(Press-News.org) EMBARGOED by Springer Nature until 10 a.m. GMT, Aug. 26, 2025
Contact: Maria Ober, mpober@bu.edu, 617-224-8963
(BOSTON) – People with type 2 obesity-driven diabetes tend to have more aggressive breast cancers, but no one knows exactly why. A new study by researchers at Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine and published in Springer Nature found that tiny particles in the blood, known as exosomes, which are altered by diabetes, can reprogram immune cells inside tumors making them weaker and allowing the cancer to grow and spread more easily.
“This is the first study to directly link exosomes from people with type 2 diabetes to suppressed immune activity inside human breast tumors,” said corresponding author Gerald Denis, PhD, the Shipley Prostate Cancer Research Professor at BU.
In the study, researchers used tumor samples from breast cancer patients to grow 3D tumor models in the lab. Known as patient-derived organoids, these models contain the immune cells originally found in the tumor. These mini tumors were treated with blood exosomes from people with and without diabetes but also without any cancer. Then researchers analyzed the organoids using single-cell RNA sequencing to see how the exosomes affected the immune cells and the tumor itself.
The patient-derived organoid system developed by Denis and first author Christina Ennis, PhD, is the first to preserve original immune cells from human tumors, letting scientists study tumor-immune interactions in a lab setting that closely mimics real life. In addition to breast cancer, this study also may be relevant to other cancers affected by immune suppression and metabolic disease.
“Breast cancer is already challenging to treat, and people with type 2 diabetes have worse outcomes, but clinicians don’t fully understand why,” said Denis. “Our study reveals one possible reason: diabetes changes the way the immune system works inside tumors. This could help explain why current treatments, like immunotherapy, don’t work as well in patients with diabetes. Knowing this opens the door to better, more personalized treatments for millions of people.” Over 120 million Americans are diabetic or prediabetic, yet if they develop cancer, they are not treated differently in any significant way by the standards of treatment in oncology. Thus, this work addresses a serious public health challenge.
This work was supported by grants from NIH: U01CA182898, U01CA243004 and R01CA222170 to G.V. Denis; 5T32AI007309 (PI: Gummurulu) to C.S. Ennis.
END
BU study finds type 2 diabetes blood factors drive breast cancer aggression
First study to link exosomes from people with type 2 diabetes to suppressed immune activity inside human breast tumors
2025-08-26
ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:
AI chatbots inconsistent in answering questions about suicide
2025-08-26
Three widely used artificial intelligence chatbots generally do a good job responding to very-high-risk and very-low-risk questions about suicide, but they are inconsistent in answering questions about suicide that may pose intermediate risks, according to a new RAND study.
Examining ChatGPT by OpenAI, Claude by Anthropic, and Gemini by Google, researchers found that ChatGPT and Claude generated appropriate responses to very-low-risk suicide-related questions and avoided direct responses to very-high-risk suicide-related questions that might encourage self-harm. Responses from Gemini were more variable.
Very-high-risk ...
More efficient and reliable SiC devices for a greener future
2025-08-26
Osaka, Japan - Researchers at The University of Osaka have developed a novel technique to enhance the performance and reliability of silicon carbide (SiC) metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) devices, a key component in power electronics. This breakthrough utilizes a unique two-step annealing process involving diluted hydrogen, to eliminate unnecessary impurities and significantly improve device reliability.
SiC power devices offer superior energy efficiency compared to traditional silicon-based devices, making them ideal for applications like electric vehicles and renewable energy systems. However, previous attempts to improve ...
Two thirds of reproductive-aged women have at least one modifiable risk factor for birth defects, study reveals
2025-08-26
Ann Arbor, August 26, 2025 - An analysis using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) among 5,374 women of reproductive age indicates that two thirds of women within this demographic have at least one modifiable risk factor, such as low folate status or unmanaged diabetes, that can increase the chance of serious birth defects. The new study appearing in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, published by Elsevier, highlights that identifying and addressing these changeable risk factors, especially before pregnancy, are important for public health programs and healthcare providers ...
Boosting the neuroglia as a therapeutic strategy for brain disorders
2025-08-26
MANCHESTER, UK, 26 August 2025 -- In a revealing Genomic Press Interview published today in Brain Medicine, Professor Alexei Verkhratsky dismantles decades of neuroscience orthodoxy with discoveries that position neuroglia as active architects of brain function rather than passive cellular bystanders. The Ukrainian-born scientist, whose journey from Soviet-era Kiev to Manchester spans four decades of transformative research, presents compelling evidence that treating brain disorders requires fundamentally rethinking how we approach neurological therapeutics by targeting neuroglia.
The interview unveils a remarkable scientific odyssey. Starting with patch-clamp precursor techniques ...
Computational neurogenomics revolution unlocks personalized treatments for brain disorders worldwide
2025-08-26
BRISBANE, Queensland, AUSTRALIA, 26 August 2025 — In a compelling interview with Genomic Press, published today in Genomic Psychiatry, Dr. Miguel E. Rentería reveals how his journey from Mexico to becoming one of Australia's most influential neuroscientists exemplifies the transformative power of curiosity, determination, and global scientific collaboration. The piece showcases a researcher whose innovative combination of genomics, neuroscience, and cutting-edge data science is poised to revolutionize how we understand and treat Parkinson's disease and psychiatric conditions ...
Psychedelics researcher reveals how MDMA and LSD transform human connectedness
2025-08-26
CHICAGO, Illinois, USA, 26 August 2025 -- In a revealing Genomic Press Interview published today in Psychedelics, Dr. Harriet de Wit shares insights from her extraordinary 45-year scientific journey that has fundamentally transformed global understanding of how psychoactive drugs affect human behavior and consciousness. The Director of the Human Behavioral Pharmacology Laboratory at the University of Chicago discusses breakthrough discoveries that are reshaping psychiatric treatment approaches worldwide, from PTSD therapy to addiction science.
The interview ...
Making low-fertility rats fertile by changing the treatment interval
2025-08-26
Researchers at Osaka Metropolitan University have found that changing the timing of fertility drugs to match the follicle maturity period significantly increases the number of ovulated oocytes—the cells that develop into eggs—during artificial fertilization, even in rats that typically produce few oocytes.
Their findings add to research on maximizing the number of oocytes. The cells are an important part of reproduction, because boosting the amount and quality that are released increases the chance of becoming pregnant.
Increasing their ...
Common painkillers linked to antibiotic resistance
2025-08-26
Ibuprofen and paracetamol are common over-the-counter medications that many of us reach for when we’re sick. But new research from the University of South Australia shows that these trusted staples are quietly fuelling one of the world’s biggest health threats: antibiotic resistance.
In the first study of its kind, researchers found that ibuprofen and paracetamol are not only driving antibiotic resistance when used individually but amplifying it when used together.
Assessing the interaction of non-antibiotic medications, the broad-spectrum antibiotic ciprofloxacin, and Escherichia ...
Teachers' depression, anxiety and stress at three times the national norm: new study
2025-08-26
Nine out of 10 Australian teachers are experiencing severe stress, and nearly 70% say their workload is unmanageable, says UNSW Sydney research.
A new study from researchers at UNSW Sydney – the first to examine rates of depression, anxiety and stress in Australian teachers – has found they experience these mental health issues at three times the national norm.
The study ‘Teachers’ workload, turnover intentions, and mental health’ published in Social Psychology of Education surveyed nearly 5000 primary and secondary school teachers across the country.
Researchers found that 90% of teachers ...
Common cold may protect against COVID-19 according to National Jewish Health researchers
2025-08-25
DENVER (AUG 25, 2025) A new study led by researchers at National Jewish Health has found that recent infection with the common cold — often caused by rhinoviruses — may offer temporary protection against infection with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. The research provides fresh insight into why children are less likely than adults to develop symptoms and could point toward new ways to reduce the severity of respiratory illnesses.
Published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases earlier this month, the study analyzed data from the nationwide Human Epidemiology and Response to SARS-CoV-2 (HEROS) study, ...
LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:
University of Oklahoma researcher awarded funding to bridge gap between molecular data and tissue architecture
Nationally-recognized pathologist Paul N. Staats, MD, named Chair of Pathology at University of Maryland School of Medicine
The world’s snow leopards are very similar genetically. That doesn’t bode well for their future
Researchers find key to stopping deadly infection
Leafcutter ants have blind spots, just like truck drivers
Tayac receives funding for community engagement project
Parker receives funding for Elementary Education Program Professional Development School (PDS)
Physicists uncork a message in a bottle from another star
Sanders receives funding for project aimed at enabling prostheses for children with lower extremity amputation
Engineers develop solid lubricant to replace toxic materials in farming
Repurposing gemstone polishing waste to create smart cement
Patient-physician messaging by race, ethnicity, insurance type, and preferred language
Unrecognized motor difficulties and developmental coordination disorder in preschool children
Background genetic variants influence clinical features in complex disorders
Smarter battery tech knows whether your EV will make it home
Overactive microRNAs block fat cell development in progeria
Crosswalk confusion: MA drivers flummoxed by pedestrian hybrid beacons, find UMass Amherst researchers
Study shows heart disease mortality disproportionately burdens low-income communities in California
Intracardiac echocardiography recognized as ‘transformative’ imaging modality in new SCAI position statement
Study finds ‘man’s best friend’ slows cellular aging in female veterans
To get representative health data, researchers hand out fitbits
Hiring in high-growth firms: new study explores the timing of organizational changes
Boosting work engagement through a simple smartphone diary
Climate change may create ‘ecological trap’ for species who can’t adapt
Scientists create ChatGPT-like AI model for neuroscience to build one of the most detailed mouse brain maps to date
AI and omics unlock personalized drugs and RNA therapies for heart disease
2023 ocean heatwave ‘unprecedented but not unexpected’
Johns Hopkins researchers develop AI to predict risk of US car crashes
New drug combination offers hope for men with advanced prostate cancer
New discovery finds gene converts insulin-producing cells into blood-sugar boosters
[Press-News.org] BU study finds type 2 diabetes blood factors drive breast cancer aggressionFirst study to link exosomes from people with type 2 diabetes to suppressed immune activity inside human breast tumors