A new treatment platform developed by researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center was able to deliver messenger RNA (mRNA) of the full-length DMD gene into preclinical models of Duchenne muscular dystrophy, successfully restoring the production of an important muscle protein, dystrophin, and dramatically improving muscle strength, endurance and function in vivo.

A research team in Japan has developed an efficient and minimally invasive cancer detection device that uses high-performance zinc oxide nanowires to selectively capture extracellular vesicles (EVs) from bodily fluids. Using this device, researchers successfully captured cancer-related EVs from the blood serum of ovarian cancer patients.

Three cancer researchers are being honored by the ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group for their outstanding contributions. Dr. Valsamo Anagnostou from Johns Hopkins University is the Young Investigator of the Year for her pioneering work in lung cancer. Dr. Jordan Berlin of Vanderbilt University receives the Remarkable Mentor in Oncology Award for his dedication to nurturing oncology talent. Dr. Olisaemeka Ogbue of Mayo Clinic is awarded a grant for his innovative research on cancer survivorship.

Many of the deadliest forms of cancer are caused by a pathological mutation in the RAS protein. Yet, to date, no effective treatment for this cancer protein has been found. A new research approach aims to prevent the protein from forming in the first place by destroying its blueprint – the mRNA. Based on this strategy, the research group led by Peng Wu at the Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology has now developed a new type of “molecular eraser” targeting the mRNA of the cancer protein NRAS.