SWOG study shows strong long-term survival rates for patients with GIST

Nine years ago, SWOG researchers confirmed a new standard of care for patients with incurable gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST), who could survive by being treated with imatinib mesylate, the breakthrough drug marketed as Gleevec. SWOG researchers are back with long-term findings from that study, which estimate that nearly one in four patients treated with Gleevec will survive 10 years. Results are published in JAMA Oncology.

In this new study results published in JAMA Oncology, researchers from SWOG, the international cancer research community supported by the National Cancer Institute, report a follow-up of patients originally enrolled in S0033, a SWOG-led trial supported by other groups in the NCI's National Clinical Trials Network (NCTN). Initial results published in 2008 confirmed Gleevec as an effective treatment for advanced GIST patients.

Study mentioned:
JAMA Oncol. 2017 Feb 9. doi: 10.1001/jamaoncol.2016.6728. [Epub ahead of print]
Correlation of Long-term Results of Imatinib in Advanced Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors With Next-Generation Sequencing Results: Analysis of Phase 3 SWOG Intergroup Trial S0033.

Exercise a powerful ally for breast cancer survivors

New research from Canada indicates that exercise more than any other healthy habit lowers a breast cancer survivors chance of dying.  According to author Dr. Ellen Warner, medical oncology at Sunnybrook Odette Cancer Centre in Ontario, of all of the lifestyle changes patients made in reducing the risk of cancer recurrence, "exercise came out on top, reducing the risk of breast cancer death by about 40%."

To read more about this study, click here.

Long-term adjuvant Tamoxifen therapy and decreases in contralateral breast cancer

Tamoxifen revolutionized personalized medicine as the first targeted therapy proven to save lives in cancer. The paradigm change proposed to block the breast tumor estrogen receptor (ER), apply long-term adjuvant therapy to block estrogen-stimulated recurrences, and apply the potential of tamoxifen to prevent breast cancer. These recommendations have been put into clinical practice for three decades. Please read the latest JAMA editorial on this therapy.

Study mentioned:
Abderrahman B, Jordan VC. Long-term Adjuvant Tamoxifen Therapy and Decreases in Contralateral Breast Cancer . JAMA Oncol. 2017;3(2):163-164. doi:10.1001/jamaoncol.2016.3324

The nuclear transport receptor Importin-11 is a tumor suppressor that maintains PTEN protein

Rockefeller University investigators identify a key anti-cancer protein - the study was recently published. Please read more from the Journal of Cell Biology here.

Cancer incidence and mortality rates in Alberta on downward trend

The newly released Report on Cancer Statistics in Alberta indicates that incidence rates of cancer have declined by 0.6% annually between 2001-2014, with a 2.1% decrease per year in mortality rates during that same time period.  The Screening for Life Program emphasizes the importance of early detection and screening on a patient's rate of survival.  According to Dr. Huiming Yang, Medical Director, Screening, Population, Public, and Indigenous Health, "we want Albertans to know what screening options are available to them and we need everyone to take personal responsibility for their health and well-being by asking their doctor about what cancer screening programs are right for them."

To read more about this report, click here.

Breath test may be able to detect stomach cancers earlier

Research recently presented at the European Cancer Congress (ECC) indicates that a breath test may be able to detect earlier incidents of stomach and esophageal cancers.  According to study author Dr. Sheraz Markar from Imperial College in London, A breath test could be used as a noninvasive, first-line test to reduce the number of unnecessary endoscopies."  Measuring 5 chemicals in breath, this test, conducted on more than 300 patients has been found to be 85% accurate.

To read more about this study, click here.