Celldex Therapeutics Announces Orphan Drug Designation For CDX-110, A Novel EGFRvII Vaccine For Glioblastoma Multiforme

PHILLIPSBURG, N.J. -- Celldex Therapeutics announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted orphan drug designation for Celldex's CDX-110 for the treatment of EGFRvIII expressing Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM). GBM is the most common and aggressive form of brain cancer. CDX-110 is an immunotherapy that targets the tumor-specific growth promoter EGFRvIII. Celldex Therapeutics announced a definitive merger agreement with AVANT Immunotherapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: AVAN) in October 2007. In the ACTIVATE phase IIa study, CDX-110 treated GBM patients showed a median survival time of 30 months, more than a 100 percent increase in survival, versus the historical control's median of 14.5 months. The study... More »



Cancer Drug Works By Overactivating Cancer Gene

University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center researchers have discovered that bortezomib, a promising cancer drug, is able to strike a blow against melanoma tumor cells by revving up the action of a cancer-promoting gene. They say the laboratory-based findings suggest a novel treatment strategy that might someday prove effective against many types of cancer: Push cancer cells into overdrive, so that they self-destruct. The U-M scientists found that bortezomib, a drug approved by the FDA to treat advanced multiple myeloma, is able to selectively inhibit melanoma tumor cells because it causes the c-MYC oncogene to overproduce a cell-death promoter called NOXA. Their results place c-MYC and NOXA, well studied among cancer researche... More »


Geron Initiates Clinical Trial Of Telomerase Inhibitor Drug In Patients With Multiple Myeloma

Geron Corporation announced that it enrolled its first patient in a clinical trial of GRN163L in multiple myeloma. The trial is the fourth underway involving Geron's novel inhibitor of telomerase, an enzyme that is expressed in all major types of cancer cells. The primary objective of the Phase I/II study is to determine the safety and maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of GRN163L when administered intravenously in patients with multiple myeloma who have failed at least two courses of standard chemotherapy. In addition, researchers will perform correlative laboratory studies on primary patient samples to characterize the effects of GRN163L on myeloma cancer cells. "We're pleased to have participated in the design of this study," said Asher... More »


64-Slice CT Wages High-tech Battle Against Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S. among both men and women. Some of the newest technology available for the early detection and treatment of lung cancer is the new 64-slice the GE LightSpeed VCT scanner available at Sacramento HeartScan. Dennis R. Breen, M.D., F.A.C.C., of the Sacramento Heart and Vascular Institute, which operates Sacramento HeartScan, said that there's a lot of debate surrounding screening of the general population. However, when it comes to high risk populations such as smokers and former smokers, the advanced 64 slice CT could hold the key to finally improving detection and survival rates for lung cancer. "Lung cancer is the poster child for why screening in high risk populations is imp... More »


Lung Cancer Alliance Praises Congressional Call For Increased Commitment To Fund Lung Cancer Research

In the final days of November's Lung Cancer Awareness Month, Members of Congress called upon Honorable Michael Leavitt, Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to make a commitment to increase funding for lung cancer research and develop a coordinated plan to address the leading cause of cancer death among men and women. "We couldn't ask for a better initiative to round out our awareness efforts this month," said Laurie Fenton Ambrose, President and CEO of Lung Cancer Alliance (LCA). "We are so very grateful for the continued congressional engagement on this important issue. We can and must do better for all of those impacted by the disease." The letter coauthored by Congresswoman Lois Capps (D-CA) and Congressman Frank LoBiondo... More »


Non-Caucasians At Higher Risk For Severe Metastatic Breast Cancer Pain

A new study finds significant racial differences in the risk of pain related to metastatic breast cancer. An analysis by Dr. Liana Castel of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and colleagues found that non-whites experience poorer pain control among women with this disease. The study is published in the January 1, 2008 issue of CANCER, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society. Studies indicate that chronic or recurrent pain affects 30 percent of all cancer patients and 60 to 90 percent of patients with advanced cancer. Age, race, tumor type, genetics, psychosocial context, and culture can all affect pain. However, it is unclear how pain is influenced by changes over the course of disease due to factors including... More »


2 Proteins May Be Survival Markers In Some Breast Cancers

New research suggests that the presence or absence of two proteins may be important markers for long-term survival in some breast-cancer patients. One of the proteins, called ErbB-4, is important for the growth and differentiation of several types of cells in the body. The second protein, called Wwox, is a tumor suppressor it helps prevent cells from becoming cancerous and it is missing in many breast cancers. Scientists don t yet understand how it works. The research shows that the two proteins work together, and that their absence is associated with shorter survival in breast cancer. Furthermore, the study shows that Wwox keeps ErbB4 on the cell surface, and that this is associated with better survival. The study was done by re... More »


New Planar Stereoscopic Digital Mammography Display Demonstrated To Reduce False-Positive Breast Cancer Findings By 49 Percent

Planar Systems, Inc., a worldwide leader in specialty display solutions, announced that a prototype diagnostic workstation incorporating Planar's groundbreaking StereoMirror(TM) technology has been shown to dramatically reduce false-positive breast cancer findings by 49 percent and false-negative results by 40 percent compared to standard digital mammography in a clinical trial conducted at Emory University's Breast Imaging Center in Atlanta. Planar's innovative application for StereoMirror technology represents another example in the company's strategy to be a global leader in specialty display technology. Planar continues to advance specialty display solutions for demanding medical professionals who are looking for display technology that... More »



Genmab Initiates Ofatumumab Phase II Study In Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma

COPENHAGEN, Denmark -- Genmab A/S announced today that study centers have been initiated and are ready to enroll patients in a Phase II study of ofatumumab (HuMax-CD20(R)) to evaluate treatment of relapsed Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) in patients ineligible for or relapsed following a stem cell transplant. Approximately 75 patients will be enrolled in the study which is being conducted under Genmab's collaboration with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK). Genmab will receive a milestone payment of approximately DKK 87.2 million from GSK upon treatment of the first patient in the study, expected in the near future. Ofatumumab is an investigational, fully human, next generation monoclonal antibody that targets a unique epitope o... More »