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''.

New Merck set to begin global health care operations

Merck & Co., Inc. today outlined its global plans following the completion of Merck's merger with Schering-Plough Corporation announced yesterday. The new Merck is a global health care leader aimed at providing innovative, distinctive products and services that save and improve lives, while satisfying customer needs and creating long term shareholder value.

5 Nov 2009

Cancer patients want strong relationship with their radiation oncologist

What do patients want from their radiation oncologists? The most significant preference is that more than one-third of female cancer patients (37 percent) prefer to have their hands held by their radiation oncologists during important office visits, compared to 12 percent of men, according to a randomized study presented November 4, 2009, at the 51st Annual Meeting of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO).

4 Nov 2009

Combination therapy before prostate removal may prevent recurrence of cancer

Researchers in the Oregon Health & Science University Knight Cancer Institute and the Portland Veterans Affairs Medical Center have found a combination of radiation therapy and chemotherapy given before prostate removal is safe and may have the potential to reduce cancer recurrence and improve patient survival.

4 Nov 2009

EUSA Pharma's PROSTASCINT effective in guiding targeted prostate cancer treatment

EUSA Pharma announced that PROSTASCINT® (capromab pendetide) fusion imaging was shown to effectively guide prostate cancer therapy targeting and dosing and is a significant predictor of disease free survival, according to data presented on Tuesday, November 3, 2009 at the 51st American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (ASTRO) annual meeting in Chicago, Illinois.

4 Nov 2009

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals and Roche team up to develop specific RNAi therapeutic products

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a leading RNAi therapeutics company, announced today that it has advanced to the RNAi therapeutic collaboration stage of its landmark alliance with Roche formed in 2007.

4 Nov 2009

Celldex announces third quarter and nine-month period results; acquires a net loss of $7.2 million

Celldex Therapeutics, Inc. today reported financial results for the third quarter and nine-month period ended September 30, 2009. Celldex reported a net loss of $7.2 million, or $0.45 per share, for the third quarter of 2009 compared to a net loss of $7.7 million, or $0.49 per share, for the third quarter of 2008.

4 Nov 2009

GI and hepatology societies take initiative to evaluate the current medical school curriculum

Due to the increasing complexities of treating digestive diseases, allowing gastroenterological (GI) trainee physicians the opportunity to develop enhanced abilities and experiences in specific disease areas or procedures will be a great benefit to patients, according to a "Report of the Multisociety Task Force on GI Training."

4 Nov 2009

TNF-alpha inhibitors ranked top for reducing biologics spend

Decision Resources, one of the world's leading research and advisory firms for pharmaceutical and healthcare issues, forecasts that biosimilars of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha inhibitors stand to erode $9.6 billion in brand sales (Amgen's Enbrel, Abbott's Humira and Centocor Ortho Biotech/Schering-Plough's Remicade) in the U.S. and Europe (France, Germany, Italy, Spain and U.K.) by 2018. This use of TNF-alpha biosimilars will save healthcare systems in the U.S. and Europe $4 billion.

4 Nov 2009

Program for clinical outsourcing and development professionals

The Institute for International Research is pleased to announce that as a chief component of its global branding strategy, the industry-leading Partnerships with CROs event is now known as Partnerships in Clinical Trials.

4 Nov 2009

IBN iCare to develop cutting-edge nanomaterials for ocular therapy

Marking a significant bench to bedside research milestone in Singapore, the Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (IBN), the world's first bioengineering and nanotechnology research institute, and the National University Hospital (NUH) launched the IBN iCare and the NUH Eye Centre @ Biopolis at an official opening ceremony officiated by the Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry and Education, S. Iswaran, at the Biopolis on Nov. 3, 2009.

4 Nov 2009

Non-small cell lung cancer patients who undergo PCI decrease their risk of developing brain metastases

Patients with non-small cell lung cancer treated with preventative brain radiation (called prophylactic cranial irradiation or PCI), significantly decrease their risk of developing brain metastases (cancer spread in the brain) by more than 50 percent (from 18 percent to 8 percent), compared to those who did not receive the treatment, according to a randomized study presented at the plenary session November 2, 2009, at the 51st Annual Meeting of American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO).

4 Nov 2009

Takeda Pharmaceuticals strengthens its North American market

Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America, Inc., today announced the incorporation of Takeda Pharmaceuticals Mexico, S.A. de C.V. This expansion strengthens the company's North American presence, bolstering existing operations in the United States and Canada. Takeda Pharmaceuticals Mexico will be headquartered in Mexico City.

4 Nov 2009

Patients who have an undetectable level of PSA after therapy have good chance of being cured

Fox Chase Cancer Center researchers report that radiation therapy alone can reduce prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels below detectable amounts in prostate cancer patients. Patients who have an undetectable level of PSA after therapy have less chance of biochemical failure than other patients and a good chance of being cured.

4 Nov 2009

LIFE Biosystems to support UT Southwestern's Clinical Trials Management System deployment

LIFE Biosystems AG announced today that it has entered into a master agreement with The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas to provide clinical research consulting services in the area of Clinical Trials Management System (CTMS) deployment support. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

4 Nov 2009

Obese lung cancer patients with diabeties more likely to develop chest wall pain after receiving stereotactic body radiation therapy

Obesity, not the amount of radiation given, is the greatest factor in whether early-stage lung cancer patients develop chest wall pain after receiving stereotactic body radiation therapy to the chest wall, with obese patients being more than twice as likely to develop chronic pain compared to those who have less body weight, according to a first-of-its-kind study presented Tuesday, November 3, 2009, at the 51st Annual Meeting of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO).

4 Nov 2009

AJCC Cancer Staging Manual brings together the relevant, evidence-based criteria for staging of cancer

Physicians and health care professionals around the world need a tool to facilitate the uniform description and reporting of cancer. Proper staging is essential to determine appropriate treatment, evaluate results of management and clinical trials, and to serve as the standard for local, regional and international reporting on cancer incidence and outcomes.

4 Nov 2009

superDimension's electromagnetic navigational bronchoscopy device receives AMA Category I CPT code

superDimension, Inc.®, a private company that develops minimally invasive interventional pulmonology devices, announced today that The American Medical Association (AMA) has issued a new Category I CPT® code for the use of the Company's electromagnetic navigational bronchoscopy (ENB) device to navigate to lesions or spots deep in the lungs.

4 Nov 2009

Webinar series on neuroendocrine tumours

The Canadian Oncology Societies and the Canadian Association of Medical Oncologists continue the series of webcasts on Neuroendocrine Tumours by presenting an hour-long webinar by Dr. Walter Kocha, Dr. Amil Shah, and Dr. Peter Metrakos. This webinar is part two of a three-part series and will cover the subjects of Surgery, Cardiology, Radiology & Principals of Medical Management in Treatment.

4 Nov 2009

HER2-positive breast cancer patients can be treated with Trastuzumab and adjuvant radiation therapy

Standard adjuvant treatment for HER2-positive breast cancer patients, following primary surgery for their cancer, is Trastuzumab (Herceptin)--typically used in combination with chemotherapy.

4 Nov 2009

Some patients with tonsil cancer can be treated with radiation, says PMH study

Clinical researchers at Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) have confirmed that patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell cancer ("tonsil cancer") harbour a common type of human papilloma virus (HPV16), but also that such cancers are very sensitive to radiation. For some patients, this may mean successful treatment with radiation alone and avoiding the side effects of chemotherapy.

4 Nov 2009

Oncology News and Research

Further Reading

New Merck set to begin global health care operations

Cancer patients want strong relationship with their radiation oncologist

Combination therapy before prostate removal may prevent recurrence of cancer

EUSA Pharma's PROSTASCINT effective in guiding targeted prostate cancer treatment

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals and Roche team up to develop specific RNAi therapeutic products

Celldex announces third quarter and nine-month period results; acquires a net loss of $7.2 million

GI and hepatology societies take initiative to evaluate the current medical school curriculum

TNF-alpha inhibitors ranked top for reducing biologics spend

Program for clinical outsourcing and development professionals

IBN iCare to develop cutting-edge nanomaterials for ocular therapy

Non-small cell lung cancer patients who undergo PCI decrease their risk of developing brain metastases

Takeda Pharmaceuticals strengthens its North American market

Patients who have an undetectable level of PSA after therapy have good chance of being cured

LIFE Biosystems to support UT Southwestern's Clinical Trials Management System deployment

Obese lung cancer patients with diabeties more likely to develop chest wall pain after receiving stereotactic body radiation therapy

AJCC Cancer Staging Manual brings together the relevant, evidence-based criteria for staging of cancer

superDimension's electromagnetic navigational bronchoscopy device receives AMA Category I CPT code

Webinar series on neuroendocrine tumours

HER2-positive breast cancer patients can be treated with Trastuzumab and adjuvant radiation therapy

Some patients with tonsil cancer can be treated with radiation, says PMH study

Cancer Research eBook

Achieving and maintaining ISO/IEC 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

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

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