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''.

WaferGen launches SmartChip System for discovery, validation of biomarkers

WaferGen Biosystems, Inc., a leading developer of state-of-the-art genomic analysis systems, today announced it has launched the breakthrough WaferGen SmartChip Real-Time PCR System, the next-generation Real-Time PCR system for discovery and validation of biomarkers, or gene expression patterns, on a single platform. The SmartChip System is designed to provide accurate, highly sensitive and high-throughput gene expression profiling capabilities to researchers, clinicians and pharmaceutical companies.

6 Aug 2010

Sanofi-aventis receives FDA approval for new Taxotere Injection Concentrate formulation

Sanofi-aventis U.S. announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a new one-vial formulation of its chemotherapeutic agent Taxotere® (docetaxel) Injection Concentrate. The 1-vial Taxotere is anticipated to become available to cancer treatment clinics and hospitals nationwide in the fall in both 80 mg and 20 mg dosages.

5 Aug 2010

Ligand second-quarter net loss reduces to $0.3 million

Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated today announced financial results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2010 and provided an update on key programs.

5 Aug 2010

Incyte second-quarter total revenues increase to $49.8 million

Incyte Corporation today reported second quarter 2010 financial results and described progress for several of its clinical programs.

5 Aug 2010

YM concludes dose-escalation in CYT387 Phase I/II clinical trial for myelofibrosis

YM BioSciences Inc., announced the conclusion of dose-escalation in the Phase I portion of its Phase I/II clinical trial of CYT387 at Mayo Clinic in patients with myelofibrosis. In total, 21 patients were treated in Phase I, with no voluntary withdrawals reported. CYT387 has shown significant activity in reducing spleen size and controlling constitutional symptoms in these patients.

5 Aug 2010

$Aeterna Zentaris announces $1.5M NIH award for AEZS-108 Phase 1/2 study in refractory prostate cancer$

Aeterna Zentaris announces $1.5M NIH award for AEZS-108 Phase 1/2 study in refractory prostate cancer

Aeterna Zentaris Inc., a late-stage drug development company specialized in oncology and endocrine therapy, today announced that the National Institutes of Health ("NIH") has awarded Dr. Jacek Pinski, Associate Professor of Medicine at the Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center of the University of Southern California, a grant of about US$1.5 million over three years to conduct a Phase 1/2 study in refractory prostate cancer with the Company's doxorubicin LHRH receptor targeted conjugate compound, AEZS-108.

5 Aug 2010

Micromet second-quarter 2010 total revenues increase to $6.5 million

Micromet, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of next-generation antibodies for the treatment of cancer, today announced its financial results for the second quarter and six months ended June 30, 2010.

5 Aug 2010

New study reinforces need for national catastrophic drug plan in Canada for cancer patients

In a newly released report comparing international usage of prescription drugs, Canada ranks thirteenth among 14 countries for cancer drugs launched within the last five years. The study, conducted for the UK Secretary of State for Health, compared 14 countries for their usage of 14 categories of prescription drugs to determine whether the UK is adequately providing for the health needs of its citizens.

5 Aug 2010

Scientists discover gene linked to eight-fold risk of breast cancer recurrence

Cancer Research UK scientists have discovered that a gene called POLQ is linked to an eight-fold risk of breast cancer returning. Developing drugs to block POLQ could increase survival and stop the cancer coming back, according to research published in OncoTarget.

5 Aug 2010

CTI second-quarter total net operating expenses decrease to $20.0 million

Cell Therapeutics, Inc. today reported recent accomplishments and financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2010.

5 Aug 2010

Healing Touch helps to restore normal energy balance

Greenwich Hospital surgical, labor and delivery, and oncology patients are among those who have received a healing boost through a form of energy therapy known as Healing Touch.The hospital, known for its reputation of service excellence, is among a growing number of medical facilities utilizing Healing Touch, which is a gentle, noninvasive therapy shown to facilitate the relaxation response to enhance the healing process. Research shows that, in addition to inducing a deep sense of calm and relaxation, Healing Touch helps to reduce pain, decrease anxiety, promote sleep and improve an overall sense of well-being.

5 Aug 2010

ARIAD reports $159.3 million second-quarter net income

ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today reported financial results for the second quarter and six months ended June 30, 2010 and provided an update on corporate developments.

5 Aug 2010

TapImmune inks smallpox vaccine Research and Technology License Option Agreement with Mayo Clinic

TapImmune Inc. announced that it has signed a Research and Technology License Option Agreement with Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, for the development of a smallpox vaccine technology. Research will be conducted by Gregory Poland M.D., at Mayo Clinic, to evaluate novel peptide antigens together with TapImmune's proprietary TAP technology. TapImmune also has an exclusive Option to the smallpox vaccine technology after research studies have been completed under the terms of the agreement.

5 Aug 2010

Alnylam second-quarter revenues increase to $26.6 million

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a leading RNAi therapeutics company, today reported its consolidated financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2010, and company highlights.

5 Aug 2010

Scientists suggest home genetic tests may cause unnecessary stress

In the age of the Internet, where cybercondriacs are just a mouse click away from a diagnosis, do-it-yourself home genetics test may seem like the next logical step in managing health. But these tests, which are relatively new and available online, are often not comprehensive and may cause unnecessary stress, warns Suzanne Mahon, DNSc., a clinical professor of hematology and oncology at Saint Louis University.

5 Aug 2010

Daiichi Sankyo reaches agreement with Apotex to settle Evoxac patent litigation

Daiichi Sankyo, Inc. and its parent company, Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd, have reached an agreement with Apotex Inc. and Apotex Corp. to settle their patent litigation involving Apotex's challenge to Daiichi Sankyo's U.S. Patent Number 5,340,821 covering Evoxac® (cevimeline HCl).

5 Aug 2010

HF-WBI effective for patients with early stage breast cancer

The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) has released evidence-based guidelines to define appropriate fractionation of whole breast irradiation (WBI), finding that hypofractionated (HF) WBI is effective for many patients with early-stage breast cancer. These guidelines are published in the International Journal of Radiation Oncology-Biology-Physics, the official journal of ASTRO.

5 Aug 2010

Amplimmune collaborates with GSK to develop PD-1 targeting therapies

Amplimmune, Inc. today announced that it has entered into a broad strategic alliance with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) to further develop PD-1 targeting therapies that may be effective in the treatment of cancer and other diseases. GSK will obtain exclusive worldwide rights to AMP-224 as well as other potential next generation fusion proteins that target PD-1.

5 Aug 2010

Scientists discover Deep Brain Stimulation as potential treatment for early Alzheimer's

In a world first, Dr. Andres M. Lozano and his team at Toronto Western Hospital has shown using Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) on patients with early signs of Alzheimer's disease is safe and may help improve memory. The phase one safety trial of six Ontario patients took place from 2005 to 2008. All patients left hospital within 2 to 3 days of surgery, and continue to participate in regular follow-up cognitive assessments.

5 Aug 2010

Scientist invents new approach to boost body's response to vaccinations

As the medical community searches for better vaccines and ways to deliver them, a University of Rochester scientist believes he has discovered a new approach to boosting the body's response to vaccinations.Richard P. Phipps, Ph.D., found that the same molecules used in drugs that treat diabetes also stimulate B cells in the immune system, pushing them to make antibodies for protection against invading microorganisms.

5 Aug 2010