New report draws attention to urgent need to tackle disparities in cancer care worldwide

A proposal for a new financing model to tackle the major disparities that exist in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and outcome of cancer in countries worldwide has been presented at the 2013 European Cancer Congress (ECCO 2013). While much progress has been made against cancer over the last century, a new report brings together evidence that not every patient benefits from it, nor even has the opportunity to benefit. The economics of cancer are daunting and the current model of financing is broken, said Professor Peter Boyle, President of the International Prevention Research Institute (Lyon, France) and Director of the Institute of Global Public Health of the University of Strathclyde (Glasgow, United Kingdom and Lyon, France) in a presentation entitled 'The State of Oncology'. Read more here.

Read the ESMO press release here.

‘We won’t have to do those dinosaur trials.’ How new cancer drugs can skip randomized tests

Research that fine-tune treatments to the genetic profile of patients, is fuelling a rethink over how new cancer drugs are tested. The promise: medicines that, in theory at least, can win approval more easily and cheaply. That also raises ethical questions. Read more here.

Focus should shift to bowel-cancer screening from breast and prostate programs, experts say

European governments should divert funds to routine bowel cancer tests from less effective breast and prostate screening programs, scientists said on Saturday, presenting what they called “irrefutable” evidence that bowel screening saves lives. Read more here.

European Medicines Agency recommends a variation to the terms of the marketing authorisation for everolimus

The European Medicines Agency Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) has adopted a positive opinion recommending a variation to the terms of the marketing authorisation for the medicinal product everolimus (Votubia). Everolimus (Votubia) is indicated for the treatment of patients aged 3 years and older with subependymal giant cell astrocytoma (SEGA) associated with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) who require therapeutic intervention but are not amenable to surgery. Read more here.

European Medicines Agency recommends to extend the indications for ipilimumab

The European Medicines Agency Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) has adopted a positive opinion recommending a variation to the terms of the marketing authorisation for the medicinal product ipilimumab (Yervoy). The CHMP adopted a change to the indication, extending the use of the medicine to previously untreated patients. The change adopted is as follows: “YERVOY is indicated for the treatment of advanced (unresectable or metastatic) melanoma in adults." Read more here.

RAS mutations predict a lack of response in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer who receive panitumumab–FOLFOX4

Patients with metastatic colorectal cancer and KRAS mutations in exon 2 do not benefit from anti-EGFR therapy. However, other activating RAS mutations may predict poorer outcome with anti-EGFR therapy. In a prospectively planned retrospective biomarker analysis from the PRIME study, reported in The New England Journal of Medicine by Dr Jean-Yves Douillard of Institut René Gauducheau, who is currently a Chair of the ESMO Educational Committee, and colleagues, the addition of panitumumab to FOLFOX4 regimen was associated with improved progression-free survival and overall survival in patients without RAS mutations. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Douillard JY, et al. Panitumumab-FOLFOX4 treatment and RAS mutations in colorectal cancer. N Engl J Med. 2013 Sep 12;369(11):1023-34. PMID: 24024839

Fewer weeks of hormone therapy before radiation reduces side effects in intermediate risk PCa

A shorter course of androgen suppression therapy prior to radiation therapy, when compared to a longer course of androgen suppression therapy, yields favorable outcomes and fewer adverse effects for intermediate-risk prostate cancer patients, according to research presented at the American Society for Radiation Oncology's (ASTRO) 55th Annual Meeting. The study confirmed a disease-specific-survival rate of 95 percent when patients received fewer weeks of neoadjuvant total androgen suppression. Read more here.

Avoiding specific region of brain during whole-brain radiotherapy prevents memory loss

Limiting the amount of radiation absorbed in the hippocampal portion of the brain during whole-brain radiotherapy for brain metastases preserves memory function in patients for up to six months after treatment, according to research presented at the American Society for Radiation Oncology's (ASTRO's) 55th Annual Meeting. Read more here.

Sulfasalazine does not reduce diarrhea for patients receiving pelvic radiation therapy

Patients receiving radiotherapy (RT) for cancers in the pelvic region can experience diarrhea, a negative side effect of radiation treatment. Sulfasalazine, an oral tablet used to treat inflammation of the bowels, had been shown in a past trial of 31 patients to decrease diarrhea during pelvic RT. Sulfasalazine does not reduce diarrhea, according to research presented at the American Society of Radiation Oncology's (ASTRO's) 55th Annual Meeting. The study also determined that the medication may be associated with a higher risk of diarrhea than placebo. Read more here.

Proton therapy is a cost-effective treatment for pediatric brain tumor patients

Proton therapy, an external beam radiotherapy in which protons deliver precise radiation doses to a tumor and spare healthy organs and tissues, is cost-effective in treating medulloblastomas, fast-growing brain tumors that mainly affect children, when compared to standard photon radiation therapy, according to research presented at the American Society for Radiation Oncology's (ASTRO's) 55th Annual Meeting. Read more here.

Adult cancer patients younger than 50 with limited brain mets have improved OS after SRS alone

When treated with stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), that is not combined with whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT), adult brain cancer patients who were 50 years old and younger were found to have improved survival, according to research presented at the American Society for Radiation Oncology's (ASTRO's) 55th Annual Meeting. Younger patients (under 50 years old) were also found to be at no greater risk of new brain metastases developing despite omission of WBRT. Read more here.

USC scientists ID protein that regulates cellular trafficking, potential for anti-cancer therapy

Molecular microbiologists at the University of Southern California (USC) have uncovered intricate regulatory mechanisms within the cell that could lead to novel therapeutics for the treatment of cancer and other diseases. Their findings, which have long-standing significance in the basic understanding of cell biology, appear in the journal Nature Cell Biology. Read more here.

Study mentioned: He S, et al. PtdIns(3)P-bound UVRAG coordinates Golgi-ER retrograde and Atg9 transport by differential interactions with the ER tether and the beclin 1 complex. Nat Cell Biol. 2013 Sep 22. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 24056303

Mayo Clinic researchers identify biomarker for smoker's lung cancer

Mayo Clinic researchers have shown that a specific protein pair may be a successful prognostic biomarker for identifying smoking-related lung cancers. The protein — ASCL1 — is associated with increased expression of the RET oncogene, a particular cancer-causing gene called RET. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Kosari F, et al. ASCL1 and RET expression defines a clinically relevant subgroup of lung adenocarcinoma characterized by neuroendocrine differentiation. Oncogene. 2013 Sep 16. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 24037524

Functional disability high among newly diagnosed older breast cancer patients

Many older women with newly diagnosed breast cancer have difficulty accomplishing daily tasks, and African-Americans seem to be disproportionately affected. Those are the findings of a new study published early online in CANCER, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society. The study's results suggest that many breast cancer patients could benefit from receiving therapy to improve their physical function. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Owusu C, et al. Racial disparities in functional disability among older women with newly diagnosed nonmetastatic breast cancer. Cancer. Article first published online: 23 SEP 2013.

Research looks at effects of childhood cancer on parents' relationship

The University of Calgary Faculty of Nursing's Nancy Moules has received funding from the Kids Cancer Care Foundation of Alberta for her study on the ways in which a child’s cancer experience, both during and after treatment, may affect the parents’ relationship. The aim is to shed light on how health-care professionals may better serve children with cancer by supporting the child’s parents and their relationship. Read more here.

Finding fertility after childhood cancer

For children with cancer, chemotherapy and radiation treatments are a double-edged sword. Many who live through cancer struggle to conceive once they reach adulthood. Clinical infertility, the failure to conceive after a year of trying, is particularly common among adults who received pelvic radiation and a class of chemotherapy drugs called alkylating agents. Read more here.

American Association for Cancer Research cancer progress report 2013: Continued advances made against cancer, sustained research funding needed

Significant progress has been made against cancer due to the dedicated work of researchers throughout the biomedical research enterprise, according to the American Association for Cancer Research’s (AACR) Cancer Progress Report 2013, released last week. Cancer research efforts have spurred the translation of scientific discoveries into new and better ways to prevent, detect, diagnose, and treat cancer. These advances are contributing to the rise in the number of people who are surviving longer and living fuller lives after their cancer diagnoses. Read more here.

Gene test shows promise for identifying aggressive prostate cancer

Researchers from Columbia University have identified 3 genes they used to predict whether prostate cancer in men with low-risk disease would stay low-risk, or become more of a threat. The researchers analyzed prostate biopsy specimens from 43 men who were followed for at least 10 years through active surveillance (with no immediate treatment). All the men had been diagnosed with low-risk prostate cancer, but in 14 of them the cancer eventually started to grow or become more aggressive. All 14 were correctly identified by the gene test. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Irshad S, et al. A molecular signature predictive of indolent prostate cancer. Sci Transl Med. 2013 Sep 11;5(202):202ra122. PMID: 24027026

European Medicines Agency recommends granting a marketing authorisation for radium-223 chloride

The European Medicines Agency Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use has adopted a positive opinion, recommending the granting of a marketing authorisation for the medicinal product radium-223 chloride (Xofigo), 1000 kBq/mL, solution for injection, intended for the treatment of adults with castration-resistant prostate cancer, symptomatic bone metastases and no known visceral metastases. Read more here.

European Medicines Agency recommends granting a marketing authorisation for trastuzumab emtansine

The European Medicines Agency Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use has adopted a positive opinion, recommending the granting of a marketing authorisation for the medicinal product trastuzumab emtansine (Kadcyla), 100 mg and 160 mg, powder for concentrate for solution for infusion intended for the treatment of adult patients with HER2-positive, unresectable locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer who previously received trastuzumab and a taxane, separately or in combination. Read more here.

Clinical tool accurately classifies benign and malignant nodules on lung scans of smokers

A Terry Fox Research Institute-led study has developed a new clinical risk calculator software that accurately classifies, nine out of ten times, which nodules are benign and malignant on an initial lung computed tomography scan among individuals at high risk for lung cancer. The findings are expected to have immediate clinical impact worldwide among health professionals who currently diagnose and treat individuals at risk for or who are diagnosed with lung cancer, and provide new evidence for developing and improving lung-cancer screening programs. Read more here.

New models of drug-resistant breast cancer hint at better treatments

Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have shown that human breast tumors transplanted into mice are excellent models of metastatic cancer and could be valuable tools in the search for better treatments. According to new research, these transplanted tumors maintain the genetic errors that caused the original cancer, even though they are growing in mice. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Li S, et al. Endocrine-Therapy-Resistant ESR1 Variants Revealed by Genomic Characterization of Breast-Cancer-Derived Xenografts. Cell Reports. Published online 19 September 2013.

Sanford-Burnham researchers identify new target for melanoma treatment

Scientists at Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute (Sanford-Burnham) today announced the discovery that a gene encoding an enzyme, phosphoinositide-dependent kinase-1 (PDK1), plays an essential role in the development and progression of melanoma. The finding offers a new approach to treating this life-threatening disease. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Scortegagna M, et al. Genetic inactivation or pharmacological inhibition of Pdk1 delays development and inhibits metastasis of BrafV600E::Pten-/- melanoma. Oncogene. 2013 Sep 16. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 24037523

Researchers identify mechanisms that oversee the development of a pro-tumor network

Researchers at Roswell Park Cancer Institute have uncovered a new pathway by which cancer cells, such as in breast cancer, stimulate the expansion of myeloid-derived suppressor cells, a blood cell population known to interfere with the body’s anti-tumor response. The findings, published in The Journal of Clinical Investigation, shed new light on the pathological events that fuel tumor growth and could lead to the development of new therapies to hinder it. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Waight JD, et al. Myeloid-derived suppressor cell development is regulated by a STAT/IRF-8 axis. J Clin Invest. Published online September 16, 2013.

Study in mice finds decreased glucose metabolism increases immune potential

Regulating glucose metabolism in immune cells may extend and enhance their ability to fight cancer and infection, according to a new mouse model study by NCI investigators. Investigating the mechanism of glucose metabolism in CD8+ T cells, whose role is to destroy virally infected cells or tumor cells, the scientists found that varying levels of glucose acted as a metabolic regulator in whether or not the cells became more specialized. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Sukumar M, et al. Inhibiting glycolytic metabolism enhances CD8+ T cell memory and antitumor function. J Clin Invest. Published online September 16, 2013.

New approach subtypes cancers by shared genetic effects

Cancer tumors almost never share the exact same genetic mutations, a fact that has confounded scientific efforts to better categorize cancer types and develop more targeted, effective treatments. In a recently published paper, researchers at the University of California, San Diego propose a new approach called network-based stratification, which identifies cancer subtypes not by the singular mutations of individual patients, but by how those mutations affect shared genetic networks or systems. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Hofree M, et al. Network-based stratification of tumor mutations. Nat Methods. 2013 Sep 15. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 24037242

Young Adult Cancer Canada launches new website

This week, Young Adult Cancer Canada (YACC) launched a new website, aimed at providing greater awareness regarding cancer survivor stories, news, and programs offered by this organization.  With a social media presence on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube, complete with a monthly e-newsletter, Up to Here, the YACC continues its mission of "building a community of young adults diagnosed with cancer that provides information, support, skills, and opportunity." 

To view the new YACC website, click here.

Obese cancer patients are being undosed, untreated

Video: Obese people are less likely to survive cancer, and one reason may be a surprising inequality: The overweight are undertreated in chemo. Now there's a push to "right-size" cancer care. Watch video here.

Guideline mentioned: Griggs J. et al. Appropriate Chemotherapy Dosing for Obese Adult Patients With Cancer: ASCO Practice Guideline. Journal of Clinical Oncology, Vol 30, Issue 13 (May), 2012: 1553-1561.

Women with breast cancer may overestimate secondary risks in other breast

Young women with breast cancer often overestimate both their chance of developing cancer in the other breast and how much removal of that breast is likely to protect them, a new U.S. study suggests.

In a survey of women diagnosed with cancer in one breast between ages 26 and 40 who chose to have a double mastectomy, almost all said a desire to extend their life was a very important part of the decision. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Rosenberg S. et al. Perceptions, Knowledge, and Satisfaction With Contralateral Prophylactic Mastectomy Among Young Women With Breast Cancer: A Cross-sectional Survey. Annals of Internal Medicine. 2013 Sep;159(6):373-381. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-159-6-201309170-00003.

Researchers look for ways to reduce side-effects of cancer therapy on kids

A University of Calgary researcher is part of a national project trying to determine if genetic variations make some children more susceptible to the harmful side-effects of medications including Cisplatin. About half of all adverse reactions are thought to be caused by genetic differences. “Pinpointing a genetic basis for adverse reactions to some of these medications would equip physicians with important information,” says Dr. David Johnson, the pediatrician leading the Calgary arm of the project. “Screening tests could one day tell us which children are more likely to experience harmful side-effects, and doctors could then adjust dosages or try different medications or treatment,” he says. Read more here.

IARC postdoctoral opportunity - Section of Environment and Radiation

The Section of Environment and Radiation is currently offering a postdoctoral opportunity to work on the epidemiology of the high incidence esophageal cancer belt across East Africa. The work will include the descriptive epidemiology of this cancer in Africa, as well as verbal autopsy studies in high incidence areas and the coordination of prevalence studies of established risk factors. Read more here.

Interrupting cancer cell “conversation”: A new way to put the brakes on cancer

While great strides have been achieved in cancer treatment, scientists are looking for the next generation of therapeutics to stop the second-leading cause of death nationwide. A new approach to disrupt the “conversation” between cancer cells that promote tumor growth has been developed through a collaborative effort linking chemists at NYU and pharmacologists at USC.

In a study appearing the week of September 9 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the research groups of Bogdan Olenyuk of the USC School of Pharmacy and Paramjit Arora of the NYU College of Arts and Sciences explain their development of a synthetic molecule, the “protein domain mimetic” — representing an emerging frontier in cancer research that is distinct from the typical search for small molecules that target cancer cells.

Rather, this synthetic molecule targets the interaction between two proteins, at the point where intracellular signaling converges resulting in up-regulation of genes that promote tumor progression.

This compound was specifically designed to interrupt the type of molecular conversation within the cell — called cell signaling — that promotes growth of cancer cells and tumor progression. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Kushal S et al. Protein domain mimetics as in vivo modulators of hypoxia-inducible factor signaling. PNAS 2013 ; published ahead of print September 9, 2013, doi:10.1073/pnas.1312473110

Moving forward together: New progress report from the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer

The Canadian Partnership Against Cancer is proud to launch a new interactive Progress Report 2012-2017 on Canada’s cancer strategy. Visit this dynamic microsite for highlighted achievements from past and present years. Visit site here.

Dutch study shows that radiation therapy for ductal carcinoma in situ does not seem to increase cardiovascular disease risk

A large population-based study in the Netherlands found that women who had received radiation therapy to treat ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast (DCIS) have no increased risk of cardiovascular disease compared to the general population of Dutch women, nor compared to DCIS patients treated with surgery only. These results may be helpful to women who are deciding on their treatment plan and seem reassuring for DCIS survivors treated with radiotherapy. This is the first large study to evaluate long-term effects of radiotherapy for DCIS on both the incidence of cardiovascular disease and associated death rates. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Boekel N. et al. Cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in patients treated for ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast. Presented at the 2013 Breast Cancer Symposium, Sept. 7-9, 2013, San Francisco, California.

Seven potential immunotherapy targets for treatment of melanoma identified

NCI scientists, using a unique digital technology that counts RNA molecules in small amounts of tumor tissue, identified seven potential immunotherapy targets for treatment of melanoma. Immunotherapy works by boosting the body’s immune system, or by using immune cells to attack specific types of cancer cells. The success of this treatment for melanoma, and all forms of cancer, is contingent upon finding protein targets that are overexpressed, or highly active, on cancerous tumor cells, but have limited expression in normal tissue. The seven gene targets identified in this work meet these criteria. The results of this study, headed by Richard A. Morgan, Ph.D., Surgery Branch, Tumor Immunology Section, Center for Cancer Research at NCI, appeared Sept. 10, 2013, in Clinical Cancer Research. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Beard R E et al. Gene Expression Profiling using Nanostring Digital RNA Counting to Identify Potential Target Antigens for Melanoma Immunotherapy. Clin Cancer Res. Published OnlineFirst September 10, 2013; doi:10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-13-1253

IOM report released today, “Delivering high-quality cancer care: Charting a new course for a system in crisis"

Today, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) released its report, “Delivering High-Quality Cancer Care: Charting a New Course for a System in Crisis.” According to the IOM, the American cancer care system often is not patient-centered, does not provide well-coordinated care, and does not encourage evidence-based treatment decisions. NCCS is a sponsor of the IOM report, along with other patient advocacy organizations, professional societies, and government agencies. As a leader in advocating for quality cancer care from the moment of diagnosis, through treatment and beyond, NCCS commends the IOM for its recognition of the challenges facing the cancer care delivery system and supports the findings and recommendations. Read more here.

Some immune cells appear to aid cancer cell growth, U-M study finds

The immune system is normally known for protecting the body from illness. But a subset of immune cells appear to be doing more harm than good. A new study from researchers at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center found that these cells, called myeloid derived suppressor cells, provide a niche where the cancer stem cells survive. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Cui TX. et al. Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells Enhance Stemness of Cancer Cells by Inducing MicroRNA101 and Suppressing the Corepressor CtBP2. Immunity. 2013 September 05. doi: 10.1016/j.immuni.2013.08.025

E-cigarettes as good as nicotine patches in helping smokers quit: study

Smokers who switch to electronic cigarettes to try to kick their habit are at least as likely to succeed in quitting or cutting down as users of nicotine patches, according to research published on Sunday.

In a first-of-its-kind study, researchers compared electronic, or e-cigarettes, with the more standard nicotine replacement therapy patches. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Bullen C, et al. Electronic cigarettes for smoking cessation: a randomised controlled trial. The Lancet. 2013 September 9. DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(13)61842-5

IARC Monograph available: Malaria and some polyomaviruses

Volume 104: Malaria and Some Polyomaviruses (SV40, BK, JC, and Merkel Cell Viruses). We are pleased to announce that this volume of the IARC Monographs is now available on-line. Read more here.

NCI clinician-scientists at the forefront of new prostate cancer diagnostics and treatment

At the 2013 annual meeting of the American Urological Association in San Diego, the company Invivo unveiled a product called UroNav. Resembling a stylized computer workstation on wheels, UroNav electronically fuses together pictures from magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasound to create a detailed, three-dimensional view of the prostate, which physicians can then use to guide precision biopsies. Three members of the team recently sat down, along with medical oncologist William Dahut, M.D., clinical director of NCI’s Center for Cancer Research, to discuss the challenges of prostate cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment; benefits of image-guided biopsies; and the future of prostate cancer care. Read the interview here.

Mammography with molecular imaging

Breast screening with x-ray mammography has made a vital contribution to reducing deaths from breast cancer. Dr José Maria Benlloch of Spanish National Research Council and his partners in the MAMMI project (Mammography with Molecular Imaging) recognised this, but they were driven to push science and engineering further to develop machines dedicated exclusively to breast scanning. Now it is possible to radically improve the quality of imaging, detect cancer cells at a much earlier stage and monitor the effectiveness of the treatment more accurately. Read more here.

Sutent (sunitinib malate) - Cases of severe skin reactions

Pfizer Canada Inc. (manufacturer of Sutent), in collaboration with Health Canada, would like to inform you about an important revision to the Product Monograph, including the consumer information section, for Sutent (sunitinib malate). Sutent is indicated for the treatment of gastrointestinal stromal tumour after failure of imatinib mesylate treatment due to resistance or intolerance. It is also indicated for the treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma of clear cell histology and for the treatment of patients with unresectable locally advanced or metastatic, well-differentiated pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours, whose disease is progressive. A statement has been recently added to the Product Monograph to inform Health Care Professionals and patients about a potential association between the use of Sutent and severe cutaneous reactions suggestive of Stevens-Johnson Syndrome and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis. Read more here.

End-of-life-issues discussion prompts thoughtful, insightful comments

A strategic session at General Council on end-of-life care in Canada elicited a number of thoughtful comments from delegates, highlighting the spectrum of issues involved and their complexity. The session was intended to provide the CMA Board of Directors with information and a sense of the viewpoints of delegates and it delivered that and more. Context for the discussion in Calgary was provided by four Canadian experts in palliative and end-of-life care issues. Read more and access the full webcast here.

School-age drinking increases breast cancer risk​​​​​​​​​​​​

Here’s a sobering fact for millions of young women heading back to school: The more alcohol they drink before motherhood, the greater their risk of future breast cancer. That’s according to new research from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis that, for the first time, links increased breast cancer risk to drinking between early adolescence and first full-term pregnancy. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Liu Y, et al. Alcohol Intake Between Menarche and First Pregnancy: A Prospective Study of Breast Cancer Risk. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2013 Aug 28. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 23985142

African-American women less likely to receive HPV vaccine than whites, even with access to health care

Even with access to health care, African-American women are less likely to receive the vaccine for human papillomavirus (HPV), which reduces the risk for cervical cancer, according to a study by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. The findings suggest a need for health care providers to both bolster HPV vaccination recommendations and address negative attitudes toward the vaccine among this vulnerable patient population. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Gelman A, et al. Racial Disparities in Human Papillomavirus Vaccination: Does Access Matter? J Adolesc Health. 2013 Aug 15. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 23992645

Inflammatory protein converts glioblastoma cells into most aggressive version

A prominent protein activated by inflammation is the key instigator that converts glioblastoma multiforme cells to their most aggressive, untreatable form and promotes resistance to radiation therapy, an international team lead by researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center has reported in the journal Cancer Cell. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Bhat KP, et al. Mesenchymal Differentiation Mediated by NF-κB Promotes Radiation Resistance in Glioblastoma. Cancer Cell. 2013 Aug 29. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 23993863

Swallowing exercises shown to preserve function in head and neck cancer patients receiving radiation

A study from UCLA’s Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center (JCCC) has found that head and neck cancer patients receiving radiation as part of their treatment were less likely to suffer unwanted side effects such as worsening of diet, need for a feeding tube, or narrowing of the throat passage if they complied with a set of prescribed swallowing exercises called a swallow preservation protocol (SPP) during therapy. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Duarte VM, et al. Swallow Preservation Exercises during Chemoradiation Therapy Maintains Swallow Function. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2013 Aug 27. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 23981953

New tool enhances the search for genetic mutations

Reed Cartwright, a researcher at Arizona State University's Biodesign Institute, along with colleagues at his University, Washington University, and the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Cambridge, UK, report in Nature Methods on a new software tool known as DeNovoGear, which uses statistical probabilities to help identify mutations and more accurately pinpoint their source and their possible significance for health. Read more here.

Article mentioned: Ramu A, et al. DeNovoGear: de novo indel and point mutation discovery and phasing. Nat Methods. 2013 Aug 25. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 23975140

Presidential Proclamation — National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

President Obama announced that the month of September will officially be known as National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. The proclamation, released on August 30th, applauds the advancements that have been made in recent decades while noting that pediatric cancer remains the leading cause of death by disease for American children under 15. Read more here.

Read the full Proclamation here.

Summary Basis of Decision (SBD) for Perjeta

Health Canada has issued a Notice of Compliance to Hoffmann-La Roche Limited for the drug product, Perjeta. Perjeta (pertuzumab) is a recombinant humanized monoclonal antibody based upon the human IgG1(κ) framework sequence and is a first-in-class human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) dimerization inhibitor. Based on Health Canada's review, the benefit/risk profile of Perjeta in combination with Herceptin (trastuzumab) and docetaxel is favourable for the treatment of patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer who have not received prior anti-HER2 therapy or chemotherapy for metastatic disease. Read more here.

BiCNU (carmustine for injection U.S.P.) lyophilized powder - Shortage of Canadian labelled BiCNU and replacement with U.S. labelled stock

Bristol-Myers Squibb Canada wishes to advise you of a shortage of Canadian labeled BiCNU (carmustine for injection U.S.P.) Lyophilized Powder, 100 mg/vial (DIN 00297763). In Canada, BiCNU (carmustine) is indicated as palliative therapy to surgery and radiotherapy or in combination therapy with other chemotherapeutic agents in primary brain tumors, malignant lymphomas, multiple myeloma, malignant melanoma (disseminated) and gastrointestinal carcinoma. Read more here.

Canadian study of long-term survivors highlights ‘good life after breast cancer’

A new Canadian study shows that quality of life for long-term survivors who have no recurrence is, for the most part, as high as that for women with no history of the disease. The study examined 285 patients who had surgery to remove their cancer, underwent subsequent treatment, and were living on average 13 years after their initial diagnosis with no recurrence of disease. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Hsu T, et al. Quality of Life in Long-Term Breast Cancer Survivors. J Clin Oncol. 2013 Aug 26. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 23980087

Made-in-Canada software helps better predict cancerous lesions in CT scans

A team of Canadian researchers led by the Terry Fox Research Institute has developed new software that can accurately identify whether a lesion on the lung of a high-risk individual -- as seen on a CT scan -- is benign or malignant nine times out of ten. To develop the technology, Dr. Stephen Lam, of the B.C. Cancer Agency, said his team looked at data sets of current and former smokers who had nodules on their lungs. The tool, when combined with a low-dose CT scan, will help doctors make decisions and potentially save the patient from unnecessary testing, Lam said. Read more here.

Study mentioned: McWilliams A, et al. Probability of Cancer in Pulmonary Nodules Detected on First Screening CT. N Engl J Med 2013; 369:910-919.

New prostate cancer screening guidelines suggest men be tested in their 40s

New screening guidelines for prostate cancer recommend that men be tested in their 40s, rather than in their 50s as was previously advised. The new guidelines, which were released by Prostate Cancer Canada on Wednesday, recommend that men should get a baseline Prostate-specific Antigen (PSA) test – the screening test for prostate cancer-- in their 40s. They also suggest that the decision to end PSA testing should be based on individual risk, rather than an "arbitrary" cut-off age, such as 70. Read more here.

Read Prostate Cancer Canada's position paper here.

Summary Basis of Decision (SBD) for ERIVEDGE

Health Canada has issued a Notice of Compliance to Hoffmann-La Roche Limited for the drug product, Erivedge. The market authorization was based on quality (chemistry and manufacturing), non-clinical (pharmacology and toxicology), and clinical (pharmacology, safety, and efficacy) information submitted. Based on Health Canada's review, the benefit/risk profile of Erivedge is favourable for the treatment of adult patients with histologically confirmed metastatic basal cell carcinoma or locally advanced basal cell carcinoma inappropriate for surgery or radiotherapy. Read more here.

1 in 5 women don't believe their breast cancer risk

A study conducted at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center shows that almost 20% of women do not believe their breast cancer risk, despite completing a risk assessment tool that accounts for family history and personal habits.  According to senior study author Dr. Angela Fagerlin, associate professor of internal medicine at the University of Michigan, these perceptions can lead to women skipping chemotherapy treatment or "undergoing treatments that might not be medically appropriate, which can have long-term ramifications".

To read more about this study, click here

Study mentioned: Schere Ld, et al. Belief in numbers: When and why women disbelieve tailored breast cancer risk statistics. Patient Educ Couns. 2013 Aug; 92(2): 253-259. PMID: 23623330