Colorectal Cancer News and Research

Latest Colorectal Cancer News and Research

Advocates urge Representatives to support Colorectal Cancer Prevention, Early Detection and Treatment Act

On March 30-31, 2010, advocates from all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico called their Representatives in Congress, urging them to support the Colorectal Cancer Prevention, Early Detection and Treatment Act (H.R. 1189) during the annual Congressional Butt-In.

1 Apr 2010

Phase 1/2 human clinical trial of Symphogen's Sym004 initiated in the US

Symphogen A/S today announced that it has initiated a Phase 1/2 human clinical trial in the US to evaluate the safety, tolerability and efficacy of its drug candidate Sym004 for the treatment of advanced solid tumors. Sym004 is composed of two anti-epidermal growth factor receptor monoclonal antibodies targeting different nonoverlapping EGFR epitopes.

1 Apr 2010

ARQ 197 demonstrates 66% improvement in median PFS in patients with advanced NSCLC

ArQule, Inc. today announced that ARQ 197, when used in combination with erlotinib, demonstrated a 66% improvement in median Progression-Free Survival in patients with advanced, refractory non-small cell lung cancer.

31 Mar 2010

T-cell cytolytic activity may be effective in clearing HBV infection

Co-infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) poses a treatment challenge. In Western Europe and the United States, chronic HBV infection has been found in 6%󈝺% of HIV-positive patients and this co-infection is well known to be associated with increased liver-related morbidity and mortality. However, factors associated with HBV surface antigen (HbsAg) loss in HIV and HBV co-infected patients remain unclear.

31 Mar 2010

Indispensable role of Mindin in innate and adaptive immunity

Mindin has an indispensable role in both innate and adaptive immunity. A research group in China investigated regulation of mindin expression and the signaling pathway involved. mRNA expression of mindin was upregulated during dextran sulfate sodium induced mouse intestinal inflammation. Stimulation with CpG-ODN (a known TLR-9 ligand) induced upregulation of mindin expression in RAW 264.7 cells and significantly increased the NF-κB-luciferase activity in vitro.

31 Mar 2010

Hepatectomy effective for treatment of caudate lobe HCC

Caudate hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has a poorer prognosis than HCC originating from other lobes, due to its proximity to the portal trunk and inferior vena cava, which facilitate intrahepatic and systemic spread early in the disease. Hepatic resection is considered, in principle, to be the first choice treatment. In order to improve surgical outcome, it is necessary to evaluate the potential risk factors affecting long-term survival and to establish guidelines for the appropriate use of hepatectomy for caudate lobectomy.

31 Mar 2010

DIS serves as marker for new methods to diagnose NERD

Gastroesophageal reflux disease is an important public health problem which is extremely common nowadays. Symptoms of GERD arise from the exposure of increased acid gastric contents into the lower part of the esophageal mucosa. Most patients with GERD have NERD with invisible mucosal damages under endoscopy.

31 Mar 2010

Study finds rapid epidemiological shift in HAV infection in Korea

In Korea, there has been a rapid epidemiological shift in hepatitis A virus infection as a result of rapid economic development. The adult cases of acute hepatitis A have increased rapidly during the past 10 years due to the emergence of susceptible adults in Korea.

31 Mar 2010

PROCAPS granted exclusive rights to commercialize Pro-Pharmaceuticals' DAVANAT in Colombia

Pro-Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a developer of therapeutics that target Galectin receptors to treat cancer and fibrosis, today announced that it has granted PROCAPS S.A. exclusive rights to market and sell DAVANAT® to treat cancer in Colombia, South America. Phase ll clinical trial results for late-stage colorectal cancer patients demonstrate that when DAVANAT® is co-administered with the chemotherapy drug 5-FU, survival increased by 46% over the best standard of care and reduced serious adverse events associated with chemotherapy.

29 Mar 2010

Erbitux can now be used in Japan as 1st-line treatment for mCRC: Merck Serono

Merck Serono, a division of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, announced today that Erbitux® (cetuximab) can now be used in Japan in combination with chemotherapy in the 1st-line treatment for patients with epidermal growth factor receptor -expressing, curatively unresectable (inoperable), advanced or recurrent colorectal cancer carrying the KRAS wildtype gene.

29 Mar 2010

Study finds colonoscopy safe for Chinese children

Colonoscopy in children is a highly specialized procedure which is not often performed in the Chinese population. Data of its safety and diagnostic yield in Chinese children is scarce. One of the most common indications for colonoscopy in children of western countries is investigation and follow-up assessment for inflammatory bowel disease which is uncommon in Chinese children. It has recently been reported that there is increasing occurrence of childhood inflammatory bowel disease in western countries. It is, however, unknown whether a similar increase happens in Chinese children.

27 Mar 2010

Genome sequencing of tumors biopsied from women with invasive breast cancer

Tumors biopsied from women with invasive breast cancer are having their genomes sequenced in an attempt to develop a DNA profile that one day may identify ahead of time the patients who will most likely respond to chemotherapy with an aromatase inhibitor. Aromatase inhibitors are a class of chemotherapeutic agents that block the production of estrogen in postmenopausal women.

27 Mar 2010

Roche NimbleGen' s microarray technologies help identify genes responsible for CRC

In a recently published study in the journal Genome Research, a team of scientists led by Dr. Shaying Zhao at the University of Georgia have developed a novel cross-species comparative genomics and oncology strategy for cancer driver gene discovery, using microarray technologies from Roche NimbleGen, that differs fundamentally from current approaches which focus on human cancers only.

26 Mar 2010

Educating African Americans on colorectal cancer screening can reduce death rates

Physician experts from the American College of Gastroenterology raised concern that the majority of African Americans are not aware of the recommendation that they should undergo colorectal cancer screening beginning at age 45—five years before current guidelines generally recommend.

26 Mar 2010

Single-incision laparoscopy reduces postoperative complications

Surgeons at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine report what is believed to be the nation's first single-incision laparoscopy to perform a combined colectomy and kidney-preserving therapy.

26 Mar 2010

Keryx Biopharmaceuticals reports net loss of $4.7M for 2009 fourth quarter

Keryx Biopharmaceuticals, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company focused on the acquisition, development and commercialization of medically important pharmaceutical products for the treatment of life-threatening diseases, including cancer and renal disease (the "Company"), today announced its results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2009.

25 Mar 2010

Renowned expert to present latest research on gut microbes at EICC

Trillions and trillions of bacteria live in the human gut. The thought of all these invisible inhabitants inside you might be yucky, but without them we would not be here at all. Which microbes reside in our gut? Are they harmful? Where do they come from? What do they actually do deep in our bowels? Do pre- or pro- biotics affect them?

25 Mar 2010

Colorectal cancer survivor shares her experience

For Hempstead resident Lynette Love, mother of four and grandmother of five, surviving colorectal cancer took courage, diligence and faith. Now a 3-year survivor, Love is giving the love back to the community through her participation in the Sprint for Colorectal Oncology Prevention and Education (SCOPE) run.

25 Mar 2010

Æterna Zentaris announces 2009 financial and operating results

Æterna Zentaris Inc., a late-stage drug development company specialized in oncology and endocrine therapy, today reported financial and operating results as at and for the fourth quarter and the full year ended December 31, 2009.

24 Mar 2010

CT colonography screening identifies unsuspected cancer outside of colon

A new, large-scale study of more than 10,000 adults found that more than one in every 200 asymptomatic people screened with CT colonography, or virtual colonoscopy, had clinically unsuspected malignant cancer and more than half of the cancers were located outside the colon. The findings were published in the April issue of the journal Radiology.

23 Mar 2010