Cancer News and Research

Latest Cancer News and Research

First Edition: November 19, 2009

Today's headlines are overwhelmingly focused on yesterday's major health policy development: Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid finally unveiled the much-anticipated Senate health bill.

19 Nov 2009

Embryonic stem cells raise hope of cellular replacement therapy for liver failure

Embryonic stem (ES) cells, known for their capacity to proliferate indefinitely and differentiate into almost all types of cells including hepatocytes, have raised the hope of cellular replacement therapy for liver failure. There have been several protocols available for hepatic fate specification from ES cells, however, most of the protocols currently used result in low yield or purity of functional hepatocytes. Valproic acid (VPA), a histone deacetylase inhibitor, has been demonstrated to facilitate the hepatic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells. However, little is know about whether VPA could induce the hepatic differentiation of ES cells.

19 Nov 2009

EIN News launches "Mesothelioma News Today"

EIN News, an online leader in industry news monitoring and press syndication, has today added a new publication to its portfolio of health-related international news sites for industry professionals and analysts: Mesothelioma News Today (http://mesothelioma.einnews.com).

19 Nov 2009

IASLC staging classification: A new approach to evaluate and treat lung cancers

The International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) will hold an expert roundtable and Web cast announcing the recent publication and impact of the IASLC's Staging Manual in Thoracic Oncology containing the recently released 7th Edition of TNM in Lung and Pleural Tumours.

19 Nov 2009

Recent progress of Delcath Systems in drug delivery platform reported

Delcath Systems, Inc., a medical technology company developing the Delcath Percutaneous Hepatic Perfusion (PHP(TM)) System, a minimally invasive drug delivery platform for the regional treatment of cancer metastatic to the liver, today reported on the Company's recent progress.

19 Nov 2009

System to help identify patients at high risk of developing delirium

A specialist in caring for elderly patients, Turner-Hubbard is a geriatric nurse practitioner trained to quickly spot the sudden changes in mental status that signal the onset of the sudden, severe confusion known as delirium. She knows the hospital “triggers” that can bring on fluctuations in behavior: blood loss during surgery, anesthesia, pain medications and anti-anxiety drugs, infections, dehydration, IV lines and catheters, as well as being immobilized for an extended period of time.

19 Nov 2009

Washington Global Health Alliance completes internal coordination study of global health

The Washington Global Health Alliance, a group representing 26 life-sciences businesses, institutions and governmental organizations, has completed an internal coordination study demonstrating the significant influence of its primary partners in the mission of global health.

19 Nov 2009

New photocontrolled molecular switch regulates paralysis in living organisms

In an advance with overtones of Star Trek phasers and other sci-fi ray guns, scientists in Canada are reporting development of an internal on-off "switch" that paralyzes animals when exposed to a beam of ultraviolet light. The animals stay paralyzed even when the light is turned off. When exposed to ordinary light, the animals become unparalyzed and wake up.

19 Nov 2009

Genetic identity of cellular receptor for the immune system's first-response antibody discovered

Researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) have uncovered the genetic identity of a cellular receptor for the immune system's first-response antibody, a discovery that sheds new light on infection control and immune disorders. The discovery is such a crucial part of immunology that UAB researchers, in conjunction with Japanese researchers, are asking that the gene linked to this antibody receptor be renamed to better describe its role in early immune responses.

19 Nov 2009

Breastcancer.org opposes proposed new guidelines for mammograms

"The recommendation to change breast screening is a huge step backwards," says Dr. Marisa Weiss, a leading breast oncologist and founder and president of Breastcancer.org.

19 Nov 2009

eHealthInsurance releases six-point checklist to get the most out of Medicare coverage

eHealthInsurance, the leading online source of health insurance for individuals, families, and small businesses, that now offers a new online Medicare resource, www.eHealthMedicare.com, today released a six-point checklist to help Medicare recipients make informed decisions about their Medicare options.

19 Nov 2009

Findings suggest athletes abuse non-approved therapeutic compounds for performance enhancing effects

Researchers from the German Sport University Cologne in Germany found that non-steroidal and tissue-selective anabolic agents such as Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators (SARMs) are being sold on the black market for their performance enhancing qualities.

19 Nov 2009

Report on unexplained liver haemorrhage after metastasis radiofrequency ablation published

Colorectal carcinoma is one of the most common cancers in the world. Approximately one in four of these patients have metastases at diagnosis, liver being the most common site involved. Although historically it was considered that liver metastases meant a very poor prognosis, today, due to improved systemic therapy, many patients will be candidates for local hepatic treatments such as surgery or less aggressive radiofrequency ablation.

19 Nov 2009

BioAlliance Pharma wins first prize in Deloitte's Technology Fast 50 2009

BioAlliance Pharma SA, a company dedicated to the treatment and supportive care of cancer and AIDS patients, today announced that it has won first prize in Deloitte's Technology Fast 50 2009TM ranking of France's fastest-growth technology companies.

19 Nov 2009

USPSTF's new guidelines for mammography: The Maurer Foundation for Breast Health Education disagrees

The United States Preventive Services Task Force has announced new guidelines for when a woman should be getting a mammography. The Maurer Foundation's Founder, Breast Surgeon Dr. Virginia Maurer, has made an official statement regarding her research and beliefs on the subject.

19 Nov 2009

Outdoor smoking areas: A new health hazard

Indoor smoking bans have forced smokers at bars and restaurants onto outdoor patios, but a new University of Georgia study in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests that these outdoor smoking areas might be creating a new health hazard.

19 Nov 2009

Reduction of serum bilirubin, the hallmark of successful biliary drainage

Biliary drainage is performed as a palliative treatment of hilar cholangiocarcinoma. The reduction of serum bilirubin is usually the hallmark of successful biliary drainage. However, some patients may have persistent jaundice or scanty bile output after biliary drainage.

19 Nov 2009

New biomarkers can predict patients' response to certain drugs

Recent advances in cancer therapeutics have led to the discovery of biomarkers that can predict patient response to certain drugs. Screening for mutations in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGRF) prior to non-small cell lung cancer treatment, for example, has been shown to indentify patients who are likely to respond to treatment with erlontinib. This maximizes the drug's impact, and spares patients who are not likely to benefit from being subjected to potentially debilitating side effects.

19 Nov 2009

UAB expert recommends research and evidence to interpret new mammography guidelines

The public may have problems this week sorting through news articles about a government task force's opposition to routine mammograms for women under 50 and articles about breast cancer survivors touting the benefits of early mammograms. But to properly interpret the news, the public must learn to balance the research with the anecdotal evidence says University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Associate Professor of English Cynthia Ryan, Ph.D.

19 Nov 2009

Final results from ImmuPharma's Phase IIb trial of LUPUZOR

ImmuPharma PLC the specialist discovery and development pharmaceutical company is pleased to announce today the final results from a Phase IIb trial of LUPUZOR™ in active patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). Lupuzor™ administered at 200 mcg once-a-month for 3 months plus standard of care achieved a clinically significant improvement in patient response rate as measured by the combined score compared to placebo plus standard of care.

19 Nov 2009

Cancer News and Research

Latest Cancer News and Research

First Edition: November 19, 2009

Embryonic stem cells raise hope of cellular replacement therapy for liver failure

EIN News launches "Mesothelioma News Today"

IASLC staging classification: A new approach to evaluate and treat lung cancers

Recent progress of Delcath Systems in drug delivery platform reported

System to help identify patients at high risk of developing delirium

Washington Global Health Alliance completes internal coordination study of global health

New photocontrolled molecular switch regulates paralysis in living organisms

Genetic identity of cellular receptor for the immune system's first-response antibody discovered

Breastcancer.org opposes proposed new guidelines for mammograms

eHealthInsurance releases six-point checklist to get the most out of Medicare coverage

Findings suggest athletes abuse non-approved therapeutic compounds for performance enhancing effects

Report on unexplained liver haemorrhage after metastasis radiofrequency ablation published

BioAlliance Pharma wins first prize in Deloitte's Technology Fast 50 2009

USPSTF's new guidelines for mammography: The Maurer Foundation for Breast Health Education disagrees

Outdoor smoking areas: A new health hazard

Reduction of serum bilirubin, the hallmark of successful biliary drainage

New biomarkers can predict patients' response to certain drugs

UAB expert recommends research and evidence to interpret new mammography guidelines

Final results from ImmuPharma's Phase IIb trial of LUPUZOR

Cancer Research - Second Edition eBook

Real-time Raman monitoring for pharmaceutical hot melt extrusion

Synthetic Psychedelics: A Growing Public Health Concern

How the Vutara VXL simplifies single-molecule imaging

Cancer News and Research

Latest Cancer News and Research

Cancer Research - Second Edition eBook

Real-time Raman monitoring for pharmaceutical hot melt extrusion

Synthetic Psychedelics: A Growing Public Health Concern

How the Vutara VXL simplifies single-molecule imaging

Newsletters you may be interested in