Gene therapy may prevent brain cancer recurrence

 A new phase I clinical trial conducted at the University of Minnesota Medical School  indicates that gene therapy treatment may prevent the recurrence of brain cancer cancer.  The trial, conducted on 56 patients with recurrent high-grade glioma brain cancer shows that "3 years after the gene therapy treatment, more than a quarter of the patients were still alive."  Median survival time for patients was raised to 14.4 months, compared to 8 months for patients without the gene therapy.

Click here to read more about this trial, results of which were presented on Friday, October 27th at the International Conference on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics in Philadelphia.

new trial alert: Walk on: a community-based approach to promote participation in physical activity among men treated for colorectal cancer

The Wellness Beyond Cancer Program at the Ottawa Hospital is recruiting men 18 years or older, diagnosed with colorectal cancer and having completed treatment, to participate in a clinical trial.  The primary purpose of the trial is to determine if a "men's group-based walking program [could be] an effective way to reach men and promote quality of life after cancer treatment."

To read more about this trial, click here.

Artificial intelligence as a possible partner in breast cancer care

New research conducted at the Massachusetts General Hospital suggests that artificial intelligence can help doctors identify high-risk breast lesions that could manifest into cancer. According to study author Dr. Manisha Bahi, the machine learning test involved 1,000 women with high-risk breast lesions, identifying 37 of 38 lesions correctly. 

To read more about this study, click here.

How breast cancer gene mutations raise risk of tumours

Researchers at the Yale Cancer Center claim to have identified the molecular mechanism that enables the mutation to cause the BRCA1 gene to lose its DNA repair and tumour-fighting power" and thus trigger breast cancer.  According to Patrick Sung, study senior author, results from these findings could lead to more effective drugs to treat breast and ovarian cancers.

To read more about this study, click here.