Researchers at Brown University Health have identified a key molecular mechanism that may improve treatment for glioblastoma, one of the most aggressive forms of adult brain cancer. In a study published November 10 in Cell Reports, the team found that differences among cells within a single tumor play a major role in chemotherapy resistance and uncovered a small molecule, miR-181d, that helps regulate this variability. By stabilizing miR-181d levels, researchers were able to make tumor cells respond more uniformly to chemotherapy, potentially increasing its effectiveness. The discovery has already led to the development of a promising new gene-therapy–based approach aimed at improving outcomes for patients with glioblastoma.

Genetic ancestry plays a key role in determining the behavior of head and neck tumors and may help explain why African-American patients survive for half as long as their counterparts of European ancestry, according to a new review study led by researchers from the University of Maryland School of Medicine’s (UMSOM) Institute for Genome Sciences (IGS) and the University of Maryland Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center (UMGCCC).

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Marine ecosystems are rich in unique compounds such as alkaloids, peptides, polysaccharides, and terpenes with potent anticancer activities.

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Marine-derived compounds exert their effects through multiple mechanisms, including apoptosis induction, cell cycle arrest, angiogenesis inhibition, and metastasis suppression.

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Several marine compounds, like trabectedin and eribulin, have progressed to clinical use, showcasing the translational potential of marine-derived molecules in cancer therapy.

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Despite promising results, challenges such as sustainable sourcing, structural complexity, and optimization for clinical application remain key hurdles in marine drug development.

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Genetic and epigenetic alterations, metabolic reprogramming, and survival mechanisms govern chemoresistance in cancer.

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Cancer cells evade drug effects through metabolic reprogramming.

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Resistance mechanisms are countered by tailored medicine and targeted medicines.

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Combination regimens use a variety of strategies to overcome resistance

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Novel treatment approaches to overcome resistance are guided by molecular understanding