Patients remain cancer-free nearly 3 years after receiving experimental immunotherapy

All participants in a trial of bowel cancer patients remained cancer-free nearly three years after receiving an experimental treatment.

Led by researchers at University College London and UCL Hospitals, the study suggests that a short course of immunotherapy before surgery could produce better results than the current standard of care for certain patients.

The trial focused on 32 patients with stage 2 or 3 bowel cancer. These patients had tumors with a specific genetic profile called MMR-deficient or MSI-high, according to a press release.

EATING MORE OF CERTAIN TYPE OF FOOD COULD SHORTEN CANCER SURVIVORS' LIVES, STUDY FINDS

This profile, which is found in about 10% to 15% of bowel cancer cases, indicates a faulty DNA repair system in the body, the researchers noted. However, scientists hypothesized, that could make it easier for immunotherapy drugs to find and attack the tumors.

Instead of receiving standard chemotherapy after surgery, these patients were given a drug called pembrolizumab before their operations. The treatment lasted up to nine weeks.

Early data showed that the drug shrank tumors so effectively that 59% of patients had no signs of cancer left by the time they went in for surgery.

The latest data confirms that 33 months later, none of those patients have seen a return of the disease, including those who still had small traces of cancer remaining after surgery that never grew or spread again.

PROSTATE CANCER DRUG NOW AVAILABLE TO MORE PATIENTS WITH AGGRESSIVE FORM OF DISEASE

"Seeing that no patients have experienced a cancer recurrence after almost three years of follow-up is extremely encouraging, and strengthens our confidence that pembrolizumab is a safe and highly effective treatment to improve outcomes in patients with high-risk bowel cancers," said chief investigator Dr. Kai-Keen Shiu, a consultant medical oncologist at UCLH and associate professor at UCL, in the release.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

With the traditional approach of surgery followed by chemotherapy, about 25% of patients with this genetic profile would see their cancer return within three years, according to the study.

The research team also used personalized blood tests to monitor the patients. These tests look for tiny fragments of tumor DNA in the bloodstream, allowing doctors to determine whether the treatment was working before the surgery.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES

"When tumor DNA disappeared from the blood, patients were much more likely to have no cancer remaining, and this matched the long-term results we’re now seeing," said first author Yanrong Jiang, a clinical PhD student at the UCL Cancer Institute, in the release.

The study did have limitations, the researchers noted. It was a small trial with only 32 people and only looked at a specific genetic subset of patients, which means the results may not apply to everyone with bowel cancer.

Doctors also need to follow the patients for a longer period to ensure that the cancer doesn't return, they added.

Even so, the researchers shared their optimism about the future of personalized care.

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ

"What is particularly exciting is that we now may be able to predict who will respond to the treatment using personalized blood tests and immune profiling," Shiu said.

"These tools could help us tailor our approach, identifying patients who are doing well and may need less therapy before and after surgery."

The results were presented at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2026 in San Diego last month.

from Health News Today on Fox News https://ift.tt/c9LTuS5

Read More

Hantavirus deaths on cruise ship highlight dangers of rodent-borne disease

A suspected hantavirus outbreak aboard a cruise ship in the Atlantic has left at least three people dead and triggered an international investigation — putting the rare but potentially deadly disease back in the spotlight. 

The World Health Organization has stated on X that one case of hantavirus infection has been confirmed, while five additional suspected cases are pending. 

Of the six people affected, three have died and one is currently in intensive care in South Africa.

WHAT IS HANTAVIRUS, THE CAUSE OF GENE HACKMAN’S WIFE’S DEATH?

Here’s what to know about hantavirus, how it spreads and why health officials are taking the situation seriously.

Hantaviruses include a group of viruses primarily carried by rodents that can cause severe respiratory or renal diseases in humans, according to Dr. Rhys Parry, a molecular virologist at the University of Queensland in Australia. 

Most hantaviruses that are found in North, Central and South America can cause HPS, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "The hantaviruses that are found throughout the United States are not known to spread between people," the CDC stated.

HPS has a nearly 40% fatality rate in those who are infected, according to the above source.

"Hantaviruses typically spread when humans breathe in virus particles from disturbed rodent urine, droppings or nesting materials," Parry previously told Fox News Digital.

HOMELESS ENCAMPMENT AT CENTER OF HEALTH ALERT OVER RAT-BORNE DISEASE

The CDC lists the following potential mechanisms of spread:

Dr. Marc Siegel, clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Health and Fox News senior medical analyst, agreed that hantavirus can spread via dust from rodents’ saliva, urine and places they touch. 

The most common type of rodent to carry it in the U.S. is the deer mouse, the doctor noted.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

Most hantavirus cases are seen in rural areas, where it is more likely for rodents to get into homes or barns, the CDC noted. 

Hantavirus infections are "incredibly rare," both experts agreed.

Siegel added that it rarely affects humans "because only some of the rodents have it, and they don't all come into contact — but one-third to one-half of cases are fatal."

Early symptoms of hantavirus include fever, muscle aches, fatigue and gastrointestinal issues that appear anywhere from one to eight weeks after exposure, according to Parry. 

"These progress to serious respiratory symptoms like coughing, shortness of breath and fluid in the lungs four to 10 days later," he said.

Sin Nombre virus is the most common hantavirus in the United States, which causes hantavirus pulmonary syndrome with a mortality rate of approximately 38%. 

"It typically becomes fatal when the lungs fill with fluid, leading to respiratory failure and insufficient oxygen reaching vital organs," Parry noted.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES

There is no specific antiviral treatment for hantavirus, the expert said, although early intensive care with oxygen therapy and supportive measures is crucial.

"Early intensive medical care is critical because patients who have sudden acute disease can rapidly become severely sick and die," the CDC states. 

There is no specific antiviral treatment for hantavirus, the expert said, although early intensive care with oxygen therapy and supportive measures is crucial. 

"Early intensive medical care is critical because patients who have sudden acute disease can rapidly become severely sick and die," the CDC states. 

"Although there is no cure for hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, it is important to seek medical care when short of breath, because the patient may need support from a mechanical ventilator or extra-corporal membrane oxygenator (ECMO) machine to deliver enough oxygen to their body," Dr. Sonja Bartolome, an expert in pulmonology and critical care at UT Southwestern Medical Center, previously told Fox News Digital.  

"Even with medical care, 30% to 40% of people who develop hantavirus pulmonary syndrome will not survive." 

Bartolome offered some tips for preventing this rare infection.

"It can be prevented by keeping wild mice and rats out of your home, cleaning up rodent waste quickly when encountered, and staying away from areas infested with rodents," she told Fox News Digital.

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ

"When cleaning up rodent waste, it is important to wear rubber gloves, use disinfectant and wash your hands afterward." 

Fox News’ Greg Wehner contributed reporting.

from Health News Today on Fox News https://ift.tt/1rgc0mt

Read More

Do red light therapy and cold plunges really work? A doctor reveals the truth

Fox & Friends has officially launched Wellness Week, a dedicated series aimed at navigating the world of social media health trends.

"The internet is jam-packed with millions of these trends that are promising you a healthier, younger and more energized life. But it's hard to tell what's a real hack or just hype," said host Kayleigh McEnany.

To find out, the team traveled to downtown New York City to experience popular treatments firsthand, specifically focusing on the science behind red light therapy and the intense contrast of hot and cold plunges.

CAN RED LIGHT THERAPY IMPROVE YOUR SKIN? DERMATOLOGISTS SHARE BENEFITS AND TIPS

The investigation began at La Reserve Esthetics and Wellness, where the team explored red light therapy.

Describing the process, one spa employee said, "The way that it works for our body is we're able to absorb the heat and the warmth from those red-light therapy light bulbs and give our body the space to help with recovery, help with cell production."

The treatment is marketed for helping with inflammation, muscle recovery, weight loss, anti-aging and collagen production.

While McEnany compared the experience to a tanning bed in terms of warmth, it was noted as being "much safer" than traditional UV exposure.

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ

Fox News senior medical analyst Dr. Marc Siegel clarified that the devices use LED light, which is "close to infrared light" but remains visible and safer than sunlight.

Consistent use can "promote healing of the skin and more collagen," according to Siegel, though he cautioned that it might be three or four weeks of usage before users notice a visible impact.

Next, the team tested out hot and cold therapies.

Adam Klotz started in a 190-degree Fahrenheit sauna for 15 to 20 minutes to build up a stress response, which was immediately followed by a plunge into an ice bath with water temperatures between 46 and 48 degrees.

The physical reaction to the cold was intense, described as an "immediate stress response" that requires breathing through the shock.

Klotz described the aftermath as "a rush" and "definitely a shot of life."

CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES

"It clears your mind and ... really improves my mental mood," he said.

Siegel cited a long-term study from Finland that showed this practice "decreases mortality (death rate) by about 40% to 50%" when used regularly.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

However, the doctor issued a warning regarding the cold plunge, advising that "you better make sure you're in good shape" before attempting it.

While the contrast helps circulation and metabolism, "I want it to be people who have seen their doctor first and know that their heart is in good shape," Siegel advised.

The team reminded viewers that while many of these trends show promise, especially for muscle recovery and inflammation, professional medical advice should always be the first step before diving into extreme temperature therapies.

Wellness Week will continue to explore other modern fads, including IV drips, wearable tech and sensory deprivation tanks.

from Health News Today on Fox News https://ift.tt/39iwRBP

Read More

Vision problem leads to man's stage 4 lung cancer diagnosis, new drug extends survival

A former Ironman triathlete was stunned to learn that his vision problems were actually the first sign of stage 4 lung cancer.

Dave Nitsche, 57, was initially given just 12 to 24 months to live – but an experimental drug has helped him surpass that timeframe by several years.

"In 2019, I noticed that I was having trouble seeing with my left eye," the Canadian man shared during an interview with Fox News Digital. "I went to the optometrist, and they said it was probably a detached retina."

DOCTOR AND CANCER SURVIVOR GEARS UP TO RUN 7 MARATHONS ON 7 CONTINENTS IN 7 DAYS

After scans revealed fluid buildup and rising pressure, doctors determined that Nitsche had lost vision in the eye — and ultimately removed it. A biopsy of the fluid revealed that it was cancerous.

Next, Nitsche saw more specialists, who extracted fluid from his lungs for more testing. "The next day, the oncologist told me that I had stage 4 lung cancer," he said. 

Nitsche said his doctors were "very shocked" to find that his initial eye issues had stemmed from lung cancer – particularly because he had never been a smoker.

Azam J. Farooqui, MD, a hematology and oncology physician at Ironwood Cancer & Research Centers in Chandler, Arizona, agreed that Nitsche’s case was "very surprising."

LUNG CANCER RISING AMONG NON-SMOKERS — HERE'S WHY

"Cancer can find its way to some very odd locations, but the eye is a very, very rare one," Farooqui, who did not treat Nitsche, told Fox News Digital. "Usually cancer will get there via a nerve channel or blood vessel, but it’s very uncommon."

Nitsche, an ex-triathlete who has done multiple Ironman races, hadn’t experienced any other symptoms other than the eye issues. "I was running quite a bit at the time," he shared. "I had a little bit of back pain here and there, but lung cancer definitely wasn’t on my radar."

His first treatment was a targeted therapy called afatinib, which lasted about three months. When doctors found that the cancer had spread to Nitsche’s brain, he began taking another medication called Tegrisso (osimertinib), which crosses the blood-brain barrier.

HIDDEN FACTOR IN CANCER TREATMENT TIMING MAY AFFECT SURVIVAL, RESEARCHERS SAY

After six years, when those drugs stopped working, Nitsche started taking a chemo drug called Rybrevant (amivantamab), which he receives via IV infusion every three weeks in a supervised medical setting. After a year on the drug, which is manufactured by Janssen Biotech, Inc. in Pennsylvania, his scans are looking "very, very good," he said.

"Science is catching up to me perfectly with all these drugs that I'm on," Nitsche said. "Now, we'll just wait for the next thing to come along and we'll jump onto that. But for now, the Rybrevant is working perfectly."

Nitsche has experienced a few side effects, primarily skin irritation and fingernail infections, but said for the most part, the drug is "very tolerable."

Compared to the full-dose chemo and other lung cancer treatments, Farooqui agreed that Rybrevant is "very manageable."

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

Other common side effects can include infusion reactions, muscle and joint pain, mouth sores, swelling, fatigue, nausea, bowel changes, vomiting, cough, shortness of breath and low appetite, according to FDA prescribing information.

In rare cases, serious effects can include lung inflammation, blood clots, severe skin reactions and eye problems. Pregnant women should not take the drug due to fetal risks.

"If somebody is having too many side effects, or if it is feeling too aggressive, we can do dose reductions," Farooqui noted. "In my experience, we've had patients do really well on it, and we've been able to manage their side effects without any major concerns."

Rybrevant has now been approved to treat certain types of non-small cell lung cancer in the U.S. and Canada, and Nitsche said a few of his friends are also taking the drug.

"Doctors gave me a year to two years – they told me to get my affairs in order. And it's been seven years now," he said. "I’ll take it."

Nitsche is now preparing for a 600-mile biking expedition in June to raise awareness for lung cancer. He credits his endurance training and high fitness level with helping to extend his survival. 

"There are days that you feel strong and there are days that you’re a little weaker, but you just adjust accordingly," he said.

Embracing his role as an advocate, Nitsche now speaks openly about his experience and what others should know.

"If you have lungs, you can get lung cancer – but at this point, for almost any type of cancer, a diagnosis is not a death sentence," he said. "They're doing so much research on it, especially with lung cancer … I've known people who have lasted 12 to 18 years, so for me, seven years is great. So I'll just keep going."

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ

Farooqui echoed the importance of patients "advocating for themselves and getting the most up-to-date therapy there is."

from Health News Today on Fox News https://ift.tt/dCcfyQ4

Read More

Quick pre-workout tweak could improve your endurance by 20%, study finds

Listening to your favorite music during a workout could help you exercise longer without feeling more exhausted, according to new research.

Researchers at the University of Jyväskylä in Finland found that people who selected their own music were able to extend their endurance by nearly 20% during high-intensity exercise.

The findings were published in the journal Psychology of Sport and Exercise.

TRICK YOUR BRAIN INTO STAYING MOTIVATED WITH THIS SIMPLE PSYCHOLOGY HACK

The study included 29 recreationally active adults who completed two identical cycling sessions at about 80% of their peak effort.

One session was done in silence, while the other allowed participants to listen to music they chose themselves.

Those listening to music lasted nearly six minutes longer on average, exercising for about 36 minutes compared to roughly 30 minutes without it.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

Despite the longer sessions, heart rate and other physical markers remained similar, indicating that the body was working just as hard in both conditions.

Researchers said the difference appears to come from how people perceive effort rather than any change in physical ability.

"Self-selected music doesn’t change your fitness level … it simply helps you tolerate sustained effort for longer," lead researcher Andrew Danso said.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES

Familiar songs may help distract from discomfort and make sustained effort feel more manageable, the study noted.

"Our research shows that letting people choose their own motivating music may help them accumulate more quality training time, which could translate to better fitness gains, improved adherence to exercise [programs], and possibly more people staying active," Danso added.

Outside experts agreed that the benefit likely comes from a shift in mindset.

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ

"People who exercise with music they enjoy are able to exercise longer because it changes their mindset," Carole Lieberman, a Beverly Hills psychiatrist, told Fox News Digital.

"Instead of thinking of exercise as a chore, it feels like something they are choosing to do and becomes fun," she added.

However, the study does have some limitations. Researchers noted the relatively small sample size of 29 participants and the fact that all were physically active adults, which may limit how broadly the findings apply to other groups.

The exercise sessions also focused on a specific type of high-intensity cycling, so results may vary with different workouts.

from Health News Today on Fox News https://ift.tt/H8RIyKP

Read More

Longevity experts reveal ‘flicker method’ that could help you feel years younger

The idea that aging is a steady, predictable process is being challenged by a new book, which describes a so-called "flicker stage" where some aspects of aging may briefly reverse.

Stuart Kaplan and Marcus Riley, authors of the book "Your Aging Advantage," say aging may be more fluid than chronological age alone would suggest. They call this phenomenon the "flicker stage," just one of seven stages of aging.

The "flicker stage" suggests functional age isn’t fixed, with people shifting between levels of youth and vitality based on lifestyle and mindset, the authors state.

FAITH DRIVES MAN TO HELP ANOTHER THROUGH MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS IN DRAMATIC LIFE-OR-DEATH SCENE

Periods of feeling significantly younger, followed by times of feeling one’s age, may reflect what the authors describe as the "flicker stage."

Riley said healthier aging involves "flickering back" to a younger state, noting that while stress or setbacks can make people feel older, those shifts aren’t permanent.

"Through positive interventions, we have the ability to flicker back to the stage of age we want to be in ... these setbacks or unforeseen circumstances might propel us to a different stage of aging, but we have this ability to flip it back through positive intervention."

Riley said this requires identifying personal "flicker triggers" — physical, psychological, social or environmental shifts that help reset one’s pace, such as exercise or renewed social connection.

AGING ‘HOTSPOT’ FOUND IN BRAIN, RESEARCHERS SAY: ‘MAJOR CHANGES’

Most people already live with a "feels-like" age that doesn't match their chronological age, said Kaplan, comparing it to a weather report.

"In the summertime, the weatherperson might say it's 85 degrees outside, but with the humidity, it feels like 95 … The feels-like age is the lived age, as compared to the chronological age or the age on your birth certificate."

Focusing on the "lived age" may allow people to intentionally shift into a younger stage, according to the authors.

Instead of "aging in place," which focuses on where one lives, they suggest focusing on "aging on pace."

PSYCHIATRIST REVEALS HOW SIMPLE MINDSET SHIFTS CAN SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCE CHRONIC PAIN

"It’s more about what's important to us on a personal level ... do we want to stay in employment and work for as long as we can? Do we want to be shifting gears ... and pursuing other interests and pastimes that are important to us?" Riley asked.

Kaplan said the common focus on age 65 as a point of decline reflects a socially imposed retirement benchmark, not a biological marker.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

"It comes from the Social Security Act that was created in 1935 in the United States. And here we are 90 years later, and we're still thinking that 65 is an important age. ... We didn't use the word retirement back then. I mean, have you ever seen a farmer back in the 1800s ... that says, 'Oh, we're going to retire because Grandpa is now going to be 62 or 65 years old?'"

The flicker effect works best when you stop viewing aging as a "downhill" perspective, Riley and Kaplan said.

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ

Even after a health setback shifts someone into a later stage, maintaining a positive and active approach may help move them back toward an earlier stage of aging, according to the authors.

Ultimately, the goal is to stop seeing the passage of time as a problem to be solved, Riley said.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES

"Aging or growing older is [not] a problem to fix. … We want the mindset [that] it's an opportunity to be seized."

from Health News Today on Fox News https://ift.tt/6rhXLpS

Read More

Faith drives man to help another through mental health crisis in dramatic life-or-death scene

This story discusses suicide. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

The arc of a man’s life changed dramatically after a Jacksonville police officer, along with a team of other officers, stepped in to help an individual in crisis on the Dames Point Bridge in Florida in April. 

Faith had everything to do with it. 

Body camera footage taken on April 12 shows Officer Antonio Richardson speaking with a man who was standing on the edge of the bridge — getting ready to jump. Richardson, along with six other patrol officers, responded to the emergency.

‘NO CONTACT’ ON THE RISE: NEARLY 2 IN 5 AMERICANS CUT TIES WITH LOVED ONES

"Whatever you're going through, man, you can get through it," Richardson can be heard saying to the man during the drama. 

"Now listen, man. Listen. Listen. You can get through this," he told the individual as police lights flashed behind them.

"Let's talk about it for a minute. … You believe in prayer, I know that. … Just touch my hand. Just touch my hand, man, I'm praying with you," said Richardson to the man. 

The officer, for about 40 minutes, kept up a steady stream of conversation and outreach to the man, who was teetering on the edge of the bridge, looking at the water below him. 

DEMENTIA RISK COULD BE TIED TO YOUR MINDSET AND OUTLOOK ON LIFE, STUDY SUGGESTS

Richardson told the man, as he kept his arm outstretched, "If you jump, you're going to hurt other people. And they're going to be hurting just like you're hurting now. … The cycle's gotta stop." 

Finally, after many moments, the man stepped away from the bridge and walked toward the officer — and they hugged. Other officers then stepped in as well. 

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

Appearing on "Fox & Friends" to discuss the incident this week, Richardson said, "When I got the call … I was just there to stop the traffic. And then a couple of other officers who knew my position as a pastor asked me to come over and talk with the guy. … Nothing was scripted. … I did not want to see him jump," he added.

"I just felt within myself that God was going to spare his life — and he did." 

He also said, "I was praying. And God spared his life. And we connected. And as a result of that connection, he didn't jump."

Officer Richardson has more than 30 years of ministry experience, according to reports. He said that after the man was safe and the immediate drama had passed, the officer called his wife, sat in his patrol car — "and wept like a baby."

Pastor Jesse Bradley of the Seattle area, who runs Grace Community Church, watched the video of the dramatic incident. 

He told Fox News Digital, "This powerful story reminds us that we can all love our neighbors and be part of the solution in our nation. Every person is made in God's image, loved by Jesus — and life is a gift." 

He added, "We are made to receive and give hope daily, where we live, work, learn and play."

Bradley also said that people should "be intentional about pursuing others who are in need. Take relationship risks. In the parable of the Good Samaritan, there were two religious people who played it safe and remained in their comfort zone. We have a greater calling," he said. 

CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES

"Only the Samaritan was willing to go to the man in pain and bring restoration. Let's be people who cross the road to provide. Let's be faithful to God. Love is intentional, takes action — and makes sacrifices. Let's love and live like Jesus."

Bradley observed that the inspiring story in Florida "points us to the greatest rescue story of all. Jesus left heaven to pursue us."

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ

He said, "We have all sinned against God and need a Savior. Jesus died on the cross, offering forgiveness, and rose from the grave to give us eternal life."

"Instead of being separated from God, we can have peace with God and a full pardon through Jesus. This is grace, an undeserved gift. We will be with Jesus forever — an everlasting rescue."

from Health News Today on Fox News https://ift.tt/8wJnGCP

Read More