Scientists have developed a simple DNA blood test
that can predict how well patients with breast cancer will respond to treatment.

More than 2 million people globally each year are diagnosed with the disease,
which is the world’s most prevalent cancer.
Although treatments have improved in recent decades, it is not easy to know which ones will work best for which patients.
Now researchers have designed a #liquid #biopsy that tells doctors how likely a patient is to respond to a specific treatment -- even before it begins.

The test has the potential to be gamechanging because it means patients could be offered alternative options, and avoid treatments that won’t help them, boosting their chances of beating the disease.

The test, developed by a team at the Institute of Cancer Research, London (ICR),
analyses #circulating #tumour #DNA (ctDNA), which is released into the blood of patients by cancer cells.
Researchers measured these microscopic levels of cancer DNA in blood samples from 167 patients.
The test was trialled before treatment began and again four weeks later, after a single treatment cycle.
There was a strong association between low levels of ctDNA at the start of treatment, and treatment response, according to the team.
A similar association was seen with the results taken at four weeks.
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2026/jan/18/simple-blood-test-can-predict-which-breast-cancer-treatment-will-work-best-study-finds?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

Swansea dad praises local opticians after life‑saving tumour diagnosis

Headaches led to urgent referral

Matthew Lewis, 47, a senior nurse at Morriston Hospital, had been suffering with persistent headaches when his wife noticed unusual changes in his behaviour last summer. Concerned, he booked an appointment at Specsavers Swansea in July 2024.

Optometrist Chinwendu Ojo carried out a comprehensive eye examination, including an optical coherence tomography (OCT) scan, which revealed a significant loss of vision in Mr Lewis’ left eye.

Within hours of being urgently referred to hospital, scans confirmed a glioblastoma – a fast‑growing cancerous brain tumour. He was transferred to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff for emergency neurosurgery, which doctors say saved his life.

“She didn’t just save his sight – she saved his life”

Following surgery, consultants told the family that without intervention, Mr Lewis may have had only weeks to live.

His wife, Kate Lewis, said:

“Because of Chinwendu’s thorough testing and immediate referral into hospital, we’ve been given so much more precious time together as a family – time we very nearly missed out on. Chinwendu didn’t just save Matthew’s sight; she saved his life. We will forever be grateful to her and the Specsavers Swansea team.”

Living life to the fullest

Since surgery, Mr Lewis has undergone intensive chemotherapy and radiotherapy. He remains positive and is currently cancer‑free, with regular scans every three months.

Doctors have explained that the cancer is likely to return, but the family are determined to make the most of every day.

Mrs Lewis added:

“It is extremely likely that Matthew’s cancer will return – it’s just a question of when, and how it can be treated when it does. We’re taking every day as it comes but concentrating on making as many special memories as possible. Over the past year, we’ve renewed our wedding vows, watched Matthew walk our daughter down the aisle, and enjoyed many holidays together as a family. We’re already planning our next trip.”

Importance of regular eye tests

Optometrist Chinwendu Ojo said the case highlights the importance of regular sight tests:

“Eye tests aren’t just about checking vision – they can reveal so much more about your overall health. That’s why it’s so important to have regular sight tests and seek professional advice if you notice unusual symptoms such as intense headaches or blurred vision. I’m so relieved we were able to pick up on Matthew’s vision loss and refer him quickly to ensure he got the urgent care he needed.”

Specsavers Swansea

Specsavers Swansea say they’re open seven days a week and also offer Home Visits service for those unable to leave their homes unaccompanied due to disability or illness.

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Swansea opticians give back with donation to Crisis
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#brainTumour #Cancer #Chemotherapy #eyeTest #glioblastoma #headaches #Optometrist #Radiotherapy #Specsavers #Swansea #tumour

Metastatic Matchmaking: CD24 Brings Tumour Cells and Platelets Together

Check out this excellent #preLight from Harvey Roweth, which includes answers and future directions from the authors of the preprint. ⬇️

https://prelights.biologists.com/highlights/tumoral-cd24-tunes-platelet-binding-and-pro-metastatic-functions/

#platelets #cancer #preprint #tumour

"By using time-resolved analyses of scRNA-seq data, we determined the potential transitional trajectories of tumor cells and identified the metastasis-initiating subpopulations"

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11684-024-1081-7

Reading right now. The identification of cells that initiate #metastasis are of interest, although n=2 paired primary and #BoneMarrow samples may be a bit limited.

#scRNAseq #tumour #Neuroblastoma #pseudotime

CAR-T therapy, which genetically engineers a person’s own immune cells to destroy #tumour cells, could treat deadly brain and spinal #cancers in children. New trials saw the tumors decrease in size by 50%.

https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-02255-2?utm_source=Live+Audience&utm_campaign=e3e4e7ef7a-nature-briefing-daily-20240715&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_b27a691814-e3e4e7ef7a-50179668

Impressive new work by Moravec et al. in Nature Biotechnology, sadly not open source. "... a #HighThroughput personalized #TCR discovery pipeline ..." with which they "...identified dozens of CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell-derived TCRs with potent tumor reactivity, including TCRs that recognized patient-specific #neoantigens."

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41587-024-02210-6

#cancer #tumour #Tcells
#science