By improving hospital care pathways, researchers from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center successfully reduced inpatient opioid use by 50% after pancreatic cancer surgery and cut the median opioid prescription volumes at discharge to zero. This approach could help reduce the risk of long-term opioid dependence in patients.   In this cohort study, which involved 832 patients undergoing pancreatic resection surgery, the researchers investigated how making incremental modifications to post-surgery procedures affected the amounts of opioids used...

Single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) are changes at specific positions in a DNA sequence that can help classify and explain differences in disease susceptibility across populations. While single-cell sequencing provides valuable insights into cellular differences within diverse tissue samples, current tools can only detect a small number of SNVs, limiting information on genetic ancestry. To help bridge this gap, researchers led by Ken Chen, Ph.D., developed a more sensitive computational tool called Monopogen that accurately detects SNVs from...

Calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs) are effective immunosuppressants used to minimize rejection of transplanted organs and tissues, but they can also cause persistent hypertension and other side effects. Calcineurin is abundantly present in the hypothalamus, which regulates blood pressure, and its inhibition leads to hyperactivity of excitatory NMDA receptors in the brain. However, long-term blockade of NMDA receptors also comes with negative side effects. To identify a better therapeutic strategy and provide insights into the impact of CNIs on...

Genetic crossovers – the exchange of DNA between pairs of chromosomes from each parent – play a crucial role in accurate chromosome segregation during meiotic cell division. However, the mechanisms underlying the formation of these crossovers in mammals are poorly understood. To provide further insight into this process, researchers led by Francesca Cole, Ph.D., used genetic dissection to map the frequency and distribution of crossover points in mouse models. The researchers discovered two unique intermediate steps...

There are currently no effective systemic therapies for metastatic adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC), a rare cancer that forms in the salivary glands.  A new study led by Renata Ferrarotto, M.D., and Luana Sousa, M.D., builds on previous findings in two major disease subtypes, including ACC-I, associated with poor patient prognosis. By exploring the tumor microenvironment, the researchers discovered that ACC-I tumors overexpressed the immune checkpoint protein B7-H4, resulting in an immune-excluded tumor microenvironment. In ACC-I...

A groundbreaking study by researchers at the University of Texas Medical Branch reveals exciting progress in using artificial intelligence to predict type 2 diabetes early on. The study shows that an advanced deep learning system, trained with large sets of X-rays and medical records, effectively detected type 2 diabetes with high accuracy.   “Early detection and interventions are crucial in managing type 2 diabetes and preventing complications,” said Dr. Jorge Rodriguez Fernandez, co-author, and professor...

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center was awarded four grants totaling nearly $4.9 million from the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) to support the expansion of physical activity programs for survivors, the dissemination of targeted tobacco cessation programs and the recruitment of a first-time, tenure-track faculty member.   MD Anderson’s Active Living After Cancer (ALAC) program received continued funding from CPRIT via two grants totaling $2,448,643 to support broader dissemination and implementation in...

A new study led by researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center discovered loss of metabolic fitness in chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) natural killer (NK) cells is a critical mechanism of resistance, with infused cells gradually losing the ability to compete with tumor cells for nutrients, leading to tumor relapse.   The study demonstrates that engineering CAR NK cells to express interleukin-15 (IL-15) enhances the cells’ metabolic fitness and provides a longer-lasting anti-tumor response....

A new study led by researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center provides a deeper understanding of the evolution of the tumor microenvironment during gastric cancer progression. Highlights of the study include a link between multicellular communities and clinical outcomes as well as a potential new therapeutic target.   Gastric adenocarcinoma is one of the most lethal cancers worldwide due to inherent treatment resistance, but the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in the progression from early...

Rice University bioengineers have demonstrated a low-cost, point-of-care DNA test for HPV infections that could make cervical cancer screening more accessible in low- and middle-income countries where the disease kills more than 300,000 women each year.   HPV, a family of viruses, infects nearly everyone at some point in their lives, often without symptoms. But more than a dozen types of HPV can cause persistent infections that result in cervical cancer, which is preventable and curable if it...