Basal Cell Carcinoma News and Research

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Basal cell cancer begins in the lowest layer of the epidermis, the basal cell layer. About 8 out of 10 skin cancers are basal cell carcinomas. They usually begin on areas exposed to the sun, such as the head and neck. Basal cell carcinoma was once found mostly in middle-aged or older people. But now it is also being seen in younger people. This may be because people are spending more time in the sun without protecting their skin.

Basal cell carcinoma tends to grow slowly. It is very rare for a basal cell cancer to spread to distant parts of the body (metastasize). But if it is not treated, it can grow into nearby areas and spread into the bone or other tissues beneath the skin.

After treatment, basal cell carcinoma can come back (recur) in the same place on the skin. New basal cell cancers can also start in other places on the skin. As many as half of the people who have one basal cell cancer will get a new skin cancer within 5 years.

Certain IBD patients at increased risk of skin cancer

Certain patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) may have an increased risk of skin cancer, which is intensified by the use of immunosuppressant medications , according to two new studies in Gastroenterology, the official journal of the American Gastroenterological Association. Immunosuppressants are commonly used in the treatment of IBD.

21 Nov 2011

Radon exposure may increase risk of non-melanoma skin cancer

A new study published this week suggests that a link may exist between radon exposure and non-melanoma skin cancer.

15 Nov 2011

FDA accepts Genentech's vismodegib NDA for review

Curis, Inc., a drug development company seeking to develop next generation targeted small molecule drug candidates for cancer treatment, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted and filed for review Genentech's new drug application (NDA) for vismodegib for the treatment of adults with advanced basal cell carcinoma (BCC) for whom surgery is considered inappropriate.

9 Nov 2011

Coffee may protect against a slow growing skin cancer: Study

A new study shows that drinking coffee was associated with decreased risk of a common and slow-growing form of skin cancer called basal cell carcinoma.

25 Oct 2011

DFMO appears to protect against nonmelanoma skin cancers

An antiparasitic agent used to treat African sleeping sickness might someday be used to prevent nonmelanoma skin cancers. Researchers found that DFMO, or α-difluoromethylornithine, still appeared to protect against nonmelanoma skin cancers years after people stopped taking the drug, according to a poster presented at the 10th AACR International Conference on Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research, held Oct. 22-25, 2011.

24 Oct 2011

AAD applauds California for prohibiting indoor tanning device use among youngsters

Today California Governor Edmund G. Brown signed a bill into law that will prohibit the use of indoor tanning devices for all Californians under the age of 18.

10 Oct 2011

Genentech submits NDA to FDA for vismodegib to treat advanced basal cell carcinoma

Curis, Inc., a drug development company seeking to develop next generation targeted small molecule drug candidates for cancer treatment, today announced that its collaborator Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, has submitted a New Drug Application (NDA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) seeking sales and marketing approval for vismodegib to treat people with advanced basal cell carcinoma (BCC), which includes metastatic and locally advanced BCC for whom surgery is inappropriate.

12 Sep 2011

Genentech submits vismodegib NDA to FDA for treatment of advanced basal cell carcinoma

Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, today announced that the company has submitted a New Drug Application for vismodegib to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of people with advanced basal cell carcinoma (BCC) for whom surgery is considered inappropriate.

12 Sep 2011

Dermatologist discusses common skin conditions that affect people of color at AAD 2011 meeting

The U.S. Census Bureau predicts that by the year 2050, more than half the U.S. population will have skin of color. Recognizing this trend, dermatologists are educating the public about the different ways that common skin conditions appear in various skin tones.

5 Aug 2011

Curis second quarter net loss increases to $4.9 million

Curis, Inc., a drug development company seeking to develop next generation targeted small molecule drug candidates for cancer treatment, today reported its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2011.

28 Jul 2011

Nine young clinical investigators earn recognition from Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation

The Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation named five new Damon Runyon Clinical Investigators at its spring 2011 Clinical Investigator Award Committee review.

22 Jun 2011

Positive results from vismodegib Phase II study on advanced basal cell carcinoma

Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, announced today that a pivotal Phase II study with vismodegib showed positive results in people with advanced basal cell carcinoma (BCC) for whom surgery is considered inappropriate.

20 Jun 2011

Genentech to present positive data from vismodegib Phase II trial on advanced BCC at EADO 2011

Curis, Inc., a drug development company seeking to develop next generation targeted small molecule drug candidates for cancer treatment, today announced that positive data are being presented by its collaborator Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, from a pivotal Phase II clinical trial conducted by Roche and Genentech of vismodegib in patients with advanced basal cell carcinoma, an often life-threatening form of skin cancer that can have disfiguring and debilitating effects.

20 Jun 2011

FDA's new sunscreen regulations will help reduce skin cancer risk

The American Academy of Dermatology Association (Academy) today said that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) new sunscreen regulations will help Americans reduce their risk for skin cancer by guiding them to the most effective sunscreens and advising them on other sun-protection measures.

15 Jun 2011

Curis reports first quarter net loss of $6.8 million

28 Apr 2011

Vismodegib is an effective treatment for patients with basal cell carcinomas

A new drug is effective in preventing new basal cell carcinomas in patients with an inherited predisposition to the disease.

7 Apr 2011

Physician's documentation confirms successful treatment of basal cell carcinoma with topical cannabis extract

Cannabis Science, Inc., US biotech company developing pharmaceutical cannabis products. On March 9, 2011 Cannabis Science announced that we would follow up our press release with medical documentation regarding the effectiveness of our cannabis extracts for treating skin cancer as was documented photographically in our earlier press release of February 22, 2011.

7 Apr 2011

Positive results from GDC-0449 Phase II data against basal cell nevus syndrome

A new hedgehog pathway inhibitor demonstrated efficacy in preventing and treating basal cell cancer among patients with basal cell nevus syndrome, a rare inheritable disease, according to Phase II data presented at the AACR 102nd Annual Meeting 2011, held April 2-6.

4 Apr 2011

Positive results from GDC-0449 Phase II clinical trial in advanced basal cell carcinoma

Curis, Inc., a drug development company seeking to develop next generation targeted small molecule drug candidates for cancer treatment, today announced a positive outcome from a pivotal Phase II clinical trial conducted by Roche and Genentech, Curis' collaborator and a wholly owned member of the Roche Group, of GDC-0449, a first-in-class hedgehog pathway inhibitor, in patients with advanced basal cell carcinoma (BCC).

21 Mar 2011

Genentech's vismodegib Phase II clinical study in advanced basal cell carcinoma meets primary endpoint

Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, today announced that a pivotal Phase II clinical study of its investigational Hedgehog Pathway Inhibitor, vismodegib (RG3616/GDC-0449), showed positive results in people with advanced basal cell carcinoma (aBCC), a particularly severe and debilitating form of skin cancer.