7 days of cancer research – November 28, 2018

1. FDA approves drug that targets the main genetic engine of cancer

The US Food and Drug Administration has approved a new drug, Vitrakvi (larotrectinib), for the treatment of cancer in adults and in children with a specific genetic characteristic. The drug targets a TRK fusion that can occur in various solid tumors and many types of cancer. The drug is designed to "turn off" the signaling of tumor growth.

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2. An AI system speeds up the search for cancer discoveries

Computer scientists and cancer researchers at the University of Cambridge have designed and developed an AI system called LION LBD, which can help scientists in finding cancer-related discoveries. The system focuses on the molecular biology of cancer – using machine learning and natural language processing, it is able to detect cancer marks In the litterature.

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3. Why testicular cancer is prevalent in families

Scientists at the Cancer Institute have reported that the most frequent changes in DNA (a single letter) (each increasing the risk of testicular cancer in humans) play a major role in the disease. The team thoroughly compared the DNA of about 4,000 men with testicular germ cell tumor (the most common form of testicular cancer) and another 12,000 who did not develop it, making them led to their results.

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4. A new target drug for skin cancer?

Research published in Cancer Research found that human squamous cell carcinoma cells containing low concentrations of a protein called TRIM29 were more invasive and more mobile, suggesting that the protein might constitute a potential therapeutic target and / or a new marker diagnosis for the treatment of skin cancer. TRIM29 normally helps DNA to repair itself and is known to be involved in many cancers, but so far its involvement in skin cancer has not been confirmed.

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5. Target MC1R in metastatic melanoma

A study conducted by researchers at the University of Colorado Cancer Center describes a common genetic alteration in 80% of human melanoma (skin) cancers. It also highlights a molecule that targets and binds to cells labeled by this specific genetic alteration. It may be possible to attach to this molecule a therapy allowing the targeted destruction of these melanoma cells.

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6. Breast tumors stimulate growth by recruiting cells formed in the bone marrow

A new study published in the Journal of Experimental Medicine reveals that breast cancer tumors are able to "stimulate" their growth by recruiting stromal cells from the bone marrow, reducing the chances of survival. Tumors containing these cells were more vascularized and had an increased growth rate. These stromal cells are potential therapeutic targets.

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7. "Sneaky" cancer cells arrested in their tracks

Biomedical engineers from the University of Minnesota have been successful in preventing cancer cells from moving and spreading – their findings have been reported in Nature Communications. The team examined the movement of breast cancer cells and used different therapies to try to stop them. They managed to stop the mechanisms that serve as "engine" to the cell. However, the cells adapted their movement to a movement similar to a seep. The researchers then changed tactics and successfully stopped both types of movements.

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