Cancer News and Research

Latest Cancer News and Research

Study examines the association of BRCA1 gene, infertility and breast/ovarian cancer

In a study published online this week in the leading cancer journal, Journal of Clinical Oncology, Westchester Medical Center Physician Dr. Kutluk Oktay, MD, Director, Division of Reproductive Medicine & Infertility concluded that mutations in the BRCA1 gene (gene associated with early onset breast cancer) are associated with early diminishment of egg reserve.

14 Dec 2009

ImmunoGen announces the presentation of positive trastuzumab-DM1 clinical data

ImmunoGen, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company that develops targeted anticancer therapeutics, today announced the presentation of positive trastuzumab-DM1 (T-DM1) clinical data at the 32nd Annual San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (Abstract #710).

14 Dec 2009

Positive Phase 2 study results of CDX-011 reported by Celldex Therapeutics

Celldex Therapeutics, Inc. today announced the results of a positive Phase 2 study of CDX-011 (formerly CR011-vcMMAE), in patients with heavily pre-treated, locally advanced or metastatic breast cancers.

13 Dec 2009

Positive interim results of ARRY-380 in Phase 1 trial announced

Array BioPharma Inc. today announced positive interim results of its novel, small molecule HER2 (ErbB2) inhibitor, ARRY-380, in a Phase 1 trial in advanced cancer patients.

13 Dec 2009

Loophole in Senate bill would let insurers cap payments for costly diseases

The Associated Press: "A loophole in the Senate health care bill would let insurers place annual dollar limits on medical care for people struggling with costly illnesses such as cancer, prompting a rebuke from patient advocates." An earlier version of the bill in a Senate committee forbid the practice, but a tweak would allow limits so long as they aren't "unreasonable" (Alonso-Zaldivar, 12/11).

13 Dec 2009

Modified blood adult stem-cell transplant regimen reverses sickle cell disease

A modified blood adult stem-cell transplant regimen has effectively reversed sickle cell disease in 9 of 10 adults who had been severely affected by the disease, according to results of a National Institutes of Health study in the Dec. 10 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

13 Dec 2009

Innovative approaches to develop more effective interventions to reduce obesity

The National Institutes of Health is launching a $37 million program that will use findings from basic research on human behavior to develop more effective interventions to reduce obesity.

13 Dec 2009

By understanding how gene works, scientists may find ways to prevent, cure diabetes

A gene commonly studied by cancer researchers has been linked to the metabolic inflammation that leads to diabetes.

12 Dec 2009

SOCS1 molecule prevents cancer-causing activity of cytokines, discover researchers

Canadian researchers have discovered a novel molecular mechanism that prevents cancer. In the December 11 edition of the prestigious journal Molecular Cell, scientists from the Universit- de Montr-al and the Universit- de Sherbrooke explain how they found that the SOCS1 molecule prevents the cancer-causing activity of cytokines, hormones that are culprits in cancer-prone chronic inflammation diseases such as Crohns, in smokers and people exposed to asbestos.

12 Dec 2009

Lapatinib plus trastuzumab extend lives of HER2-positive breast cancer patients

Lapatinib plus trastuzumab are significantly better than lapatinib alone in extending the lives of breast cancer patients whose tumors are HER2-positive, according to Kimberly Blackwell, M.D., associate professor of medicine at Duke University Medical Center.

12 Dec 2009

Enrollment of patients for Phase IIb clinical trial of WBI-1001 commenced

Welichem today announced that the Company has begun to enroll patients in a Phase IIb clinical trial with its lead candidate, WBI-1001. The Phase IIb clinical trial is a double-blinded, placebo-controlled, 12-week-treatment study.

12 Dec 2009

Results from clinical survey of Oncotype DX on patients with node-positive breast cancer announced

Genomic Health, Inc. today announced results from a clinical survey evaluating the impact of the Oncotype DX® Recurrence Score® result on physicians' adjuvant treatment recommendations for patients with node-positive, hormone receptor-positive breast cancer.

12 Dec 2009

Anti-estrogens may reduce the risk of death from lung cancer, according to study results

Anti-estrogens as therapy for breast cancer may also reduce the risk of death from lung cancer, according to study results presented at the CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, held here Dec. 9-13, 2009.

11 Dec 2009

Phase 2 pivotal trial of AC220 initiated by Ambit Biosciences

Ambit Biosciences Corporation announced today the enrollment and dosing at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center of the first patient in the ACE (AC220 Monotherapy Efficacy) Phase 2 pivotal trial in patients with relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

11 Dec 2009

HTDS comments on its recent stock price activity

Hard to Treat Diseases (HTDS) http://www.htdsmedical.com the company has been asked to comment on recent activity in its stock price. First, we would like our shareholders to be reassured and take comfort in the fact that there is no news that they do not know about. While there are several significant pending transactions they are not ready to be announced yet, however will be in due and appropriate time.

11 Dec 2009

Zevalin clinical data presented at 2009 ASH meeting

Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a commercial stage biotechnology company with a primary focus in oncology, today announced that clinical data on ZEVALIN (ibritumomab tiuxetan) was presented at the 51st Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH), which was held December 5-8, 2009 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, Louisiana.

11 Dec 2009

Genentech terminates dacetuzumab collaboration agreement with Seattle Genetics

Seattle Genetics, Inc. today reported that it has been notified by Genentech, a wholly owned member of the Roche Group, that Genentech has elected to terminate the companies’ collaboration agreement for dacetuzumab (SGN-40). Dacetuzumab is a monoclonal antibody targeting CD40 that has been investigated in clinical trials for non-Hodgkin lymphoma and multiple myeloma.

11 Dec 2009

CyMap technology wins first prize in the Medical and Healthcare category

CyMap, an innovative lens-free microscope developed by Cancer Research UK scientists and members of the Optical Biochips Consortium*, has won first prize in the Medical and Healthcare category of The Engineer's Technology and Innovation Awards as well as the overall Grand Prix prize.

11 Dec 2009

First Edition: December 11, 2009

Today's headlines track the fits and starts of the Senate's health bill debate, including moderates' concern regarding the recent Medicare expansion deal and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's positive reaction to it. Meanwhile, floor action appears snagged on a drug importation amendment.

11 Dec 2009

Pfizer announces IES analysis of Aromasin in breast cancer recurrence

Pfizer today announced results from an exploratory analysis of the Intergroup Exemestane Study (IES) at a median follow-up of 91 months in estrogen-receptor positive (ER+) or estrogen-receptor unknown (ER-unknown) women that looked at breast cancer free survival (BCFS) and censored deaths that occurred prior to breast cancer relapse.

11 Dec 2009