Cancer News and Research

Latest Cancer News and Research

Chemotherapy for breast cancer does more harm than good

A fundamental principle of medicine is: "first, do no harm." However, for doctors who treat breast cancer, this is easier said than done. Every year, almost 22,000 Canadian women are diagnosed with breast cancer - their treatment usually involves surgery to remove a tumour and then chemotherapy to reduce the risk of cancer returning.

9 Nov 2010

Study discovers role of Vav1 oncogene in several cancers

Researchers at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have discovered that Vav1 - an oncogene (cancer-causing gene) found in recent years to be one of the factors in tumorous tissue growth -- plays a wider role in several types of cancer than had previously been thought. The discovery has implications for further concentration on targeting this gene in cancer research.

9 Nov 2010

Combination of optical and x-ray imaging may improve diagnostic accuracy of breast screening

By combining optical and x-ray imaging, radiologists may be better able to distinguish cancer from benign lesions in the breast, according to a new study published in the online edition and January issue of Radiology.

9 Nov 2010

Scientists develop nanobioconjugate drug to target brain tumor

Nine years ago, scientists at Cedars-Sinai's Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Institute detected a subtle shift occurring in the molecular makeup of the most aggressive type of brain tumors, glioblastoma multiforme. With further study, they found that a specific protein called laminin-411 plays a major role in a tumor's ability to build new blood vessels to support its growth and spread. But technology did not exist then to block this protein.

9 Nov 2010

Genta commences tesetaxel Phase 2b clinical trial as 1st-line chemotherapy for metastatic breast cancer

Genta Incorporated today announced that the Company has initiated a new Phase 2b clinical trial of tesetaxel as 1st-line chemotherapy for women with metastatic breast cancer. Tesetaxel is the leading oral taxane currently in clinical development. The new trial will be conducted at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY and at the Accelerated Community Oncology Research Network (ACORN) based in Memphis, TN.

9 Nov 2010

Merrimack receives $2.44 million under QTDP program to support cancer research

Merrimack Pharmaceuticals was awarded $2.44 million to support research on 10 of its cancer programs through the Qualifying Therapeutic Discovery Project, a grant program created as part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 to advance research in areas of unmet medical need.

9 Nov 2010

Cook Medical's controlled-release esophageal stent receives FDA clearance

Cook Medical's controlled-release esophageal stent fully covered in silicone has received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), making available yet another advanced solution from Cook Medical, the only full-line supplier of endoscopic devices.

9 Nov 2010

EpiCept third quarter net loss decreases to $3.2 million

EpiCept Corporation today announced operating and financial results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, and provided an update with respect to the Company's key business initiatives.

9 Nov 2010

Epeius receives competitive grant to support Rexin-G oncology product

Epeius Biotechnologies Corporation, a leader in the emerging field of targeted genetic medicine, announced today the receipt of additional financial support for the company's lead oncology product, Rexin-G, from the U.S. Departments of Treasury, Health and Human Services (HHS), and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the form of a prestigious competitive grant.

9 Nov 2010

CMS to review cancer vaccine, analysis shows high Medicare drug spending not correlated with better care

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services are conducting an unusual review to determine whether the government should pay for an expensive new vaccine for treating prostate cancer, rekindling debate over whether some therapies are too costly.

9 Nov 2010

Statins do not reduce risk for colorectal cancer in postmenopausal women

The use of statins among a group of postmenopausal women did not reduce the risk for colorectal cancer, according to the results of a prospective analysis of data from the large population-based Women's Health Initiative (WHI).

9 Nov 2010

CorMatrix receives $2.3 million grants under QTDP program to advance ECM technology

CorMatrix Cardiovascular, Inc., a medical device company dedicated to developing and delivering unique extracellular matrix (ECM) biomaterial devices that harness the body's innate ability to repair damaged cardiovascular tissue, today announced that the Company has been awarded $2.3 million in grants under the U.S. Government's Qualifying Therapeutic Discovery Project (QTDP) program to advance the development of their unique ECM technology.

9 Nov 2010

Advaxis collaborates with UBC to develop live attenuated Listeria vaccines

Advaxis, Inc., the live, attenuated Listeria monocytogenes (Listeria) immunotherapy company, has entered into a structured collaboration with the laboratory of Dr. Tobias Kollmann at the University of British Columbia (UBC) to develop live attenuated Listeria vaccines for the treatment of infectious disease and for new dosage forms of Listeria vaccines.

9 Nov 2010

Family history of HG increases risk of extreme morning sickness during pregnancy

Approximately 60,000 pregnant women are hospitalized each year due to hyperemesis gravidarum (HG), an extreme form of nausea and vomiting that endangers their lives and often forces them to reluctantly terminate their pregnancies.

9 Nov 2010

Women prefer silicone implants after double mastectomy

A new study has found that women who receive silicone implants after a double mastectomy are more satisfied with their breasts than women who receive saline implants. Published early online in CANCER, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society, the findings may help physicians and breast cancer survivors as they together make decisions related to postmastectomy reconstructive surgery.

9 Nov 2010

BioCryst to present data on BCX4208 for gout at ACR Scientific Meeting

BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced the presentation of new data related to the efficacy and safety of BCX4208 for the treatment of gout at the 74th ACR Scientific Meeting being held in Atlanta, Georgia.

9 Nov 2010

New data on Soliris for PNH treatment to be presented at ASH Annual Meeting

Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced that researchers are scheduled to present new data relating to Soliris (eculizumab) as a treatment for patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) during the 52nd Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH), to be held December 4 - 7, 2010 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando.

9 Nov 2010

Research reveals EBV virus infected cell manipulates cancer-producing cells

A new discovery by UNC scientists describes how cells infected by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) produce small vesicles or sacs called exosomes, changing their cellular "cargo" of proteins and RNA. This altered exosome enters cells and can change the growth of recipient cells from benign to cancer-producing.

9 Nov 2010

New COLD-PCR technology to detect EGFR gene mutation

Transgenomic, Inc. today announced completion of a development study of several new assays to detect genetic mutations using the Company's proprietary Co-amplification at Lower Denaturing Temperature PCR (COLD-PCR) technology in the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) gene.

8 Nov 2010

Denosumab superior to Zometa in preventing SREs in breast cancer patients with bone metastases: Study

Amgen today announced the publication of results from a pivotal Phase 3 study of 2,046 patients which compared denosumab with Zometa® (zoledronic acid) in delaying or preventing skeletal-related events (SREs) in breast cancer patients with bone metastases. An SRE consists of any of the following: a pathologic fracture, the need for radiation or surgery to ameliorate bone pathology secondary to tumor growth, or spinal cord compression.

8 Nov 2010