Cancer News and Research

Latest Cancer News and Research

Current Opinion in Lipidology journal publishes data on VB-201 for immune-mediated disorders

VBL Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biotechnology company committed to the development of novel treatments for immune-inflammatory diseases and cancer, today announced the publication of a new concept in the Current Opinion in Lipidology evaluating oxidized phospholipid analogs as potential treatments for chronic inflammatory diseases.

2 Dec 2010

CytRx commences tamibarotene Phase 2b clinical trial in NSCLC

CytRx Corporation, a biopharmaceutical company specializing in oncology, today announced that it is initiating a multicenter Phase 2b clinical trial with its oncology drug candidate tamibarotene in combination with chemotherapeutical agents for the treatment of patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

2 Dec 2010

Wake Forest University to begin clinical trial for low-grade gliomas

For patients with low-grade gliomas, or slow growing brain tumors, a shot in the arm might soon lead to a new treatment therapy. A groundbreaking, first in humans vaccine will be tested in an early phase clinical trial that will soon begin at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center. Eighteen patients will be the first in the world to receive it.

2 Dec 2010

LMO1 gene variation can increase neuroblastoma risk

Pediatric cancer researchers have identified variations in a gene as important contributors to neuroblastoma, the most common solid cancer of early childhood. The study team, led by researchers at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, found that common variants in the LMO1 gene increase the risk of developing an aggressive form of neuroblastoma, and also mark the gene for continuing to drive the cancer's progression once it forms.

2 Dec 2010

American-style diet plays a vital role in prostate cancer, researchers say

Elevated fat and cholesterol levels found in a typical American-style diet plays an important role in the growth and spread of prostate cancer, say researchers at Thomas Jefferson University's Kimmel Cancer Center.

2 Dec 2010

International trial confirms long-term benefits of anastrozole to stop breast cancer

A major international trial has confirmed the long-term benefit of anastrozole to help stop breast cancer coming back or developing in the other breast in postmenopausal women with hormone sensitive early breast cancer, according to a study published in Lancet Oncology today (Wednesday).

2 Dec 2010

Genzyme sells genetics business to LabCorp for $925M

Genzyme Corporation today announced that it has completed the sale of Genzyme Genetics to Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings (NYSE: LH) for $925 million in cash.

2 Dec 2010

Oncolytics initiates enrollment in Phase II ovarian cancer study

Oncolytics Biotech Inc. announced today the start of enrollment in a randomized Phase II ovarian cancer study. The Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG) is conducting the randomized Phase II trial of weekly paclitaxel versus weekly paclitaxel with REOLYSIN in patients with persistent or recurrent ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer (GOG186H).

2 Dec 2010

Worm eggs may heal ulcerative colitis: Research

A new study involving a man who swallowed worm eggs to relieve symptoms of ulcerative colitis sheds light on how worms promote healing in the intestine. The study, published today in Science Translational Medicine, also identifies potential targets for more conventional ways of treating colitis, an inflammatory bowel disease.

2 Dec 2010

Tolerx enters collaborative research agreement with Cancer Research Institute

Tolerx, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company developing novel therapies by modulating T cell activity, and the Cancer Vaccine Acceleration Fund (CVAF) a nonprofit program of the Cancer Research Institute established in partnership with the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research today announced they entered into a collaborative research agreement to support development of Tolerx's drug candidate, TRX518, a monoclonal antibody designed to enhance the immune system by enabling T cells to more effectively attack cancer cells.

2 Dec 2010

CTRC-AACR Symposium to discuss new findings from breast cancer clinical trial

More than 9,000 people from more than 90 countries will gather Dec. 8-12, 2010, at the Henry B. Gonzales Convention Center in San Antonio, Texas, for the 33rd Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium.

2 Dec 2010

Maintaining ideal BMI reduces mortality risk in healthy non-smoking adults: Study

A study looking at deaths from any cause found that a body mass index (BMI) between 20.0 and 24.9 is associated with the lowest risk of death in healthy non-smoking adults.

1 Dec 2010

Noncancerous cells from primary site appear to facilitate tumor growth: Study

The process of metastasis requires that cancer cells traveling from a primary tumor find a hospitable environment in which to implant themselves and grow. A new study from Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Cancer Center researchers finds that circulating tumor cells prepare this environment by bringing along from their original site noncancerous cells that support tumor growth. The report has been published online in PNAS Early Edition.

1 Dec 2010

Study identifies new genes responsible for early menarche

University of Minnesota School of Public Health researcher Ellen Demerath, Ph.D., is among an international group of researchers that has identified 30 new genes responsible for determining the age of sexual maturation in women. Many of these genes are also known to influence body fatness, obesity, and energy metabolism. Prior to the multi-institutional study, only four genes had been identified as contributing to the process.

1 Dec 2010

Bare breasts campaign for breast cancer

In a controversial breast cancer online campaign women are being encouraged to post photographs of their breasts to raise money for cancer research in New Zealand. This Wednesday more than 60 photographs of breasts including bare, bikini-clad and breastfeeding ones were posted online. The campaign caused the website to crash on Wednesday afternoon, with people flocking to the online magazine aimed at women in their 20s and 30s.

1 Dec 2010

Finger length may predict prostate cancer

In a new study published in the British Journal of Cancer, researchers have revealed a connection between finger length and prostate cancer. It says that men whose ring fingers are longer than their index fingers are more likely to develop prostate cancer.

1 Dec 2010

Breast cancer breakthrough

A team of researchers, led by Dr Clare Fedele and Professor Christina Mitchell at Monash University, Australia, has made a significant discovery in breast cancer research that identifies a particular protein’s role in tumor growth. They have also devised a new antibody that can identify the protein and measure its presence in breast cancer tissue.

1 Dec 2010

Researchers show an oncolytic virus switches off cancer cell survival signal

Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) have identified a mechanism by which specific viruses acting as oncolytic agents can enter and kill cancer cells. This finding, which is currently featured in an online edition of the Journal of Virology, could help lead to the development of more targeted treatments against many types of cancer.

1 Dec 2010

Dec. 1 news from RSNA 2010

The risk of developing radiation-induced cancer from computed tomography (CT) may be lower than previously thought, according to a Stanford University study. Using more than 10 million Medicare claims from 1998 through 2005, the researchers analyzed the distribution of CT scans, determined the ionizing radiation exposure associated with the exams and estimated the associated cancer risk in a population of older adults.

1 Dec 2010

Study reveals major findings of National Cancer Registry of Spain for Gastroenteropancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumours

The National Cancer Registry of Spain for Gastroenteropancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumours (RGETNE) is the first initiative of its type in southern Europe and focuses its efforts on profiling the incidence of gastroenteropancreatic tumours, improving diagnosis and treatment efficacy, and determining the clinical profile of patients across Spain.

1 Dec 2010