Next post - January 2, 2014

Top Canadian Cancer Society funded research stories of 2013

Research funded by the Canadian Cancer Society will ultimately change cancer forever. This page represents some of the most high-impact research of 2013 and highlights the breadth of research supported by the Society's donors. Read more here.

Cancer immunology named 'Breakthrough of the Year'

Cancer immunology has been selected as the "Breakthrough of the Year" by the editors of Science, the flagship journal of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. "Immunotherapy marks an entirely different way of treating cancer — by targeting the immune system, not the tumor itself," according to the report. It beat out scientific advances in areas such as human stem cells from cloning and the understanding of sleep. Read more here. (First time users may be asked to sign in.)

Report mentioned: Couzin-Frankel J. Breakthrough of the year 2013. Cancer immunotherapy. Science. 2013 Dec 20;342(6165):1432-3. PMID: 24357284

Muscle-invasive and non-muscle invasive bladder cancers arise from different stem cells

A University of Colorado Cancer Center study shows that progenitor cells that create MI bladder cancer are different than the progenitor cells that create NMI bladder cancer. Though these two cancers grow at the same site, they are different diseases. “This work provides an important new perspective on how we look at bladder cancer biology,” says Dan Theodorescu, MD, PhD, director of the University of Colorado Cancer Center and the study’s senior author. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Dancik GM, et al. A cell of origin gene signature indicates human bladder cancer has distinct cellular progenitors. Stem Cells. 2013 Dec 19. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 24357085

Angelina Jolie's preventive mastectomy raised awareness, but not knowledge of breast cancer risk

Angelina Jolie heightened awareness about breast cancer when she announced in a New York Times op-ed that she had undergone a preventive double mastectomy. But a new study led by researchers in the University of Maryland School of Public Health and the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health reveals that widespread awareness of Jolie's story did not unfortunately translate into increased understanding of breast cancer risk. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Borzekowski DL, et al. The Angelina effect: immediate reach, grasp, and impact of going public. Genet Med. 2013 Dec 19. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 24357847

Renegades of cell biology: why K-Ras gene mutations prove so deadly in cancer

Cells with a mutation in the gene called K-Ras—found in close to 30 percent of all cancers, but mostly those with worst prognosis, such as pancreatic cancer, colon cancer, and lung cancer—behave in ways that subvert the normal mechanisms of cell death, according to a cell-culture study by researchers from Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) at the University of Utah. Normal cells need survival signals from the tissue that surrounds them to remain alive. Other research has shown cells with the K-Ras mutation can survive and direct their own fate without these signals. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Slattum G, et al. Autophagy in Oncogenic K-Ras Promotes Basal Extrusion of Epithelial Cells by Degrading S1P. Current Biology, online 19 December 2013.

Advances in stem cell transplantation strategies show promise to improve availability, success

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, once considered an effective yet risky alternative to drug therapy for blood cancer, has become more accessible and successful in a wide range of patients as a result of major advances in transplant strategies and technologies. Several studies representing these advances were presented during the 55th American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting and Exposition in New Orleans. Read more here.

Economic factors may affect getting guideline-recommended breast cancer treatment

Women with interruptions in health insurance coverage or with low income levels had a significantly increased likelihood of failing to receive breast cancer care that is in concordance with recommended treatment guidelines, according to results presented at the Sixth AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved. Read more here.

Novel method could help bring cancer biomarkers to clinic

An international team of scientists led by Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center cancer proteomics expert Amanda Paulovich, M.D., has demonstrated the feasibility of large-scale, standardized protein measurements, which are necessary for validation of disease biomarkers and drug targets. The study shows that the scientists' targeted protein-detection approach has the potential to systematically and reliably measure the entire human repertoire of proteins, known as the proteome. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Kennedy JJ, et al. Demonstrating the feasibility of large-scale development of standardized assays to quantify human proteins. Nat Methods. 2013 Dec 8. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 24317253

Novel drug regimen can improve stem cell transplantation outcomes

Adding bortezomib (Velcade) to standard preventive therapy for graft-versus-host-disease (GVHD) results in improved outcomes for patients receiving stem cell transplants from mismatched and unrelated donors, according to researchers from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. In a new phase 2 trial, patients treated with bortezomib had lower rates of severe acute GVHD and treatment-related mortality, and experienced better one-year overall survival than has been seen historically with such patients receiving standard preventive therapy, the investigators reported at the American Society of Hematology annual meeting. Read more here.

Potential biological factor contributing to racial disparities in prostate cancer

Researchers have uncovered a potential biological factor that may contribute to disparities in prostate cancer incidence and mortality between African-American and non-Hispanic white men in the United States, according to results presented at the Sixth AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved. Read more here.

New studies demonstrate that modified T cells are effective in treating blood-borne cancers

At the 2013 American Society of Hematology meeting in Dec. 2013, James Kochenderfer, M.D., investigator in the Experimental Transplantation and Immunology Branch, NCI, presented findings from two clinical trials evaluating the use of genetically modified immune system T cells as cancer therapy. Read more here.

Drug-antibody pair has promising activity in non-Hodgkin lymphoma

A toxin linked to a targeted monoclonal antibody has shown "compelling" antitumor activity in patients with non-Hodgkin lymphomas who were no longer responding to treatment, according to a report from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. The ongoing open-label phase 2 study presented at the American Society of Hematology meeting was designed to test the activity of brentuximab vedotin (Adcetris) in relapsed or refractory non-Hodgkin lymphoma including B-cell cancers such as diffuse large B cell lymphoma. Read more here.

Less painful drug delivery for pediatric leukemia patients is safe, effective

Children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, the most common form of pediatric cancer, can safely receive intravenous infusions of a reformulated mainstay of chemotherapy that has been delivered via painful intramuscular injection for more than 40 years, research suggests. Findings from the study, DFCI ALL Consortium Protocol 05-001, were presented at the 55th annual meeting of the American Society of Hematology. Read more here.

Screening decisions must balance potential benefits with potential patient harms

Screening to detect medical conditions has become standard practice for many diseases, but insufficient attention has been paid to the potential for harm, according to research conducted at the University of North Carolina. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Harris RP, et al. The Harms of Screening: A Proposed Taxonomy and Application to Lung Cancer Screening. JAMA Intern Med. 2013 Dec 9. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 24322781

FDA: Nipple aspirate test no substitute for mammogram

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is alerting women and their doctors not to use nipple aspirate tests in place of mammograms or other tests that screen for or diagnose breast cancer. The FDA says there is so far no scientific evidence that this test by itself can detect breast cancer or any other breast condition. Read more here.

View the FDA consumer update here.

Systems medicine paves the way for improved treatment for AML patients

A multidisciplinary team of researchers at the Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM), and the Helsinki University Central Hospital has developed a novel individualised systems medicine strategy which enables selection of potentially effective cancer therapies for individual patients. Furthermore, this strategy helps in understanding and predicting drug resistance and may pave a path for individualised optimisation of patient therapies in the clinic for various types of cancers. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Pemovska T, et al. Individualized systems medicine strategy to tailor treatments for patients with chemorefractory acute myeloid leukemia. Cancer Discov. 2013 Dec;3(12):1416-29. PMID: 24056683

Gene sequencing project finds family of drugs with promise for treating childhood tumor

Drugs that enhance a process called oxidative stress were found to kill rhabdomyosarcoma tumor cells growing in the laboratory and possibly bolstered the effectiveness of chemotherapy against this aggressive tumor of muscle and other soft tissue. The findings are the latest from the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital–Washington University Pediatric Cancer Genome Project. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Chen X, et al. Targeting oxidative stress in embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma. Cancer Cell. 2013 Dec 9;24(6):710-24. PMID: 24332040

Multi-gene test could help spot breast cancer patients most at risk

A new test has the potential to help physicians identify patients with the most lethal forms of triple-negative breast cancer, a disease which requires aggressive and innovative treatment. The test was able to distinguish between patients with a good or poor prognosis, even within groups of patients already stratified by existing tests such as MammaPrint and Oncotype, as well as to extend its predictions to patients with more advanced or difficult-to-treat cancers. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Lee U, et al. A Prognostic Gene Signature for Metastasis-Free Survival of Triple Negative Breast Cancer Patients. PLoS ONE. 2013; 8(12): e82125.

Combined therapy linked to lower chance of recurrence in women with small, HER2-positive breast cancers

In a new study, women with relatively small, HER2-positive breast tumors who received a combination of lower-intensity chemotherapy and a targeted therapy following surgery or radiation therapy were very unlikely to have the cancer recur within a few years of treatment, investigators at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and other research centers reported at the 2013 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. Read more here.

Study identifies highly effective treatment option for patients with HER2-positive breast cancer

Combining the chemotherapy drugs docetaxel and carboplatin with the HER2-targeted therapy trastuzumab was identified to be an ideal postsurgery treatment option for patients with HER2-positive breast cancer, regardless of tumor size and whether or not disease has spread to the lymph nodes, according to results from the BETH study presented at the 2013 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. Read more here.

Changing chemo not beneficial for metastatic B.C. patients with elevated circulating tumor cells

For women with metastatic breast cancer who had elevated amounts of circulating tumor cells in their blood after a first line of chemotherapy, switching immediately to a different chemotherapy did not improve overall survival or time to progression, according to the results of a phase III clinical trial presented at the 2013 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. Read more here.

Pain drugs used in prostate gland removal linked to cancer outcome

The methods used to anesthetize prostate cancer patients and control pain when their prostate glands are surgically removed for adenocarcinoma may affect their long-term cancer outcomes, a study led by Mayo Clinic has found. Opioids, painkillers commonly given during and after surgery, may suppress the immune system's ability to fight cancer cells. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Scavonetto F, et al. Association between neuraxial analgesia, cancer progression, and mortality after radical prostatectomy: a large, retrospective matched cohort study. Br J Anaesth (2013) First published online: December 16, 2013

Misunderstanding of palliative care leads to preventable suffering

A new review says palliative care’s association with end of life has created an “identity problem” that means the majority of patients facing a serious illness do not benefit from treatment of the physical and psychological symptoms that occur throughout their disease. The authors say palliative care should be initiated at the same time as standard medical care for patients with serious illnesses, and not brought up only after treatment has failed. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Parikh RB, et al. Early specialty palliative care - translating data in oncology into practice. N Engl J Med. 2013 Dec 12;369(24):2347-51. PMID: 24328469

New presurgery combination therapy may improve outcomes for women with triple-negative breast cancer

The I-SPY 2 trial, an innovative, multidrug, phase II breast cancer trial, has yielded positive results with the first drug to complete testing in the trial. Adding the chemotherapy carboplatin and the molecularly targeted drug veliparib to standard presurgery chemotherapy improved outcomes for women with triple-negative breast cancer, according to results from the I-SPY 2 trial presented at the 2013 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. Read more here.

Ibrutinib and rituximab trigger 95 percent response rate among CLL patients

Nearly all of the high-risk chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients in a phase II clinical trial responded to treatment with the targeted therapy ibrutinib and the antibody rituximab, researchers reported at the 55th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology. Read more here.

New models of drug-resistant breast cancer point to better treatments

Human breast tumors transplanted into mice are excellent models of metastatic cancer and are providing insights into how to attack breast cancers that no longer respond to the drugs used to treat them, according to research from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. Read more here.

Additional drug shows promise for women with triple-negative breast cancer

In a nationwide study of women with triple-negative breast cancer, adding the chemotherapy drug carboplatin or the angiogenesis inhibitor Avastin to standard chemotherapy drugs brought a sharp increase in the number of patients whose tumors shrank away completely, investigators reported at the 2013 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. Read more here.

Annual report: Cancer death rates in the US continue to decline

The rate of death from cancer in the United States continues to decline among both men and women, among all major racial and ethnic groups, and for the most common types of cancer, including lung, colon, breast, and prostate. The Annual Report to the Nation on the Status of Cancer shows that the death rate from all cancers combined is continuing the decline that began in the early 1990s. The report’s special feature section focuses on the ways other medical conditions impact survival among people with the most common types of cancer. Read more here.

Read the report, Annual Report to the Nation on the status of cancer, 1975-2010, featuring prevalence of comorbidity and impact on survival among persons with lung, colorectal, breast, or prostate cancer, here.

A study of anastrozole in breast cancer chemoprevention

Five years of treatment with a potent, non-steroidal aromatase inhibitor, anastrozole, reduced the incidence of primary breast cancer in postmenopausal women at high risk for developing the disease, according to an analysis of the international, double-blind, randomised placebo controlled study. The results were presented at the 2013 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (10-14 December) and published simultaneously in the journal Lancet. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Cuzick J, et al. Anastrozole for prevention of breast cancer in high-risk postmenopausal women (IBIS-II): an international, double-blind, randomised placebo-controlled trial. The Lancet, Early Online Publication, 12 December 2013.

Obinutuzumab/chlorambucil in the first-line treatment of older CLL patients

Obinutuzumab/chlorambucil is superior to rituximab/chlorambucil in the first-line treatment of older patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) suffering from comorbidities. Obinutuzumab/chlorambucil combination led to a prolongation in progression-free survival which was the study primary endpoint. Secondary efficacy endpoints of higher response rate and minimal residual disease negativity rate were also achieved. Prolonged overall survival was seen when compared obinutuzumab/chlorambucil vs. chlorambucil alone. The final results of the phase III CLL11 trial were presented during a Plenary Session at the 55th American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting (7-10 December 2013, New Orleans, USA). Read more here.

New resources highlight the need for culturally safe cancer care in First Nations communities

While cancer affects everyone, rates of common cancers have increased among First Nations, Inuit and Métis people in the past few decades and in some populations are now at or above those in the general Canadian population. A new report released today examines cancer control for First Nations across Canada and provides a baseline against which progress can be measured over the coming years. Read more here.

Bones benefit from exercise after breast cancer

A new study conducted at the Oregon Health and Science University indicates that regular exercise helps maintain bone strength and prevent fractures in older breast cancer survivors. Study investigators measured "bone mineral density in the hip and spine, muscle and fat levels, and maximum upper and lower body strength." These findings support the notion that exercise programs for improving musculoskeletal health should be implemented in long-term care plans for breast cancer survivors. To read more about this study, click here. Study mentioned: Dobek J, Winters-Stone KM, Bennett JA, Nail L. Musculoskeletal changes after 1 year of exercise in older breast cancer survivors. J Cancer Surviv. 2013 Dec 7 [Epub ahead of print]. PMID: 24317968

Study explores romantic struggles of cancer survivors

A Calgary researcher is looking at how cancer treatment impacts the way teens develop their sexual identities and romantic relationship skills. “We really think it’s important to take a look at adolescents and how it is that they, in the face of cancer, are able to obtain sexual knowledge, begin sexual exploration and more importantly develop a sense of themselves,” says Nancy Moules, a researcher with the Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute. Read more here.

Global cancer burden rises to 14.1 million new cases in 2012

The International Agency for Research on Cancer has released the latest data on
cancer incidence, mortality, and prevalence worldwide. The new version of IARC’s online database, GLOBOCAN 2012, provides the most recent estimates for 28 types of cancer in 184 countries worldwide and offers a comprehensive overview of the global cancer burden. Read more here.

Visit the GLOBOCAN website here.

Phase III study of idelalisib and rituximab for previously treated patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia

A phase III randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluating idelalisib in combination with rituximab in previously treated chronic lymphocytic leukaemia patients who were not fit for chemotherapy demonstrated statistically significant improvement with acceptable safety over placebo plus rituximab in term of progression-free survival, overall response rate, lymph node response and overall survival. The benefit was observed even in heavily pretreated patients, including those with adverse genetic features. The results were presented in the Late-Breaking Abstracts Session of the 55th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology in New Orleans (7-10 December, 2013). Read more here.

CALR mutations in myeloproliferative neoplasms

Mutant CALR is a novel, specific molecular marker detected in majority of patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms who are negative for JAK2 and MPL mutations. Use of this marker in the clinic may improve diagnostic and therapeutic decision making in these patients, according to the late-breaking abstract results presented at the 55th Annual Meeting of American Society of Hematology (ASH) in New Orleans, USA (7-10 December, 2013). Read more here.

Mammogram controversy ‘artificial,’ study says

Many experts are closer to agreement over the benefit of mammograms than they realize, according to research presented at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. American Cancer Society Senior Director of Cancer Screening Robert Smith, PhD, and his colleagues say that standardizing mammography data shows regular mammograms do save lives from breast cancer. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Duffy SW, et al. Real and artificial controversies in breast cancer screening. Breast Cancer Management. November 2013.

Post-Authorization Activity Table (PAAT) for Stivarga

The PAAT describes post-authorization activity for Stivarga, a product which contains the medicinal ingredient regorafenib (as regorafenib monohydrate). Based on Health Canada's review, the benefit/risk profile of Stivarga is favourable for the treatment of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer who have been previously treated with fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy, oxaliplatin, irinotecan, an anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy, and, if KRAS wild type, an anti-epidermal growth factor receptor therapy. Read more here.

Bigger breasts, lack of exercise tied to breast cancer mortality

If a woman develops breast cancer, having larger breasts and being sedentary might increase her risk of dying from the disease, a large, long-term study suggests. The new study looked at how both exercise and breast size might predict survival if breast cancer does develop, said study researcher Paul Williams, a staff scientist at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, in Berkeley, Calif. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Williams PT (2013) Breast Cancer Mortality vs. Exercise and Breast Size in Runners and Walkers. PLoS ONE 8(12): e80616.

Many lung cancer tumors may prove harmless

Smokers who have a CT scan to check for lung cancer stand a nearly one-in-five chance that doctors will find and potentially treat a tumor that would not have caused illness or death, researchers report. Despite the finding, major medical groups indicated they are likely to stick by current recommendations that a select segment of long-time smokers undergo regular CT scans. Read more here.

Gene therapy shows promise against leukemia, other blood cancers

Preliminary research shows that gene therapy might one day be a powerful weapon against leukemia and other blood cancers. The experimental treatment coaxed certain blood cells into targeting and destroying cancer cells, according to research presented this weekend at the American Society of Hematology's annual meeting in New Orleans. Read more here.

Type 2 diabetes might raise risk of liver cancer

People with type 2 diabetes might be at somewhat higher risk of developing liver cancer, according to a large, long-term study. The research suggests that those with type 2 diabetes have about two to three times greater risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) -- the most common type of liver cancer -- compared to those without diabetes. The new research is scheduled for presentation at an American Association for Cancer Research meeting in Atlanta. Read more here.

Germs that inhabit gut may affect colon cancer risk

Researchers analyzed DNA in fecal samples collected from 47 colorectal cancer patients and 94 people without the disease to determine the level of diversity of their gut bacteria. Study authors led by Jiyoung Ahn, at the New York University School of Medicine, concluded that decreased bacterial diversity in the gut was associated with colorectal cancer. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Ahn J, et al. Human Gut Microbiome and Risk of Colorectal Cancer. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2013 Dec 6. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 24316595

Men who smoke after cancer diagnosis face higher death risk

Men who keep smoking after being diagnosed with cancer are more likely to die than those who quit smoking, a new study shows. The findings demonstrate that it's not too late to stop smoking after being diagnosed with cancer, researchers say. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Tao L, et al. Impact of Postdiagnosis Smoking on Long-term Survival of Cancer Patients: The Shanghai Cohort Study. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2013 Dec;22(12):2404-11. PMID: 24319070

Some diabetes drugs may affect cancer risk in women

A certain type of diabetes drug may lower cancer risk in women with type 2 diabetes by up to one-third, while another type may increase the risk, according to a new study. Cleveland Clinic researchers analyzed data from more than 25,600 women and men with type 2 diabetes to compare how two groups of widely used diabetes drugs affected cancer risk. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Sun GEC, et al. Gender-specific effects of oral hypoglycaemic agents on cancer risk in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism. Article first published online: 5 Dec 2013.

New test may help predict survival from ovarian cancer

By counting the number of cancer-fighting immune cells inside tumors, scientists say they may have found a way to predict survival from ovarian cancer. The researchers developed an experimental method to count these cells, called tumor-infiltrating T lymphocytes, in women with early stage and advanced ovarian cancer. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Robins HS, et al. Digital genomic quantification of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes. Sci Transl Med. 2013 Dec 4;5(214):214ra169. PMID: 24307693

Pollen allergies may raise risk for blood cancers in women

Women with pollen allergies may be at increased risk for blood cancers such as leukemia and lymphoma, a new study suggests. Researchers did not uncover the same link in men. This suggests there is something unique in women that causes chronic allergy-related stimulation of the immune system to increase vulnerability to the development of blood cancers, the study authors said. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Shadman M, et al. Associations between allergies and risk of hematologic malignancies: Results from the VITamins and lifestyle cohort study. Am J Hematol. 2013 Dec;88(12):1050-4. PMID: 23918679

Frequent mammograms tied to lower risk of breast cancer spread

Breast cancer patients who have mammograms every 12 to 18 months have less chance of lymph node involvement than those who wait longer, therefore improving their outlook, according to an early new study. "We found doing mammograms at intervals longer than one and a half years essentially does affect patient prognosis," said study researcher Dr. Lilian Wang. "In our study, those patients were found to have a significantly greater lymph node positivity." Wang, an assistant professor of radiology at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine, is scheduled to present the findings Wednesday at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America, in Chicago. Read more here.

Cancer mutation likely trigger of scleroderma

Johns Hopkins scientists have found evidence that cancer triggers the autoimmune disease scleroderma, which causes thickening and hardening of the skin and widespread organ damage. A report on the discovery also suggests that a normal immune system is critical for preventing the development of common types of cancer. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Joseph CG et al. Association of the Autoimmune Disease Scleroderma with an Immunologic Response to Cancer. Science. Published Online December 5 2013.

Unlocking how brain cancer cells hide from drugs

Researchers from UCLA’s Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center have discovered a biological mechanism that allows brain tumor cells to escape from the drugs designed to target them, resulting in drug resistance. The JCCC team, led by first author David Nathanson, assistant professor of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, and former UCLA professor Paul Mischel, now at the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research at UCSD, found that the tumor cells are able to eliminate the gene mutation, essentially removing the target while the drug is present and allowing the tumor to become drug resistant. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Nathanson DA, et al. Targeted Therapy Resistance Mediated by Dynamic Regulation of Extrachromosomal Mutant EGFR DNA. Science. 2013 Dec 5. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 24310612

Learning from the FDA breakthrough therapies pathway

The expedited USA Food and Drug Administration regulatory pathway for 'breakthrough therapies' has already yielded its first two approvals and more than 26 designations, for 30 candidates in 22 indications. Less than a year on, on 1 November 2013, obinutuzumab became the first drug to graduate from the breakthrough therapy programme into the real world. Weeks later, it was joined by ibrutinib. The breakthrough era has arrived, wrote Asher Mullard in an article published in the Nature Reviews Drug Discovery. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Mullard A. Learning from the 2012-2013 class of breakthrough therapies. Nat Rev Drug Discov. 2013 Nov 29;12(12):891-3. PMID: 24287765

Review calls for increased attention to cancer risk from silica

A new review highlights new developments in understanding the health effects of silica, and calls for action to reduce illness and death from silica exposure at work, including stronger regulations, heightened awareness and prevention, and increased attention to early detection of silicosis and lung cancer using low dose CT scanning. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Steenland K, Ward E. Silica: A lung carcinogen. CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians. Article first published online: 10 Dec 2013.

300,000 Americans may reveal cancer prevention clues

The American Cancer Society just finished enrolling more than 300,000 Americans in its Cancer Prevention Study-3 (CPS-3). Cancer-free adults aged 30 to 65 across the United States volunteered by providing a blood sample, having their waist measured, and filling out two questionnaires about a host of topics – from their family history of cancer to personal health habits to what type of work they do. The American Cancer Society will follow the health of these participants over time, monitoring who develops cancer and who doesn’t – with the goal of ultimately discovering more and better ways to prevent cancer. Read more here.

Examining the social side effects of brain cancer

Researchers at the Alberta Children’s Hospital are working to help children who survive brain cancer with their social skills as they recover and transition back into their peer groups. Experts say children who survive brain cancer often experience impaired social skills as a side effect of chemotherapy and radiation. Dr. Fiona Schulte is leading a research study to help address what she calls “social deficits”. Read more here.

Call for proposals on translational research on tertiary prevention in cancer patients

The TRANSCAN network has announced its third transnational call to fund multinational research projects under the theme of "Translational research on tertiary prevention in cancer patients"

AIM OF THE CALL

Cancer control aims to reduce incidence, morbidity and mortality of malignancies and to improve the quality of life in cancer patients. Prevention provides the most cost-effective long-term strategies for cancer control, particularly when the related interventions are placed within larger programs oriented towards chronic disease prevention and health promotion. Therefore, the development of novel, highly specific and increasingly effective tools and strategies for the prevention of cancer represents a major challenge for translational cancer research. In particular, reducing the risk of cancer recurrence and ensuring cancer survivors a good quality of life represent goals of utmost importance for patients, health care providers and health care systems in terms of allocations of public funds. Read more here.

Boosting the immune system to treat brain cancer

Researchers at the University of Calgary’s Hotchkiss Brain Institute (HBI) have made a discovery that could lead to better treatment for patients suffering from brain cancer.

Despite current treatment strategies, the median survival for patients with the most aggressive brain cancer – called glioblastoma, is 15 months. Less than five per cent of patients survive beyond five years.

HBI member V. Wee Yong, PhD and research associate Susobhan Sarkar, PhD, and their team including researchers from the Department of Clinical Neurosciences and the university’s Southern Alberta Cancer Research Institute, looked at human brain tumour samples and discovered that specialized immune cells in brain tumour patients are compromised. The researchers took this discovery and, in an animal model, identified a drug that is able to re-activate those immune cells and reduce brain tumour growth, thereby increasing the lifespan of mice two to three times. Their discovery was published December 8 in the prestigious journal Nature Neuroscience. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Sarkar S. et. al. Therapeutic activation of macrophages and microglia to suppress brain tumor-initiating cells. Nature Neuroscience. Epub 2013 Dec 8. doi:10.1038/nn.3597.

Navigators help cancer patients manage their care

Receiving support from a patient navigator can make a difference in the way newly diagnosed cancer patients feel about their care. According to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, patients with a nurse navigator rated their care higher and reported fewer problems than patients without one. The study involved about 500 people in Seattle, Washington, newly diagnosed with breast, lung, colon, or rectal cancer. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Wagner EH, et al. Nurse Navigators in Early Cancer Care: A Randomized, Controlled Trial. J Clin Oncol. 2013 Nov 25. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 24276777

NIH-funded study shows increased survival in men with metastatic prostate cancer who receive chemotherapy when starting hormone therapy

Men with hormone-sensitive metastatic prostate cancer who received the chemotherapy drug docetaxel given at the start of standard hormone therapy lived longer than patients who received hormone therapy alone, according to early results from a National Institutes of Health-supported randomized controlled clinical trial. Read more here.

Predicting ovarian cancer by counting tumor-attacking immune cells

Scientists at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center have developed a new method for counting a special class of cancer-fighting cells – called tumor-infiltrating T lymphocytes - reliably, quickly and cheaply in patients with early stage and advanced ovarian cancer. Such technology, a DNA - amplification technique, has the potential to predict treatment response, cancer recurrence and disease-free survival earlier and more effectively than any current method, according to lead researcher and cancer geneticist Jason H. Bielas, Ph.D., an associate member of the Human Biology and Public Health Sciences divisions at Fred Hutch. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Robins HS, et al. Digital Genomic Quantification of Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes. Sci Transl Med. 2013; 5(214):p. 214ra169.

3-D mammography increases cancer detection and reduces call-back rates, Penn study finds

Compared to traditional mammography, 3D mammography—known as digital breast tomosynthesis—found 22 percent more breast cancers and led to fewer call backs in a large screening study at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, researchers reported today at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA). Read more here.

New drug cuts risk of deadly transplant side effect in half

A new class of drugs reduced the risk of patients contracting a serious and often deadly side effect of lifesaving bone marrow transplant treatments, according to a study from researchers at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center. The study combined the drug vorinostat with standard medications given after transplant, resulting in 22 percent of patients developing graft-vs.-host disease compared to 42 percent of patients who typically develop this condition with standard medications alone. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Choi SW, et al. Vorinostat plus tacrolimus and mycophenolate to prevent graft-versus-host disease after related-donor reduced-intensity conditioning allogeneic haemopoietic stem-cell transplantation: a phase 1/2 trial. Lancet Oncol. 2013 Nov 29. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 24295572

Blocking antioxidants in cancer cells reduces tumor growth in mice

In the Journal of Clinical Investigation, Navdeep Chandel and colleagues from Northwestern University report the effects of a SOD1 pharmacological inhibitor on non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells. The inhibitor, called ATN-224, stunted the growth of human NSCLC cells in culture and induced their death. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Glasauer A, et al. Targeting SOD1 reduces experimental non-small-cell lung cancer. J Clin Invest. 2013 Dec 2. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 24292713

APO-SYS: How modulation of apoptosis can be used in the treatment of cancer and AIDS

The APO-SYS project aimed to understand how apoptosis can be modulated, so that scientists can control which cells live and which undergo programmed cell death, especially in AIDS and cancer. An expert team of researchers from different scientific disciplines allowed partners to integrate their knowledge within a multidisciplinary approach, to build a computational model describing interactions between the components of biological systems. Then, using modern high-throughput experimental techniques the APO-SYS consortium collected quantitative data for validation of the model. This allowed the APO-SYS team to address the question of how modulation of apoptosis can be used in the treatment of cancer and AIDS. Read more here.

Predicting outcome for high-dose IL-2 therapy in cancer patients

Lazlo Radvanyi and colleagues at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center performed an in depth analysis of Treg populations in melanoma patients undergoing HD IL-2 therapy. The authors identified a distinct population of Treg cells that expressed the inducible T cell costimulator (ICOS) that was highly proliferative following the first cycle of HD IL-2. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Sim GC, et al. IL-2 therapy promotes suppressive ICOS+ Treg expansion in melanoma patients. J Clin Invest. 2013 Dec 2. pii: 46266. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 24292706

Onartuzumab in combination with erlotinib in patients with advanced NSCLC

In a randomised, phase II study in patients with recurrent non-small cell lung cancer, onartuzumab plus erlotinib was associated with improved progression-free survival and overall survival in the MET-positive population. These results combined with the worse outcomes observed in MET-negative patients treated with onartuzumab highlight the importance of diagnostic testing in drug development, according to conclusion of the article published by Dr David Spigel of the Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Nashville, USA and colleagues. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Spigel DR, et al. Randomized Phase II Trial of Onartuzumab in Combination With Erlotinib in Patients With Advanced Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer. J Clin Oncol. 2013 Nov 10;31(32):4105-14. PMID: 24101053

Summary Basis of Decision (SBD) for Istodax

Health Canada has issued a Notice of Compliance under the Notice of Compliance with Conditions Guidance to Celgene Inc. for the Istodax drug product. Based on Health Canada's review, the benefit/risk profile of Istodax is favourable for the treatment of patients with relapsed/refractory peripheral T-cell lymphoma who are not eligible for transplant and have received at least one prior systemic therapy. Read more here.

Xeloda (capecitabine) - Risk of severe skin reactions

Hoffmann-La Roche Limited (Roche), in consultation with Health Canada, would like to inform you of the risk of severe cutaneous reactions associated with the use of Xeloda. XELODA is authorized for the following indications: 1. Colorectal cancer: Adjuvant treatment of patients with stage III (Dukes’ stage C) colon cancer; first-line treatment of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer; treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer, in combination with oxaliplatin, following failure of irinotecan-containing combination chemotherapy; 2. Breast cancer: Treatment of patients with advanced or metastatic breast cancer, in combination with docetaxel, after failure of prior anthracycline containing chemotherapy; treatment of advanced or metastatic breast cancer after failure of standard therapy including a taxane, unless therapy with a taxane is clinically contraindicated. Read more here.

IMI 11th call for proposals: blood-based biomarker assays for personalised tumour therapy

The Innovative Medicines Initiative (IMI) will launch its 11th Call for Proposals in December 2013. The indicative topics include a 5 year project on "Blood-based biomarker assays for personalized tumour therapy: value of latest circulating biomarkers." Read more here.

Post-Authorization Activity Table (PAAT) for adcetris

The PAAT describes post-authorization activity for Adcetris, a product which contains the medicinal ingredient brentuximab vedotin. Based on Health Canada's review, the benefit/risk profile of Adcetris is favourable for: 1. The treatment of patients with Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) after failure of autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) or after failure of at least two multi-agent chemotherapy regimens in patients who are not ASCT candidates; 2. The treatment of patients with systemic anaplastic large cell lymphoma (sALCL) after failure of at least one multi-agent chemotherapy regimen. Read more here.

Cyclin D1 governs microRNA processing in breast cancer

Cyclin D1, a protein that helps push a replicating cell through the cell cycle also mediates the processing and generation of mature microRNA (miRNA), according to new research. The research suggests that a protein strongly implicated in human cancer also governs the non-protein-coding genome. The non-coding genome, previously referred to as junk DNA, makes up most of the human genome, and unlike the coding genome, varies greatly between species. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Yu Z, et al. Cyclin D1 induction of Dicer governs microRNA processing and expression in breast cancer. Nat Commun. 2013 Nov 29;4:2812. PMID: 24287487

Scientists discover how thalidomide-like drugs fight cancer

Despite its tragic legacy of causing birth defects 50 years ago, thalidomide — and newer drugs derived from it — has been reborn as an effective treatment for multiple myeloma and other cancers. How they act to slow cancer's spread, however, has long defied explanation. In a new report, scientists at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute say they have discovered that the drugs kill multiple myeloma cells by a mechanism that's different from the way that they cause birth defects. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Lu G, et al. The Myeloma Drug Lenalidomide Promotes the Cereblon-Dependent Destruction of Ikaros Proteins. Science. Published Online November 29 2013.

Exome sequencing identifies frequent inactivating mutations in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas

Exome sequencing of 32 intrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas has revealed recurrent inactivating mutations in several genes involved in chromatin remodelling that were previously unknown in this type of cancer. The study also identified frequent mutations at previously reported hotspots in the genes encoding metabolic enzymes. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Jiao Y, et al. Exome sequencing identifies frequent inactivating mutations in BAP1, ARID1A and PBRM1 in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas. Nat Genet. 2013 Dec;45(12):1470-3. PMID: 24185509