Cancer
New Breast Imaging Technology Targets Hard-to-Detect Cancers
WASHINGTON -- Breast-specific gamma imaging (BSGI) is effective in detecting cancers unfound on mammograms or by clinical exam, according to a study published Thursday at an annual academic meeting. "BSGI can identify the most difficult to detect breast cancer -- invasive lobular carcinoma," said lead author Rachel Brem from George Washington University at the meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA). "It also can help us detect additional lesions of all types of breast cancer in women whose mammograms show only one suspicious lesion," he added. Breast cancer affects more women than any other non-skin cancer, accounting for more than 40,000 deaths annually in the United States. Most experts agree that... More »
Hope For The Holidays: Experts Offer Cancer Patients And Their Families And Friends Ideas For Coping - And Celebrating - Through The Holidays
BOSTON -- The holidays can be a festive and joyful time. But for those going through cancer treatments, it can be stressful and full of anxiety. Treatments, like chemotherapy and radiation, can be time consuming and exhausting. For many patients and their families the thought of preparing for the season may be more than they can handle. "Don't be afraid to ask for help," says Ursula Matulonis, MD, the director of the gynecologic oncology center at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. "For many patients, tasks such as shopping, baking, and decorating may be overwhelming or impossible. It's important to slow down, take time to rest and not worry about getting everything done." Matulonis stresses that communication is key in hel... More »
New Data Demonstrate Significant Improvement In Progression-Free Survival For Triple Negative Metastatic Breast Cancer Patients Treated with IXEMPRA Plus Capecitabine
SAN ANTONIO -- Bristol-Myers Squibb Company today announced new data from studies of IXEMPRA(TM) (ixabepilone) plus capecitabine compared to capectabine alone, including a pre-specified sub set analysis demonstrating a significant increase in progression free survival (PFS) in patients with triple negative breast cancer. The study results - which are from a pooled analysis of approximately 2,000 patients enrolled in two Phase III clinical trials of IXEMPRA (046 and 048) - were presented today at the 2008 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS). Patients studied were either resistant to or pretreated with anthracyclines and taxanes. In the pooled analysis of the subset of 443 patients with triple negative breast cancer... More »
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and Memgen Announce New Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Clinical Trial
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) and Memgen, LLC jointly announce the beginning of a new clinical trial of ISF35, a cancer vaccine, at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). LLS is collaborating on this trial in the hopes that it will speed the development and approval of a novel approach aimed at treating patients with fludarabine refractory and/or 17p deleted chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Doctors at UCSD have already begun treating the first patient with ISF35. They plan to enroll up to twelve patients. These patients will receive a vaccine expressing an immune-boosting molecule, ISF35 (Immune Stimulatory Factor 35), followed by three courses of rituximab plus the chemotherapy drugs fludarabine and cyclophosphami... More »
Aspirin Said No Protection Against Colorectal Cancer
Aspirin doesn't protect a certain group of people at high risk of suffering colorectal cancer, a Creighton University researcher and others have found. Dr. Henry Lynch, director of Creighton's Hereditary Cancer Center, said aspirin appears to work for some in the general population as preventive medicine against colorectal cancer. But for those with Lynch syndrome, which is named after Creighton's Lynch, aspirin doesn't accomplish that purpose, according to a study published Thursday in "The New England Journal of Medicine." Lynch was one of numerous researchers involved in the study. Lynch syndrome is a gene mutation that increases one's risk of colorectal cancer and some other cancers. Lynch said about 3 to 5 percent of colorecta... More »
New Ways To Fight Esophageal Cancer
Half a century ago, my grandmother died of esophageal cancer. For decades preceding her death, a bottle of milk of magnesia was her steady companion because she suffered daily from heartburn, now known as gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. But many years passed before a link was clearly established between chronic irritation of the esophagus by stomach acid and this usually fatal cancer. Now that the role of acid reflux is well known in cancer risk and unpleasant conditions like chronic cough and hoarseness, drug companies market several products, prescription and over the counter, that are far better able to control the backup of stomach acid than milk of magnesia. And gastroenterologists now know to be on t... More »
Cryoablation Of Early Invasive Ductal Breast Cancer With MRI Confirmation Shows Promising Clinical Benefits, According To Study Presented At RSNA
CHICAGO -- Early clinical experience with the FDA cleared Visica 2(TM) Treatment System from Sanarus Medical confirms the effectiveness of ultrasound guided cryoablation to completely eradicate small, unifocal Invasive Ductal Breast Cancer (IDC). Initial data from this multi-center study was presented at the 94th Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA), November 29 - December 5, 2008. The study, "New Findings on Contrast-enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging, the "Black Hole" and "Cryohalo" are Markers for the Efficacy of Ultrasound-guided Cryoablation of Small Unifocal Invasive Ductal Breast Cancer," presented by Gary Levine, MD, Director of Breast Imaging at Hoag Breast... More »
Researchers Aim To Over-stress Already Taxed Mantle Cell Lymphoma Cells
Cancer cells are already stressed by the fast pace they require to grow and spread and scientists believe a little more stress just may kill them. "Think about an assembly line in a factory that is working five times faster than normal," said Dr. Kapil Bhalla, director of the Medical College of Georgia Cancer Center. "There is a lot of stress but you need workers to keep going. Some of them fall out, some get bent out of shape." His research team believes they can disrupt the over-stressed assembly line of mantle cell lymphoma and possibly similar cancers such as pancreatic, liver and breast, by taking away support needed for rapid protein turnover and by clogging up the mechanism for eliminating poorly made ones. Mantle cell lymph... More »
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society And Memgen Announce New Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Clinical Trial
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. -- The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) and Memgen, LLC jointly announce the beginning of a new clinical trial of ISF35, a cancer vaccine, at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). LLS is collaborating on this trial in the hopes that it will speed the development and approval of a novel approach aimed at treating patients with fludarabine refractory and/or 17p deleted chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Doctors at UCSD have already begun treating the first patient with ISF35. They plan to enroll up to twelve patients. These patients will receive a vaccine expressing an immune-boosting molecule, ISF35 (Immune Stimulatory Factor 35), followed by three courses of rituximab plus the chemotherap... More »
The International Myeloma Foundation Says Patient Experience -- Longer Survival And Improved Quality Of Life -- Supports Encouraging Data Being Presented At The Annual Hematology Meeting
NORTH HOLLYWOOD, Calif. & WURZBURG, Germany -- The International Myeloma Foundation (IMF)--supporting research and providing education, advocacy and support for myeloma patients, families, researchers and physicians--today said five long-term survivors will match real-life stories to the progress being reported by researchers at the 50th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH). Multiple myeloma is a cancer of cells in the bone marrow that affects blood cell production. It cannot be cured, however new therapies used in combination and in sequence are improving quality of life and for many patients, making remissions possible that can be measured in years, not weeks or months. The meeting will be held Decemb... More »