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Ancient DNA sequences within human cells can help cancer cells survive: Study

A new study in the journal Nature Medicine, part-funded by Cancer Research UK, has discovered that ancient DNA sequences within human cells can actually help cancer cells survive - at least in one type of the disease.

7 May 2010

Chemical changes in genetic material regulate activity of many genes

Chemical changes in the genetic material, known as epigenetic modifications, regulate the activity of many genes. Thus, attachment of methyl groups to DNA often inactivates important cellular growth brakes. Therefore, this process called methylation is believed to be a major cause of uncontrolled division of cancer cells. Specific enzymes, the DNA methyltransferases, are responsible for methylation.

7 May 2010

Researchers discover a new driving force behind cancer growth

Researchers from the University of Leeds, UK, the Charit- University Medical School and the Max Delbr-ck Centre for Molecular Medicine (MDC) in Berlin, Germany, have discovered a new driving force behind cancer growth.

3 May 2010

High incidence of MDS among seniors, elderly at increased risk of premature death: Study

Myelodysplastic syndromes - a group of serious blood cancers - are nearly five times more common in seniors than previously thought, according to a new study by researchers from the John Theurer Cancer Center at Hackensack University Medical Center.

27 Apr 2010

MMRC Multiple Myeloma Genomics Initiative presented at AACR 2010

An analysis of 38 myeloma tumor genomes surveyed through extensive next-generation sequencing by the Broad Institute has revealed intriguing recurrent mutations that point to important cellular pathways which contribute to multiple myeloma. These data were revealed during an oral presentation entitled "First Impressions of the Multiple Myeloma Genome" by Todd R. Golub, MD, Director of the Cancer Program at the Eli and Edythe L. Broad Institute.

21 Apr 2010

San Antonio residents to gather at The Westin La Cantera Resort for LLS’s Man & Woman of the Year campaign

On April 1, residents of San Antonio will gather at The Westin La Cantera Resort to “Mix & Mingle for a Cure,” from 5:30 to 8:30 pm, to benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS)’s Man & Woman of the Year campaign.

27 Mar 2010

ChemGenex shares falter as FDA requests more data on new leukemia drug

ChemGenex Pharmaceuticals Ltd. Shares fell most in the last 16 years to AUD$0.44 following a concern raised by the US drug regulators – US FDA. The FDA requested on Monday for more uniform clinical test data before they review and consider approval of the company’s new leukemia drug.

23 Mar 2010

Vertebroplasty helps patients become better equipped to continue with treatment for multiple myeloma

Treating non-osteoporotic compression fractures in patients with multiple myeloma, a blood cancer, shows that the use of vertebroplasty-a minimally invasive treatment performed by interventional radiologists using imaging guidance that stabilizes collapsed vertebrae with the injection of medical-grade bone cement into the spine-results in a reduction of pain, medication usage and disability, according to researchers in the largest study of its kind at the Society of Interventional Radiology's 35th Annual Scientific Meeting in Tampa, Fla.

16 Mar 2010

LLS, FORMA Therapeutics collaborate to develop small molecule compounds against Bcl-6

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and FORMA Therapeutics, Inc., today announced they have begun a partnership to discover and develop small molecule compounds against a key lymphoma target, Bcl-6.

15 Mar 2010

Recipients for 2010 Scholar Awards announced

The American Society of Hematology announces the 2010 recipients of its Scholar Awards. The program is designed to support hematologists who have chosen a career in research by providing partial salary or other support during that critical period required for completion of training and achievement of status as an independent investigator.

5 Mar 2010

MLL cancer cells rely on normal protein to proliferate

Researchers have found that one particularly aggressive type of blood cancer, mixed lineage leukemia (MLL), has an unusual way to keep the molecular motors running. The cancer cells rely on the normal version of an associated protein to stay alive.

27 Feb 2010

FDA approves 53 new cancer indications between July 2005 and end of 2007

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Office of Oncology Drug Products approved more than 50 new indications for the use of oncology and hematology drugs and biologics between July 2005, when the office began reviewing marketing applications, and the end of 2007, according to a new agency study.

19 Feb 2010

Charity Navigator bestows MMRF coveted 4-star rating for efforts in finding cure for multiple myeloma

The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) announced today that it has received a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, America's largest independent evaluator of charitable donations, for demonstrating exceptional fiscal responsibility in its efforts to bring patients the next generation of treatments and find a cure for multiple myeloma. This is the seventh consecutive year the MMRF has been honored with this distinguished recognition.

18 Feb 2010

LLS increases maximum benefit for myeloma patients to $10,000

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is pleased to announce that, effective Feb. 1, 2010, patients with myeloma and waldenstrom macroglobulinemia will now be able to receive up to $10,000 in support to help offset the costs of prescription drug co-pays and other insurance related expenses.

3 Feb 2010

Students collect money to support vital cancer research initiatives

Millions of students across the country soon will share more than their "two cents" as they collect spare change to benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's (LLS) School & Youth campaign during Olive Garden's 16th-annual Pasta for Pennies program.

3 Feb 2010

Postdoctoral scientists receive prestigious award; grants totaling $1.54 million will help in funding innovative projects

The Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation, a non-profit organization focused on supporting exceptional early career researchers and innovative cancer research, named 11 new Damon Runyon Fellows at its November 2009 Fellowship Award Committee review.

22 Jan 2010

Gene variant predisposes humans to develop acute myeloid leukemia, says study

A large international research group led by Dr. Tarik M-r-y, a researcher at the Institut de recherches cliniques de Montr-al (IRCM), has discovered that a variant of the gene "Growth Factor Independence 1" (GFI1) predisposes humans to develop acute myeloid leukemia (AML), a certain subtype of blood cancer.

20 Jan 2010

Tackle Cancer Foundation calls attention to REVLIMID for myeloma patients

The TACKLE CANCER FOUNDATION wants to call attention to important news for patients with the blood cancer multiple myeloma. A new study shows patients benefit from daily medical treatments to keep their cancer in check after they have had a stem cell (bone marrow) transplant. The current standard of care is to give patients the transplant and then hold off on additional treatment until they relapse. The new study shows continuous treatment with the oral drug REVLIMID following the transplant significantly prolongs remission, increasing time to disease progression.

18 Dec 2009

Ambit Biosciences and Astellas Pharma to jointly develop and commercialize FLT3 kinase inhibitors

Ambit Biosciences Corporation and Astellas Pharma Inc. today announced that they have entered into a worldwide agreement to jointly develop and commercialize FLT3 kinase inhibitors in oncology and non-oncology indications.

18 Dec 2009

Genes work together by huddling in clusters inside nucleus, research reveals

Research from the Babraham Institute has revealed for the first time that genes work together by huddling in clusters inside the nucleus - the information centre of a cell. These findings, published in the online edition of the journal Nature Genetics, represent a paradigm shift in our understanding of how the genome is spatially organised in relation to gene expression.

16 Dec 2009