Lung

A novel treatment method developed by researchers targets lung cancer cells with unprecedented precision, using nanoparticles to deliver chemotherapy drugs directly, potentially transforming cancer care by reducing side effects and improving treatment outcomes.Technique employs patient’s own cells as a Trojan horse to deliver cancer-destroying medications directly to tumors.While lung cancer may not be the most common type of cancer, but it is by far the deadliest.Despite treatments such as surgery, radiation therapy, and…

MIT’s inhalable nanosensors could revolutionize lung cancer screening, providing a simple urine test as a viable alternative to CT scans, enhancing global access to early detection. Credit: SciTechDaily.comThe diagnostic, which requires only a simple urine test to read the results, could make lung cancer screening more accessible worldwide.Using a new technology developed at MIT, diagnosing lung cancer could become as easy as inhaling nanoparticle sensors and then taking a urine test that reveals whether a tumor is…

Zinc has been found to be important in keeping lung infections at bay in people with cystic fibrosis, whose immune cell’s natural bacteria-fighting ability has been reduced by the genetic mutation that causes the disease. The discovery could result in treatments that reactivate the immune system, reducing infections.The first ward I worked on as a brand-new registered nurse was the cystic fibrosis (CF) ward. Most of the patients were in their late teens and early 20s, many had recently transferred from the nearby…

Confocal imaging demonstrating the dense network of capillary blood vessels in the lung that allow oxygen to move into our bloodstream. This complex vascular network can be severely disrupted upon viral infections like influenza and COVID-19, which greatly contributes to disease severity and mortality. Credit: Gan ZhaoRecent research reveals a breakthrough in lung repair, showing how delivering VEGFA via lipid nanoparticles can significantly repair damaged blood vessels, akin to plumbing repairs. This method, validated in…

Researchers catch lung cancer transformation in the act: Immunofluorescence image shows small cell lung cancer (purple-pink) spreading throughout the bronchioles (green) of a mouse lung containing residual lung adenocarcinoma tumor cells (blue). Credit: Dr. Eric Gardner, Varmus LabSometimes, lung tumors known as adenocarcinomas develop resistance to treatments that were initially successful, undergoing a transformation into a more aggressive form of cancer called small cell lung cancer (SCLC), which spreads quickly and…

By Holly Evarts, Columbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science February 16, 2024Illustration showing exosomes (blue) deliver IL-12 mRNA to lung cancer cells (brown). Credit: Cheng Lab/Columbia EngineeringColumbia Biomedical Engineer Ke Cheng has developed a technique that uses inhalation of exosomes, or nanobubbles, to directly deliver IL-12 mRNA to the lungs of mice.Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers and has one of the lowest survival rates in the world. Cytokines, which are small signaling…

By University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center February 13, 2024A study from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center reveals that combining targeted therapy and immunotherapy, specifically durvalumab and ceralasertib, significantly benefits patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).Phase II trial finds durvalumab plus ceralasertib boosted immune response and improved outcomes in patients with lung cancer.A specific combination of targeted therapy and immunotherapy may better help patients with…

Sopa Images | Lightrocket | Getty ImagesShares of Gilead fell more than 9% on Monday after a key drug from the company did not significantly extend the lives of patients with a certain lung cancer in a late-stage trial.The results are a blow to Gilead, which is working to become a power player in the cancer space. The treatment, Trodelvy, is one of Gilead's best-selling cancer drugs, contributing roughly a third of its $769 million in oncology sales during the third quarter.The phase-three study is part of an effort to…

New research indicates that smoking both marijuana and cigarettes significantly increases the risk of lung damage, challenging common beliefs about the safety of marijuana smoking. The study underscores the need for more research in this area to inform public understanding.According to findings recently presented at the Radiological Society of North America’s annual meeting, combining marijuana and cigarette smoking could result in greater harm to the lung’s air sacs.Despite widespread beliefs that marijuana smoking is…

Withings, the brand best known for its smart scales and smart watches, has announced a new product that’s never been seen before. The BeamO is a palm-sized, at-home monitoring device (or “multiscope”) that can provide a comprehensive view of your heart and lung health. It combines an ECG, which records the rate and rhythm of the heart, with a stethoscope for measuring lung health, a thermometer, and an oximeter, which tests blood oxygen levels.   To use it, you simply hold the BeamO to their forehead or over…