KRAS is the most commonly mutated gene in cancer, but targeting the mutant protein is notoriously difficult because current therapies work only for certain KRAS mutations. This led researchers Kathleen McAndrews, Ph.D., Anirban Maitra, M.B.B.S., Raghu Kalluri, M.D., Ph.D., and Timothy Heffernan, Ph.D., to examine the efficacy of a first-in-class inhibitor called BI-2493. This pan-KRAS inhibitor can target the mutant protein in multiple cancer types, regardless of the specific mutation present. BI-2493 was developed as part of the...

Natural killer (NK) cells became markedly better at killing cancer cells after scientists removed key gene targets identified through a new genome-wide CRISPR screening tool.   The study opens new avenues for discovering approaches to enhance the antitumor activity of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) NK cell therapies against multiple cancer types via PreCiSE, a comprehensive CRISPR discovery platform optimized for primary human NK cells.   “Targeted gene editing is a powerful tool to enhance the...

The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) has announced two significant leadership appointments in the John Sealy School of Medicine (JSSOM), reinforcing the institution’s commitment to clinical excellence, medical education, and research innovation.   Dr. Antonio Bianco, MD, PhD, has been named Senior Vice President of Health Affairs and Dean of the John Sealy School of Medicine, while continuing in his role as Chief Research Officer. Bianco, who has served as interim dean since March,...

Scientists at the University of Texas Medical Branch’s Galveston National Laboratory have been awarded up to $6.4 million in funding to support an international research consortium to crack one of the toughest problems in infectious disease science: determining which immune responses protect people against Lassa fever.   This funding was awarded as part of a joint funding call by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and Wellcome, with CEPI providing the funding to UNVEIL, which...

Studies have shown that the NSD2 protein fuels cancer growth, particularly in difficult-to-treat cancers with KRAS mutations, suggesting it has potential as a therapeutic target. A new multi-institutional study led by Pawel Mazur, Ph.D., confirmed that NSD2 can be targeted with a new drug. Blocking NSD2 effectively reprogrammed the DNA structure, which reversed and prevented new cancer growth in preclinical models of KRAS-mutant lung and pancreatic cancers. The NSD2 inhibitor alone improved survival and, when combined with the KRAS inhibitor sotorasib, resulted...

Many patients with cancer develop a serious and currently incurable condition called cachexia, which is characterized by rapid weight and muscle loss and is responsible for nearly one-third of cancer-related deaths. Cachexia is driven in part by inflammation affecting the parasympathetic nervous system and liver function. Since the vagus nerve regulates the parasympathetic nervous system, Xiling Shen, Ph.D., and colleagues examined its role in cancer-associated cachexia. Preclinical models and patient blood samples showed that cancer progression...

Many patients with advanced cancer are significantly impacted by agitated delirium, but there are conflicting results on treating this condition with medication. To provide insights, David Hui, M.D., and colleagues examined the effects of different medications on treating delirium in 111 patients with advanced cancers. The researchers examined patient responses to haloperidol and lorazepam – both separately and combined – compared to a placebo, with patients receiving scheduled doses every four hours. Follow-up results show that lorazepam, alone or with...

A significant challenge in developing treatment plans for patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is deciding whether to use immune checkpoint inhibitors alone or in combination with chemotherapy. Monotherapy is effective for many patients and is associated with fewer adverse effects. However, for patients who do not respond, the crucial time lost could lead to tumor progression. Unfortunately, there is a lack of reliable data to guide clinicians in this area. A team led by Jia...