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UPI
6 days ago
- Health
- UPI
Artificial sweetener sucralose may disrupt cancer treatment
Aug. 4 (UPI) -- Findings from a study in mice suggest that using a common artificial sweetener, sucralose, could hamper certain immunotherapy treatments in cancer patients. However, for folks reluctant to give up the ubiquitous sweetener, the same team of scientists may have found a way around the problem: Giving mice a supplement that boosts levels of the natural amino acid arginine appeared to negate the effect. "It's easy to say, 'Stop drinking diet soda,' but when patients are being treated for cancer, they are already dealing with enough, so asking them to drastically alter their diet may not be realistic," said study lead author Abby Overacre, an assistant professor of immunology at the University of Pittsburgh. "We need to meet patients where they are. That's why it's so exciting that arginine supplementation could be a simple approach to counteract the negative effects of sucralose on immunotherapy," she said. Her team published its findings Wednesday in Cancer Discovery. Just how might sucralose disrupt cancer immunotherapies? These treatments include powerful "immune checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapies," such as anti-PD1. This treatment works by boosting the activity of key immune system cells called T cells. T cells need arginine to function effectively if they aim to kill cancer cells, the researchers explained. In the mouse experiments, mice bred to have cancers such as adenocarcinoma or melanoma experienced a shift in their gut microbiomes when sucralose was added to their diets. This led to a flourishing of certain gut bacteria that break down arginine, depleting levels of the amino acid. "When arginine levels were depleted due to sucralose-driven shifts in the microbiome, T cells couldn't function properly," Overacre explained in a university news release. "As a result, immunotherapy wasn't as effective in mice that were fed sucralose." Mice who'd been placed an an anti-PD1 immunotherapy but given sucralose ended up having larger tumors and poorer cancer survival versus those unexposed to sucralose, the team found. But there was a solution: When the researchers gave the mice the supplements arginine or citruline, the potency of immunotherapy returned to normal levels. Of course, experiments in mice don't always pan out in people. However, a follow-up study in cancer patients appeared to support findings observed in mice. The same research team tracked outcomes for 132 patients with either advanced melanomas or lung cancers who had received anti-PD1 immunotherapy alone or in combination with chemotherapy. "We found that sucralose impeded the effectiveness of immunotherapies across a range of cancer types, stages and treatment modalities," said study senior author Dr. Diwakar Davar. "These observations raise the possibility of designing prebiotics, such as targeted nutrient supplementation for patients who consume high levels of sucralose," said Davar, an associate professor of medicine at the university. He said a trial is planned to test the effectiveness of citrulline supplementation in reversing the detrimental effects of sucralose on cancer immunotherapy. As Davar noted, citrulline is thought to boost arginine levels more than giving arginine itself. More information Find out more about anti-PD1 therapies at the U.S. National Cancer Institute. Copyright © 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Time of India
02-08-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Artificial sweetener consumption linked to less effective cancer treatment
London: In patients with melanoma or non-small cell lung cancer, consuming high levels of the artificial sweetener sucralose contributes to diminished responses to immunotherapy and poorer survival, researchers reported in Cancer Discovery. When the researchers had 132 patients with advanced melanoma or non-small cell lung cancer answer detailed diet history questionnaires, they found that high consumption of sucralose was linked with lower effectiveness of immunotherapies across a range of cancer types, stages and treatment methods. In experiments with mice, the researchers found that sucralose shifts the composition of microbes in the intestines, increasing bacterial species that degrade arginine, an amino acid that is essential for key immune cells called T cells. "When arginine levels were depleted due to sucralose-driven shifts in the microbiome, T cells couldn't function properly," study leader Abby Overacre of the University of Pittsburgh said in a statement. "As a result, immunotherapy wasn't as effective in mice that were fed sucralose." Laying the groundwork for a solution to the problem, the same researchers also found in the mice that supplements that boosted levels of arginine mitigated the negative effects of sucralose on immunotherapy, an approach they now hope to test in humans. "It's easy to say, 'Stop drinking diet soda,' but when patients are being treated for cancer, they are already dealing with enough, so asking them to drastically alter their diet may not be realistic," Overacre said. "That's why it's so exciting that arginine supplementation could be a simple approach to counteract the negative effects of sucralose on immunotherapy." LOW-GRADE IS NOT THE SAME AS LOW-RISK IN PROSTATE CANCER A low-grade prostate tumor is not necessarily low-risk, new research suggests. Biopsy results showing low-grade prostate cancers can sometimes lead to underestimation of disease risk and omission of surgery or radiation in patients who might benefit from such treatments, researchers warned in JAMA Oncology. Among roughly 117,000 men in their study with prostate biopsy results indicating a Grade Group 1, or GG1, tumor - the slowest-growing kind - one in six had intermediate- or high-risk cancer when other factors such as prostate-specific antigen levels in the blood and tumor sizes were also considered, according to the report. Such higher risk cancers are often treated with radiation therapy or removal of the prostate, the researchers noted. "We don't want to miss aggressive cancers that initially present as Grade Group 1 on biopsy," study coauthor Dr. Bashir Al Hussein of Weill Cornell Medicine said in a statement. "Such underestimation of risk could lead to undertreatment and poor outcomes." Current guidelines that advise regular monitoring - rather than treatment - for men with low-grade prostate tumors were based on studies that examined entire prostate glands after removal from patients. Biopsies test only small areas of the prostate, so they can miss more advanced or aggressive cancer cells, providing an incomplete picture, the researchers said. Some cancer experts have been suggesting recently that GG1 tumors are so slow-growing that they shouldn't even be considered malignant. The new study results could help inform those discussions, the researchers said. "There is a misunderstanding that low grade and low risk are the same," study coauthor Dr. Jonathan Shoag of Case Western Reserve University said in a statement. "Here, we show clearly that they are not." (To receive the full newsletter in your inbox for free sign up here)
Straits Times
02-08-2025
- Health
- Straits Times
Artificial sweetener consumption linked to less effective cancer treatment: Study
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox In the study, high consumption of sucralose was linked with lower effectiveness of immunotherapies across a range of cancer types, stages and treatment methods. In patients with melanoma or non-small cell lung cancer, consuming high levels of the artificial sweetener sucralose contributes to diminished responses to immunotherapy and poorer survival, researchers reported in Cancer Discovery. When the researchers had 132 patients with advanced melanoma or non-small cell lung cancer answer detailed diet history questionnaires, they found that high consumption of sucralose was linked with lower effectiveness of immunotherapies across a range of cancer types, stages and treatment methods. In experiments with mice, the researchers found that sucralose shifts the composition of microbes in the intestines, increasing bacterial species that degrade arginine, an amino acid that is essential for key immune cells called T cells. 'When arginine levels were depleted due to sucralose-driven shifts in the microbiome, T cells couldn't function properly,' study leader Abby Overacre of the University of Pittsburgh said in a statement. 'As a result, immunotherapy wasn't as effective in mice that were fed sucralose.' Laying the groundwork for a solution to the problem, the same researchers also found in the mice that supplements that boosted levels of arginine mitigated the negative effects of sucralose on immunotherapy, an approach they now hope to test in humans. 'It's easy to say 'stop drinking diet soda', but when patients are being treated for cancer, they are already dealing with enough, so asking them to drastically alter their diet may not be realistic,' Assistant Professor Overacre said. 'That's why it's so exciting that arginine supplementation could be a simple approach to counteract the negative effects of sucralose on immunotherapy.' REUTERS
Straits Times
02-08-2025
- Health
- Straits Times
Artificial sweetener consumption linked to less effective cancer treatment
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox High consumption of sucralose was linked with lower effectiveness of immunotherapies across a range of cancer types, stages and treatment methods. In patients with melanoma or non-small cell lung cancer, consuming high levels of the artificial sweetener sucralose contributes to diminished responses to immunotherapy and poorer survival, researchers reported in Cancer Discovery. When the researchers had 132 patients with advanced melanoma or non-small cell lung cancer answer detailed diet history questionnaires, they found that high consumption of sucralose was linked with lower effectiveness of immunotherapies across a range of cancer types, stages and treatment methods. In experiments with mice, the researchers found that sucralose shifts the composition of microbes in the intestines, increasing bacterial species that degrade arginine, an amino acid that is essential for key immune cells called T cells. 'When arginine levels were depleted due to sucralose-driven shifts in the microbiome, T cells couldn't function properly,' study leader Abby Overacre of the University of Pittsburgh said in a statement. 'As a result, immunotherapy wasn't as effective in mice that were fed sucralose.' Laying the groundwork for a solution to the problem, the same researchers also found in the mice that supplements that boosted levels of arginine mitigated the negative effects of sucralose on immunotherapy, an approach they now hope to test in humans. 'It's easy to say, 'Stop drinking diet soda,' but when patients are being treated for cancer, they are already dealing with enough, so asking them to drastically alter their diet may not be realistic,' Overacre said. 'That's why it's so exciting that arginine supplementation could be a simple approach to counteract the negative effects of sucralose on immunotherapy.' REUTERS
Cision Canada
29-07-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
Biotech Underdogs Line Up for Pivotal Shots at Game-Changing Cancer Treatments
Issued on behalf of Oncolytics Biotech Inc. VANCOUVER, B.C., /CNW/ -- Equity Insider News Commentary – The average age of cancer patients is getting younger, as experts are urgently examining the rise of early-onset incidence across several different cancer types. According to the Cancer Discovery study from the National Cancer Institute (NCI), the largest increases were seen in female breast, colorectal, kidney, uterine, and pancreatic cancers. Biotechs in the oncology space are responding with optimistic new treatments with potential milestones in the near future that may shift the tide in the sector, including Oncolytics Biotech Inc. (NASDAQ: ONCY) (TSX: ONC), Celcuity Inc. (NASDAQ: CELC), Evaxion A/S (NASDAQ: EVAX), Lyell Immunopharma, Inc. (NASDAQ: LYEL), and Agenus Inc. (NASDAQ: AGEN). Globally, the cancer‑drug sector is projected to surpass US$900billion in sales by 2034, according to Vision Research Reports. Next‑generation therapeutics (those powered by precision and personalized medicine) are pegged by Precedence Research to hit US$175.2billion during that same time period, growing at a 7.35% CAGR. Oncolytics Biotech Inc. (NASDAQ: ONCY) (TSX: ONC) has officially entered the most critical phase of its journey yet—pursuing a potential registration-enabled trial in first-line metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (mPDAC), for its flagship asset, pelareorep. The company announced it has begun formal discussions with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) aimed at finalizing a pivotal study design, with trial start-up activities expected to begin before the end of 2025. For investors and potential partners, this marks a clear shift from promising data to regulatory execution in one of the deadliest solid tumors in medicine. "We expect to move quickly and decisively down a clear regulatory path," said Jared Kelly, CEO of Oncolytics. "This is about execution and focus. Our goal is to win on survival—and this pivotal study is how we do it. We believe this program not only creates significant value for shareholders but also positions Oncolytics as a highly attractive partner for pharma companies seeking to break open the immunotherapy landscape in mPDAC and other GI tumors." The move comes as Oncolytics sharpens its focus on pelareorep, a systemically delivered oncolytic virus designed to convert so-called "cold" tumors—those that are typically invisible to the immune system—into "hot" tumors that can respond to immunotherapy. Pelareorep has been studied across over 1,100 patients and has demonstrated promising results in difficult cancers like mPDAC and HR+/HER2- breast cancer, particularly when used in combination with chemotherapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors. In first-line pancreatic cancer, pelareorep-based regimens have shown a notable 21.9% two-year overall survival rate, compared to a 9.2% historical benchmark. In a separate study pairing pelareorep with chemotherapy and a checkpoint inhibitor, researchers recorded a 62% objective response rate—remarkable given that checkpoint inhibitors are not currently approved for use in this indication. This robust efficacy signal, along with impressive translational data, helped lay the groundwork for this regulatory step. "This robust data set, amassed from several studies in cancers that have historically resisted immunotherapeutic approaches, provides definitive validation of pelareorep's immune-mediated mechanism of action," said Dr. Thomas Heineman, Chief Medical Officer of Oncolytics. "We observed tumor biopsy-confirmed virus replication, immune cell activation, and the recruitment of cytotoxic T cells into the TME – all consistent with the durable responses observed in patients with metastatic PDAC and HR+/HER2- breast cancer who were treated with pelareorep." Earlier this month, Oncolytics hosted a key opinion leader event featuring gastrointestinal cancer experts who reviewed survival outcomes, biomarker validation, and the drug's potential role in combination therapy. That expert panel helped reinforce the view that pelareorep's mechanism—activating innate and adaptive immune responses in patients—is both biologically sound and commercially relevant. Oncolytics' execution-focused strategy is being led by Jared Kelly and Andrew Aromando, who both played key roles in Ambrx Biopharma's US$2 billion acquisition by Johnson & Johnson. Kelly was appointed CEO earlier this year, while Aromando recently joined as Chief Business Officer. Together, along with Oncolytics' already-established team, they're guiding the company into late-stage development with a sharp focus on capital efficiency and strategic alignment. Regulatory designations are already in place to accelerate development. Pelareorep holds Fast Track and Orphan Drug designations for pancreatic cancer (and Fast Track for HR+/HER2‑ mBC breast cancer) from the FDA, meaning the agency has already recognized both the drug's potential and the serious unmet need in this patient population. These statuses not only streamline review processes but also increase the attractiveness of the program to potential pharmaceutical partners. For context, pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest common cancers, with a five-year survival rate of less than 14%. Most patients are diagnosed at a metastatic stage, and current treatment options provide limited benefit. Unlike other cancers where immunotherapies like checkpoint inhibitors have transformed care, mPDAC remains largely resistant to those approaches—making the promise of pelareorep especially notable. What distinguishes pelareorep is its dual capability: it acts as both a viral therapy that replicates in cancer cells and a biological agent that activates the body's own immune response. Tumor samples have shown increased PD-L1 expression, heightened interferon signaling, and infiltration of tumor-killing T cells—all hallmark indicators that the immune system is being mobilized against cancer. These features are seen as essential for the next generation of immuno-oncology approaches. With this latest milestone, Oncolytics is entering a phase where the outcomes of FDA interaction will shape not only clinical plans but also potential commercial partnerships. If the agency accepts the company's proposed trial framework and endpoints—centered around overall survival—the resulting study could become the definitive test for pelareorep's market potential in mPDAC. More details on the trial design and timing are expected once FDA feedback is received, but the goal is clear: initiate the pivotal trial start-up activities before the end of 2025 and establish pelareorep as a cornerstone immunotherapy in one of the most underserved cancer settings. In the meantime, the company remains active in its ongoing breast cancer program and is continuing to explore pelareorep's potential in other gastrointestinal cancers, including KRAS-mutated colorectal cancer. However, first-line pancreatic cancer has now emerged as the lead strategic focus. The transition from early-stage promise to registration-stage planning marks a decisive evolution in the Oncolytics story. With data in hand, regulatory engagement underway, and a seasoned leadership team at the helm, Oncolytics is advancing into its most consequential chapter yet. In other recent industry developments and happenings in the market include: Celcuity Inc. (NASDAQ: CELC) recently announced that its Phase 3 VIKTORIA-1 trial met both progression-free survival (PFS) primary endpoints in patients with HR+/HER2- breast cancer without PIK3CA mutations. Gedatolisib-based combinations showed significant PFS improvements compared to standard therapies, including a 7.3-month gain for the triplet arm (9.3 vs. 2.0 months for fulvestrant monotherapy) and a 5.4-month gain for the doublet (7.4 vs. 2.0 months for fulvestrant monotherapy). "The efficacy improvement relative to the control that each of the gedatolisib regimens demonstrated was historic for this patient population," said Brian Sullivan, Chairman, CEO and co-founder of Celcuity. "We are excited about the potential opportunity to provide a breakthrough therapeutic option for patients with HR-positive, HER2-negative, PIK3CA wild-type advanced breast cancer." The company plans to discuss a potential NDA submission with the FDA following a full data presentation later this year. Lyell Immunopharma, Inc. (NASDAQ: LYEL) announced impressive new data from its LYL314 trial in relapsed/refractory large B-cell lymphoma, showing an 88% overall response rate and 72% complete response rate in the 3L+ setting. Over 70% of complete responders remained disease-free at 6 months. "Based on these robust data, and our recent End-of-Phase 1 meeting with the FDA, we have initiated PiNACLE, a single-arm pivotal trial of LYL314 in patients with large B-cell lymphoma in the third- or later-line setting and remain on track to initiate a pivotal trial to evaluate LYL314 in the second-line setting by the beginning of 2026," said Lynn Seely, MD, President and CEO of Lyell. The pivotal PiNACLE trial is now underway to support potential approval of this next-generation dual-targeting CAR T therapy. Later this year in October, Evaxion A/S (NASDAQ: EVAX) shared it will be presenting two-year data at ESMO 2025 from its Phase 2 trial of EVX-01, an AI-designed personalized cancer vaccine, showing durable responses in advanced melanoma. Results included a 69% overall response rate and a strong correlation between AI predictions and immune activity. The study supports EVX-01's role as a first-line immunotherapy candidate when paired with checkpoint inhibitors like pembrolizumab. "We are delighted to have the two-year data from the EVX-01 phase 2 trial accepted for presentation at the ESMO Congress 2025," said Birgitte Rønø, CSO and interim CEO of Evaxion. "As one of the most important and prestigious medical oncology conferences in the world, the congress will be a great place for us to present the data to a large audience, including potential partners." Also at ESMO 2025, Agenus Inc. (NASDAQ: AGEN) will present survival data from its botensilimab/balstilimab program, including an oral session highlighting survival plateaus across five refractory tumor types. With over 1,200 patients treated, the agents are showing promising results in historically cold tumors like mCRC and non-melanoma skin cancer. These data continue to support botensilimab as a backbone immunotherapy candidate for solid tumors. CONTACT: Equity Insider [email protected] (604) 265-2873 DISCLAIMER: Nothing in this publication should be considered as personalized financial advice. We are not licensed under securities laws to address your particular financial situation. No communication by our employees to you should be deemed as personalized financial advice. Please consult a licensed financial advisor before making any investment decision. This is a paid advertisement and is neither an offer nor recommendation to buy or sell any security. We hold no investment licenses and are thus neither licensed nor qualified to provide investment advice. The content in this report or email is not provided to any individual with a view toward their individual circumstances. Equity Insider is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Market IQ Media Group, Inc. ("MIQ"). MIQ has been paid a fee for Oncolytics Biotech Inc. advertising and digital media from the company directly. There may be 3rd parties who may have shares of Oncolytics Biotech Inc., and may liquidate their shares which could have a negative effect on the price of the stock. This compensation constitutes a conflict of interest as to our ability to remain objective in our communication regarding the profiled company. Because of this conflict, individuals are strongly encouraged to not use this publication as the basis for any investment decision. The owner/operator of MIQ own shares of Oncolytics Biotech Inc. which were purchased in the open market, and reserve the right to buy and sell, and will buy and sell shares of Oncolytics Biotech Inc. at any time without any further notice commencing immediately and ongoing. We also expect further compensation as an ongoing digital media effort to increase visibility for the company, no further notice will be given, but let this disclaimer serve as notice that all material, including this article, which is disseminated by MIQ has been approved by Oncolytics Biotech Inc.; this is a paid advertisement, we currently own shares of Oncolytics Biotech Inc. and will buy and sell shares of the company in the open market, or through private placements, and/or other investment vehicles. While all information is believed to be reliable, it is not guaranteed by us to be accurate. 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