Zika virus may aid in the fight against brain cancer

Preliminary research conducted by a joint team at the University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, and the Chinese Academy of Military Medical Sciences in Beijing indicates that a harmless form of the Zika virus could be used to destroy glioblastoma brain tumours.  According to a news release from the American Society of Microbiology, use of a Zika virus vaccine extended survival of mice with glioblastomas from 30 to 50 days.  These results are promising, and the research team's next step "is to collaborate with doctors to develop trials evaluating the approaches' safety in patients."


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Risk of developing endocrinopathy determined in children and young adults after radiotherapy for brain tumours

A recently published study in the Journal of Clinical Oncology reports on the association between radiotherapy dosage for brain tumours in children and young adults and the risk of developing endocrine dysfunction.  Following the analysis of 222 patients between 1 month-26 years of age, it was determined that "patients between 6 and 10 years of age had a higher rate of endocrinopathy than patients less than 6 years old at treatment outset; patients 10 years of age or older shows the lowest incidence of hormone deficiency."


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Study mentioned: Vatner RE, Niemierko A, Misra M, et al. Endocrine Deficiency as a Function of Radiation Dose to the Hypothalamus and Pituitary in Pediatric and Young Adult Patients With Brain Tumors. J Clin Oncol; Published online 17 August 2018. DOI:  10.1200/JCO.2018.78.1492

A new study shows that appendix cancers are genetically distinct

The largest-ever study of DNA changes in cancer of the appendix shows that this rare cancer is distinct from colorectal cancer and other cancers of the gastrointestinal (GI) systemExit Disclaimer. Moreover, the study authors reported that specific genetic mutations found in the tumors may help predict whether they are likely to be aggressive. are likely to be aggressive. The study was published online on August 8 in JCO Precision Oncology.

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Vegetarian diet reduces colon cancer risk

A recently published study in JAMA Internal Medicine indicates that the adoption of a vegetarian diet lowers the risk of developing colon cancer.  The study, conducted on 77,000 adults, found that on average, "eating vegetarian may lower colon cancer risk by 19% and rectal cancer by 29% compared to non-vegetarians."  According to the different types of vegetarian diets listed in the study, pesco-vegetarians, those eating fish and seafood and avoiding other meats lowers colorectal cancer risk by up to 43%."


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Exosomes may help tumors evade immune system

A new study, led by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania, has identified what may be an important and previously unknown route by which tumors evade the immune system: They secrete small membrane-encased sacs, called exosomes, that are studded with a protein that dials down the immune response. The study found that in lab models of the skin cancer melanoma and in humans with the disease, tumor cells release exosomes coated with proteins called PD-L1. These proteins are part of a family of immune checkpoint proteins that bind to partner molecules on immune cells, effectively deactivating them.

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Two drugs work together to block ‘master regulator’ of breast cancer

A new study has found that the two-drug (arsenic trioxide and tretinoin) combination commonly used to treat a type of leukemia blocks an enzyme that has a central role in breast and many other cancers. The drug combination has essentially turned acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) from a fatal disease into a curable one. But the mechanism by which it kills cancer cells has been a mystery.

To read more about this study, click here.