A pill designed to zero in on abnormal genes that drive specific cancers has produced encouraging early results in children with an uncommon but aggressive type of lymphoma, as well as in children with a rare form of neuroblastoma.
A phase 1 clinical trial of the drug crizotinib achieved remissions, with minimal side effects, for 10 of the children participating in a clinical study carried out by the multicenter Children’s Oncology Group (COG). The results were “an exciting proof-of-principle” for the targeted treatment, said the study leader, Yaël P. Mossé, M.D., a pediatric oncologist at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
“We are entering a new era of cancer therapy, in which we use knowledge of basic biology to design very specific drugs that target cancer cells with potentially less side effects on healthy tissue,” said Mossé. “In addition, as we concentrate on targets in molecular pathways, we move away from an exclusive focus on one form of cancer to customizing treatments according to biological activity. Abnormal ALK activity occurs in subtypes of neuroblastoma and subtypes of lymphoma, so identifying ALK activity in individual patients may enable us to provide the most effective care.”
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/50776-childrens-hospital-philadelphia-lymphoma-neuroblastoma-oncology-gene-trial
Texas Oncology (http://www.texasoncology.com) is one of the nation’s leading cancer treatment networks, offering experienced physicians, advanced technologies, clinical research, and leading-edge treatments to patients in the fight against cancer.
With more than 300 physicians providing care at more than 100 sites of service throughout communities in Texas, New Mexico, and Oklahoma, Texas Oncology brings the power and resources of a world-class network to bear for cancer patients and their families every day. Celebrating its 25-year anniversary in 2011, Texas Oncology treats more Texans with cancer than any other provider in the state.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/texas-oncology/46947/
Researchers presenting at ASTRO 2015, the premier radiation oncology scientific event in the world, unveiled new data this week that could fundamentally change the way that early stage breast cancer is treated.
Results from a landmark prospective, randomized, multicenter phase III study conducted in Europe demonstrated that APBI brachytherapy leads to equivalent overall survival and local cancer control rates as compared to WBI after breast conserving surgery for selected patients with early stage breast cancers. These data were presented during the ASTRO official press conference and published in The Lancet, a leading high-impact global peer-reviewed medical journal.
“We have been confidently offering APBI brachytherapy to selected women for years based on numerous phase II, single site and large registry studies that have confirmed the clinical utility of site-specific radiation delivered in a condensed timeframe,” said Frank A. Vicini, M.D., radiation oncologist, 21st Century Oncology, Royal Oak, Mich. and contributing author to the 2009 and 2013 ASTRO and ABS APBI guidelines. “The results from this landmark, multicenter, prospective randomized clinical study are the first to offer the critical level one evidence necessary to drive the fundamental changes in breast conserving cancer treatment that patients and healthcare professionals have been demanding for years.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/uk/7661231-new-apbi-brachytherapy-data-at-astro-2015/
Provectus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (OTC BB: PVCT, http://www.pvct.com), a development-stage oncology and dermatology biopharmaceutical company, has announced additional positive data from its Phase 2 clinical trial of PV-10 for metastatic melanoma. The data, on changes in visceral and nodal metastases following chemoablation of cutaneous melanoma lesions with PV-10, was presented by Dr.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/pvct/43978/
Researchers presenting at ASTRO 2015, the premier radiation oncology scientific event in the world, unveiled new data this week that could fundamentally change the way that early stage breast cancer is treated.
Results from a landmark prospective, randomized, multicenter phase III study conducted in Europe demonstrated that APBI brachytherapy leads to equivalent overall survival and local cancer control rates as compared to WBI after breast conserving surgery for selected patients with early stage breast cancers. These data were presented during the ASTRO official press conference and published in The Lancet, a leading high-impact global peer-reviewed medical journal.
“We have been confidently offering APBI brachytherapy to selected women for years based on numerous phase II, single site and large registry studies that have confirmed the clinical utility of site-specific radiation delivered in a condensed timeframe,” said Frank A. Vicini, M.D., radiation oncologist, 21st Century Oncology, Royal Oak, Mich. and contributing author to the 2009 and 2013 ASTRO and ABS APBI guidelines. “The results from this landmark, multicenter, prospective randomized clinical study are the first to offer the critical level one evidence necessary to drive the fundamental changes in breast conserving cancer treatment that patients and healthcare professionals have been demanding for years.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/uk/7661231-new-apbi-brachytherapy-data-at-astro-2015/
After a successful pilot program in October 2009, Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) is introducing an innovative approach to cancer treatment this July at each of its four hospitals in suburban Chicago, Philadelphia, Tulsa and suburban Phoenix. Called “Patient Empowered CareSM,” this advancement in the patient treatment delivery process offers patients an average of between two and three hours with a dedicated team of specialized oncology physicians and clinicians.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/cancercenter/44523/
Using a combination of 160 high-resolution tungsten leaves and dramatically faster leaf movement, Elekta’s revolutionary new Agility™* MLC promises a new level of precision and delivery speed in radiation therapy treatments for cancer patients. Elekta recently received 510(k) clearance (K121328) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for Agility, enabling U.S. medical centers to provide these clinical benefits to their patients with cancer.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/55638-elekta-agility-radiation-therapy-radiotherapy-cancer-sbrt
In the lead-up to Lung Cancer Awareness Month this November, the ‘future face’ of women’s cancer is being revealed. While new data published last month by Cancer Research UK suggests the number of women dying from breast cancer in the UK is in decline – expected to drop almost 30 percent by 2030 – the number of women dying from lung cancer is on the increase.
Liz Darlison, Macmillan Consultant Nurse Specialist, University Hospitals of Leicester, says, “While the statistics paint a frightening picture, there’s a great deal that can be done to help ensure women are diagnosed earlier, treated earlier and live longer. By raising awareness of the tell-tale signs – for example, a persistent cough that lasts longer than three weeks – there’s the potential to save thousands of lives every year.”
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/56634-lilly-uk-lung-cancer-awareness
Let’s Win, an initiative supported by the Lustgarten Foundation, launched the Let’s Win! Pancreatic Cancer Survivors video series Friday, January 19, 2018, at the American Society of Clinical Oncology Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium. The new online video series, featuring long-term pancreatic cancer survivors of all ages and diverse backgrounds, has been created to show pancreatic cancer patients and their families that people do survive this disease. The survivors have responded exceptionally well to pancreatic cancer therapy that incorporates clinical trials and treatments that go beyond traditional protocols.
When patients are first diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, they often turn to the internet, only to find devastating and frightening statistics about the disease. “Our goal is to provide hope and inspiration to patients and their families,” says Cindy Gavin, founding executive director of Let’s Win. “We are so grateful for the incredible vision of one special patient and the generosity of The Flora Family Foundation for their support of this incredible initiative.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8213752-lets-win-pancreatic-cancer-survivor-video-series/
Evidence from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study suggests that changes in childhood cancer treatment have reduced deaths from the late effects of cancer treatment and extended the lives of childhood cancer survivors. St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital investigators led the research, which will be presented today at the plenary session of the 2015 annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).
The study is one of four being featured at the plenary session press briefing, which highlights research that ASCO deems as having the highest scientific merit and greatest potential to affect patient care.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7532851-st-jude-cancer-research/
Results from two national surveys of patients receiving chemotherapy and pharmacists, conducted by the Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association (HOPA) in collaboration with Eisai Inc.,* found that 83% of patients receiving chemotherapy who have experienced chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) believe it is a side effect with which they must live. Results also showed that 95% of cancer patients surveyed believe that CINV has, at some point, had an impact on their daily lives. These national surveys are part of the Time to Talk CINV™ campaign, which aims to increase awareness among patients and caregivers about CINV prevention and the importance of speaking with their pharmacist and full healthcare team about this often preventable side effect.
“The survey results underscore the confusion patients who are undergoing chemotherapy have about CINV and the need for them to understand that there are ways to manage their symptoms so that they do not have to needlessly suffer with CINV,” said Scott Soefje, PharmD, MBA, BCOP, President, Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association (HOPA) and Director of Pharmacy at the University Medical Center Brackenridge in Austin, TX. “It is imperative that patients discuss CINV prevention early in treatment and with all members of the health care team, including pharmacists.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7560331-time-to-talk-cinv/