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''.

Targeting mutant BRAF can kill cancer cells, but cannot finish off melanoma

This past summer saw a revolution in melanoma therapy. Patients whose melanoma lesions contain a mutation in the BRAF gene were successfully treated with a BRAF-specific inhibitor, PLX4032. Reports of the drug trial described shrinking tumors and improved health. Yet seven months after therapy began the tumors returned and resumed growing. Now, scientists at The Wistar Institute explain why: the tumor learns to signal around the blocked gene by adjusting its molecular wiring.

15 Dec 2010

Develogen enters license, collaboration agreement with MedImmune on insulin beta cell regeneration

Evotec AG today announced that via its subsidiary Develogen AG it has entered into a license and collaboration agreement with MedImmune (the global biologics unit of AstraZeneca), in the diabetes therapeutic area, with a particular focus on the regeneration of insulin producing beta cells. The license gives MedImmune exclusive access to a portfolio of research programs and represents the first deal executed by Evotec on beta cell regeneration assets and capabilities.

15 Dec 2010

Domainex wins 2010 Genesis Life Science Innovation and Enterprise Programme Of The Year Award

Domainex Ltd, the leading UK-based drug discovery CRO, has won the 2010 Genesis Life Science Innovation and Enterprise Programme Of The Year Award. This Award was made in recognition of Domainex's proactive work on promoting academic-industry collaborations, and was adjudicated by leading representatives of the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries.

From Domainex 15 Dec 2010

Researchers introduce new class of drugs for HCV patients

To improve the care for individuals infected with the hepatitis C virus, a major health problem and a leading cause of chronic liver disease around the world, nearly 200 international hepatitis experts have taken an important step in escalating the introduction of a new class of targeted therapies for HCV – direct-acting antivirals.

15 Dec 2010

Elekta to sell 49% stake in Motala Verkstad to Qeep

Elekta has signed an agreement to sell its 49 percent stake in Motala Verkstad AB. The buyer is Qeep Group.

From Elekta 15 Dec 2010

Ipsen discontinues development of chimeric compound BIM 23A760 for acromegaly

Ipsen announced today that the preliminary data from the ongoing phase IIb study in patients with acromegaly for its chimeric compound BIM 23A760 does not meet the expected inhibition of growth hormone (GH) and IGF-1 levels after repeat dosing. Preliminary phase IIb data showed a strong dopaminergic activity but only weak evidence of somatostatinergic activity.

15 Dec 2010

Study broadens understanding of role of IDH1 and IDH2 mutations in AML

Agios Pharmaceuticals, the leading biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing novel drugs in the rapidly emerging field of cancer metabolism, today announced the publication of a paper in Cancer Cell that illuminates the mechanism by which 2-hydroxyglutarate (2HG), and the mutations in the metabolic genes IDH1 and IDH2 that produce it, may be driving the growth of tumors in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

15 Dec 2010

Study suggests unexpected role for NLRP3 protein in cancer vaccine development

The promise of vaccines targeted against various types of cancer has raised the hopes of patients and their families. The reality, however, is that these promising treatments are difficult to develop. One of the challenges is identifying a discrete cellular target to stop cancer growth without inactivating the immune system. Scientists at UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center report a laboratory finding that has the potential to increase the effectiveness of therapeutic cancer vaccines.

15 Dec 2010

CRI introduces new model of philanthropic investment to improve cancer patient care

Cancer Research Institute, Inc. (CRI), a U.S. nonprofit organization established in 1953 to advance the science of tumor immunology and foster the discovery of new cancer immunotherapies, announced today the launch of the Cancer Vaccine Acceleration Fund (CVAF), a new model of philanthropic investment and academic-industry collaboration established in partnership with the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research Ltd (LICR) to speed the clinical development of therapeutic cancer vaccines and other immune system-based therapies.

15 Dec 2010

Genes predict survival time, potential new treatments for patients with non-small cell lung cancer

Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have discovered sets of genes active in cancer cells and normal tissue that predict survival time and potential new treatments for patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

15 Dec 2010

Program reduces cervical cancer deaths among HIV-infected women in Zambia

A new study undertaken in Zambia shows that, using setting-appropriate human resources and technology, morbidity and mortality from cervical cancer among HIV-infected women can be reduced. The study’s lead author is Dr Groesbeck Parham, Professor of Gynecologic Oncology and Infectious Diseases, University of Alabama at Birmingham, and Director of the Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia’s Cervical Cancer Prevention Program. The research was published in the December issue of HIV Therapy.

14 Dec 2010

Tolerx commences TRX518 Phase 1 trial in malignant melanoma

Tolerx, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company developing novel therapies to treat autoimmune diseases and cancer by modulating T cell activity, today announced that it has initiated a Phase 1 clinical trial to assess the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetic, and pharmacodynamic profiles of TRX518, a monoclonal antibody designed to enhance the immune system by enabling T cells to more effectively attack cancer cells.

14 Dec 2010

Provectus commences PH-10 Phase 2c trial for psoriasis

Provectus Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a development-stage oncology and dermatology biopharmaceutical company, has initiated a Phase 2c clinical trial of PH-10 for psoriasis. This multicenter, randomized controlled Phase 2c study is expected to enroll up to 90 subjects at four different sites, beginning in late December.

14 Dec 2010

Response Genetics presents two gene expression analysis for personalized cancer tharapy selection

Response Genetics Inc., a company focused on the development and sale of molecular diagnostic tests for cancer, announced the results of two separate analyses at national medical conferences.

14 Dec 2010

Scientists discover new way in which HPV triggers cancer

University of Manchester scientists have discovered for the first time an important new way in which the human papilloma virus (HPV) triggers cancer in what could lead to new treatments for cervical and mouth cancer.

14 Dec 2010

Chinese hospital uses UNIQUE radiotherapy system to treat cancer patients

Prince of Wales Hospital in Hong Kong, China, has become the first treatment center in Asia to commence treating cancer patients using the UNIQUE™ medical linear accelerator from Varian Medical Systems (NYSE: VAR).

14 Dec 2010

Genomic Health announces results of Oncotype DX test in early-stage breast cancer patients

"We provide optimal care to breast cancer patients when we treat the underlying biology of their individual tumors," said Steven Shak, MD, chief medical officer of Genomic Health.

14 Dec 2010

Roche launches new xCELLigence System RTCA HT Instrument

The new xCELLigence System RTCA HT Instrument from Roche Diagnostics rounds out the company's portfolio in real-time cell analysis with a high-throughput product. The new instrument merges the power and flexibility of xCELLigence System technology with high-throughput analyses and workflows for automated screening applications.

From Roche Sequencing and Life Science 14 Dec 2010

Nektar reports positive results from NKTR-102 Phase 2 study in metastatic breast cancer at CTRC-AACR SABCS

Nektar Therapeutics today announced positive results from a Phase 2 clinical study evaluating single-agent NKTR-102 in patients with metastatic breast cancer during the 33rd Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS). NKTR-102, a novel investigational topoisomerase I inhibitor-polymer conjugate, is Nektar's lead oncology candidate and is being evaluated in multiple cancer indications.

14 Dec 2010

GTx announces Capesaris proof of concept clinical trail in men with advanced prostate cancer

BETHESDA, Md.,GTx, Inc. this weekend presented results of the Capesaris™ (GTx-758) proof of concept pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) clinical trial at the Annual Meeting of the Society of Urologic Oncology.

14 Dec 2010

Oncology News and Research

Further Reading

Targeting mutant BRAF can kill cancer cells, but cannot finish off melanoma

Develogen enters license, collaboration agreement with MedImmune on insulin beta cell regeneration

Domainex wins 2010 Genesis Life Science Innovation and Enterprise Programme Of The Year Award

Researchers introduce new class of drugs for HCV patients

Elekta to sell 49% stake in Motala Verkstad to Qeep

Ipsen discontinues development of chimeric compound BIM 23A760 for acromegaly

Study broadens understanding of role of IDH1 and IDH2 mutations in AML

Study suggests unexpected role for NLRP3 protein in cancer vaccine development

CRI introduces new model of philanthropic investment to improve cancer patient care

Genes predict survival time, potential new treatments for patients with non-small cell lung cancer

Program reduces cervical cancer deaths among HIV-infected women in Zambia

Tolerx commences TRX518 Phase 1 trial in malignant melanoma

Provectus commences PH-10 Phase 2c trial for psoriasis

Response Genetics presents two gene expression analysis for personalized cancer tharapy selection

Scientists discover new way in which HPV triggers cancer

Chinese hospital uses UNIQUE radiotherapy system to treat cancer patients

Genomic Health announces results of Oncotype DX test in early-stage breast cancer patients

Roche launches new xCELLigence System RTCA HT Instrument

Nektar reports positive results from NKTR-102 Phase 2 study in metastatic breast cancer at CTRC-AACR SABCS

GTx announces Capesaris proof of concept clinical trail in men with advanced prostate cancer

Your guide to microplate readers for cancer research eBook

Designing fluidic architecture for scalable diagnostic platforms

Evaluating new approaches for rare disease genomics

Expanding access to NMR with the Fourier 80 Duo

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