Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

LightNews

OncoBites

@oncobites.bsky.social

11 followers 13 following 39 posts

Cancer professionals & advocates sharing cutting-edge #CancerResearch with non-specialists in bite-sized pieces. https://oncobites.blog

Posts Media Videos Starter Packs

Pinned

OncoBites @oncobites.bsky.social · Feb 12

OncoBites is now on Bluesky! Please follow us for the latest in #cancerresearch simplified into bite-sized pieces!

OncoBites @oncobites.bsky.social · 7d

And that’s a wrap on our last cycle! OncoBites will be taking a short break from publishing to prepare for the new writing cycle. Thank you to all our contributors and readers so far, and we’ll be back with new content soon!

OncoBites @oncobites.bsky.social · 14d

Preclinical oncology imaging is no longer a complementary tool, but an essential component of oncology drug development. Bethany Cooper writes.

oncobites.blog/2025/09/24/t...

The role of preclinical oncology imaging in accelerating cancer drug development

Keyword: Preclinical oncology imaging Reading time: 6 minutes Bethany Cooper Introduction With almost 10 million deaths from cancer in 2020, it is the leading cause of death globally, accounting fo…

OncoBites @oncobites.bsky.social · 22d

Researchers at UCLA proposed an interesting approach to CAR-T cell therapy: using focused ultrasound to only activate CAR-T cells within a tumor. Restricting CAR-T cell activity would theoretically limit its off-target & toxic effects. Anthony Tao writes.

oncobites.blog/2025/09/17/u...

Ultrasound-controlled CAR-T cells to fight solid tumors

Reading time: 5 minutes Anthony Tao Introduction For cancer to successfully grow, one of the major obstacles it must face is the immune system. Cells of the immune system, such as T cells, have nat…

OncoBites @oncobites.bsky.social · 29d

The dependence of cancer cells on various altered metabolic pathways can be exploited for therapeutic purposes. 1 new therapeutic approach is adipose manipulation transplantation, which can potentially suppress cancer cell proliferation. Colin Ong writes.

oncobites.blog/2025/09/10/a...

A New Potential Therapeutic Approach Targeting Cancer Metabolism: Adipose Manipulation Transplantation (AMT)

Reading time: 8 minutes Colin Ong Altered Metabolism in Cancer Cells Metabolic rewiring is one of the key features of cancer cells1. These cells display altered metabolism as a way to meet their co…

OncoBites @oncobites.bsky.social · Sep 3

A recent publication illustrates the power of data sharing from tissue and data collected in three clinical trials. Patty Spears writes.

oncobites.blog/2025/09/03/p...

Power of Data Sharing

Reading time: 3 minutes Patty Spears One of the most valuable contributions a patient can make to science is to donate tumor tissue for research. It is important to use the tissue in research in a …

OncoBites @oncobites.bsky.social · Aug 27

In a recent study, scientists have found a clear presence of immune cells, particularly T cells, in the cranial bones of patients with glioblastoma before surgery. Anna Salamero Boix writes.

oncobites.blog/2025/08/27/s...

Skull bone marrow as a source for immune cells in glioma

Reading time: 5 minutes Anna Salamero Boix The tumor microenvironment has emerged as a potential therapeutic target in cancer therapy. Within the tumor microenvironment, tumor-associated immune cel…

OncoBites @oncobites.bsky.social · Aug 20

Vaccines have been recognized as promising chemotherapeutic instruments. Advances in how we look for & select antigens, as well as new platforms & delivery methods, pave the way for developing more specific & potent cancer vaccine options. Mariella Careaga writes.

oncobites.blog/2025/08/20/a...

OncoBites @oncobites.bsky.social · Aug 13

Taurine is one of the most important ingredients in energy drinks. In a novel study, researchers have found that taurine is not just an additive but rather a key player in the metabolic potential of cancer stem cells. Preeti Prangya Panda writes.

oncobites.blog/2025/08/13/d...

Do Energy Drinks Cause Cancer? Exploring the Latest Research

Reading time: 7 minutes Preeti Prangya Panda Energy drinks are treated like a fast, accessible, and powerful tool to regain energy. Their popularity is undeniable. More than 38% of young adults use…

OncoBites @oncobites.bsky.social · Aug 8

We are once again opening our call for authors! Interested in joining us? Please fill out this form by August 22:

docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

If you are unable to write with us this cycle but still wish to be on the list for future calls, please still fill out the form. Thank you!

OncoBites @oncobites.bsky.social · Aug 6

Liquid biopsy is a non-invasive blood-based test that may help increase accessibility to screening & improve early detection of colorectal cancer in younger adults. It may also help to improve outcomes after a cancer diagnosis. Nicole Bowens, PhD writes.

oncobites.blog/2025/08/06/c...

Could Liquid Biopsy Improve CRC Screening Rates and Care After Diagnosis for Younger Adults?

Reading time: 6 minutes Nicole Bowens, PhD The incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) is currently rising in adults aged 20 to 49 years.1 Increasing accessibility to screening may help improve early …

OncoBites @oncobites.bsky.social · Jul 30

A recent study has found that a specific type of immune cell, Vd1-gd T cells, can help predict which patients are more likely to respond favorably to immunotherapy treatments. Joycelyn Ghansah, MA, MPH writes.

oncobites.blog/2025/07/30/a...

Advancing Immunology Therapy: Early Prediction of Skin Cancer Patients’ Chances of Responding to Treatment and Trials on Prednisone and Sirolimus for Kidney Transplant Recipients

Reading time: 5 minutes Joycelyn Ghansah, MA, MPH Active treatments like immunotherapy are used for various cancers, including melanoma, commonly known as skin cancer. Unfortunately, only about hal…

OncoBites @oncobites.bsky.social · Jul 23

How exactly is the gut microbiome linked to cancer? Oluoma Vivian Aneke writes.

This article includes quotes from Dr. Adeel Khan, a haematologist/oncologist, epidemiologist and assistant professor at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.

oncobites.blog/2025/07/23/t...

The link between cancer and gut microbiome

Reading time: 7 minutes Oluoma Vivian Aneke The human microbiota is comprised of trillions of microorganisms that have both bacterial and viral origins. They work together with the immune system to…

OncoBites @oncobites.bsky.social · Jul 16

While uncommon, a good number of individuals have developed #cancer while pregnant or shortly after giving birth. There’s no direct correlation between #pregnancy and the risk of cancer, so how could this happen? 🤔 @jessicadesamero.bsky.social writes.

oncobites.blog/2025/07/16/c...

Cancer After Childbirth: An Uncommon But Possible Phenomenon

Reading time: 7 minutes Jessica Desamero, PhD Recently, I noticed I knew a good number of individuals that have developed cancer while pregnant or shortly after giving birth. Although there’s no di…

OncoBites @oncobites.bsky.social · Jul 9

Cancer is a master in cellular manipulation and survival. In recent years, scientists have discovered that cancer cells can hijack healthy mitochondria from neighboring cells and abuse them for their own gain. Hema Saranya Ilamathi writes.

oncobites.blog/2025/07/09/h...

How Cancer Cells Steal Energy: The Story of Mitochondrial Transfer

Reading time: 4 minutes Hema Saranya Ilamathi Cancer is not just a disease of uncontrolled cell growth—it’s a master in cellular manipulation and survival. Scientists have long known that can…

OncoBites @oncobites.bsky.social · Jul 2

KRAS mutations dominate the landscape of many solid tumors, but KRAS has been considered an undruggable target for decades. Since 2021, 6 novel KRAS targeting therapies have been developed & FDA-approved for certain cancer types. Chris Wang writes.

oncobites.blog/2025/07/02/t...

Targeting the undruggable: Updates in KRAS directed therapies

Reading time: 5 minutes Chris Wang Since its discovery in 1982, therapies targeting the mutated KRAS oncogene have long eluded cancer researchers. KRAS has been considered an undruggable target for…

OncoBites @oncobites.bsky.social · Jun 25

Radiopharmaceuticals are drugs containing radioactive substances that can be used to both diagnose and treat cancer. 3 seminal trials have propelled radiopharmaceutical therapy into the mainstream. Bethany Cooper writes.

oncobites.blog/2025/06/25/i...

Imaging-enabled insights from top radiopharmaceutical therapy trials

Reading time: 5 minutes Bethany Cooper Over the last 5 years, the radiopharmaceutical sector has seen significant global growth, with discoveries transforming cancer diagnostics and treatment throu…

OncoBites @oncobites.bsky.social · Jun 18

Researchers found that a circuit between the nervous and immune system mediates cancer-associated depression and apathy. This highlights a unique neurobiological relationship between cancer, inflammation and psychiatric depression. Anthony Tao writes.

oncobites.blog/2025/06/18/f...

From tumor to torment: The neurobiology of depression in cancer

Reading time: 5 minutes Anthony Tao Cancer is a debilitating disease in more ways than one. Its devastation arises predominantly from its parasitic nature, siphoning the host body’s nutrients…

OncoBites @oncobites.bsky.social · Jun 11

Currently, most cancer treatment options rely on eradicating cancer cells. But what if you could turn cancer cells back into normal cells? Mikayla Sheild writes.

oncobites.blog/2025/06/11/c...

Cancer Reversal: The Reset of Cancer Cells into Normal Cells

Reading time: 6 minutes Mikayla Sheild Cancer is a disease that has long been around, with the earliest known documented human case dating back over 5000 years ago in Ancient Egypt. [1] Millions of…

OncoBites @oncobites.bsky.social · Jun 4

Could the key to efficient #chemotherapy lie in our gut? Read along to find out. Yousra Iftequar writes.
#gutmicrobiome

oncobites.blog/2025/06/04/c...

Can We Manipulate the Gut Microbiome to Improve Cancer Outcomes?

Could the key to efficient chemotherapy lie in our gut? Read along to find out. Reading time: 6 minutes Yousra Iftequar Cancer is a word that carries weight, fear, and urgency. It’s a disease that …

OncoBites @oncobites.bsky.social · May 28

Statistics show that about 10% of new breast cancer diagnoses in the U.S. represent women under 45 years old. For these young patients, their experience with #breastcancer presents unique physical and psychological challenges. Laura Urbina writes.

oncobites.blog/2025/05/28/t...

The Hidden Burdens: Understanding Breast Cancer’s Unique Impact on Young Patients

Reading time: 3 minutes Laura Urbina Breast cancer (BC) is often thought of as a disease that affects mainly older women. Statistics show that about 10% of new BC diagnoses in the U.S. represent wo…

Reposted by OncoBites

water reminder @jojojoy.bsky.social · May 22

"Neuropathic pain can affect a patient’s overall quality of life by influencing their daily interactions with family and friends, work, eating habits, and mental and emotional well-being."

My piece for OncoBites on the benefits of using #gabapentin to relieve cancer-related #neuropathicpain

OncoBites @oncobites.bsky.social · May 21

Gabapentin is commonly used to treat epilepsy and nerve pain caused by shingles. Did you know it can also be used to treat nerve pain related to cancer? Joycelyn Ghansah writes.

oncobites.blog/2025/05/21/t...

The benefits of using gabapentin to relieve cancer-related neuropathic pain

Reading time: 5 minutes Joycelyn Ghansah, MA, MPH Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN), or neuropathic pain (pain due to nerve damage), is a common type of pain experienced by cancer p…

OncoBites @oncobites.bsky.social · May 21

Gabapentin is commonly used to treat epilepsy and nerve pain caused by shingles. Did you know it can also be used to treat nerve pain related to cancer? Joycelyn Ghansah writes.

oncobites.blog/2025/05/21/t...

The benefits of using gabapentin to relieve cancer-related neuropathic pain

Reading time: 5 minutes Joycelyn Ghansah, MA, MPH Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN), or neuropathic pain (pain due to nerve damage), is a common type of pain experienced by cancer p…

OncoBites @oncobites.bsky.social · May 14

Dark chocolate is a true celebration of indulgence. It may also have the potential to help treat cancer! Sandhyaa Venkatachalam writes.

oncobites.blog/2025/05/14/a...

A Bite of Hope in Dark Chocolate

Reading time: 5 minutes Sandhyaa Venkatachalam Who doesn’t love dark chocolate? A moment of pure bliss in every square… a deep, complex flavor in every bite… a luxurious treat that dances between b…

OncoBites @oncobites.bsky.social · May 7

With CRISPR-based gene editing, scientists classified over 7000 BRCA2 gene variants as benign or pathogenic. This information can help better assess breast cancer risk in patients, especially those harboring unknown BRCA2 variants. Anthony Tao writes.
#cancergenetics

oncobites.blog/2025/05/07/t...

The Path Toward a CRISPR Picture of BRCA Gene Variants

Reading time: 5 minutes Anthony Tao According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, 1 in 8 women will have breast cancer in their lifetime. In 2024, an estimated 300,000 women and nearly 3000 m…

OncoBites @oncobites.bsky.social · Apr 30

Radiomics is a powerful decoding tool that translates the hidden images in clinical scans and essentially turns any scan into a treasure map. This emerging field would help doctors predict and diagnose cancer early. Preeti Prangya Panda writes.

oncobites.blog/2025/04/30/f...

From Pixels to Prognosis: The Role of Radiomics in Oncology

Reading time: 5 minutes Preeti Prangya Panda In 1895, Wilhelm Roentgen discovered X-rays that paved the way for seeing into the human body. This invention revolutionized medical science. Today, the…