A naturally occurring protein that tends to be expressed at higher levels in breast cancer cells boosts the effectiveness of some anticancer agents, including doxorubicin, one of the most widely used chemotherapies, and a preclinical drug known as ErSO, researchers report. The protein, FGD3, contributes to the rupture of cancer cells disrupted by these drugs, boosting their effectiveness and enhancing anticancer immunotherapies.

Cervical cancer, one of the most common cancers in women, is often treated with surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy, which can affect fertility and quality of life. Researchers at Chiba University have developed a new nasal therapeutic vaccine as a non-invasive treatment option. In animal studies, the vaccine produced strong and lasting immune responses against cervical tumors. If proven effective in humans, it could provide women with a safer, fertility-preserving alternative to current cancer treatments.

A bold new research collaboration, backed by a prestigious $3 million Terry Fox New Frontiers Program Project Grant, is setting out to bridge scientific fields and unlock the answer to this all-important question central to patient care. Led by Dr. Michele Ardolino, the team of investigators will seek to uncover the hidden mechanisms of how the body’s immune system, nervous system, and gut microbiome interact in cancer. Their cross-disciplinary work and innovative approach has the potential to fundamentally reshape cancer treatment.