News

Scientists Find Proof That Breast Cancer Recurrence Can Be Eliminated

Published

9 months ago

September 6, 2025

In a medical breakthrough that could transform breast cancer care, scientists at the University of Pennsylvania have shown it’s possible to detect and destroy the “sleeper” cells that cause the disease to return years after treatment.

In a landmark clinical trial, researchers used existing, repurposed drugs to eliminate these hidden cells in most breast cancer survivors, pushing survival rates above 90 per cent. The findings, published in Nature Medicine, offer the strongest proof yet that breast cancer recurrence may no longer be inevitable.

The principal investigator, Dr Angela DeMichele of Penn’s Perelman School of Medicine, said, “The lingering fear of cancer returning is something that haunts many breast cancer survivors. Our study shows that by targeting dormant tumour cells, we can prevent recurrence—and give survivors a real chance at a lasting cure.

“This changes the game. We finally have a proactive strategy—not just waiting for cancer to come back, but stopping it before it does,” DeMichele said.

The trial, known as CLEVER, enrolled 51 breast cancer survivors who had completed treatment but still harboured microscopic traces of dormant tumour cells, also called minimal residual disease (MRD). Standard scans cannot detect these cells, which can “wake up” years later and fuel incurable metastatic cancer.

Patients received either one or two study drugs, both already FDA-approved for other conditions. The results stunned researchers. Dormant tumour cells were cleared in 80 per cent of participants, and the three-year survival without recurrence exceeded 90 per cent for patients on single therapy and reached 100 per cent for those on combination therapy.

Further, only two patients have relapsed after more than three years of follow-up.

“This sleeper phase is the window where cancer is most vulnerable. explained senior author Dr Lewis Chodosh, chair of Cancer Biology at Penn. Surprisingly, drugs that don’t work against active tumours can be highly effective against dormant cells. That’s the key—we’re hitting cancer while it’s asleep,” explained senior author Dr Lewis Chodosh, chair of Cancer Biology at Penn. The trial builds on decades of Penn research uncovering how dormant breast cancer cells survive in the body, sometimes for decades, and what biological pathways sustain them. By targeting autophagy and mTOR signalling—mechanisms that help the sleeper cells persist—the researchers found a way to wipe them out before they reactivate.

The implications are profound. Until now, breast cancer survivors at risk of recurrence had little more than “watch and wait”. For the 30 per cent of patients whose cancer returns, the disease has been incurable.

The Penn team is now preparing larger clinical trials to confirm the results and explore whether this approach can be applied to other cancers with similar dormant-cell behaviour.

For millions of breast cancer survivors worldwide, the research opens the door to a future where remission means freedom—not fear.

Delayed breakfast linked to early death for elderly

How late you eat breakfast could be more important than you think. A major new study has revealed that older adults who push their first meal of the day to later hours face a higher risk of illness and even early death.

The research, published in Communications Medicine by scientists at Mass General Brigham and collaborators in Turkey, tracked nearly 3,000 people in the UK for more than two decades. The results were clear: as people age, breakfast and dinner times creep later, but those who delay breakfast are more likely to suffer from depression, fatigue, poor sleep, and declining health, and they die sooner.

“Breakfast timing may be an easy-to-monitor marker of health in older adults,” said lead researcher Hassan Dashti, PhD, RD, of Massachusetts General Hospital.

“Our findings show that late breakfasts are tied not only to health challenges but also to higher mortality. This gives fresh meaning to the saying that breakfast is the most important meal of the day.”

The team found that people genetically inclined to be “night owls” also tended to eat later, compounding risks as they aged. Meanwhile, those who stuck to consistent and earlier meal routines showed signs of healthier ageing and greater longevity.

The findings could spark a rethink of popular diet trends such as intermittent fasting, which often encourages delaying the first meal. While the approach may benefit younger adults, the study suggests it could be harmful for seniors.

For doctors, families, and carers, the message is simple: watch the clock. A later breakfast may be more than just a habit – it could be a warning sign.
(VANGUARD)

News

Migration Agency Warns Migrants Against Irregular Travel Routes

Published

2 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

The International Organisation for Migration (IOM), in collaboration with Giving is Healing Foundation, has sensitised residents of Ayobo in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State on the dangers of irregular migration and the need to embrace legal travel procedures.

Speaking during a sensitisation programme held at Megida Ifelodu Community Development Association in Ayobo, the founder of Giving is Healing Foundation, Mr. Gbolahan Ayediran, warned intending migrants against using illegal travel routes.

Ayediran said many Nigerians desire to migrate abroad in search of better opportunities but often ignore proper procedures, thereby exposing themselves to several dangers.

“Lots of people want to migrate and most of them do it in the wrong direction. The reason for the programme is for us to advise people on how they can migrate in the right way. As much as migration is their right, they should do it correctly,” he said.

He advised intending travellers to obtain the necessary travel documents before embarking on any journey, noting that such documents include international passports, visas, flight tickets and yellow cards, depending on the destination country.

According to him, migrants should also gather adequate information about their destination countries to enable them make informed decisions before travelling.

Ayediran further highlighted some of the dangers associated with irregular migration, including abuse, exploitation, discrimination and forced labour.

Also speaking, the Chairman of Megida Ifelodu Community Development Association, Elder Mathews Amusan, commended the organisers for enlightening members of the community on safe migration practices.

He urged residents planning to travel abroad to always follow legal migration procedures to avoid falling victim to human trafficking and other migration-related challenges.

One of the participants, Mr. Kolawole Adenoko, said the programme enlightened him on the dangers of irregular migration and the importance of travelling through the proper channels.

He added that he would also educate his relatives and friends on the risks associated with illegal migration.

News

Shatta Wale Bailed Burna Boy From Ghana Prison After Arrest For Smoking Weed – Captan

Published

4 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

Ghanian singer, Captan, has claimed that his former record label boss, Shatta Wale, once bailed Nigerian singer Burna Boy out of prison in Ghana after he was allegedly arrested for smoking weed.

Speaking in a recent podcast interview, Captan claimed that Shatta Wale sent him and others to free Burna Boy from police custody.

He also claimed that Shatta Wale and his group once accommodated Burna Boy when he was being hunted by some dangerous men.

Captan said, “I once bailed Burna Boy out of prison in Ghana when he was arrested for smoking weed. Shatta Wale sent me and some guys to go and free him from police custody.

“There was a time we also accommodated him when some people were after his life. We helped him settle the case.”

He added that he and Burna Boy are no longer in good terms after the Nigerian artist’s fallout with his mentor, Shatta Wale.

He, however, said he and Shatta Wale are open to reconciling with Burna Boy if he asks for it.

Watch the video here

News

Children’s Day: Chaos At Ogbe Stadium As Dozens Faint

Published

20 hours ago

May 27, 2026

Editor

Chaos erupted on Wednesday during the Children’s Day celebration as dozens of students reportedly collapsed following a stampede triggered by the use of pepper spray.

The event,
organised by the Edo State Ministry of Education at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium was disrupted after some male students of Ihogbe College allegedly made uncompromising advances towards female students at the venue.
‎
‎ A parent who identified himself as Oboh Emmanuel said, “the behaviour of those uncultured students attracted the attention of bouncers stationed at the stadium as they rebuked the male students.”
‎
‎Oboh said the affected students later regrouped and attacked the bouncers, leading to a confrontation within the crowded arena.

READ ALSO:Children’s Day: Edo Commits To Child Protection
‎
It was gathered that in the ensuing confusion, the bouncers were reported to have deployed pepper spray in an area occupied by a large number of students.
‎
‎Several students, particularly female students, reportedly fainted after inhaling the substance, while others sustained injuries after being stepped on during the ensuing melee.
‎
‎The panic was said to have spread across the stadium as students, teachers and parents scampered for safety.
‎
‎Many of the affected students were reportedly rushed to the Edo Specialist Hospital for medical attention.

Reacting to the incident, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Dr Patrick Ebojele, said the security personnel that fired the tear gas had been detained.

He said all the students, except two, that were rushed to the hospital have been discharged.

Ebojele stated that doctors wanted to observe the students till tomorrow before allowing them to go home.

“The two students are not seriously injured. Doctors want to observe them overnight. Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education is still at the hospital. The man who used pepper spray has been detained.

“The incident did not happen the way it is being exaggerated. All modalities were put in place to ensure the children enjoyed their day.”
‎