How Human Tissue Samples are Shaping Cancer Therapy
Posted 24th September 2018 by Jane Williams
Cancer Therapy
Thanks to advancements in human tissue sample procedures, we have been able to make major breakthroughs in cancer research. In the twenty-first century, epidemiological and clinical evidence have supported the claim that changes in metabolism can affect oncogenesis and tumour response to therapy.
It has been observed that metabolic conditions such as hyperglycemia, obesity, hyperlipidemia, and insulin resistance are directly associated with increased risk of cancer development as well as the acceleration of tumour progression. These findings indicate that statins and metformin may help decrease cancer-related deaths.
What’s been happening in precision medicine this month?
Posted 30th July 2018 by Jane Williams
There has been some interesting news, discoveries and development to catch up on this month in the world of precision medicine. Take a look at the list below to find out more:
Connecting Cancer Biology to Clinical Oncology: Still a World to Win
Posted 14th May 2018 by Jane Williams
Our understanding of the aberrant biological pathways (oncogenic pathways) that are involved in the formation and progression of cancers has increased with huge leaps in the last decades of cancer research. The ever-increasing knowledge was and still is accompanied by the development of increasing numbers of precision drugs, tailored to neutralize these aberrations.
The Challenges & Considerations of Reporting Somatic Variants in Cancer
Posted 30th April 2018 by Jane Williams
Industrial and “omic” scale mutational profiling of solid tumours are possible as a result of massively parallel sequencing technology. However, these clinical genomic testing capabilities have also brought myriad new biological, technical and operational challenges not encountered in monogenic disorder testing. All of this impacts the interpretation and reporting of somatic variants. As a testament to the nascency of this field, the first published consensus guidelines for interpretation of variants in cancer was only released in early 2017.
Software and Systems for Digital Pathology
Posted 16th March 2018 by Jane Williams
Presented at the 4th Digital Pathology Congress, these 3 sets of slides on software and systems for digital pathology are available. Feel free to download and share with your colleagues.
Cancer Therapy in the Genomic Era: Barriers and Distractions
Posted 20th November 2017 by Jane Williams
Recent step change advances in sequencing technologies have delivered a near-complete lexicon of genomic cancer drivers. In parallel, progress in synthetic chemistry has facilitated the assembly of a broad armamentarium of molecularly-targeted therapies. However, whilst immunotherapy agents have produced notable benefits for subgroups of patients, the impact of molecularly-targeted therapies have been relatively modest.
Further unlocking the undeniable power of genomics in cancer will involve both the systematic removal of barriers and the avoidance of distractions that obscure progress. Both of which are discussed here.
Manhunting high-value targets in cancer combat
Posted 15th November 2017 by Jane Williams
Cancer poses a formidable challenge to public health in modern society. In duelling rituals, the challenged party is usually given the choice of weapons, and possibilities are numerous. Knowing the weaknesses of your opponent is key to combat strategies and weapon selection.
Fermented milk, probiotics and yeast membrane constituents may prevent colorectal cancer
Posted 25th September 2017 by Jane Williams
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the result of a series of histopathological changes starting with the appearance of outbreaks of aberrant crypts (AC) in the colon and generally leading to adenocarcinoma. CRC is one of the third most common diagnosed cancers in western countries.