MD Anderson Research Highlights for July 24, 2024

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center’s Research Highlights showcases the latest breakthroughs in cancer care, research and prevention. These advances are made possible through seamless collaboration between MD Anderson’s world-leading clinicians and scientists, bringing discoveries from the lab to the clinic and back.

Lifestyle Behaviors and Needs After Breast Cancer Diagnosis: A Qualitative Assessment

Abstract Purpose: There is a need to gain a deeper understanding of facilitators and barriers involving lifestyle behaviors among newly diagnosed breast cancer patients. Design: Research team explored influences (e.g., social, cultural, environmental) for healthy lifestyle behaviors (nutrition, physical activity (PA),…

Loyola Medicine Offers Free Cancer Screenings for Women at 10th Annual See, Test and Treat® Event

On Saturday, August 17, 2024, qualified women who make an appointment can receive free cervical and breast cancer screenings as part of Loyola Medicine’s 10th Annual See, Test and Treat® event. This annual event will be held at the Loyola Outpatient Center, 2160 S. First Ave., Maywood, Illinois.

MD Anderson Research Highlights for July 11, 2024

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center’s Research Highlights provides a glimpse into recent basic, translational and clinical cancer research from MD Anderson experts. These advances are made possible through seamless collaboration between MD Anderson’s world-leading clinicians and scientists, bringing discoveries from the lab to the clinic and back.

Chemotherapy disrupts gut microbiome in patients with breast cancer

“For the first time ever, our Intelligut Study found that the gut microbiome has been implicated in cognitive side effects of chemotherapy in humans,” said senior author Leah Pyter, associate professor of psychiatry and neuroscience with The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and College of Medicine.

Tai Chi reduces risk of inflammatory disease, treats insomnia among breast cancer survivors

New research led by UCLA Health confirms that both Tai Chi and cognitive behavioral therapy can reduce insomnia in breast cancer survivors but also may provide additional health benefits by reducing inflammation and bolstering anti-viral defenses.

The Harvey L. Neiman Health Policy Institute Launches Cancer Equity Compass

The Harvey L. Neiman Health Policy Institute announces the public launch of a new online tool that reveals the overlap between cancer disparities and social determinants of health (SDOH) using advanced heat maps of U.S. counties. The Cancer Equity Compass can identify high-opportunity targets for policies and programs to achieve equitable health outcomes in underserved populations.

How tumor stiffness alters immune cell behavior to escape destruction

Researchers at Sanford Burnham Prebys, with collaborators, illuminate how the fibrotic tumor microenvironment creates an inhospitable milieu for anti-tumor immunity, not just by creating a physical barrier but through metabolic changes that suppress the anti-tumor function of responding immune cells.

Almost 20% of breast cancer survivors may experience excess weight gain

Almost one out of five breast cancer survivors may experience weight gain of more than 10%, suggests a study presented Monday at ENDO 2024, the Endocrine Society’s annual meeting in Boston, Mass. A number of factors are associated with excessive weight gain, the researchers found.

Promising New Treatment for Patients with HR+ HER-2 Negative Metastatic Breast Cancer

New research from Yale Cancer Center reveals first-of-its-kind data from a phase I study in patients with hormone receptor positive HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer. The results, which assess the safety and efficacy of a treatment known as PF-07248144, offer new hope for treating this aggressive type of breast cancer.

Trilaciclib use for prevention of hematological adverse events in chemotherapy: A meta-analysis of real-world studies and clinical trials

Background: Trilaciclib, a cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK)-4 and -6 inhibitor, is the only FDA-approved agent that preemptively protects hematopoietic stem cells from chemotherapy-induced myelosuppression (CIM) without compromising efficacy. It transiently arrests hematopoietic stem cells in the G1 phase, thus temporarily blocking progression…

Donepezil Does Not Improve Chemotherapy-Related Cognitive Impairment

Researchers at Wake Forest University School of Medicine conducted a Phase III randomized, placebo-controlled trial to test donepezil, a cognitive-enhancing medicine used in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. The research team found that donepezil did not improve memory or other cognitive functions in survivors with cancer-related cognitive impairment.

New breast cancer screening recommendations aim to address health inequities, especially among Black women

Challenges remain in ensuring equitable access to screening and addressing gaps in evidence regarding supplemental screening modalities and the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, notes Joann Elmore, MD, MPH, a professor of medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA in a newly published editorial in JAMA.

Radiation before mastectomy cuts time delays for reconstructive surgery in breast cancer patients

Researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center showed that altering the sequence of breast cancer treatment to administer radiation before mastectomy allowed for concurrent breast reconstruction surgery, which reduced the number of operations required, minimized treatment delays and improved patient satisfaction.

Moncrief Cancer Institute debuts new Mobile Screening Clinic funded by Tarrant County

Moncrief Cancer Institute debuted its new Mobile Screening Clinic prior to the Tarrant County Commissioners Court meeting today. The $1 million, 36-foot cancer screening clinic was funded by Tarrant County through a three-year, $9 million grant awarded to Moncrief Cancer Institute in 2022. Part of the federal funding Tarrant County received through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), the grant enabled Moncrief to expand its comprehensive cancer screening program to more underserved residents in Tarrant County.

How Olivia Munn’s doctor knew she was at risk for breast cancer

Deborah Farr, M.D. is a surgical oncologist who specializes in treating breast cancer. When Dr. Farr heard about Olivia Munn’s diagnosis, she immediately knew what tool gave her the lifesaving information that she needed. “The breast cancer risk assessment tool…

¿La soja aumenta el riesgo de cáncer de mama?

Ha generado varios debates. ¿Hay alguna conexión entre la soja y el cáncer de mama? La soja contiene isoflavonas, que son los estrógenos vegetales. Se han relacionado los niveles altos de estrógeno con un mayor riesgo de cáncer de mama. Sin embargo, hay estudios que demuestran que los productos de soja no contienen niveles de estrógeno lo suficientemente altos como para aumentar las probabilidades de desarrollar cáncer de mama.

Launch of a pioneering translational research programme in Europe

– The TRIP initiative establishes three new joint laboratories that bring together fundamental biomedical research and clinical research with the aim of accelerating the delivery of results to patients.
– TRIP will focus on emerging fields such as immuno-oncology, inflammation, and cellular senescence.

NCCN Updates Treatment Recommendations for Breast, Colorectal, Lung, and other Cancer Types Based on Emerging Evidence

Recent NCCN Guidelines updates—along with the supporting evidence—will be presented during the NCCN 2024 Annual Conference held in Orlando, Florida April 5-7, and simultaneously online. Visit NCCN.org/conference to learn more and register.

Study Underscores Social Factors of Low Breast Cancer Screening in the U.S.

To identify major social factors hindering breast cancer screening in U.S. women aged 40 and older, researchers focused on race/ethnicity, employment, education, food security, insurance status, housing and access to quality health care. Access to health care emerged as a statistically significant theme (61 percent) and insurance status was the most reported sub-categorical factor. Language was the third highest issue, highlighting its significance as an influential factor of screening behavior. Race/ethnicity, sex/gender and sexual orientation were additional factors reported.

National Breast Cancer Foundation Gives Grant to Help Breast Care Center Patients at Texas Tech Physicians of El Paso

In addition to assisting with access to care, such as transportation and general needs like groceries, the grant will allow the Breast Care Center to screen for mental and emotional distress using tablets. Currently, patients participate in an online distress screening survey that prompts questions about financial and psychosocial stressors in a patient’s life.