Oropharyngeal cancer patients with HPV have a more robust response to radiation therapy

UC Davis cancer researchers have discovered significant differences in radiation-therapy response among patients with oropharyngeal cancer depending on whether they carry the human papillomavirus (HPV), a common sexually transmitted virus. The findings could lead to more individualized radiation treatment regimens, which for many patients with HPV could be shorter and potentially less toxic. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Chen AM, et al. Differential response rates to irradiation among patients with human papillomavirus positive and negative oropharyngeal cancer. Laryngoscope. 2012 Sep 24. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 23008061

LIFR protein suppresses breast cancer metastasis

A receptor protein suppresses local invasion and metastasis of breast cancer cells, the most lethal aspect of the disease, according to a research team headed by scientists from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. The team described using high-throughput RNA sequencing to identify the leukemia inhibitory factor receptor (LIFR) as a novel suppressor of breast cancer metastasis, the spread of the disease to other organs. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Chen D, et al. LIFR is a breast cancer metastasis suppressor upstream of the Hippo-YAP pathway and a prognostic marker. Nat Med. 2012 Sep 23. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 23001183

NIH study uncovers likely role of major cancer protein

Scientists may have discovered why a protein called MYC can provoke a variety of cancers. Like many proteins associated with cancer, MYC helps regulate cell growth. A study carried out by researchers at the National Institutes of Health and colleagues found that, unlike many other cell growth regulators, MYC does not turn genes on or off, but instead boosts the expression of genes that are already turned on. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Nie Z, et al. c-Myc Is a Universal Amplifier of Expressed Genes in Lymphocytes and Embryonic Stem Cells. Cell. 2012; 151(1):68-79.

Researchers identify risk markers for erectile dysfunction following radiation treatment in prostate cancer

In the first study of its kind, a research team led by Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University and Mount Sinai School of Medicine discovered 12 genetic markers associated with the development of erectile dysfunction (ED) in prostate cancer patients who were treated with radiation. The findings are an important step toward helping clinicians determine the best course of treatment for prostate cancer patients and may lead to the development of therapies that alleviate side effects. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Sarah L. Kerns, et al. A 2-Stage Genome-Wide Association Study to Identify Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms Associated With Development of Erectile Dysfunction Following Radiation Therapy for Prostate Cancer. Online first 28 September 2012.

Stivarga approved for advanced colorectal cancer

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Stivarga to treat advanced colorectal cancer that has spread despite prior treatment. As a multi-kinase inhibitor, Stivarga is "designed to block enzymes that promote cancer growth." Despite side effects including weakness, fatigue, loss of appetite, infection, and possible liver problems, studies have indicated that patients taking Stivarga "lived an average of 6.4 months, compared with people given a placebo who lived an average of five months."

For more information, click here.

Model confirms active surveillance as viable option for men with low-risk prostate cancer

A new research model has estimated that the difference in prostate cancer mortality among men with low-risk disease who choose active surveillance versus those who choose immediate treatment with radical prostatectomy is likely to be very modest, possibly as little as two to three months. The model, developed by biostatistician Ruth Etzioni, Ph.D., and colleagues of the Public Health Sciences Division at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, Wash., is among the first to use specific data from published studies to project the likelihood of prostate cancer mortality among men with low-risk disease who choose active surveillance. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Xia J, et al. Prostate Cancer Mortality following Active Surveillance versus Immediate Radical Prostatectomy. Clin Cancer Res. 2012 Sep 24. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 23008476

On the difference between 'disparities' and 'differences'

"There are many definitions of health disparities, but my favorite is disparities are differences that should not exist. This definition reflects the social injustice in how some races and ethnicities suffer more from cancer than others. I like this definition of disparities (or health inequity, as many people are calling it) because it can motivate us to fix the problem - the social, economic, cultural, and political barriers that keep some racial and ethnic minorities from getting cancer prevention, early detection, and state-of-the-art cancer treatment. This obviously can be harmful to racial and ethnic minorities. But this definition is also a problem." Continue reading the American Cancer Society Expert Voices blog here.

2013 MASCC/ISOO international symposium on supportive care in cancer

The 2013 MASCC/ISOO (Multinational Association of Supportived Care in Cancer) International Symposium on Supportive Care in Cancer will take place in Berlin, Germany, June 27-29, 2013. Visit the website here.

Young cancer survivors often forgo medical care due to costs

Many survivors of adolescent and young adult cancers avoid routine medical care because it's too expensive, despite the fact that most have health insurance. That is the conclusion of a new study published early online in Cancer. The results indicate that expanding insurance coverage for young cancer survivors may be insufficient to safeguard their long-term health without efforts to reduce their medical cost burdens. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Kirchhoff AC, et al. Limitations in health care access and utilization among long-term survivors of adolescent and young adult cancer. Cancer. 2012 Sep 24. doi: 10.1002/cncr.27537. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 23007632

Exposing cancer's lethal couriers

Malignant cells that leave a primary tumor, travel the bloodstream and grow out of control in new locations cause the vast majority of cancer deaths. New nanotechnology developed at Case Western Reserve University detects these metastases in mouse models of breast cancer far earlier than current methods, a step toward earlier, life-saving diagnosis and treatment. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Peiris PM, et al. Imaging Metastasis Using an Integrin-Targeting Chain-Shaped Nanoparticle. ACS Nano. 2012 Sep 24. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 23005348

NCI director Varmus addresses obstacles to cancer research

National Cancer Institute (NCI) director Harold Varmus described the current state of cancer research and identified obstacles to cancer research during remarks at the National Press Club on Tuesday, September 25. Watch the video here.

Study reveals genomic similarities between breast and ovarian cancers

One subtype of breast cancer shares many genetic features with high-grade serous ovarian cancer, a cancer that is very difficult to treat, according to researchers supported by the National Institutes of Health. The findings suggest that the two cancers are of similar molecular origin, which may facilitate the comparison of therapeutic data for subtypes of breast and ovarian cancers. The researchers, using data generated as part of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), described new insights into the four standard molecular subtypes based on a comprehensive characterization of samples from 825 breast cancer patients. Read more here.

Study mentioned: The Cancer Genome Atlas Network. Comprehensive molecular portraits of human breast tumors. Nature. Online Sept. 23, 2012. DOI: 10.1038/nature11412.

European Medicines Agency adopted a new indication for Bevacizumab

The European Medicines Agency Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) adopted a positive opinion recommending a variation to the terms of the marketing authorization for the medicinal product Bevacizumab (Avastin). The CHMP adopted a new indication as follows: "Bevacizumab, in combination with carboplatin and gemcitabine, is indicated for treatment of adult patients with first recurrence of platinum-sensitive epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer who have not received prior therapy with Bevacizumab or other VEGF inhibitors or VEGF receptor–targeted agents”. Read more here.

Scientists publish findings about novel anticancer agent

Scientists at Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI) have made headway in the effort to overcome resistance to treatment, publishing findings about a novel cancer drug that has been shown to inhibit several genes associated with the ability of cancer cells to survive and reproduce. A team in RPCI’s Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics assessed the antitumor effects of FL118, a camptothecin analog that is structurally similar to irinotecan and topotecan, in preclinical studies. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Ling X, et al. A Novel Small Molecule FL118 That Selectively Inhibits Survivin, Mcl-1, XIAP and cIAP2 in a p53-Independent Manner, Shows Superior Antitumor Activity. PLoS ONE 7(9): e45571.

Rare cancers yield potential source of tumor growth

Researchers at the National Institutes of Health have discovered a genetic mutation that appears to increase production of red blood cells in tumors. The discovery, based on analysis of tissue from rare endocrine tumors, may help clarify how some tumors generate a new blood supply to sustain their growth, the researchers explained. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Zhuang Z, et al. Somatic HIF2A gain-of-function mutations in paraganglioma with polycythemia. N Engl J Med. 2012 Sep 6;367(10):922-30. PMID: 22931260

Taming physical forces that block cancer treatment

A Massachusetts General Hospital research team has identified factors that contribute to solid stress within tumors, suggesting possible ways to alleviate it, and has developed a simple way to measure such pressures. The study was also designed to determine whether previously compressed blood vessels would open when stress-inducing components were depleted. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Stylianopoulos T, et al. Causes, consequences, and remedies for growth-induced solid stress in murine and human tumors. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2012 Sep 18;109(38):15101-8. PMID: 22932871

ESMO 2012 emphasizes palliative care

The European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) has awarded ESMO Designated Center of Integrated Oncology and Palliative Care accreditation to 16 new oncology centers. The centers will receive the acknowledgment at the ESMO 2012 Congress. The ESMO 2012 Congress will also highlight two new Italian studies demonstrating how palliative care works in practice in Italy. The first study explores use of analgesics; the second looks at different models for organization of the integration of palliative care with oncology. Read more here.

Effect of L-carnitine on cancer-related fatigue unclear

A recent study recruited 376 patients with cancer and fatigue. Subjects were randomly assigned to consume a drink containing two grams of L-carnitine daily or a placebo drink. The study lasted for four weeks, and daily fatigue was evaluated by the Brief Fatigue Inventory questionnaire. Compared to the placebo group, the L-carnitine group did not have significant changes in fatigue at the end of four weeks. Moreover, L-carnitine supplementation did not impact depression or pain in the cancer patients. Further research is necessary. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Cruciani RA et al. L-Carnitine Supplementation for the Management of Fatigue in Patients With Cancer: An Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Phase III, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial. J Clin Oncol. 2012 Sep 17. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 22987089

FDA Approvals: New agent for chronic myeloid leukemia

The FDA has approved bosutinib as a new treatment option for adult patients with previously treated Philadelphia chromosome–positive (Ph+) CML. The approval was based on the efficacy and safety data from Study 200, a single-group study of bosutinib that enrolled 571 patients with previously treated Ph+ CML, including those resistant or intolerant to imatinib as well as patients who were previously treated with dasatinib or nilotinib. More information about Bousutinib can be found from FDA website here.

Genetic blueprint of breast cancer reveals new findings

A new study examining the genetic blueprint of breast cancer has uncovered that basal-like breast tumors, "one of the most deadly subtypes of breast cancer" genetically resemble ovarian cancer more closely than other breast cancers. According to Dr. Matthew Ellis, chair of medical oncology at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, this study indicates that "we're one giant step closer to understanding the genetic origins of the four major subtypes of breast cancer." The findings support the evidence that tumors should be classified and treated according to the genes that are affected, rather than location in the body.

To read more about this study, click here.

Coffee may reduce colon cancer risk

In a new study, researchers analyzed data on 489,706 individuals from the NIH AARP Diet and Health Study to assess the potential relationship between coffee and tea consumption and colon and rectal cancer. The researchers found that when compared to individuals who drank no coffee at all, those who consumed four to five cups daily and those who consumed over six cups daily had a 15 and 26 percent reduced risk of colon cancer, respectively. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Sinha R, et al. Caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee and tea intakes and risk of colorectal cancer in a large prospective study. Am J Clin Nutr. 2012 Aug;96(2):374-81. PMID:22695871

Pot compound seen as tool against cancer

Marijuana, already shown to reduce pain and nausea in cancer patients, may be promising as a cancer-fighting agent against some of the most aggressive forms of the disease. A growing body of early research shows a compound found in marijuana - one that does not produce the plant's psychotropic high - seems to have the ability to "turn off" the activity of a gene responsible for metastasis in breast and other types of cancers. Read the news article here.

Tissue around tumor holds key to fighting triple negative breast cancer

A natural substance found in the surrounding tissue of a tumor may be a promising weapon to stop triple negative breast cancer from metastasizing. A preclinical study published in PLOS ONE September 19 by Thomas Jefferson University researchers found that decorin, a well-studied protein known to help halt tumor growth, induces a series of tumor suppressor genes in the surrounding tissue of triple negative breast cancer tumors that help stop metastasis. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Buraschi S, et al. Decorin Protein Core Affects the Global Gene Expression Profile of the Tumor Microenvironment in a Triple-Negative Orthotopic Breast Carcinoma Xenograft Model. PLOS One. Published online 19 Sep 2012.

FDA approves children's dose of brain cancer drug

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a pediatric form of Afinitor (everolimus) to treat children with a brain tumor called subependymal giant cell astrocytoma. It’s called Afinitor Disperz. This is the first time the FDA has approved a form and dose of a drug specifically to treat a tumor that mainly affects children. Read more here.

Bacteria may signal pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer is highly lethal and difficult to detect early. In a new study, researchers report that people who had high levels of antibodies for an infectious oral bacterium turned out to have double the risk for developing the cancer. High antibody levels for harmless oral bacteria, meanwhile, predicted a reduced pancreatic cancer risk. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Michaud DS, et al. Plasma antibodies to oral bacteria and risk of pancreatic cancer in a large European prospective cohort study. Gut. 2012 Sep 18. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 22990306

Study links breast cancer risk to early-life diet and metabolic syndrome

Striking new evidence suggesting that diet and related factors early in life can boost the risk for breast cancer — totally independent of the body’s production of the hormone estrogen — has been uncovered by a team of researchers at the University of California, Davis. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Berryhill GE, et al. Diet-induced metabolic change induces estrogen-independent allometric mammary growth. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2012 Sep 17. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 22988119

Study confirms erroneous link between prostate cancer and retrovirus from mice

A once-promising discovery linking prostate cancer to an obscure retrovirus derived from mice was the result of an inadvertent laboratory contamination, a forensic analysis of tissue samples and lab experiments — some dating back nearly a decade — has confirmed. The connection, which scientists have questioned repeatedly over the last couple years, was first proposed more than six years ago, when the telltale signature of the virus, known as XMRV, was detected in genetic material derived from tissue samples taken from men with prostate cancer. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Lee D, et al. In-depth investigation of archival and prospectively collected samples reveals no evidence for XMRV infection in prostate cancer. PLOS One. Published online September 18, 2012.

Trial participants should be told more about placebos: study

Research carried out at the University of Southampton in the UK has concluded that participants in drug trials should be better informed about the potential benefits and possible side effects of placebos. The researchers led by Dr Felicity Bishop believe that health changes associated with placebos should be better represented in the literature given to patients before they take part in a clinical trial. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Bishop FL, et al. Informed consent and placebo effects: a content analysis of information leaflets to identify what clinical trial participants are told about placebos. PLoS One. 2012;7(6):e39661. Epub 2012 Jun 27. PMID: 22761859

Cancer in the movies

Films that feature characters with cancer have become a familiar sight for movie-goers in recent years, but they rarely portray the patient’s chances of survival accurately, Italian researchers will report at the ESMO 2012 Congress of the European Society for Medical Oncology in Vienna, Austria. After carefully studying 82 movies that center on a person with cancer, Dr Luciano De Fiore from Sapienza University of Rome and colleagues found the cancer experiences described in the films were quite different from the truth. Read more here.

BIT's 6th Annual World Cancer Congress-2013

BIT's 6th Annual World Cancer Congress will take place May 23-25, 2013, in Xi’an, China. Over the last five years, WCC has been a destination for researchers, specialists, clinicians and entrepreneurs to update milestone breaking research from all cancer research disciplines including anti-cancer medicine development, and to encourage these researchers to interact and forge new collaborations. WCC-2013 is keeping up the momentum to enhance the further communication among government organizations, universities, institutes, and enterprises to push forward the development of medicine and biotechnology in China and beyond. View the website here.

Clinical guideline on neutropenic sepsis released by NICE

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has released a clinical guideline that offers evidence-based advice on the prevention, identification and management of neutropenic sepsis in patients having anticancer treatment. Connect to the summary and download the full and patient versions of the guideline here.

Healthy victories for Illinois

Wins in Springfield and Chicago address cancer risks for all, especially youth. The $1-per-pack cigarette tax signed by Governor Quinn in June 2012 will prevent some 77,000 young people from smoking and prompt an additional 60,000 adults to quit. In another big win, the Chicago City Council passed an ordinance banning those under age 18 from using tanning beds in city salons, the first regulation of its kind in any major U.S. city. Read more here.

UCI researchers find cause of chemotherapy resistance in melanoma

UCI dermatologist Dr. Anand Ganesan and colleagues found a genetic pathway in melanoma cells that inhibits the cellular mechanism for detecting DNA damage wrought by chemotherapy, thereby building up tolerance to cancer-killing drugs. “If we can find a way to turn off the pathway responsible for this resistance, melanoma tumors would suddenly become sensitive to therapies we’ve been using for the last 20 years,” said Ganesan. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Ho H, et al. RhoJ and Pak Kinases Regulate Melanoma Chemoresistance by Suppressing Pathways that Sense DNA Damage. Cancer Res. 2012 Sep 12. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 22971344

PARP inhibitors may have clinical utility in HER2-positive breast cancers

Poly (ADP-Ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors, shown to have clinical activity when used alone in women with familial breast and ovarian cancers linked to BRCA mutations, may be a novel treatment strategy in women with HER2-positive breast cancers, according to the results of a recent study. The researchers hope to further map out the reason why HER2-positive tumors are sensitive to PARP inhibitors. If better defined, the knowledge could ultimately broaden the clinical application for PARP inhibitors. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Nowsheen S, et al. HER2 Overexpression Renders Human Breast Cancers Sensitive to PARP Inhibition Independently of Any Defect in Homologous Recombination DNA Repair. Cancer Res. 2012 Sep 15;72(18):4796-806. PMID: 22987487

Overcoming implementation challenges of personalized cancer therapy

Personalized cancer therapy is based on the perception that detailed molecular characterization of the patient's tumor and its microenvironment will enable tailored therapies to improve outcomes and decrease toxicity. The goal of personalized therapy is to target aberrations that drive tumor growth and survival, by administering the right drug combination for the right person. The time seems right for finally delivering personalized cancer therapy as standard of care, thanks to the increasing understanding of the mechanisms underlying tumor progression and drug sensitivity, and the increasing availability of targeted therapies and cost-effective multiplex testing. However, there are numerous challenges that need to be overcome to successfully implement personalized cancer therapy. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Meric-Bernstam F, Mills GB. Overcoming implementation challenges of personalized cancer therapy. Nat Rev Clin Oncol. 2012 Aug 14;9(9):542-8. PMID: 22850751

FDA approves first ultrasound imaging system for detecting breast cancer in women with dense breast tissue

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the first ultrasound device to detect breast cancer in women with tense tissue, to be used in conjunction with standard mammography for women with no breast cancer symptoms.

According to the U.S. National Cancer Institute, 40% of women have dense breasts, which can make standard mammograms difficult to interpret. The somo-v Automated Breast Ultrasound System (ABUS) uses high-frequency sound waves and computer analysis and is able to "scan an entire breast and produce several images for physician review in about a minute."

To read more about this ultrasound imaging system, click here.

Testing of adaptive clinical trial approach gets under way

A new approach for managing clinical trials could ensure that more patients get the most beneficial treatment from studies whose research results can also stand up to scientific scrutiny. The approach tries to overcome a huge problem in medical research: Not enough people volunteer for studies of new treatments, partly because researchers can't promise the studies will help them; but without enough volunteers, researchers can't study new treatment options. Read more here.

ESMO 2012 Congress abstracts available online

The abstracts accepted for presentation during the ESMO (European Society for Medical Oncology) 2012 Congress taking place in Vienna, Austria, September 28-October 2, 2012, are available online. View the searchable program including abstracts here.

Health Canada endorsed important safety information on propofol injectable emulsion 1% (10mg/mL), 1g/100mL

Hospira Healthcare Corporation is bringing to your immediate attention, a recall of one lot of Propofol Injectable Emulsion 1%, 10mg/mL, lot 09029DJ (expiry date 2014/09/01), that was initiated on September 7, 2012. The recall has been initiated due to the presence of visible particles (metallic and elastomeric) identified in a propofol vial. Hospira has not received any reports of adverse events associated with Propofol Injectable Emulsion 1% (10mg/mL) from its customers. Hospira has initiated investigations to determine the root cause and corrective and preventive actions. Read more here.

Shingles patients don’t have higher risk of cancer, study finds

It is well documented that patients with cancer have much higher rates of shingles. But a new study shows that, contrary to what many people think, shingles sufferers don’t have higher rates of cancer. “There is no increased risk of cancer in patients with herpes zoster,” Dr. Yi-Tsung Lin, an infectious-disease specialist at Taipei Veterans’ General Hospital in Taipei, Taiwan, said in an interview. “The virus does not appear to play any role in the development of cancer.” Read more here.

Study mentioned: Wang Y, et al. Risk of cancer among patients with herpes zoster infection: a population-based study. CMAJ online first September 17, 2012.

Scientists develop nose-like device to sniff out cancer cells

Scientists claim to have developed a sensor array system which can "smell" different cancer types in the same way a human nose can identify and remember different odours. Researchers from the University of Massachusetts Amherst have developed a sensor array system of gold nanoparticles and proteins to detect microscopic levels of many different metastatic cell types in living tissue. In a pre-clinical non-small-cell lung cancer metastasis model in mice developed by Frank Jirik and colleagues at the University of Calgary, Vincent Rotello's team at UMass Amherst used the array sensor system to "smell" different odours. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Rana S, et al. Array-Based Sensing of Metastatic Cells and Tissues Using Nanoparticle-Fluorescent Protein Conjugates. ACS Nano. 2012 Sep 4. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 22920837

Cancer research investment in Canada, 2005-2009

The latest annual report on cancer research investment in Canada from the Canadian Cancer Research Alliance is available online. This report is based on a survey of 39 organizations and summarizes their investment in peer-reviewed cancer research projects as well as the trends in investment from 2005 to 2009. Read the full report here.

In lung cancer, smokers have 10 times more genetic damage than never-smokers

Lung cancer patients with a history of smoking have 10 times more genetic mutations in their tumors than those with the disease who have never smoked, according to a new study from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Govindan R, et al. Genomic landscape of non-small cell lung cancer in smokers and never-smokers. Cell 2012; 150(6):1121-1134.

Cell death mystery yields new suspect for cancer drug development

A mysterious form of cell death, coded in proteins and enzymes, led to a discovery by UNC researchers uncovering a prime suspect for new cancer drug development. What Dr. Leisner and her colleagues found, in the end, is that CIB1 is a master regulator of two pathways that cancer cells use to avoid normal mechanisms for programmed cell death. These two pathways, researchers believe, create “alternate routes” for cell survival and proliferation that may help cancer cells outsmart drug therapy. When one pathway is blocked, the other still sends signals downstream to cause cancer cell survival. This multi-pathway action is key to developing more effective drugs. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Leisner TM, et al. CIB1 prevents nuclear GAPDH accumulation and non-apoptotic tumor cell death via AKT and ERK signaling. Oncogene. 2012 Sep 10. doi: 10.1038/onc.2012.408. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 22964641

Missing pieces of DNA structure are a red flag for deadly skin cancer

Melanoma is the most dangerous type of skin cancer and is the leading cause of death from skin disease. Rates are steadily increasing, and although risk increases with age, melanoma is now frequently seen in young people. Teams led by Yujiang Geno Shi, PhD, from BWH's Department of Medicine, and George F. Murphy, MD, from BWH's Department of Pathology have discovered a new biomarker for the lethal disease. The findings offer novel opportunities for skin cancer diagnostics, treatment and prevention. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Lian CG, et al. Loss of 5-hydroxymethylcytosine is an epigenetic hallmark of melanoma. Cell. 2012; 150(6):1135-1146.

Recruitment by genotype for genetic research poses ethical challenges

A potentially powerful strategy for studying the significance of human genetic variants is to recruit people identified by previous genetic research as having particular variants. But that strategy poses ethical challenges to informed consent, as well as potential risks to the people recruited, and it is unlikely that there is a "one-size-fits-all" solution, concludes an article in the IRB: Ethics & Human Research. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Beskow LM, et al. IRB chairs' perspectives on genotype-driven research recruitment. IRB. 2012 May-Jun;34(3):1-10. PMID: 22830177

Cancer statistics about hispanics released

A new Cancer Facts & Figures for Hispanics/Latinos has been released in conjunction with National Hispanic Heritage Month. This publication is updated every 3 years and is a resource for current information about cancer among Hispanics. The report presents statistics on cancer incidence, mortality, survival, and risk factors for Hispanics in the US. Read more here.

Read the full report here.

New trial alert: Red Bull for reduction of fatigue in prostate cancer patients receiving LHRH agonist therapy

Dr. Neil Fleshner and his research team from the University Health Network in Toronto are presently conducting a trial to determine if the Red Bull energy drink reduces fatigue in prostate cancer patients receiving LHRH agonist therapy.  The primary outcome of this phase II trial, namely fatigue reduction, is being measured by the Bruera global fatigue severity scale, while improvement in quality of life is determined according to the Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form (SF-36).  Patients with a histologically confirmed prostate cancer diagnosis undergoing LHRH-agonist therapy for at least the past 6 months, and a life expectancy of at least 1 year, are invited to apply.  As Red Bull is a caffeinated beverage, patients having experienced a myocardial infarction within the past 6 months, liver or kidney problems, or hypersensitivity to caffeine are not elligible to participate. 

To read more about this trial, click here.

Canadian Cancer Society applauds federal government for taking a stand against asbestos

The Canadian Cancer Society applauds the Federal Government for its announcement today that it will no longer oppose the inclusion of chrysotile asbestos in the Rotterdam Convention, an international list of hazardous substances. Read more here.

How to predict if scientists will be stars

A new Northwestern University School Medicine Chicago study offers the first formula that accurately predicts a young scientist's success up to 10 years into the future and could be useful for hiring and funding decisions. The new formula is more than twice as accurate as the h index for predicting future success for researchers in the life sciences. It considers other important factors that contribute to a scientist's trajectory including the number of articles written, the current h index, the years since publishing the first article, the number of distinct journals one has published in and the number of articles in high impact journals. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Acuna DE, et al. Future impact: Predicting scientific success. Nature. 2012 Sep 13;489(7415):201-2. PMID: 22972278

Study links marijuana use to testicular cancer

Researchers in California have found a possible link between using marijuana and developing testicular cancer. Conducting a case-control study in Los Angeles County, they found that men who had testicular germ cell tumors were about twice as likely to report having ever used marijuana as men without these tumors. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Lacson JC, et al. Population-based case-control study of recreational drug use and testis cancer risk confirms an association between marijuana use and nonseminoma risk. Cancer. 2012 Sep 10. doi: 10.1002/cncr.27554. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 22965656

Pregnancy exposures determine risk of breast cancer in multiple generations of offspring

Researchers from Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center demonstrate, in animals, that maternal exposure to a high-fat diet or excess estrogen during pregnancy can increase breast cancer risk in multiple generations of female offspring — daughters, granddaughters and even great-granddaughters. This study shows for the first time that the risk of some “familial” breast cancers originate from biological alterations caused by maternal diet during pregnancy that not only affect the directly exposed fetus but also the fetal germ cells, transmitting the increased mammary cancer risk to subsequent generations. Read more here.

Study mentioned: de Assis S, et al. High-fat or ethinyl-oestradiol intake during pregnancy increases mammary cancer risk in several generations of offspring. Nat Commun. 2012 Sep 11;3:1053. Online first doi: 10.1038/ncomms2058. PMID: 22968699

Fasting makes brain tumors more vulnerable to radiation therapy: study

A new study from USC researchers is the first to show that controlled fasting improves the effectiveness of radiation therapy in cancer treatments, extending life expectancy in mice with aggressive brain tumors. The researchers found that controlled short-term fasting in mice, no more than 48 hours each cycle, improved the effectiveness of radiation and chemotherapy in treating gliomas. Despite the extremely aggressive growth of the type of brain tumor studied, more than twice as many mice that fasted and received radiation therapy survived to the end of the trial period than survived with radiation alone or fasting alone. Read more here.

New mathematical model may lead to safer chemotherapy

Cancer chemotherapy can be a life-saver, but it could be fraught with severe side effects, among them an increased risk of infection. Until now, the major criterion for assessing this risk has been the blood cell count: if the number of white blood cells falls below a critical threshold, the risk of infection is thought to be high. A new model built by Weizmann Institute mathematicians in collaboration with physicians from the Meir Medical Center in Kfar Saba, Israel and from the Hoffmann-La Roche research center in Basel, Switzerland, suggests that for proper risk assessment, it is essential to evaluate not only the quantity of these blood cells, but also their quality, which varies from one person to another. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Malka R, et al. Evidence for bistable bacteria-neutrophil interaction and its clinical implications. J Clin Invest. 2012 Aug 1;122(8):3002-11. PMID: 22820292

Aboriginal Cancer Strategy II

To help First Nations Inuit Metis (FNIM) peoples overcome higher cancer incidence and mortality rates, later stage cancer diagnoses and the complexities of a fragmented system that falls under many jurisdictions, the Aboriginal Cancer Control Unit has developed a three-year Aboriginal Cancer Strategy II (ACS II) in 2012. Cancer Care Ontario developed the Aboriginal Cancer Strategy II in collaboration with the FNIM groups and other Aboriginal organizations who together will begin an important journey on the Aboriginal path to health and healing. Read more and download the report here.

Choline C 11: New imaging agent to detect recurring prostate cancer

The Mayo Clinic Positron Emmission Tomography (PET) Radiochemistry Facility in Rochester, Minnesota has unveiled a new imaging agent, approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, to aid in detecting recurring prostate cancer.

Known as Choline C 11, "the injected substance helps produce an image that allows doctors to identify tissues to test for the disease." While the FDA warns that this PET test is not intended to act as a substitute for actual tissue testing, the side effects of Choline C11 are relatively minor, namely a mild skin reaction at the injection site.

To read more about Choline C 11, click here.

Tips for Terry: Dine out, fight cancer

To commemorate the Terry Fox Run taking place this Sunday (September 16th), the Terry Fox Foundation and Calgary restaurants have teamed up for the 4th annual Tips for Terry campaign, running from September 14-16th.  Begun by Taste Restaurant owner Brendan Bankowski, this charity initiative "encourages local eateries and staff to donate their tips to the cancer-fighting foundation in conjunction with the Terry Fox Run."  According to Bankowski, 19 restaurants are currently participating in this weekend event.

To read more, click here. 

Johns Hopkins researchers find key to lymph node metastasis in mice

Metastasis is the primary cause of breast cancer deaths. Surprisingly little is known about the control of this process and how it might be interrupted to prolong the lives of women with breast cancer. In a study to be reported Sept. 10 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Online Early Edition, researchers at Johns Hopkins describe their discovery of how a protein responsible for cell survival in low oxygen can trigger the spread of cancer cells into the lymphatic system in a mouse model of breast cancer. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Schito L, et al. Hypoxia-inducible factor 1-dependent expression of platelet-derived growth factor B promotes lymphatic metastasis of hypoxic breast cancer cells PNAS 2012; published ahead of print September 10, 2012.

St. Jude study identifies improved diagnostic test that benefits children with acute myeloid leukemia

Early treatment response is a powerful predictor of long-term outcome for young patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The information can help physicians decide whether a more intensive approach is needed. Research led by St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital investigators has identified the best test for measuring that response and guiding therapy. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Inaba H, et al. Comparative Analysis of Different Approaches to Measure Treatment Response in Acute Myeloid Leukemia. J Clin Oncol. 2012 Sep 10. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 22965955

Cancer-causing gene alone doesn't trigger pancreatic cancer: study

More than a cancer-causing gene is needed to trigger pancreatic cancer, a study led by Mayo Clinic has found. A second factor creates a "perfect storm" that allows tumors to form, the researchers say. The study overturns the current belief that a mutation in the KRAS oncogene is enough to initiate pancreatic cancer and unrestrained cell growth. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Ardito CM, et al. EGF Receptor Is Required for KRAS-Induced Pancreatic Tumorigenesis. Cancer Cell 2012; 22(3):304-317.

Priorities 2012, biennial ISPHC conference, Sept 16-19, 2012

Priorities 2012 is the biennial conference of the International Society on Priorities in Health Care (ISPHC). The 9th International Conference will be held in Vancouver, British Columbia, at the Westin Bayshore, September 16 - 19, 2012. The theme for Priorities 2012 is "Partnerships for Improving Health Systems" which will examine the interface between researchers, clinicians and managers, and how these key stakeholders can best work together to improve our health systems. Read more here.

Researchers find first evidence for a genetic cause for Barrett's esophagus

Genetic variations that are linked with the onset of Barrett's esophagus, a pre-cancerous condition of the lower end of the esophagus, have been identified for the first time. The discovery of variations in regions on two chromosomes makes it possible to develop screening tests for people at high risk of developing the disease. A multi-national team of researchers led by Prof. Janusz Jankowski of the Blizard Institute of Cell and Molecular Science at Queen Mary, University of London, UK, has identified genetic variations on chromosome 6p21 and on chromosome 16q24. Read more here.

Study mentioned: The Esophageal Adenocarcinoma Genetics Consortium. Common variants at the MHC locus and at chromosome 16q24.1 predispose to Barrett's esophagus. Nat Genet. 2012 Sep 9. doi: 10.1038/ng.2408. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 22961001

Prostate cancer screening FAQ

The American Cancer Society has posted a list of questions for patients to consider when deciding whether to be screened for prostate cancer. Read more here.

Notice of decision for Removab

Health Canada has issued a Notice of Compliance to Fresenius Biotech GmbH for the drug product Removab. Removab contains the medicinal ingredient catumaxomab, a monoclonal antibody that acts as an antineoplastic agent. Removab is indicated for the palliative management of malignant ascites via intraperitoneal infusion in patients with epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) positive carcinomas where standard therapy is not available or no longer feasible. Read more here.

MarginProbe: New device may reduce repeat breast cancer surgeries

Dr. Susan Boolbol, chief of breast surgery at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York City is scheduled to unveil a new breast cancer device at tomorrow's (Septemebr 13, 2012) American Society of Clinical Oncology's Breast Cance Symposium in San Francisco. Known as MarginProbe, this device is intended to help "surgeons determine in the operating room if they have removed all cancerous breast cancer tissue." By emitting an electric field and thus receiving a return signal from examined tissue, MarginProbe may help reduce repeat surgeries after lumpectimy "without compromising cosmetic effects."

To read more about MarginProbe, click here.

New technology has potential to improve diagnosis for colorectal cancer patients

A greater survival rate for cancer starts with the correct diagnosis at its earliest stage. With work being done at the University of Calgary, colorectal cancer has the potential to be staged and diagnosed accurately and immediately. A team of researchers led by Dr. Oliver Bathe, a surgeon and professor, has developed a serum-based blood test to determine the stage of colorectal cancer, which is critical for treatment. Read more here.

Ovarian cancer screenings are not effective, panel says

Tests commonly recommended to screen healthy women for ovarian cancer do more harm than good and should not be performed, a panel of medical experts said on Monday. “There is no existing method of screening for ovarian cancer that is effective in reducing deaths,” said Dr. Virginia A. Moyer, the chairwoman of the expert panel, the United States Preventive Services Task Force. “In fact, a high percentage of women who undergo screening experience false-positive test results and consequently may be subjected to unnecessary harms, such as major surgery.” Read more here.

Study mentioned: Screening for Ovarian Cancer: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Reaffirmation Recommendation Statement. Annals of Internal Medicine. Available online first September 11.

HIF gene mutation found in tumor cells offers new clues about cancer metabolism

For the first time, a mutation in HIF2α, a specific group of genes known as transcription factors that is involved in red blood cell production and cell metabolism, has been identified in cancer tumor cells. Researchers from Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) at the University of Utah and the National Institutes of Health found the mutation in tumor cells of two patients with the rare cancers paraganglioma/pheochromocytoma and somatostatinoma. The mutation was previously identified in connection with a non-cancerous hereditary condition, but never before in spontaneously arising cancers. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Zhuang Z, et al. Somatic HIF2A gain-of-function mutations in paraganglioma with polycythemia. N Engl J Med. 2012 Sep 6;367(10):922-30. PMID: 22931260

Biologic therapies for rheumatoid arthritis not associated with increased cancer risk: study

Biologic therapies developed in the last decade for rheumatoid arthritis are not associated with an increased risk of cancer when compared with traditional treatments for the condition, according to new research from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. The study is the largest systematic review evaluating the risk of developing any malignancy among rheumatoid arthritis patients using approved biologic response modifiers (BRMs), several of which include tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Lopez-Olivo MA, et al. Risk of malignancies in patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with biologic therapy: a meta-analysis. JAMA. 2012 Sep 5;308(9):898-908. PMID: 22948700

Genomic characterization of squamous cell lung cancers

Scientists of The Cancer Genome Atlas report that they have characterized the lung squamous cell carcinoma genome. It is ranking second only to lung adenocarcinoma in the number of deaths it causes, but unlike the most common form of lung cancer, squamous cell carcinoma has no treatments aimed at the specific genetic alterations that drive it. This study clearly shows that squamous cell carcinoma, like lung adenocarcinoma, is a cancer with diverse genomic causes, many of which are potentially susceptible to drug inhibition. Read more here.

Study mentioned: The Cancer Genome Atlas Research Network. Comprehensive genomic characterization of squamous cell lung cancers. Nature. 2012 Sep 9. doi: 10.1038/nature11404. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 22960745

Ruling adds cancer to 9/11 health benefits

Fifty-eight types of cancer are now on the official list of covered illnesses for people who were exposed to toxins at the World Trade Center site after the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. The ruling follows the recommendation of an advisory committee of experts who reviewed scientific and medical evidence. This means people who developed cancer after exposure to the toxic ash can apply for benefits from the World Trade Center Health Program. The program was created with a $4.3 billion fund set up to compensate people – including rescue workers, volunteers, and residents – who became sick in the aftermath of the disaster. Read more here.

Health Canada endorsed important safety information on BiCNU® (carmustine for injection, USP), 100 mg/vial

Bristol-Myers Squibb Canada has initiated a voluntary recall of certain BiCNU® (carmustine for injection USP) 100mg/vial lots. This recall is being conducted as a precautionary measure due to the discovery of an overfilled vial of carmustine following routine stability testing for a specific lot of BiCNU® which was not distributed in Canada. Read the entire notice here.

Researchers find acidic pH microenvironments in tumors aid tumor cell survival

Researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center and colleagues at the University of South Florida and Wayne State University have discovered that tumor cell survival relies on adaptation to acidic conditions in the tumor microenvironment. Their research investigating the effects of acidity on breast and pancreatic cancer cell lines revealed the importance of autophagy in acidic microenvironments and suggests that a successful treatment strategy might be based on this autophagic dependence. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Wojtkowiak JW, et al. Chronic Autophagy Is a Cellular Adaptation to Tumor Acidic pH Microenvironments. Cancer Res. 2012 Aug 15;72(16):3938-47. PMID: 22719070

New test may reduce unnecessary thyroid cancer surgeries

In a large trial of 3,789 patients conducted at several medical centers in the US, researchers used a new gene expression test to identify which thyroid nodules with inconclusive biopsies had high risk for being cancer. They tested 265 nodules with unclear biopsy results. Eighty-five of them turned out to be malignant, confirmed after surgery. The new test correctly detected 78 of them as suspicious. In an accompanying editorial, J. Larry Jameson, MD, PhD, Dean of the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania wrote that the new test could eliminate 25,000 thyroid surgeries each year. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Alexander EK, et al. Preoperative diagnosis of benign thyroid nodules with indeterminate cytology. N Engl J Med. 2012 Aug 23;367(8):705-15. PMID: 22731672

Editorial: Jameson JL. Minimizing unnecessary surgery for thyroid nodules. N Engl J Med. 2012 Aug 23;367(8):765-7. PMID: 22731671

European Cancer Observatory launch

The International Agency for Research on Cancer and the European Network of Cancer Registries announce the launch of the European Cancer Observatory (ECO) web site today. The ECO web site is a one-stop shop that permits unique, easy access to data on cancer incidence, prevalence, mortality and survival in 40 European countries. ECO will be a valuable tool for policy-makers, medical and research professionals as well as civil society. ECO was developed as part of the ERA-NET project EUROCOURSE, funded by the Directorate General for Research and Innovation of the European Commission in the Seventh Framework Programme and the 17 partners and subcontractors of the project. Read more here.

Visit the ECO site here.

Face-down position may be safer during radiation for breast cancer

A new study conducted at the New York University (NYU) Cancer Institute suggestes that placing breast cancer patients in the prone, face-down position during radiation therapy may be a safer option. Dr. Silvia Formenti, chairwomen of the department of radiation oncology and associate director of the NYU Cancer Institute found that "the prone position was linked to less exposure of the lungs that the supine position...in those with cancer of the left breast, the prone position was linked to a reduced exposure to the heart."

To read more about this study, click here.

Study mentioned: Formenti SC, DeWyngaert JK, Jozsef G, Goldberg JD. Prone vs supine positioning for breast cancer radiotherapy. JAMA. 2012 Sep 5;308(9):861-3.
PMID: 22948692

Rheumatoid arthritis medications do not raise cancer risk

Researchers at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center have conducted a new review, indicating that rheumatoid arthritis medications (referred to as biologics) do not raise the risk of cancer, contradicting previous studies.  Biologics appear to be particularly effective, as they "work by targeting specific parts of the immune system involved in the inflammation process."  Despite this positive outlook, researchers caution that the current study observed drug interaction for a set 24-week period; concerns regarding long-term effectiveness are still unknown at this point.

To read more about this study, click here.

Stage I NSCLC patients who receive radiation therapy are surviving longer

Stage I, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients who received radiation therapy have an increased median survival of 21 months compared to 16 months, and the percentage of patients who receive no treatment declined from 20 percent to 16 percent, respectively, when comparing the two eras evaluated, 1999-2003 and 2004-2008, according to detailed analysis of the SEER-17 (Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results, National Cancer Institute) national database presented at the 2012 Chicago Multidisciplinary Symposium in Thoracic Oncology. Read more here.

Novel therapeutic targets identified for small cell lung cancer

Newly discovered molecular differences between small cell lung cancer and nonsmall cell lung cancer have revealed PARP1 and EZH2 as potential therapeutic targets for patients with small cell lung cancer, according to the results of a study published in Cancer Discovery. In order to identify molecular differences between NSCLC and the more aggressive small cell lung cancer, Lauren A. Byers, assistant professor of thoracic/head and neck medical oncology at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, and colleagues used reverse phase protein arrays that allow the examination of the expression of about 200 proteins that are in key signaling pathways known to be involved in driving cancer growth. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Byers LA, et al. Proteomic Profiling Identifies Dysregulated Pathways in Small Cell Lung Cancer and Novel Therapeutic Targets Including PARP1. Cancer Discovery. Published OnlineFirst September 6, 2012.

Hispanic lung cancer patients have higher survival than non-Hispanic white patients

Analysis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patient records in the California Cancer Registry (CCR) database during the 20-year period of 1988-2008 indicates that Hispanics/Latinos with NSCLC have a higher overall survival compared to non-Hispanic white patients, according to research presented at the 2012 Chicago Multidisciplinary Symposium in Thoracic Oncology. Read more here.

Standard chemotherapy provides equivalent survival rate to experimental in lung cancer patients

Treatment with pemetrexed, carboplatin and bevacizumab followed by maintenance pemetrexed and bevacizumab (Pem+Cb+B) is no better than standard therapy with paclitaxel, carboplatin and bevacizumab followed by bevacizumab (Pac+Cb+B) in patients with advanced non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NS-NSCLC), according to research presented at the 2012 Chicago Multidisciplinary Symposium in Thoracic Oncology. Read more here.

Adding bavituximab to second-lind chemotherapy doubles response rate

Adding the monoclonal antibody bavituximab to docetaxel chemotherapy doubles overall response rate and improves progression-free survival and overall survival in late-stage non-squamous, non-small cell lung cancer (NS-NSCLC) patients who have already received one prior chemotherapy regimen, according to research presented at the 2012 Chicago Multidisciplinary Symposium in Thoracic Oncology. Read more here.

Cancer control groups hope photos will shock young people into using protection

Health groups in Saskatchewan are hoping a photographic image will be enough to convince young adults to protect their skin from the sun, and avoid using indoor tanning beds. SunSmart Saskatchewan, which includes the Canadian Cancer Society and the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency, is hosting a demonstration clinic at the province’s two universities to show students the damage UV rays have caused to their skin. Read more here.

MAGIC team of scientists find new strategies for treating childhood brain cancer

An international team of scientists is one step closer to figuring out what causes some children to get medulloblastoma, the most common form of malignant brain cancer in very young children. Experts with MAGIC, short for Medulloblastoma Advanced Genomics International Consortium, say that by identifying what goes wrong in brain cells, better and more targeted treatments for this cancer can be developed. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Northcott PA, et al. Subgroup-specific structural variation across 1,000 medulloblastoma genomes. Nature. 2012 Aug 2;488(7409):49-56. PMID: 22832581

ENCyclopedia of DNA elements

Genome Research has published a special issue dedicated to The ENCODE (ENCyclopedia Of DNA Elements) Project, whose goal is to characterize all functional elements in the human genome. This issue presents novel findings, methodologies, and resources from ENCODE that bring extensive insight to gene regulation and set the stage for future discoveries. In addition, the issue also contains commentary and perspectives on how our views of the genome have changed as a result of The ENCODE Project. The entire issue is freely available online here. Read the complete ESMO news release here.

A low-dose ionizing diagnostic radiation to the chest at young age may increase risk of breast cancer in BRCA1/2 mutation carriers

The Gene-Rad-Risk study reports that ionizing radiation delivered in the course of diagnostic procedures to the chest before age 30 may increase breast cancer risk in women who carry a mutation in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene. “We observed increased risks of breast cancer among BRCA1/2 mutation carriers at dose levels considerably lower than those at which increases have been found in other radiation-exposed cohorts. This is not entirely unexpected, though, because BRCA carriers, due to impaired DNA repair mechanisms, may be more susceptible to the damage caused by low-dose ionizing radiation than other women,” said Dr Ausrele Kesminiene, the coordinator of the Gene-Rad-Risk study. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Pijpe A, et al. Exposure to diagnostic radiation and risk of breast cancer among carriers of BRCA1/2 mutations: retrospective cohort study (GENE-RAD-RISK) BMJ 2012;345:e5660

Terry's CAUSE on Campus

This fall, students at universities across Canada are uniting to celebrate Terry Fox's legacy and raise money for cancer research. Students at the University of Calgary will join their peers across Canada to honour and celebrate Fox and his legacy for cancer research as part of a new national university and college campus initiative called Terry’s CAUSE on Campus (CAUSE stands for College and University Student Engagement). Read more here.

Reflections on bitter medicine

From UToday, September 7, 2012 The Common Reading Program, now in its second year, is the first of its kind in Canada, and offers a common learning experience to every new student, regardless of program or faculty. Its size and scope makes it completely unique among Canadian programs. This year’s Common Reading Program text, Bitter Medicine: A Graphic Memoir of Mental Illness, was chosen among so many quality submissions received.

World cancer fact sheet: IARC

Cancer Research UK and the International Agency for Research on Cancer, in the framework of the World Cancer Leaders’ Summit, has published a new world cancer fact sheet of world cancer burden and trend statistics. See the fact sheet here.

Large analytic review finds a risk for mild cognitive deficits after standard dose chemotherapy

A large meta-analysis conducted by researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center has concluded that breast cancer patients treated with chemotherapy are at risk for mild cognitive deficits after treatment. The study noted that cognitive functioning varies across survivors, with some reporting no impairments and others reporting more severe or pervasive deficits. The objective of this analysis was to clarify existing research on cognitive functioning in patients who had received standard dose chemotherapy for breast cancer at least six months previously. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Jim HS, et al. Meta-Analysis of Cognitive Functioning in Breast Cancer Survivors Previously Treated With Standard-Dose Chemotherapy. J Clin Oncol. 2012 Aug 27. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 22927526

“Drug holiday” will change the standard of care, reduce side effects for men with recurring prostate cancer

Results of a clinical trial show that men with prostate cancer who are treated with intermittent courses (known as a drug holiday) of androgen-suppressing therapy will live as long as those receiving continuous therapy. The trial was led by the NCIC Clinical Trials Group, which is funded by the Canadian Cancer Society. It found that not only do the men live as long, they may also experience greater quality of life with fewer uncomfortable side effects from continuous exposure to androgen-suppressing therapy. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Crook JM, et al. Intermittent Androgen Suppression for Rising PSA Level after Radiotherapy. N Engl J Med. 2012 Sep 6;367(10):895-903. PMID: 22931259

Bosulif approved for rare leukemia

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved bosulif for the treatment of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), a condition primarily afflicting older individuals.

CML "causes a person's bone marrow to produce an enzyme that triggers development of abnormal white blood cells"; bosulif aids in blocking the effects of this enzyme.

To read more about these findings, click here.

New trial alert: Dutasteride and dietary interventions to prevent prostate cancer and reduce its progression

Lead by Dr. Vincent Fradel of Laval University and sponsored by the Fonds de la Recherche en Sante du Quebec, as well as the Prostate Cancer Canada Network, a trial, currently in the recruiting stage, is aiming to determine "whether marine omega-3 fatty acids and 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor are effective in the progression of prostate cancer for low-risk prostate cancer patients. Set at a duration of one year for each participant, the study emphasizes that along with pharamcological treatments, a healthy and balanced diet is also essential, particularly in reducing the intake of saturated and trans fatty acids.

To read more about this trial, click here.

Lack of sleep linked to aggressive breast cancers

While we all recognize the importance of a good night's sleep, Dr. Cheryl Thompson and her research team at the UH Case Medical Center have uncovered a direct correlation between "insufficient sleep and biologically more aggressive tumors as well as likelihood of cancer recurrence."  Women getting an average of 6 hours or less of sleep per night had higher tumor recurrence scores.

To read more about this study as well as additional feature articles in the September 2012 issue of Artemis (the John Hopkins Breast Cancer Newsletter), click here.

Study mentioned: Thompson CL, Li L. Association of sleep duration and breast cancer OncotypeDX recurrence score. Brast Cancer Res Treat. 2012 Aug; 134(3): 1291-5. PMID 22752291

Scientists find links among Parkinson's, cancer and family history

People with Parkinson's disease and their relatives may be at increased risk for prostate cancer and melanoma, and people with those cancers may be at increased risk for Parkinson's, a new study suggests. The researchers found that men with Parkinson's disease and their male relatives had a significantly increased risk for prostate cancer. They also found that prostate cancer patients and their male relatives had a significantly increased risk for Parkinson's. Read more here. Read the ESMO news release here.

Study mentioned: Kareus SA, et al. Shared Predispositions of Parkinsonism and Cancer: A Population-Based Pedigree-Linked Study. Arch Neurol. 2012 Sep 3:1-6. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 22945795

Ziv-Aflibercept receives FDA approval for colorectal cancer

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a new drug to treat metastatic colorectal cancer.  Ziv-Aflibercept (ZALTRAP) is used in combination with FOLFIRI as a second-line treatment for patients with stage IV colorectal cancer, blocking "the formation of new blood vessels for fast-growing tumors." 

To read more about the trial results leading to FDA approval, click here.

PSA screening for prostate cancer not recommended

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force does not recommend prostate-specific antigen (PSA)-based screening of men of any age, assigning a grade D recommendation ("moderate to high certainty of no net benefit, or the harms outweigh the benefits"). However, this recommendation does not apply to use of PSA testing as a surveilllance method of men already diagnosed with prostate cancer, or to monitor treatment.

Study mentioned: Moyer VA. Screening for prostate cancer: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommendation statement. 2012 Jul 17; 157(2): 120-134. PMID 22801674

Experts review unique adverse events with anti-CTLA antibodies

Dr Jeffrey Weber and colleagues at the University of Kiel in Germany have published an article that describes immune-related adverse events for patients receiving either tremelimumab or ipilimumab. These monoclonal antibodies, directed against the immune checkpoint protein cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4; CD152), have been investigated in metastatic melanoma and other cancers and have shown promising results. Ipilimumab has been approved for use in patients with metastatic melanoma. Both drugs have similar mechanisms of action, but are manufactured by different companies. Ipilimumab is an immunoglobulin G1 with a plasma half-life of 12-14 days. Tremelimumab is an immunoglobulin G2 with a plasma half-life of 22 days. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Weber JS, et al. Management of immune-related adverse events and kinetics of response with ipilimumab. J Clin Oncol. 2012 Jul 20;30(21):2691-7. Epub 2012 May 21. PMID: 22614989

Dabrafenib confirms class effect of selective BRAF inhibitors

Dabrafenib is the second agent in the therapeutic class of selective BRAF inhibitors, and has shown efficacy in a BREAK-3, randomized phase III trial with improvements in progression-free survival and response rates. Differences in the safety profile exist compared with vemurafenib, but the future lies in combinatorial strategies and improved patient selection. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Tawbi HA, Kirkwood JM. Targeted therapies: BREAKing a path for progress-dabrafenib confirms class effect. Nat Rev Clin Oncol. 2012 Aug 14;9(9):496-7. PMID: 22889973

Few doctors discuss exercise with cancer patients: study

Even though research has shown that exercise offers significant benefits in cancer care and recovery, many patients are reluctant to exercise and few discuss it with their oncologists, according to a new study. Exercise can improve cancer patients' mobility, which enables them to enjoy activities and prevents them from becoming isolated in their homes. It can contribute to overall feelings of strength and physical safety, ease cancer-related fatigue and improve sleep, notes a Mayo Clinic news release. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Cheville AL, et al. Insights into the reluctance of patients with late-stage cancer to adopt exercise as a means to reduce their symptoms and improve their function. J Pain Symptom Manage. 2012 Jul;44(1):84-94. PMID: 22770487