New results presented at the 12th European Breast Cancer Conference show that a test, which looks at the activity of 70 genes in breast cancer tissue, is possible to use in the clinic to identify patients with invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) that is at high risk of recurring and progressing. Adjuvant treatments, such as chemotherapy, […]
Bridging the age gap: two studies show how older breast cancer patients can be treated more effectively
Women with breast cancer who are aged older than 70 years are sometimes not offered surgery, chemotherapy or radiotherapy because doctors believe their patients will not be able to tolerate these treatments and will derive little benefit from them. These decisions may contribute to worse breast cancer survival rates for older women than for younger […]
Pattern of gut bacteria linked to effectiveness of chemotherapy in breast cancer patients
Researchers studying the activity of gut bacteria in breast cancer patients have found a possible link with how well their chemotherapy works. The study, presented at the 12th European Breast Cancer Conference, included a small group of women who were being treated with chemotherapy before surgery. In some women, where the chemotherapy seemed to eliminate […]
Spotting breast cancer that has spread to the brain before it causes symptoms could improve survival
Breast cancer patients whose disease has spread to their brains fare better if their metastases are picked up before they begin to cause symptoms, according to a study presented at the 12th European Breast Cancer Conference. Breast cancer that spreads to the brain is becoming more common and it is one reason why the disease […]
Scientists discover what happens in our brains when we make educated guesses
Researchers have identified how cells in our brains work together to join up memories of separate experiences, allowing us to make educated guesses in everyday life. By studying both human and mouse brain activity, they report that this process happens in a region of the brain called the hippocampus. The study, published in the scientific […]
First trial of personalised care for children with asthma suggests benefits of prescribing according to genetic differences
Selecting treatments according to genetic differences could help children and teenagers with asthma, according to research presented at the European Respiratory Society International Congress. [1] The trial, which compares patients treated according to small genetic differences with patients treated according to existing guidelines, is the first of its kind in children and teenagers. Researchers say […]
COVID-19 patients suffer long-term lung and heart damage but it can improve with time
Coronavirus patients recover faster if they undergo rehabilitation as soon as possible after coming off ventilators or leaving intensive care COVID-19 patients can suffer long-term lung and heart damage but, for many, this tends to improve over time, according to the first, prospective follow-up of patients infected with the coronavirus, presented at the European Respiratory […]
Bronchitis as a child predicts worse lung health in middle age
People who had bronchitis at least once before the age of seven are more likely to develop lung problems in later life, according to new research presented at the ‘virtual’ European Respiratory Society International Congress. [1] However, the lung diseases they suffer from by the age of 53 were usually asthma and pneumonia rather than […]
‘Social smokers’ face disproportionately high risk of death from lung disease and lung cancer
‘Social smokers’ are more than twice as likely to die of lung disease and more than eight times as likely to die of lung cancer than non-smokers, according to research presented at the European Respiratory Society International Congress. [1] The study also shows that the risk of lung cancer death for ‘social smokers’ – those […]
Chemicals in e-cigarettes mix together to form new, unexpectedly toxic compounds
Flavourings combine with solvents in e-cigarettes to produce new toxic chemicals that irritate the airways, triggering reactions that can lead to breathing and heart and blood vessel problems, according to new research presented at the ‘virtual’ European Respiratory Society International Congress. [1] Sven-Eric Jordt, associate professor of anaesthesiology, pharmacology and cancer biology at Duke University […]