Posts in category: Uncategorized

A new study from Karolinska Institutet, published in Cell Reports, shows that tumor-associated macrophages, which are white blood cells that are found in breast tumors, can both help and hinder the spread of cancer cells to other organs. The researchers found that macrophages that produce a substance called VEGF-C reduce the spread of breast cancer to the lungs but increase the spread to the lymph nodes. This may have implications for the prognosis and treatment of breast cancer.

Published in The Lancet, results of the randomized phase III BEATcc academic trial (ENGOT-Cx10/GEICO 68-C/JGOG1084/GOG-3030) show that adding immune checkpoint inhibitor atezolizumab to standard of care with bevacizumab and chemotherapy significantly improves progression-free survival and overall survival in patients with metastatic or recurrent cervical cancer who are not candidates for curative-intent surgery and/or radiotherapy.

In a recent study, scientists led by Professor Stefan Müller from Goethe University’s Institute of Biochemistry II investigated a specific form of blood cancer known as acute myeloid leukemia, or AML. The disease mainly occurs in adulthood and often ends up being fatal for older patients. In about a third of AML patients, the cancer cells’ genetic material has a characteristic mutation that affects the so-called NPM1 gene, which contains the building instructions for a protein of the same name.

A breakthrough in the understanding of the relationship between a naturally occurring enzyme and the liver cancer drug sorafenib could improve the effectiveness of the drug, which currently prolongs the life of liver cancer patients for only two to three months. A study of the relationship between the enzyme DDX5, liver cancer sorafenib, published in the journal Cell Death & Disease, points to the potential for a more effective therapy that combines existing anti-cancer drugs with treatments that spur production of this enzyme.

By NATION REPORTER

THE Labor Movement in Zambia have demanded for the disbandment of the Emoluments Commission saying it threatened the existence of unionism in Zambia.

A new study led by researchers at Peter Mac has found sharing follow-up care between a GP and hospital-based specialists was preferred by bowel cancer patients, was cheaper for the health care system and was just as effective as standard hospital-based care.

Combining artificial intelligence-generated digital pathology tools, conventional histopathological assessment and circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) analysis can improve treatment stratification of patients with colorectal cancer after surgery. David Kerr and colleagues outline this novel paradigm for personalized adjuvant treatment of colorectal cancer in a study in Nature Reviews Clinical Oncology.

When Joanina Gicobi began her Ph.D. degree five years ago at Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, she was interested in thinking creatively about ways to improve cancer treatment. In particular, she was curious about the body’s natural ability to fight tumors: Could that process be improved? In the laboratory of Haidong Dong, M.D., Ph.D., she joined efforts to learn more about the T cells that are part of an inherent cancer-killing immune response.

THE generalized attack against former President Edgar Lungu by Minister of Information and Media Cornelius Mweetwa was most unfortunate. An opportunity was missed for the Government to explain its association with deranged Miles Sampa whose ill-fated attempt to take over the Patriotic Front (PF) has been exposed.

By BUUMBA CHIMBULU

THE Zambia Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is in the process of operationalising the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Standards to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of management safety in Civil Aviation in the country.