Latest News from: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

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Released: 22-Mar-2012 2:50 PM EDT
Genomic Data on Chronic Lung Disease Made Readily Available on New Website
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

The Lung Genomics Research Consortium – an alliance of scientists at five U.S. institutions – has published a new website that makes a broad range of genomic data on chronic lung disease available in a format specifically tailored to investigators’ needs.

19-Mar-2012 2:00 PM EDT
DNA Marker Predicts Platinum Drug Response in Breast, Ovarian Cancer
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Brigham and Women's Hospital and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute researchers have found a genetic marker that predicts which aggressive "triple negative" breast cancers and certain ovarian cancers might respond to platinum-based chemotherapies.

Released: 14-Feb-2012 4:50 PM EST
Justin Bieber ‘Dream Date’ Shines Light on Rare Pediatric Cancer
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

A six year old Dana-Farber/Children’s Hospital Cancer Center patient, who has been diagnosed with a rare brain tumor went on a “dream date” with Justin Bieber, thanks in part to a Facebook campaign to have her meet the pop star. As important as the date itself, however, is the attention it has focused on atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor, or AT/RT

Released: 14-Feb-2012 2:20 PM EST
Ovarian Cancer Subtype May Be Vulnerable to Anti-Angiogenic Drugs
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute researchers have identified a subtype of ovarian cancer able to build its own blood vessels, suggesting that such tumors might be susceptible to anti-angiogenic drugs. The investigators estimate that the subtype may account for a third of all serous ovarian cancers.

Released: 13-Feb-2012 1:00 PM EST
Newly Identified Fusion Genes in Lung and Colorectal Cancer May Guide Treatment with “Targeted” Drugs
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Novel gene abnormalities discovered in a subpopulation of lung and colorectal tumors could potentially identify patients with a good chance of responding to highly specific “targeted” drugs already in use for treating other cancers, scientists report. The genetic alterations – pieces of two genes fused together - showed up in a massive search of the DNA in stored tumor samples of non-small cell lung cancer and colorectal cancer, said researchers from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Foundation Medicine, Inc. These specific genetic abnormalities had not been previously linked to the two cancer types.

Released: 8-Feb-2012 1:40 PM EST
Cancer Patients Discuss End-of-Life Care with Physician but Often Late
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

A Dana-Farber Cancer Institute study suggests that many terminally ill cancer patients do talk with a doctor about their preferences for end-of-life care, but those conversations often occur late in the course of their illness. Furthermore, the conversations tended to be with a hospital-based physician and not their oncologist who has been caring for them.

Released: 8-Feb-2012 10:20 AM EST
Dana-Farber/Children’s Hospital Cancer Center Experts Recommend Genetic Counseling for Pediatric Sarcoma Patients
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Genetic specialists at Dana-Farber/Children’s Hospital Cancer Center (DF/CHCC) are recommending that children being treated for sarcoma should be offered genetic counseling for Li-Fraumeni syndrome, a rare condition that greatly raises a person’s risk of developing additional cancers.

3-Feb-2012 1:30 PM EST
Three 'Targeted' Cancer Drugs Raise Risk of Fatal Side Effects
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Treatment with three "targeted" cancer drugs has been linked to a slightly elevated chance of fatal side effects, according to a new analysis led by scientists at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. These risks remain low, but they should be factored in when developing patients’ treatment plans.

Released: 3-Feb-2012 12:10 PM EST
World Cancer Day Points to Prevention
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

World Cancer Day is Saturday, February 4th. Prevention is the theme this year. Dana-Farber expert says simple lifestyle changes can reduce your cancer risk

Released: 31-Jan-2012 2:45 PM EST
Mass. Life Sciences Center Grant Expands Dana-Farber’s Cancer Imaging Research
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

The Massachusetts Life Sciences Center has awarded Dana-Farber Cancer Institute a $10 million grant to support the expansion of its pioneering cancer imaging research program.

Released: 19-Jan-2012 3:45 PM EST
'Pulverized' Chromosomes Linked to Cancer?
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute researchers have mapped out a mechanism by which micronuclei could potentially disrupt the chromosomes within them and produce cancer-causing gene mutations. The findings may point to a vulnerability in cancer cells that could be attacked by new therapies.

9-Jan-2012 1:55 PM EST
Researchers Isolate Messenger Protein Linking Exercise to Health Benefits
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute scientists have isolated a natural hormone that triggers some of the key health benefits of exercise. Irisin, which switches on genes that convert white fat into "good" brown fat, may hold promise as a treatment for diabetes, obesity and perhaps other disorders, including cancer.

Released: 28-Dec-2011 9:45 AM EST
Ring in a New Healthier You in 2012
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

With the start of a new year, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute experts are encouraging people to ring in new healthy habits and offer a number of free and low-cost strategies to help people maintain good health and possibly reduce various cancer risks.

Released: 14-Dec-2011 10:40 AM EST
Dana-Farber Launches Cancer Blog
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Dana-Farber has launched Insight, a blog offering expert commentary on cancer research and care advances and insight on issues and topics relevant to cancer patients. Insight also will feature perspectives on treatment options and provide information that is not available in traditional media outlets.

9-Dec-2011 12:15 PM EST
"Twinning" U.S.-Based and Rwandan Physicians Improves Lymphoma Outcomes in Children
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

In an African county lacking any specialists in children’s cancers, a team approach that “twins” Rwandan physicians with Boston-based pediatric oncologists has shown it can deliver expert, curative care to young patients stricken with lymphoma.

9-Dec-2011 12:30 PM EST
Peptide ‘Cocktail’ Elicits Immune Response to Multiple Myeloma
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Scientists at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute have created a “cocktail” of immune-stimulating peptides they believe could provoke the body’s defenses to attack multiple myeloma in its early “smoldering” phase and slow or prevent the blood cancer.

9-Dec-2011 12:20 PM EST
Experimental Drug Combination ‘Encouraging’ in Relapsed Multiple Myeloma
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute researchers say when the targeted drug bortezomib stops working in patients with advanced multiple myeloma, the patients survive only an average of five months longer. But a phase 2 clinical trial has shown that pairing bortezomib with an experimental drug, panobinostat, may be a promising new treatment for such patients.

8-Dec-2011 4:25 PM EST
Researchers Identify Genetic Mutation Responsible for Most Cases of Waldenstrom’s Macroglobulinemia
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Scientists at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute have identified a gene mutation that underlies the vast majority of cases of Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia, a rare form of lymphoma that has eluded all previous efforts to find a genetic cause.

8-Dec-2011 4:30 PM EST
Therapy Improves Stem Cell Engraftmentin Umbilical Cord Blood Transplant Recipients
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

A therapy involving a natural compound may improve the ability of stem cells from umbilical cord blood to engraft in patients receiving a stem cell transplant for cancer or other diseases, a phase I clinical trial led by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute scientists indicates.

Released: 12-Dec-2011 5:00 PM EST
Dana-Farber Offers Healthy Holiday Recipes and Food Tips to Fight Cancer with Your Fork This Holiday Season
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Experts from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute offer some tips to pick festive foods that may even fight cancer.

9-Dec-2011 9:45 AM EST
Massive DNA Search by Researchers Uncovers New Mutations Driving Blood Cancer
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

The most comprehensive search to date of DNA abnormalities in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) has unearthed several new altered genes that drive this common blood cancer, a finding that could potentially help doctors predict whether an individual patient’s disease will progress rapidly or remain indolent for years.

Released: 9-Dec-2011 9:45 AM EST
Researchers Identify a Novel Therapeutic Approach for Liver Cancer
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute have identified a mechanism in mice that triggers inflammation in the liver and transforms normal cells into cancerous ones.

2-Dec-2011 11:25 AM EST
New Study Reassures on Heart Risks of Prostate Cancer Treatment
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Hormone-blocking therapy for prostate cancer doesn’t raise the risk of fatal heart attacks – as some recent studies had suggested – according to a new report from Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women’s Cancer Center.

28-Nov-2011 2:25 PM EST
New Approach to Graft-versus-Host Disease Treatment Results in Sustained Improvement for Some Patients
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Scientists at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute have used IL-2, an immune system stimulant, as an immune system suppressor to treat a common, often debilitating side effect of donor stem cell transplantation in cancer patients. The effect, in some cases, was profound.

21-Nov-2011 11:50 AM EST
Study Identifies Possible Therapy for Radiation Sickness
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Two-drug combination may alleviate radiation sickness in people.

25-Oct-2011 12:00 PM EDT
Research Makes It Possible to Predict How Cancers Will Respond to Chemo
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Dana-Farber scientists have devised a test that can predict how effective chemotherapy will be by determining whether tumor cells are "primed" for death. The discovery suggests it may be possible to predict which patients will likely benefit from chemo, as well as to make some chemo more effective.

Released: 24-Oct-2011 10:45 AM EDT
Dana-Farber, Brigham and Women’s Launch Cancer Genomic Database
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Dana-Farber and Brigham and Women’s Hospital have launched a research program to scan adult cancer patients’ tumor tissue for nearly 500 cancer mutations in 41 genes. The goal is to build a comprehensive database for research into the genetic makeup of different cancer types and, ultimately, the development of more treatments.

17-Oct-2011 1:30 PM EDT
Researchers Find Possible Link Between Bacterium and Colon Cancer
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Scientists at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Broad Institute have found strikingly high levels of a bacterium in colorectal cancers, a sign that it might contribute to the disease and potentially be a key to diagnosing, preventing, and treating it.

Released: 22-Sep-2011 12:00 PM EDT
Cancer Protein's Surprising Role as Memory Regulator
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Scientists at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School have found that a common cancer protein leads a second, totally different life in normal adult brain cells: It helps regulates memory formation and may be implicated in Alzheimer's disease.

Released: 20-Sep-2011 3:25 PM EDT
American Association for Cancer Research Report Asks Congress to Increase Federal Funding of Biomedical and Cancer Research
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), releases its AACR Cancer Progress Report 2011, in which its calls on Congress to increase funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Cancer Institute (NCI).

Released: 9-Sep-2011 10:40 AM EDT
New Twist in Diabetes Drugs Could Reduce Life-Threatening Side Effects
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Researchers from Dana-Farber and the Scripps Research Institute in Jupiter, Fla., have created prototype drugs that have powerful anti-diabetic effects and are free of dangerous side effects plaguing some current diabetes medications.

Released: 9-Sep-2011 10:35 AM EDT
Novel Approach Scores First Success Against Elusive Cancer Gene
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Dana-Farber researchers successfully disrupted the function of the gene MYC by tampering with the gene's "on" switch and growth signals in multiple myeloma cells, offering promising strategy for treating myeloma and other cancers driven by the MYC gene.

6-Sep-2011 11:00 AM EDT
Study Points to Strategy for Overcoming Resistance to Targeted Cancer Drug
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute researchers have discovered a pair of backup circuits in cancer cells that enable the cells to dodge the effect of cetuximab. Until now, scientists haven't known why cancers that initially respond to cetuximab become resistant to it, or how to overcome such resistance.

Released: 2-Aug-2011 3:00 PM EDT
Nobel Laureate Benacerraf Remembered as Visionary Immunologist
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Baruj Benacerraf, MD, who earned a 1980 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his groundbreaking research in immunology and led Dana-Farber Cancer Institute through a period of tremendous growth beginning that year, died in Boston on Aug. 2 at the age of 90.

26-Jul-2011 10:50 AM EDT
First Large-Scale Map of a Plant's Protein Network Addresses Evolution, Disease Process
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

The eon-spanning clock of evolution – the millions of years that generally pass before organisms acquire new traits – belies a constant ferment in the chambers and channels of cells, as changes in genes and proteins have subtle ripple effects throughout an organism. In a study in the July 29 issue of Science, scientists at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute’s Center for Cancer Systems Biology and an international team of colleagues capture the first evidence of the evolutionary process within networks of plant proteins.

Released: 14-Jul-2011 2:25 PM EDT
Early-Stage Melanoma Tumors Contain Clues to Metastatic Potential
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Scientists at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute have demonstrated that it’s possible – early in a tumor’s growth – to identify cancer genes that endow the tumor with the ability to metastasize. Testing the technique in melanoma skin cancer, they found six abnormal genes that are both cancer-causing and metastasis-promoting.

11-Jul-2011 10:45 AM EDT
Project Achilles Pinpoints Vulnerabilities in Ovarian Cancer
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

In their largest and most comprehensive effort to date, researchers from the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute examined cells from over 100 tumors, including 25 ovarian cancer tumors, to unearth the genes upon which cancers depend. One of these genes, PAX8, is altered in a significant fraction of ovarian tumors — nearly one-fifth of those surveyed in the study.

11-Jul-2011 10:30 AM EDT
Study Finds New Points of Attack on Breast Cancers Not Fueled by Estrogen
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

In a new study, scientists at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute provide the first details of the cancer cell machinery that carries out the hormone’s relentless growth orders.

11-Jul-2011 10:40 AM EDT
Epigenetic Pathway and New Drug Show Promise in Reversing a Hard-To-Treat Childhood Cancer
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

A difficult-to-treat form of childhood leukemia relies on changes in the structure of DNA – so-called epigenetic changes – to wreak genomic havoc within white blood cells, according to one of two studies conducted by a research team at Children's Hospital Boston and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Together with collaborators from a biotechnology company, the same team also showed that a new drug that blocks these changes could deactivate cancer-promoting genes and halt the growth of this cancer.

Released: 29-Jun-2011 3:45 PM EDT
Blocking Molecular Target Could Make More Cancers Treatable with PARP Inhibitors
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute have demonstrated a molecular strategy they say could make a much larger variety of tumors treatable with PARP inhibitors, a promising new class of cancer drugs.

Released: 16-Jun-2011 2:30 PM EDT
Is Eating Soy Safe for Breast Cancer Patients?
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

There has been widespread concern about whether it is safe for women with breast cancer to eat soy. Research concerning its safety has been mixed.

Released: 9-Jun-2011 12:10 PM EDT
Cancer Protein Discovery May Aid Radiation Therapy
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute scientists have uncovered a new role for a key cancer protein, cyclin D1, a finding that could pave the way for more-effective radiation treatment of a variety of tumors.

31-May-2011 1:00 PM EDT
Scientists Identify Overactive Genes in Aggressive Breast Cancers
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Scientists at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute have identified an overactive network of growth-spurring genes that drive stem-like breast cancer cells enriched in triple-negative breast tumors, a typically aggressive cancer that is highly resistant to current therapies.

Released: 6-May-2011 5:00 PM EDT
Special Mother’s Day for Breast Cancer Patient
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Rebecca Byrne was young, in love, and having a baby. It was everything she ever wanted. But then she found out she also had breast cancer. The mother-to-be was faced with the difficult decision of keeping her baby - or postponing her own life-saving treatment. (Video)

25-Apr-2011 10:35 AM EDT
New Technique Extends Cancer-Fighting Cells' Potency in Melanoma Patients
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute scientists have developed a technique that can cause attack cells in cancer patients live longer in a patients' bloodstream, helping to increase survival times.

Released: 26-Apr-2011 12:55 PM EDT
Researchers Identify Key Players in Cancer Cells' Survival Kit
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Dana-Farber scientists have discovered details of how cancer cells escape from tumor suppression mechanisms that normally prevent these damaged cells from multiplying. They also demonstrated a potential link between this cell proliferation control mechanism and the cognitive deficits caused by Down syndrome.

Released: 19-Apr-2011 9:00 AM EDT
Enhanced Cord Blood Stem Cell Transplants Safe in Long-term Studies
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

An innovative experimental treatment for boosting the effectiveness of stem-cell transplants with umbilical cord blood has a favorable safety profile in long-term animal studies, report Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, and Children’s Hospital Boston scientists.

15-Apr-2011 4:55 PM EDT
Study Links Form of Ovarian Cancer to Fallopian Tube
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Dana-Farber scientists have developed a laboratory model that mimics the process by which fallopian tube cells may morph into cancer cells that appear to have come from the ovaries, supporting the theory that high-grade serous ovarian cancer may originate from the fallopian tubes.

Released: 31-Mar-2011 8:00 PM EDT
Study Identifies Promising Target for AIDS Vaccine
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

A section of the AIDS virus's protein envelope once considered an improbable target for a vaccine now appears to be one of the most promising, new research by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute scientists indicates.

   
31-Mar-2011 3:00 PM EDT
U-S Cancer Death Rates in Decline, National Report Finds
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute president: Trends are encouraging, but more improvements are needed.



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