Cancer News and Research

Latest Cancer News and Research

Review shows need for standardized approach to outcome assessment in breast reconstruction

Improved standards for outcome reporting in breast reconstruction are needed, according to a review published online December 3rd in The Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

4 Dec 2010

Research findings could provide breakthrough for development of effective therapies for NSCLC

Research at Virginia Commonwealth University Massey Cancer Center led by Charles E. Chalfant, Ph.D., associate professor of biochemistry and molecular Biology, discovered a previously unknown mechanism in non-small cell lung cancer cells that contributes to their ability to maintain and grow tumors. Narrowing in on this mechanism could provide a breakthrough for the development of effective therapies for NSCLC and other cancers.

4 Dec 2010

Key findings on plasma cell disorders to be presented at American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting

Caris Life Sciences, Inc., a leading biosciences company focused on enabling precise and personalized healthcare through the highest quality anatomic pathology, molecular profiling, and blood-based diagnostic services, announced that Dr. Raul Braylan, Hematopathologist and Clinical Medical Director of Hematopathology Services, will present key findings related to plasma cell disorders at the upcoming 52nd Annual Meeting and Exposition of the American Society of Hematology.

4 Dec 2010

Phase III studies should make meaningful difference in patients' quality of life: Commentary

Randomized phase III studies should be designed to find out whether a new drug or treatment makes a meaningful difference in patients' survival or quality of life, according to a commentary published online December 3rd in The Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

4 Dec 2010

SuperGen to present SGI-110 data for MDS, AML at ASH annual meeting

SuperGen, Inc. today announced that a summary of preclinical efficacy, safety, and pharmacokinetics data of SGI-110 will be presented at the American Society of Hematology in Orlando on Saturday, December 4, 2010 at 5:30 pm ET.

3 Dec 2010

Loyola nurses honored

Loyola University Health System revenue specialist Judy Williams, RN, CEN, TNS, recently took on a nontraditional nursing role, which resulted in a significant cost savings for the organization. Williams oversees fiscal responsibility for the Emergency Department. In this position, she has identified opportunities to overcome billing obstacles through intradepartmental collaboration and nurse education on proper documentation for reimbursement.

3 Dec 2010

Experts reach consensus on beneficial effects of Soy

According to the December 2010 Journal of Nutrition Supplement titled, "Soy Summit: Exploration of the Nutrition and Health Effects of Whole Soy," consensus has been reached among leading soy science experts surrounding three main areas of debate: soy and women's health, soy and heart health, and soy and overall nutrient adequacy. Leading soy experts agree that including soyfoods in a balanced diet will have beneficial effects and improve nutrient intake among the U.S. population.

3 Dec 2010

Johns Hopkins patient-safety tools help reduce lethal bloodstream infections

Using a widely heralded Johns Hopkins checklist and other patient-safety tools, intensive care units across the state of Michigan reduced the rate of potentially lethal bloodstream infections to near zero.

3 Dec 2010

Columbia's professor receives 2010 Garfield Economic Impact Award

The 2010 Garfield Economic Impact Award was presented today to Frank R. Lichtenberg, PhD, of Columbia Business School. Research!America has presented this award since 2002, to recognize the outstanding work of economists who demonstrate how medical and health research impacts the economy. The award is supported by a grant from Merck & Co., Inc., and by the Eugene Garfield Foundation.

3 Dec 2010

Prostate cancer imaging shows real-time tumor metabolism

A UCSF research collaboration with GE Healthcare has produced the first results in humans of a new technology that promises to rapidly assess the presence and aggressiveness of prostate tumors in real time, by imaging the tumor's metabolism.

3 Dec 2010

Healthy lifestyle choices, emergency room interventions can help prevent first-time strokes

Healthy lifestyle choices and emergency room interventions can help prevent first-time strokes, according to revised American Heart Association/American Stroke Association guidelines.

3 Dec 2010

UC Irvine receives Silver Medal from HHS for supporting organ, tissue donation

UC Irvine Medical Center recently received a Silver Medal of Honor from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services for its role in supporting organ and tissue donation.

3 Dec 2010

3M announces availability of TLR compounds for nonvaccine use in pharmaceutical industry

3M announces the availability of immune response modifier compounds for nonvaccine use in the pharmaceutical industry. The toll-like receptor (TLR) compounds, that activate through TLR7 and TLR8, show promise for the treatment of conditions including cancer, dermatologic diseases and atopic diseases, such as allergy and asthma.

3 Dec 2010

Scripps scientists find way to transform mature human cells into stem cells

Scripps Research Institute scientists have made a significant leap forward in the drive to find a way to safely reprogram mature human cells and turn them into stem cells, which can then change into other cell types, such as nerve, heart, and liver cells. The ability to transform fully mature adult cells such as skin cells into stem cells has potentially profound implications for treating many diseases.

3 Dec 2010

New robotic arm device for early to mid-stage osteoarthritis

A robotic arm device developed to assist orthopedic surgeons with performing partial knee replacement surgery for early to mid-stage osteoarthritis is now available at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center. The technology was approved by the FDA in 2005, and to date nearly 5,000 cases have been performed in the U.S.

3 Dec 2010

Cell Therapeutics submits pixantrone NDA application to treat non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

Cell Therapeutics, Inc. today announced that it has submitted a formal appeal to the Office of New Drugs in the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research regarding the agency's decision from earlier this year on the pixantrone New Drug Application to treat relapsed/refractory aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

3 Dec 2010

Arthritis drug reduces incidence of non-melanoma skin cancers

A widely-used arthritis drug reduces the incidence of non-melanoma skin cancers - the most common cancers in humans - according to a study published this week in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. The COX-2 inhibitor celecoxib (brand name Celebrex), which is currently approved for the treatment of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and acute pain in adults led to a 62 percent reduction in non-melanoma skin cancers, which includes basal cell carcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas.

3 Dec 2010

Sagent launches chemotherapy agent topotecan hydrochloride for injection

Sagent Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a privately-held specialty pharmaceutical company, today announced U.S. FDA approval and launch of its topotecan hydrochloride for injection, a chemotherapy agent, in conjunction with the innovator's patent expiry. Sagent's topotecan is available in 4 mg single-dose latex-free vials.

3 Dec 2010

New scientifically-based family planning tool

A scientifically-based family planning tool developed by researchers from Georgetown University's Institute for Reproductive Health, a part of Georgetown University Medical Center (GUMC), is now available as an easy-to-use iPhone -, iPod touch- or iPad- application. iCycleBeads- is the first software application that enables a woman to plan or avoid pregnancy easily and effectively, entirely through the information provided by the application.

3 Dec 2010

Doctors still prescribe higher-dose menopausal hormone therapy pills

Doctors across the country are still prescribing higher-dose menopausal hormone therapy pills, despite clinical evidence that low doses and skin patches work just as well and carry fewer health risks. That's what researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine found in a study that will be published online Dec. 2 in Menopause: The Journal of the North American Menopause Society.

3 Dec 2010