Young Adult Cancer Canada launches new website

This week, Young Adult Cancer Canada (YACC) launched a new website, aimed at providing greater awareness regarding cancer survivor stories, news, and programs offered by this organization.  With a social media presence on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube, complete with a monthly e-newsletter, Up to Here, the YACC continues its mission of "building a community of young adults diagnosed with cancer that provides information, support, skills, and opportunity." 

To view the new YACC website, click here.

Obese cancer patients are being undosed, untreated

Video: Obese people are less likely to survive cancer, and one reason may be a surprising inequality: The overweight are undertreated in chemo. Now there's a push to "right-size" cancer care. Watch video here.

Guideline mentioned: Griggs J. et al. Appropriate Chemotherapy Dosing for Obese Adult Patients With Cancer: ASCO Practice Guideline. Journal of Clinical Oncology, Vol 30, Issue 13 (May), 2012: 1553-1561.

Women with breast cancer may overestimate secondary risks in other breast

Young women with breast cancer often overestimate both their chance of developing cancer in the other breast and how much removal of that breast is likely to protect them, a new U.S. study suggests.

In a survey of women diagnosed with cancer in one breast between ages 26 and 40 who chose to have a double mastectomy, almost all said a desire to extend their life was a very important part of the decision. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Rosenberg S. et al. Perceptions, Knowledge, and Satisfaction With Contralateral Prophylactic Mastectomy Among Young Women With Breast Cancer: A Cross-sectional Survey. Annals of Internal Medicine. 2013 Sep;159(6):373-381. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-159-6-201309170-00003.

Researchers look for ways to reduce side-effects of cancer therapy on kids

A University of Calgary researcher is part of a national project trying to determine if genetic variations make some children more susceptible to the harmful side-effects of medications including Cisplatin. About half of all adverse reactions are thought to be caused by genetic differences. “Pinpointing a genetic basis for adverse reactions to some of these medications would equip physicians with important information,” says Dr. David Johnson, the pediatrician leading the Calgary arm of the project. “Screening tests could one day tell us which children are more likely to experience harmful side-effects, and doctors could then adjust dosages or try different medications or treatment,” he says. Read more here.

IARC postdoctoral opportunity - Section of Environment and Radiation

The Section of Environment and Radiation is currently offering a postdoctoral opportunity to work on the epidemiology of the high incidence esophageal cancer belt across East Africa. The work will include the descriptive epidemiology of this cancer in Africa, as well as verbal autopsy studies in high incidence areas and the coordination of prevalence studies of established risk factors. Read more here.

Interrupting cancer cell “conversation”: A new way to put the brakes on cancer

While great strides have been achieved in cancer treatment, scientists are looking for the next generation of therapeutics to stop the second-leading cause of death nationwide. A new approach to disrupt the “conversation” between cancer cells that promote tumor growth has been developed through a collaborative effort linking chemists at NYU and pharmacologists at USC.

In a study appearing the week of September 9 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the research groups of Bogdan Olenyuk of the USC School of Pharmacy and Paramjit Arora of the NYU College of Arts and Sciences explain their development of a synthetic molecule, the “protein domain mimetic” — representing an emerging frontier in cancer research that is distinct from the typical search for small molecules that target cancer cells.

Rather, this synthetic molecule targets the interaction between two proteins, at the point where intracellular signaling converges resulting in up-regulation of genes that promote tumor progression.

This compound was specifically designed to interrupt the type of molecular conversation within the cell — called cell signaling — that promotes growth of cancer cells and tumor progression. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Kushal S et al. Protein domain mimetics as in vivo modulators of hypoxia-inducible factor signaling. PNAS 2013 ; published ahead of print September 9, 2013, doi:10.1073/pnas.1312473110

Moving forward together: New progress report from the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer

The Canadian Partnership Against Cancer is proud to launch a new interactive Progress Report 2012-2017 on Canada’s cancer strategy. Visit this dynamic microsite for highlighted achievements from past and present years. Visit site here.

Dutch study shows that radiation therapy for ductal carcinoma in situ does not seem to increase cardiovascular disease risk

A large population-based study in the Netherlands found that women who had received radiation therapy to treat ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast (DCIS) have no increased risk of cardiovascular disease compared to the general population of Dutch women, nor compared to DCIS patients treated with surgery only. These results may be helpful to women who are deciding on their treatment plan and seem reassuring for DCIS survivors treated with radiotherapy. This is the first large study to evaluate long-term effects of radiotherapy for DCIS on both the incidence of cardiovascular disease and associated death rates. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Boekel N. et al. Cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in patients treated for ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast. Presented at the 2013 Breast Cancer Symposium, Sept. 7-9, 2013, San Francisco, California.

Seven potential immunotherapy targets for treatment of melanoma identified

NCI scientists, using a unique digital technology that counts RNA molecules in small amounts of tumor tissue, identified seven potential immunotherapy targets for treatment of melanoma. Immunotherapy works by boosting the body’s immune system, or by using immune cells to attack specific types of cancer cells. The success of this treatment for melanoma, and all forms of cancer, is contingent upon finding protein targets that are overexpressed, or highly active, on cancerous tumor cells, but have limited expression in normal tissue. The seven gene targets identified in this work meet these criteria. The results of this study, headed by Richard A. Morgan, Ph.D., Surgery Branch, Tumor Immunology Section, Center for Cancer Research at NCI, appeared Sept. 10, 2013, in Clinical Cancer Research. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Beard R E et al. Gene Expression Profiling using Nanostring Digital RNA Counting to Identify Potential Target Antigens for Melanoma Immunotherapy. Clin Cancer Res. Published OnlineFirst September 10, 2013; doi:10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-13-1253

IOM report released today, “Delivering high-quality cancer care: Charting a new course for a system in crisis"

Today, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) released its report, “Delivering High-Quality Cancer Care: Charting a New Course for a System in Crisis.” According to the IOM, the American cancer care system often is not patient-centered, does not provide well-coordinated care, and does not encourage evidence-based treatment decisions. NCCS is a sponsor of the IOM report, along with other patient advocacy organizations, professional societies, and government agencies. As a leader in advocating for quality cancer care from the moment of diagnosis, through treatment and beyond, NCCS commends the IOM for its recognition of the challenges facing the cancer care delivery system and supports the findings and recommendations. Read more here.

Some immune cells appear to aid cancer cell growth, U-M study finds

The immune system is normally known for protecting the body from illness. But a subset of immune cells appear to be doing more harm than good. A new study from researchers at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center found that these cells, called myeloid derived suppressor cells, provide a niche where the cancer stem cells survive. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Cui TX. et al. Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells Enhance Stemness of Cancer Cells by Inducing MicroRNA101 and Suppressing the Corepressor CtBP2. Immunity. 2013 September 05. doi: 10.1016/j.immuni.2013.08.025

E-cigarettes as good as nicotine patches in helping smokers quit: study

Smokers who switch to electronic cigarettes to try to kick their habit are at least as likely to succeed in quitting or cutting down as users of nicotine patches, according to research published on Sunday.

In a first-of-its-kind study, researchers compared electronic, or e-cigarettes, with the more standard nicotine replacement therapy patches. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Bullen C, et al. Electronic cigarettes for smoking cessation: a randomised controlled trial. The Lancet. 2013 September 9. DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(13)61842-5

IARC Monograph available: Malaria and some polyomaviruses

Volume 104: Malaria and Some Polyomaviruses (SV40, BK, JC, and Merkel Cell Viruses). We are pleased to announce that this volume of the IARC Monographs is now available on-line. Read more here.

NCI clinician-scientists at the forefront of new prostate cancer diagnostics and treatment

At the 2013 annual meeting of the American Urological Association in San Diego, the company Invivo unveiled a product called UroNav. Resembling a stylized computer workstation on wheels, UroNav electronically fuses together pictures from magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasound to create a detailed, three-dimensional view of the prostate, which physicians can then use to guide precision biopsies. Three members of the team recently sat down, along with medical oncologist William Dahut, M.D., clinical director of NCI’s Center for Cancer Research, to discuss the challenges of prostate cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment; benefits of image-guided biopsies; and the future of prostate cancer care. Read the interview here.

Mammography with molecular imaging

Breast screening with x-ray mammography has made a vital contribution to reducing deaths from breast cancer. Dr José Maria Benlloch of Spanish National Research Council and his partners in the MAMMI project (Mammography with Molecular Imaging) recognised this, but they were driven to push science and engineering further to develop machines dedicated exclusively to breast scanning. Now it is possible to radically improve the quality of imaging, detect cancer cells at a much earlier stage and monitor the effectiveness of the treatment more accurately. Read more here.

Sutent (sunitinib malate) - Cases of severe skin reactions

Pfizer Canada Inc. (manufacturer of Sutent), in collaboration with Health Canada, would like to inform you about an important revision to the Product Monograph, including the consumer information section, for Sutent (sunitinib malate). Sutent is indicated for the treatment of gastrointestinal stromal tumour after failure of imatinib mesylate treatment due to resistance or intolerance. It is also indicated for the treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma of clear cell histology and for the treatment of patients with unresectable locally advanced or metastatic, well-differentiated pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours, whose disease is progressive. A statement has been recently added to the Product Monograph to inform Health Care Professionals and patients about a potential association between the use of Sutent and severe cutaneous reactions suggestive of Stevens-Johnson Syndrome and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis. Read more here.

End-of-life-issues discussion prompts thoughtful, insightful comments

A strategic session at General Council on end-of-life care in Canada elicited a number of thoughtful comments from delegates, highlighting the spectrum of issues involved and their complexity. The session was intended to provide the CMA Board of Directors with information and a sense of the viewpoints of delegates and it delivered that and more. Context for the discussion in Calgary was provided by four Canadian experts in palliative and end-of-life care issues. Read more and access the full webcast here.

School-age drinking increases breast cancer risk​​​​​​​​​​​​

Here’s a sobering fact for millions of young women heading back to school: The more alcohol they drink before motherhood, the greater their risk of future breast cancer. That’s according to new research from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis that, for the first time, links increased breast cancer risk to drinking between early adolescence and first full-term pregnancy. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Liu Y, et al. Alcohol Intake Between Menarche and First Pregnancy: A Prospective Study of Breast Cancer Risk. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2013 Aug 28. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 23985142

African-American women less likely to receive HPV vaccine than whites, even with access to health care

Even with access to health care, African-American women are less likely to receive the vaccine for human papillomavirus (HPV), which reduces the risk for cervical cancer, according to a study by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. The findings suggest a need for health care providers to both bolster HPV vaccination recommendations and address negative attitudes toward the vaccine among this vulnerable patient population. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Gelman A, et al. Racial Disparities in Human Papillomavirus Vaccination: Does Access Matter? J Adolesc Health. 2013 Aug 15. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 23992645

Inflammatory protein converts glioblastoma cells into most aggressive version

A prominent protein activated by inflammation is the key instigator that converts glioblastoma multiforme cells to their most aggressive, untreatable form and promotes resistance to radiation therapy, an international team lead by researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center has reported in the journal Cancer Cell. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Bhat KP, et al. Mesenchymal Differentiation Mediated by NF-κB Promotes Radiation Resistance in Glioblastoma. Cancer Cell. 2013 Aug 29. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 23993863

Swallowing exercises shown to preserve function in head and neck cancer patients receiving radiation

A study from UCLA’s Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center (JCCC) has found that head and neck cancer patients receiving radiation as part of their treatment were less likely to suffer unwanted side effects such as worsening of diet, need for a feeding tube, or narrowing of the throat passage if they complied with a set of prescribed swallowing exercises called a swallow preservation protocol (SPP) during therapy. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Duarte VM, et al. Swallow Preservation Exercises during Chemoradiation Therapy Maintains Swallow Function. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2013 Aug 27. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 23981953

New tool enhances the search for genetic mutations

Reed Cartwright, a researcher at Arizona State University's Biodesign Institute, along with colleagues at his University, Washington University, and the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Cambridge, UK, report in Nature Methods on a new software tool known as DeNovoGear, which uses statistical probabilities to help identify mutations and more accurately pinpoint their source and their possible significance for health. Read more here.

Article mentioned: Ramu A, et al. DeNovoGear: de novo indel and point mutation discovery and phasing. Nat Methods. 2013 Aug 25. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 23975140

Presidential Proclamation — National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

President Obama announced that the month of September will officially be known as National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. The proclamation, released on August 30th, applauds the advancements that have been made in recent decades while noting that pediatric cancer remains the leading cause of death by disease for American children under 15. Read more here.

Read the full Proclamation here.

Summary Basis of Decision (SBD) for Perjeta

Health Canada has issued a Notice of Compliance to Hoffmann-La Roche Limited for the drug product, Perjeta. Perjeta (pertuzumab) is a recombinant humanized monoclonal antibody based upon the human IgG1(κ) framework sequence and is a first-in-class human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) dimerization inhibitor. Based on Health Canada's review, the benefit/risk profile of Perjeta in combination with Herceptin (trastuzumab) and docetaxel is favourable for the treatment of patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer who have not received prior anti-HER2 therapy or chemotherapy for metastatic disease. Read more here.

BiCNU (carmustine for injection U.S.P.) lyophilized powder - Shortage of Canadian labelled BiCNU and replacement with U.S. labelled stock

Bristol-Myers Squibb Canada wishes to advise you of a shortage of Canadian labeled BiCNU (carmustine for injection U.S.P.) Lyophilized Powder, 100 mg/vial (DIN 00297763). In Canada, BiCNU (carmustine) is indicated as palliative therapy to surgery and radiotherapy or in combination therapy with other chemotherapeutic agents in primary brain tumors, malignant lymphomas, multiple myeloma, malignant melanoma (disseminated) and gastrointestinal carcinoma. Read more here.

Canadian study of long-term survivors highlights ‘good life after breast cancer’

A new Canadian study shows that quality of life for long-term survivors who have no recurrence is, for the most part, as high as that for women with no history of the disease. The study examined 285 patients who had surgery to remove their cancer, underwent subsequent treatment, and were living on average 13 years after their initial diagnosis with no recurrence of disease. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Hsu T, et al. Quality of Life in Long-Term Breast Cancer Survivors. J Clin Oncol. 2013 Aug 26. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 23980087

Made-in-Canada software helps better predict cancerous lesions in CT scans

A team of Canadian researchers led by the Terry Fox Research Institute has developed new software that can accurately identify whether a lesion on the lung of a high-risk individual -- as seen on a CT scan -- is benign or malignant nine times out of ten. To develop the technology, Dr. Stephen Lam, of the B.C. Cancer Agency, said his team looked at data sets of current and former smokers who had nodules on their lungs. The tool, when combined with a low-dose CT scan, will help doctors make decisions and potentially save the patient from unnecessary testing, Lam said. Read more here.

Study mentioned: McWilliams A, et al. Probability of Cancer in Pulmonary Nodules Detected on First Screening CT. N Engl J Med 2013; 369:910-919.

New prostate cancer screening guidelines suggest men be tested in their 40s

New screening guidelines for prostate cancer recommend that men be tested in their 40s, rather than in their 50s as was previously advised. The new guidelines, which were released by Prostate Cancer Canada on Wednesday, recommend that men should get a baseline Prostate-specific Antigen (PSA) test – the screening test for prostate cancer-- in their 40s. They also suggest that the decision to end PSA testing should be based on individual risk, rather than an "arbitrary" cut-off age, such as 70. Read more here.

Read Prostate Cancer Canada's position paper here.

Summary Basis of Decision (SBD) for ERIVEDGE

Health Canada has issued a Notice of Compliance to Hoffmann-La Roche Limited for the drug product, Erivedge. The market authorization was based on quality (chemistry and manufacturing), non-clinical (pharmacology and toxicology), and clinical (pharmacology, safety, and efficacy) information submitted. Based on Health Canada's review, the benefit/risk profile of Erivedge is favourable for the treatment of adult patients with histologically confirmed metastatic basal cell carcinoma or locally advanced basal cell carcinoma inappropriate for surgery or radiotherapy. Read more here.

1 in 5 women don't believe their breast cancer risk

A study conducted at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center shows that almost 20% of women do not believe their breast cancer risk, despite completing a risk assessment tool that accounts for family history and personal habits.  According to senior study author Dr. Angela Fagerlin, associate professor of internal medicine at the University of Michigan, these perceptions can lead to women skipping chemotherapy treatment or "undergoing treatments that might not be medically appropriate, which can have long-term ramifications".

To read more about this study, click here

Study mentioned: Schere Ld, et al. Belief in numbers: When and why women disbelieve tailored breast cancer risk statistics. Patient Educ Couns. 2013 Aug; 92(2): 253-259. PMID: 23623330