Body, Make Thy Own Bispecific Antibody [News in Brief]
Synthetic mRNA that's been optimized, modified, and formulated to spur the production of bispecific antibodies in the liver can eradicate large tumors in mice. The strategy circumvents some of the manufacturing challenges associated with conventional antibody production and creates a therapeutic that's easier and more convenient to administer. (Source: Cancer Discovery)
Source: Cancer Discovery - August 1, 2017 Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: News in Brief Source Type: research
UNC Cancer Center Director to Lead NCI [News in Brief]
President Donald Trump has selected Norman "Ned" Sharpless, MD, director of the University of North Carolina Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, to lead the NCI. The news was met with widespread approval among cancer researchers, who view Sharpless as a strong communicator who can ably represent the needs of the cancer community in the face of proposed funding cuts. (Source: Cancer Discovery)
Source: Cancer Discovery - August 1, 2017 Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: News in Brief Source Type: research
Macrophages Promote Resistance to Checkpoint Inhibitors [News in Brief]
A study in mice suggests that macrophages produce resistance to checkpoint inhibitors by removing anti–PD-1 antibodies from T cells. Fc receptors on macrophages bind to the Fc domain on the antibodies. Blocking this interaction with other antibodies produced dramatic tumor shrinkage in mice. (Source: Cancer Discovery)
Source: Cancer Discovery - August 1, 2017 Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: News in Brief Source Type: research
Modeling Cancer Mutations in 3-D [News in Brief]
Researchers from the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute have launched COSMIC-3D, a tool that allows scientists to explore how cancer mutations affect the structure and function of more than 8,000 human proteins. They hope COSMIC-3D, which is freely available on the web, will facilitate the design of new cancer drugs. (Source: Cancer Discovery)
Source: Cancer Discovery - August 1, 2017 Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: News in Brief Source Type: research
Dramatic Responses Seen with TRK Inhibitor [News in Brief]
Presenting data on 50 of 55 patients with advanced TRK fusion–positive tumors, researchers reported that 76% of patients responded to the selective pan-TRK inhibitor larotrectinib, and 12% of patients experienced complete responses; 93% of responders remain on therapy. The targeted therapy was well tolerated, with just 13% of patients requiring a dose modification. None of the patients discontinued treatment due to adverse events. (Source: Cancer Discovery)
Source: Cancer Discovery - August 1, 2017 Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: News in Brief Source Type: research
Widespread Genomic Testing Deemed Feasible [News in Brief]
Although comprehensive genomic screening has not yet become routine when treating patients with cancer, widespread testing in those with advanced, refractory disease is feasible, according to the ongoing ProfiLER study. The study also found that patients who subsequently received a treatment matched to the genetic changes in their tumor lived longer than those who lacked a so-called actionable mutation. (Source: Cancer Discovery)
Source: Cancer Discovery - August 1, 2017 Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: News in Brief Source Type: research
People [News in Brief]
Robert L. Ferris, MD, PhD; Michael J. Birrer, MD, PhD; and Ruben A. Mesa, MD, are highlighted. (Source: Cancer Discovery)
Source: Cancer Discovery - August 1, 2017 Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: News in Brief Source Type: research
In This Issue [In This Issue]
(Source: Cancer Discovery)
Source: Cancer Discovery - August 1, 2017 Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: In This Issue Source Type: research
The RagD GTPase Regulates mTORC1 Activity to Promote Tumor Growth [Transcriptional Regulation]
MiT/TFE transcription factors directly upregulate RagD, which activates mTORC1 to support tumor growth. (Source: Cancer Discovery)
Source: Cancer Discovery - August 1, 2017 Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: Transcriptional Regulation Source Type: research
Epigenetic Drugs Promote Transcription from Cryptic Start Sites [Transcriptional Regulation]
HDAC and DNMT inhibitors promoted global de novo transcription from nonannotated TSSs (termed TINAT). (Source: Cancer Discovery)
Source: Cancer Discovery - August 1, 2017 Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: Transcriptional Regulation Source Type: research
ERF Competes with ERG for Chromatin Binding to Control Oncogenesis [Prostate Cancer]
In prostate cancer, ERF loss-of-function mutations enhance ERG activity to promote tumorigenesis. (Source: Cancer Discovery)
Source: Cancer Discovery - August 1, 2017 Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: Prostate Cancer Source Type: research
A Lymphoreporter Mouse Model Identifies Midkine as a Metastasis Driver [Metastasis]
Midkine systemically induces neo-lymphangiogenesis via mTOR signaling in patients with melanoma. (Source: Cancer Discovery)
Source: Cancer Discovery - August 1, 2017 Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: Metastasis Source Type: research
FUT8 Promotes Melanoma Invasion and Metastasis [Metastasis]
FUT8-mediated core fucosylation of L1CAM drives melanoma metastasis. (Source: Cancer Discovery)
Source: Cancer Discovery - August 1, 2017 Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: Metastasis Source Type: research
Cyclin D3-CDK6 Has a Metabolic Prosurvival Role in T-ALL [Metabolism]
Cyclin D3–CDK6 inhibits the glycolytic enzymes PFK1 and PKM2 to prevent T-ALL cell apoptosis. (Source: Cancer Discovery)
Source: Cancer Discovery - August 1, 2017 Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: Metabolism Source Type: research
Drug-Induced Epigenetic Reprogramming Promotes Drug Resistance [Drug Resistance]
Drug treatment causes resistance in cells with transiently high expression of drug resistance markers. (Source: Cancer Discovery)
Source: Cancer Discovery - August 1, 2017 Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: Drug Resistance Source Type: research
