PRESS-NEWS.org - Press Release Distribution
PRESS RELEASES DISTRIBUTION

MD Anderson Research Highlights for October 25, 2023

Featuring combination therapies for AML, pancreatic and stomach cancers, an approach to use exosomes for diagnosis and treatment of multiple cancers

2023-10-25
(Press-News.org) HOUSTON ― 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.

Recent developments at MD Anderson include positive results from a Phase I trial for patients with TP53-mutant acute myeloid leukemia, a novel machine learning platform to identify cancer biomarkers from liquid biopsies, a tumor-specific multi-microRNA delivery system to improve treatment outcomes in glioblastoma, a combination strategy to overcome treatment resistance in KRAS-mutated pancreatic cancer, and a new target for improving treatment response in patients with stomach cancer that has metastasized to the peritoneal cavity.

Read this press release in the MD Anderson Newsroom.

Magrolimab with azacitidine well tolerated by patients with previously untreated AML
Patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who are ineligible for intensive chemotherapy, particularly those with TP53 mutations, do not benefit from currently available therapies, representing a high unmet clinical need. In this Phase 1b multicenter study, researchers led by Naval Daver, M.D., examined the tolerability and efficacy of magrolimab paired with azacitidine for previously untreated AML patients. Magrolimab is a first-in-class monoclonal antibody targeting overly expressed CD47 that promotes ingestion by immune cells (phagocytosis), and azacitidine increases pro-phagocytic attack signals produced by AML cells. Together, magrolimab and azacitidine synergistically increased phagocytosis of AML cells in preclinical models. Among all trial participants, 32% achieved complete remission (CR). The trial was enriched for patients with TP53 mutations, who achieved a 31% CR rate. Side effects were manageable. Further investigation of this and other magrolimab combinations in AML is ongoing. Learn more in Journal of Clinical Oncology.

New machine learning AI platform identifies exosome biomarkers for cancer diagnoses
Liquid biopsies have emerged as a promising way to diagnose cancers with traditionally inaccessible tumors, such as pancreatic, lung and brain cancers. These fluids also contain exosomes, which are extracellular vesicles that assist in cell communication by transferring biomolecules such as DNA, RNA and proteins. Exosomes could potentially be used to identify tumor biomarkers, but no standardized isolation approaches or diagnostic methods exist to distinguish various human cancers across different biological fluids. Researchers led by Raghu Kalluri, M.D., Ph.D., developed a new machine learning-based approach to distinguish cancers using a panel of exosome-associated proteins identified from a comprehensive proteomics profile of exosomes derived from cell lines, tissues, plasma, serum and urine from 1,083 cancer and control samples. They discovered five universal exosome biomarkers present in over 90% of all cell line- and tissue-derived samples. Notably, this artificial intelligence model achieved high AUROC scores exceeding 0.91, or over 91% accuracy in distinguishing various types of cancers. This study provides further insights for potentially using plasma, serum- and urine-based exosome screening to assist with early cancer detection. Learn more in eLife.

Novel tumor-specific microRNA delivery system holds promise for glioblastoma treatment
Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common and deadliest primary brain cancer in adults, with poor outcomes due to a lack of novel therapeutics and significant barriers surrounding treatment delivery. MicroRNAs (miRs) have been used as potential agents to regulate gene expression within tumors, but it has been unclear which miRs are most effective against GBM and how best to deliver them. To address these issues, Frederick Lang, M.D., and colleagues screened over 600 miRs and identified a set of anti-GBM miRs, comparing them against GBM data from The Cancer Genome Atlas to pinpoint the most effective agents. They generated a circular RNA construct encoding the top three miRs and packaged them into engineered exosomes. This system resulted in high expression of all three miRs in tumor cells, synergistic killing of glioma stem cells in vitro, and prolonged survival of in vivo models compared to delivering each miR individually. The study suggests this combination of miRs and novel exosome delivery system has promise as a therapeutic strategy for patients with GBM. Learn more in Neuro-Oncology.

Combination strategy overcomes treatment resistance in preclinical KRAS-mutated pancreatic cancer
Patients with pancreatic cancer and KRAS mutations, the most common gene mutation, often respond well to KRAS inhibitors initially but eventually develop resistance, limiting therapeutic options. Previous studies have uncovered immune cell-mediated pathways involved in bypassing KRAS. Noting the abundance of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in pancreatic cancer, Jincheng Han and colleagues from the Ronald DePinho, M.D., laboratory explored the possible role of CAFs in treatment resistance. They found that NRG1, which is normally expressed in cell stroma, has ERBB2/3 receptors that are specifically expressed in cancer cells. KRAS inhibitor treatment in vivo led to higher expression of ERBB2/3, while NRG1 activation of these receptors allowed cells to escape KRAS inhibition. Using NRG1 or ERBB2 inhibition along with KRAS inhibition resulted in more sustained antitumor responses and increased survival, suggesting this combination strategy may be a viable option for patients with KRAS-mutated pancreatic cancer. Learn more in Genes & Development.

Combination strategy has potential for gastric adenocarcinoma
Patients with gastric adenocarcinoma (GAC) that has metastasized in the peritoneal cavity usually develop resistance to immunotherapy, highlighting a need to understand the underlying resistance mechanisms. Inhibition of the CD47 “don’t eat me” signal has limited clinical benefits, leading Jaffer Ajani, M.D., and colleagues to examine other potential targets as part of a combination strategy. They found that both galactin-3 (Gal-3) – which is known to promote immune suppression – and CD47 are highly co-expressed on malignant GAC cells in the peritoneal cavity and both are associated with poor prognosis, diffuse type and tumor relapses. The researchers generated lab models without Gal-3, leading to fewer macrophages and an increased T cell response. Furthermore, inhibiting Gal-3 along with CD47 increased immune cell infiltration both in vivo and in vitro, suggesting that this combined inhibition could be a promising therapeutic strategy for this patient population. Learn more in Cancer Research.

Recent awards and honors

Dimitrios Kontoyiannis, M.D., Ph.D., deputy head of Internal Medicine, was awarded the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) Society Citation Award MD Anderson at ESMO 2023
Read below for highlights from MD Anderson researchers at the 2023 European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress. More information can be found at MDAnderson.org/ESMO.

Erdafitinib demonstrates improved responses in FGFR-altered advanced urinary tract cancers Pre- and post-surgical immunotherapy improves outcomes for patients with operable lung cancer PARP inhibitor plus immunotherapy lowers risk of endometrial cancer progression over chemotherapy alone MD Anderson Research Highlights: ESMO 2023 Special Edition In case you missed it
Read below to catch up on recent MD Anderson press releases.

Lung cancer outcomes significantly improved with immunotherapy-based treatment given before and after surgery mRNA delivered by extracellular vesicles induces immunotherapy response in glioblastoma Lactate-producing bacteria inside tumors promote resistance to radiation therapy MD Anderson hosts 2023 Leading Edge of Cancer Research Symposium Jennifer Wargo, M.D., elected to the National Academy of Medicine MD Anderson launches collaborative initiative to reduce breast cancer disparities in Houston area  

– 30 –

END



ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

Can AI grasp related concepts after learning only one?

2023-10-25
Humans have the ability to learn a new concept and then immediately use it to understand related uses of that concept—once children know how to “skip,” they understand what it means to “skip twice around the room” or “skip with your hands up.”  But are machines capable of this type of thinking? In the late 1980s, Jerry Fodor and Zenon Pylyshyn, philosophers and cognitive scientists, posited that artificial neural networks—the engines that drive artificial intelligence and machine learning— are not capable of making these connections, known as “compositional generalizations.” However, in the decades ...

Breakthrough T cell discovery has huge potential for engineering custom immune responses

Breakthrough T cell discovery has huge potential for engineering custom immune responses
2023-10-25
SEATTLE – T cells are soldiers on the front lines of the human immune system. They are responsible for many important roles, including attacking viral- or bacterial-infected cells and certain cancer cells, and immunological memory – remembering the specific pathogens or the cancer signatures that originally trigger T cells.  Until now, understanding how a T cell forms into a specific role, for example a cell-killing (cytotoxic) T cell or memory T cell, has eluded us. In a paper that will be published online by Cell Reports on October 25, ISB researchers made the breakthrough ...

Sperm's secret voltage switch: Scientists unlock the mystery of motility

Sperms secret voltage switch: Scientists unlock the mystery of motility
2023-10-25
Researchers at Stockholm University have unveiled the hidden intricacies of how sperm go from passive bystanders to dynamic swimmers. This transformation is a pivotal step in the journey to fertilization, and it hinges on the activation of a unique ion transporter. Imagine sperm as tiny adventurers on a quest to reach the ultimate treasure, the egg. They don't have a map, but they make use of something even more extraordinary: chemo-attractants. These are chemical signals released by the egg that act as siren call, directing and activating the sperm. When these signals bind to receptors on the sperm's surface, it triggers a series of events, starting their movement towards ...

Simple blood test can help diagnose bipolar disorder

2023-10-25
Researchers have developed a new way of improving diagnosis of bipolar disorder that uses a simple blood test to identify biomarkers associated with the condition. The researchers, from the University of Cambridge, used a combination of an online psychiatric assessment and a blood test to diagnose patients with bipolar disorder, many of whom had been misdiagnosed with major depressive disorder. The researchers say the blood test on its own could diagnose up to 30% of patients with bipolar disorder, but that it is even more effective when combined with a digital mental health assessment. Incorporating biomarker ...

New study identifies illegal hunting as a threat to China’s wildlife and global public health

2023-10-25
Illegal hunting and trading of wildlife in China is becoming a significant threat to biodiversity and public health, according to a new paper by a team of researchers that includes two scholars from the School of Public and International Affairs. It is the first comprehensive assessment of this issue for China. The paper, "Assessing the illegal hunting of native wildlife in China," appears in Nature today. Its co-authors are Dan Liang, Xingli Giam, Sifan Hu, Liang Ma, and David S. Wilcove. Liang is an associate research scholar at SPIA's Center for Policy Research on Energy and the ...

Age, body mass index, tumor subtype, and racial and ethnic disparities in breast cancer survival

2023-10-25
About The Study: In this study with 9,479 participants, racial and ethnic survival disparities were identified in patients with early-stage breast cancer receiving standardized initial care, and potentially at-risk subgroups, for whom focused interventions may improve outcomes, were found.  Authors: Erica T. Warner, Sc.D., of Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, is the corresponding author.  To access the embargoed study: Visit our For The Media website at this link https://media.jamanetwork.com/  (doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.39584 Editor’s Note: Please see the article for additional ...

Metformin cessation and dementia incidence

2023-10-25
About The Study: Terminating metformin treatment was associated with increased dementia incidence in this study of 12,000 early terminators and 29,000 routine users of metformin. This finding may have important implications for clinical treatment of adults with diabetes and provides additional evidence that metformin is associated with reduced dementia risk.  Authors: Sarah F. Ackley, Ph.D., of Boston University, Boston, is the corresponding author.  To access the embargoed study: Visit our For The Media website at this link https://media.jamanetwork.com/  (doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.39723) Editor’s Note: Please see the article ...

NIST team develops highest-resolution single-photon superconducting camera

NIST team develops highest-resolution single-photon superconducting camera
2023-10-25
Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and their colleagues have built a superconducting camera containing 400,000 pixels — 400 times more than any other device of its type. Superconducting cameras allow scientists to capture very weak light signals, whether from distant objects in space or parts of the human brain. Having more pixels could open up many new applications in science and biomedical research. The NIST camera is made up of grids of ultrathin electrical wires, cooled to near absolute zero, in which current moves with no resistance until a wire is struck by a photon. In these superconducting-nanowire cameras, the energy imparted by ...

Trauma, severe stress in childhood linked to criminal legal involvement in next generation

2023-10-25
A study led by UCLA researchers found that the children of parents who experienced adverse childhood experiences (ACEs)– such as abuse, neglect, violence in the home, or loss of a parent – are at increased risk of arrests and convictions by young adulthood. The authors report that their findings suggest that there is a crucial need for prevention of ACE exposure in the first place, as well as efforts to mitigate the impact of ACEs before they have downstream impacts on the next generation of children who are not yet born. The study appears in JAMA ...

Massive space explosion observed creating elements needed for life

Massive space explosion observed creating elements needed for life
2023-10-25
Scientists have observed the creation of rare chemical elements in the second-brightest gamma-ray burst ever seen – casting new light on how heavy elements are made. Researchers examined the exceptionally bright gamma-ray burst GRB 230307A, which was caused by a neutron star merger. The explosion was observed using an array of ground and space-based telescopes, including NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope, Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope, and Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory. Publishing their findings today in Nature (25 Oct), ...

LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:

University of Tennessee, Lockheed Martin expand Master Research Agreement

Testing thousands of RNA enzymes helps find first ‘twister ribozyme’ in mammals

Groundbreaking study provides new evidence of when Earth was slushy

International survey of more than 1600 biomedical researchers on the perceived causes of irreproducibility of research results

Integrating data from different experimental approaches into one model is challenging – this study presents a community-based, full-scale in silico model of the rat hippocampal CA1 region that integra

SwRI awarded grant to characterize Las Moras Springs watershed

Water overuse in MATOPIBA could mean failure to meet up to 40% of local demand for crop irrigation

An extra year of education does not protect against brain aging

Researchers from Uppsala and Magdeburg obtain an ERC Synergy Grant to advance cancer immunotherapy

Deaf male mosquitoes don’t mate

Recognizing traumatic brain injury as a chronic condition fosters better care over the survivor’s lifetime

SwRI’s Dr. James Walker receives Distinguished Scientist Award from Hypervelocity Impact Society

A mother’s health problems pose a risk to her children

Ensuring a bright future for diamond electronics and sensors

The American Pediatric Society selects Dr. Maria Trent as the Recipient of the 2025 David G. Nichols Health Equity Award

The first 3D view of the formation and evolution of globular clusters

Towards a hydrogen-powered future: highly sensitive hydrogen detection system

Scanning synaptic receptors: A game-changer for understanding psychiatric disorders

High-quality nanomechanical resonators with built-in piezoelectricity

ERC Synergy Grants for 57 teams tackling major scientific challenges

Nordic research team receives €13 million to explore medieval book culture 

The origin of writing in Mesopotamia is tied to designs engraved on ancient cylinder seals

Explaining science through dance

Pioneering neuroendocrinologist's century of discovery launches major scientific tribute series

Gendered bilingualism in post-colonial Korea

Structural safety monitoring of buildings with color variations

Bio-based fibers could pose greater threat to the environment than conventional plastics

Bacteria breakthrough could accelerate mosquito control schemes

Argonne to help drive AI revolution in astronomy with new institute led by Northwestern University

Medicaid funding for addiction treatment hasn’t curbed overdose deaths

[Press-News.org] MD Anderson Research Highlights for October 25, 2023
Featuring combination therapies for AML, pancreatic and stomach cancers, an approach to use exosomes for diagnosis and treatment of multiple cancers