Annual blood test may help prevent deaths from ovarian cancer

A British clinical trial conducted at University College London indicates that an annual blood test screening postmenopausal women for ovarian cancer, could reduce death rates by as much as 20%.  According to lead researcher Dr. Ian Jacobs, ovarian cancer has a poor prognosis, as it is often diagnosed at an advanced stage.  While further research pertaining to this new blood test screening mechanism is required, Dr. Jacobs states that "this is the first time that there has been evidence of a reduction in deaths from ovarian cancer through early detection by screening."

To read more about this study, click here.

Could a scan someday replace lymph node biopsy?

Research being conducted at the Vein Center, University Hospital in Essen, Germany indicates that an audio-visual imaging technique may be a viable alternative to lymph node biopsy for "detecting early signs that melanoma skin cancer has spread."  According to lead study author Dr. Ingo Stoeffels, the current lymph node biopsy via a radioactive tracer indicates that "in most cases, tis approach uncovers no sign of cancer spread while exposing patients to unnecessary risks."

To read more about this study, click here.

Alternative endings: lure of the unproven can prove fatal to cancer patients

Research undertaken at the University of Alberta, and never before publicly reported, indicates that at least 1 in every 100 breast cancer patients reject standard treatment, opting for more alternative therapies.  According to study author Dr. Kurian Joseph, radiation oncologist at the University of Alberta, rejection of "standard care doubles (the) likelihood of death as a result."

To read more about this study, click here 

European Medicines Agency’s review concludes evidence does not support that HPV vaccines cause complex regional pain syndrome and postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome

On 5 November 2015, the European Medicines Agency announced that its Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment Committee (PRAC) has completed a detailed scientific review of the evidence surrounding reports of two syndromes, complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) and postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) in young women given human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines. These vaccines are given to protect them from cervical cancer and other HPV-related cancers and pre-cancerous conditions. This review concluded that the evidence does not support a causal link between the vaccines (Cervarix, Gardasil/Silgard and Gardasil-9) and development of CRPS or POTS. Therefore, there is no reason to change the way the vaccines are used or amend the current product information. Read more here.

Patient-derived tumour xenograft models encyclopedia

Researchers from the Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research established 1,075 patient-derived tumour xenograft models (PDXs) with a diverse set of driver mutations. With these PDXs, they performed in vivo compound screens to assess the population responses to 62 treatments across six indications. They demonstrated both the reproducibility and the clinical translatability of this approach by identifying associations between a genotype and drug response, and established mechanisms of resistance. Read more here.

Prostate cancer treatment varies widely in Canada

Low-risk prostate cancer patients in Canada may be opting for treatment with major life-changing side-effects without fully understanding other options, including the choice to forego treatment unless the disease progresses, a new report reveals.
The Prostate Cancer Control in Canada: A System Performance Spotlight Report, produced by the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer, shows more could be done to help patients understand their disease, treatment options and side effects and to provide patient-centred care.Read more here.

New treatment for melanoma gets FDA approval

A genetically engineered cold sore virus has recently been approved by the FDA has a new treatment for melanoma.  According to Dr. Karen Midthun, director of the FDA's Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, this new therapy, known as Imlygic, showed promising results in a study of 436 patients; those injected with Imlygic had a 16% decrease in tumor size compared to those receiving other forms of treatment.

To read more about this study, click here.

IVF users at higher risk of ovarian cancer

A new study from University College in London has stated that women using in vitro fertilization are 33% more likely to develop ovarian cancer.  According to Alastair Sutcliffe of the Institute of Child Health, "compared to other women...of the same age range and time frame...the rates of breast and uterine cancer were no different...as a whole.  However, there was an increased risk of ovarian cancer."  While the London study of more than 250,000 women indicated that the cancer risk was relatively small (15 cases per 10,000 patients), it does lend to further discussions about this procedure.

To read more about this study, click here

Vitamin D and calcium may not prevent colon cancer

A new clinical trial conducted at Dartmouth's Geisel School of Medicine in New Hampshire, and recently published in the New England Journal of Medicine, indicates that "neither calcium nor vitamin D, taken alone or together after precancerous colon polyps were removed significantly reduced the risk of new polyps developing." While study co-author Elizabeth Barry, assistant professor of epidemiology and community family medicine at Dartmouth, states that this particular trial studied low doses of calcium and vitamin D taken over a period of 3-5 years, she does caution against the thought that taking calcium or vitamin D will automatically reduce one's risk of developing colon cancer.

To read more about this study, click here 

Local researcher explores how breast cancer cells spread to bone

Carrie Shemanko, an associate professor of integrative cell biology in the Faculty of Science, is conducting extensive research on what happens when breast cancer spreads to the bone. The research shows that certain signaling pathways for normal breast development are likely misused by cancer cells, giving them certain advantages that normal cells keep under tight regulation.

More from UToday.

AACR releases 2015 cancer progress report: Transforming lives through precision medicine

The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) has released its fifth Cancer Progress Report, a comprehensive summary of the current status of cancer research and treatment. Read more here.

European Medicines Agency recommends granting marketing authorisation for cinacalcet mylan

On 24 September 2015, the European Medicines Agency Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) adopted a positive opinion, recommending the granting of a marketing authorisation for the medicinal product cinacalcet (Cinacalcet Mylan), intended for the treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism and reduction of hypercalcaemia in patients with parathyroid carcinoma. Read more here

Height may be linked to increased cancer risk

A new study of 5 million Swedish men and women purports a link between cancer risk and height.  According to Susan Gapstur of the American Cancer Society, "height may be a reflection of early age exposures...since adult height is a reflection of genetics and what you are exposed to while yo are growing up."  However, Gapstur cautioned that height alone does not indicate a definite risk of developing cancer; there are a number of factors at play.

To read more about this study, click here.

Signs of brain tumor may show in blood years before diagnosis

A new study indicates that changes in immune function may occur in brain tumors for as long as 5 years before the cancer is detected.  Following an analysis of blood samples collected over 40 years in Norway, researchers determined that "cytokines are activated during an allergy-related immune response...[and] have been linked to reduced risk for glioma [brain tumors]."

To read more about this study, click here.  

Could a laser skin test someday replace biopsy to spot melanoma?

Researchers at Lancaster University in the United Kingdom have developed a new "non-invasive test that can spot melanoma skin cancer without a biopsy."  According to lead researcher Aneta Stefanovska, the test was conducted via a laser that was able to detect slight variations in blood flow in a lesion, thus differentiating melanoma from a non-cancerous mole.  While further research is needed, melanoma experts are optimistic that this new skin test will reduce the need for invasive biopsies.

To read more about this study, click here.

Hairy cell leukaemia: ESMO clinical practice guidelines

Hairy cell leukaemia accounts for 2% of adult leukaemia, and occurs more often in men than in women. The new ESMO Clinical Practice Guideline provides up-to-date information on the management of hairy cell leukaemia, including recommendations for diagnosis and staging, as well as detailed treatment sections referring to the latest studies and reviews. Read more here.

New trial alert: Screening of Alberta asbestos exposed workers for lung cancer and Mesothelioma

A recent trial, sponsored by the University of Calgary is looking at a combined lung cancer and mesothelioma screening program for 200 asbestos-exposed workers in Alberta.  Presently in the recruiting phase, inclusion criteria for the trial includes an age range of 50-80 years, exposure to asbestos for a minimum of one year and at least 10 years prior to entry in the study, while exclusion factors pertain to individuals with severe heart or lung disease, among other factors.

To read more about this trial, listed on clinical trials.gov, click here.

Yo-yo dieting won't raise cancer risk

A new study conducted by the American Cancer Society indicates that weight cycling, perhaps more commonly known as yo-yo dieting, featuring "repeated episodes of weight loss followed by weight gain", does not cause an increased risk of cancer.  According to Victoria Stevens, strategic director of laboratory services at the American Cancer Society, this study is believed to be the largest and most comprehensive regarding this issue.

Click here to read more.

A systemic immunomodulator IMM-101 extends survival and maintains quality of life in the IMAGE1 study

The survival benefits in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer treated with a systemic immunomodulator, IMM‑101 plus gemcitabine in a randomised, open-label phase II IMAGE1 trial were accompanied by an improvement in several quality of life (QoL) scores. Read more here.

EMA to further clarify safety profile of HPV vaccines

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has started a review of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines to further clarify aspects of their safety profile.....The review does not question that the benefits of HPV vaccines outweigh their risks....The current review will look at available data with a focus on rare reports of two conditions: complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS, a chronic pain condition affecting the limbs) and postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS, a condition where the heart rate increases abnormally after sitting or standing up, causing symptoms such as dizziness and fainting, as well as headache, chest pain and weakness). Read more here.

Too much sitting may raise woman's cancer risk

A new cancer prevention study conducted by the American Cancer Society indicates that excessive amounts of sedentary activity (in particular, sitting), was linked to a 10% overall higher risk of cancer in women.  However, a similar correlation was not found in men.  According to team lead Dr. Alpa Patel, "longer leisure time spent sitting was associated with a higher risk of total cancer risk in women...specifically with multiple myeloma, breast, and ovarian cancers...but sitting time was not not associated with cancer risk in men."  While Dr. Patel acknowledges that further research is necessary to better understand and explain these findings, it does raise awareness of the need to reduce the amount of time spent sitting and considerations for leading a more physically active lifestyle.

To read more about this study, click here.

Nicotinamide reduces skin cancer risk

From Natural Medicine:
New research shows that taking 500 mg of nicotinamide (vitamin B3) by mouth twice daily for one year reduces the risk of developing non-melanoma skin cancer in people who have already had common skin cancers such as basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Nicotinamide might be beneficial for people who are at high risk of developing common skin cancers, particularly because it is very accessible and inexpensive. It does not appear to reduce melanoma skin cancer risk.

 

Too few men with low-risk prostate cancers get "watch and wait" approach

A new report indicates that the majority of U.S. men with low-risk prostate cancer are receiving treatment in lieu of active surveillance.  According to study co-author Dr. Hui Zhu, chief of urology at the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center in Ohio, active surveillance, "the careful monitoring of prostate cancer for progression of the cancer that would indicate a need for treatment", may be gaining acceptance among urologists and patients, although it has been met with controversy.  Zhu's study stated that older men over 60, as well as those patients without insurance were more likely to have active surveillance.

To read more about this study, click here

Patients with Lowest BMI Have Shortest Survival in Pooled Analysis of Bevacizumab in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

Patients with the lowest body mass index (BMI) had the shortest overall survival in an analysis of bevacizumab studies in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) presented for the first time today (1 July 2015) at the ESMO 17th World Congress on Gastrointestinal Cancer 2015 in Barcelona. Read more here.

World GI 2015: Abstracts online!

All abstracts for the ESMO 17th world congress on gastrointestinal cancer, can now be found on Annals of Oncology! Read more here.

Unique data set made possible by 300,000 canadians

A landmark research portal that includes health and biological data from 300,000 Canadians — nearly one in every 50 individuals between the ages of 35 and 69 – is being launched today by the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer (the Partnership). Read more here.

HPV vaccination tied to drop in precancerous cervical lesions in U.S.

HPV vaccination has gained greater credibility with the release of a new study indicating that administration of the Gardasil and Cervarix vaccines leads to a decline in the "number of young American women with cervical tissue changes than can lead to cancer."  Study lead Susan Hariri of the U.S. Centers for Disease Prevention and Control attributes the decline in cervical lesions to greater awareness and recommendation of HPV vaccination.  While Hariri cautions that more research is required to investigate the impact of HPV vaccination on cervical cancer incidence, the results disseminated thus far are encouraging. 

To read more about this study, click here. 

Rise in colon cancer screening rates in the U.S. attributed to The Affordable Care Act

A new study conducted by the American Cancer Society indicates that the rise of colon cancer screening rates in the U.S. over the past few years may well be attributed to the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare.  According to lead researcher Stacey Fedewa, since the Affordable Care Act was signed into law in 2010, "colon cancer screening rates among people ages 50 to 75 rose from 57% in 2008 to 61% in 2013."  This increase was predominantly seen in people with low incomes who were covered by Medicare.

To read more about this study, click here.

Results of the CheckMate 057 study reported at ASCO 2015 annual meeting

Nivolumab is the first PD-1 inhibitor to statistically significantly improve overall survival (OS) vs docetaxel in previously treated patients with advanced non-squamous cell non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). It significantly improved overall response rate (ORR) as well. Safety profile of nivolumab was favourable in comparison to docetaxel and consistent with prior studies. CheckMate 057 is the second randomised phase III trial to demonstrate superior survival over docetaxel in patients with advanced NSCLC. Read more here

Breast cancer screening cuts chance of dying from disease by 40%, say experts

Women who undergo breast cancer screening cut their risk of dying from the disease by 40%, according to a global panel of experts attempting to end a long-running controversy about mammograms. Read more here.