Researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center showed that altering the sequence of breast cancer treatment to administer radiation before mastectomy allowed for concurrent breast reconstruction surgery, which reduced the number of operations required, minimized treatment delays, and improved patient satisfaction.   The Phase II trial results evaluated 49 patients who received radiation therapy followed by mastectomy with immediate breast reconstruction. There were no complete flap losses or disease recurrences at a...

Galectin-3 (GAL3), which regulates cell proliferation and the function of various immune cell populations, is highly expressed by myeloid and pancreatic cancer cells. However, its role in the pancreatic tumor microenvironment remains unclear. To provide further insights, researchers led by Yang Chen, Ph.D., generated in vivo models of pancreatic cancer with GAL3 genetically deleted in both cancer and myeloid cells. Deleting GAL3 inhibited pancreatic cancer progression and prolonged survival in these models. Single-cell sequencing revealed that GAL3 deletion enriched antitumor...

Patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who are ineligible for intensive chemotherapy have limited therapeutic options. Previous research suggests hypomethylating agents combined with venetoclax are effective for this group, but the hypomethylating agent must be given via parenteral administration or intravenous injection outside of the digestive tract. In a Phase II study, researchers led by Farhad Ravandi, M.D., and Alexandre Bazinet, M.D., evaluated an oral combination of decitabine and cedazuridine (ASTX727) plus venetoclax in 62...

Osteoclast cells are responsible for the resorption of bone structure and minerals, and their dysregulation is associated with osteoporosis, or decreased bone mineral density. Building upon previous work showing that MALAT1, a long noncoding RNA (lncRNA), suppresses breast cancer metastasis, Li Ma, Ph.D., and colleagues noted that a specific mutation in MALAT1 was associated with low bone mineral density and sought to determine the role of MALAT1 alternations in bone diseases. MALAT1 deficiency led to osteoporosis and more severe bone metastases of...

While positron emission tomography (PET) scans are highly effective in detecting lung cancer, their accessibility is limited, especially in low-income regions. To address this issue, researchers led by Jia Wu, Ph.D., Jianjun Zhang, M.D., Ph.D., and Carol Wu, M.D., leveraged deep learning techniques to generate synthetic PET scans from more widely available computed tomography (CT) scans. Radiologists validated the imaging quality and tumor contrast between the synthetic and actual PET images, and the researchers demonstrated the superior diagnostic...

Cancers progress and continuously adapt, making them challenging to treat. As cancer cells replicate and evolve, distinct cellular lineages, or subclones, compete to dominate and drive tumor progression. Researchers led by I-Lin Ho, Ph.D., and Andrea Viale, M.D., developed a new model for pancreatic cancer to study subclone evolution within tumors and metastases. They found that subclones undergo continuous fluctuations in representation during tumor growth, even without any external treatment, with dominant subclones suddenly collapsing...

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) typically differentiate to replenish peripheral immune cells and undergo self-renewal to retain an adequate supply of parent cells, but the mechanisms regulating HSCs and preventing uncontrolled dysfunction are poorly understood. The STAT3 protein facilitates the maturation of immune system cells, but its role in HSCs is difficult to study because STAT3 deficiency or deletion in hematopoietic cells can induce systemic inflammation, impacting HSC activity. To address this, researchers led by Stephanie Watowich, Ph.D.,...

A groundbreaking study by researchers at the University of Texas Medical Branch is shedding light on a promising development in the battle against highly fatal hemorrhagic diseases caused by orthoebolaviruses, including the notorious Ebola virus.   The research highlights the strong protective efficacy demonstrated by Obeldesivir when administered orally, providing solutions to challenges faced in treating these viruses, particularly in resource-poor areas where intravenous therapies can pose significant logistical hurdles.   “People are also much more likely...

A new addition at Quentin Mease Health Center, a Harris Health System specialty facility rededicated in 2023, promises to provide patients with more early cancer detection and prevention procedures. Through the Harris Health Endoscopy Center at Quentin Mease, staff will perform colonoscopies and other diagnostic exams for cancer.   The 8,000-square-foot center features eight procedure suites, 11 pre-operative beds and 18 post-operative beds. It recently opened with two procedure suites with plans to increase operations...

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center announced it has acquired certain assets from Bellicum Pharmaceuticals, Inc. related to the CaspaCIDe® switch platform and the GoCAR® platform. The transaction also includes clinical-grade stocks of rimiducid, an agent used to trigger the switches.   As a result of this acquisition, MD Anderson may incorporate these platforms into its own cell therapy programs. The institution also intends to make the technology widely available via non-exclusive licenses to other academic institutions and to biopharmaceutical...