Focus Articles | Back to Cancer

2004

Mutated Target Gives Potency to Lung Cancer Medication - May 14, 2004.
The question of why gefitinib is spectacularly effective on 10 percent of lung cancers while leaving many untouched has now been answered by researchers .

Calorie Restriction May Reduce Risk of Breast Cancer - April 30, 2004.
Research has shown that eating less can reduce the risk of breast cancer--if you're a mouse.

2003

Experts Go Global with Telemedicine - December 12, 2003.
Physicians include online consultations from all over the world to treat conditions like breast cancer.

World Smoking Deaths in a Year Estimated at 5 Million - October 10, 2003.
Researchers use lung cancer death as an indirect inicator of smoking deaths.

Data Mining Links Tumor Proteins - September 12, 2003.
In the cancer field, gene expression information about human tumors has been used to profile characteristics of tumors for better diagnosis and treatment.

Novel Tumor Suppressor Shows Unusual Powers - September 12, 2003.
The discovery of a new tumor suppressing gene, H2AX, indicates that sometimes only one lost copy of a gene is necessary in the development of cancer.

Technique Tracks Tumor Escape into Lymph Nodes - July 11, 2003.
Researcher has developed a non-invasive technique for tracking lymph node tumor metastases. Breast cancer patients participated in the study.

The Breast Cancer Prevention Cookbook - June 6, 2003.
Authors book provides nutritional guidelines for women, explains the role of phytoestrogens, exercise, and screening in preventing breast cancer.

Rare Disease Offers Explanation of Ovarian Cancer's Drug Resistance - June 6, 2003.
Researchers have found that the drug cisplatin, which targets genes contributing to the development of breast cancer, kills cancer cells by causing DNA damage.

Surprising Likeness Found in Genetic Profiles of Invasive and Noninvasive Breast Tumors - May 16, 2003.
From a molecular point of view, researchers have found little to distinguish an invasive breast tumor from its more isolated predecessor.

No Cancer Risk Found for Acrylamide - February 7, 2003.
In the first study to assess the link between high levels of acrylamide in baked and fried foods and cancer in humans, researchers found no association between the consumption of these foods and risk of colorectal, bladder, and kidney cancer.

Gene Expression Pattern Predicts Potential for Tumor Metastasis - January 10, 2003.
Researchers have found a gene expression pattern that distinguishes primary tumors from those that have metastasized in several types of cancer.

2002

Conference Updates Hormone Replacement Therapy - November 8, 2002.
Women's Health Initiative finds that hormone replacement therapy increases risk of invasive breast cancer and a host of other diseases affecting women.

Dual Signals May Drive Early Breast Cancer - October 11, 2002.
Using an in vitro 3-D cell culture model that allows breast cells to organize into structures that behave similarly to their in vivo counterparts, cell biologists may have uncovered one of the central mechanisms of breast cancer.

Framework for Discovery - September 13, 2002.
Researchers discover small molecules that may selectively kill tumor cells.

Sex Differences Prescribe Changes in Medical Care - June 21, 2002.
Facuty symposium includes discussion of differential deaths rates of Black women from breast cancer.

Communicating Breast Cancer Risk and Means of Prevention - June 7, 2002.
These days patients have become much more involved in decisions regarding screening, diagnosis, and treatment of breast cancer.

Lymphatic Path to Cancer Spread May Start at Tumor Margin - May 3, 2002.
Findings that lymphatic networks inside tumors are collapsed suggest new strategies for cancer treatment.

2001

Receptor's Effect on Polarity May Switch on Breast Tumor Growth - August 31, 2001.
The epidermal growth factor receptors, ErbB1 and ErbB2, have been implicated in tumorigenesis of breast tissue epithelium.

HMS and Simon and Schuster Release New Books - August 10, 2001.
"Healthy Women, Healthy Lives: A Guide to Preventing Disease, from the Landmark Nurses' Health Study' includes coverage on lowering the risk of breast cancer.

Breast Cancer Role for Prolyl Isomerase Pinned Down - August 10, 2001.
The prolyl isomerase enzyme may be a key regulator of proteins that promote breast cancer.

Tumor Suppressors Team Up in Apoptosis - August 10, 2001.
The LKB1 gene may be a tumor suppressor. Researchers have some clues that, along with the p53 gene it may moderate cell death.

Breast Cancer Protection Gained Through Loss of Cell Division Protein - July 13, 2001.
In the case of breast cancer,researchers may have found "magic bullet" therapy due to the cell civision cyclin D1.

New Protein May Link Functions of Breast Cancer Molecule - April 20, 2001.
Researcher has uncovered a new protein, BRCA1-associated C-terminal helicase (BACH1), which may link BRCA1's role in DNA repair with its tumor-suppressor activity.

Cancer Cells' Immortality May Depend on Longevity Protein - March 23, 2001.
Researchers specifically connect FA gene with BRCA1, a gene associated with breast cancer.

Genes of Rare Disorder May Shed Light on Breast Cancer Growth - March 9, 2001.
A research team has identified a protein that 10 percent of tumor cells use to continue dividing and rise to malignant mass.

Surprise Route Found for Breast Cancer Spread - February 9, 2001.
Researchers report that they have identified a newóand surprisingómechanism by which breast and prostate cancer cells may metastasize to the lymph nodes.

2000

Vogelstein Launches Center for Cancer Biology - December 15, 2000.
Geneticist opens center which focuses heavily on families who suffer from inherited forms of cancer, such as breast cancer.

Model of Rare Cancer Shows Gene as Tumor Suppressor - December 1, 2000.
A new animal model of a highly lethal cancer found in young children now provides a unique research tool for investigating the genetic basis of the disease.

Optimal Screening Strategy Formulated for Colorectal Cancer - October 27, 2000.
Screening for colorectal cancer is as cost effective as other forms of cancer screening, and deaths from the disease can be significantly reduced with even a single colonoscopy at age 55, according to a study.

Study Analyzes the Character of Two-faced Estrogen - October 13, 2000.
Researchers have discovered a possible explanation for estrogen's paradoxical behavior, which may point the way to drugs that mimic estrogen's good effects while masking the bad. Currently estrogen may stimulate cells which lead to breast cancer.

Why This Too, Too Solid Flesh Won't Melt - October 13, 2000.
Those who suffer crucial fat loss which could help them fight disease -HIV sufferers, anorexics and cancer patients - could eventually benefit from researchers discovery of the gene gatekeeper that tells our bodies to store fat.

How Papillomavirus Proteins Brew Genetic Errors, Cancer - September 15, 2000.
New findings help explain how Human Papillomavirus (HPV) interferes with genomic integrity, the cause of 90 percent of cervical cancers.

Timing May Be Key in Link Between Telomeres and Cancer - September 1, 2000.
Study finds that defects in a cell's control system leads to dysfunctional telomeres, which can then lead to instructions for a cell to "proceed to cancer".

Putting the Moves on P53 - August 11, 2000.
Study of protein's export points to potential new cancer therapies.

Potential Tumor Vaccine Targets More Plentiful Than Believed - July 14, 2000.
Soon, cancer patients may be able to rely less heavily on chemotherapy and more on treatments that activate their own immune responses, such as vaccines and adoptive immunotherapy.

Anal Pap Smear Could Save Livesóand Cheaply - June 9, 2000.
Widespread use of a similar pap smear screening technique would allow detectionóand early removalóof pre-cancerous anal lesions among high-risk HIV negative men.

Making Ends Meet: New Way Found to Mend DNA, Protect Against Cancer - May 5, 2000.
Harvard researchers have discovered a cut-your-losses, take-no-risks strategy by which cells repair their DNA. The stability of DNA, helping prevent the kinds of chromosomal change that precede cancers like breast cancer.

Laparoscopy Guides Treatment for Pancreatic Cancer - May 5, 2000.
Study suggests that laparoscopyóexamination of the abdomen with an endoscope-like instrument through a small incisionócan be useful in classifying good candidates for pancreatic cancer surgery and guiding their treatment.

Center Initiates World Effort Linking Biodiversity to Human Health Center Initiates World Effort Linking Biodiversity to Human Health. - February 11, 2000.
Taxol, one of the most promising medications to treat breast and ovarian cancer, is derived from the once threatened Pacific yew tree. Paying attention to the world's ecosystems is crucial in the fight against diseases, says HMS director.

Editorial Says Think Twice About Hormone Replacement Therapy - January 28, 2000.
A study links long-term use of combined estrogen‚progestin therapy with a greater risk of breast cancer.

What's Your Cancer Risk? - January 28, 2000.
New Web Tool Assesses Personal Cancer Risk, Gives Prevention Information about four types of cancer, including breast cancer.