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New biomarkers can predict patients' response to certain drugs

Recent advances in cancer therapeutics have led to the discovery of biomarkers that can predict patient response to certain drugs. Screening for mutations in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGRF) prior to non-small cell lung cancer treatment, for example, has been shown to indentify patients who are likely to respond to treatment with erlontinib. This maximizes the drug's impact, and spares patients who are not likely to benefit from being subjected to potentially debilitating side effects.

19 Nov 2009

Radiation breakthrough to treat breast cancer patients in one day arrives at CTCA

A radiation breakthrough to treat breast cancer patients in one day, as opposed to the current average of six weeks, has arrived at Cancer Treatment Centers of America(R) (CTCA) in Philadelphia. CTCA will become the first in the country to offer this treatment option using the Novac7 technology from Rome, Italy.

19 Nov 2009

Dual niacin-statin therapy improves blood cholesterol levels but does not diminish plaque buildup

The routine prescription of extended-release niacin, a B vitamin (1,500 milligrams daily), in combination with traditional cholesterol-lowering therapy offers no extra benefit in correcting arterial narrowing and diminishing plaque buildup in seniors who already have coronary artery disease, a new vascular imaging study from Johns Hopkins experts shows.

19 Nov 2009

Interim data from an ongoing phase 1 dose-escalation trial of XL147 reported

Exelixis, Inc. today reported interim data from an ongoing phase 1 dose-escalation trial of XL147 (SAR245408) in combination with the EGFR inhibitor erlotinib in patients with advanced solid tumors.

19 Nov 2009

Way to capture tumor cells in the bloodstream discovered

A team led by University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) researchers on the cutting edge of nanotechnology has found a way to capture tumor cells in the bloodstream that could dramatically improve earlier cancer diagnosis and prevent deadly metastasis.

18 Nov 2009

World's first intra-arterial cerebral infusion of Avastin directly into a patient's malignant brain tumor

Neurosurgeons from NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center performed the world's first intra-arterial cerebral infusion of Avastin (bevacizumab) directly into a patient's malignant brain tumor. This novel intra-arterial (IA) technique may expose the cancer to higher doses of the drug therapy, while possibly sparing the patient common side effects of receiving the drug intravenously (IV) or throughout their body.

18 Nov 2009

Five strength training exercises reduce repetitive strain injury caused by office work

Strength training exercises using dumbbells can reduce pain and improve function in the trapezius muscle, the large muscle which extends from the back of the head, down the neck and into the upper back. The exercises also improve the muscle's ability to respond quickly and forcefully among women suffering trapezius myalgia, a tenderness and tightness in the upper trapezius muscle.

18 Nov 2009

American Cancer Society partners with ENTA to spread anti-smoking message among teens

The American Cancer Society and ENT and Allergy Associates, LLP (ENTA) are once again teaming up to bring a strong and relevant anti-smoking message to teens and ENTA patients through a strategic partnership that includes outreach to local high schools and patient education.

18 Nov 2009

Oncolytics Biotech's REOLYSIN combined with paclitaxel and carboplatin well tolerated for advanced cancers

Oncolytics Biotech Inc. today announced updated results from a Phase I/II U.K. trial (REO 011) of REOLYSIN(R) combined with paclitaxel/carboplatin for patients with advanced cancers in a poster presentation at the 2009 AACR-NCI-EORTC Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics conference being held in Boston, Massachusetts.

17 Nov 2009

Statin therapy should still be used first to reach blood cholesterol levels before considering niacin

Heart experts at Johns Hopkins are calling premature the early halt of a study by researchers at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and Washington Hospital Center on the benefits of combining extended-release niacin, a B vitamin, with cholesterol-lowering statin medications to prevent blood vessel narrowing. Cardiovascular atherosclerosis, as it is also known, is believed responsible for one in three deaths in the United States each year.

17 Nov 2009

Erbitux recognized as one of the major clinical cancer advances of 2009

The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) has once again recognized Erbitux® (cetuximab) as one of the major clinical cancer advances of 2009. This year Erbitux was selected by ASCO for providing the first significant increase in survival for 30 years in the treatment of patients with 1st-line recurrent and/or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN).

16 Nov 2009

First-quarter fiscal 2010 results announced by IsoRay

IsoRay Inc. a medical isotope company focusing on the treatment of prostate, lung, head and neck and other malignant disease through the use of its proprietary radioisotope technology, announced its financial results for the first quarter of fiscal year 2010, ended September 30, 2009.

16 Nov 2009

Effect of niacin or ezetimibe added to chronic statin therapy on carotid intima media thickness: Study

In combination with statins, adding a medication that raises high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol was more effective in reversing artery wall plaque buildup and in reducing heart disease risk than adding a drug that lowers low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, researchers reported today at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions 2009.

16 Nov 2009

UT physicians treat Iraqi girl with myasthenia gravis

Plagued by a growing weakness that left her unable to walk, talk and even take a normal breath, 11-year-old Iraqi Aram Ali was a shell of the bright little girl she used to be.

16 Nov 2009

Nutra Pharma to market its OTC pain reliever in Brazil and Colombia, begins the drug registration process

Nutra Pharma Corp., a biotechnology company that is developing treatments for Adrenomyeloneuropathy (AMN), HIV and Multiple Sclerosis (MS), has announced today that it plans to begin the drug registration process in Brazil and Colombia for its over-the-counter (OTC) pain reliever. The company is currently marketing a similar drug in the United States under the brand name Cobroxin for the treatment of moderate to severe (Stage 2) chronic pain.

13 Nov 2009

CMS approves FDG PET for initial staging of cervical cancer

SNM applauds the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services- (CMS) decision to expand coverage of FDG PET for the initial staging of cervical cancer without previously imposed restrictions.

13 Nov 2009

Mouth: A diagnostic indicator for general health

The mouth or oral cavity area is an excellent indicator of the whole body's health, says Mao, who is the chair of the new Department of Oncology and Diagnostic Sciences at the School.

13 Nov 2009

Exposure to deadly bacteria can result in stillbirths

A new study shows the risk for severe effects of exposure to Listeria monocytogenes among susceptible populations may occur at doses lower than suggested by previous studies.

13 Nov 2009

Catheter-directed therapy: First-line treatment option for massive pulmonary embolism

Catheter-directed therapy or catheter-directed thrombolysis-an interventional radiology treatment that uses targeted image-guided drug delivery with specially designed catheters to dissolve dangerous blood clots in the lungs-saves lives and should be considered a first-line treatment option for massive pulmonary embolism, note researchers in the November Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology.

12 Nov 2009

Osteotech highlights Magnifuse bone grafting products at NASS Annual Meeting

Osteotech, Inc., a leader in the emerging field of biologic products for regenerative healing, today announced it is highlighting three procedure-specific MagniFuse(TM) bone grafting products for different spine therapy areas at the North American Spine Society (NASS) 2009 Annual Meeting, taking place November 10th through 14th in San Francisco, California. To date MagniFuse has been used in 40 spinal surgeries in the United States

11 Nov 2009

Neck News and Research

New biomarkers can predict patients' response to certain drugs

Radiation breakthrough to treat breast cancer patients in one day arrives at CTCA

Dual niacin-statin therapy improves blood cholesterol levels but does not diminish plaque buildup

Interim data from an ongoing phase 1 dose-escalation trial of XL147 reported

Way to capture tumor cells in the bloodstream discovered

World's first intra-arterial cerebral infusion of Avastin directly into a patient's malignant brain tumor

Five strength training exercises reduce repetitive strain injury caused by office work

American Cancer Society partners with ENTA to spread anti-smoking message among teens

Oncolytics Biotech's REOLYSIN combined with paclitaxel and carboplatin well tolerated for advanced cancers

Statin therapy should still be used first to reach blood cholesterol levels before considering niacin

Erbitux recognized as one of the major clinical cancer advances of 2009

First-quarter fiscal 2010 results announced by IsoRay

Effect of niacin or ezetimibe added to chronic statin therapy on carotid intima media thickness: Study

UT physicians treat Iraqi girl with myasthenia gravis

Nutra Pharma to market its OTC pain reliever in Brazil and Colombia, begins the drug registration process

CMS approves FDG PET for initial staging of cervical cancer

Mouth: A diagnostic indicator for general health

Exposure to deadly bacteria can result in stillbirths

Catheter-directed therapy: First-line treatment option for massive pulmonary embolism

Osteotech highlights Magnifuse bone grafting products at NASS Annual Meeting

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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