Biopsy News and Research

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Biopsy is the removal of cells or tissues for examination by a pathologist. The pathologist may study the tissue under a microscope or perform other tests on the cells or tissue. There are many different types of biopsy procedures. The most common types include: (1) incisional biopsy, in which only a sample of tissue is removed; (2) excisional biopsy, in which an entire lump or suspicious area is removed; and (3) needle biopsy, in which a sample of tissue or fluid is removed with a needle. When a wide needle is used, the procedure is called a core biopsy. When a thin needle is used, the procedure is called a fine-needle aspiration biopsy.

New study suggests PSA test effective for men with prostate cancer

The PSA screening test for prostate cancer is not perfect. It can indicate cancer when none is present and miss life-threatening tumors. But a new study suggests the test is more reliable in men taking dutasteride (Avodart®), a drug widely prescribed to shrink an enlarged prostate gland.

17 Dec 2010

Gene variant linked to liver cirrhosis in Caucasians

A new study by German researchers found that a variation in the PNPLA3 (adiponutrin) gene was associated with cirrhosis of the liver and elevated transaminase (liver enzyme) levels in alcoholic Caucasians. The risk of cirrhosis in alcoholics in the genetic high risk group might be as high as 25 to 50%. Full findings are published in the January 2011 issue of Hepatology, a journal of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases.

16 Dec 2010

Gene variation linked to liver cirrhosis in alcoholic caucasians

16 Dec 2010

DeCODE Genetics identify SNPs to derive PSA threshold for diagnosing prostrate cancer

Scientists from deCODE genetics and academic colleagues from Iceland, the UK, US, Netherlands, Spain and Romania today report the discovery of a set of single-letter variations in the sequence of the human genome that impact individual baseline levels of prostate specific antigen, or PSA.

16 Dec 2010

New study says celiac disease patients should go on gluten-free diet

Findings from a new study of 141 adults add to an ongoing medical debate over which patients with symptoms of celiac disease should go on a gluten-free diet. Published in ACS' Journal of Proteome Research, the study concludes that people currently diagnosed as "potential" celiac disease patients and not advised to follow a gluten-free diet may not be "potential" patients at all. Rather, the scientists found that these patients have the same distinctive metabolic fingerprint as patients with full-blown disease who do benefit from gluten-free diets.

16 Dec 2010

BSGI/MBI provides additional information when conventional imaging is indeterminate in diagnosing breast cancer

Dr. Barbara Ward and others of Weinstein Imaging determined that Breast-Specific Gamma Imaging/Molecular Breast Imaging (BSGI/MBI) provides additional information when conventional imaging is indeterminate and greater confidence is required to improve diagnostic accuracy. The data from the retrospective study demonstrated that BSGI contributed significantly to patient management by detecting cancer in 7 of the 73 patients (9%), and was presented last week at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium.

15 Dec 2010

Clinical trial investigates pomalidomide in only U.S. study for multiple myeloma

Multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer in which malignant plasma cells are overproduced in the bone marrow, has led to an estimated 20,000 new diagnoses and 11,000 deaths in 2010. Patients with the disease, who have already failed previous treatments, may be considered for a currently enrolling Phase II study, examining a unique drug combination.

14 Dec 2010

Prostate cancer study identifies 295 genes associated with clinical recurrence following radical prostatectomy

Genomic Health, Inc. today announced the first results of a large prostate cancer study that identified 295 genes strongly associated with clinical recurrence following radical prostatectomy. Top-line findings from this study, which applied the same RT-PCR technology used in Genomic Health's Oncotype DX® breast and colon cancer tests, will be presented today at the Society for Urologic Oncology (SUO) annual meeting.

13 Dec 2010

Clarient introduces Mammostrat test to quantify likelihood of breast cancer recurrence

Clarient, Inc., a premier technology and services resource for pathologists, oncologists and the pharmaceutical industry, today announced the commercial launch of Mammostrat, a patented, novel test designed to help quantify the likelihood of recurrence of breast cancer following surgery and initial treatment.

9 Dec 2010

Researchers develop imaging technology that can accurately identify prostate cancer

Prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer among men, but its diagnosis has up to now been inaccurate and unpleasant. Researchers at Eindhoven University of Technology in the Netherlands, in cooperation with AMC Amsterdam, have developed an imaging technology that can accurately identify tumors.

8 Dec 2010

Interim results from Cytheris CYT107 Phase I clinical trial in TCD bone marrow transplant patients

Cytheris SA, a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on research and development of new therapies for immune modulation, today announced interim results from a Phase I clinical trial of its investigational drug candidate, recombinant human Interleukin-7 (CYT107), in the treatment of post-transplant patients with T-cell depleted (TCD) bone marrow or peripheral blood stem cell transplants.

7 Dec 2010

URMC's Cone Beam CT scanner studies presented at RSNA 2010

While questions persist about the best ways to detect breast cancer early, a CT imaging system developed at the University of Rochester Medical Center and first unveiled five years ago is in a better position today to enter the fray -- at least in a supporting role to conventional mammography.

4 Dec 2010

FDA accepts to file PMA application for LightTouch Cervical Scanner

Guided Therapeutics, Inc. announced that it was notified by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that the company's premarket approval application (PMA) for the LightTouch Cervical Scanner, for patients at risk for cervical cancer, is suitable for filing.

3 Dec 2010

FDA advisory committee votes against Avodart sNDA for prostate cancer risk reduction

GlaxoSmithKline today announced the results of a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee (ODAC) meeting to discuss the supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) for Avodart® (dutasteride) for reducing the risk of prostate cancer in men at risk for the disease, defined as those who have had a prior negative biopsy due to clinical concern and have an elevated serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA).

2 Dec 2010

Dec. 1 news from RSNA 2010

The risk of developing radiation-induced cancer from computed tomography (CT) may be lower than previously thought, according to a Stanford University study. Using more than 10 million Medicare claims from 1998 through 2005, the researchers analyzed the distribution of CT scans, determined the ionizing radiation exposure associated with the exams and estimated the associated cancer risk in a population of older adults.

1 Dec 2010

Toshiba introduces women's imaging configuration for Aplio XG at RSNA 2010

Many healthcare providers use ultrasound as a first-line diagnostic tool in detecting and monitoring women's health conditions. To help meet the needs of healthcare providers administering women's imaging, Toshiba has introduced a women's imaging configuration for the Aplio™ XG at this year's Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) annual meeting in Chicago, Nov. 28 - Dec. 3, 2010.

1 Dec 2010

Penicillamine challenge ineffective for detecting Wilson's disease in asymptomatic children

An Italian research team confirmed that the scoring system for Wilson's disease (WD) provides good diagnostic accuracy with 93% positive and 92% negative predictive values, respectively in children with mild liver disease. In asymptomatic children, a urinary copper excretion above 40 μg/24 hours was suggestive of WD, however the penicillamine challenge test (PCT) did not provide an accurate diagnosis in this patient subset.

1 Dec 2010

Active surveillance improves quality of life in low-risk prostate cancer patients

In a study that compared initial treatment strategies for low-risk prostate cancer among men 65 years old, active surveillance showed higher measures on quality of life compared to an initial treatment such as radical prostatectomy, although the optimal strategy was highly dependent on individual patient preferences for surveillance or treatment, according to a study in the December 1 issue of JAMA.

1 Dec 2010

Physician-scientists enroll patients with NSCLC cancer in MAGE-A3 Phase III trial

An experimental immunotherapy may someday become the newest weapon against lung cancer. Physician-scientists from Weill Cornell Medical College and Columbia University Medical Center are enrolling patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital as part of an ongoing Phase III trial.

1 Dec 2010

MRS imaging technique may help diagnose chronic traumatic encephalopathy

In a study of ex-pro athletes, researchers found that a specialized imaging technique called magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) may help diagnose chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a disorder caused by repetitive head trauma that currently can only be definitively diagnosed at autopsy. Results of the study were presented today at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).

1 Dec 2010

Biopsy News and Research

Further Reading

New study suggests PSA test effective for men with prostate cancer

Gene variant linked to liver cirrhosis in Caucasians

Gene variation linked to liver cirrhosis in alcoholic caucasians

DeCODE Genetics identify SNPs to derive PSA threshold for diagnosing prostrate cancer

New study says celiac disease patients should go on gluten-free diet

BSGI/MBI provides additional information when conventional imaging is indeterminate in diagnosing breast cancer

Clinical trial investigates pomalidomide in only U.S. study for multiple myeloma

Prostate cancer study identifies 295 genes associated with clinical recurrence following radical prostatectomy

Clarient introduces Mammostrat test to quantify likelihood of breast cancer recurrence

Researchers develop imaging technology that can accurately identify prostate cancer

Interim results from Cytheris CYT107 Phase I clinical trial in TCD bone marrow transplant patients

URMC's Cone Beam CT scanner studies presented at RSNA 2010

FDA accepts to file PMA application for LightTouch Cervical Scanner

FDA advisory committee votes against Avodart sNDA for prostate cancer risk reduction

Dec. 1 news from RSNA 2010

Toshiba introduces women's imaging configuration for Aplio XG at RSNA 2010

Penicillamine challenge ineffective for detecting Wilson's disease in asymptomatic children

Active surveillance improves quality of life in low-risk prostate cancer patients

Physician-scientists enroll patients with NSCLC cancer in MAGE-A3 Phase III trial

MRS imaging technique may help diagnose chronic traumatic encephalopathy

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

Examining how pain could play a direct protective role in the gut

From Puberty to Menopause: Clue’s CEO, Audrey Tsang on the Power of Femtech

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