The study, which was conducted as part of Nassimizadeh’s PhD at the University of Groiningen in the Netherlands, is now complete. His research will be disseminated widely across the UK and Europe, thanks to a grant from the head and neck cancer charity, Get A-Head.

Nassimizadeh’s findings focus on improving the safety and effectiveness of surgery on sinonasal tumours, which often require surgery in the delicate region of the skull base. These surgeries are highly complex and can carry significant risks for patients. However, new surgical techniques, which were explored in Nassimizadeh’s study, promise to reduce complications and improve overall patient outcomes.

The research will not only contribute to better clinical outcomes for individual patients but also has broader implications for the healthcare system. Fewer complications, reduced hospital stays, and improved long-term recovery are among the hoped-for benefits of the study. By reducing the risks associated with these surgeries, the research aims to lessen the need for follow-up treatments and outpatient visits, ultimately easing the burden on healthcare services.

Abdul Nassimizadeh, who is also a locum rhinology consultant at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, said that successful implementation of these new techniques hinges on robust research. “The successful defence of my PhD thesis allows information to be disseminated locally, nationally, and internationally,” he explained. “This is vital in incorporating newer technologies that can improve patient outcomes.”

The research, which has been supported by Get A-Head, a charity founded in Birmingham, has also received financial backing to help with the costs of printing and distributing Nassimizadeh’s thesis. The charity, which has been supporting head and neck cancer patients since 1984, has invested heavily in research and education. Get A-Head director Danni Heath highlighted the importance of sharing such vital research with the medical community.

“Defending a PhD thesis is a crucial step in making research available to professionals, and we’re delighted that Get A-Head could help Abdul achieve this milestone,” said Heath. “Skull base surgery is inherently risky, and anything we can learn to reduce those risks will be of immense benefit to patients.”

In addition to supporting vital research, Get A-Head also provides life-changing equipment, which is not available through the NHS, and funds complementary therapies to help manage the side effects of cancer treatment. The charity has raised over £10 million since its inception and continues to raise funds for research and patient support services.

This latest milestone marks an important step in the quest for better cancer treatments, offering hope for improved outcomes for future patients. For more information about Get A-Head, visit www.getahead.org.uk

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The groundbreaking initiative aims to make prostate cancer screening more accessible and reduce barriers that often prevent patients from attending traditional clinic-based appointments. Under the trial, patients will receive a TestCard test kit by post, containing the Healgen semi-quantitative PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) lateral flow test. The test, which requires only a finger prick blood sample, can be completed in just 10 minutes. Patients will also be invited to download a mobile app to guide them through the testing process. Once completed, the results and images are sent directly to a clinician, who will then determine the next steps.

Historically, screening for prostate cancer has involved patients travelling to clinics for blood tests, followed by another visit to receive results. This process can be time-consuming, inconvenient, and may discourage some men from attending screenings. By offering testing at home, the trial aims to make the process simpler, faster, and more private, encouraging more men to take part in early detection.

Prostate cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in the UK, affecting at least one in eight men in their lifetime. When caught early, the disease has a five-year survival rate of more than 98%. However, when diagnosed at later stages, the survival rate drops significantly, with Stage 4 prostate cancer having a five-year survival rate as low as 28%. Early screening and intervention are crucial to saving lives.

Dr. Sodi, who is leading the trial, believes that home testing could be a game changer in the fight against prostate cancer. “I am excited to introduce a new way to screen patients for prostate cancer, in the home,” he said. “I believe we will catch more prostate cancer cases early by making it easier for patients to screen themselves, which may lead to saving more lives.”

The trial is also expected to alleviate pressures on healthcare clinics by reducing the number of patients needing in-person appointments. “Screening in the home can empower patients to take control of their healthcare, freeing up clinics and clinicians to focus on those who need immediate care,” Dr. Sodi added.

Dr. Andrew Botham, Chief Scientific Officer at TestCard, expressed pride in the partnership with Mid and South Essex NHS and Dr. Sodi. “This trial aligns perfectly with our mission at TestCard to make healthcare more accessible and convenient for all,” he said.

Bryan Fang, CEO at Healgen, also praised the initiative. “We are delighted to support TestCard and the NHS with our market-leading products in such an innovative way,” he said.

The trial is part of a growing effort to modernise healthcare and make essential screenings more accessible, helping to save lives through earlier detection and improved patient convenience.

The post Home Prostate Cancer Screening Trial Launched in Essex appeared first on EMC UK.

Ovarian cancer, known for being one of the most aggressive and deadly gynecological cancers, is diagnosed in approximately 70% of patients at an advanced stage. While many respond initially to standard chemotherapy, drug resistance often develops, resulting in disease progression and relapse. JIN-001 aims to tackle this critical challenge by targeting heat shock protein 90 (HSP90), a molecular chaperone that enables cancer cells to survive therapeutic stress.

By inhibiting HSP90, JIN-001 hinders cancer cells’ ability to adapt and acquire resistance to chemotherapy, thereby preserving the effectiveness of existing treatment options. The preclinical studies presented at the symposium specifically assessed the drug’s efficacy in combination with established chemotherapeutic agents, providing new hope for patients with drug-resistant cancer.

Researchers evaluated JIN-001’s efficacy in ovarian cancer cell lines, including those resistant to common chemotherapies such as paclitaxel and cisplatin. The study involved treating both normal and resistant ovarian cancer cell lines with varying concentrations of JIN-001, either alone or alongside paclitaxel (PTX) or cisplatin (Cis).

Study Highlights:

• Cell Lines Tested: Researchers utilised ovarian cancer cell lines (OV90, TOV21G, OVCAR3) and their resistant counterparts (OV90/PTX200, TOV21G/PTX100, OVCAR3-CisR) to assess drug efficacy.
• Methods: The study measured cell viability, comparing the outcomes of monotherapy with JIN-001 and combination therapy with standard chemotherapy agents.

The most significant findings arose when JIN-001 was combined with traditional chemotherapy agents. For instance, in the resistant OV90/PTX200 cell line, the combination of JIN-001 and paclitaxel reduced the IC50 value of paclitaxel from 0.204 μM to 0.043 μM, indicating a substantial improvement in therapeutic efficacy. Similarly, in the cisplatin-resistant OVCAR3-CisR cell line, combining JIN-001 with cisplatin lowered its IC50 from 9.643 μM to 0.142 μM.

These interim results suggest that JIN-001 could serve as a breakthrough companion therapy for patients with ovarian cancer. By inhibiting HSP90, the drug enhances the effectiveness of existing chemotherapies and limits cancer’s adaptability, thus reducing the likelihood of treatment resistance.

“The synergy observed between JIN-001 and standard chemotherapy agents is extremely promising. It represents a new treatment paradigm for cancer patients,” said the J INTS BIO research team. “We are dedicated to advancing the clinical development of JIN-001 to validate its efficacy and safety, as we believe it could transform the landscape of cancer treatment.”

Looking ahead, J INTS BIO plans to expedite the clinical development of JIN-001, not only for ovarian cancer but also for other malignancies, including glioblastoma. Collaborative research with MD Anderson Cancer Center on JIN-001’s potential in glioblastoma has yielded positive preclinical results, with a Phase 1 trial expected to commence in 2025.

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