Biology of Cancer - Cancer Currents Blog
Cancer biology research news, with context from experts at NCI and elsewhere. Topics include cancer metastasis, the tumor microenvironment, and new targets for cancer therapies.
-
Coming Full Circle on Cancer and Extrachromosomal DNAA new study shows for the first time that a circular form of DNA, called ecDNA, is present in precancerous tissue and not just cancer cells. The study also suggested that when ecDNA is present in Barrett’s esophagus, that tissue is almost certain to become cancer.
-
Strategy May Prevent Tumor Resistance to Targeted Cancer TherapiesResearchers have identified a mechanism by which cancer cells develop specific genetic changes needed to become resistant to targeted therapies. They also showed that this process, called non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ), can potentially be disrupted.
-
ETV6 Protein Could Be an Important Target for Ewing Sarcoma TreatmentThe protein ETV6 appears to promote tumor growth by affecting the behavior of the EWS-FLI1 fusion protein that drives most Ewing sarcomas. The research groups that made the discovery hope it leads to a targeted therapy for the aggressive childhood cancer.
-
In Mouse Study, KRAS-Targeted Drug Shows Potential against Pancreatic CancerAn experimental drug, MRTX1133, shrank tumors or halted their growth in several mouse models of human pancreatic cancer with KRAS G12D mutations, a new study shows. The models included one that is genetically engineered to closely mimic the human disease.
-
Study Identifies a Potential Cause of Immunotherapy’s Heart-Related Side EffectsIn people with cancer treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors, a rare, but often fatal, side effect is inflammation in the heart, called myocarditis. Researchers have now identified a potential chief cause of this problem: T cells attacking a protein in heart cells called α-myosin.
-
Bariatric Surgery May Reduce the Risk of Some Common CancersA new study suggests that people with obesity who had bariatric surgery had a much lower risk of five common cancers that aren’t related to hormone levels, including lung, colorectal, and esophageal cancer.
-
“Oncometabolite” Neutralizes Immune Cells Near TumorsIn a new study, researchers showed that cancer cells with mutations in the IDH1 gene release large amounts of a metabolite called D-2HG. Once outside of the cells, D-2HG acts like force field by neutralizing nearby immune cells.
-
Preventing Chemo Brain? Study Identifies Potential Approach for Common ProblemCisplatin raises levels of a fat molecule called S1P in areas of the brain responsible for memory and information processing, a new study shows. S1P locks onto a protein on the surface of brain cells called S1PR1. In mice given cisplatin, drugs that block S1PR1 prevented cognitive problems.
-
Can Targeted Therapy for KRAS Mutations Double as Part of Immunotherapy?Two research teams have developed a treatment approach that could potentially enable KRAS-targeted drugs—and perhaps other targeted cancer drugs—flag cancer cells for the immune system. In lab studies, the teams paired these targeted drugs with experimental antibody drugs that helped the immune system mount an attack.
-
Vulnerability in Brain Tumors May Open Door to New TreatmentsTwo companion studies have found different forms of some brain tumors, diffuse midline glioma and IDH-mutant glioma, become dependent for their survival on the production of chemicals called pyrimidines. Clinical trials are planned to test a drug that blocks pyrimidine synthesis in patients with gliomas.
-
Abnormal Collagen May Be Weak Spot for Pancreatic CancerAbnormal collagen that is formed only by pancreatic cancer cells ramps up activity that increases tumor growth and survival, a study found. In mice, blocking production or effects of the abnormal collagen made treatment for pancreatic cancer more effective.
-
Targeting Inflammation Emerges as a Strategy for Treating CancerInflammation is considered a hallmark of cancer. Researchers hope to learn more about whether people with cancer might benefit from treatments that target inflammation around tumors. Some early studies have yielded promising results and more are on the horizon.
-
Targeting the Accomplice: A Potential Treatment Approach for RhabdomyosarcomaThe fusion protein that drives the growth and survival of some rhabdomyosarcoma tumors relies on the KDM4B enzyme, researchers have found. Treating mice with a KDM4B-blocking drug and chemotherapy nearly eliminated rhabdomyosarcoma tumors with the fusion protein.
-
New Cancer Model Shows Promise in Predicting If Treatment Will Shrink TumorsA research team hopes to offer oncologists a new tool to guide treatment choices for their patients. In a small study, a tumor model called micro-organospheres accurately predicted whether patients would respond to their chemotherapy treatment.
-
Androgen Receptor May Explain Sex Differences in Melanoma Treatment ResponseMale patients with metastatic melanoma don’t live as long as females, and their tumors are more likely to become resistant to commonly used treatments. A new study may help explain why: the androgen receptor.
-
Immunotherapy’s Skin Side Effects: Are Microbes to Blame?People with cancer who take immunotherapy drugs often develop skin side effects, including itching and painful rashes. New research in mice suggests these side effects may be caused by the immune system attacking new bacterial colonies on the skin.
-
New Way to Classify Meningioma Brain Tumors Suggests Potential TreatmentsTwo separate but complementary studies have identified a new way to classify meningioma, the most common type of brain tumor. The grouping system may help predict whether a patient’s tumor will grow back after treatment and identify new treatments.
-
Keto Molecule Offers Clue for Preventing Colorectal CancerIn a study in mice, researchers showed that BHB, a compound produced while eating a ketogenic diet, may slow or stop colorectal cancer from growing. More studies are needed, they warned, to see if BHB has similar effects in humans.
-
Cancer in Lymph Nodes May Help Tumors Spread by Enlisting Immune CellsCancer often spreads to the lymph nodes, but it has never been clear why. A new study in mice suggests lymph node invasion helps the primary tumor spread, or metastasize, to other organs.
-
Body Location May Influence Fate of Cells with Cancer-Causing MutationsWhether cells with cancer-related genetic changes will develop into tumors may partly depend on their location in the body, a new study finds. The study focused on a rare form of skin cancer, acral melanoma.