Latest news with #AmericanAssociationforCancerResearch
01-07-2025
- Health
Uterine cancer projected to rise in US by 2050, Black women likely to be hit hardest
Uterine cancer cases in the U.S. will rise significantly by 2050, with Black women three times more likely to die from it, a study from the American Association for Cancer Research projects. Uterine cancer is the most common gynecologic cancer in the U.S. In 2024, there were almost 70,000 cases, according to the National Cancer Institute. Over the past 30 years, uterine cancer cases and deaths have jumped. NCI data shows that between 2015 and 2019, there was about a 2% increase in new cases per year, the highest for any cancer in women. Researchers at Columbia University used population data and computer modeling to predict how many people will get uterine cancer -- and how many will die from it -- over the next 30 years. They predict that the number of new uterine cancer cases will increase by over 50% for Black women compared to about 30% for white women by 2050. Elena Elkin, one of the study's authors and a Ph.D.-level researcher at Columbia's Mailman School of Public Health, pointed to an aging population as one major cause of the projected increase. "Like many cancers, uterine cancer is a disease of aging. Another major factor is the increase in overweight and obesity in the U.S. population," she said. Elkin pointed to decreases in hysterectomies -- surgery to remove the uterus -- for conditions like fibroids and endometriosis as another reason uterine cancer rates are increasing. More women are living with their uterus, putting them at risk of developing the disease, she noted. The uterus is a hollow, pear-shaped organ located in a woman's pelvis where a fetus develops and grows. Uterine cancer refers to any cancer that arises in this organ, including endometrial cancer, the most common form. Uterine sarcomas that develop in the muscles or the tissues of the uterus are more rare -- and more fatal. Overall, uterine cancer has an 81% five-year survival rate. "Survival outcomes are generally good, because most cancers are diagnosed at an early stage," Elkin said. Unfortunately, this is not the case for all. For those diagnosed with more aggressive forms of the disease, five-year survival drops to 20-50%. Black women are already more likely to have aggressive forms and are two times more likely to die from uterine cancer compared to white women, NCI statistics show. The American Association for Cancer Research study projects worsening racial disparities. By 2050, Black women could be three times more likely to die of the disease. "Studies have shown that these disparities are due to delays in diagnosis, barriers to accessing care, and receiving sub-optimal care," Elkin said. Some research has linked chemical hair relaxers to uterine cancer. In the U.S., about 95% of Black women under age 45 have used chemical hair relaxers at least once in their lives. Chemical relaxers have been found to have toxins like formaldehyde, heavy metals, and endocrine disrupting chemicals like phthalates and parabens. Many have been linked to cancer. Although chemical relaxer use has declined significantly in recent years, women who used them at all during their lifetime are still at risk of possible long-term impacts. There are currently no routine screening tests for uterine cancer. People are often diagnosed once they start having symptoms like abnormal vaginal bleeding typically after menopause, pelvic pain and weight loss. "We don't yet have a test that is accurate enough to provide the maximum benefit and minimum harm," Elkin stated. The study model found that if there was an accurate screening test for women at age 55, rates of uterine cancer cases would significantly decrease. "We can use models like this one to evaluate emerging technologies for screening," she said. Although the study's uterine cancer projections are concerning, Elkin said she remains optimistic. She pointed to emerging treatment like immunotherapy and bio marker-based therapies as promising options. Elkin also emphasized targeting risk factors as a way to lower the number of new cases. "Population level changes in overweight and obesity, perhaps through improved access to the current generation of weight loss medications, could lead to reductions in uterine cancer cases in the future," she said.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Starton Therapeutics Announces Phase 2a Clinical Trial for Continuous Low-Dose Lenalidomide (STAR-LLD) in Multiple Myeloma Open for Enrollment
Gabrail Cancer & Research Center activated and open to screen patients, with Nash Gabrail, MD as lead investigator Second site, Regional Medical Oncology Center, also activated Recent Phase 1b clinical study results concluded continuous low dose lenalidomide provides meaningful efficacy and improved tolerability with no grade >3 drug-related hematologic toxicity PARAMUS, N.J., June 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Starton Therapeutics Inc. ('Starton'), a clinical-stage biotechnology company transforming standard-of-care therapies with proprietary continuous delivery technologies, announced today Gabrail Cancer Center (GCC) in Canton, Ohio is now activated and open for enrolling patients in its Phase 2a clinical trial evaluating their continuous low-dose lenalidomide, STAR-LLD, for the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM). Dr. Nash Gabrail, medical oncologist and founder of the Center, is the study's lead investigator. Regional Medical Oncology Center, located in Wilson, NC, has also opened as the trial's second active clinical site. 'We are excited to announce this major milestone in our mission to bring breakthrough therapies to patients. This marks the next phase of development for our lead candidate, STAR-LLD, and represents a significant step forward for the entire team," stated Pedro Lichtinger, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Starton Therapeutics. 'We expect this study to expand on what we observed in our prior Phase 1b study, that continuous low-dose lenalidomide provides meaningful efficacy and improved tolerability,' added Dr. Jamie Oliver, Starton's Chief Medical Officer. 'The expanded cohort and dose escalation will help us determine the most effective dose, with the goal of maintaining acceptable safety and tolerability.' Starton, which recently presented the results of the Phase 1b portion of the study at the 2025 American Association for Cancer Research, will assess the safety and tolerability of low-dose lenalidomide in heavily treated MM patients. Continuous SC infusion (STAR-LLD) in combination with dexamethasone and a protease inhibitor (PI) will be compared to oral lenalidomide (Revlimid®) in combination with dexamethasone and a PI. The study will include at least 24 patients randomized to STAR-LLD and oral lenalidomide (Revlimid®). Up to 45 additional patients may be enrolled to identify the optimal dose for a future registrational study (based on ORR vs dose vs Grade 3-4 toxicity). Starton anticipates opening approximately 10 clinical sites. About STAR-LLD STAR-LLD is a continuous delivery lenalidomide (LLD) in development to expand and replace the standard-of-care for the most common blood cancers, multiple myeloma (MM), and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). A preclinical proof-of-concept study for subcutaneous STAR-LLD demonstrated that MM tumors caused by human myeloma cells grew 25-fold if untreated, five-fold when treated with daily lenalidomide, and shrank by 80% with STAR-LLD over a single 28-day cycle. The study also showed a 100% overall response rate (ORR) using continuous delivery LLD and 20% of animals in this cohort were tumor-free after 100 days, compared to a 0% ORR in animals treated with a 70% higher dose of lenalidomide given in single daily doses. In addition, a Phase 1b clinical study of six relapsed/refractory MM patients resulted in all patients that received STAR-LLD achieving an objective response (1 CR and 5 PRs); no patients experienced drug-related anemia, neutropenia, leukopenia, or thrombocytopenia greater than grade 2 in up to 12 cycles of therapy. The study concluded that continuous delivery of low dose lenalidomide (STAR-LLD) provides meaningful efficacy and improved tolerability with no grade > 2 drug-related hematologic toxicity. About Starton Therapeutics Starton Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology platform company focused on transforming standard-of-care therapies with proprietary continuous delivery technology, so people with cancer live better, for longer. Starton's proprietary technology is intended to increase the efficacy of approved drugs, make them more tolerable, and expand their potential use. To learn more, visit Forward Looking Statements All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this press release, including, without limitation, statements regarding our plans and objectives for future operations and expectations about current and future clinical trials, constitute 'forward-looking statements.' Forward-looking statements are subject to numerous conditions and known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results or events to differ materially from those included within the forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, and except as required by law, Starton undertakes no obligation to disclose any revision to these forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Investor Relations Contact Alex StarrManaging Director LifeSci Advisors astarr@ in to access your portfolio
Daily Mirror
26-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
More dying from drinking booze than ever - and one group is most at risk
Alcohol-related cancer deaths have nearly doubled over the past three decades, and according to new research, one part of the population is significantly more at risk A new study has revealed a troubling rise in alcohol-related cancer deaths. According to the research, these deaths have nearly doubled across the United States — from 12,000 in 1990 to over 23,000 in 2021. The findings, set to be presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology's annual meeting in Chicago, identify one part of the population as being most at risk. Alcohol is classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer and has been linked to at least six types of cancer, including cancers of the mouth, throat, esophagus, liver, colon, and breast. Even moderate drinking increases cancer risk, challenging the common belief that light alcohol use is safe. Despite the evidence, public awareness remains low. A 2024 report from the American Association for Cancer Research found that while over 5% of all cancer cases are linked to alcohol, 51% of Americans are unaware of this connection. While alcohol-related cancer deaths among women rose just 8% during the above period, men experienced a staggering 56% increase, and men aged 55 and older are the most vulnerable group. 'It wasn't surprising that the rates were higher in men, but the magnitude of the difference was unexpected,' said lead author Dr. Chinmay Jani, chief fellow of hematology and oncology at the University of Miami's Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, in an interview with NBC News. Researchers suggest this gender gap may be due to men starting to drink at earlier ages, allowing alcohol's long-term carcinogenic effects to accumulate over time. 'The impact of alcohol may not be immediate, but with age and continued consumption, its cancer-causing potential builds up,' Jani explained. In light of the data, health officials are pushing for stronger warning labels on alcoholic beverages and expanded public education campaigns. 'We need to raise awareness of this link — not only among the public but also within the medical community,' Jani emphasised. 'People are well-informed about tobacco and cancer, but alcohol is often overlooked.' Meanwhile, Cancer Research UK has conducted analysis on UK skin cancer data, which suggests that the way people dress when they're in the sun could be influencing where they get melanoma – the most serious form of skin cancer. Data from 2018 to 2021 shows that 40% of melanomas in men were diagnosed on the torso (the back, chest and stomach) – more than any other part of the body. That translates to around 3,700 cases of skin cancer every year. In women, the most common area was the lower limbs (from the hips to the feet). More than a third of women's melanomas were diagnosed here – around 3,200 cases a year.
New York Post
09-05-2025
- Health
- New York Post
This 20-cent drug lowers colon cancer risk — and may even help treat it: study
A 20-cent 'wonder drug' may do more than manage blood sugar. Researchers are investigating whether a widely used diabetes medication could aid in the fight against colorectal cancer after the disease strikes. Scientists are cautiously optimistic that this decades-old pill could provide a new lifeline to the 150,000 Americans diagnosed with colorectal cancer each year — a growing number of whom are under 50. Advertisement 4 Colon cancer rates have been rising among young Americans. New Africa – What is this 'wonder drug'? Metformin is one of the most widely prescribed drugs on the planet. An estimated 200 million people worldwide take it daily, primarily to treat or prevent type 2 diabetes, according to UCHealth. It's best known for its ability to improve how the body handles insulin, helping lower blood sugar levels — but it's often hailed as a 'wonder drug' by doctors for having many other benefits, including treating fertility issues and PCOS. Studies show that it may also combat obesity, provide anti-aging effects, and protect the cardiovascular and nervous systems. It might even have anti-cancer properties. Advertisement The metformin-cancer connection Previous research indicates that metformin could offer a protective effect against the development of colon cancer. For instance, a meta-analysis of 58 studies found that metformin use was associated with a 37% lower risk of developing the disease compared to type 2 diabetes patients who didn't take the drug. Now, researchers at The Ohio State University are diving deeper, exploring whether metformin could be used in treatment plans once colon cancer has already developed. Advertisement 'Metformin seems like it could have a really interesting supplemental approach to therapy,' Holli Loomans-Kropp, the lead researcher, told Business Insider. 'We're opening up some doors to what this could do.' 4 Metformin is a genetic, off-patent medication commonly prescribed for diabetes. Getty Images Cheap drug, big potential Presented last week at the American Association for Cancer Research conference in Chicago, the ongoing study focuses on how metformin interacts with colon cancer cells that are particularly difficult to treat. Advertisement Early lab tests suggest that metformin has the potential to slow the growth of cancer cells. Researchers believe this could be connected to how the drug functions in diabetics. Metformin regulates glucose production and triggers a 'cleanup process' that helps eliminate damaged cells — an energy shift that may make it harder for colon cancer cells to develop. 'If metformin maybe can be used to redirect or change how the cell uses energy, which then ultimately changes how it divides and how it proliferates, this could be a mechanism to exploit,' Loomans-Kropp said. 4 Metformin helps lower blood sugar levels in patients with type 2 diabetes. Halfpoint – Scientists noted that while metformin doesn't seem potent enough to treat colon cancer on its own, it could eventually be used to enhance other, more aggressive therapies. An added bonus: Metformin is generally well tolerated and boasts a safety record that spans more than 60 years, according to Healthline. When side effects do occur, they're typically gastrointestinal, including nausea, diarrhea and abdominal discomfort. Advertisement The drug can also reduce vitamin B12 absorption and slightly increase the risk of lactic acidosis, a rare but serious condition where the blood becomes too acidic. Another perk? It's an off-patent, generic drug that costs just 10 to 20 cents per pill, making it widely accessible — even for patients without insurance. 4 Colon cancer symptoms include bowel changes, blood in stool and abdominal pain. 9nong – The road ahead The ongoing study by researchers at The Ohio State University is still in its early stages. Advertisement Loomans-Kropp told Business Insider that if initial results from cancer cell tests are promising, she hopes to begin testing metformin as a colon cancer treatment on animals within the next year. Colon cancer is widely considered a pressing public health concern, as it's one of the leading causes of cancer deaths worldwide. While the overall incidence has been dropping, particularly among older adults, there has been a troubling rise in cases and deaths among younger people in recent years. In fact, colon cancer is now the leading cause of cancer death in American men under 50 and the second leading cause for women in the same age group.
Business Insider
07-05-2025
- Health
- Business Insider
A 20-cent 'wonder drug' is being studied as a colon-cancer-fighting supplement, and it looks promising
A cheap, widely prescribed diabetes drug that some doctors have called a "wonder drug" may hold promise as a colon-cancer -fighting supplement. Scientists who presented at the American Association for Cancer Research conference in Chicago last week are studying how metformin — the most popular diabetes medication worldwide — interacts with tough-to-treat colon cancer cells. Their research is still early and ongoing. "Metformin seems like it could have a really interesting supplemental approach to therapy," Holli Loomans-Kropp, a gastrointestinal cancer prevention researcher at The Ohio State University, who is leading the ongoing study, told Business Insider. "We're opening up some doors to what this could do." Previous research found that people taking metformin for diabetes have lower colon cancer rates, suggesting the drug may be doing something protective to help prevent cancer from developing. This new study is one of the first to look at whether metformin could actually fight colon cancer cells once the disease develops. Based on what Loomans-Kropp and her team have seen so far in cell-culture dishes, metformin could become a helpful "supplement" to certain cancer treatment regimens in the future. It wouldn't be potent enough to treat cancer on its own, but could be used alongside other treatments. Loomans-Kropp is especially excited about the drug's potential in treating a common type of colon cancer caused by a mutated KRAS gene, which tends to be very tough to treat. Her research is still in the early stages; further animal testing is required before human clinical trials can begin. A drug that changes how the body uses energy One of the big benefits Loomans-Kropp sees to studying metformin for colon cancer treatment is a practical one — it's a drug that's already widely accessible and affordable. "I always like to ask the question: Are there medications or agents that we already know, that are already used, that we have safety/toxicity profiles for, that we can then repurpose for something else?" Metformin has been studied and used by millions of patients worldwide. And as an off-patent, generic drug, it's cheap — it costs 10 to 20 cents per pill. It's sometimes referred to as a " wonder drug" by doctors for its beneficial effects outside blood-sugar control. Scientists have studied it for heart health, cancer prevention, and dementia. Metformin works for diabetes because it changes the way the body processes and produces sugar. Some scientists believe it may hold promise as an antiaging drug. Like exercise or fasting, metformin regulates how the body uses energy and encourages autophagy, a process that allows the body to process old and damaged cells. Loomans-Kropp hopes that metformin could also inhibit colon cancer cells from using energy to grow and develop. "If metformin maybe can be used to redirect or change how the cell uses energy, which then ultimately changes how it divides and how it proliferates, this could be a mechanism to exploit," Loomans-Kropp said. The same energy-shifting mechanism has longevity researchers excited about metformin as a tool for disease prevention. Dr. Nir Barzilai, a leading longevity researcher who suspects metformin may be beneficial for healthy aging, said metformin may be a "suitable" option for cancer prevention. When it comes to fighting cancer, he agrees with Loomans-Kropp that more study is needed. "Let the science lead," he told Business Insider in an email. Loomans-Kropp is hoping that if these initial cancer cell results are successful, she can begin testing metformin as colon cancer treatment on animals within a year.
