Most childhood cancer survivors report general good health, but therapies used to cure the disease may lead to increased risks of impaired pulmonary function, obesity, and depression. Research also highlights disparities in health outcomes among female and brain tumor survivors.
Researchers develop genetic fingerprint technique to distinguish between various subtypes of adult soft-tissue sarcomas, leading to improved diagnosis and targeted therapies. The technology also helps predict patient outcome and resistance to treatment.
A study found that 40% of patients experienced improved lung cancer symptoms after taking the experimental pill ZD 1839, leading to a longer survival and better quality of life. The pill, which targets the epidermal growth factor receptor, was found to be well-tolerated with minimal side effects.
In a phase II trial, bevacizumab slowed tumor growth by two and a half times, with a highly statistically significant effect. The drug targets the angiogenic process, neutralizing VEGF protein to inhibit blood vessel growth and prevent tumor progression.
A new study by UC Davis Cancer Center found that patients need practical information about how to participate in clinical trials. Informed patients are more likely to have autonomy, be satisfied with their treatment, and stick with a clinical trial through its completion.
A new treatment option called TheraSphere appears safe and effective in reducing liver tumors and improving quality of life for patients with advanced stage hepatocellular carcinoma. The novel treatment emits beta rays via microscopic glass beads, delivering a higher dose to the liver than standard radiotherapy.
The study found patients who received the high-dose regimen had significantly longer overall and disease-free survival rates than those who received a lower dose. The company plans to initiate a Phase III trial of GVAX prostate cancer vaccine in the first half of 2003.
The study demonstrated that gemcitabine was well-tolerated in patients with superficial bladder cancer, with no or very low levels of the drug found in plasma samples. The results suggest that gemcitabine may be a suitable alternative to current standard treatments, which often cause toxic side effects.