A new research paper explores the correlation between plasma levels of BCMA-positive extracellular vesicles (EV) and the response/side effects of myeloma patients on Belantamab-Mafodotin therapy. BCMA-EV levels were significantly higher in patients prior to therapy and showed a significant increase during treatment. Measuring BCMA-EV levels could help identify resistance mechanisms and side effects of BCMA-targeted therapies.

This podcast explores the relationship between Osteopontin splice variants and mitochondrial biogenesis in cancer cells, revealing a functional connection between short-term oxidative metabolism and long-term mitochondrial biogenesis, with potential implications for treating cancer metastasis.

This podcast delves into the mechanisms of hair follicle regression and its relation to aging and cancer. Researchers discuss the role of apoptotic cells in driving cell death and propose a quantitative analysis of hair follicle length. The interaction between apoptotic cells and stem cells in hair follicle regression provides valuable insights into tissue homeostasis, cancer initiation, and the aging process.

The podcast discusses the double-edged sword of CRISPR application for in vivo cancer studies, emphasizing a landmark study and the advantages and challenges it presents.

The podcast discusses the challenges of targeting Ras proteins with small molecules and explores protein engineering as a potential solution. It highlights the development of the first small molecule anti-Ras drug, Sotorasib, and explores different protein engineering techniques for inhibiting Ras oncogenic mutants.

Researchers studying the genetic predisposition to early breast cancer in women of Kazakh ethnicity discuss their findings on population-specific genetic markers associated with the risk of developing early-onset breast cancer and the significance of early detection.

Researchers discuss computational methods for predicting the molecular functions of genetic variants associated with cancer and the challenges hindering our understanding. They explore the integration of genomic, epigenomic, transcriptomic, and machine learning approaches in identifying and characterizing functional genetic variants.

The podcast discusses the challenges of using immunotherapy to treat pancreatic cancer, focusing on the tumor microenvironment and liver metastasis. It highlights the hypoxic and fibrotic nature of the tumor microenvironment, as well as the tolerogenic immune cells within it. The podcast also explores the differing responses to immunotherapy in primary versus metastatic pancreatic cancer, emphasizing the need for further research in this area.

Researchers from Instituto Nacional de Cancerología discuss the relationship between obesity, diabetes, and lung cancer. Obesity induces a proinflammatory state and promotes cancer growth. The uncertainty surrounding the link is explored, along with the potential therapeutic effects of metformin on cancer cells.

Karl-Heinz Klempnauer, a researcher, discusses recent studies on the role of MYB in AML cells. MYB is a key regulator of self-renewal in AML cells, and it is also important in the development and maintenance of leukemia in humans. The podcast explores the cooperative effect of C/EBPβ and MYB in maintaining leukemic cells and the potential therapeutic applications of this knowledge.