Archives

CHICAGO -- Today the British Midlands Development Corporation announced that new research from The University of Nottingham has pinpointed a potential early warning system for lung cancer. The study, published in the journal Thorax, found that changes in the blood can be detected which signal the presence of lung cancer, and that these changes can be present years before outward symptoms become apparent. Early diagnosis means earlier treatment -- which is much more likely to be effective.

SAN FRANCISCO -- Immunomedics, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing monoclonal antibodies to treat cancer and other serious diseases, today reported the development of two new antibody-drug conjugates, potentially for the therapy of colon and lung cancers, at the AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics: Discovery, Biology, and Clinical Applications, in San Francisco, CA.

SAN FRANCISCO -- Cell Therapeutics, Inc. (CTI) announced preclinical data presented at the 19th annual AACR-NCI-EORTC Symposium show its bis-platinate drug candidates, CT-47613 and CT-47609, kill tumors refractory to currently marketed platinum agents carboplatin, cisplatin and oxaliplatin. These compounds could enter human clinical trials in late 2008. "Bis-platinates represent a promising new class of platinum-based chemotherapy drugs with a potential broad spectrum of anti-tumor activity.

Agendia BV, world leader in the rapidly evolving field of molecular diagnostics, announced that it has acquired the rights to the discovery of a major mechanism of resistance to the frequently-used breast cancer drug Herceptin(R), which is published in the October 15 issue of the journal "Cancer Cell". The antibody drug Herceptin(R) targets the HER2 protein, which is hyper-active in about one in four breast cancers and the HER2 protein contributes to aggressive cancer behavior. Striking initial responses are observed in combination with chemotherapy in more than half of treated patients.

PHOENIX -- A study conducted at Arizona Oncology Services (AOS) found that the new SAVI(TM) applicator potentially gives radiation oncologists two important tools for treating breast cancer. First, SAVI optimizes the distribution of the radiation dose to the targeted area. Second, the applicator reduces the radiation toxicity to healthy tissue such as the skin surface and chest wall. SAVI is a single-entry, multi-catheter applicator that delivers a form of radiation therapy known as breast brachytherapy, as part of breast conservation therapy.

SAN FRANCISCO -- U.S. scientists have used zebrafish to identify two proteins necessary for the metastasis of inflammatory breast cancer. University of California-San Francisco researchers, led by Professor Konstantin Stoletov, said finding a way to suppress the newly identified proteins might stop the movement of cancer cells into the blood vessels and, therefore, the cancer's subsequent metastasis. The scientists developed a zebrafish that makes a green fluorescent protein only in its blood vessels, allowing scientists to view tumor-induced blood vessel formation.

BEAVERTON, Ore., -- Hormone balance vs. hormone replacement is the hot topic among those who believe breast cancer can be prevented and menopause symptoms treated safely without the use of synthetic, potentially carcinogenic hormones. According to Oregon biochemist and cancer researcher, David Zava, PH.D., nearly all risk factors associated with breast cancer stem from excess estrogens and related hormonal imbalances. A growing body of research leading to that conclusion has thousands of health care practitioners around the country re-thinking their approach to hormone-related health issues.

Women who carry the genetic mutations for breast and ovarian cancer have several options to help prevent the diseases. Some of the options are fairly easy to implement but don't lower the risk by much. Others greatly reduce risk but are difficult to maintain or are harshly life-changing. * Surveillance: In this watch-and-wait approach, women undergo a clinical breast exam and mammogram or MRI at least once a year, and they conduct breast self-exams. The idea is to catch a tumor as early as possible, but the approach doesn't reduce the risk of getting cancer.