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Small Cell Lung Cancer

Cologne Researchers Investigate Small Cell Lung Cancer Synapses

by Lucas Fernandez – World Editor September 19, 2025

written by Lucas Fernandez – World Editor

Publisher Correction Issued for Landmark Study Revealing Neuron–Cancer Dialog

A recent Publisher Correction has been issued regarding the Cancer Cell article “Functional synapses between neurons and small cell lung cancer” (published online February 16,⁤ 2024), detailing a groundbreaking discovery of direct communication between neurons and small cell lung cancer (SCLC) cells via functional synapses. The correction, published‍ March ⁤11, ⁣2024, addresses minor clarifications regarding author affiliations and does ⁤not alter the core findings of the research.

The original study, led ⁣by researchers from the University⁣ of Cologne and LMU Munich, demonstrated that SCLC cells ‍form synapses – ⁢structures typically used for neuron-to-neuron communication – with neurons in the peripheral nervous system. This neuronal-cancer interaction was shown to ⁣promote SCLC growth and metastasis.

Key researchers involved in the⁤ study include⁣ Marcel‍ Schmiel, Reinhard Büttner, and Roman ‌K. Thomas (University of Cologne); Thorsten Persigehl & Holger Grüll⁤ (Institute for‌ Diagnostic and Interventional radiology, University⁣ Hospital Cologne); Martin L. Sos (Department of Translational Oncology, German Cancer ⁤Consortium (DKTK), Munich & Department of Medicine⁤ III, LMU University Hospital Munich); Guido Reifenberger (institute of Neuropathology, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf); MAX AFPLOGZ⁤ (Institute of Anatomy II, ⁢Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf); Silvio O. Rizzoli (University Medical Center Göttingen & Cluster of ⁢Excellence ‘multiscale Bioimaging’, University of Göttingen); Matteo ⁤Bergami (Institute of Genetics & faculty of⁤ Medicine, University of Cologne); and Hans Christian Reinhardt (West German Cancer Center, University‍ Hospital Essen, & DKTK, University ⁤Hospital⁢ Essen & Center‍ for ⁤Molecular Biotechnology, University Hospital Essen).

The⁢ findings challenge conventional understanding of cancer progression ‍and open new avenues for therapeutic intervention, potentially by disrupting these neuronal-cancer synapses. The Publisher Correction ensures the⁢ accuracy of ⁤author affiliations associated with this ‌pivotal research.

September 19, 2025 0 comments

Health

Brain Radiotherapy and ICIs Improve Survival for Small Cell Lung Cancer

by Dr. Michael Lee – Health Editor July 31, 2025

written by Dr. Michael Lee – Health Editor

Here are a few options for rewriting the provided text,focusing on different aspects and tones:

Option 1 (Concise and direct):

A recent study investigated the effectiveness of combining brain radiotherapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) for small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) patients with brain metastases. Researchers found that this combination,along with chemotherapy and thoracic radiotherapy,yielded promising results.

The retrospective analysis of 42 patients treated between 2020 and 2024 showed a 2-year overall survival rate of 42.3% and an intracranial local control rate of 68.8%. While 26 patients died from disease progression, only two developed radiation-induced brain necrosis.

The study compared standard whole-brain radiotherapy (WBRT) with WBRT plus a simultaneous integrated boost (SIB), wich allows for higher radiation doses to specific tumor areas. Patients receiving WBRT+SIB experienced shorter treatment times and potentially better outcomes, though the WBRT group reported more side effects like headache and nausea.

The authors concluded that WBRT+SIB may offer a better curative effect for SCLC brain metastases than WBRT alone. the combination of radiotherapy (either WBRT or WBRT+SIB) with ICIs demonstrated notable benefits in survival and local control with manageable side effects, suggesting it as a promising treatment option. They noted that advanced techniques could further improve precision and reduce adverse events.

Limitations of the study include its retrospective nature and small sample size,prompting a call for prospective research to confirm these findings.

Option 2 (Slightly More Emphasizing the “Brilliant” Results):

Researchers have hailed “brilliant” survival rates in a study exploring the synergy between brain radiotherapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) for small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) patients with brain metastases. The findings suggest this combined approach, alongside chemotherapy and thoracic radiotherapy, is a highly promising treatment strategy.

In a retrospective analysis of 42 patients treated between 2020 and 2024, the combination therapy achieved a 2-year overall survival rate of 42.3% and an intracranial local control rate of 68.8%. While disease progression led to the death of 26 patients, only two experienced radiation-induced brain necrosis, indicating a favorable safety profile.

The study specifically examined two radiotherapy techniques: standard whole-brain radiotherapy (WBRT) and WBRT with a simultaneous integrated boost (SIB). The SIB approach, which delivers targeted higher doses of radiation, was associated with shorter treatment durations and potentially superior outcomes compared to WBRT alone, even though the latter group reported more common side effects like headaches and nausea.

The authors concluded that WBRT+SIB shows a better curative effect for SCLC brain metastases. Crucially, their findings underscore the significant positive impact of combining radiotherapy (both WBRT and WBRT+SIB) with ICIs on overall survival and intracranial control, with tolerable side effects. They anticipate that advanced radiotherapy techniques will further enhance precision and minimize risks.

The authors acknowledge the study’s retrospective nature and limited sample size, emphasizing the need for prospective studies to validate these encouraging results.

Option 3 (Focusing on the “Why” and the Future):

Recognizing the potential for radiotherapy to enhance immunotherapy by altering the tumor microenvironment, researchers have investigated its combined use with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) patients with brain metastases. the optimal role of this combination remained unclear, prompting a retrospective analysis of 42 patients treated between 2020 and 2024.

the study found that patients receiving chemotherapy, icis, and brain radiotherapy (either standard whole-brain radiotherapy or WBRT with a simultaneous integrated boost) alongside thoracic radiotherapy achieved a 2-year overall survival rate of 42.3% and an intracranial local control rate of 68.8%. These outcomes were described as “brilliant” by the authors.

While disease progression was the cause of death for most patients, the incidence of radiation-induced brain necrosis was low. The WBRT+SIB approach offered advantages such as shorter treatment times and the ability to deliver higher doses to metastatic lesions, potentially leading to better control and survival, though it was associated with fewer side effects than standard WBRT.

The authors concluded that WBRT+SIB demonstrates a superior curative effect for SCLC brain metastases compared to WBRT alone. More broadly, their findings highlight the significant benefits of combining radiotherapy with ICIs, regardless of the specific radiotherapy technique, in improving survival and intracranial control with acceptable side effects. They suggest that advanced techniques like image-guided radiotherapy and stereotactic radiosurgery hold promise for further improving precision and reducing adverse events.

The study’s

July 31, 2025 0 comments

Health

New method uses exosome stiffness for lung cancer gene detection

by Dr. Michael Lee – Health Editor July 30, 2025

written by Dr. Michael Lee – Health Editor

Lung Cancer Detected by ‘Stiffness’ of Tiny Particles

New technology analyzes exosome mechanics for early diagnosis

Scientists have pioneered a groundbreaking method to identify lung cancer by measuring the physical properties of minuscule particles shed by tumors. This innovative approach, focusing on exosome stiffness, promises a less invasive and more precise diagnostic tool.

Unlocking Exosome Secrets

Researchers at DGIST, under President **Kunwoo Lee**, have developed a technique utilizing atomic force microscopy (AFM). This method can distinguish lung cancer gene mutations by assessing the “stiffness” of exosomes, which are tiny vesicles released into the bloodstream from cancer cells.

This advancement facilitates swift and accurate analysis of individual exosomes. It is anticipated to pave the way for a novel liquid biopsy-based diagnostic method for lung cancer.

Tackling a Deadly Disease

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) represents the vast majority of lung cancer cases. Its often asymptomatic early stages lead to diagnosis at advanced, harder-to-treat phases, contributing to its high mortality rate. Conventional tissue biopsies can be taxing for patients and limit repeat testing.

The push for non-invasive liquid biopsy technologies, using blood samples, has gained significant traction. This new exosome stiffness analysis aligns with that objective.

Linking Stiffness to Genetic Mutations

The DGIST team, led by Senior Researchers **Yoonhee Lee** and **Gyogwon Koo**, isolated exosomes from NSCLC cell lines with specific genetic mutations. They analyzed nanoscale physical characteristics, including stiffness and height-to-radius ratios, using AFM.

Exosomes from cells with a KRAS mutation showed markedly increased stiffness. This suggests that changes in cell membrane lipids due to the mutation are mirrored in the exosomes. Exosomes from cells with EGFR mutations, including a resistant form, displayed similar physical properties, correlating with their shared genetic makeup.

AI Boosts Accuracy

To precisely categorize these nanomechanical signatures, the research team integrated artificial intelligence. Data on exosome height and stiffness was fed into a deep learning model (DenseNet-121) for classification.

The AI model successfully identified exosomes from A549 cells with 96% accuracy, achieving an overall AUC of 0.92. This highlights the potential for a next-generation liquid biopsy platform that relies solely on exosome physical properties, bypassing the need for fluorescent labeling.

Future Clinical Application

Senior Researchers **Yoonhee Lee** and **Gyogwon Koo** expressed optimism, stating, This study presents a new diagnostic potential to distinguish lung cancer with specific genetic mutations using only a small amount of exosome samples.

They added, We plan to actively pursue the practical application of this technology by integrating a high-speed AFM platform in clinical sample validation.

This innovation aligns with broader trends in cancer diagnostics, where advancements like Guardant360 CDx offer comprehensive genomic profiling from blood samples, detecting over 500 cancer-related genes with high sensitivity (Guardant Health).

July 30, 2025 0 comments

Health

Ultra Processed Foods Linked to Increased Lung Cancer Risk

by Dr. Michael Lee – Health Editor July 30, 2025

written by Dr. Michael Lee – Health Editor

Here’s a breakdown of the provided text,focusing on the study’s findings and limitations:

Study Focus:

Objective: To investigate the association between the consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) and the risk of developing lung cancer.
Participants: 101,732 individuals (50,187 men, 51,545 women) with an average age of 62. They completed a Food Frequency questionnaire at the start of the trials.
Timeframe:
Participant recruitment: november 1993 to July 2001.
Cancer diagnoses tracked: Until the end of 2009.
Cancer deaths tracked: Until the end of 2018. Average tracking period for the study: 12 years.
Food Categorization: Foods were classified into four groups:
1.Unprocessed or minimally processed.
2. Containing processed culinary ingredients.3. Processed.
4. Ultra-processed (UPFs).
Specific UPFs of Interest: sour cream, cream cheese, ice cream, frozen yogurt, fried foods, bread, baked goods, salted snacks, breakfast cereals, instant noodles, shop-bought soups and sauces, margarine, confectionery, soft drinks, sweetened fruit drinks, resturant/shop-bought hamburgers, hot dogs, and pizza.
Key UPF Consumption Data:
Average energy-adjusted UPF consumption: Nearly 3 servings/day (ranging from 0.5 to 6).
Most frequent UPFs consumed: Lunch meat (11%), diet or caffeinated soft drinks (just over 7%), and decaffeinated soft drinks (nearly 7%).

Key Findings:

Lung Cancer Diagnoses: During the study, 1706 new cases of lung cancer were diagnosed.
1473 cases (86%) were non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
233 cases (14%) were small cell lung cancer (SCLC).
UPF Consumption and Lung Cancer:
Case numbers were higher in those who ate the most UPF compared to those who ate the least.
after adjusting for factors like smoking and overall diet quality, participants in the highest quarter of energy-adjusted UPF consumption were 41% more likely to be diagnosed with lung cancer than those in the lowest quarter.
Specifically, the highest UPF consumers were:
37% more likely to be diagnosed with NSCLC.
44% more likely to be diagnosed with SCLC.

Potential Explanations for the Association:

Low Nutritional Value: UPFs generally have low nutritional value.
High Sugar, salt, and Fat: UPFs often contain excessive amounts of sugar, salt, and fats.
Displacement of Healthy Foods: High UPF intake may displace healthier foods like whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, which are known to protect against cancer.
Altered Food Matrix: Industrial processing can alter the food matrix,affecting nutrient availability and absorption.
Harmful Contaminants: processing can generate harmful contaminants, such as acrolein (found in grilled sausages and caramel sweets, and also a component of cigarette smoke).
Packaging Materials: Packaging materials might also play a role.

Limitations of the Study:

Observational Study: This is an observational study, meaning it cannot establish cause and effect.
Smoking Intensity: Researchers could not factor in smoking intensity, which could be influential. Single Dietary Assessment: Dietary facts was collected only once, so it couldn’t account for changes in eating habits over time.
Small Number of Cancer Diagnoses: The number of cancer diagnoses was considered small.Conclusion and Future Directions:

The researchers highlight the need for confirmation of these findings by other large-scale longitudinal studies in different populations and settings.
They suggest that if causality is established, limiting global UPF intake could help reduce the burden of lung cancer.
They also note the critically important worldwide increase in UPF consumption over the past two decades and its potential role in driving global increases in obesity, cardiovascular disease, metabolic disorders, cancer, and mortality.

Source:

The study was published in the journal Thorax* by Wang, K., et al. (2025).

July 30, 2025 0 comments

Health

Alzheimer’s protein found to drive lung cancer spread to the brain

by Dr. Michael Lee – Health Editor July 3, 2025

written by Dr. Michael Lee – Health Editor

Alzheimer’s Protein Linked to Lung Cancer Spread

Discovery may allow repurposing of existing drugs.

A newly published study reveals how a protein associated with Alzheimer’s disease facilitates the spread of lung cancer to the brain, potentially opening the door to using existing Alzheimer’s drugs to prevent cancer’s spread.

Key Development

The research, conducted by scientists at **McMaster University**, **Cleveland Clinic** and **Case Comprehensive Cancer Center**, focused on the protein BACE1’s role in brain metastases, where tumors spread to the brain from lung cancer. In non-small cell lung cancer, these tumors can occur in as many as 40% of patients.

According to **Sheila Singh**, director of **McMaster’s Centre for Discovery in Cancer Research**, “We’ve always associated BACE1 with Alzheimer’s disease, so to find it playing a major role in lung cancer brain metastases is an important discovery. It’s a reminder that cancer can hijack biological pathways in ways we don’t yet fully understand.”

CRISPR Activation Screen

A genome-wide in vivo CRISPR activation screen allowed the team to activate thousands of genes individually in lung cancer cells, which were then introduced into mice. Researchers observed that activating BACE1 significantly increased the likelihood of the cancer cells invading the brain.

Alzheimer’s Connection

The connection between BACE1 and Alzheimer’s stems from BACE1’s role in cutting the APP protein, which leads to the formation of brain plaques, a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease.

Hope for Repurposed Therapies

With limited therapies currently available for cancer that has spread to the brain, the identification of BACE1 offers a new avenue. Drugs developed for Alzheimer’s, such as Verubecestat, which inhibits BACE1 activity, could potentially be repurposed.

Mice treated with Verubecestat experienced fewer and smaller tumors and had longer lifespans. Although Verubecestat showed initial promise in Alzheimer’s patients, it was discontinued during Phase 3 clinical trials in 2018 because positive benefit/risk was unlikely.

Lung cancer is the second most common cancer in both men and women, accounting for about 12% of all new cancers, with around 238,340 new cases estimated in the U.S. in 2023 alone (American Cancer Society).

Interdisciplinary Collaboration

“This study highlights how interdisciplinary partnerships can lead to breakthroughs in understanding and treating devastating diseases like brain metastases,” said **Shideng Bao**, a researcher in **Cleveland Clinic’s Department of Cancer Biology**. “By identifying BACE1 as a key player in the spread of lung cancer to the brain, we’ve uncovered a promising new avenue for therapeutic intervention that could ultimately improve outcomes for patients.”

The study was a collaboration between the **Sheila Singh Lab**, **Cleveland Clinic**, and **Case Comprehensive Cancer Center**.

Future Research

Further research is necessary to fully determine how effective this therapy may be in preventing lung cancer from spreading to the brain.

July 3, 2025 0 comments

Business

Machine Learning Tool Predicts Cancer Treatment Response Based on Genetic Mutations

by Chief editor of world-today-news.com February 12, 2025

written by Chief editor of world-today-news.com

Certainly!⁤ Here is the content you requested:

Key‌ findings from the study include:

KRAS mutations in advanced non-small⁢ cell lung cancer were linked to poorer response to a common treatment (EGFR inhibitors), suggesting alternative treatments may be needed.
NF1‍ mutations improved responses to immunotherapy‍ and worsened ⁢responses to certain targeted ⁣therapies,highlighting their complex role‍ in treatment.
PI3K ⁣pathway mutations, which regulate cell growth, had varying effects depending on cancer type, with diffrent responses in breast, melanoma, and renal cancers.
DNA repair pathway mutations improved ‌immunotherapy effectiveness in lung‌ cancer by increasing tumor instability.
Mutations in immune-related pathways were associated with better survival rates for⁣ lung cancer patients treated with immunotherapy, suggesting not all mutations hinder ‍treatment success.

A powerful predictive tool

While cancer treatments have traditionally followed a one-size-fits-all approach,where patients with the same type of cancer receive the same standard therapies,the study underscores the importance of precision medicine,which tailors treatment based on a patient’s⁤ unique genetic makeup.

Yet ⁣while vast amounts of mutation data exist

Revolutionizing Cancer‌ Treatment: AI and Genomics Join Forces for ‍Personalized Medicine

In a groundbreaking study published⁢ in Nature Communications, researchers from the University of Southern California (USC) have unveiled a ‌novel approach to cancer treatment ⁤that leverages artificial intelligence (AI) and genomics to personalize care for patients. The ‍study, lead by Dr.⁣ R. Liu,demonstrates how integrating⁣ vast amounts of clinical and genomic data with advanced statistical and machine‌ learning techniques ‍can reveal previously unrecognized mutation-treatment interactions.”Our goal was to find patterns that might not be obvious at first ⁤glance, ⁢and then translate these insights into real-world tools that can expand access to immunotherapy for people with cancer,” explained Dr. Liu. “One ‍key innovation lies in integrating huge‍ amounts of data with ⁢advanced statistical and machine learning techniques to ‍uncover previously unrecognized mutation-treatment interactions.”

The research team⁤ analyzed data from 78,287 patients with 20⁢ different types of cancer. By applying sophisticated computational‍ methods, they were ‍able to identify specific genetic mutations that respond better to certain treatments.This discovery could considerably enhance the precision ‌and‌ effectiveness of cancer treatment, tailoring therapies to individual patients’ genetic profiles.

While ‍further clinical trials are necessary to validate these findings, Dr. Liu sees this study as a crucial step toward making cancer treatment more precise and personalized. “This research shows the ⁣power of⁤ computational science in⁢ transforming complex clinical and genomic data into⁣ actionable insights,” she said.‍ “It’s deeply‍ fulfilling to contribute to tools and knowledge that can directly improve patient care.”

Key Insights from⁢ the Study

| Insight ‍ | Description ⁣ ⁢ ‍ ‍ ‍ ⁤ ⁢ ‍ |
|———————————————–|—————————————————————————–|
| Data Integration ⁢ ‌ | Integration of clinical and genomic data using AI and machine learning. ‍ |
| Mutation-Treatment Interactions ‌| Identification⁤ of specific genetic ‌mutations that respond to certain ⁣treatments.|
| Personalized Medicine ‌ ‍ | Potential to tailor cancer treatments to individual patients’ genetic profiles.|
| Clinical Trials ⁤ ⁤ | Further trials needed to ⁢validate findings and bring them to clinical practise.|

The Future of Cancer Treatment

The intersection of AI and genomics is poised to revolutionize the field of oncology. By providing a more ‌nuanced understanding of‌ how different genetic mutations respond to treatments, this research could lead to better outcomes for patients. As Dr. Liu noted, “It’s deeply fulfilling to contribute to⁤ tools and knowledge that can directly‌ improve patient care.”

For more information on this groundbreaking⁣ study, visit the University of Southern California and read the full paper in Nature Communications here.

Stay tuned for more updates ⁤on how AI and genomics are transforming the future‌ of medicine. Your feedback and questions are welcome in the comments section below.

February 12, 2025 0 comments