Cancer News and Research

Latest Cancer News and Research

Study: Capecitabine with concurrent radiation is effective for treating gastric cancer

Gastric cancer is a major cause of cancer deaths in the world. The outcome of large gastric tumors and those with lymph node involvement remains poor after surgical resection. The optimal adjuvant therapy after surgical resection remains to be determined.

21 Sep 2010

FG-4592 oral anemia therapy receives CTA approval from SFDA

FibroGen, Inc., today announced that its investigational oral anemia therapy, FG-4592, received Clinical Trial Application (CTA) approval from the Chinese State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA) to commence clinical development for the treatment of anemia associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD) in the People's Republic of China.

21 Sep 2010

Six3 gene safeguards future retina

New research led by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital investigators adds to evidence that the Six3 gene functions like a doorman in the developing brain and visual system, safeguarding the future retina by keeping the region where the eye is forming free of a signaling protein capable of disrupting the process.

21 Sep 2010

Clemson biochemist receives grants to study DNA repair pathways

A Clemson biochemist has received grants totaling $787,000 to study how cells repair damaged DNA, which can cause cancer and genetic illnesses. The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) awarded Weiguo Cao three-year funding to investigate two DNA repair pathways.

21 Sep 2010

Gene links to ovarian cancer and diagnostic delays

According to the latest research a group of genes may help predict a woman's risk of developing ovarian cancer. Studies have also shown that breast and ovarian cancer may share some of the same genetic risk factors.

20 Sep 2010

Crestor suppressed human cancer cells transplanted to mice

A drug commonly prescribed for people with high cholesterol may also be effective in treating prostate cancer, according to new research by Dr. Xiao-Yan Wen at St. Michael's Hospital.

20 Sep 2010

Researchers identify protein essential for dendritic cell development

A protein called PU.1 is essential for the development of dendritic cells, the sentinels of the immune system, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute researchers in Melbourne, Australia, have shown.

20 Sep 2010

Genzyme announces Japanese approval of Synvisc viscosupplement for OA knee pain relief

Genzyme Corporation announced today that Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has approved Synvisc® (hylan G-F 20; 3 x 2 mL), indicated for the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee. Reimbursement has been obtained and publicized by Japan's Central Social Insurance Medical Council.

20 Sep 2010

Harbor BioSciences granted US patent for Triolex metabolic disease and anti-inflammation drug candidate

Harbor BioSciences, Inc. today announced that the company has received patent No. 7,776,845 from the United States Patent and Trademark Office which covers its lead metabolic disease and anti-inflammation drug candidate Triolex (HE3286). The patent claims cover compounds including Triolex and formulations that contain the drug or the other claimed compounds.

20 Sep 2010

Celldex commences CDX-011 Phase 2b trial in advanced breast cancer patients expressing GPNMB

Celldex Therapeutics, Inc. today announced that the first patient has been treated in a randomized Phase 2b study of the Company's CDX-011 (glembatumumab vedotin) antibody drug conjugate in glycoprotein NMB (GPNMB) expressing advanced, refractory breast cancer patients. CDX-011 targets the protein GPNMB, which is over expressed in a variety of cancers including breast cancer, melanoma, and brain tumors.

20 Sep 2010

Abbott to commercialize Celera's CE-marked KIF6 genotyping assay outside U.S.

Celera Corporation and Abbott today announced that they have signed an exclusive distribution agreement to market Celera's CE-marked KIF6 diagnostic test for use on Abbott's CE-marked m2000™ instrument system. The KIF6 genotyping assay detects a genetic marker that may be used in conjunction with clinical evaluation and patient assessment for the identification of individuals at risk for coronary heart disease (CHD), and in patients for whom statin treatment is being considered.

20 Sep 2010

Micromet initiates MT103 phase 2 trial in adult ALL patients

Micromet, Inc. today announced the initiation of a phase 2 trial of the Company's lead product candidate blinatumomab (MT103) in adult patients with relapsed or refractory B-precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Blinatumomab is the first of a new class of agents called BiTE antibodies, designed to harness the body's T cells to kill cancer cells.

20 Sep 2010

Chronix Biomedical completes Series E financing

Chronix Biomedical today announced that it has completed a Series E financing that raised $1.8 million from existing and new investors. Chronix is developing disease-specific biomarkers based on DNA fragments that are released into the bloodstream by damaged and dying (apoptotic) cells. Chronix's serum DNA biomarkers are applicable to a wide range of cancers and other chronic diseases.

20 Sep 2010

Myrexis releases MPC-9528 cancer metabolism inhibitor preclinical study results

Myrexis, Inc., a biotechnology company focused on discovering, developing, and commercializing novel treatments for cancer, today announced key findings from preclinical studies of the Company's novel cancer metabolism inhibitor (CMI), MPC-9528, at the Cancer and Metabolism Pathways to the Future Symposium in Edinburgh, Scotland.

20 Sep 2010

Cord Blood America acquires controlling interest of Biocordcell Argentina

Cord Blood America, Inc., the umbilical cord blood stem cell preservation company focused on bringing the life saving potential of stem cells, a biological insurance policy, to families nationwide and internationally, today announced that it has purchased controlling interest, 50.1 percent, of Biocordcell Argentina S.A. (BioCells, Inc.).

20 Sep 2010

Warning on Australian clinics offering safe alternatives to mammograms

Experts have warned that some private clinics that are offering safe alternatives to mammograms as breast cancer screening are doing more harm than good. It is seen that clinics offering services like botox, liposuction and spray tans are increasingly providing breast cancer screening that uses thermal imaging and “electrical impedance” technology. These methods are being used on women as young as 20, with claims they can detect cancer years earlier than mammograms.

20 Sep 2010

Researchers discover HIV-1 resists AZT drug

Rutgers researchers have discovered how HIV-1, the virus that causes AIDS, resists AZT, a drug widely used to treat AIDS. The scientists, who report their findings in Nature Structural & Molecular Biology, believe their discovery helps researchers understand how important anti-AIDS treatments can fail and could help AIDS researchers develop more effective treatment for the disease.

20 Sep 2010

BRCA1 gene mutation increases breast cancer risk: Research

Individuals with disrupting mutations in the BRCA1 gene are known to be at substantially increased risk of breast cancer throughout their lives. Now, discoveries from an international research team led by Mayo Clinic researchers show that some of those persons may possess additional genetic variants that modify their risk. These new findings enhancing individualized medicine appear in the current Nature Genetics.

20 Sep 2010

Scientists develop microscopic gas-filled spheres of silica to locate breast cancers

A new material could help surgeons more accurately locate breast cancers, reduce the need for second surgeries and minimize pre-surgical discomfort for patients. Microscopic gas-filled spheres of silica, a porous glass, can mark the location of early-stage tumors to show their position using ultrasound imaging in the operating room.

20 Sep 2010

Scientists discover new genetic variants, pave way for early detection of ovarian cancer

An international consortium of scientists has discovered new genetic variants in five regions of the genome that affect the risk of ovarian cancer in the general population, according to two separate studies published today (Sunday), online in Nature Genetics.

20 Sep 2010