Neuroscientist Sheds Light on Cause for ‘Chemo Brain’
A new study argues that prolonged chemotherapy decreases the development of new brain cells, and disrupts ongoing brain rhythms in the part of the brain responsible for making new memories.
Researchers Discover Gene that Permanently Stops Cancer Cell Proliferation
Researchers discovered a mutant form of Chk1 gene that when expressed in cancer cells, permanently stopped their proliferation and caused cell death without the addition of any chemotherapeutic drugs. This study illustrates an unprecedented finding, that artificially activating Chk1 alone is sufficient to kill cancer cells.
Study Suggests New Treatment Target for Deadly Brain Tumors
“We identified a subset of brain tumor cells that are slower growing or remain at rest, and appear to be the source of cancer recurrence after standard therapy in which the drug temozolomide is given to stop the tumor’s growth,” said Dr. Luis Parada. “Current therapy targets fast-growing tumor cells but not those responsible for new tumors. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first identification of a cancer stem-like cell in a spontaneously forming tumor inside a mammal.”
Transplanted Gene-Modified Blood Stem Cells Protect Brain Cancer Patients from Toxic Side Effects of Chemotherapy
Study is first to show feasibility and efficacy of a new use for autologous stem cell transplant. For the first time, scientists at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center have transplanted brain cancer patients’ own gene-modified blood stem cells in order to protect their bone marrow against the toxic side effects of chemotherapy. Initial results of [...]
