Leukemia News and Research

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Leukemia (Leukaemia) is a cancer of the blood cells. It is the most common type of blood cancer and affects 10 times as many adults as children. Most people diagnosed with leukemia are over 50 years old. No one knows why some people develop leukemia and others do not. However, scientists have identified some risk factors for the disease. Most people who have known risk factors do not get leukemia, while many who do get the disease have none of these risk factors. During the early stages of leukemia, there may be no symptoms. Many of the symptoms of leukemia don't become apparent until a large number of normal blood cells are crowded out by leukemia cells.

Results of EpiCept's Special Meeting of Stockholders announced

EpiCept Corporation announced today the results of its Special Meeting of Stockholders held on January 7, 2010 in Tarrytown, NY.

9 Jan 2010

Biomarker may enable personalized GVHD treatment for bone marrow transplant patients

University of Michigan researchers have identified the first biomarker of graft-versus-host disease of the skin. The discovery makes possible a simple blood test that should solve a treatment dilemma facing doctors with patients who frequently develop rashes after bone marrow transplants.

9 Jan 2010

VA expected to move soon to cover more effects of Agent Orange

The Department of Veterans Affairs may need to pay heavily to treat veterans who have been adversely affected by Agent Orange. McClatchy/Beaufort (S.C.) Gazette report: "The cost of war -- on veterans' health and taxpayer wallets -- will loom a little larger in the new year when the Department of Veterans Affairs issues a final rule to claim adjudicators to presume three more diseases of Vietnam veterans, including heart disease, were caused by exposure to Agent Orange.

8 Jan 2010

Canadian Cancer Society calls on the B.C. government to ban cosmetic use of pesticides

The Canadian Cancer Society British Columbia and Yukon today called on the B.C. government to enact legislation to ban the cosmetic use of pesticides that would set a new national standard. The Society is also asking British Columbians to participate in the on-line public consultation.

8 Jan 2010

Zebrafish publishes special issue on cancer biology

The zebrafish, a translucent fish often used as a model of human development and disease, offers unique advantages for studying the cause, growth, and spread of tumors using strategies and methods presented in the current "Cancer Biology" special issue of Zebrafish, a peer-reviewed journal published by Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. (www.liebertpub.com). The entire issue is available free online at www.liebertpub.com/zeb

8 Jan 2010

Preliminary studies show cancer vaccine may reduce tumor cells in CML patients

Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center researchers say preliminary studies show that a vaccine made with leukemia cells may be able to reduce or eliminate the last remaining cancer cells in some chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients taking the drug Imatinib mesylate (Gleevec).

8 Jan 2010

Epigenetic diagnosis and therapies, a new strategy for treating cancer

A tumor's genetic profile is often useful when diagnosing and deciding on treatment for certain cancers, but inexplicably, genetically similar leukemias in different patients do not always respond well to the same therapy.

7 Jan 2010

Tumor Biology Center to initiate Phase 2 clinical trial with CytRx’s INNO-206

CytRx Corporation, a biopharmaceutical company, today announced that the Tumor Biology Center, Freiburg, Germany, plans to initiate a Phase 2 clinical trial with CytRx’s doxorubicin prodrug INNO-206 as a treatment for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer.

6 Jan 2010

CSHL scientist discovers how bookmarking protein triggers leukemia

Each cell inherits genes from its parent as well as epigenetic information - what amounts to an instruction manual that specifies which genes should be activated or "expressed," when and to what level.

6 Jan 2010

Scott & White's CRI launches two clinical trials targeting cancers

Scott & White's Cancer Research Institute (CRI) has launched two clinical trials targeting cancers that affect both adults and children.

6 Jan 2010

New research may yield more effective treatment for childhood leukemia

A team of Israeli scientists at the Sheba Medical Center's Research Center for Leukemia and Childhood Malignancies has discovered a method for developing a more effective and less perilous treatment for those suffering from childhood leukemia, the most common cancer in children.

6 Jan 2010

Cancer Research UK and CRT to undertake phase I clinical trial of DI-B4

CANCER RESEARCH UK and Cancer Research Technology (CRT), the charity's development and commercialisation arm, are to undertake a phase I clinical trial of an investigational monoclonal antibody1 drug from Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, called DI-B4 - it is announced today (Monday).

6 Jan 2010

Cord Blood America signs Letter of Intent to process and store cord blood specimens for BioCells

Cord Blood America, Inc., the umbilical cord blood stem cell preservation company (http://www.cordblood-america.com) focused on bringing the life saving potential of stem cells, a biological insurance policy, to families nationwide and internationally, said today that it has signed a Letter of Intent to process and store cord blood specimens for BioCells, Inc., headquartered in Argentina, and its affiliates in Peru, Colombia, Bolivia, Panama and Puerto Rico.

4 Jan 2010

Experimental lung cancer drug promising against brain cancer glioblastoma and prostate cancer

An experimental drug currently being tested against breast and lung cancer shows promise in fighting the brain cancer glioblastoma and prostate cancer, researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have found in two preclinical studies.

4 Jan 2010

Sharing Miracles: A TV program that features inspirational stories of real patients

Major League Baseball slugger Aaron Boone will be featured on January's episode of Sharing Miracles - a 30-minute public affairs television program that tells the compelling and inspirational stories of real patients. Sharing Miracles airs every week on more than 300 television stations nationwide.

31 Dec 2009

FDA evaluates Phase III randomized trial in acute myeloid leukemia

VION PHARMACEUTICALS, INC., announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") had responded to its Special Protocol Assessment ("SPA") request to evaluate the Phase III randomized trial HOVON AML 92 sponsored by the Dutch-Belgian Cooperative Group for Hematology Oncology ("HOVON") of its lead product Onrigin(TM).

31 Dec 2009

Omni Hotels & Resorts partners with GHA to host "Lasso for Life" event

Top marketing representatives of Omni Hotels & Resorts and the other Global Hotel Alliance brand members recently hosted a unique "Lasso for Life" event benefitting the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS).

30 Dec 2009

New project analyzes genetic sequence and variations of every gene expressed by 1,000 tumors

No two tumors are alike, but analyzing the genetics of cancers from different parts of the body may reveal surprising details useful for treatment and prevention.

22 Dec 2009

A properly managed metabolic detoxification program can benefit

“Detox” programs have been in the spotlight recently, with a bevy of Hollywood celebrities citing their “detox” programs as the secret to looking great on the red carpet. But, what exactly is detoxification? Is it merely the latest health and beauty fad, or is it a true health therapy? And can anyone besides the Hollywood elite benefit from it?

22 Dec 2009

Cell Therapeutics supports Code on Interactions with Healthcare Professionals

Cell Therapeutics, Inc. announced today its support of the Pharmaceutical Research Manufacturers of America's (PhRMA) "Code on Interactions with Healthcare Professionals, revised July 2008" (PhRMA Code). Adherence to the Code is voluntary for commercial biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies.

22 Dec 2009