Lung cancer: Cheap blood test detects tumours at an early and treatable stage

Lung cancer screening has always been expensive, but a simple blood test that detects lipids associated with tumours may offer a cheaper alternative Health 2 February 2022 By Alice Klein Blood samples can now be used to search for early signs of lung cancer Medicimage/Alamy A blood test that can detect lung cancer before people … Read more

Biden’s ‘reignited’ Cancer Moonshot would develop blood tests to detect cancer and vaccines to prevent it | Science

To scientists’ relief, the “reignited” Cancer Moonshot to be formally announced today by President Joe Biden will not offer an unrealistic deadline for wiping out cancer. It instead sets a long-term goal of gradually reducing cancer deaths. The plan would focus research in several areas, including preventive vaccines and blood tests that screen for multiple … Read more

Ovarian cancer: Cervical swabs could identify people at high risk

A DNA analysis of cervical cells taken from routine smear tests could identify people who might benefit from additional screening for ovarian cancer Health 1 February 2022 By Carissa Wong Normal cervix cells from a smear test viewed under the microscope Science Source/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY Molecular clues collected from routine cervical swabs can be used … Read more

Cancer Drug Flushes Out Latent HIV, Exciting New Study Finds

A widely-used cancer drug that works on the immune system could push HIV out of hiding, potentially leaving the virus open to being attacked and eliminated, according to promising results from a small new study.   HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) almost needs no introduction: the virus is notorious for its ability to evade the immune … Read more

HIV: Cancer drug could one day help cure HIV by waking up dormant viruses

An existing cancer drug has been found to also wake up dormant HIV, and it could eventually work with an HIV medicine in a “kick and kill” strategy Health 26 January 2022 By Clare Wilson The pembrolizumab monoclonal antibody drug protein molekuul.be / Alamy Stock Photo Today, HIV can be kept under control, but for … Read more

Fascinating Mouse Study Hints We May One Day Have mRNA Vaccine for Skin Cancer

Being sun smart could one day include a vaccination not unlike those currently providing millions around the world with immunity against coronavirus. While most immunizations sensitize our immune system to an aggressive agent like a virus or even cancer cell, emerging mRNA vaccine technology could instead train our bodies into generating additional antioxidant proteins, boosting our ability … Read more

Cutting-edge cancer and COVID-19 approaches could reduce organ scarring | Science

Millions of people die every year from fibrosis, a build-up of scar tissue in the liver, heart, and other organs. Scars are key to healing, but sometimes “the scar becomes a problem instead of the solution,” says Scott Friedman, a liver disease specialist at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Now, by blending … Read more

mRNA technology: Vaccine biotech has helped repair broken hearts in mice

By Michael Le Page An illustration of a strand of mRNA MattLphotography / Alamy Stock Photo Immune cells in the bodies of mice have been temporarily reprogrammed to repair damaged hearts by removing scar tissue, thanks to the technology used in the mRNA coronavirus vaccines. “After you give the treatment, the scar goes away,” says … Read more

Cancer: Meat-eating mammals are more susceptible than herbivores

Understanding why plant-eating mammals like antelopes and sheep are far less likely to die of cancer than carnivores may help protect us from cancer too Life 22 December 2021 By Alice Klein The kowari, a carnivorous marsupial, is particularly prone to cancer D. Parer & E. Parer-Cook/ Minden Pictures/Alamy Mammals that live on meat are … Read more