Discovery of new source of cancer antigens may expand cancer vaccine capabilities

Scientists have found a common, new source of tumor mutations that could offer three levels of therapy with a cancer vaccine: 1) a broadly protective, or pan-cancer vaccine 2) cancer-type specific vaccines (e.g. breast vs. pancreatic), 3) personalized cancer vaccines based on mutations unique to an individual.

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Epilepsy: Function of 'brake cells' disrupted

In some forms of epilepsy, the function of certain ''brake cells'' in the brain is presumed to be disrupted. This may be one of the reasons why the electrical malfunction is able to spread from the point of origin across large parts of the brain. A current study points in this direction.

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Breast cancer: New data on cohort with recurrence score 26-100 shows 93% cancer-free rate at 5 years

In the prospective TAILORx trial, 93% of women with hormone-sensitive, HER2-negative, axillary node-negative breast cancer and a high Recurrence Score 26-100 were estimated to be cancer-free at five years. This outcome was much better than expected with endocrine therapy alone. The finding adds to limited data on outcomes with a high RS of 26-100, treated with taxane and/or anthracycline-containing chemotherapy plus endocrine therapy. It adds to the body of evidence supporting use of the RS.

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A new mechanism has been revealed which could lead to premature aging in mother cells

A new mechanism makes it possible to understand premature ageing in cells with asymmetrical cell division, as is the case with mother cells. Understanding this mechanism is useful for studying and, in the future, anticipating the development of ageing-related diseases, such as cancer and neurodegenerative processes.

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Is this brain cell your 'mind's eye'?

No-one knows what connects awareness — the state of consciousness — with its contents, i.e. thoughts and experiences. Now researchers propose an elegant solution: a literal, structural connection via 'L5p neurons'. The group offers evidence – and caveats. Their challenge to experimentalists: if consciousness requires L5p neurons, all brain activity without them must be unconscious.

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How newly found tension sensor plays integral role in aligned chromosome partitioning

New research found that oncogene SET/TAF1, which was found to be a proto-oncogene of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), contributes to proper chromosome partitioning as a tension sensor. Additionally, abnormal SET protein disrupts tension sensor system at the centromere, leading to missegregation of the chromosomes and thereby cancer. These findings may lead to a discovery for a new kind of leukemia treatment.

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