EMA recommends extending indications for afatinib

New indication concerns the treatment of locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC of squamous histology progressing on or after platinum-based chemotherapy

On 25 February 2016, the European Medicines Agency’s (EMA’s) 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 afatinib (Giotrif). Read more here.

Unravelling the mysteries of myelodysplastic syndromes: New reseaqrch published in the EJC

All cancers have some epigenetic component, but myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are the only diseases in which hypomethylating agents have had significant clinical activity.  Colon cancer, for example, has as much methylation as MDS but is resistant to these agents.  Why that should be remains a mystery.

At the European Cancer Congress in Vienna (September 2015),Guillermo Garcia-Manero (MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas) presented research into this and other difficult questions in MDS.  In the February edition of EJC News Focus, he tells Helen Saul that the eventual answers could have implications in a wide range of cancers. Read more here.

US NCI to overhaul NCI-60 tumour cell lines

On February 24, 2016 a panel of 60 human cancer cell lines grown in culture to be retired in favour of patient-derived tumour xenografts. Following a special conference organised by the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Heidi Ledford wrote, that after more than 25 years of heavy use by researchers around the world, the US National Cancer Institute (NCI) has decided to retire the NCI-60, its panel of 60 human cancer cell lines grown in culture. Read more here.

Study of cancer’s origins reveals genetic reprogramming of single cells

On February 24, 2016 researchers have created a model of cancer in zebrafish that allows them to capture live images of tumors forming and growing, in some cases from a single cell. Using the model, the researchers characterized some of the early genetic and epigenetic changes associated with melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer.

In the fish, an important event in the development of melanoma was the activation, in differentiated pigment-producing cells, of a genetic program that normally occurs during embryonic development. The reprogramming of these mature cells, called melanocytes, gave them some of the characteristics of stem cells , such as the ability to grow and divide frequently, the researchers found. Read more here.

Gene fusion may drive rare childhood brain tumor

On February 22, 2016 researchers have identified a genetic rearrangement that may drive the development of a rare benign brain tumor in children. The rearrangement, which causes parts of two genes to fuse, may spur the growth of tumors through three distinct biological mechanisms simultaneously, the researchers found.

The study focused on angiocentric gliomas, a rare subtype of low-grade pediatric tumors that was first described less than a decade ago. Fewer than 30 cases have been reported in the scientific literature. Based on their findings, the study authors propose that angiocentric gliomas should be classified as a distinct biologic entity and that the presence of the gene fusion should be used to confirm the diagnosis. Read more here.

Acquired resistance to immunotherapy

Advances in immunotherapy have resulted in significant clinical responses in some patients with cancer. However, one of the biggest challenges in cancer therapeutics is the development of resistant disease and disease progression on or after therapy. Nature Reviews Cancer asked three scientists to give their views on the current evidence for whether acquired resistance to immunotherapy exists in patients and the future challenges posed by immunotherapy. Below we present some of the answers provided by scientists from the US National Cancer Institute, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute in Brisbane, and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Read more here.

Risk of metabolic syndrome increased in survivors of childhood cancer

Early cardiovascular events are a risk for survivors of childhood cancer, according to a longitudinal study recently published in the Journal of Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology. This study advocated a unified definition of pediatric metabolic syndrome so it can better be diagnosed.

The term metabolic syndrome refers to a cluster of clinical and biochemical risk factors that indicate metabolic dysfunction, according to background information in the article. These risk factors are associated with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Read more here.

Research uncovers more inherited genetic mutations linked to ovarian cancer

On February 10, 2016 a previous research has established a link between genetic mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes to an increased risk of developing ovarian, fallopian tube or peritoneal cancer in women.

A recent publication documents the efforts of a team of researchers affiliated with the Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG) to determine if inherited genetic mutations other than BRCA1 and BRCA2 can also put a woman at risk of developing these diseases. Read more here.

Prospective study links HPV detection in the mouth to head and neck cancer

On February 12, 2015 researchers have confirmed that infection with human papillomavirus (HPV) 16 precedes the development of head and neck cancer. Previous studies have established an association between HPV-16 infection and oropharyngeal cancer, a type of head and neck cancer.

The new study is the first to do so using samples collected from participants prior to their cancer diagnosis. Read more here.

FDA approves eribulin mesylate for advanced liposarcoma

On January 28, 2016 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved eribulin mesylate for some patients with liposarcoma. The approval is for patients whose cancers are advanced (metastatic) or cannot be removed by surgery (unresectable) and are no longer responding to anthracycline-based chemotherapy.

“The approval offers a therapeutic option for a disease with minimal treatment options,” said Chris Heery, M.D. Read more here.

Persistent peripheral neuropathy increases fall risk among cancer survivors

On February 5, 2016, a new study finds many female cancer survivors have problems with mobility and other physical functioning as a result of persistent peripheral neuropathy caused by chemotherapy treatment. The problems with physical functioning were associated with a substantial increase in the women’s risk for injurious falls.

The study findings were presented on January 11 at the 2016 Cancer Survivorship Symposium in San Francisco. Read More here.

Newer treatment may be easier on children with brain tumors

On January 29, 2016 A new type of treatment called proton radiotherapy is as effective as standard photon (X-ray) radiation therapy in treating a common type of brain tumor in children, a new study reports.

The new therapy causes fewer long-term side effects, the researchers said. Read more here.

Mouse study points to mechanism linking obesity and colorectal cancer risk

On February 8, 2016 researchers have identified a biological mechanism that may help explain a longstanding association between obesity and an increased risk of colorectal cancer in humans.

In mice, the researchers found, the excess intake of calories reduced the production of a hormone that activates a signaling pathway involved in suppressing the development of tumors in the colon and the rectum. Read more here.

Exploring the growing interest in drug repurposing in oncology

There is a rapidly growing degree of global interest in the field of drug repurposing in oncology among members of the public and from some policy makers. Drug repurposing is defined as the reuse of drugs as anticancer therapies, according to press release of Anticancer Fund (ACF) issued on 4 February 2016. The promise of repurposing is that drugs with low toxicity and relatively low costs can be made available to patients in a rapidly reduced time-frame compared to the development of totally new drugs. Now a new joint project between the ACF, based in Belgium, and the Institute of Cancer Policy (ICP), King’s College London aims to change that. Read more here.

Allergies, asthma tied to lower risk of brain cancer

A new study conducted at the Baylor College of Medicine's Cancer Center indicates that people with respiratory allergies, asthma, and eczema may be less likely to develop glioma brain cancer.  According to study author Melissa Bondy, Associate Director for Cancer Prevention and Population Science at Baylor College, "people with respiratory allergies or eczema were 30 percent less likely to develop the deadly brain cancer than those without such conditions."

To read more about this study, click here.

Meditation may ease pain, anxiety from breast cancer biopsy

A new study conducted at the Duke Cancer Institute in Durham, North Carolina, indicates that meditation and music can reduce pain, anxiety and fatigue associated with a breast cancer biopsy.  According to study lead author Dr. Mary Scott Soo, "patients who experience pain and anxiety may move during the procedure, which can reduce the effectiveness of the biopsy."  Meditation in particular was noted as an alternative to anti-anxiety drugs, and in Dr. Soo's study, patients in the mediation group experienced considerably less pain during their biopsy.

To read more about this study, click here.

NIH researchers identify striking genomic signature shared by five types of cancer

On February 5, 2016 the National Institutes of Health researchers have identified a striking signature in tumor DNA that occurs in five different types of cancer. They also found evidence that this methylation signature may be present in many more types of cancer. Read more here.

World Health Organization's European code against cancer

On February 2, 2016 WHO's International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has issued a new edition of a code of actions that individuals can take to help prevent cancer. Supported by government policy and action, the code can help reduce cancer in the Region. Read more here.

Feasibility of a minimally invasive thoracoscopic ultrasound for localization of pulmonary nodules using resected human lungs - Canadian cancer trial

This clinical trail started on May 15, 2015 and is hosted by the university Health Network. The primary focus of this trail is the comparison of XLTF-UC180 nodule measurement with pathological morphology.

Read more about the clinical trail here.

FDA approves eribulin mesylate for the treatment of unresectable or advanced liposarcoma

On 28 January, 2016 the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a chemotherapy drug eribulin mesylate (Halaven) for the treatment of unresectable or advanced liposarcoma. This treatment is approved for patients who received prior chemotherapy that contained an anthracycline. Read more here.

Two drugs show efficacy against common form of leukemia

On January 15 2016, reports from two early-stage trials of new oral drugs provide hope for patients with high-risk chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) that has returned after prior treatment. Read more here.

Studies mentioned in article:
Byrd J. C., Harrington B., O'Brien S., (2016). Acalabrutinib (ACP-196) in relapsed chronic lymphocytic leukemia. New England Journal of Medicine, 374, 323-332.

Roberts A. W., Davids M. S., Pagel J. M., (2016). Targeting BCL2 with venetoclax in relapsed chronic lymphocytic leukemia. New England Journal of Medicine, 374, 311-322.