Cell-free DNA in urine potential method for cancer detection

Researchers at Baylor University and Phoenix Children's Hospital have discovered a method whereby DNA fragments in urine can differentiate between healthy individuals and those with cancer.  According to study senior author Dr. Muhammed Murtaza, "certain regions of the genome are protected from fragmentation in urine from healthy individuals...but the same regions are more fragmented in patients with cancer." 

To learn more about this study click here. 

Study mentioned:  Havell Markus, Jun Zhao, Tania Contente-Cuomo, Michelle D. Stephens, Elizabeth Raupach, Ahuva Odenheimer-Bergman, Sydney Connor, Bradon R. McDonald, Bethine Moore, Elizabeth Hutchins, Marissa McGilvrey, Michelina C. de la Maza, Kendall Van Keuren-Jensen, Patrick Pirrotte, Ajay Goel, Carlos Becerra, Daniel D. Von Hoff, Scott A. Celinski, Pooja Hingorani, Muhammed Murtaza. Analysis of recurrently protected genomic regions in cell-free DNA found in urine. Science Translational Medicine, 2021; 13 (581): eaaz3088 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aaz3088

STINGing tumours with nanoparticles

 Researchers at UT Southwestern have determined that "a new nanoparticle-based drug can boost the body's innate immune system and make it more effective at fighting off tumors."  The study is the first to target and identify STING, an immune molecule with nanoparticles 1/1 000 000 the size of a soccer ball which has the ability to switch immune activity on or off according to the physiological environment. 

To read more about this study, click here. 

Study mentioned: Suxin Li, Min Luo, Zhaohui Wang, Qiang Feng, Jonathan Wilhelm, Xu Wang, Wei Li, Jian Wang, Agnieszka Cholka, Yang-xin Fu, Baran D. Sumer, Hongtao Yu, Jinming Gao. Prolonged activation of innate immune pathways by a polyvalent STING agonist. Nature Biomedical Engineering, 2021; DOI: 10.1038/s41551-020-00675-9

Breast cancer now most common form of cancer worldwide, according to the World Health Organization

According to recently statistics by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), breast cancer is now the mostly commonly-diagnosed cancer worldwide, ahead of lung cancer. 

A new global breast cancer initiative between the World Health Organization (WHO), the IARC,  and the International Atomic Energy Agency will be established later in 2021 to "reduce deaths from breast cancer by promoting breast health, improving timely cancer detection, and ensuring access to quality care." 

To read more about these latest trends, click here. 

Majority of patients with cancer are willing to be vaccinated against COVID-19

 A recently conducted survey among ambulatory patients at four French cancer centres found that most patients undergoing treatment for their cancer wish to be vaccinated against COVID-19.  Study authors further confirmed that "patients with cancer have a variable but confirmed higher risk of severe COVID-19.  They advocate that patients with cancer should be a target population for vaccination, despite [being] excluded from the first trials."  Patients responding to the survey also believed that oncologists are qualified to provide guidance and advise regarding COVID-19 vaccination. 

To read more about this survey, click here. 

Study mentioned: 

Barrière J, Gal J, Hoch B, et al. Acceptance of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination among French patients with cancer: a cross-sectional survey. Annals of Oncology; Published online 29 January 2021. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annonc.2021.01.066