ASCO 2025: Previewing Updates in Early-Stage Breast Cancer
Dr Chavez MacGregor also points to new research on elinzanetant for managing vasomotor symptoms associated with endocrine therapy. Additionally, she is eager to attend the Dr Bernard Fisher Memorial Annual Clinical Science Symposium, which will explore circulating tumor DNA and its role in monitoring early-stage breast cancer.
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Health Line
17 minutes ago
- Health Line
Rob Lowe Wants More People to Join Cancer Clinical Trials. Here's Why
Rob Lowe shares how three generations of women in his family passed away from breast cancer. The acclaimed actor has partnered with Eli Lilly to spread awareness about the benefits of cancer clinical trials. Lowe's grandmother benefited from participating in two clinical trials for breast cancer. Iconic actor Rob Lowe credits his grandmother, Mim, for his love of reading. 'My earliest memories are her reading me my favorite book, 'Peter Rabbit,' while she sipped her Sanka,' he told Healthline. 'I always wanted to have my own coffee, so she would make me a cup of milk and then put a little drop of Sanka in it so it would look like coffee.' When he was 10 years old, Mim was diagnosed with breast cancer, the same disease her mother had endured. 'It was almost a death sentence,' Lowe said. Following her diagnosis, Mim underwent a bilateral mastectomy, the standard of care at the time, which can significantly impact quality of life. While double or bilateral mastectomy rates have declined in recent years, some people still require the surgery. After a cancer recurrence, Mim entered a clinical trial, which Lowe said extended her life. Years later, she participated in a second clinical trial. 'Both times had tremendous, tremendous success, and it was a very pivotal moment in my upbringing that I always remember,' he said. Following his grandmother's diagnosis, Lowe's mother was also diagnosed with breast cancer. He said her standard of care was an improvement compared to his grandmother's. 'There are amazing advances in medicine, particularly breast cancer, and what I've seen going through this three times is tremendous enhancements,' Lowe said, noting the impact clinical trials have had on cancer treatments. Now, Lowe wants more people to participate in clinical trials. Only around 7% of U.S. cancer patients join clinical trials, limiting their access to potential breakthroughs and delaying new medications from helping others. In honor of the three generations of women he lost to breast cancer, Lowe teamed up with Eli Lilly to bring awareness to the urgent need for more people to participate in cancer clinical trials. 'I thought this was a great way to remember and keep my grandma Mim's memory alive,' he said. Clinical trials offer hope to people with cancer. For instance, a new breast cancer vaccine is showing effectiveness in clinical trials at preventing and treating breast cancer. The vaccine works by training the immune system to recognize and eliminate cancerous cells before they develop into invasive tumors. 'Participating in a trial can provide access to cutting-edge drugs that are not yet on the market, improve quality of life, and advance science. The trials of today are the treatments of tomorrow,' Davendra Sohal, MD, associate director for Clinical Research at the University of Cincinnati Cancer Center, told Healthline. Clinical trials are used for all types and stages of breast cancer. People can join any phase of a trial if they meet the criteria, which is based on multiple factors, including type of disease, age, medical history, and current medical condition. However, barriers to clinical trials prevent many people from enrolling. These include: certain beliefs or lack of trust distance to trial sites insufficient health insurance coverage language barriers immigration status In addition to barriers, new treatments developed in clinical trials face a long road before they're approved for use in the real world. 'New treatments are studied for lengthy periods of time, typically years, before they receive FDA approval,' Irene M. Kang, MD, medical director of women's oncology at City of Hope Orange County, told Healthline. 'This is why clinical trials are critical for studying new drugs, medical devices, products, and additional treatments before they may become standard of care.' If you want to know more about clinical trials, Lowe encourages you to ask your doctor. '[There's] so much hope out there, and it's not an end-of-the-road ask. If it's the beginning of the road, ask your doctor,' he said. Healthline spoke with Lowe to learn more about the women in his life who were diagnosed with breast cancer and his passion for participating in clinical trials. This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity and length. Did your grandmother's experience with clinical trials impact your views on medicine? Lowe: Yes. Particularly as she got into the second one, where I was much older and really able to understand it more clearly. We were very fortunate to have the experience of watching the miracle of progress in medicine unfold in real time with real results. Obviously, not everyone has that result, but we did, and that's where I've gotten my lifelong interest in cancer patient advocacy from, because of our experience. I remember the treatments that were horrifying for my grandma… and then with my mother, it was a completely different experience a decade later. The exponential rate of new technology is truly a marvel, and now with AI, it will be more unbelievable. How did having three women in your family die from breast cancer affect you? Lowe: The new [genetic] tests were not available for them. My brother Chad has three daughters, so they will be getting the test, and I will make sure of it. Family history is a big deal. Know your family history. Information and asking questions are as critical as any treatment you're going to get. Be diligent. What would you say to those who are wary of clinical trials? Lowe: My number one thing is that all patients have to advocate for themselves. It is the number one game changer in the path you have ahead of you — your ability to advocate, to ask questions, to champion, and guide your own recovery is critical. Doctors are only as good as the information they get and the questions that they're asked. One of them that a lot of people don't ask is: Is there a clinical trial that can be helpful for me? It's very simple. Less than 7% of patients do it. That number needs to be much, much, much higher. I would also add that I think one of the reasons that there's some [hesitation] is that I think people feel like 'well, if I'm in a clinical trial, maybe I'm going to get a placebo and I actually want treatment.' Well, in cancer clinical trials, you get the standard of care. You're not going to not get the standard of care. You may get a cutting-edge new care in addition, and to me, that's a no-brainer. Is it rewarding to work with Eli Lilly to spread awareness about something so personal? Lowe: I do find it really rewarding and, more than anything, inspiring. You get inspired by both the patient's journey, which is always a journey of courage, and by having a front-row seat with a company like Lilly, where you see the strides being made that make me so hopeful for the future; it's something I get a lot out of personally. What inspires you to talk about health? Lowe: One's health is the great equalizer, as we all know, and nothing reminds you of your humanity more than the frailty of our health and the importance that we all have of doing the best that we can for ourselves in that area. It does keep you connected to your fellow human beings. Have your views on health changed as you've gotten older? Lowe: I've been fortunate that I've always kept it [a priority] since my early 20s when I stopped drinking and had a very healthy path of recovery and mental healthcare. I was kind of early to the party and stayed the course, and it's been unbelievably beneficial to me as I've gotten older. [Now, I] offer that advice, as I can, even to my sons, who are in their early 30s.
Yahoo
29 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Researchers make incredible breakthrough with batteries that mimic human brains: 'This approach unlocks new capabilities'
Government researchers are applying mind function to battery making. By mimicking neural networks in human brains, National Renewable Energy Laboratory team members said they can predict battery health 1,000 times faster than standard methods, according to a news release. Common lithium-ion batteries that power electric vehicles and other technology include complex parts that need to operate in changing conditions. By better understanding battery cell health ASAP, the experts plan to expand pack lifetimes. It's an obvious win for EV owners and anyone else using a battery-powered device. "Battery lifetime and aging dynamics vary significantly with chemistry, operating conditions, cycling demands, electrode design, and operational history, which makes optimal handling, design, and maintenance difficult," researcher Kandler Smith said in the summary. He leads the lab's electrochemical modeling and data science research. "It's especially difficult to understand the physical degradation mechanisms of a battery during use without opening it up. We need reliable methods to check in on batteries' internal state in a nondestructive way," Smith added. The lab's approach replaces the common physics-based model with what's called a physics-informed neural network, or PINN. It also uses artificial intelligence. It's geared to quantify degradation and provide better solutions to manage battery aging during cycling, per the release. It's a field the team has been working in for a while. The lab has already produced a couple of physics-based predictive models. But they require a slow quagmire of computations. PINN understands physics and can quickly apply its laws to a pattern-based prediction model. It's an ingenious marriage of the two diagnostic setups, according to the summary. Other labs are researching sensors and scans that can detect flaws in packs to better prevent failures and even rare, yet serious, fires. It's part of a whirlwind of battery breakthroughs happening around the world that are providing better components, chemistry, and production methods that are lowering costs and improving performance. Goldman Sachs forecast that pack prices will drop 50% by next year, partly thanks to improving technology. The units are crucial to the cleaner energy shift by both powering EVs and storing renewable electricity. Battery backups combined with a solar panel system at home can greatly reduce or eliminate your utility bill. A setup can charge your EV while providing blackout protection. And if it's part of a virtual power plant, you can even sell some of the excess electricity back to the grid. Should the U.S. invest more in battery innovations? Absolutely Depends on the project We're investing enough We should invest less Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Tax breaks for most of the tech are available to help offset the costs. EV incentives total $7,500 for new rides. Solar rebates are up to 30% of the installation expense. EnergySage is a vetted, online resource that can help you maximize the sun-catching benefits. It's all in addition to reducing heat-trapping air pollution that's linked by NASA to increased risks for severe storms and life-threatening heat waves. Back in the lab, the government renewable energy experts are planning for more testing to expand the open-source model's function. The goal is for onboard analysis while the battery operates. It could be a key upgrade, giving next-gen tech a longer life. "This approach unlocks new capabilities in battery diagnostics. … This means that batteries of the future may include systems to extend their useful life by identifying degradation signals and adapting fast-charge limits with age," Smith said in the release. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
31 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Reviewers Say This Red Light Therapy Lamp Helped Them Manage All Types Of Pain
If you're into beauty and/or wellness, chances are you've heard of red light therapy. The bright lights are said to help with everything from acneic skin to body aches. But how exactly does red light therapy work? According to this WebMD, it may work by 'increasing the production of mitochondria, your cells' energy sources. This may improve cell function and repair.' Basking in the light for health benefits may be a little confusing if you grew up hearing we have to protect our skin from rays. But according to WebMD, red light 'uses very low levels of heat and doesn't hurt or burn the skin,' like the light in a tanning bed. Reviewers on Amazon have really taken to this red light therapy lamp, which is available as a single and double panel. The under-$100 device retails less than most red-light-therapy sessions at your local wellness clinic, and it claims to promote blood circulation, enhance metabolism, improve cell vitality, and more. It's also lightweight, so you can easily set it up and move it around your living space. The brand suggests 20 to 30 minutes of therapy a day with their lamp. Verified purchasers have co-signed the lamp's claims, commenting how it has alleviated a range of their issues, including joint pain, low energy, and high blood pressure. It is important to note that while there have been improvements in skin and body conditions using this type of therapy, research is ongoing. You should always consult with your doctor before introducing a new treatment into your wellness routine. Overall, it's earned a 4.3-star rating from shoppers. Keep scrolling to see some promising reviews: 'After I hurt my back I was recommended to use steroid shots. This lamp was a big help in my recovery process . I did not need the shots after all. Now I use it for cosmetic purposes, and it works wonderful.' —yeimi mora 'Usually when you see these tripod contraptions they are super heavy and easy to break. This one is actually very light. You only need to screw in a couple of things to get it set up, as shown on the picture. The small remote is easy to control with a countdown timer that shows how many minutes are left. Overall very happy with the purchase.' —Kenyu 'This RLT light on a tripod is so easy to set up and use. As a nurse practitioner dealing with fibromyalgia post cancer, I knew my health and wellness plan had to include this red light therapy. Twenty minutes under the light removes my pain. It has healed my joint and muscles pain, and lifts my mood as well as providing me with energy. I have been using the unit every day for two months, and I have nothing but positive things to say about the unit. I raved about it so much my daughter bought the same unit. It is a life changer. If you have pain or want to enhance your mood and energy and is a must for your life.' —Carol 'This is a wonderful red light therapy device and has greatly [my] improved nitric oxide levels and overall blood circulation. After using the light for a week or so, there is a noticeable improved in nitric oxide levels (tested with a N.O. test strip) which helps in a number of ways. Lowered blood pressure about 10 points and significant improvement in the quality of sexual interactions. Helped with inflammation of joints after sports and a little extra energy was noticed. This light has a number of nice features: timer to shut off, adjust wavelength setting, adjust light intensity, and a very easy to adjust stand. Size of the lamp is is in the mid range so it will help with targeted treatment versus treating a large area.' —Texan 'As a massage therapist I tend to practice lots of self care as time allows . It helps my shoulders, hamstrings, and back a lot.' —Shenika 'I was dubious when I purchased this initially, but was very surprised at how well it works! Its a small looking light but is very strong and covers your whole body if placed properly! I sit on the couch in shorts and a tank top ... I do feel better and more energized also! I liked it so much, I bought a dual for myself and two more singles that I am giving as gifts!!' —Krash0809
