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''.

Alexion Pharmaceuticals announces positive data from AEGIS study of Soliris

Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced positive data from the 26-week extension of the AEGIS study, an open-label registration study examining Soliris® (eculizumab) for the treatment of Japanese patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH).

7 Dec 2009

Amgen announces results from three studies on the safety and efficacy of Nplate

Amgen Inc. today announced results from three studies on the safety and efficacy of Nplate® (romiplostim) in adult patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS).

7 Dec 2009

Updated safety data from Phase 2b 003-A1 study of carfilzomib announced

Onyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced updated safety data from the pivotal Phase 2b 003-A1 study, known as the 003 trial, demonstrating that carfilzomib is well-tolerated in heavily pre-treated relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma patients.

7 Dec 2009

Study finds substantial variation in hydroxyurea utilization for sickle cell disease

A new study by researchers from the Medical College of Wisconsin, in Milwaukee, found a substantial variation in hydroxyurea utilization for pain and other sickle cell disease complications in children.

7 Dec 2009

New findings may yield more effective therapies for infants with blood cancer

Pediatric oncologists have identified specific genes, dubbed partner genes, that fuse with another gene to drive an often-fatal form of leukemia in infants. By more accurately defining specific partner genes, researchers expect to better predict which infants may benefit from particular treatments.

7 Dec 2009

Positive final data from Phase 2 study of ISTODAX presented

Gloucester Pharmaceuticals announced today the presentation of positive final data from a Phase 2 study of ISTODAX® (romidepsin) in peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL) conducted by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) at the 51st American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting being held in New Orleans, LA.

6 Dec 2009

New treatment options for leukemia and myeloproliferative disorders introduced

Leukemia and myeloproliferative disorders are serious and often deadly blood cancers. Research presented today at the 51st Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology introduces potential new treatment options and improved diagnostic methods for patients suffering from acute promyelocytic leukemia, chronic myeloid leukemia, infant acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and myelofibrosis that are based on a better understanding of the underlying genetic causes of these conditions.

6 Dec 2009

Health experts available to discuss health care reform

Edward D. Miller was named chief executive officer of Johns Hopkins Medicine, the 13th dean of The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and vice president for medicine of The Johns Hopkins University in January 1997.

5 Dec 2009

Genomic Health to present its Oncotype DX multi-gene expression test studies at the 32nd SABCS

Genomic Health, Inc. today announced that the company will present results from five studies at the 32nd Annual San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS), taking place December 9-13, 2009, at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center.

5 Dec 2009

Partners HealthCare System's series 2009J fixed-rate revenue bonds rated 'AA'

Fitch Ratings has assigned an 'AA' to Partners HealthCare System's approximately $475 million Massachusetts Health and Educational Facilities Authority revenue bonds (Partners HealthCare System), fixed-rate revenue bonds, series 2009J, which are expected to be sold as two sub series. Fitch also affirms its 'AA' long-term rating on all of Partners' outstanding debt and affirms its 'F1+' rating on approximately $485 million of Partners HealthCare System's debt that is backed by self-liquidity.

5 Dec 2009

Vermillion files First Amended Plan of Reorganization and Disclosure Statement with the United States Bankruptcy Court

Vermillion, Inc. (VRML) (Pink Sheets: VRMLQ) announced that on December 3, 2009, it filed its First Amended Plan of Reorganization and related amended Disclosure Statement with the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware.

5 Dec 2009

'Twist' gene plays a key role in the development of breast cancer

Working with mice, scientists at Johns Hopkins publishing in the December issue of Neoplasia have shown that a protein made by a gene called "Twist" may be the proverbial red flag that can accurately distinguish stem cells that drive aggressive, metastatic breast cancer from other breast cancer cells.

5 Dec 2009

NCI awards $55.4 million, multiple-year contract to Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center

The National Cancer Institute has awarded a $55.4 million, multiple-year contract to Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center to become the nation's sole operator of its Cancer Information Service Contact Center.

5 Dec 2009

Aetna Medicare Advantage members now have access to MidState Medical Center and Windham Hospital

Aetna (NYSE:ΑET) announced today that beginning January 1, 2010, its Medicare Advantage members will have access to MidState Medical Center and Windham Hospital as part of Aetna’s Medicare network of participating health care facilities in Connecticut.

5 Dec 2009

Hospira launches VisIV containers for intravenous medications and solutions

Hospira, Inc., a leading global specialty pharmaceutical and medication delivery company, today announced the launch of its next-generation 50 mL and 100 mL VisIV(TM) containers for intravenous (I.V.) medications and solutions, and now offers a complete size range (50 mL to 1 L) of the award-winning, environmentally responsible VisIV product.

5 Dec 2009

Amber Pharmacy receives ACHC accreditation

Amber Pharmacy announced today that it received accreditation by the Accreditation Commission for Health Care, Inc. (ACHC) for specialized pharmacy services.

4 Dec 2009

PLUS Diagnostics expands its specialty anatomic pathology services

PLUS Diagnostics announced today that it has expanded its specialty anatomic pathology services with the launch of a national hematology/oncology offering. The new service completes the company's expansion from a regional laboratory to a leading national anatomic pathology company offering diagnostic services across a full range of specialties including gastroenterology, urology and now hematology/oncology.

4 Dec 2009

Pre-clinical study data of Stemline Therapeutics' IL-3R targeting agents to be presented at the ASH meeting

Stemline Therapeutics, Inc. today announced that data from pre-clinical studies of its IL-3R targeting agents, SL-401 and SL-501, in both in vitro and animal models of human chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) have been selected for poster presentation at the upcoming 51st Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH), to be held in New Orleans from December 5-8, 2009.

4 Dec 2009

ZIOPHARM Oncology prices public offering of 15,484,000 shares of its common stock

ZIOPHARM Oncology, Inc. announced the pricing of its previously announced underwritten public offering of 15,484,000 shares of its common stock and warrants to purchase 7,742,000 shares of its common stock at a public offering price of $3.10 per unit.

4 Dec 2009

Results from Phase III pivotal study of FIRMAGON presented

Drs. Neal Shore and E. David Crawford presented results for prostate-specific antigen (PSA) recurrence from the additional analysis of secondary end points of biochemical recurrence rate in a Phase III pivotal study of FIRMAGON® (monthly degarelix for injection) or monthly leuprolide in prostate cancer patients during the first year of treatment.

4 Dec 2009