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''.

Revlimid may change the way physicians treat multiple myeloma

Findings from a Phase III study by the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG 4A03) were presented yesterday at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) meeting in Chicago and demonstrate the benefits of using Revlimid (lenalidomide) with reduced doses of the steroid dexamethasone.

5 Jun 2007

Arsenic trioxide shows survival benefit for leukemia patients

Through participation in a government-sponsored multi-year study, researchers at the Comprehensive Cancer Center at Wake Forest University have helped confirm that arsenic trioxide ,marketed as Trisenox, significantly improves patient survival when coupled with standard chemotherapy treatment in newly diagnosed patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia, or APL.

5 Jun 2007

Bone-targeting radioisotope radium-223 for prostate cancer treatment

The bone-targeting radioisotope radium-223 has delivered promising results in a randomised trial to test its efficacy in treatment of hormone-refractory prostate cancer (HRPC).

5 Jun 2007

Protein S-100 linked to melanoma recurrence

Higher levels of a protein called S-100 in patients with melanoma may correlate with a higher risk of having the disease return, say researchers at the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute (UPCI), who presented their findings today at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) in Chicago.

5 Jun 2007

Study shows combination improves survival of metastatic melanoma patients

Two chemotherapy drugs combined with an agent that prevents the growth of blood vessels significantly delayed the spread of tumors in patients with metastatic melanoma, according to study findings presented at the 2007 American Association of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting.

5 Jun 2007

Findings from study of immunotherapy vaccine in prostate cancer patients

Data from an ongoing study designed to explore the biologic and clinical activity of cancer immunotherapy sipuleucel-T, or Provenge, in patients with early stage recurrent prostate cancer who have a rising serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) level, but who have not yet developed metastatic disease will be presented by Oregon Health & Science University Cancer Institute researchers.

5 Jun 2007

Gabapentin reduces hot flashes in men receiving androgen deprivation therapy

North Central Cancer Treatment Group ( http://ncctg/ ) researchers based at Mayo Clinic ( http://www.mayo.edu/ ) in Rochester, Minn., have discovered that low doses of a drug used to prevent epileptic seizures and to treat nerve pain caused by shingles substantially reduces hot flashes in patients who are undergoing anti-hormonal treatment, or androgen-deprivation therapy, for prostate cancer.

5 Jun 2007

Axitinib shows promise in treatment of advanced thyroid cancer

The investigational drug axitinib produced tumor regression or stable disease in almost three-out-of-four patients with advanced thyroid cancer, a research team reported at the annual meeting of the American Society for Clinical Oncology in Chicago.

5 Jun 2007

MRI detects cancers missed by mammography in breast cancer patients

A unique examination of one treatment center's use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in new breast cancer patients has found MRI to be superior to mammography in finding additional tumors in a breast in which cancer has already been diagnosed, and in detecting new tumors in a patient's supposedly healthy breast.

5 Jun 2007

Medical management of another condition may not lead to early cancer diagnosis

Being in regular contact with healthcare providers because of a chronic illness such as diabetes or heart disease doesn't necessarily mean a person is more likely to have a cancer detected early, according to a study led by Duke University Comprehensive Cancer Center researchers.

5 Jun 2007

Herceptin does not increase heart failure in patients long-term

Risk of congestive heart failure in women treated with trastuzumab (Herceptin) and combination chemotherapy for early-stage breast cancer did not increase over time according to a five-year follow-up of National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project (NSABP) trial B-31, presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) in Chicago.

5 Jun 2007

Results of phase II studies of pazopanib

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has announced results from ongoing Phase II studies of pazopanib in advanced or metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and ovarian cancer.

5 Jun 2007

Researchers identify novel genetic mutations linked to hereditary diffuse gastric cancer

Researchers have identified novel genetic mutations that are linked to hereditary diffuse gastric cancer, with these mutations being due to both independent mutational events and common ancestry, according to a study in the June 6 issue of JAMA.

5 Jun 2007

Physiological differences between men and women impact colorectal cancer progression

Physiological differences between men and women may contribute to differential tumor development and progression in colon cancer patients, a study led by researchers at the University of Southern California (USC) suggests.

5 Jun 2007

Flaxseed halts prostate tumor growth

Flaxseed, an edible seed that is rich in omega 3-fatty acids and fiber-related compounds known as lignans, is effective in halting prostate tumor growth, according to a study led by Duke University Medical Center researchers.

5 Jun 2007

When to change the course of treatment

Counting circulating tumor cells before and after the start of treatment for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer could help doctors determine when or if a change in treatment should be made.

5 Jun 2007

Exercise lowers insulin in breast cancer survivors

Normally sedentary breast cancer survivors who completed an exercise program reduced the levels of insulin in their blood, revealing a likely link between physical activity and better outcomes, researchers from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston reported at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology in Chicago.

5 Jun 2007

Honest communication of cancer prognostic information can help parents feel more hopeful

Physicians who inform parents of children with cancer about the likely course of the disease can provide hope, even when the child's prognosis is poor, according to a Dana-Farber Cancer Institute study presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology annual meeting on Sunday.

5 Jun 2007

E/Tablet technology may improve healthcare

The old wooden clipboard and pen that patients typically encounter when providing information in a doctor's office may soon be replaced by wireless, handheld notebook-and-pen-style computers called E/Tablets.

5 Jun 2007

Drug lapatinib shows activity against brain metastases

The drug lapatinib shrank tumors and slowed progression of brain metastases in some patients with advanced breast cancer, according to results of a clinical trial presented by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute scientists at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

5 Jun 2007