MEK inhibitor/Taxane combination active in triple-negative breast cancer

A small clinical trial demonstrated encouraging clinical activity in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) treated with a MEK inhibitor and a taxane. The combination of cobimetinib (Cotellic) and paclitaxel led to confirmed partial responses in 6 of 16 patients and 2 additional unconfirmed partial responses. Five of the 6 confirmed responses proved to be durable, persisting for about 20 weeks. “This is the first study to evaluate the combination of cobimetinib and paclitaxel in triple-negative breast cancer,” Adam M. Brufsky, MD, PhD, associate chief of hematology oncology, and co-director of the Comprehensive Breast Cancer Center at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, and colleagues concluded in a presentation at the 2016 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. “The safety profile of combined cobimetinib and paclitaxel is manageable and consistent with the known safety profiles for each drug.

- See more here.

SABCS 2016: Menopausal symptoms affect adherence with Tamoxifen but also with placebo

Although menopausal symptoms play a role in adherence to tamoxifen, the strength of the association between menopausal symptoms and adherence was similar in women assigned to placebo and those assigned to tamoxifen during a large, placebo-controlled trial by investigators from the United Kingdom and Australia.

Read more here.

Strength training may prevent side effect of breast cancer surgery

New research conducted at Florida State University in Tallahassee suggests that strength training may be beneficial for breast cancer survivors who have had surgery.  The study, conducted on 27 breast cancer survivors who underwent supervised moderate-intensity strength workouts shows that "weightlifting appeared to help prevent swelling in the arms and chest, a common side effect of breast cancer treatment."

To read more about this study, click here.

Therapeutic vaccine promising for leukemia

New research arising from the Cancer Vaccine Program at the Beth Israel Deaconness Medical Center in Boston  indicates that an anti-cancer vaccine derived from an acute myeloid leukemia patient's cells significantly increases the chance of long-term survival.

According to senior researcher Dr. David Avigan, "the vaccine has produced long-term remission for 70% of a small group of vaccinated patients with an average age of 63."

To read more about this study, click here.

Cancer survivors at increased risk of severe heart attack

A new study conducted at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota indicates that cancer survivors are at increased risk of suffering a severe heart attack.  According to cardiologist and study senior author Dr. Joerg Herrmann, the study, conducted on 2,300 heart attack patients found that 10% were cancer survivors.  While not all of these heart attacks were fatal, a correlation was indicated, as "patients with a history of cancer were more likely to arrive at the hospital with cardiogenic shock, where the heart suddenly can't pump enough blood,"

To read more about this study, click here.

In utero exposure to radiation and haematological malignancies: pooled analysis of Southern Urals cohort

The results of a study led by researchers from the IARC Section of Environment and Radiation analysing in utero exposure to low-dose ionizing radiation in the Southern Urals, Russian Federation, and its link to the lifetime risk of haematological malignancies have been published in the British Journal of Cancer.

The study is based on cohorts in the Southern Urals of people exposed in utero to ionizing radiation, because their mothers either worked at a large nuclear facility or lived in areas along the Techa River contaminated by nuclear accidents and nuclear waste dumping.

Study mentioned:
Schuz J, Deltour I, Krestinina LY, Tsareva YV, Tolstykh EI, Sokolnikov ME, Akleyev AV
In utero exposure to radiation and haematological malignancies: pooled analysis of Southern Urals cohort
Br J Cancer, Published online 17 November 2016; http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/bjc.2016.373

Device uses cancer cells' mass to predict response to treatment

The presence of specific genetic mutations in a tumor may help predict whether the patient is likely to respond to treatment with a particular therapy. Some researchers are trying to pinpoint these genetic mutations for diverse cancer types and to develop tests that can reliably identify them. Some have designed a device that can detect minuscule changes in cell mass and may allow researchers to predict how cancer cells will respond to drug treatment. Such a device could potentially help clinicians determine personalized treatment regimens for individual patients, the study authors believe.

Using cancer cells from patients and mice, the researchers showed that the device, which measures changes in the mass of single cells, correctly predicted whether the cells were sensitive or resistant to a particular drug.

The results of the study, which was funded in part by NCI's Innovative Molecular Analysis Technologies (IMAT) program, appeared in Nature Biotechnology on October 10.

See the study:
Drug sensitivity of single cancer cells is predicted by changes in mass accumulation rate.
Stevens MM, Maire CL, Chou N, Murakami MA, Knoff DS, Kikuchi Y, Kimmerling RJ, Liu H, Haidar S, Calistri NL, Cermak N, Olcum S, Cordero NA, Idbaih A, Wen PY, Weinstock DM, Ligon KL, Manalis SR.
Nat Biotechnol. 2016 Nov;34(11):1161-1167. doi: 10.1038/nbt.3697.

Alcohol may increase prostate cancer risk

A new joint study conducted by Canadian and Australian scientists indicates that there is a considerable association between consumption of alcohol and an increased risk of prostate cancer.  According to the researchers, "even low levels of drinking [up to 2 drinks a day] were associated with an 8-23% higher risk of prostate cancer, compared to no drinking."

For more information on this study, click here.

Low vitamin D levels could raise risk of bladder cancer

A new study conducted at the University of Warwick in England indicates that low levels of vitamin D could increase the risk of bladder cancer.  According to lead author Rosemary Bland, honorary associate professor at the University of Warwick, findings, recently presented at the annual meeting of the Society of Endocrinology in Brighton, England purports that "low levels of vitamin D in the blood may prevent the cells within the bladder from stimulating an adequate response to abnormal cells."

To read more about this study, click here.

Gene test may identify chemotherapy patients at risk of blood clots

New research conducted in Sweden indicates that genetic testing may help identify breast cancer patients at risk of developing venous thromboembolism while undergoing chemotherapy.  According to study author Judith Brand, postdoctoral researcher in the department of medical epidemiology and biostatistics at Karolinska Institute in Sweden, the study, conducted on 4,2000 Swedish women with breast cancer showed that "the one-year rate of venous thromboembolism was 9.5% among those reeving chemotherapy and high genetic risk, compared to 1.3% of did not receive chemotherapy and who had a low genetic risk.

To read more about this study, click here.

FDA submission completed for Niraparib in ovarian cancer

A new drug application (NDA) to the FDA has been completed for niraparib as a maintenance treatment for women with recurrent platinum-sensitive ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer, according to the company developing the PARP1/2 inhibitor, Tesaro.

The NDA is based on the phase III NOVA trial, in which niraparib reduced the risk of progression or death by 73% compared with placebo for patients with germline BRCA-positive platinum-sensitive, recurrent ovarian cancer.

Read more here.

References:

Mirza MR, Monk BJ, Oza A, et al. A randomized, double-blind phase 3 trial of maintenance therapy with niraparib vs placebo in patients with platinum-sensitive recurrent ovarian cancer (ENGOT-OV16/NOVA trial). Presented at: 2016 ESMO Congress; October 7-11, 2016; Copenhagen, Denmark. Abstract LBA3_PR.
Mirza MR, Monk B, Herrstedt J, et al. Niraparib maintenance therapy in platinum-sensitive recurrent ovarian cancer [published online October 8, 2016]. N Engl J Med. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa1611310.

Colon cancer's location may determine patient survival

A new report indicates that the area of the colon where cancer develops can affect a patient's rate of survival.  According to Dr. David Bernstein, chief of hepatology at Northwell Health, left-sided cancers (located near the anus, rectum, sigmoid colon and descending colon), "usually present with bleeding or partial obstruction [and] patients tend to seek medical care earlier."  On the other hand, right-sided colon cancers (near the intersection of the small intestine), "do not typically present with obstruction but tend to present with anemia [and] are more likely associated with metastatic disease, especially the liver."  As such, the survival rate is estimated to be 20% greater with left-sided vs. right-sided colon cancers.

To read more about this report, click here.

Immune checkpoint-related neurotoxicity may be more common during combination treatment

Neurotoxicity is not uncommon in patients with melanoma treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors such as nivolumab and pembrolizumab, but it may be more common in patients treated with nivolumab plus a CTLA-4-blocking antibody such as ipilimumab, a study published in the journal Annals of Oncology has shown.

Read more here.

Study mentioned:

Spain L, Walls G, Julve M, et al. Neurotoxicity from immune-checkpoint inhibition in the treatment of melanoma: a single centre experience and review of the literature. Ann Oncol. 2016 Oct 25. doi: 10.1093/annonc/mdw558.

Monitoring, not treatment may be better for certain prostate cancer cases

A new study conducted on 33,000 Swedish men with very low risk (stage I) prostate cancer indicates that close monitoring maybe a more viable option than immediate treatment.  According to lead researcher Dr. Stacy Loeb, assistant professor in the departments of urology and population health at NYU Langone Perlmutter Cancer Center in New York, "there is no rush to get treatment...low-risk prostate cancer can be safely monitored...some men will eventually need treatment, but others will be able to preserve their quality of life for many years."

To read more about this study, click here.

Preventive mastectomy rates have doubled over the past decade; fear is a factor

A new study, recently presented at the American College of Surgeons meeting in Washington D.C., indicates that rates of contralateral prophylactic mastectomy (CPM) have doubled in the United States over the past 10 years.  According to the study authors, nearly "25% of newly diagnosed breast cancer patients undergo this procedure"; fear of cancer recurrence is believed to be the primary reason.

To read more about this study, click here  

Further evidence linking obesity to liver cancer

A recent study conducted by the American Cancer Society provides further evidence on the link between high body mass index (BMI) and risk of liver cancer.  According to study co-author Peter Campbell, an examination of 1.57 million adults across 14 U.S. studies found that 6.5% of participants were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.  Of these,over 2.000 developed liver cancer.

To read more about this study, click here.

Smokeless tobacco associated with higher risk of prostate cancer death

A new study conducted at the Harvard T.H. Chain School of Public Health in Boston indicates that snus, a smokeless tobacco product, may increase risk of death in a patient with prostate cancer.  According to study co-author Kathryn Wilson, the study, conducted on thousands of Swedish men from 1971-1992, determined that "those who used snus but did not smoke has a 24% higher risk of death from prostate cancer during the study period."

To read more about this study, click here.

Cryoblation as possible alternative for treating early stage breast cancer

A new study conducted at the University of California Los Angeles David Geffen School of Medicine purports that the cryoblation freezing technique may be a possible treatment mechanism, in lieu of lumpectomy, for small early-stage breast cancers.  According to Dr. Deanna Attai, assistant clinical professor of surgery, the study,conducted on 86 patients, found that overall, "freezing was successful for 92% of the cancer...it worked for all tumors measuring less than 1 centimeter."

To read more about this study, click here.

Diagnosis of cancer as a medical emergency leads to poorer prognosis for many patients

Too many patients - particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds - are being diagnosed with cancer as medical emergencies, say researchers. This means that their chances of successful treatment are greatly reduced.

In an article in the journal Nature Reviews Clinical Oncology, a team of researchers jointly led by the University of Cambridge and University College London reviewed current evidence from 26 peer-reviewed studies and 6 online reports from 7 countries. The evidence indicates that emergency diagnosis of cancer is a universal problem, challenging previous assumptions regarding this issue being a particular problem only in the UK.

Read more here.

Study mentioned:
Zhou, Y et al. Diagnosis of cancer as an emergency: a critical review of current evidence. Nature Reviews Clinical Oncology; 11 Oct 2016; 10.1038/nrclinonc.2016.155

Night shift work and breast cancer risk

Data from three new UK studies and from a review of currently available evidence, published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, indicates that night shift work has little or no effect on breast cancer incidence.

Compared with women who had not reported doing night shift work, the combined relative risks taking all 10 studies together were 0.99 for any night shift work, 1.01 for 20 or more years of night shift work, and 1.00 for 30 or more years night shift work. In other words, the incidence of breast cancer was essentially the same whether someone did no night shift work at all or did night shift work for several decades.

Study mentioned:
Ruth C. Travis, Angela Balkwill, Georgina K. Fensom, Paul N. Appleby, Gillian K. Reeves, Xiao-Si Wang, Andrew W. Roddam, Toral Gathani, Richard Peto, Jane Green, Timothy J. Key, and Valerie Beral
Night Shift Work and Breast Cancer Incidence: Three Prospective Studies and Meta-analysis of Published Studies
JNCI J Natl Cancer Inst (2016) 108 (12): djw169 doi:10.1093/jnci/djw169

Five challenges of delivering immuno-oncology trials and how to overcome them

Recent advances have seen immuno-therapy become a shining light within oncology research, transforming both the way cancer treatments are viewed and the potential standards of care and outcomes.

These are exciting developments, but at the same time can add huge complexities to the drug development process, particularly around the trial stages and processes. Particular areas of focus include more sophisticated site selection and advanced monitoring/oversight processes to moderate cost and risk, especially in early phases.

Quintiles‘ Eric Groves, MD, PhD, Vice President, Scientific Advisor, Advisory Services proposes there are five key challenges which when addressed, mitigate the majority of risks that can accompany immuno-oncology trials and has produced a blog which looks at each of them.

To view the blog and understand what these challenges are and how to approach them – please click here.

Hormone therapy for prostate cancer less safe for men with prior heart attack

A new study conducted at Yale University's Department of Therapeutic Radiology indicates that hormone-depleting therapy, often prescribed to men with prostate cancer, may pose a risk for those patients who have survived a heart attack.  While the study noted that younger patients with less cardiac risk factors benefited more positively from the hormone therapy, Dr. Manish Vira, vice chair for urologic research at the Arthur Smith Institute for Urology in New Hype Park,New York, stated tat "men who had prior documented history of heart disease as demonstrated by prior heart attack were potentially harmed by the addition of hormonal therapy."

To read more about this study, presented at the September 28th meeting of the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology, click here.

Many cancer caregivers report feeling unprepared for caregiving challenges

Many family members who care for loved ones with cancer do not feel adequately prepared for the caregiving tasks they assume and need help to make informed decisions about end-of-life care, according to a new study.

Cancer caregivers experience high levels of emotional stress. Many of them need to perform medical or nursing tasks without feeling fully prepared or trained to carry them out. The study findings were presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology Palliative Care in Oncology Symposium in San Francisco.

The abstract is available here.

Study suggests superiority of functional Imaging in assessing sarcoma outcomes

A comparison of anatomic and functional imaging in the assessment of clinical outcomes in patients with Ewing sarcoma has shown that FDG-PET, assessed by PERCIST criteria, was superior in predicting clinical benefits and identifying responses, according to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

See more here.

Study mentioned:
Koshkin VS, Bolejack V, Schwartz LH, et al. Assessment of imaging modalities and response metrics in Ewing sarcoma: correlation with survival [published online August 29, 2016]. J Clin Oncol. doi:10.1200/JCO.2016.68.1858.

Tamoxifen does not increase risk of uterine cancer

A new study conducted at the Loyola University Health System in Maywood, Illinois indicates that breast cancer patients taking tamoxifen do not have an increased risk of developing uterine cancer.  According to study author Dr. Ronald Potkul, study results on nearly 300 postmenopausal women indicates that for those "who did not have endometrial abnormalities when they began taking tamoxifen, there was a very low rate of developing pre-malignant conditions."

o read more about this study, click here 

Pembrolizumab approval Is tip of the iceberg for immunotherapy in HNSCC

The recent approval of pembrolizumab (Keytruda) in recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) following progression on a platinum-based chemotherapy was a significant advancement for the disease.

Immunotherapy is a big change for head and neck cancer, but one question still remains - will there be a role for these agents in first-line therapy for patients with metastatic recurrent disease who have not previously failed a platinum-based approach.

Read the interview here.

More cancer patients benefiting from immunotherapy

According o the 2016 Cancer Progress Report, produced by the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), "more types of cancer are being successfully treated with immunotherapy."  The report further explains that 4 of 13 new anticancer treatments approved over the past year involve immunotherapy drugs.

To read more about this report, click here.

TKIs competing for frontline therapy in ALK+ NSCLC

Deciding the sequencing order of therapies for patients with ALK-positive non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a challenge, as new information on next-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) comes to light.

Options and outcomes for various TKIs were discussed during the Physicians’ Education Resource (PER®) seminar “Oncogenic Tumor Board in NSCLC: Targeting Driver Mutations to Maximize Therapeutic Outcomes,” which took place during the 2016 ASCO Annual Meeting in Chicago.

Please read more here.

Study reveals how ionising radiation damages DNA and causes cancer

From this study, researchers from the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute and their collaborators have been able to identify in human cancers two characteristic patterns of DNA damage caused by ionising radiation. These fingerprint patterns may now enable doctors to identify which tumours have been caused by radiation, and investigate if they should be treated differently.

Read more here.

Study mentioned:
S. Behjati and G. Gundem et al. (2016) Mutational signatures of ionizing radiation in second malignancies. Nature Communications DOI: ncomms12605

New study about Kinase Suppressor of Ras (KSR), an unexplored target to develop new cancer therapies

New research from The Tisch Cancer Institute at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai identifies a protein that may be an unexplored target to develop new cancer therapies. The protein, known as kinase suppressor of Ras, or KSR, is a pseudoenzyme that plays a critical role in the transmission of signals in the cell determining whether cells grow, divide, or die. The findings, published in the September issue of the journal Nature, show that targeting KSR could have important therapeutic implications, potentially improving outcomes in many aggressing cancers such as lung and pancreatic cancer.

The lead compound reported in the study, APS-2-79, was shown to modulate Ras signaling and increased the potency of several other cancer drugs within RAS-mutant cell lines.

Read the complete news here.

Study mentioned:
Neil S. Dhawan, Alex P. Scopton, Arvin C. Dar. Small molecule stabilization of the KSR inactive state antagonizes oncogenic Ras signalling. Nature, 2016; 537 (7618): 112 DOI: 10.1038/nature19327

New trial alert: Immune therapy for lymphoma

A new early trial indicates that genetically engineered cells maybe effective to compact non-Hodgkin lymphoma when combined with chemotherapy.  According to the experimental study, white blood cells (T-cells) "are removed from the patient's bloodstream [and] genetically modified so hey can detected and attack cancerous B-cells."  In 32 patients that underwent this treatment in this trial, 1/3 were in complete remission from non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

To read more about this trial, click here.

Disparities found in perception of symptoms between patients and oncology team

A recent study has demonstrated that oncology physicians and nurses underestimate the prevalence and impact of fatigue and pain in their patients with cancer.

Key points from this study:
- The prevalence and importance of pain and fatigue inpatients with cancer continue to be underestimated by oncology physicians and nurses.
- Clinicians need to assess symptoms of fatigue and pain carefully at each encounter.
- An increased awareness of patient-reported outcome sand education for HCPs is needed to improve patients’ QOL.

Read more here.

Study mentioned:
Barton, M. K. (2016), Disparities found in perception of symptoms between patients and oncology team. CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians. doi:10.3322/caac.21311

Birth control pills believed to be linked to decline in ovarian cancer deaths

According to recent data from the World Health Organization, ovarian cancer death rates fell 16% in the United States and 8% in Canada between 2002-2012, with a similar reduction of 10% in the European Union during this same time period.  According to study lead Dr. Carlo La Vecchia, professor in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Milan, the decline in ovarian cancer death rates "in some parts of the world is likely the use of birth control pills and the long-term protection against ovarian cancer they provide."  While these findings do not necessarily prove cause-and-effect, they do show that countries with low rates of birth control use had a noticeable smaller decline in ovarian cancer deaths.

To read more about this study, click here.

Vitamin A compound may help in fighting colon cancer

A new animal study conducted at Stanford University School o Medicine in Palo Alto, California, indicates that retinoic acid, "a compound derived in the body from vitamin A", may help suppress colon cancer.  According to study author Dr. Edgar Englemen, colon cancer is associated with inflammation of the bowels, and "retinoic acid has been known for years to be involved in suppressing inflammation in the intestine."

To read more about this study, click here.

Music interventions for improving psychological and physical outcomes in cancer patients

According to a recently published Cochrane systematic review indicates that music medicine interventions are a comforting therapy and can help with both psychological and physical symptoms experienced by cancer patients.  Upon a review of 52 identified trials encompassing 3731 participants, music interventions were seen to reduce a cancer patient's anxiety and depression levels.  Further, it is believed that music "may have a small effect on heart rate, respiratory rate and blood pressure."

To read more about this systematic review, click here

Study mentioned:
Bradt J, Dileo C, Magil L, Teague A. Music interventions for improving psychological and physical outcomes in cancer patients. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. Published online August 15, 2016. 

Adding additional drugs to chemotherapy treatment does not benefit patients withosteosarcoma

A new study conducted at the Stanford University School of Medicine in Palo Alto, California  indicates that the addition of drugs to standard chemotherapy treatments has not proven successful for patients afflicted with osteosarcoma.  According to lead author Dr. Neyssa Marina, the study, conducted on more than 600 osteosarcoma patients in 17 countries shows that "adding two drugs to standard chemotherapy not only failed to improve patients' outcomes, it also increased toxic side effects."  This finding has led Dr. Marina and colleagues to search for new treatment methods, namely targeting cancer-causing gene mutations.

To read more about this study, click here.

Excess weight linked to high risk for many cancers

A new study conducted by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), part of the World Health Organization, indicates that reducing excess body weight may lower the risk of developing at least 8 types of cancer.  These cancers include stomach, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, ovary, thyroid, as well as meningioma and multiple myeloma.  The study further remarked that "those who avoid gaining weight can curtail their risk for developing five other types of cancer [namely] cancer of the colon, esophagus, kidney, breast, and uterus."

To read more about this study, click here. 

Scientists discover drug combination slows lung cancer cell growth

A study shows that a drug combination slows cancer cell growth in a type of non small cell lung cancer when tested in the lab, offering potential for developing new treatments in the future, according to a Cancer Research UK funded study published in the British Journal of Cancer today.

The drug combination delivers a double whammy to the way the KRAS gene makes cancer cells grow. KRAS is estimated to be mutated in 15 to 25 per cent of people with non-small cell lung adenocarcinomas.

Read more at Cancer Research UK.

Study mentioned:
Sophie Broutin, Adam Stewart, Parames Thavasu, Angelo Paci, Jean-Michel Bidart and Udai Banerji. Insights into significance of combined inhibition of MEK and m-TOR signalling output in KRAS mutant non-small-cell lung cancer. Br J Cancer 115: 549-552; doi:10.1038/bjc.2016.220 (link is external)

CA-125 testing, CT scans still used for ovarian cancer surveillance despite lack of proven benefit

Despite evidence of no benefit from a 2009 randomized clinical trial, a new study shows that doctors appear to still routinely use the CA-125 blood test to monitor women for recurrent ovarian cancer. The findings, published July 21 in JAMA Oncology, also suggest that computed tomography (CT) scans continue to be routinely used to check for recurrences even though clinical practice guidelines discourage this practice.

Read the full update here.

Study mentioned:
Esselen KM, Cronin AM, Bixel K, et al. Use of CA-125 Tests and Computed Tomographic Scans for Surveillance in Ovarian Cancer. JAMA Oncol. Published online July 21, 2016. doi:10.1001/jamaoncol.2016.1842.

Changes needed to boost end-of-life care in Canada: doctors

Canada needs to broaden its approach to palliative care to provide support to patients with serious chronic illnesses, not just those with cancer, suggests a group of doctors who deal with end-of-life care.

The Canadian Society of Palliative Care Physicians has fewer than 500 members across the country, far below the number of practitioners in such specialities as cardiology or oncology, although some primary-care doctors also provide end-of-life care for their patients.

Read this from CBC Health.

Number and seriousness of side-effects in breast cancer patients influenced by expectations

A new study published in Annals of Oncology indicates that women afflicted with breast cancer experience worse side-effects following adjuvant hormone therapy due higher expectations of suffering.  According to the research team, led by professor Yvonne Nestoriuc of the Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy at the University Medical Centre in Hamburg, Germany, women with breast cancer may cease adjuvant hormone treatment due to side-effects or a lower health-related quality of life. Nestoriuc and her team belief that "if expectations can predict the risk of experiencing side effects, then interventions such as counselling could lower the risk and, therefore, improve adherence to medication."

To read more about this study, click here

Two genes may help predict breast cancer survival

A new study conducted at the Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) in London indicates that 2 genes may help predict breast cancer survival and guide treatment.  According to lead ICR researcher Paul Huang, study results from almost 2,000 HER-2 positive breast cancer patients found that patients "whose tumors had high activity in a gene called F12, but low activity in a gene called STC2, were three times more likely to die within 10 years."

To read more about this study, click here.

FDA approves extended-release Granisetron injection for the prevention of CINV

Heron Therapeutics, Inc. announced on 10 August 2016 that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved extended-release granisetron injection (SUSTOL®), a serotonin-3 (5-HT3) receptor antagonist indicated in combination with other antiemetics in adults for the prevention of acute and delayed nausea and vomiting associated with initial and repeat courses of moderately emetogenic chemotherapy or anthracycline and cyclophosphamide (AC) combination chemotherapy regimens.

Read more here.

CAR T cell therapy for diffuse large B cell lymphoma included in EMA’s priority medicines scheme

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has released, on 1 June 2016, the outcome of the assessment of the first batch of applications received from medicine developers for its PRIME (PRIority MEdicines) scheme, a new initiative that aims to foster research on and development of medicines that have the potential to address an unmet medical need.

The names of the four active substances that will benefit from PRIME support are also released. The first four PRIME candidates are: Biogen’s aducanumab, a beta-amyloid targeting antibody for Alzheimer disease; Kite Pharma’s KTE-C19, a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy for diffuse large B cell lymphoma; ChemoCentryx’s CCX168, a C5a receptor inhibitor for ANCA-associated vasculitis; and Novoimmune’s NI-0501, an interferon-γ antibody for the rare autoimmune disease haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis.

Read more here.

Overdiagnosis is a major driver of the thyroid cancer epidemic

18 August 2016 – A new report by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) in collaboration with the Aviano National Cancer Institute in Italy shows that the growing epidemic of thyroid cancer reported in recent decades in several high-income countries is largely due to overdiagnosis (i.e. the diagnosis of tumours that are very unlikely to cause symptoms or death during a person’s lifetime).

The article, published today in The New England Journal of Medicine, used high-quality cancer registry data from IARC’s reference publication Cancer Incidence in Five Continents to estimate the number of overdiagnosed cases of thyroid cancer in 12 countries (Australia, Denmark, England, Finland, France, Italy, Japan, Norway, Republic of Korea, Scotland, Sweden, and the USA).

Full report is here.

Study mentioned:
Worldwide Thyroid-Cancer Epidemic? The Increasing Impact of Overdiagnosis

Women's cancer risk rises with years spent overweight

Results from the Women's Health Initiative, a study that followed U.S. women between 50-79 years old, indicates that length of overweight status is associated with a higher risk of developing cancer.  According to the American Cancer Society, "excess weight contributes to as many as 20% of all cancer deaths",with odds rising 10% for every 10 years of obese status.

To read more about this study, click here.

New trial alert: living donor liver transplantation for unresectable colorectal cancer liver metastases

A new trial sponsored by the University Health Network in Toronto is presently recruiting patients to assess the combination of neo-adjuvant chemotherapy together with living donor liver transplantation for non-resectable liver metastases from colorectal cancer. Inclusion criteria includes biopsy proven colorectal liver metastases, availability of an acceptable ABO-compatible living donor, and a colorectal cancer tumour progression less than stage 3.

To read more about this trial, click here.

Nanoparticle delivers cancer drugs to tumor blood vessels

Blood vessels in some tumors naturally express P-selectin on their surfaces, providing a target for nanoparticles. In the study, a research team led by Daniel Heller, Ph.D., of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, engineered drug-carrying nanoparticles made of a sugar-based compound called fucoidan, which is derived from algae and binds to P-selectin.

Read more from National Cancer Institute Cancer Currents Blog.

Cancer survivors more prone to obesity

A new study conducted at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health in New York indicates that colorectal and breast cancer survivors in particular are more prone to obesity compared to the general population. This study, conducted on 539,000 American adults between 1997-2014, indicates that obesity trends rose from 21%-29% over this time-frame for individuals with no history of cancer, while cancer survivors indicated a 22%-32% rate of obesity.  According to principal investigator Heather Greenlee, the study results suggest that "obesity is a growing public health burden for cancer survivors, which requires targeted interventions including weight management efforts to stave off the increasing obesity..."

To read more on this study, click here

FDA approves Pembrolizumab for patients with recurrent or metastatic HNSCC with disease progression on or after Platinum-containing chemotherapy

On 8 August, 2016, Merck, known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, announced that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved pembrolizumab (KEYTRUDA®), the company’s anti-PD-1 (programmed death receptor-1) therapy, at a fixed dose of 200 mg every three weeks, for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) with disease progression on or after platinum-containing chemotherapy.

Read more from ESMO.

New study reveals a link between circadian clock disruption and tumor growth

A handful of large studies of cancer risk factors have found that working the night shift, as nearly 15 percent of Americans do, boosts the chances of developing cancer. MIT biologists have now found a link that may explain this heightened risk.

In a study of mice, the MIT team found that two of the genes that control cells' circadian rhythms also function as tumor suppressors. Loss of these tumor suppressors, either through gene deletion or disruption of the normal light/dark cycle, allows tumors to become more aggressive.

Read more here.

In the Lab in cancer, it’s back to the future as old treatments make cutting-edge ones more effective

Scientists are finding hints of a solution in an unexpected place: Older, out-of-favor cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation may make the cutting-edge immune-based drugs effective against more cancers — even hard-to-treat ovarian and pancreatic tumors.

Tumors disable the immune system’s killer T cells, which can find and destroy certain cancer cells. Immunotherapy drugs work by preventing tumors from using this devious tactic.

Read more from STAT.

FDA grants Pracinostat breakthrough designation for AML

The FDA has granted pracinostat a breakthrough therapy designation for use in combination with azacitidine as a treatment for patients with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who are aged ≥75 years or ineligible for intensive chemotherapy.

The designation, which will expedite the review and development of pracinostat, is based on a phase II trial in which the median overall survival (OS) was 19.1 months and the complete response (CR) rate was 42% with the pracinostat combination in treatment-naïve elderly patients with AML.

Read more here.

EMA recommends granting a marketing authorisation for pegylated liposomal formulation of Irinotecan for metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma

On 21 July 2016, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) adopted a positive opinion, recommending granting a marketing authorisation for the medicinal product Onivyde (pegylated liposomal formulation of irinotecan), intended for the treatment of metastatic adenocarcinoma of the pancreas.

Onivyde contains irinotecan in a pegylated liposomal formulation.

When added to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) 2,400 mg/m2 and leucovorin (LV) 400 mg/m2, Onivyde improved survival compared with 5-FU 2,000 mg/m2 and LV 200 mg/m2.

Read more here.

Nephrectomy for RCC may result in significant declines in renal function

Despite having better baseline kidney function and overall health status, patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) had greater postsurgical decreases in kidney function after undergoing a radical nephrectomy compared with patients undergoing a radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) for upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC).

These results were published recently in Urology. According to the study, surgical management of both RCC and UTUC involves radical removal of a renal unit, with the additional removal of the ureter in patients with UTUC. With this study, the researchers hoped to identify risk factors that predict a decline in renal function after radical nephrectomy for RCC or RNU for UTUC.

Read more from CancerNetwork.

Delirium common in cancer patients visiting emergency departments

According to a study conducted at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, delirium is a condition that may be present yet overlooked by emergency department physicians.  Study lead Dr. Knox Todd stated that there is evidence "of delirium on one of every ten patients with advanced cancer who are treated in the emergency department."

To read more about this study, click here.

Scans not worthwhile for most thyroid cancers

According to a new study conducted at the University of Michigan, undergoing scans after treatment does not improve survival changes of thyroid cancer patients.  According to study researcher Dr. Megan Haymart, this study, conducted on more than 28,000 thyroid cancer patients between 1998-2011, shows that "for the most part, this imaging isn't affecting survival."  Further, while a small number of thyroid cancers are aggressive and likely to return, overall, 96% of patients with thyroid cancer continue to live more than 10 years after first being diagnosed.

To read more about this study, click here.

Omega-3s in fish tied to better colon cancer outcomes

A new study conducted at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston has shown that colon cancer patients who consume higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids, primarily from fish oil, have better rates of survival.  According the study team led by Dr. Andrew Chan, "patients who consumed at least 0.3 grams of omega-3 fatty acids from oily fish per day...were 41% less likely to die from colon cancer then those who consumed less than 0.1 grams per day."

To read more about this study, click here.

Radiologists do not face higher risk of radiation-related death

A study led by the U.S. National Cancer Institute has determined that radiologists are not a greater risk of death due to chronic exposure to low levels of radiation.  The study, comparing nearly 44,000 radiologists with 65,000 psychiatrists (who are unlikely to be exposed to radiation on the job) found that radiologists graduating after 1940 "fared better than the psychiatrists [with] no evidence of increased radiation-related deaths".

To read more about this study, click here.

In vitro fertilization does not raise risk for breast cancer

Researchers at the Netherlands Cancer Institute in Amsterdam have discovered that women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) are not at increased risk of developing breast cancer. Findings from the Dutch study conducted on more than 25,000 women found that "the cumulative rate of breast cancer was 3% for the IVF group, compared to 2.9% for the non-IVF group."

To read more about this study, click here.

Analytical studies branch research paper series – health and work in the family: evidence from spouses’ cancer diagnoses

Changes in health status may affect not just the individuals who experience such changes, but also their family members. For example, if the main earner in a family loses his or her ability to generate income due to a health shock, it invariably affects the financial situation of the spouse and other dependants. This study analyzes how one spouse’s cancer diagnosis affects the employment and earnings of the other spouse and (before-tax) total family income using administrative data from Canada.

Read the full report from Stats Canada.

Targeted therapy for advanced squamous cell lung cancer

Squamous cell cancer offers distinct therapeutic challenges by virtue of presentation in older patients, its physical location in the chest, pattern of metastasis and association with comorbidities that can compromise treatment delivery and exacerbate toxicity.

Recently, molecular genotyping has led to the application of targeted agents for mutations prevalent in SqCC.9 This overview of the targeted treatments of squamous cell lung carcinoma highlights these recent molecular advances and discusses the potential role of newer molecular agents currently being evaluated for the treatment of advanced SqCC.

Read more here.

PET-CT–guided surveillance may reduce need for surgery in some patients with advanced head and neck cancer

Patients with advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck who underwent PET-CT imaging after chemoradiation to determine if they still needed to have surgery had overall survival rates similar to those of patients who underwent planned neck dissection and chemoradiation. PET-CT imaging also resulted in fewer operations and was more cost-effective.

Read more from National Cancer Institute.

New England Journal of Medicine, April 14, 2016 (see the journal abstract).

Study forecasts ‘Silver Tsunami’ of cancer survivors

The number of long-term cancer survivors has continued to grow over the past several decades. With this growth has come the recognition that many cancer survivors have unique health care needs as a consequence of their cancer or the treatments they received.

To better understand the composition of the cancer survivor population and their other medical conditions, or comorbidities, the researchers made projections based on data from NCI’s Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program, including the SEER-Medicare linked database, and the U.S. Census Bureau.

A unique aspect of the study, published July 1 in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, was that the researchers were able to assess specific cancer burden by age groups of older survivors.

Read more here.

How much does cancer prevention cost?

There are many indicators used in health care to assess the value of a public health intervention, and one frequently-used metric is cost effectiveness. This indicator involves calculating a ratio that measures the balance between cost and health benefits that are not monetized (typically, lives saved).

Read more from Centre of Excellence in Cancer Prevention on Cost effectiveness of cancer prevention interventions.

Recent advances in treating ovarian cancer

A pair of studies published recently in the AACR’s journal Clinical Cancer Research report on some interesting observations and developments in treating ovarian cancer, a difficult-to-diagnose and difficult-to-treat disease.

Research that reported in these two studies to identify new methods and opportunities to improve the treatment of ovarian cancer is much needed.

- Can presurgery chemotherapy make advanced ovarian cancers responsive to immunotherapy?
- An imaging system that can guide surgeons to remove more ovarian cancer

Read more from Cancer Research Catalyst.

Euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide increasingly being legalized, although still relatively uncommon

Euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide in the United States, Canada, and Europe are increasingly being legalized, but they remain relatively rare, and primarily involve patients with cancer, according to a study appearing in the July 5 issue of JAMA.

The authors found that between 0.3 percent to 4.6 percent of all deaths are reported as euthanasia or PAS in jurisdictions where they are legal. The frequency of these deaths increases after legalization. More than 70 percent of cases involved patients with cancer. Typical patients are older, white, and well-educated.

Read more from July 4 JAMA News Release.

Study mentioned:
Emanuel EJ, Onwuteaka-Philipsen BD, Urwin JW, Cohen J. Attitudes and Practices of Euthanasia and Physician-Assisted Suicide in the United States, Canada, and Europe. JAMA. 2016;316(1):79-90.

Cancer patients, doctors often disagree about prognosis

Those with advanced disease are likely to be more optimistic than their doctor, study shows.

Cancer patients and their doctors often hold different opinions about the patient's chances for survival and how long he or she might live, according to a new study published July 14 in the journal JAMA Oncology. The study found that 68 percent of patients rated their odds for survival differently from their doctors. Almost all patients were more optimistic than their doctor. Of the 68 percent, only 10 percent understood that their views and their doctor's differed.

Source: JAMA Oncology, news release, July 14, 2016

Read more here.

Risks for breast, ovarian cancers could be found with multigene panel testing

In nearly 100,000 patients who were clinically tested for hereditary cancer risk, utilization of multigene panel sequencing was found to detect ovarian cancer-associated mutations in 11 genes, according to results of a study presented at the 2016 ASCO Annual Meeting.

A second study, also presented at the meeting2, examined the potential harms of multiplex testing for cancer risk, such as unwarranted surgery or adverse psychological effects. However, results showed that, at a 3-month follow-up after genetic testing, the rates of patient distress, intrusive thoughts, or regret of testing were found to be low.


Studies mentioned:
Kurian AW, Hughes E, Handorf E, et al. Association of ovarian cancer (OC) risk with mutations detected by multiple-gene germline sequencing in 95,561 women. J Clin Oncol. 2016;34 (suppl; abstr 5510).
Kurian AW, Idos G, Culver J, et al. Safety of multiplex gene testing for inherited cancer risk: Interim analysis of a clinical trial. J Clin Oncol. 2016;34 (suppl; abstr 1503).

New myeloma guideline expands diagnostic criteria, adds novel agents

Substantial changes were made to the latest version of the NCCN guideline for multiple myeloma to address the multitude of newly approved agents for patients with this disease.

In newly diagnosed patients, primary therapy now includes lenalidomide plus dexamethasone in combination with bortezomib (preferred) or the ixazomib. Additionally, the “active” myeloma category was expanded through an adjustment in the diagnostic criteria, to make more patients eligible for therapy.

Read more here.

Abstracts and titles are now available for Palliative Care In Oncology Symposium

A team approach to palliative care can, and should, include everyone in an oncology setting: physicians, palliative care specialists, nurses, hospice professionals, social workers, and others. The 2016 Palliative Care in Oncology Symposium will provide information that is vital to the entire cancer care continuum, from laboratory research regarding biologic mechanisms of symptoms to caring for patients’ psychosocial and spiritual needs during cancer treatment and at end of life.

Abstract titles are released now - view more info about the Symposium here.

The unbearably slow adoption of genetic cancer tests

Over the past 20 years, Nazneen Rahman, professor and Head of the Division of Genetics and Epidemiology at the Institute of Cancer Research, has identified a steady stream of genes that influence the risk of breast, ovarian, and childhood cancers. But her latest accomplishment, and one of her proudest, is very different. Rahman has created a shortcut in the British healthcare system that will give women with ovarian cancer access to a critical genetic test. The new pathway is cost-efficient, saving time and money as well as lives.

The Clinical Pathway mentioned:
A discrete event simulation to evaluate the cost effectiveness of germline BRCA1 and BRCA2 testing in UK women with ovarian cancer
Anthony Eccleston, Anthony Bentley, Matthew Dyer, Ann Strydom, Wim Vereecken, Angela George, Nazneen Rahman
bioRxiv 060418; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1101/060418

Read more here.

Regulations issued by FDA for next-generation sequencing use

The utilization of next-generation sequencing (NGS)—which can examine millions of DNA variants at one time—is now being regulated. The FDA has released 2 draft guidances regarding the use of these NGS-based tests, which can be used to inform risk and treatment decisions across multiple tumor types.

The first draft guidance, titled, “Use of Standards in FDA’s Regulatory Oversight of Next Generation Sequencing (NGS)-Based In Vitro Diagnostics (IVDs) Used for Diagnosing Germline Diseases” provides recommendations for designing, developing, and validating NGS-based tests for rare hereditary disease.

The second draft guidance, titled, “Use of Public Human Genetic Variant Databases to Support Clinical Validity for Next Generation Sequencing (NGS)-Based In Vitro Diagnostics” describes an approach wherein test developers may rely on clinical evidence from FDA-recognized public genome databases to support clinical claims for their tests and provide assurance of accurate clinical interpretation of genomic test results.

The guidances are part of the of the FDA’s engagement in the Precision Medicine Initiative (PMI), created by the White House in early 2015.

“Targeting the right treatments to the right patients at the right time is the goal of the President’s Precision Medicine Initiative,” said FDA commissioner Robert Califf, MD, in a statement. “Soon, patients will have a much more complete picture of their health than in the past, informed by their genetic and genomic makeup.

Read more here.

Statin treatment linked to fewer cancer deaths

Being treated for high cholesterol with statins is being linked with a reduced risk of death and better survival from four common cancers. The results come from a study of 14 years of UK data that included nearly a million people.

Data on deaths from cancers came from the Office for National Statistics. When researchers from several UK centres analysed the data, they found that people diagnosed with high cholesterol and one of the four cancers were less likely to die from cancer.
However, being diagnosed with high cholesterol usually lead to treatment, often with statins.

The study could only find a link between high cholesterol and a lower death risk, rather than establishing any cause-and-effect.

Read more here.

Study mentioned:
European Society of Cardiology Frontiers in CardioVascular Biology (FCVB) 2016, Florence, Italy. Abstract: Hyperlipidaemia reduces mortality in breast, prostate, lung and bowel cancer.

Acupressure may ease fatigue after breast cancer

The targeted massage therapy known as acupressure may help breast cancer patients overcome fatigue, according to a new study.

As reported online July 7 in JAMA Oncology, the researchers randomly assigned 288 breast cancer survivors to one of three groups. One group was told to continue their usual care. A second group received acupressure that targets relaxation points. The final group received stimulating acupressure, intended to increase energy.

Study mentioned:
Zick SM, Sen A, Wyatt GK, Murphy SL, Arnedt J, Harris RE. Investigation of 2 Types of Self-administered Acupressure for Persistent Cancer-Related Fatigue in Breast Cancer Survivors: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Oncol. Published online July 07, 2016. doi:10.1001/jamaoncol.2016.1867.

Read more here.

Doxorubicin/Sorafenib combo fails in frontline phase III study

Upfront treatment with the combination of doxorubicin and sorafenib (Nexavar) did not improve overall survival (OS) compared with sorafenib alone for patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Additionally, the combination was associated with increased toxicity, according to results from the phase III CALGB 80802 trial presented at the 2016 ASCO Annual Meeting.

Read more here.

Reference:
Abou-Alfa GK, Niedzwieski D, Knox JJ, et al. Phase III randomized study of sorafenib plus doxorubicin versus sorafenib in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC): CALGB 80802 (Alliance). J Clin Oncol. 2016;34 (suppl; abstr 4003).

Promising initial trial of immunotherapy agent in anal cancer

A study of nivolumab (Opdivo) in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal (SCCA), which recently presented findings at the 2016 World Congress on Gastrointestinal (GI) Cancer, is the first prospective trial to examine immunotherapy agents in the treatment of SCCA.

Approximately 80% to 95% of cases are linked to human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. "The role of HPV in the tumorigenesis of SCCA provides rationale for the use of immune checkpoint agents as a novel therapy for patients with a virally driven disease." noted lead author Cathy Eng, MD, professor of gastrointestinal medical oncology at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and co-leader of MD Anderson's HPV-related Cancer Moon Shot.

Please read more here.

New trial alert: Topical Brimonidine Tartrate on intraocular pressure of patients undergoing robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy

A new clinical trial sponsored by the University Health Network in Toronto is presently recruiting patients with prostate cancer for a prospective study aimed at evaluating the effect of preoperative treatment with topical Brimonidine Tartrate on ontraocular pressure.  For patients undergoing robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy, the goal of this trial is to prevent "intraocular pressure spike thereby reducing risk of postperative vision loss."

To read more about this trial, click here.

Adjuvant combination therapy improves survival in pancreatic cancer

June 16, 2016 - The results from the ESPAC-4, a multicenter, international, open-label randomised controlled phase III trial of adjuvant combination chemotherapy of gemcitabine / capecitabine versus monotherapy gemcitabine in patients with resected pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma show a statistically significant 2.5 months improvement in survival in favour of combination regimen. The results were presented in the oral abstract session on Gastrointestinal (Noncolorectal) Cancer by Dr John Neoptolemos during the ASCO Annual Meeting 2016 (3-7 June, Chicago US).

Gemcitabine is the standard of care in this setting. Previously, the ESPAC-3 trial compared adjuvant gemcitabine with 5-fluorouracil / folinic acid (5-FU/FA) for resected pancreatic cancer; gemcitabine regimen achieved similar survival with less toxicity. ESPAC-4 aimed to determine whether combination chemotherapy with gemcitabine / capecitabine improve survival compared to gemcitabine alone. Read more here.

Blood test for genetic changes in tumors shows promise as alternative to tumor biopsy

June 15, 2016 - In the largest study of its kind to date, a test that assesses DNA mutations and other changes in genetic material shed from tumors into the blood—a so-called liquid biopsy—produced results highly similar to those of traditional tumor biopsies.

The patterns of genomic changes identified by the test in a large collection of patient blood samples largely matched patterns of genetic changes seen in large tumor biopsy profiling studies, researchers reported last weekExit Disclaimer at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) in Chicago. Read more here.

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence UK issues new guidance for cabazitaxel

June 14, 2016 - Cabazitaxel for hormone-relapsed metastatic prostate cancer treated with docetaxel. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) UK published on 25 May 2016 the evidence-based recommendations on cabazitaxel (Jevtana) for patients with prostate cancer that has relapsed after the treatment with docetaxel. The guidance TA391 replaces NICE technology appraisal guidance on cabazitaxel for hormone-refractory metastatic prostate cancer previously treated with a docetaxel-containing regimen (TA255). It does not cover the use of cabazitaxel for patients who have had docetaxel and then abiraterone, enzalutamide or radium 223 dichloride. Read more here.

Trials produce practice-changing results for brain cancer

June 9, 2016 - The standard treatment that some patients with brain cancer receive is likely to change, based on findings from two large clinical trials presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) annual meeting in Chicago this week.

Both trials showed that administering the chemotherapy drug temozolomide (Temodar®) in addition to radiation therapy increased how long patients lived overall and without their disease progressing. The trial investigators and other leading brain cancer researchers agreed that the results of the two trials will change the standard of care. Read more here.

FDA approves new immunotherapy drug for bladder cancer

June 7, 2016 - The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on May 18 approved atezolizumab (Tecentriq®) for the treatment of some patients with urothelial carcinoma, the most common type of bladder cancer. The drug, which strengthens the body’s immune response against cancer, is the first new treatment approved for bladder cancer in two decades.

“This is very exciting news for patients with bladder cancer,” said Piyush Agarwal, M.D., head of the Bladder Cancer Section in the NCI Center for Cancer Research's (CCR) Urologic Oncology Branch, who noted that the approval would likely open “a wave of new clinical trials” for patients with bladder cancer.

Double stem cell transplant may help fight childhood cancer

A new study conducted at the University of Washington School of Medicine indicates that children afflicted with neuroblastoma hay have a better chance of survival upon receiving a double stem cell transplant.  According to lead researcher Dr. Julie Park, 61% of children receiving the double transplant remained alive 3 years after diagnosis, compared to 48% who received only a single transplant.

To read more about this study, click here.

Patient-derived antibody appears to selectively target tumor cells

June 6, 2016 - Researchers have developed an antibody, derived from patients with early-stage lung cancer, that enlists the immune system to destroy cancer cells.

The antibody killed tumor cells in cell lines of several different cancer types and slowed tumor growth in mouse models of brain and lung cancer without obvious evidence of side effects, the researchers reported May 5 in Cell Reports. Read more here.

Two new therapies approved by FDA for advanced kidney cancer

On April 15 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved two drugs for the treatment of patients with advanced kidney cancer. Both approvals are for patients whose cancers have progressed after receiving prior treatment with drugs that block tumor blood vessel growth, known as antiangiogenic therapies.

The agency approved cabozantinib (Cabometyx™), and on May 13 it approved lenvatinib (Lenvima®) in combination with everolimus (Afinitor®). Read more here.

Enhanced risk-based lung cancer screening may prevent more deaths than current approaches

June 3, 2016 - NCI researchers have developed a risk model-based approach for selecting smokers and former smokers who may be candidates for lung cancer screening with low-dose computed tomography (CT). Using data from two lung cancer screening studies and a U.S. health survey, the researchers estimated that the new approach might prevent more deaths from lung cancer over 5 years than would current screening recommendations. Read more here.

Colorectal cancer survival linked to primary tumor location

June 02, 2016 - In patients with metastatic colorectal cancer, the location in the colon where the tumor originated appears to strongly influence how long patients live, according to a new study.

The studyExit Disclaimer—a retrospective analysis of data from a large NCI-funded phase III clinical trial—found that patients whose cancer originated in the left side of the colon (distal colon) lived more than a year longer after initial treatment than patients whose disease originated in the right side of the colon (proximal colon). Read more here.

Sunscreen gene may guard against skin cancer

A new study conducted at the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine has identified a "sunscreen" gene that may protect against skin cancer.  According to senior study author Chengyu Liang, the UV-resistant gene was discovered following a study on 340 patients with melanoma.  Liang further explains that this gene "may serve as a biomarker for skin cancer prevention, and lead to new drugs to combat a cancer that leads to more than 10,000 deaths in United States each year.

To read more about this study, click here

HIV-positive patients more likely to lack cancer treatment

May 17, 2016 –A new study finds HIV-infected patients with cancer in the United States appear to be less likely to receive cancer treatment, regardless of insurance and other existing health conditions. The study, by researchers at the University of Utah, National Cancer Institute and the American Cancer Society, appears early online in Cancer.

Cancer is an increasingly common cause of morbidity and mortality among individuals infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). In the United States, cancer incidence rates in this population have increased since the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Cancer is now the second most common cause of death among HIV-infected individuals, after AIDS-related deaths. Read more here.

Anti-proliferative effect and predictive biomarkers to palbociclib in early breast cancer

May 12, 2016 - In this study, the investigators from the Institut Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France aimed to identify if short-term preoperative palbociclib is associated with decreased proliferation and early biomarker changes in patients with early breast cancer. Untreated patients were randomised 3:1 to oral palbociclib 125 mg daily for 2 weeks until the day before the surgery vs no treatment.

Short-term preoperative palbociclib treatment in patients with early breast cancer significantly decreased Ki67; this effect depended on molecular subtypes and correlated with changes in pRB, suggesting that activity of palbociclib could be the main determinant of its short-term effect on proliferation. Read more here.

Canine research may offer clues to human brain cancer

A new study conducted at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences indicates that dogs may aid in discovering the genetics behind malignant brain tumour in humans.  According to study co-lead Katarina Truve, certain dog breeds, "such as Boxers, Bulldogs, and Boston Terriers, have a higher risk for gliomas."  Two genes in particular have been identified as having links to cancer.

To read more about this study, published May 12 in PLOS Genetics, click here.

Breast cancer genes may play a role in prostate cancer

According to three new studies, risk of developing aggressive and lethal prostate cancer "may be heavily influenced by gene mutations previously linked to breast and ovarian cancer in women." Thus, men in families with a history of breast cancer should undergo more intensive prostate cancer screening.  According to one study, men carrying the BRCA2 gene mutation found in breast cancer were 4 times more likely to already exhibit an advanced stage of prostate cancer when diagnosed.

To read more about the findings from these studies, click here.

Analysis of rare endocrine cancer reveals novel genetic alterations

May 8, 2016 - In the most comprehensive molecular characterization to date of adrenocortical carcinoma, a rare cancer of the adrenal cortex, researchers extensively analyzed 91 cases for alterations in the tumor genomes. They identified several novel genetic mutations as likely mechanisms driving the disease. They also found that whole genome doubling, wherein a cell has one or more extra sets of chromosomes, as a probable driver of the disease. Read more here.

Mentioned study: Thomas J. Giordano, Roel G.W. Verhaak Comprehensive Pan-Genomic Characterization of Adrenocortical Carcinoma Cancer Cell 29(5) p723–736, 9 May 2016

After rising for decades, thyroid cancer incidence stabilizes

May 6, 2016 - After rising steadily for decades, the incidence of thyroid cancer in the United States may have stabilized, according to a new study. Although still increasing, the number off new cases has risen at a much slower rate in recent years than in the past.

The incidence of thyroid cancer in the United States began to rise during the early 1990s, with incidence in 2013 triple that of 30 years earlier. But the new analysis found that incidence began to level off in 2009 and remained relatively stable through 2012.

Mentioned study: Changing Luc G. T. Morris, MD, MSc1; R. Michael Tuttle, MD2; Louise Davies, MD, Trends in the Incidence of Thyroid Cancer in the United States JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. Published online April 14, 2016. doi:10.1001/jamaoto.2016.0230

Disparities in gut microbiome could lead to biomarkers for estrogen-driven breast cancer

May 5, 2016 - Disparities in the gut microbiome between healthy people and women with estrogen-driven breast cancer may indicate possible biomarkers based on the microbiome that could help to mitigate the risk of certain cancers.

The estrobolome is the gut bacterial genes that are capable of metabolizing estrogens in gut bacteria. Residential microbes, whose population includes bacteria, viruses, Archaea, and Eukaryotes, are increasingly recognized for playing important roles in health and disease. Read more here.

Venetoclax approved for some patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia

On May 4, 2016 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved venetoclax (Venclexta®) for patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) whose tumors have a specific genetic alteration.

The accelerated approval is for patients with CLL whose tumor cells are missing a portion of chromosome 17, commonly referred to as a 17p deletion, and who have received at least one prior therapy for their cancer. Read more here.

EMA recommends extending the authorised indications for obinutuzumab

On 28 April 2016, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) adopted a positive opinion recommending a change to the terms of the marketing authorisation for the medicinal product obinutuzumab (Gazyvaro).The marketing authorisation holder for this medicinal product is Roche Registration Limited.

The CHMP adopted a new indication as follows: Follicular Lymphoma (FL)

Gazyvaro in combination with bendamustine followed by Gazyvaro maintenance is indicated for the treatment of patients with FL who did not respond or who progressed during or up to 6 months after treatment with rituximab or a rituximab-containing regimen. Read more here.

Elevated bladder cancer risk in New England and arsenic in drinking water from private wells

On May 2, 2016 A new study has found that drinking water from private wells, particularly dug wells established during the first half of the 20th century, may have contributed to the elevated risk of bladder cancer that has been observed in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont for over 50 years. Other risk factors for bladder cancer, such as smoking and occupational exposures, did not explain the excess risk in this region.

Bladder cancer mortality rates have been elevated in northern New England for over half a century. The incidence of bladder cancer in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont has been about 20 percent higher than that in the United States overall. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Baris D … Silverman DT, et al. Elevated Bladder Cancer in Northern New England: The Role of Drinking Water and Arsenic. May 2, 2016. JNCI. DOI: DJW099

Study links residential radon exposure to hematologic cancers in women

On April 28, 2016 a new report finds a statistically-significant, positive association between high levels of residential radon and the risk of hematologic (blood) cancer in women. The study is the first prospective, population-based study of residential radon exposure and hematologic cancer risk, leading the authors to caution that it requires replication to better understand the association and whether it truly differs by sex. It appears early online in Environmental Research. Read more here.

Cape Breton Cancer Centre introduces new breast cancer treatment method

The Cape Breton Cancer Centre is using a new technique called breath/hold to treat some breast cancer patients. It's a simple technique that requires the patient to take a deep breath and hold it for 20 to 30 seconds to allow a radiation beam to focus and more accurately hit its intended area.

The Nova Scotia Health Authority says the centre at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital is the first in Atlantic Canada to adopt the technique. "The heart comes very close to the chest wall and we are treating the chest wall, so when they hold their breath, it pushes the heart downwards and out of the radiation field," said Dr, Waseem Sharieff, a radiation oncologist at the centre. Read more here.

Bevacizumab, in combination with erlotinib, is indicated for first-line treatment of advanced non-squamous NSCLC with EGFR activating mutations

On 28 April 2016, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) adopted a positive opinion recommending a change to the terms of the marketing authorisation for the medicinal product bevacizumab (Avastin). The marketing authorisation holder for this medicinal product is Roche Registration Limited.

The CHMP adopted a new indication as follows:

"Bevacizumab, in combination with erlotinib, is indicated for first-line treatment of adult patients with unresectable advanced, metastatic or recurrent non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer with Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) activating mutations." Read more here.

A new review shows that depression relapse prevention with mindfulness therapy is 'on par' with drugs

April 27, 2016 - People who've recovered from depression stave off relapses with mindfulness therapy as well as with antidepressants, a new review finds.Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) is an eight-week group program that helps people become better observers of their own thoughts and emotions and to learn to distance themselves before ruminations spiral downwards.

An international team of psychiatry researchers combined data from nine randomized trials of 1,258 patients total with recurrent depression to compare the mindfulness therapy to placebo, treatment as usual and other active treatments including antidepressants. Read more here.

Read the review published in JAMA here.

Targeted photoimmunotherapy approach for cancer moves forward

On April 25, 2016 two new studies from NCI researchers add to growing evidence of the promise of a novel type of cancer immunotherapy that uses infrared light to activate rapid and selective killing of cancer cells.

One of the studies, presentedExit Disclaimer last week at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) annual meeting in New Orleans, showed that this approach, called near-infrared photoimmunotherapy (NIR-PIT), could unleash immune activity against tumors in mice by depleting the tumor microenvironment of certain immune cells that act to restrain the immune response against tumors. Read more here.

New treatment target identified for key prostate cancer driver

On April 22, 2016 researchers have identified a potential alternative approach to blocking the activity of a key molecular driver of an advanced form of prostate cancer, called androgen-independent or castration-resistant prostate cancer.

In prostate cancer cell lines and in several mouse models of prostate cancer, treatment with drug-like small molecules that target a protein called ROR-γ disrupted the activity of the androgen receptor (AR), the researchers showed. Signaling through AR is the chief means by which prostate cancer cells grow and spread. Read more here.

Avastin for platinum-resistant ovarian cancer

CADTH pan-Canadian oncology drug review recently released its initial clinical guidance report for the use of avastin for platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. Along with the clinical review they have released the initial economic guidance report and the initial pERC recommendation.

Read the initial clinical guidance report here.
Read the initial economic guidance report here.
Read the initial pERC recommendations here.

Virtual reality glasses used during brain surgery for the first time

February 17, 2016 - In a world first, a patient in France undergoing brain surgery while conscious wore virtual reality glasses as doctors removed a cancerous tumour, the chief surgeon told AFP Tuesday.

"In creating a completely artificial world for the patient, we could map certain zones and connections of his brain related to functions that we could not, up to now, easily test on the operating table," Philippe Menei, a neurosurgeon at Angers hospital in western France, told AFP. The operation was performed on January 27, and the patient was recovering well, he said. Read more here.

Gastrointestinal cancer evidence-based series (EBS) and practice guidelines (PG)

February 22, 2016 - The Gastrointestinal Disease Site Group (GI DSG) produces evidence-based reports to assist practitioners and patients make decisions about appropriate health care for specific clinical circumstances. The titles of the reports produced to date by the DSG are listed below, with links to the PDF versions of those reports. Read more here.

Differences in cancer survival in Canada by sex

On April 20, 2016 stats Canada released its report on the difference in cancer survival in Canada by sex. Based on data from the Canadian Cancer Registry, this report examines sex-specific differences in survival for all cancers combined and for 18 specific individual cancers or cancer groups. In addition to age-specific analyses, results are examined by time period of diagnosis.Read more here.

Pembrolizumab shows promise in patients with rare form of skin cancer

On April 19, 2016 in a small clinical trial, more than half of the patients with an aggressive form of skin cancer called Merkel cell carcinoma responded to the drug pembrolizumab (Keytruda®), which strengthens the immune response against cancer. Overall, the responses have been longer-lasting than those typically seen in patients with this very rare cancer who have received chemotherapy.

The 26 patients in this phase II trial had an advanced form of the disease, and none had received prior systemic treatment. Among the 25 patients who could be evaluated, 14 patients (56 percent) had a complete or partial response, Paul Nghiem, M.D., Ph.D., of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center reported on April 19 at the annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) in New Orleans. Read more here.

Watch this interactive video showing that Cancers can resist treatment by ‘stealing’ blood vessels from nearby tissues

Researchers at The Institute of Cancer Research, London, and Sunnybrook Research Institute, University of Toronto, published a new study on the 07 of April in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute showing that liver cancer can resist treatment by ‘stealing’ blood vessels from nearby tissues. Read more here.

On advance care planning day, it's time for Canadians to stop making excuses and get talking

I’m too busy. It’s bad luck. I’m too young. These are just a few of the reasons why Canadians avoid conversations with loved ones about what might happen if they couldn’t make medical decisions for themselves. On April 16, it’s time to start talking.

The Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association is leading National Advance Care Planning Day, an initiative of its year-round Speak Up Campaign, which encourages Canadians to reflect on and communicate their end-of-life wishes.Read more here.

Vitamin D deficiency may promote spread of some breast cancers

On April 14, 2016, a new study suggests that a deficiency in vitamin D is associated with tumor progression and metastasis in breast cancer.

The study, primarily conducted using cell lines and mice, also identified an association between vitamin D levels and the expression of ID1, an oncogene that has been associated with tumor growth and metastasis in breast cancer and other cancer types. Read more here.

Nanoparticle generator slips chemotherapypast tumor cells’ protective barriers

On April 11, 2016 researchers have developed and tested a new injectable nanoparticle-generating technology that can deliver doxorubicin (Adriamycin®), a commonly used chemotherapy drug, straight to the nucleus of metastatic breast cancer cells with high effectiveness.

In the study, the treatment approach led to complete remissions in mice with a hard-to-treat form of breast cancer. The findings appeared in Nature Biotechnology on March 14. The research team that led the study hopes to start testing the treatment in human clinical trials by the end of 2017. Read more here.

More is not always better in cancer care: Partnership report

A new report from the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer looking into whether Canadian patients receive appropriate cancer care shows Canadian cancer patients undergo an estimated 770,000 interventions each year that may be of low value or expose them to unnecessary harm. Read more here.

Sunitinib and sorafenib ineffective as adjuvant therapies for kidney cancer

On April 8, 2016 results from a recent clinical trial show that adjuvant therapy with sunitinib (Sutent®) or sorafenib (Nexavar®) does not improve progression-free survival for patients with renal cell (kidney) cancer and may cause serious side effects.

Both sunitinib and sorafenib target proteins on cancer cells that promote tumor angiogenesis—the formation of new blood vessels that are needed to fuel tumor growth beyond a certain size. Read more here.

Drug combination shrinks duodenal polyps in people with familial adenomatous polyposis

On April 7, 2016 a small clinical trial of people with an inherited condition that greatly increases the risk of developing gastrointestinal cancers, a two-drug combination has been shown to shrink duodenal polyps, precursor lesions for cancer, raising the possibility that the regimen could lower the risk of duodenal cancer.

In the randomized trial, patients with the condition, familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), who took erlotinib (Tarceva®) and sulindac (Aflodac®) had far fewer precancerous polyps in the duodenum—the first section of the small intestine, just beyond the stomach—than patients who took placebo. Read more here.

NICE develops a medtech innovation briefing on selective internal radiation therapy

On March 2016 NICE announced that it has developed a medtech innovation briefing (MIB) on SIR Spheres for treating inoperable hepatocellular carcinoma. SIR Spheres are a form of selective internal radiation therapy consisting of resin microspheres containing radioactive yttrium 90.

They are designed to be used to treat patients with inoperable hepatocellular carcinoma. SIR Spheres can also be used to downstage tumours for resection or liver transplantation, or as a bridge to transplantation. SIR Spheres deliver radiation directly to tumours through the hepatic artery, which limits damage to normal liver cells. Read more here.

Shorter, intensive radiation for prostate cancer

Researchers at the Duke Cancer Institute in Durham, North Carolina have unveiled a new study indicating that slightly higher radiation doses for early stage prostate cancer "may reduce treatment time without compromising effectiveness." The study consist of 1,100 men with early stage prostate cancer; half of the patients received a traditional radiotherapy regiment over 8 weeks, while half received slightly higher doses over 5.5 weeks.  According to lead investigator Dr. W. Robert Lee, "the shorter regimen has advantages such as greater patient convenience and lower costs", as indicated over a 5-year period. (an 86% vs. 85% cancer-free survival rate)

To read more about this study, click here.

Blocking calcium transfer may selectively kill cancer cells

On March 31, 2016, a new study shows that blocking the transfer of calcium ions (Ca2+) into mitochondria is toxic to cancer cells and impairs growth of tumors in mice, while sparing normal cells.

All cells use calcium ions as signaling agents to regulate metabolism and other cellular functions. Blocking the flow of calcium into mitochondria, which are the chief producers of energy-rich ATP molecules in cells, created an energy “crisis” from which normal cells could recover but cancer cells could not, the study showed. Read more here.

A new assay detects MET phosphorylation in tumor biopsies

March 31, 2016 - MET (hepatocyte growth factor receptor) is a trans-membrane, tyrosine kinase receptor whose aberrant signaling is implicated in cancer growth, progression, and metastasis. Currently, many drugs are in development that target MET kinase signaling; however, until now, no assay has been available to effectively measure MET pharmacodynamics directly in core biopsies of tumors, which is a critical capability for proof of mechanism studies to confirm intended drug action in patients. Read more here.

New strategy for treating advanced ovarian cancer shows promise in mice

On March 28, 2016 an experimental strategy for treating advanced ovarian cancer has caused tumor regression in animal models, according to a new study. The strategy uses a protein fragment, or peptide, to stimulate normal cells in the tissues surrounding cancer cells—the tumor microenvironment—to block the growth of the cancer cells. Read more here.

Combined inhibition of DDR1 and notch signalling for KRAS-driven lung adenocarcinoma

On March 25, 2016 new research shows that studying tumours early in development can reveal therapeutic targets that can boost the efficacy of treatments administered later in disease progression.

Patients with advanced Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (KRAS)-mutant lung adenocarcinoma are currently treated with standard chemotherapy because of a lack of efficacious targeted therapies. In a translational research study, a group of Spanish investigators from the Experimental Oncology, Molecular Oncology Programme, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (CNIO), Madrid, Spain reasoned that the identification of mediators of Kras signalling in early mouse lung hyperplasias might bypass the difficulties that are imposed by intratumour heterogeneity in advanced tumours, and that it might unveil relevant therapeutic targets. Read more here.

Crizotinib approval expanded for advanced lung cancer

One March 22, 2016 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has expanded the approved uses of the targeted therapy crizotinib (Xalkori®) for patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

The new approval is for the treatment of patients with advanced NSCLC whose tumors have alterations—known as rearrangements—in the ROS1 gene. Crizotinib was originally approved for patients with advanced NSCLC whose tumors have similar alterations in the ALK gene. Read more here.

New guideline addresses long-term needs of head and neck cancer survivors

On March 22, 2016 a new American Cancer Society guideline provides clinicians with recommendations on key areas of clinical follow-up care for survivors of head and neck cancer, a growing population numbering approximately 436,060 and accounting for 3% of all cancer survivors living in the United States.

Head and neck cancer will account for an estimated 61,760 new cancer cases in the United States in 2016, and long-term survival is increasingly common in this population. Tobacco use and alcohol consumption together account for an estimated three out of four cases of head and neck cancer. Human papillomavirus is also a risk factor, accounting for as many as seven out of ten oropharyngeal cancers. Read more here.

Calgary sleep study aims to help young cancer survivors sleep better

On March 18, 2015 a new study takes a look at bad sleep patterns developed during treatment making kids feel exhausted and socially isolated years later. This study is unique because it examines sleep patterns in short-term survivors, who are between two and seven years off their therapy.Past studies have documented broken sleep patterns in those who are 15 to 20 years past treatment, as well as those who are newly diagnosed. Researchers are looking for children between the ages of 8-18 who have had leukemia, as well as healthy children for a comparison group. They hope to enroll 100 families, 50 for each group. Read more here and here.

Evaluation of a single metastasis in metastatic prostate cancer

By analysing an intraindividual molecular diversity of metastatic prostate cancer, the researchers discovered that although exceptions exist, evaluation of a single metastasis provides a reasonable assessment of the major oncogenic driver alterations that are present in disseminated tumours within an individual, and thus may be useful for selection of treatments on the basis of predicted molecular vulnerabilities. The study results are published in the Nature Medicine. Read more here.

Why some tumors withstand treatment: researchers uncover a mechanism that allows cancer cells to evade targeted therapies

March 16, 2016 - A new study from MIT and Massachusetts General Hospital reveals why a certain class of these drugs, known as kinase inhibitors, doesn’t always halt tumor growth. The researchers found that while kinase inhibitors successfully shut down their targets, they also provoke cells to turn on a backup system that can take over for the one knocked out by the drug. Read more here.

FDA expands use of crizotinib in advanced NSCLC

On 11 March, 2016 the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved crizotinib (Xalkori) to treat patients with advanced (metastatic) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose tumours have a ROS-1 gene abnormality. Crizotinib is the first and only FDA approved treatment for patients with ROS-1 positive NSCLC. Read more here.

Special current oncology supplement augments evidence base for cancer economics

The Canadian Partnership Against Cancer is proud to collaborate with Current Oncology to present a special supplement on Canada-specific cancer costing and economic evaluation research.

Our unique health care system requires specifically Canadian studies to effectively evaluate cost differences and variability in individual interventions, care pathways and cancer care systems. Economic research is highly useful for identifying good value and high quality care, but there is an acute shortage of Canada-specific evidence available. As a result, decision makers cannot accurately assess the impact of new processes, practices and technologies to make decisions of most benefit to Canadians.

The Current Oncology supplement helps fill this gap by showcasing the work of researchers focused on answering questions pertinent to Canadian cancer control. Read more here.