Researchers from Northwestern University have developed a method to rewire immune cells by genetically modifying the cells to sense molecules secreted by tumors and respond by activating the immune system. The team’s work is described in a study published this month in Nature Chemical Biology. Although immunotherapy is growing in popularity among cancer researchers, tumors secrete […]
Oncology
National cancer group recommends Sirtex’s microspheres for metastatic colorectal cancer
Sirtex Medical (ASX:SRX) said yesterday that the National Comprehensive Cancer Network has recommended the company’s radioactive microspheres in its Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology for colon cancer and rectal cancer. The NCCN panel uniformly agreed that selective internal radiation therapy with yttrium-90 microspheres is an option for patients with metastatic, chemotherapy resistant colorectal cancer. The recommendation was […]
Novocure touts positive TTFields data for pancreatic, ovarian cancer
Novocure (NSDQ:NVCR) shares were up 6% after hours yesterday after the company released positive data for its “tumor treating fields” combined with chemotherapy for pancreatic and ovarian cancer. The St. Helier, N.J.-based company’s TTFields are low-intensity, alternating electric fields meant to inhibit cancer cell replication and cause cell death. Novocure presented data from its phase II […]
Sirtex slides on lowered profit outlook
Sirtex Medical (ASX:SRX) shares closed down more than -37% today after the Australian medical device company lowered its profit outlook for the rest of the year. Sydney-based Sirtex said it expects earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization to be down -12% on a constant-currency basis compared with fiscal 2016 for the year ending June 30, […]
PellePharm announces launch to develop topical gel for basal cell carcinoma
PellePharm announced its launch today, with financing from BridgeBio Pharma. The Menlo Park, Calif.-based company is developing a topical gel to treat basal cell carcinoma, including the tumors that result from Gorlin syndrome. The company’s topical inhibitor compound, patidegib, acts on the hedgehog pathway – a signaling pathway that transmits cellular information for adult tissue […]
Researchers develop targeted, photodynamic nanoparticles for tumor therapy
Researchers at the University of Massachusetts Medical School have developed photodynamic nanoparticles that can effectively target deep-tissue tumors. The team’s work was published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society. “This study signals a major step forward in photodynamic therapy by developing a new class of NIR-absorbing biodegradable organic nanoparticles for a highly effective […]
Data points to no age-related cutoff for mammogram screenings | RSNA 2016 Roundup
There is no clear cut-off age to stop breast cancer screening, according to new data from the largest-ever study on mammogram screening outcomes. Data from the study was presented this week at the Radiological Society of North America’s annual meeting. Age-based cutoffs for screenings have been a source of controversy for many years in the […]
Loaded nanocarriers deliver drugs and imaging molecules to tumors
Researchers from the University of Washington developed synthetic nanocarriers to encase chemotherapy drugs and deliver them directly to the tumor site, avoiding healthy tissue. The team’s work was published in the journal Small. The nanocarrier is a hybrid of synthetic materials designed to allow the system to carry drugs and fluorescent particles to stain the tumor for […]
Galera adds $15m for Series B
Galera Therapeutics said today that it landed $15 million for its severe oral mucositis treatment, bringing its Series B financing total to $57 million. Sofinnova Ventures led the round, joining existing investors New Enterprise Associates, Novartis Venture Fund, Novo Ventures, Correlation Ventures, Enso Ventures and Galera Angels. The Malvern, Penn.-based company said the proceeds will be […]
Engineered sugar clusters could enable targeted drug delivery
Researchers have developed a method to engineer sugar clusters attached to proteins or lipids, called glycan complexes, to target particular organs of the body. A team from the Riken Biofunctional Synthetic Chemistry Laboratory in Japan and Kazan Federal University in Russia published their work in Advanced Science. The engineered sugar clusters could lead to glycocluster-based diagnostic tools with […]
Navidea deals NA Lymphoseek rights to Cardinal Health in $310m deal
Navidea Biopharmaceuticals (NYSE:NAVB) said today that it inked a definitive asset purchase agreement with Cardinal Health (NYSE:CAH) for Navidea’s Lymphoseek product. Dublin, Ohio-based Navidea said that it will receive $80 million at closing for it’s lymphatic mapping and lymph node biopsy product, plus the opportunity for $230 million in milestone payments through 2026. More than […]