Oncology News and Research

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Oncology, meaning bulk, mass, or tumor, and the suffix ''-logy'', meaning "study of") is a branch of medicine that deals with tumors (cancer). A medical professional who practices oncology is an ''oncologist''.

New holistic approach to cancer treatment

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and UnitedHealthcare have launched a pilot to explore a new cancer care payment model for head and neck cancers that focuses on quality patient care and outcomes. The collaboration is among the first using bundled payments in a large, comprehensive cancer center.

15 Dec 2014

Apheresis: A potent therapeutic in extracorporeal photopherisis

Apheresis, the simple process of drawing blood, becomes a powerful therapeutic in extracorporeal photopherisis (ECP) according to clinicians and scientists who met at the NIH State of the Science Symposium in Therapeutic Apheresis. Nora Ratcliffe, MD, of Dartmouth Hitchcock, looked at current methodology and opportunities for research in a paper recently published in Transfusion Medicine Review, titled "National Institutes of Health State of the Science Symposium in Therapeutic Apheresis: Scientific Opportunities in Extracorporeal Photopheresis."

14 Dec 2014

Oncotype DX assay linked to decrease in chemotherapy use in younger patients

In what's believed to be one of the largest population-based studies of Oncotype DX ever conducted, researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center have found that the commercial diagnostic tool, Oncotype DX, was associated with a decrease in chemotherapy use in younger patients, but not in those over 66 years of age.

14 Dec 2014

ASTRO's education programs recognized with ACCME accreditation

The American Society for Radiation Oncology's education credentials have been recognized and upgraded by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education from Accreditation to Accreditation with Commendation, approved at the ACCME's December 2014 meeting.

14 Dec 2014

Champions reports decrease in revenue for second quarter of 2015

Champions Oncology, Inc., engaged in the development of advanced technology solutions and services to personalize the development and use of oncology drugs, today announced its financial results for the second quarter ended October 31, 2014.

14 Dec 2014

Figitumumab development discontinued for non-adenocarcinoma NSCLC

Adding the novel insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor inhibitor figitumumab to the epidermal growth factor receptor–tyrosine kinase inhibitor erlotinib does not improve survival in patients with non-adenocarcinoma non-small-cell lung carcinoma, research shows.

12 Dec 2014

Postoperative recurrent disease affects NSCLC survival after gefitinib

Patients with postoperative recurrent non-small-cell lung cancer harbouring epidermal growth factor receptor mutations have longer progression-free and overall survival with gefitinib treatment, than those with stage IV disease, Japanese researchers report.

12 Dec 2014

Metastatic lung cancer outcomes independent of KRAS mutation subtypes

Overall survival in patients with metastatic lung cancer does not correlate with Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homologue mutation subtypes, US researchers report.

12 Dec 2014

MD Anderson president applauds FDA's approval of new vaccine for HPV-related cancers

The Food and Drug Administration's approval of a new vaccine that targets five additional strains of human papilloma virus (HPV) fortifies a proven cancer-prevention weapon, according to Ronald A. DePinho, M.D., president of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.

12 Dec 2014

Young patients at risk for intellectual decline after bone marrow transplantation

Toddlers who undergo total body irradiation in preparation for bone marrow transplantation are at higher risk for a decline in IQ and may be candidates for stepped up interventions to preserve intellectual functioning, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital investigators reported.

12 Dec 2014

Research finding could lead to new therapies for malignant glioma

Targeted therapies are a growing and groundbreaking field in cancer care in which drugs or other substances are designed to interfere with genes or molecules that control the growth and survival of cancer cells. Now, scientists at Virginia Commonwealth University Massey Cancer Center and VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine (VIMM) have identified a novel interaction between a microRNA and a gene that could lead to new therapies for the most common and deadly form of brain tumor, malignant glioma.

12 Dec 2014

New interoperability standards for diabetes devices

JDRF and the Centre for Global eHealth Innovation at the University Health Network in Toronto announced publication of interoperability standards for diabetes devices. The work is the result of JDRF Canadian Clinical Trial Network funding to Dr. Joseph Cafazzo at UHN to pilot the development of standard communication protocols that define how diabetes devices, such as insulin pumps, blood glucose meters, and continuous glucose monitors, communicate with one another and with other devices.

12 Dec 2014

Preventive effect of tamoxifen drug for breast cancer remains virtually constant for 20 years

The preventive effect of breast cancer drug 'tamoxifen' remains virtually constant for at least 20 years - with rates reduced by around 30 per cent - new analysis published in The Lancet Oncology reveals.

12 Dec 2014

Abbott acquires control of Veropharm for $305 million

Abbott today announced that it has acquired control of Veropharm, a leading Russian pharmaceutical manufacturer.

12 Dec 2014

First-line dacomitinib may improve advanced NSCLC survival

Preliminary research suggests that the second-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitor dacomitinib may improve progression-free survival in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer with epidermal growth factor receptor mutations.

11 Dec 2014

Diplomat announces new partnership with Novation through Hospital Specialty Rx Program

Diplomat, the nation's largest independent specialty pharmacy, has announced a new partnership with Novation through their Hospital Specialty Rx Program.

11 Dec 2014

Two-thirds of U.S. women with early-stage breast cancer receive longer radiation therapy

Two-thirds of women treated for early-stage breast cancer in the U.S. receive longer radiation therapy than necessary, according to a new study published in JAMA this week from Penn Medicine researchers Ezekiel J. Emanuel, MD, PhD, and Justin E. Bekelman, MD.

11 Dec 2014

Drugs delay disease progression for women with hormone-receptor-positive metastatic breast cancer

A new combination of cancer drugs delayed disease progression for patients with hormone-receptor-positive metastatic breast cancer, according to a multi-center phase II trial. The findings of the randomized study (S6-03) were presented at the 2014 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, held Dec. 6-9, by Kerin Adelson, M.D., assistant professor of medical oncology at Yale Cancer Center and chief quality officer at Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale-New Haven.

11 Dec 2014

New therapeutic approach for women with estrogen-receptor-positive breast cancer

Loyola researchers and collaborators have reported promising results from a novel therapeutic approach for women with estrogen-receptor-positive breast cancer.

11 Dec 2014

$Using Refractory Metals in Cancer Treatments$