Scientists discovered key genetic factors that determine whether a T cell acts as a powerful disease fighter or enters an ineffective, exhausted state. Turning off two transcription factors allowed exhausted T cells to regain their ability to kill tumors. The findings could help scientists engineer more powerful T cells for cellular therapies such as adoptive cell transfer (ACT) and CAR T cell therapy.

Early cancer detection often relies on complex, invasive, and time-consuming staining procedures. A research team from Southeast University has developed a novel "label-free" biosensor that uses the physics of "band folding" to unlock high-density hidden electromagnetic modes in the sub-terahertz range. This technology creates a rich spectral fingerprint that can distinguish between normal cells and cancer cells of varying malignancy without chemical markers. By correlating macroscopic electromagnetic signals with microscopic cellular biomass density, this method offers a safe, rapid, and non-destructive path for future clinical cancer screening.

Gene regulation is far more predictable than previously believed, scientists conclude after developing deep learning model PARM. This might bring an end to a scientific mystery: how genes know when to switch on or off. Today, scientists publish in Nature about their relentless back-and-forth between lab experiments and computation that enabled them to build this lightweight model. Scientists around the world can now start using this tool for reading these genetic instructions, creating leads for new cancer diagnostics, patient stratification, and future therapies.

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center is pleased to announce the national launch of an innovative new science exhibition, showcasing the groundbreaking research, technologies and promising new therapies bringing progress in the mission to end cancer. “The Journey to End Cancer: From Cause to Cure,” presented by MD Anderson, will begin its national tour on March 7 at The Health Museum in Houston, followed by stops at multiple museums across the U.S. over five years.