Combining two cancer drugs increased the life space of mice by 30%

Advanced drugs are closing in on cancer's deadliest mutations

The protein KRAS, mutated in many cancers, was deemed ‘undruggable’. Now scientists are hoping to save lives with a batch of new compounds that target it.

mRNA vaccines alter immune response, not DNA, to combat diseases like cancer

These vaccines—developed using techniques to create COVID vaccines—are now being tested for cancer treatment and have shown improved survival rates in patients with lung cancer. Scientists believe the research involved in developing these vaccines has opened the door to new and effective personalized cancer treatments in the future.

A snapshot of progress in cancer treatments

The American Association for Cancer Research's "Snapshot of a Year of Progress" offers an overview of significant advancements in cancer research and treatment over the past year. Take a quick look at the rapid pace of scientific discovery and the translation of research findings into clinical practice. In 2024 alone, health regulators approved 15 new anticancer therapies alone.

Mice were able to regenerate retinal cells in the lab—a breakthrough for mammals

Using gene therapy, a team of Korean researchers has enabled retinal regeneration in mice by blocking the intercellular transfer of a single inhibitory protein. This 2025 finding creates a new potential direction for treating retinal diseases. The work, which is still in animal studies, is projected to enter early-stage clinical trials in the next few years.

Early research suggests CAR-T therapy might treat scleroderma, reducing skin thickening

Clinical data from a couple patients in 2025 indicated that one experimental CAR-T therapy called rese-cel was able to genetically reprogram T cells to eliminate certain problematic immune B cells that were causing the condition. The therapy reduced skin thickening and allowed the patients to halt using immunosuppressive medications and steroids.

What is cancer bioengineering?

While new treatments for cancer are under continuous development, researchers are increasingly using engineering principles to find wholly new strategies to combat the disease. Directions include nanoparticle drug delivery, advanced imaging tools, developing new materials to interact with cells, tissue engineering, robotic surgeries, and more. Such interdisciplinary efforts are expected to unlock new tools and therapies beyond traditional drug formulation.

How Gleevec transformed leukemia treatment and cancer research

An outline of the discovery of imatinib (Gleevec), a ground-breaking drug that transformed the treatment of chronic myelogenous leukemia and sparked the beginning of precision medicine.

Turning nuclear waste into cancer medications

This video explores Terrapower, a company transforming nuclear waste into lifesaving cancer treatments. This is accomplished through the production and use of Actinium 225, a rare isotope derived from thorium, which is used in targeted alpha therapy to treat cancer.

Large animals like giraffes and elephants have evolved unique cancer defenses

One may expect the larger an animal is, the more likely it is to develop cancer—simply because there are more cells and more chances for a dangerous mutation. However, some large animals show cancer rates almost 10 times lower than humans—a phenomenon known as Peto's Paradox.

A new daily MS pill is seeking regulatory approval in 2026

In clinical trials, Roche's fenebrutinib showed promise treating primary progressive MS and doubling relapse-free time in patients with relapsing MS as compared to existing treatment. But some liver damage and two possible drug-related deaths in the trials may make it difficult for the drug to net approval. (Some users may encounter a paywall.)

Fertility treatments linked to increased risk of cancer among offspring

Recent research has explored potential links between increased childhood cancer occurrence, particularly leukemia, and assisted reproductive technology (ART). Though some studies have detected this type of association, researchers caution that it remains unclear if ART itself, fertility drugs, underlying infertility of the parents, or other unknown factors may explain any increased cancer numbers among ART-conceived children. Overall, the incidence of cancer in children, regardless of conception method, is very low.

A Nobel laureate discuss whether stem cells can extend lifespan

Listen to Nobel laureate Shinya Yamanaka discuss the potential of induced pluripotent stem cells to extend human lifespan. By reprogramming adult cells into embryonic-like stem cells, scientists might be able to rejuvenate tissues and treat age-related diseases—though ethical and safety concerns remain.

How is immunotherapy used to fight cancer?

The Dana-Farber Cancer Institute provides a delightful Science Illustrated animation explaining PD-1/PD-L1 immunotherapy and how it fights cancer. Briefly, the treatment helps T-cells recognize cancerous cells that would ordinarily be "disguised" by proteins and attack. The fight is made more fair and effective by immunotherapy and similar cancer treatments.

Immunosuppressants enable organ transplants, but come with severe side effects

This drug cocktail helps to lower your body's natural response to attack a transplanted organ. Such medications usually need to be taken for a lifetime after receiving an organ and can come with serious side effects including high blood pressure, diabetes, increased risk of some cancers, and high cholesterol, among others.

Chemotherapy slows cancer by interfering with cell division

Cancer cells divide much more frequently than most normal cells. Most chemotherapy drugs are designed to interfere with cell division, thereby targeting harmful cells while attempting to leave healthy cells alone.

Genetic drug matching, called pharmacogenomics, can help avoid dangerous drug reactions

Certain gene variants can affect how quickly or slowly medications are broken down in the body, affecting drug effectiveness and the risk of drugs failing. Such testing is often not covered by insurance companies though research indicates if these tests were performed for more than six drugs across the US population, avoided ailments would likely climb into the hundreds of thousands. (Some users may encounter a paywall.)

Larger animals like giraffes, elephants, and blue whales have developed a unique defense against cancer, a phenomenon known as Peto's Paradox

Can microdosing improve mental health?

Animal studies involving microdoses of psilocybin, the psychoactive component in magic mushrooms and ketamine, found it helped to alleviate anxiety and inflammation, an immune response that can cause damage when chronically active. Human studies are ongoing. In at least one double-blind study, where researchers and patients don't know who got a placebo versus the real thing, about half of the participants incorrectly guessed they had been given placebos.

See this searchable resource about herbal therapies, including evidence and drug interactions

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center has created this searchable resource of herbal supplements to inform the public about the purported uses of herbal therapies, the existing evidence about them, their mechanism of action, and any concerns about potential herbal supplement and drug interactions.

US cancer mortality rates have been falling for 25 years

The American Cancer Society's "Cancer Facts & Figures 2025" report provides comprehensive statistics on cancer incidence, mortality, and survival rates in the United States. Cancer rates in the US continued a long-running downward trend, driven primarily by a steep drop in lung cancers (mostly from a decrease in habitual smoking) and better preventative monitoring. This site leads to incredibly in-depth reports and slides on the current state of the fight against cancer.

Harvard and MIT researchers are developing life-saving tattoos

Tattoos aren’t just a fashion statement. Scientists are trying to find life-saving applications for them. Harvard and MIT researchers are developing tattoo inks that react to body chemicals, alerting diabetics to blood sugar fluctuations or athletes to dehydration. Someday, patients may observe their body chemistry with tattoos that change colors.

Tirzepatide: A GLP-1 drug that also acts on separate receptors to promote weight loss

Tirzepatide, like semaglutide, is a GLP-1 drug used in diabetes treatment and for weight loss. Unlike semaglutide, it also acts on glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide receptors, proving a second route to reducing appetite as a means to treat diabetes and promote weight loss.

Protecting astronauts against space radiation

Outside the protective atmosphere of Earth, astronauts are constantly bombarded by radiation, which, among other dangers, increases the risk cancer. While those of us on Earth can mitigate the effects of similar radiation by limiting exposure,...

Steve Jobs tried to treat his cancer with alternative medicine

After Steve Jobs was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, he reportedly restricted his diet to just fruits or just fruits and vegetables, tried out hydrotherapy, and consulted psychics. There’s compelling evidence about the impact of alternative medicine on cancer patients.

Astronauts have repaired genetic damage in space using CRISPR—a molecular tool that can make precise changes to DNA and is used in single-celled organisms to attack invasive viruses.

Cigarette smoke exposure boosts MS risk by up to 55%, though smokeless tobacco doesn't

The components of the smoke itself are associated with these significantly increased risks, so it's something beyond nicotine itself that drives that risk. What's more, smoking also increases the risk of developing antibodies to MS-treating drugs.

Most adults don't need a daily vitamin, and it won't extend your life

A 20-year study by the National Cancer Institute involving almost 400,000 people found that daily multivitamins did not help people live longer. In some cases, these vitamins also increased the risk of death. Although some subpopulations—such as those with documented vitamin deficiencies and pregnant individuals—should take vitamins, daily multivitamins should not be taken uniformly by adults. Instead, patients should discuss vitamins with their clinicians and consider baseline vitamin testing before starting vitamin regimens.

Hookworm infection, though risky, may help fight certain autoimmune conditions by tamping down the immune system's inflammatory response.

Indefinite cloning of some endangered species may not sustain their longevity because cloning success rates decrease as genetic mutations accumulate.

The first line of 'immortal' human cells, which can divide indefinitely and are used in scientific research, was nonconsensually taken from a Black woman.

Studies suggest when you sleep is as important as how much you get, and syncing with your circadian rhythms may lead to less fatigue and improved long-term health outcomes

Read a deep dive on the 'all-purpose healing' peptide BPC-157.

Learn how monoclonal antibodies, which mimic the body's antibodies, can fight diseases like Ebola.

The hormonal disorder PCOS was renamed PMOS in 2026, a move designed to improve care and research by shifting the focus to the hormonal causes of this condition that affects 1 in 8 women.

Tattoos remain visible on your skin thanks to immune cells called macrophages

Telehealth demand for GLP-1s for weight loss is booming as consumers seek easier access.

The use of fungi to detoxify land and water—a process known as mycoremediation—has been used to clean up natural resources affected by the 2025 California wildfires.

Listen to an in-depth conversation on the links between Parkinson's disease and herbicide exposure and the challenging pace of scientific investigation.

This real-time tracking of the hantavirus cruise ship outbreak in May 2026 offers a unique glimpse into the global reach of the outbreak and whether the virus sickened passengers and their communities around the world.

To reduce wrinkles in clothing, research recommends gentle wash cycles with more water and tumble drying with smaller loads and longer times.

As of 2025, the most cited papers in science include a review of graphene, methods to improve image recognition, streamlining electron density calculations, and optimizing protein studies.

Recent research found that the brain doesn't seem to massively rewire following amputation—upending earlier beliefs about the cause of phantom limb pain.

Objects can be 3D printed with light by projecting 2D computerized tomography (CT) scans onto rotating cylinders of resin, which solidify upon exposure.

SpaceX's S-1 or 'prospectus' revealed many previously unknown details about the company, including its unprofitability despite doing $18.7B in revenue in 2025, exactly how many voting shares Elon Musk will have in the company (roughly 85%), and more.

The history of many kitchen appliances involves unexpected discoveries and applications, including wartime radar turned hamster defroster and replacing an 'ice king' with heat-stealing boxes.

After her fellow cult members tried to kill her with an LSD-infused hamburger, one member of the Manson Family, the murderous cult led by Charles Manson, decided to testify against the group's leader.

Gerrymandering works through two techniques: cracking opposing voters across districts to dilute their power, and packing them into a few to waste their votes in lopsided majorities.

In 2026, Finland was named the world's happiest country for the ninth consecutive year based on its wealth, social safety network, and high life expectancy, among other factors.

In 1939, baseball star Lou Gehrig delivered his inspirational 'Luckiest Man' speech after retiring due to the health condition that now bears his name.

NBA superstar Victor Wembanyama spent the 2025 summer training with monks in central China to enhance his body and mind.