Lung Cancer

New data presented by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) today highlighted the potential of its investigational MAGE-A3 Antigen-Specific Cancer Immunotherapeutic (ASCI) through results of three studies evaluating highly targeted immunotherapy as a treatment for metastatic melanoma and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). These data were presented at the 2008 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting in Chicago (Abstract Nos: 9065(1), 9045(2) and 7501(3)).

Carriers of a common genetic disorder previously linked to lung disease may have a 70-percent to 100-percent increased risk of lung cancer, according to a report in the May 26 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals. The disorder, alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency (a1ATD), is one of the most common genetic conditions affecting the U.S. population and especially those of European descent, according to background information in the article. Individuals with two copies of the associated genetic mutation often develop emphysema at an early age.

Mayo Clinic researchers have found that carrying a common genetic disorder doubles the risk of developing lung cancer in smokers and nonsmokers. The study is published in the May 26 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine, a journal published by the American Medical Association. Researchers found that the genetic disorder, alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (N1ATD), could explain up to about 12 percent of lung cancer patients in this study and likely represents the same widespread risk in the general population.

WASHINGTON -- Today, Lung Cancer Alliance (LCA) hailed the release of promising data from the pivotal Phase III First Line in Lung Cancer with Erbitux(R) (FLEX) Study. The data, presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), showed a significant increase in overall survival in the first line treatment of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). "This is very exciting news," said Laurie Fenton Ambrose, LCA President & CEO. "The FLEX data shows significant improvements in overall survival for a broad base of patients with no new safety concerns.

WAYNE, N.J. and EMERYVILLE, Calif. -- Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Onyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced the presentation of new clinical data from the early clinical trials in the development program for Nexavar(R) (sorafenib) tablets in multiple tumor types including lung, thyroid, gastric and ovarian cancers. Nexavar is currently approved in more than 40 countries for the treatment of patients with unresectable liver cancer and in more than 70 countries for the treatment of patients with advanced kidney cancer.

CHICAGO -- Physicians at the Karmanos Cancer Institute today presented the conclusions of their study, Risk of Second Lung Cancer in Patients with Previously Treated Lung Cancer: Analysis of the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Result (SEER) Registry at the American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting in Chicago, IL. Karmanos' Praveen Sivakumaran, M.D., along with fellow doctors Shirish Gadgeel, M.D., Ann Schwartz, Ph.D., Fawn Vigneau, JD, MPH, Khairul Islam, Ph.D.

PHILADELPHIA -- Two types of cancer-causing agents in cigarettes - a nicotine-derived chemical and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) - are the main culprits in lung cancer. Exposure to tobacco smoke - both mainstream and second-hand - is a leading cause of cancer death in the United States. Previous studies have shown how PAHs damage DNA, with the emphasis on how PAHs bind directly to DNA itself, leading to the mutations in critical genes that cause disease.

Lung cancer patients whose histology is factored into treatment decisions may fare better as a result, according to data from a pivotal non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) clinical trial. Data from the trial, which involved Eli Lilly and Company's ALIMTA(R) (pemetrexed for injection), will be presented at the 44th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) in Chicago, Ill., May 30 -- June 3, 2008.

BOSTON -- U.S. medical scientists said they've conducted a trial that supports first-line use of targeted therapy to treat lung cancer. The Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center researchers said the study -- the first such U.S. clinical genetic screening trial -- supports the use of targeted therapies as primary treatments, rather than only after standard chemotherapy has failed.

Studying thousands of patients, Japanese researchers have found a strong link between tooth loss and increased risk of three cancers esophageal, head and neck, and lung. They suggest that preservation of teeth may decrease risk of developing these diseases.