Researchers at the National University of Singapore have developed a high-throughput method to identify gold nanoparticles capable of delivering therapies directly to mitochondria (the energy centres inside cancer cells). By tagging nanoparticles with unique DNA “barcodes”, the team was able to track and compare dozens of designs simultaneously in living tumour models, rapidly identifying those most effective at reaching this critical subcellular target.

The event brought together a world-class assembly of scientists to share groundbreaking findings aimed at accelerating the next generation of cancer immunotherapies.

A new national clinical trial led by Dartmouth Cancer Center clinical researcher and urologist Florian R. Schroeck, MD, will determine whether a less intensive follow-up plan for bladder cancer patients can deliver the same outcomes while improving quality of life. VATSIT, which stands for “VA Randomized Trial of Surveillance Intervals after Transurethral Resection of High-Grade Bladder Tumors,” is for patients with high-grade, early-stage bladder cancer. It will compare the current standard approach of cystoscopy procedures every 3 to 4 months with a lower-intensity, less invasive urine-testing strategy. VATSIT will expand to more than 30 VA hospitals nationwide. Over 10 years, researchers will track outcomes such as survival, cancer progression, need for additional treatment, and quality of life to determine if fewer procedures can still deliver optimal outcomes for people with bladder cancer.