The immune checkpoint inhibitor avelumab has been approved for multiple cancer types, but has thus far had mixed results in gynecologic patients. A study led by Aung Naing, M.D., was designed to evaluate whether combining avelumab with a 4-1BB agonist (utomilumab), an OX40 agonist (PF-04518600) or radiotherapy would increase efficacy. Although the combinations proved to be safe, they did not produce significant responses in this heavily pretreated population. In 35 patients evaluated, the overall response rate (ORR) was 2.9% and...

The human genome contains thousands of non-canonical open reading frames (ORFs) with the potential to encode functional proteins, including microproteins. These unannotated, cryptic proteins are not easily detected by conventional approaches and are considered part of the “dark” proteome. Previous studies have highlighted the tumor-suppressive function of some microproteins in colorectal cancer (CRC), but their role in cancer remains largely unknown. To provide further insights, researchers led by Yiwen Chen, Ph.D., used an integrated multiomic approach combining ribosome...

Incorporating navy beans into the diet of colorectal cancer (CRC) survivors has the potential to positively impact both gut and host health by modulating markers linked to obesity and disease, according to new research from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Findings revealed that BE GONE trial participants who added a cup of navy beans daily to their regular meals saw positive changes in their gut microbiome, which is associated with cancer prevention and improved treatment...

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and Jazz Pharmaceuticals plc announced a five-year strategic research collaboration agreement to evaluate zanidatamab, Jazz’s investigational HER2-targeted bispecific antibody, in multiple HER2-expressing cancers.   The collaboration will combine MD Anderson’s translational medicine and clinical research expertise with Jazz’s expanding oncology drug development capabilities to investigate the potential of zanidatamab as monotherapy and in combination with other treatments for patients with different tumor types and stages. This includes its possible...

Mutations in DNA repair genes are known drivers of hereditary cancers. However, only a tiny fraction of patients with hereditary breast or ovarian cancers have BRCA1/2 mutations involved in homologous recombination (HR) DNA repair. Researchers led by Nidhi Sahni, Ph.D., calculated scores across tumors from The Cancer Genome Atlas to comprehensively identify positive or negative tumors for HR defects. Around 75% of tumors with a positive HR score did not have deficiencies in known HR genes, but the researchers identified nearly...

The human genome contains thousands of non-canonical open reading frames (ORFs) with the potential to encode functional proteins, including microproteins. These unannotated, cryptic proteins are not easily detected by conventional approaches and are considered part of the “dark” proteome. Previous studies have highlighted the tumor-suppressive function of some microproteins in colorectal cancer (CRC), but their role in cancer remains largely unknown. To provide further insights, researchers led by Yiwen Chen, Ph.D., used an integrated multi-omic approach combining ribosome...

The University of Texas Medical Branch recently started implementing a state-of-the-art robotic bronchoscopy system. This technology is set to revolutionize diagnostic procedures in pulmonary medicine, offering unprecedented precision and minimally invasive capabilities.   “This robotic bronchoscopy system represents a significant leap forward in the field of diagnostic bronchoscopy to identify early-stage lung cancer before it has spread,” says Dr. Shawn Nishi, Interventional Pulmonologist at UTMB, about the impact of this technology. “This offers the best...

A regimen of pre-surgical immunotherapy and chemotherapy followed by post-surgical immunotherapy significantly improved event-free survival (EFS) and pathologic complete response (pCR) rates compared to chemotherapy alone for patients with operable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), according to results of a Phase III trial reported by researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.   The AEGEAN trial evaluated durvalumab given perioperatively, meaning therapy is given both before and after surgery. Participants in the trial received either pre-surgical (neoadjuvant) durvalumab and platinum-based chemotherapy followed...

Targeted treatment with the fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) inhibitor erdafitinib improved responses and overall survival compared to standard chemotherapy for patients with metastatic urothelial cancers with FGFR alterations. Researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center led results from the Phase III THOR trial.   “Metastatic urothelial cancer continues to challenge us with its absence of a cure, highlighting the need for innovative treatment approaches,” said Arlene Siefker-Radtke, M.D., professor of Genitourinary Medical Oncology and senior investigator on the trial....

Researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center have discovered that lactate-producing intratumoral bacteria drive resistance to radiation therapy, suggesting that lactic acid-producing bacteria present in various cancers may serve as novel therapeutic targets.   The study reported that a particular bacterial species, Lactobacillus iners (L. iners), caused cancer cells to respond to radiation by rewiring metabolic signaling pathways to resist treatment. The researchers also found that L. iners was associated with poorer clinical outcomes in patients with cervical cancer.   “These...