Third-generation device significantly improves capture of circulating tumor cells

A new system for isolating rare circulating tumor cells – living solid tumor cells found at low levels in the bloodstream – shows significant improvement over previously developed devices and does not require prior identification of tumor-specific target molecules. Developed at the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Center for Engineering in Medicine and the MGH Cancer Center, the device rapidly delivers a population of unlabeled tumor cells that can be analyzed with both standard clinical diagnostic cytopathology and advanced genetic and molecular technology. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Ozkumur E, et al. Inertial focusing for tumor antigen-dependent and -independent sorting of rare circulating tumor cells. Sci Transl Med. 2013 Apr 3;5(179):179ra47. PMID: 23552373

New E-learning module: Circulating tumour cells

This E-learning module elaborates on the importance of circulating tumour cells (CTCs) detection in solid tumours and methods for CTCs detection. Detection and characterization of CTCs might provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms of tumour metastases. It might allow early detection of metastatic spread and CTCs levels seem to be correlated with the aggressiveness of the disease. In addition, CTC variation during treatment might reflect drug sensitivity. Read more here.

Valleys: new web series about young adults and cancer

A new web series, Valleys, has recently been launched to raise awareness of cancer issues experienced by young adults.  According to series creater Mike Lang, "The hope is that through this webseries we will be able to see cancer from many different perspectives leading to open, honest communication with the people we love." 

For more information and to view the trailer, click here.

Webisodes will be uploaded each Wednesday to Huffington Post's "Generation Why" section.  To view the first episode, posted April 3, 2013, click here

Researchers study effectiveness of intermittent therapy for prostate cancer treatment

Based on previous smaller studies, it looked like an approach called intermittent androgen deprivation therapy might be just as good as continuous androgen deprivation in terms of survival while meanwhile giving patients a breather from the side effects of therapy. But this new study, which treated 1,535 patients with metastatic prostate cancer and followed them for a median of 10 years, finds that's not the case. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Hussain M, et al. Intermittent versus Continuous Androgen Deprivation in Prostate Cancer. N Engl J Med 2013; 368:1314-1325.

Newly identified tumor suppressor provides therapeutic target for prostate cancer

Working in close collaboration, the labs of Maria T. Diaz-Meco, Ph.D., and Jorge Moscat, Ph.D., found that PKCζ controls the activation of a pro-tumor gene called c-Myc. Normally, PKCζ’s alteration keeps c-Myc in check. But PKCζ levels are low in prostate and other cancers, leaving c-Myc free to enhance cell growth and metastasis. This study, appearing in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, suggests that restoring PKCζ could provide a new approach to treating prostate cancer. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Kim JY, et al. c-Myc phosphorylation by PKCζ represses prostate tumorigenesis. PNAS. Published online before print April 2, 2013.

3-D scaffolds a new tool to fight cancer

Porous polymer scaffolds fabricated to support the growth of biological tissue for implantation may hold the potential to greatly accelerate the development of cancer therapeutics. Researchers at Rice University and the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston and Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York reported this week that three-dimensional scaffolds used to culture Ewing’s sarcoma cells were effective at mimicking the environment in which such tumors develop. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Fong ELS, et al. Modeling Ewing sarcoma tumors in vitro with 3D scaffolds. PNAS. Published online before print April 1, 2013.

An analysis suggests large disparity in the availability and organisation of radiotherapy services between European countries

Analysis of the radiotherapy facilities in 33 European countries has shown considerable disparity across the continent, with countries in Eastern and South-eastern Europe being largely underequipped compared with northern and western countries. It is a major public health issue as the access to radiotherapy is an essential component of cancer care and timely investment in the radiotherapy infrastructure is required to address the growing burden of cancer care. Read more here.

Is adjuvant trastuzumab cost-effective for HER2-positive T1bN0 breast cancer?

In light of the clinical uncertainty and the high acquisition costs of trastuzumab, a group of researchers led by Mr C. Skedgel of the Atlantic Clinical Cancer Research Unit, Centre for Clinical Research, Halifax examined the ‘value for money’ associated with adjuvant trastuzumab in women with T1bN0 breast cancer in terms of the likelihood of such a strategy meeting a $100 000 per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained cost-effectiveness threshold over a plausible range of baseline recurrence risks. Read more here.

Sunnybrook opens largest breast-cancer centre in Canada

Toronto’s Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre announced Thursday the official opening of the largest breast-cancer centre in Canada, which offers next-day diagnosis to women, immediate reconstructive surgery and tailored treatment options for patients. Read more here.

CancerLinQ prototype leverages 'Big Data'

The American Society of Clinical Oncology has unveiled its prototype for an ambitious computer network that allows physicians to search patient records and clinical evidence in real time. The network, called CancerLinQ, promises to ultimately give oncologists access to millions of patient records, expert guidelines, and scientific literature all through a single computer interface. Read more here.

Connect to CancerLinQ here.

Study: Online nutrition data for cancer patients is lacking, inconsistent

Cancer institutions often fail to provide online information about dietary recommendations for cancer patients or they provide information that is inconsistent with data on other websites, according to a study published in Nutrition and Cancer. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Champ CE, et al. Dietary recommendations during and after cancer treatment: consistently inconsistent? Nutr Cancer. 2013 Apr;65(3):430-9. PMID: 23530643

IMPAKT Breast Cancer Conference

The IMPAKT Breast Cancer Conference, 2-4 May 2013, Brussels, is the place to present new data, meet top experts in the field and network with all of those interested in how to translate new discoveries into better diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer patients. Now in its fifth year, the IMPAKT conference on translational research in breast cancer will bring a significant amount of data on the heterogeneity of breast cancer and promises to be a thought-provoking and stimulating experience for participants, partners and stakeholders. Connect to the Web site here.

Watch the 2013 co-chairs discuss some of the topics that will form the programme of the conference that aims to improve outcome in breast cancer through translational research here.

ESMO cancer advocacy toolkit for Africa

The Cancer Advocacy Training Toolkit for Africa has been designed as a train-the-trainer program supported by an international partnership composed of the Africa Oxford Cancer Foundation, the African Organisation of Research and Training in Cancer, ESMO, and the Union for International Cancer Control. It covers important topics including: (a) the development of an advocacy plan; (b) working with governments; (c) awareness raising events and resources; and (d) how to secure funding. Download the toolkit here.

A recent editorial on this toolkit: Adamou A, et al. Cancer in Africa: supporting advocates to stop the runaway train. Ann Oncol. 2013; 24(4):855-856.

Time article describes team approach to cancer research

In a recent edition of Time magazine, Bill Saporito describes a team approach to cancer research. "The hero scientist who defeats cancer will likely never exist. No exalted individual, no victory celebration, no Marie Curie or Jonas Salk, who in 1955, after he created the first polio vaccine, was asked, So what’s next? Cancer? — as if a doctor finished with one disease could simply shift his attention to another, like a chef turning from the soup to the entrée." Read more here.

New diagnostic technology may lead to individualized treatments for prostate cancer

A research team jointly led by scientists from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and the University of California, Los Angeles, have enhanced a device they developed to identify and “grab” circulating tumor cells that break away from cancers and enter the blood, often leading to the spread of cancer to other parts of the body. If more studies confirm the technology’s effectiveness, the NanoVelcro Chip device could enable doctors to access and identify cancerous cells in the bloodstream, which would provide the diagnostic information needed to create individually tailored treatments for patients with prostate cancer. Read more here.

Study shows duloxetine reduces pain from chemotherapy

Researchers from several cancer centers in the US have found the depression drug duloxetine—known commercially as Cymbalta—can help people who develop a painful side effect from chemotherapy. The study included 231 people with painful chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy who were randomly assigned to receive duloxetine or a placebo. After 5 weeks, 59% of people taking duloxetine reported reduced pain compared to 38% of those taking the placebo. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Lavoie Smith EM, et al. Effect of Duloxetine on Pain, Function, and Quality of Life Among Patients With Chemotherapy-Induced Painful Peripheral Neuropathy. JAMA. 2013;309(13).

990 Ontario cancer patients received too low chemotherapy doses

Cancer Care Ontario says four hospitals are informing patients that they received lower than intended doses of the chemotherapy drugs cyclophosphamide and gemcitabine. At total of 990 patients treated or being treated at London Health Sciences Centre, Windsor Regional Hospital, Lakeridge Health and Peterborough Regional Health Centre are affected. Read more here.

Determining the prevalence of ROS1 fusions in Chinese patients with non-small cell lung cancer

A recent study found that ROS1 fusion-positive patients tended to be younger never smokers with a histologic diagnosis of adenocarcinoma. However, there is no evidence strong enough to support this finding as far due to a very low frequency of ROS1 fusions in non-small cell lung cancer. Additionally, ROS1 fusions were identified in squamous cell carcinoma histology, and moreover in several studies only some of ROS1 fusion-positive patients were never smokers. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Cai W, et al. ROS1 fusions in Chinese patients with non-small-cell lung cancer. Ann Oncol. 2013 Mar 20. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 23514723

E-learning module: New therapies for advanced prostate cancer

Learning Objectives: 1. To review emerging therapies for advanced prostate cancer, 2. To understand a role and safety profile of immunotherapy, androgen receptor targeting drugs, novel hormonal therapies, and bone targeting drugs in the management of advanced prostate cancer, 3. To understand the clinical impact and potentials of results achieved within clinical studies that evaluated novel therapies in patients with advanced prostate cancer. Access the ESMO E-learning module here.

Early-onset baldness in African-American men may be linked to prostate cancer

Baldness was associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer among African-American men, and risk for advanced prostate cancer increased with younger age and type of baldness, according to data published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Zeigler-Johnson C, et al. Relationship of Early-Onset Baldness to Prostate Cancer in African-American Men. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2013 Mar 26. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 23532004

Estrogen plus progestin use linked with increased breast cancer incidence and mortality

Estrogen plus progestin use is linked with increased breast cancer incidence. In addition, prognosis is similar for both users and nonusers of combined hormone therapy, suggesting that mortality from breast cancer may be higher for hormone therapy users as well, according to a study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Chlebowski RT, et al. Estrogen Plus Progestin and Breast Cancer Incidence and Mortality in the Women's Health Initiative Observational Study. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2013 Mar 29. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 23543779

Mitochondrial chaperones may represent novel targets for developing anti-cancer drugs

Scientists at the National Cancer Institute have found that a mitochondrial chaperone protein, TRAP1, may act indirectly as a tumor suppressor as well as a novel target for developing anti-cancer drugs. Chaperone proteins, such as TRAP1, help other proteins adapt to stress, but scientists are coming to appreciate that they have other functions as well, such as, in this case, affecting tumor development. Read more here.

New findings may lead to better predictions of breast cancer risk in women with inherited mutations

An international team led by Memorial Sloan-Kettering cancer geneticist Kenneth Offit has identified additional genetic variations that change a woman’s risk of developing breast cancer. This information will allow investigators to create a model to more accurately predict the breast cancer risk of an individual woman. The model will be specific to women with mutations in the gene BRCA2, although it may be extended to include BRCA1 as well. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Gaudet MM, et al. Identification of a BRCA2-Specific Modifier Locus at 6p24 Related to Breast Cancer Risk. PLoS Genet 9(3): e1003173. Published online March 27, 2013.

Cancer biologists find DNA-damaging toxins in common plant-based foods

In a laboratory study pairing food chemistry and cancer biology, scientists at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center tested the potentially harmful effect of foods and flavorings on the DNA of cells. They found that liquid smoke flavoring, black and green teas and coffee activated the highest levels of a well-known, cancer-linked gene called p53. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Hossain MZ, et al. Biological clues to potent DNA-damaging activities in food and flavoring. Food Chem Toxicol. 2013 May;55:557-67. Epub 2013 Feb 8. PMID: 23402862

Study finds anti-smoking drug improves smokers’ chances of stopping

Smokers have a higher probability of quitting smoking and a better overall cessation experience when taking varenicline compared to bupropion and to placebo – unmedicated assisted smoking cessation –according to a study published in the journal JAMA Psychiatry. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Cinciripini PM, et al. Effects of Varenicline and Bupropion Sustained-Release Use Plus Intensive Smoking Cessation Counseling on Prolonged Abstinence From Smoking and on Depression, Negative Affect, and Other Symptoms of Nicotine Withdrawal. JAMA Psychiatry. 2013 Mar 27:1-12. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 23536105

Scientists find potential loophole in pancreatic cancer defenses

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute scientists and colleagues have discovered that pancreatic cancer cells' growth and spread are fueled by an unusual metabolic pathway that someday might be blocked with targeted drugs to control the deadly cancer. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Son J, et al. Glutamine supports pancreatic cancer growth through a KRAS-regulated metabolic pathway. Nature. 2013 Mar 27. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 23535601

Genetics might determine which smokers get hooked

Researchers have identified genetic risk factors that may accelerate a teen's progression to becoming a lifelong heavy smoker. The team of scientists from the U.S., the U.K. and New Zealand examined earlier studies by other research teams to develop a genetic risk profile for heavy smoking. Then they looked at their own long-term study of 1,000 New Zealanders from birth to age 38 to identify whether individuals at high genetic risk got hooked on cigarettes more quickly as teens and whether, as adults, they had a harder time quitting. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Belsky DW, et al. Polygenic Risk and the Developmental Progression to Heavy, Persistent Smoking and Nicotine Dependence: Evidence From a 4-Decade Longitudinal Study. JAMA Psychiatry. 2013 Mar 27:1-9. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 23536134

Study finds high soy diet before lung cancer diagnosis improves survival

A new study by researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and the Shanghai Cancer Institute found women who ate more soy food prior to a diagnosis of lung cancer lived longer than those who consumed less. The study, conducted in Shanghai, China, was published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Yang G, et al. Prediagnosis Soy Food Consumption and Lung Cancer Survival in Women. J Clin Oncol. 2013 Mar 25. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 23530109

Novartis denied cancer drug patent in landmark Indian case

India’s top court dismissed Swiss drug maker Novartis AG’s attempt to win patent protection for its cancer drug Glivec, a blow to Western pharmaceutical firms targeting India to drive sales and a victory for local makers of cheap generics. The decision sets a benchmark for intellectual property cases in India, where many patented drugs are unaffordable for most of its 1.2 billion people, and does not bode well for foreign firms engaged in ongoing disputes in India, including Pfizer Inc and Roche Holding AG, analysts said. Read more here.

New blood test detects pancreatic cancer earlier than usual

Researchers ar the Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Division of Metabolomics, have unveiled a new diagnostic blood test for early screening of pancreatic cancer.  Utilizing metabolomics technology, the blood test measures metabolite levels in order to determine whether or not patients are afflicted with a  pancreatic tumor.  According to lead researcher Dr. Masaru Yoshida, "finding pancreatic cancer earlier means more patients can have the tumor removed and live longer than most patients do now."  Considering that the 5-year survival rate for pancreate cancer is less than 5%, this new approach seeks to detect pancreatic cancer at an early stage, before it metastasizes to the point that it becomes inoperable.

To read more about this study, click here

Source mentioned: Yoshida, M et al. A novel serum metabolomics-based diagnostic approach to pancreatic cancer. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2013;22(4)1-9.