Cancer News and Research

Latest Cancer News and Research

Novel oncology therapeutic evaluation in Biomerk Tumorgraft platform

Champions Biotechnology, Inc., a company engaged in the development of advanced preclinical platforms and tumor specific data to enhance the value of oncology drugs, has established yet another agreement with a large biotechnology company for the evaluation of a novel oncology therapeutic in Champions' Biomerk Tumorgraft(TM) platform.

3 Sep 2009

National Cancer Institute awards grant to Receptor Logic for breast cancer research

Receptor Logic, Inc. announced today receipt of a Phase I Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Grant from the National Cancer Institute. The grant, entitled “Therapeutic Effectiveness of T-Cell Receptor mimic (TCRm™) Antibodies in Breast Cancer Treatment” will accelerate Investigational New Drug Application enabling studies surrounding lead candidate TCRm antibodies.

3 Sep 2009

Study identifies key compound that quickens recovery from life-threatening blood cell shortages

A key compound resupplies bone marrow with fast-acting stem cells that can more quickly rekindle blood cell production, according to a study published online today in the journal Blood. While the study was in mice, in the study authors say it has the potential to increase survival among patients with life-threatening blood cell shortages.

3 Sep 2009

Algeta partners with Bayer for development and commercialization of Alpharadin drug

Algeta Retains Option for Co-promotion and Profit Sharing in USA - Potential deal value of $800 million (EUR560m*) plus tiered double digit royalties - Algeta to receive $61 million (EUR42.5m) cash upfront, followed by development and sales milestones - Algeta retains option for co-promotion and profit-sharing in USA - Algeta and Bayer will jointly develop Alpharadin, with Bayer contributing a substantial majority of the costs of future development

3 Sep 2009

Interim Phase II data of Cotara reveals signs of efficacy in GBM patients

Peregrine Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today reported that clinical investigators are presenting interim Phase II data showing that its brain cancer agent Cotara(R) appeared well tolerated and demonstrated encouraging signs of efficacy in patients with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), the deadliest form of brain cancer.

3 Sep 2009

Alternative device for increased specificity of bronchoscopic lung cancer detection

Research published in the September 2009 issue of the Journal of Thoracic Oncology has found that narrow-band imaging bronchoscopy increases the specificity of bronchoscopic early lung cancer detection and can serve as an alternative detection device.

3 Sep 2009

Pioneer in the eHealth industry calls for calm in healthcare debate

In the midst of a tempestuous healthcare debate, one private citizen is proving you don't have to shout to be heard. A pioneer in the eHealth industry, Steve Parker, Jr., speaks with the calm voice of reason. His online call for a careful, strategic approach to reform is attracting the attention of business leaders inside and outside the healthcare industry, as well as everyday Americans currently struggling to pay their medical bills.

3 Sep 2009

Peplin announces merger agreement with LEO Pharma

Peplin, Inc. (ASX:PLI) today announced a definitive merger agreement whereby LEO Pharma A/S (LEO), a privately-held, leading global pharmaceutical company within Dermatology and Critical Care, will acquire all outstanding securities of Peplin for approximately US$287.5 million (currently A$348.4 million) in cash. This represents a purchase price of US$16.99 per common share of Peplin stock or A$1.03 per Peplin CHESS Depositary Interest (CDI).

3 Sep 2009

NIH grants $8 million to Fox Chase Cancer Center for cancer research

The Fox Chase Cancer Center has received an $8 million grant from the National Center for Research Resources of the National Institutes of Health (NCRR/NIH) to expand their laboratory animal research facility. The new facility will support advanced research into the fundamental biological processes underlying cancer, opening the way for the development of new treatments. The funds for the grant were made available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

3 Sep 2009

GDC-0449 inhibits the Hedgehog signaling pathway

The Hedgehog signaling pathway is involved in a preliminary study and case report describing positive responses to an experimental anticancer drug in a majority of people with advanced or metastatic basal cell skin cancers. One patient with the most common type of pediatric brain cancer, medulloblastoma, also showed tumor shrinkage.

3 Sep 2009

FDA's Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee votes in favor of FOLOTYN NDA

Allos Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: ALTH) today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee (ODAC) voted 10-4 that the response rate and duration of response observed with FOLOTYNTM (pralatrexate) are reasonably likely to predict clinical benefit in patients with relapsed or refractory peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL).

3 Sep 2009

Researchers to analyse nanoparticles

Researchers at Swansea University's Centre for NanoHealth have been awarded £1 million by the Research Councils' Nanoscience through Engineering to Application cross-council programme, led by the Engineering and Physical Science Research Council (EPSRC), to analyse the levels at which nanoparticles can be deemed safe within cells.

3 Sep 2009

Research reveals that 21% of death claims are rejected by California's largest private insurers

More than one of every five requests for medical claims for insured patients, even when recommended by a patient's physician, are rejected by California's largest private insurers, amounting to very real death panels in practice daily in the nation's biggest state, according to data released today by the California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee.

3 Sep 2009

Congressional event to raise awareness about young women’s breast cancer risks

NeoMatrix, makers of the HALO Breast Pap Test, is a sponsor of a congressional reception Sept. 9 on Capitol Hill, which will focus on the EARLY Act and raising awareness about young women’s breast cancer risk.

3 Sep 2009

Boron-based molecules can be used as new pharmacophores

Chemists and biologists have successfully demonstrated that specially synthesized boron compounds are readily accepted in biologically active enzymes, a move that, they say, is a proof of concept that could lead to new drug design strategies.

3 Sep 2009

Yale University awarded $36 million ARRA funds for over 100 research projects

Faculty at Yale University have been awarded over 100 research grants totaling $36 million since February 2009, when the federal stimulus package was signed into law. Known as the American Recovery and Revitalization Act of 2009 (ARRA), the law aims to reinvigorate the economy and lay the foundation for long-term economic recovery by increasing investments in infrastructure, education, the environment and scientific research.

3 Sep 2009

IGRT offers improved treatment results for obese prostate cancer patients

Moderately to severely obese prostate cancer patients may have improved treatment outcomes when treated with image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT) over traditional external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) because IGRT corrects for prostate shifts, which, if not planned for, can lead to incorrect doses of radiation to the disease site, according to a study in the September 1 issue of the International Journal of Radiation Oncology*Biology*Physics, the official journal of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO).

3 Sep 2009

Alloantigen-specific Treg cells targeted for organ transplantation

An increased understanding of the role of the body's immune system in the development of diseases such as prostate cancer, squamous cell carcinoma (a type of skin cancer), type 1 diabetes, autoimmune liver disease, and in the rejection of transplanted organs by some transplant patients, has paved the way for a pioneering research programme which aims to develop 'enhanced' cells as therapies.

3 Sep 2009

Avastin increases survival rates in recurrent glioblastoma affected patients

The targeted therapy Avastin, alone and in combination with the chemotherapy drug CPT-11, significantly increased response rates, progression-free survival times and survival rates in patients with a deadly form of brain cancer that had recurred.

3 Sep 2009

How to make the most of expiring health coverage

"Job loss or the fear of it has pushed more people to use their employer-sponsored health insurance before they lose it. Major health insurers have seen their medical costs rise in recent quarters, in part because people covered by employer-sponsored plans have rushed to use services before their benefits are cut off."

3 Sep 2009