keeping in mind that MacPherson doesn't accurately represent the vast majority of cancer patients. Estimated Net Worth With a net worth of $95 million, she can afford to seek multiple second opinions and even turn down chemotherapy. Her wealth acts as a safety net. Her “ingestible health” company WELCOand her historical romantic ties Disgraced anti-vaxxer Andrew Wakefield,she From 2018 to 2019McPherson's story gets even more complicated.

For most people, refusing medical care carries real risks. 2017 Study Cancer patients who choose alternative medicines as their primary treatment have been found to have a higher risk of dying within five years than those who choose conventional treatments.

Larger studies The following year, he published a study of nearly two million American cancer patients that found that use of complementary medicines was associated with refusal of conventional cancer treatment and a doubling of the risk of death within five years.

Indeed, oncologists More and more Select Use Reduce chemotherapy or avoid it altogether – New treatments, new research The recognition that targeted, customized responses are most effective.

But for now, at least, the advice from organisations like Cancer Research UK is clear: there is no scientific or medical evidence that alternative therapies can cure cancer. At a time when distrust of medicine is widespread, Macpherson's account risks leading people down a dangerous path by trumpeting positive results without important context.

While anyone may be at risk for developing cancer, Macpherson, who was nicknamed “The Body” at the height of her modeling career, had enormous resources at her disposal and was always going to have a better chance than most of us of surviving cancer, regardless of her choices.

Elle Hunt is a freelance writer and journalist.

Source: www.newscientist.com

Breakthrough in cancer treatment: Lab-grown stem cells offer new hope

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Stem cells are produced in the bone marrow and develop into different types of blood cells.

Katerina Conn / SPL/ Alamy

Human blood stem cells have been grown in a laboratory for the first time, which could dramatically improve how certain types of cancer are treated.

The lab-grown cells have so far only been tested in mice, but when injected into the animals, they resulted in functional bone marrow similar to levels seen after umbilical cord blood cell transplants.

Treating cancers such as leukemia and lymphoma with radiation and chemotherapy can destroy blood-forming cells in the bone marrow. A stem cell transplant means new healthy bone marrow and blood cells can grow. The umbilical cord is a particularly rich source of stem cells, but there is a limited amount they can provide, and the transplant may be rejected by the body.

The new method allows researchers to create stem cells from actual patients, eliminating supply issues and reducing the risk that the patient's body will reject the stem cells.

First, they transformed human blood and skin cells into so-called pluripotent stem cells through a process called reprogramming. “This involves temporarily switching on four genes, so that the patient's cells revert to an earlier stage of development that can become any cell in the body,” he said. Andrew Elefanti At the Murdoch Children's Research Institute in Melbourne.

The second step is to turn the pluripotent cells into blood stem cells. “You start by making thousands of tiny, free-floating balls of cells, each containing a few hundred cells, and then you induce them to turn from stem cells to blood vessels to blood cells,” Elefanti says. This process, called differentiation, takes about two weeks and produces millions of blood cells, he says.

When these cells were then injected into mice that lack immune systems, they produced functional bone marrow in up to 50 percent of cases. That means they made the same cells that carry oxygen and fight infection as healthy human bone marrow, Elefanti says. “This unique ability to make all blood cell types over an extended period of time defines them as blood stem cells,” he says.

Abbas Shafi A researcher from the University of Queensland in Brisbane said the work was an “exciting step forward” towards new treatments for blood cancers. “It's never been done before and has great potential for the future.” But even once animal testing is complete, he said a lot of human research still needs to be done before the technique can be used in the clinic.

Simon Cohn Researchers at Flinders University in Adelaide, Australia, say a key advantage of their approach is that it can be scaled up to produce “an essentially limitless supply” of blood stem cells, but they add that the work is based on blood or skin cells, and success rates and blood cell diversity depend on the starting cell type.

“This suggests that treatments are inconsistent even at the preclinical stage in mice, and will need to be addressed before clinical trials in human patients,” he says.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

A Virtual Assistant Revolutionizing Cancer Research Through Interactivity

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Imagine asking your virtual assistant, “Hey Google/Alexa, tell me the lyrics to ‘Beautiful People’ by Ed Sheeran.” Voice User Interface You could possibly receive the information you need within seconds. Cancer doctors and researchers face the challenge of exploring and interpreting cancer genomic data, which resembles a huge library with billions of pieces in different categories. What if you had an Alexa-like tool that could answer questions about the data within seconds?

Traditionally, researchers have used computer programming and interactive websites with point-and-click capabilities to analyze cancer genomic data. Researchers agree that these methods are not only time-consuming, but also often require advanced technical knowledge that not all clinicians and researchers possess. Scientists from Singapore and the United States have collaborated to develop a conversational virtual assistant to navigate the vast library of cancer genomes. They named this assistant Melvin. Their goal was to make relevant information quickly available to all users, regardless of technical expertise.

The scientists described Melvin as a software tool that allows users to interact with cancer genomic data through simple conversations with Amazon Alexa. It incorporates familiar Alexa features, such as the ability to understand and speak everyday English and the ability for researchers to initiate a conversation by saying the name “Alexa.” Additionally, the scientists incorporated a knowledge base containing genomic data for 33 types of cancer from a global cancer database. The Cancer Genome AtlasIt contains a variety of data, including gene expression data, mutations known to increase the risk of developing cancer, etc. It also incorporates secondary information from each database, such as the definition and location of human genes, protein information, and anti-cancer drug efficacy records, to help users effectively interpret the results.

The scientists collected nearly 24,000 pronunciation samples for cancer genes, cancer types, mutations, types of genomic data, and synonyms of all terms in these categories from nine cancer experts at the Cancer Science Institute of Singapore. These experts were from Singapore, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, the United States, and India, which was needed to increase the diversity of Melvin’s accents. The scientists said that due to the lengthy data collection time, the pronunciations did not cover all known cancer genes and traits.

The scientists explained that a voice user interface works well if it correctly hears and understands the user, including the context of the conversation. Because cancer terms differ from regular English vocabulary, the researchers trained Melvin to learn cancer vocabulary using a machine learning process that gives meaning to previously unknown words. Out-of-Vocabulary Mapper Service Design.

Additionally, the researchers developed a web portal where users can submit pronunciations of certain cancer features that Melvin may not initially recognize. This will allow Melvin to know what the user means when he hears those words. To address users’ potential security concerns about the recordings, the researchers noted that users can avoid data storage by deleting the recordings by following the instructions in their Amazon Alexa account. The researchers discussed opportunities to expand Melvin’s capabilities through crowdsourcing for pronunciation improvements. The researchers hope that these pronunciations will provide more data to match regional and national accents so that Melvin can understand and speak.

The scientists say Melvin will work with any device that supports Alexa and will be able to ” Gene Name” and “What percentage of lung cancer patients have a mutation in that gene?” Melvin reported that within seconds it processes these questions and returns responses in audio and visual form.

They also reported being able to ask follow-up questions based on previous conversations. They described the difficulty of getting valuable information from a single question and highlighted the value of Melvin’s ability to maintain context through incremental questioning. The scientists asserted that this design makes it easy for users to explore multiple relevant questions in a single conversation. They also demonstrated that Melvin performs advanced analytical tasks, such as comparing mutations of specific genes across different cancer types and analyzing how gene expression changes.

The scientists concluded that MELVIN can accelerate scientific discoveries in cancer research and help translate research results into solutions that clinicians can apply to patients. They acknowledged that while MELVIN’s framework is currently centered on cancer genes, it can be expanded to support more characteristics of cancer. The team plans to enhance MELVIN by adding more valuable datasets and features based on user feedback..


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Source: sciworthy.com

British General Practitioners Utilize Artificial Intelligence to Enhance Cancer Detection Rates by 8% | Health

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Utilizing artificial intelligence to analyze GP records for hidden patterns has significantly improved cancer detection rates for doctors.

The “C the Signs” AI tool used by general practitioner practices has increased cancer detection rates from 58.7% to 66.0%. This tool examines patients’ medical records, compiling past medical history, test results, prescriptions, treatments, and personal characteristics like age, postcode, and family history to indicate potential cancer risks.

Additionally, the tool prompts doctors to inquire about new symptoms and recommends tests or referrals for patients if it detects patterns suggesting a heightened risk of certain cancer types.

Currently in use in about 1,400 practices in England, “C the Signs” was tested in 35 practices in the East of England in May 2021, covering 420,000 patients.

Published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, a study revealed that cancer detection rates rose from 58.7% to 66.0% by March 31, 2022, in clinics using the system, while remaining similar in those that did not utilize it.

Dr. Bea Bakshi, who developed “C the Signs” with colleague Miles Paling, emphasized the importance of early and quick cancer diagnosis through their system detecting over 50 types of cancer.

The tool was validated in a previous study analyzing 118,677 patients, where 7,295 were diagnosed with cancer and 7,056 were accurately identified by the algorithm.

Notably, the system’s ability to predict if a patient was unlikely to have cancer resulted in only 2.8% of these cases being confirmed with cancer diagnosis within six months.

Concerned by delays in cancer diagnosis, Bakshi developed the tool after witnessing a patient’s late pancreatic cancer diagnosis three weeks before their death, highlighting the importance of early detection.

“With two-thirds of deaths from untestable cancers, early diagnosis is crucial,” Bakshi emphasized.

In the UK, GPs follow National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines to decide when to refer patients for cancer diagnosis, guided by tools like “C the Signs.”

The NHS’s long-term cancer plan aims to diagnose 75% of cancers at stage 1 or 2 by 2028, utilizing innovative technologies like the Garelli blood test for early cancer detection.

Decision support systems like “C the Signs,” improving patient awareness of cancer symptoms, and enhancing access to diagnostic technologies are essential for effective cancer detection, according to healthcare professionals.

NHS England’s national clinical director for cancer, Professor Peter Johnson, highlighted the progress in increasing early cancer diagnoses and access to timely treatments, emphasizing the importance of leveraging technology for improved cancer care.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Obesity directly correlated with increased risk of breast cancer, say researchers

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Breast cancer affects thousands of people each year. Scientists have shown that many factors can influence breast cancer, including age, physical inactivity, and obesity. However, it is unclear exactly how obesity and breast cancer are related.

Previous researchers have shown that tissue inflammation in obese patients is related to cancer. Other researchers have shown that obese patients have the following characteristics: specific genetic mutations It is also related to cancer. However, how this mutation acts to generate different types of tumors is not fully understood.

Ha-Linh Nguyen and colleagues recently investigated the relationship between breast cancer and obesity. Nguyen and his team wanted to determine how obesity affects breast cancer by examining the tissue cell and genetic profiles of breast cancer in obese patients. Their goal was to see if doctors could develop more targeted treatments for breast cancer based on the genetic mutations involved.

They collected genetic data from the tumors of more than 2,000 breast cancer patients collected during multiple large-scale breast cancer studies conducted by five accredited cancer research institutions. To ensure that no changes had occurred in the breast tumors, the researchers only used data from patients who had not yet started cancer treatment.

The researchers defined obesity based on the patient’s weight-to-height ratio. body mass index, or BMI. They used patients’ BMI data to classify patients into three categories: obese, overweight, and underweight. An obese patient, her BMI was over 30 kilograms per square meter (kg/m2).2), the BMI of overweight patients was 25–30 kg/m2.2lean patients had a BMI of 18.5 to 25 kg/m.2. For reference, the average BMI for adults is approximately 26 kg/m3.2.

Patients were then further categorized based on breast tumor type. These categories include patients with tumors that originate in the milk-producing glands of the breast. Invasive lobular carcinoma tumoror a comparison of patients with ILC tumors and patients without specific tumor types.

The researchers also took into account other biological factors used to identify the type of breast cancer. estrogen receptor. Tumors in patients with estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer contain receptors that use the hormone estrogen to stimulate tumor cell growth. The tumors of breast cancer patients who are estrogen receptor-negative do not contain this receptor.

They also looked at another way to determine the type of tumor, a method called. HER2 factor. HER2-positive breast cancer patients contain a protein called human epidermal growth factor 2, which allows cancer cells to multiply rapidly. The researchers used these biochemical markers to classify patients by tumor type, and then used statistical analysis to distinguish between tumor types in obese patients and those in lean and overweight groups. We compared the types.

Researchers found that in obese patients with non-specific tumors that are estrogen receptor positive and HER2 negative, BMI influences breast cancer in the same way that age influences cancer development. The researchers explained that as we age, the body’s immune response slows down, giving cancer cells more time to accumulate before the body reacts and stops the process. They suggested that these results support the idea that both age and obesity are risk factors for developing breast cancer.

The scientists then looked at whether the tumors in each group had one or more cancer-causing mutations. The research team specifically looked at genes that researchers had previously shown had mutations that cause breast cancer. They also examined tumor DNA to see if there were mutations that caused deletions or amplifications of specific parts of the DNA. Change number of copies.

Researchers found different genetic mutations in patients with different BMIs. They found that a gene involved in cell division signaling, called P1K3CA, was less mutated in obese patients who were estrogen receptor positive, HER2 negative, and had unspecific tumors. Mutations in two other HER genes, CCND1 and CCNE1, were more common in obese patients with estrogen receptor-positive tumors.

The researchers concluded that their study showed a genetic link between breast cancer and obesity. They suggested that some genetic mutations found in tumors of obese patients, particularly CCND1 and CCNE1 mutations, may enable targeted breast cancer treatments. They suggested that future researchers should investigate how the biochemical pathways these genes are associated with actually contribute to breast cancer formation to better develop treatments. .


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original research: Obesity-related changes in the molecular biology of primary breast cancer

research has been published:July 21, 2023

research author: Harinh Nguyen, Tatiana Geukens, Marion Mehtens, Samuel Aparicio, Ayse Bassez, Ake Borg, Jane Block, Anejan Brooks, Carlos Caldas, Fatima Cardoso, Maxim de Schepper, Mauro DeLorenzi. , Caroline A. Drucker, Anuska M. Glass, Andrew R. Green, Edoardo Isnardi, Jörn Eifjords, Hazem Kout, Stian Knapskog, Savitri Krishnamurthy, Sunil R. Lakhani, Anita Langerod, John W. M. Martens, Amy E. McCart-Reid, Lee Murphy, Stefan Nauraz, Selina Nick-Zinal, Ines Nebelsteen, Patrick Neven, Martine Picard, Coralie Ponsetto, Kevin Puni, Colin Purdy, Emad A. Raka, Andrea Richardson, Emile Rutgers, Anne Vincent-Salomon, Peter T. Simpson, Marjanka K. Schmidt, Christos Sotiriou, Paul N. Spann, Kiat. Tee Benita Tan, Alastair Thompson, Stefania Tommasi, Karen van Baeren, Marc van de Wivel, Steven van Leer, Laura van't Veer, Giuseppe Viale, Alan Viali, Hanne Voss, Anke T. Witteveen, Hans Wildyas, Giuseppe Floris, Abhishek D. Garg, Anne Smeets, Dieter Lambrecht, Elia Biganzoli, Francois Richard, Christine Desmet

The research was conducted at the following locations:: Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (Belgium), Lund University (Sweden), Netherlands Cancer Institute (Netherlands), University of Cambridge (UK), Champalimaud Clinical Center/Champalimaud Foundation (Portugal), University of Lausanne (Switzerland), SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics (Switzerland), Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital (Netherlands), University of Nottingham (UK), University of Iceland (Iceland), University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust (UK), University of Bergen (Norway), and University of Texas MD Anderson. University of Queensland, Herston (Australia), Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Herston (Australia), Oslo University Hospital, Ullenjausen (Norway), Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam (Netherlands), University of Manitoba , Manitoba Institute for Cancer Treatment (Canada), University Hospital Leuven (Belgium), Jules Bordet Institute and Free University of Bruxelles (Belgium), European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Headquarters (Belgium), University of Dundee (UK) , Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust (UK), Johns Hopkins University (USA), Netherlands Cancer Institute (Netherlands), Institut Curie, PSL Research University (France), Radboud University Medical Center (Netherlands), Sengkang General Hospital ( Singapore), National Cancer Center (Singapore), Baylor College of Medicine (USA), IRCCS Istituto Tumouri “Giovanni Paolo II” (Italy), University of Amsterdam (Netherlands), University of Antwerp (Belgium), UCSF Helen Diller Family Institute Cancer Center (USA), European Institute of Oncology IRCCS (Italy), University of Milan (Italy), Synergie Lyon Cancer, Plateforme de Bio-informatique 'Gilles Thomas' (France), Università degli Studi di Milano (Italy)

This research was funded by: Luxembourg Cancer Foundation, European Research Council, University of Leuven.

Availability of raw data: Data from the ICGC cohort includes: ICGC Data Portalthe data from ELBC includes: gene expression omnibus Accession number GSE88770 provides access to data from MINDACT. EORTCindividual patient read count data can be accessed below. bio keythe raw sequence reads include European Genomic Phenomena Archive Research No. EGAS00001004809 and data accession number. EGAD00001006608

Featured image credit: Photo provided National Cancer Institute upon unsplash

This summary was edited by: Aubrey Zirkle

Source: sciworthy.com

Can MRI scans improve the accuracy of prostate cancer screening?

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MRI scans may improve prostate cancer screening accuracy

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There is both good news and bad news when it comes to prostate cancer testing. First, the bad news. Blood tests that measure a compound called prostate-specific antigen (PSA) are too inaccurate. As a result, some men end up undergoing cancer treatments they didn’t actually need, causing incontinence and erectile dysfunction.

On the other hand, combining a PSA test with an MRI scan of the prostate can make screening more accurate, especially if double testing is recommended only for people at high risk of tumors. An expert group called the Lancet Committee on Prostate Cancer made this recommendation in a new report.

We certainly need to rethink prostate screening, but will these new proposals succeed in reducing harm?

Prostate testing has long been controversial. PSA is released at high levels by cancerous prostate cells, but is also produced at low levels by healthy prostate cells.

Blood tests were introduced as a way to track the success of cancer treatment. It began being used as a screening test in the 1990s, in part as a result of a campaign by men’s health groups for something comparable to breast cancer testing.

The problem is that PSA alone is not reliable as a screening tool. Levels may rise temporarily, such as after sex, during a urinary tract infection, or while riding a bicycle. Even if the increase continues, most prostate cancers grow so slowly that if left untreated, they will never be noticed or cause any problems.

These problems wouldn’t be so important if it weren’t for the fact that the treatments used to remove the cancer (usually surgery or injecting radioactive material into the tumor) can cause permanent incontinence and erectile dysfunction. It would have been. Biopsies to determine whether cancer is present can also cause these problems.

randomized trial It has been shown that for every 1,000 men who undergo regular PSA testing, one fewer man will die from prostate cancer over a 10-year period, but three will remain incontinent and 25 will remain impotent.

These disturbing figures are forcing health services in most high-income countries, including the UK and Australia, into uneasy compromises. Unlike breast and colorectal cancer tests, no invitations for prostate tests will be sent out, but those who wish to undergo the test can take it if the risks are explained to them.

As a result, higher-income men are more likely to take the PSA test, and lower-income and black men are less likely to be tested, the new report says. This is unfortunate because men of African descent are about twice as likely to develop prostate cancer as men of European descent.

The report’s authors say health systems need to use more sophisticated forms of screening, including both PSA tests and MRI scans. This scan allows your doctor to assess the size of your prostate and identify suspicious areas that may be cancerous.

Something close to this dual method is already in place in some countries, including the UK, where the next step for people found to have high PSA levels is an MRI scan. This means that people who are reassured by their scan results can avoid a more invasive biopsy. “This greatly reduces the problem of overdiagnosis,” he says. nicholas james, a researcher at the Institute of Cancer Research in London and one of the authors of the report.

But James says it may be even better to combine the PSA test with an MRI scan before the results are fed back to avoid men being mistakenly told they may have cancer.

The committee says health care organizations should use this combined approach to launch formal screening campaigns targeting three groups known to be at high risk. Black men, people with a family history of prostate cancer, and men who have a mutation in one of their prostate cancers. BRCA Genes also associated with breast cancer.

This would avoid the current situation where men at low risk are probably getting too many PSA tests, while men at high risk are getting too few or no PSA tests.

The proposal is certainly suggestive, but it remains to be seen whether it will discourage people from getting prostate exams. recently” cure cancer phobia.

The arrival of the PSA test may be like opening a Pandora’s box, James says, but the proposed new approach will likely alleviate at least some of the harm.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Researchers suggest innovative therapy for stomach cancer

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Cancer cells grow abnormally and are difficult to control. Scientists call this growth on the lining of the stomach stomach cancer. Gastric cancer is a global health concern in the United States, East Asia, and Eastern Europe. There are usually no symptoms at the time of onset, but it often affects people infected with a bacterial species called Helicobacter pylori.

Researchers have found that diagnosing stomach cancer early is difficult, so many people with stomach cancer die within five years of diagnosis. As cancer grows, it moves from the stomach to other organs, such as the kidneys and liver, through a process called metastasis, which increases the severity even further. This problem raises the need for effective early diagnostic and therapeutic targets to combat gastric cancer before metastasis occurs.

Human cells contain molecules that carry genetic information essential for the development and functioning of organs and body systems. This molecule is DNA and it consists of a sequence of four nucleotide bases: adenine, guanine, cytosine, and thymine.

To carry out its role, DNA undergoes two transformations through biochemical reactions. First, it is transcribed into a slightly similar but less stable molecule. RNAIt is a sequence of nucleotide bases that is almost identical to DNA, except that it has uracil instead of thymine. This RNA serves as a template for protein synthesis, and there are various types. Enzymes then convert some of these RNA molecules into in particular messenger RNA or convert mRNA into protein. Proteins allow organs to grow and function.

Not all RNA molecules become proteins. What does not become protein non-coding RNA or ncRNA. These ncRNAs interact with cells and other molecules to control various processes required to form proteins from DNA for cell growth and survival.

In the past, researchers discovered a type of ncRNA called long ncRNA, which affects the body's immune system's ability to fight cancer cells. However, there are no studies specific to their activity in gastric cancer. Therefore, a group of Chinese biomedical researchers investigated how these ncRNAs influence the development of gastric cancer and how scientists can utilize their ncRNAs to predict the survival of gastric cancer patients.

Researchers found that normal and gastric cancer sample from global cancer database called cancer genome atlas. The normal samples were from patients without gastric cancer and served as the standard or reference point for comparison. Using the R programming language and a software package developed for biological data, they investigated which groups of ncRNAs were expressed at different levels in these patients. They used information from a genome browser called ensemble Identify protein-encoding genes located within and around differentially expressed ncRNA regions.

The researchers found that the expression levels of thousands of ncRNAs were different in gastric cancer compared to normal sample tissue. they again, 15 genes surrounding ncRNA regions that influence gastric cancer progression. They found that about 8 out of 10 ncRNAs were expressed at levels higher than those required in normal cells, and the rest were expressed at lower levels.

Additionally, the researchers investigated the time period during which ncRNAs interact with other ncRNAs and mRNAs to influence tumor growth and patient outcomes. They identified five long ncRNAs that interact with mRNA; microRNA. These long ncRNAs caused abnormal increases and decreases in protein levels within cells, influencing differences in tumor development and progression, as well as patient outcomes. They reported one microRNA that could inhibit tumor growth and serve as a potential target during therapy.

They used a statistical method called , to analyze the proportion of cells that fight infections and harmful substances. immune cellswere investigated in cancer and normal samples to determine how each cell interacts with ncRNAs and influences patient survival. The study highlighted that certain immune cells were higher depending on the age and stage of gastric cancer in the patients whose data were obtained. They confirmed the relationship between immunity and long ncRNA regulatory networks in gastric cancer. They identified certain immune cells whose presence increases a patient's chance of surviving stomach cancer, and those whose presence reduces survival.

With this study, the authors hope to identify new potential targets, namely specific immune cells and ncRNAs, to assess patients' chances of recovery and develop effective treatments for them. concluded that further insight into the biological processes involved in gastric cancer was gained. However, the size of the cancer data is much larger than the regular data used for comparison, which may have influenced the results, the researchers reported. They emphasized the need for further research, especially laboratory analysis, to validate the findings.


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Source: sciworthy.com

Does biological sex impact cancer susceptibility?

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Cancer is the leading cause of death in humans, accounting for almost 13% of deaths worldwide. Global Health Observatory by the World Health Organization. Biological males (or those assigned male at birth) account for 56% of cancer-related deaths, while biological females (or those assigned female at birth) account for only 44%.

The researchers showed that these differences between biological sexes are not limited to mortality rates, but are also evident in cancer development, progression, and treatment. For example, in the United States, women have a higher risk of developing breast and thyroid cancers, while men are more likely to develop prostate, colon, and stomach cancers.

Doctors also found that women tend to have colorectal cancer more often on the right side of the body, while men tend to have colorectal cancer more often on the left side of the body. Doctors want to know how biological sex affects different aspects of cancer so they can develop treatments tailored to a patient’s gender.

A team of scientists from Adityunchanagiri Pharmaceutical University in Karnataka state, India recently reviewed research on the role of biological sex in cancer. They explained that because every cell in the human body is controlled by DNA, gender can influence cancer growth at the genetic, molecular, and hormonal levels. Every patient’s biological sex changes the types of hormones and enzymes they produce, as well as the way their bodies respond to and metabolize carcinogens.

Researchers have previously found that men and women have different immune responses to cancer and chemotherapy. Women tend to have stronger immune systems that respond more strongly to cancer than men. The researchers suggested that this discrepancy may explain why fewer women die from cancer.

They also looked at data from doctors treating cancer patients and showed that similar treatments for male and female patients with the same cancer diagnosis resulted in different levels of side effects. For example, female cancer patients experience higher levels of drug-induced toxicity, infection, nausea, and vomiting during treatment than male cancer patients. They found that some anti-cancer treatments can even cause women to develop diabetes.

The researchers concluded that cancer behaves differently in male and female patients. However, despite differences in immune responses and side effects, physicians are still unable to customize immunotherapy treatments for different patients based on their biological sex. They suggested that the typical “one size fits all” approach to cancer treatment could be better tailored to specific cancer patients.

They recommended that drug companies test how new drugs affect male and female cancer patients during clinical trials before the drugs are approved. They suggested that drug companies could use this data to better estimate how much medication male and female patients should take, or for how long. They proposed that treatments tailored to each patient’s biological sex could help doctors treat patients in a more efficient manner with minimal side effects.


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Innovative Wearable Device Identifies Early Signs of Breast Cancer

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The World Health Organization reported that in 2020, 2.3 million women worldwide were diagnosed with breast cancer. American Cancer Society states that early diagnosis of breast cancer leads to a 100% survival rate. During the initial diagnosis, images or scans of breast tissue are examined by the doctor to detect abnormalities.

Doctors commonly use ultrasound devices to diagnose breast cancer using sound waves. Ultrasound for diagnosing breast cancer. Scientists have identified limitations of ultrasound in the past, such as the need for proper skills and training, poor contact with skin during scanning, and maintenance challenges of large ultrasound machines in hospitals.

To address these limitations, a group of researchers developed a wearable, portable, and affordable device called cUSBr-Patch, which stands for Compatible Ultrasonic Chest Patch. To create this wearable patch, they used a 3D printer to design a honeycomb-shaped patch with holes that can be attached to a soft fabric bra.

Scientists attached a small scanning device to the patch that uses sound waves to acquire medical images similar to an ultrasound machine. This device, called phased array transducer, uses piezoelectric material and differs from traditional hospital ultrasound scanners, producing clear and high-resolution images.

The cUSBr-Patch is attached to a bra with magnets and allows the patch to directly touch the skin for scanning. A small tracker on the phased array transducer is moved and rotated using a handle to capture images of the entire breast.

Researchers tested cUSBr-Patch on female patients with breast abnormalities, scanning both breasts in six different locations using the phased array transducer connected to the patch. Computer programs were then used to generate images similar to those from standard hospital ultrasound machines.

The researchers concluded that cUSBr-Patch can detect breast cancer at a level comparable to traditional hospital ultrasound equipment. They are working on a smaller version of the device, aiming to make it accessible for home use by high-risk individuals and populations without regular testing facilities to improve breast cancer survival rates significantly.


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Can fungi be surprising allies in cancer detection?

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Scientists who study cancer have historically focused on understanding the various factors that contribute to cancer development and progression. They have looked at factors such as genes, lifestyle choices, and even bacteria. However, few researchers have investigated the role of fungi in the human body and how they affect cancer.

Researchers in Israel and the United States recently characterized the fungi that live inside human cancer tissue. Researchers took tumor, blood and plasma samples from more than 1,000 of her patients with various types of cancer and performed a type of “DNA sequencing.” ITS2 amplicon sequencing. They used this sequencing method to determine the presence of different fungal species within cancer tissue and measure the number of fungal cells living there.

Researchers found fragments of fungal DNA and cells in tissues from various human cancers. For example, they discovered several types of fungi associated with breast cancer. Cladosporium sphaerospermum, mainly affected patients over 50 years of age. they again, Malassezia globosaa skin fungus that affects pancreatic cancer patients, and Malassezia restriction bacterium, another skin fungus present in breast cancer tissue. Additionally, they discovered the following species: aspergillus and agar medium Found in lung cancer samples, especially those from smoking patients.

The researchers explained that their results were surprising. Skin fungi are not usually associated with breast cancer. Additionally, they suggested: Malassezia globosa DNA found in both breast and pancreatic cancer samples This suggests that it may play a broader role in cancer development.

The scientists then confirmed that the fungus was growing within the cancerous tumor using a method called . tissue staining. Histological staining is like adding color to a black and white photograph. In this case, the photos were of tissue taken from different types of cancer: melanoma, pancreatic cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer, and ovarian cancer. When we stained these tissues, we found that fungi often existed next to cancer cells.

The research team interpreted the results as indicating that fungi can influence cancer progression. They suggested that these fungi may have a commensal or even pathogenic relationship with cancer. In particular, they suggested that the fungus may function as follows. opportunistic pathogensIn other words, they were taking advantage of patients' weakened immune systems to cause infections that would not normally occur in healthy people.

Finally, the researchers used an advanced computational technique known as . machine learning, recognize and identify patterns in DNA data. They wanted to test whether certain types of fungi were present in different types of cancer. Scientists have determined that different types of cancer tissue are inhabited by different fungal communities.

The scientists concluded that understanding the relationship between fungi and cancer could help doctors develop new tools to diagnose and treat cancer patients. In particular, the researchers suggested that doctors could sort the fungal DNA in a patient's blood sample to detect which type of cancer they have. They suggested that fungi may provide a new non-invasive fingerprint for early detection of cancer.


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A groundbreaking treatment on the horizon for controlling and preventing cancer

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It is estimated that one in two people will develop cancer during their lifetime. However, advancements in diagnosis and treatment have led to more people surviving cancer than ever before. The question now is, will this trend of increasing survival rates continue, and how close are we to finding a cure?

The trend of improving survival rates is likely to continue, but the discovery of a cure for cancer is complicated due to the fact that cancer is not a single disease, but rather a group of over 200 diseases, each with its own unique characteristics. Despite this complexity, all cancers originate from mutant cells that divide uncontrollably.

While cancer cells evade normal controls on cell division, targeted cancer therapy has emerged as a promising treatment approach. This therapy focuses on inhibiting genetic mutations that drive cancer growth and has shown to be more effective with fewer side effects than traditional treatments like chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Targeted therapies like hormone therapy and drugs such as imatinib have revolutionized the treatment of certain types of cancer, improving survival rates significantly. The development of new drugs and the repurposing of existing ones have been accelerated by genetic technologies that utilize big data to understand genetic changes driving cancer.

The power of big data

Advances in cancer treatment have been further propelled by genetic technologies and clinical trials that utilize big data to develop new drugs and repurpose existing ones. The Cancer Genome Atlas Project, for example, provides valuable genetic information for various types of cancer, allowing for targeted treatments based on individual genetic profiles.

Credit: Getty Images

While drug treatments have seen significant advancements, immunotherapy has also emerged as a promising approach in cancer treatment. Immunotherapy aims to boost the patient’s immune system to detect and destroy cancer cells more effectively. This field is rapidly evolving, with treatments like immune checkpoint inhibitors and adoptive cell therapy showing promising results.

Vax is on track

Developments in cancer immunization, including mRNA-based vaccines, are changing the landscape of cancer treatment by utilizing the body’s immune system to target cancer cells. Early diagnosis remains crucial in cancer treatment, with advancements in AI technology offering improved diagnostic capabilities.

Prevention is also a key focus in the fight against cancer, with vaccines against infectious causes of cancer such as HPV and HBV showing promising results. Additionally, cancer prevention strategies using drugs or vaccines to eliminate cancer cells before they form detectable tumors are gaining traction.

While a single “cure” for cancer may be unlikely, ongoing advancements in diagnosis, treatment, and prevention offer new hope to cancer patients worldwide. The future of cancer treatment holds the promise of personalized medicine, targeted therapies, and innovative approaches to combat this complex disease.

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Ongoing investigations to determine the reasons behind the rise of colorectal cancer in young individuals.

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Number of people under 50 diagnosed with colorectal cancer has been increasing for 30 years

Mohammed Elamin Aliwi/Alamy

One of the most alarming trends regarding cancer is the increasing incidence of several types of tumors in people under the age of 50, especially colorectal cancer.

A £20m, five-year research project aimed at discovering the causes of the rising number of bowel cancers has been given the green light. The study will use blood, urine and stool samples from millions of people held in about 17 biobanks in Europe, North America and India.

The goal is to determine whether this increase is related to changes in food, drink, medicines, air pollutants, and other environmental chemicals by measuring everything people are exposed to (known as the “exposome”). It’s about understanding what’s going on.

“Exposomes are all the elements of the outside world that influence our health,” he says. Andrew Chan co-leader of the project at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston;

The number of people under the age of 50 diagnosed with colorectal cancer has been increasing for 30 years. In the UK, for example, these tumors have increased by about 50 per cent in people aged 25 to 49 over this period, and similar trends are seen in the US, Canada, Australia and some European countries.

Nine out of 10 tumors occur in older people, so the increase in deaths among people under age 50 has not yet had a significant impact on the total number of cancer deaths. But this trend is worrying to doctors, especially since tumors in younger people tend to be more aggressive and diagnosed at a later stage.

Speculation abounds as to the cause, but various aspects of modern diets, including increased consumption of processed foods and red meat, and a lack of fiber, as well as antibiotic use and exposure to pollutants, are likely to be contributing factors. It is believed that this is the main cause.

In a new research projectChan and his team have attempted to identify and measure all the chemicals in medical samples obtained in previous studies, and plan to investigate further.

They will use mass spectrometry to identify the chemical signatures that disrupted the levels of novel compounds and natural biochemicals that entered the body.

One of the biobanks being used is Nurses’ Health Study 3, a large-scale project in the United States that charts the health and lifestyles of hundreds of thousands of nurses. Some participants have provided not only blood samples but also stool samples, which will allow the team to analyze gut bacteria as well.

Another important cohort is the Danish Newborn Screening Biobank. The biobank contains dried blood spots from almost every baby born in Denmark since 1982, representing approximately 2 million samples. This will allow researchers to see whether what we are exposed to in the womb is associated with an increased risk of colon cancer.

If, as expected, a correlation is found between certain biochemicals in the blood and the risk of colon cancer, the researchers will investigate whether blood tests can identify people who are more vulnerable. says Mr. Chan. “That could be a group of people who would be targeted for more intensive colon cancer testing,” he says.

Another part of the project will test whether reversing blood characteristics associated with colorectal cancer reduces people’s risk of developing the tumor. Jordana Bell Professor at King’s College London and one of Chan’s collaborators. “We seek to apply the insights we generate early by identifying putative causal factors, understanding potential mechanisms, and designing intervention trials,” she says.

Ian Fawkes from Cancer Research UK (CRUK) said: “In the United States, recent data show that people born in the 1990s have a 2.4 times higher risk of colon cancer than people born in the 1950s. Most cancer cases occur in people over age 50. “This development is an important issue for us to address. The key is to understand why the rise in early-onset cancers is occurring in the first place.”

CRUK is funding the research along with Maryland’s National Cancer Institute, France’s National Cancer Institute and the UK’s Gut Babe Foundation.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Misconceptions about prostate cancer: What we need to know

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Recent news about King Charles’ prostate issues and subsequent cancer diagnosis has raised awareness of such health issues nationwide. Although the king is not diagnosed with prostate cancer, his efforts to raise awareness among older men have been widely appreciated.

The charity Prostate UK is using billboards to encourage men across the country to assess their cancer risk and consult their GP if they experience symptoms like frequent or difficult urination. However, prostate cancer is a complex and subtle condition.

The prostate, located below the bladder, tends to enlarge with age. The urethra, the tube draining urine from the bladder to the outside, passes through it. When the prostate enlarges, it can put pressure on the urethra, causing symptoms like dribbling and increased frequency of urination. This condition is quite common.

Similarly, prostate cancer is also common. Autopsy studies show that 36% of whites and 51% of African Americans develop prostate cancer in their 70s. There are even cases of prostate cancer found in 5% of men under 30 in autopsy studies. However, not all forms of prostate cancer are equally dangerous, with some being harmless and others potentially fatal.

How dangerous is prostate cancer?

Prostate cancer accounts for around 4% of male deaths in the UK, with approximately 12,000 people dying from it each year. The challenge lies in finding treatments that do not cause further harm, as treatments like surgery and radiation therapy can lead to side effects such as erectile dysfunction and incontinence.

The lack of an accurate way to differentiate between aggressive and non-aggressive tumors is a major problem. The PSA test, developed in the 90s, was introduced to monitor men’s response to prostate cancer treatment. However, the increasing number of diagnoses did not correspond to a reduction in mortality rates.

In the US, the Preventive Services Task Force has offered recommendations for or against PSA screening. While screening may slightly reduce prostate cancer deaths, it can also lead to unnecessary testing and treatments for non-fatal conditions.

To avoid unnecessary treatment, the “watchful waiting” approach has been effective in managing localized prostate cancer with low mortality rates. In the UK, the National Screening Committee does not recommend PSA screening for prostate cancer.

Research suggests that identifying harmful cancers through prostate screening MRI scans may be a viable solution, although more evidence is needed to assess its impact on reducing deaths without overtreatment.

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Increased Cancer Risk in Relatives of Men with Infertility

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The study looked at men who produced less than 1.5 million sperm per milliliter of semen, which is considered to produce very few or no sperm.

Joshua Resnick/Shutterstock

Relatives of men who have infertility problems may be at increased risk of cancer, and the odds vary widely from family to family.

Research suggests that certain relatives within three generations of such men are more likely to develop a variety of cancers, including cancers that affect the colon, testicles, and uterus. However, the risk varies by family lineage and whether the man is infertile or subfertile.

Male infertility has been linked to multiple health problems; cardiovascular diseases etc.. Previous research has also pointed out the following: Association between male infertility and increased cancer risk in relatives of such men.

Joey Ramsay Researchers at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City suspected this might vary from family to family. To find out, they analyzed the sperm counts of 360 men who produced fewer than 1.5 million sperm per milliliter of semen and 426 men who produced no sperm at all. These men were matched in age to more than 5,600 of his others with whom he had at least one biological child. Researchers do not know whether any of the participants were transgender.

Next, they obtained information on cancer diagnoses in the men's first-, second-, and third-degree relatives from Utah's database.

The research team found that relatives of men with low sperm counts within three generations were more likely to develop colon and testicular cancer compared to the general population, and some of those related to men with low sperm counts They discovered there was a high chance of developing sarcoma, Hodgkin said. Lymphoma, cancer of the uterus and thyroid. Both of these groups had much higher rates of bone and joint cancer than the general population.

The researchers then used specially developed software to determine the increased risk of cancer combinations in 34 body regions within different families (both fertile and infertile groups). We have detected a tendency to This resulted in “clustering” that allowed trends within families to be detected.

Two-thirds of male relatives who did not have sperm were at no higher risk of cancer than the general population. However, other families showed a significantly increased risk of various types of cancer, and that risk varied by family lineage, with higher risks for childhood, adolescent, and young adult cancers. There were people too.

Relatives of men with low sperm counts all had an increased risk of at least one type of cancer compared to the general population, but the degree of risk and type of condition varied.

It is unclear why this increased risk occurs, but it may be due to genetic factors or common environmental exposures among relatives. It is hoped that further research will investigate this and lead to tests that identify families at higher risk, Ramsay said.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Tiny robots may soon navigate human livers to combat cancer

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Science fiction has often depicted microscopic robots, but these tiny machines have become a reality with a wide range of real-world applications such as disease prevention and building repair.

A Canadian research team is now focusing on using these small robots to target liver cancer in various fields. They are working on using them in conjunction with MRI equipment to treat diseases (source).

A series of small biocompatible robots, made of magnetizable iron oxide nanoparticles guided by an external magnetic field, could potentially deliver medical care in a highly targeted manner.

Despite the potential of this technology, it faces a major technical challenge. The gravity of these microrobots exceeds the magnetic force, limiting their guidance if the tumor is located higher than the injection site.

To address this challenge, Dr. Jill Soules, a researcher at the CHUM Research Center at the University of Montreal, developed an algorithm that combines gravity and magnetic navigation forces to guide the microrobots into the arterial branches that feed the tumor.

This research has the potential to change the way liver cancer is treated with radiation therapy, which is the most common type of cancer causing 700,000 deaths annually worldwide.

Dr. Soulez emphasized the advantages of the magnetic resonance navigation technique, indicating that the tumor is better visualized on MRI than on X-ray.

In an experiment using pigs to recreate anatomical conditions, the researchers successfully navigated the hepatic artery branches of the animals and arrived at their destination using the microrobots.

Furthermore, using an anatomical atlas of the human liver, the researchers were able to simulate microrobot maneuvers on 19 patients treated with transarterial chemoembolization, finding that in more than 95% of cases, the location of the tumors matched the navigation algorithm to reach the targeted tumor.

Despite these significant advances, clinical application of this technology is still in the distant future, as artificial intelligence models need further training and improvements for real-time navigation of microrobots to the liver.

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Utilizing New Technology to Detect Cancer Early: The Impact on Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust in West Yorkshire

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A West Yorkshire NHS Trust is utilizing advancements in technology, such as artificial intelligence and surgical robots, to achieve crucial cancer targets and alleviate widespread pressure on hospitals.

Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS The Foundation Trust is meeting three important cancer targets established by the government.

These targets include a waiting time of 28 days for patients who receive an emergency referral and are diagnosed with an infection or cancer, a 31-day wait from the patient’s treatment decision to the first treatment, and a 62-day wait from the emergency GP referral to the first treatment.

Sky News was given a tour of the innovations behind the hospital’s results, starting with a diagnostic test called Cytosponge. The Cytosponge is a small capsule with a string attached that is swallowed by the patient. When dissolved in the stomach, a brush collects cells from the esophageal lining, which are then analyzed for abnormalities.

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New diagnostic test site sponge could help doctors find cases of esophageal cancer faster

Cytosponges are used as an alternative to longer and more invasive endoscopies. Patients find the cytosponge less invasive and report a quicker procedure time.

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Source: news.sky.com

The impact of programmable bacteria on cancer treatment

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Researchers are developing synthetic programmable bacteria to help kill cancerous tissue.Credit: Texas A&M Engineering

https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1009258

https://chat.openai.com/c/6cfb1180-0a40-409b-b230-817e653d2c44

Texas A&M University researchers are co-leading a $20 million project to develop a $1 cancer treatment.

What if a single dose of $1 could cure cancer?

A multi-university research team is receiving federal funding to develop a highly efficient bacterial therapy that targets cancer more precisely and makes treatment safer at a cost of $1 per dose.

Traditionally, cancer treatments have had limited effectiveness in treating patients. Some treatments, such as radiation therapy and chemotherapy, can cause harmful side effects, while others tend to have poor patient response, not to mention the high cost of treatment.Survey results from American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network reports that 73% of cancer survivors and patients are concerned about how they will pay for their cancer treatment, and 51% say they have medical debt from their treatment. For example, cutting-edge cancer treatment can cost up to $1,000,000.

Texas A&M University and the University of Missouri are leading efforts to develop low-cost, safe and controlled cancer treatments. Researchers received a $20 million grant from the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) to fight cancer. The four-year project is part of the current administration’s cancer moonshot plan to boost cancer research and increase funding. It is funded by a newly established agency that aims to accelerate improved health outcomes for all by supporting the development of highly effective solutions to society’s most challenging health problems. It was one of my first projects.

Rapid analysis of cells

$12 million of the grant will go to the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station/Texas A&M. Alam Han, Jim Song, and Chelsea Hu are developing programmable synthetic bacteria for immune-induced killing in the tumor environment (SPIKE). The idea is to engineer the bacteria so that the T cells kill the cancerous tissue, and once the cancer is gone, they destroy themselves and are safely excreted out of the body as human waste.

“SPIKE can specifically target tumor cells,” said Han, a professor in Texas Instruments’ Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. “And because we only target the cancerous tissue and not the surrounding healthy cells, patient safety is dramatically increased. I’m excited to be part of this team tackling a critical health issue that affects so many people. I am very honored.”

Han’s lab is developing high-throughput microfluidic systems that can rapidly process and screen large bacterial therapeutic libraries one cell at a time to rapidly identify the most promising treatments. By fusing microfabrication techniques and biotechnology, these systems create picoliter-scale liquid handling systems that can accurately analyze single cells with high precision and speed, and devices that rapidly analyze individual cells. Realize.

“The big challenge is figuring out how to actually develop these sophisticated microdevices that can run millions of fully automated tests with very little manual or human intervention,” Han said. said. “That’s the engineering challenge.”

Rescue anti-tumor immune cells

While Han innovates and designs microdevices, Song, an immunologist with a background in microbial pathogenesis, T-cell biology, and T-cell-based immunotherapy, has spent the past five years working in bacterial immunotherapy. We are working on this.certain bacteria known as Brucella melitensis At least four types of cancer can be treated by manipulating the human body’s microenvironment and promoting T cell-mediated antitumor immunity.

“We are working on improving Brucella melitensis We can more effectively prevent or suppress tumor growth,” said Song, a professor at Texas A&M School of Medicine. “Our current approach involves finding ways to manipulate bacteria to rescue anti-tumor immune cells and make them more effective at killing tumor cells.

“According to the data so far, BrucellaThe efficiency is dramatically higher than other cancer treatments such as chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy and T-cell receptor therapy, with a response rate of over 70%,” said Song.

Safe and controllable treatment

While Professor Song continues to test the effectiveness of bacteria using cancer models, Professor Hu, an assistant professor in Artie McFerrin’s Department of Chemical Engineering and a synthetic biologist, has demonstrated that live bacterial treatments are safe and controllable. We are working to confirm.

” Brucella The strain we are using is attenuated and has been shown to be safe for the host as it lacks key genes required for bacterial virulence,” Hu said. Told. “Ultimately, we want to control the rate at which bacteria multiply within the tumor environment and their ability to self-destruct when their mission is completed.”

To control the rate of growth, the bacteria’s genes are modified to regulate its population, which fluctuates around a certain set point. Hu also plans to incorporate biosensors into the bacteria, allowing them to distinguish between healthy and tumor tissue, allowing them to grow only within the tumor microenvironment.

The bacteria are engineered with receptors that allow patients to take antibiotics after the cancer has gone away. This sends a signal to the bacteria to essentially shred itself and safely remove it from the patient’s body.

“We humans are actually covered in bacteria, and many diseases are caused by imbalances in these bacterial communities,” Hu said. “For example, some people have incredibly fragile stomachs, while others have strong stomachs. The science behind this is that people with strong immune and digestive systems have a healthy gut. It means that it has a population of bacterial cells. There are many possibilities for biological therapy.”

“It’s a really great opportunity to have a great team with the expertise and the ability to push this technology to the forefront,” Hu said. “So the goal is to go into the clinic and provide patients with effective cancer treatment for less than $1 per treatment.”

Tackling difficult problems with unconventional approaches

Other collaborators include Dr. Zhilei Chen of Texas A&M Health Science Center, Dr. Xiaoning Qian of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Principal Investigator Dr. Paul de Figueiredo of the University of Missouri.

“The three important advantages of this study are high safety, low cost, and specific targeting of cancerous tumors,” Han said. “We are very excited to be one of the first teams to receive support from ARPA-H, a brand new agency supported by Congress. We take an unconventional approach to tackling difficult problems. High risk, high impact is the hallmark of our approach.”

And the future applications of bacterial engineering that this research unlocks are limitless.

“For our next big project, we will work together to develop bacteria that fight autoimmune diseases such as type 1 diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis,” Song said. Bacteria-based immunotherapy is an exciting frontier in medicine and offers the potential to revolutionize the treatment of autoimmune diseases. With the power of beneficial microorganisms harnessed to modulate the immune system, we are changing the future of medicine. Our research and expertise promises to transform the lives of millions of people, giving them new hope and a healthier tomorrow. ”

Source: scitechdaily.com

Discovery of a direct correlation between elevated insulin levels and pancreatic cancer by scientists

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A new study has proven a direct link between high insulin levels and increased risk of pancreatic cancer in people with obesity and type 2 diabetes. This landmark study shows how excess insulin overstimulates pancreatic acinar cells, leading to inflammation and precancerous cells, particularly in the case of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). These findings highlight the importance of maintaining healthy insulin levels and may lead to new strategies for cancer prevention and treatment, including lifestyle interventions and targeted therapies.

For the first time, we explain in detail why people with obesity and type 2 diabetes have an increased risk of pancreatic cancer.

A recent study conducted by scientists at the University of British Columbia’s Faculty of Medicine revealed a direct relationship between high blood pressure and high blood pressure. insulin This level is frequently observed in patients with obesity, type 2 diabetes, and pancreatic cancer.

This study cell metabolismprovides the first detailed explanation of why people with obesity and type 2 diabetes are at increased risk of pancreatic cancer. This study shows that excessive insulin levels overstimulate pancreatic acinar cells, which produce digestive juices. This excessive stimulation causes inflammation and transforms these cells into precancerous cells.

“In addition to rapid increases in both obesity and type 2 diabetes, we are also seeing an alarming increase in the incidence of pancreatic cancer,” said co-senior author and professor in the Department of Cellular Physiology Sciences and co-senior author of the study. said Dr. James Johnson, interim director of the agency. UBC’s Institute of Life Sciences. “These findings help us understand how this is happening and highlight the importance of keeping insulin levels within a healthy range. can be achieved through medication.”

Dr. James Johnson is a professor in the Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences and interim director of the UBC Life Sciences Institute. credit:
UBC Faculty of Medicine

The study focused on pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), the most common type of pancreatic cancer and a highly aggressive disease with a five-year survival rate of less than 10 percent. The incidence of pancreatic cancer is on the rise. By 2030, PDAC is expected to become the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths.

Role of insulin in pancreatic cancer

Although obesity and type 2 diabetes were previously established as risk factors for pancreatic cancer, the exact mechanisms by which this occurs remained unclear. This new study sheds light on the role of insulin and its receptor in this process.

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Reference: “Hyperinsulinemia causes pancreatic cancer through acinar insulin receptors by increasing digestive enzyme production and inflammation” (Anni MY Zhang, Yi Han Xia, Jeffrey SH Lin, Ken H Chu, Wei Chuan K. Wang, Titine JJ Ruiter, Jenny) CC Yang, Nan Chen, Justin Choa, Shilpa Patil, Haoning Howard Sen, Elizabeth J. Rideout, Vincent R. Richard, David・F. Shafer, Rene P. Zahedi, Christoph H. Borchers, James D. Johnson, Janelle L. Kopp, October 31, 2023. cell metabolism.
DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2023.10.003

This study was funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the Lustgarten Foundation.

Source: scitechdaily.com