New class of white blood cells discovered; potential target for better vaccine design
7/19/2013
Scientists at A*STAR's Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN) have discovered a new class of white blood cells in human lung and gut tissues that play a critical role as the first line of defence against harmful fungal and bacterial infections...
Anemia in breast cancer patients reduced by epoetin alfa with no negative impact on survival
7/19/2013
In patients with high-risk breast cancer, addition of the erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA) epoetin alfa to the chemotherapy regimen may help avoid the decrease in hemoglobin levels and resulting anemia often seen in these patients and does not negatively affect relapse-free (RFS) or overall survival (OS)...
In animal studies antibodies prevented from neutralizing gene therapy in cell
7/19/2013
Gene therapy researchers have produced a bioengineered decoy that fools the immune system and prevents it from mistakenly defeating the benefits delivered by a corrective gene. The decoy was effective in animal studies, and if the approach succeeds in humans, it offers a potential new treatment for genetic diseases such as hemophilia, while advancing the broader field of gene therapy...
Rapid Progress In Understanding And Treating Skin Cancer
7/19/2013
A decade ago there was little doctors could do to help a patient with advanced-stage melanoma. Now it seems each week yields important new discoveries about the deadly skin cancer. "I've been doing this for 30 years, and now is by any measure the most exciting time for melanoma research," said Brian Nickoloff, director of the Nicholas V. Perricone, M.D...
Molecular Relative Of P53 Tumor Suppressor Protein Also Helps Cancer Cells Thrive
7/19/2013
They say you can pick your friends, but not your family. The same may hold true for related proteins. The protein TAp73 is a relative of the well-known, tumor-suppressor protein p53. It shares extensive common gene sequences with p53 and, as suggested by some previous studies, it may function similar to p53 to prevent tumor formation...
Cancer Metastasis Likely Driven By Self-Perpetuating Signals
7/19/2013
A team of international researchers from Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School Singapore and the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (USA) has identified a self-perpetuating signaling circuit inside connective tissue cells that allows these cells to form a front and a back and propel themselves in a particular direction over a long period of time...
Lung cancer signs even in "healthy" smokers
7/18/2013
Smokers who have been given a clean bill of health from their doctors after normal examination results may still have early signs of lung cancer, according to a study published in the journal Stem Cells...
Surgeon's smart knife detects cancer cells in tumor operations
7/18/2013
When surgeons remove tumor tissue they try to leave a "margin" of healthy tissue to ensure all the cancer is removed. Sometimes this means the patient has to remain under general anaesthetic for another 30 minutes or so while tissue samples are sent for analysis to check if the margin is clear...
Ovarian Cancer Metastases Influenced By Factors In Target Tissues
7/18/2013
Cancer researchers have wondered why ovarian cancer cells are so attracted to the abdominal cavity, especially the omentum, with the hope that such an understanding could lead to better disease management or even prevention...
Reducing Obstacles To Much Needed Cervical Cancer Screenings Via STD Clinics
7/18/2013
A new study found that STD clinics could provide important access to cervical cancer screenings for women who traditionally have trouble receiving these screenings because of lack of insurance or other obstacles. Cervical cancer can be painful and deadly but can be effectively treated if caught soon enough. Yet in the U.S...