A new study has found that maintenance rituximab therapy improves progression-free survival in patients with stage III-IV indolent lymphoma. The treatment showed significant benefits, including a 22% improvement in disease response and a 68% three-year progression-free survival rate.
A new technique called stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) has been shown to significantly improve survival rates for early-stage lung cancer patients, with a median survival range of over 32 months. The treatment doubles the odds of surviving and can even cure at least half of the patients, offering hope without the need for surgery.
The US stimulus package is unlikely to address the financial struggles of cancer patients, who face high costs for treatment and uncertain treatment outcomes. The package's limited funding for cancer research and care may exacerbate existing inequalities in healthcare access.
A Special Report in The Lancet Oncology explores the complexities of sharing genetic information with close relatives to prevent breast cancer. Experts weigh the pros and cons of adjusting the law, considering patient confidentiality, personal privacy, and the potential benefits of early interventions.
Researchers used a six-gene model to stratify patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer, predicting survival and accuracy rates. The study found the model accurate in predicting low-risk patients' survival and high-risk patients' mortality.
The journal Molecular Oncology has been accepted by Thomson Reuters for inclusion in the Science Citation Index Expanded and other prominent databases. It highlights new discoveries and approaches in basic, clinical, and translational research related to cancer.
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology found that leaving the ovaries intact during surgery for early-stage endometrial cancer has no survival benefit compared to removing them. This approach could spare women from surgery-induced early menopause, hot flashes, and increased risk of heart disease and osteoporosis.
A recent study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology found that medication errors involving chemotherapy are common in outpatient cancer treatment settings. The study revealed that adults and children alike were at risk of receiving incorrect doses or experiencing other medication-related mistakes.
Patients with low-grade gliomas who underwent aggressive surgeries were free of tumor recurrence an average of 15 years after diagnosis. Radiation therapy significantly extended their survival time, with patients living up to six years without tumor recurrence.
A study led by The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center has found a four-drug regimen of carboplatin, paclitaxel, bevacizumab, and cetuximab to be safe for patients with advanced lung cancer. The regimen showed modest improvement in survival rate, with 53% of patients experiencing tumor shrinkage.
A multi-center phase II clinical trial found improved survival in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer treated with chemotherapy and targeted therapies bevacizumab and cetuximab. The combination showed no safety concerns, indicating a potential future treatment option for lung cancer.
A recent study published by the American Society for Radiation Oncology found that males diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer have a higher mortality rate than females. The research also revealed that gender is a significant prognostic factor in lung cancer patients' overall survival rates.
Researchers found that patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) respond differently to medications depending on their unique genetic makeup. The study suggests that developing individualized treatment plans tailored to the specific mutations in each tumor could improve patient outcomes. Additionally, the analysis of Sutent'...
A review found that off-label use of anticancer drugs ranged from 6.7% to 33.2% between 1990 and 2002, primarily used in palliative care. The study highlights the need for accurate data on off-label use to inform decision-making by health professionals.
A method of assessing phase I clinical trial abstract quality was developed and applied to two oncology conferences, revealing room for improvement. The study suggests that adopting guidelines for reporting phase I trials can enhance abstract quality.
A landmark clinical trial is underway to test whether a low-molecule-weight heparin can prevent pulmonary embolism in patients receiving chemotherapy on an outpatient basis. The trial aims to identify high-risk cancer patients and demonstrate that blood clots can be prevented with anti-coagulant therapy.
Researchers at the MUHC categorized timeframes involved in getting pediatric oncology patients to initial therapy, finding that it takes approximately one month to get a diagnosis from a pediatric oncologist. The study also identified disparities in treatment times based on cancer type and patient age.
Researchers found that hepatitis B virus (HBV) exposure may increase the risk of pancreatic cancer and reactivation of HBV during chemotherapy. The study, published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, suggests testing for HBV before administering chemotherapy to prevent liver damage.
Long-term cancer survivors are more likely to experience severe psychological distress than adults never diagnosed with cancer. Younger survivors aged less than 65 years old were particularly at risk, the study found. The research aims to raise awareness of psychosocial needs among long-term survivors and encourage routine screening.
A large cohort study found that hormone therapy before radiation seed implants for prostate cancer increases the risk of death by 20% in men over 70 years old with early-stage cancer. This treatment approach may have negative effects on survival, particularly for older patients.
A study presented at the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology's 50th Annual Meeting found that proton therapy decreases the risk of patients developing a secondary cancer. Proton therapy is a more targeted form of external beam radiation, which delivers less radiation to bordering normal structures.
A randomized clinical trial shows acupuncture reduces hot flashes and vasomotor symptoms in breast cancer patients, providing additional benefits like increased energy and well-being. The treatment has no side effects compared to commonly used drugs.
A randomized study found that adding radiation therapy to hormone treatment reduces the risk of dying from prostate cancer by 50% compared to hormone therapy alone. The quality of life at four years after treatment was similar between the two groups, with decreased social function in patients who received combined treatment.
In a phase II trial, pazopanib was found to shrink lung cancer tumors in 30 out of 35 patients by up to 85%. The results suggest that pazopanib is highly active in early stage operable lung cancer. Further development of this drug in lung cancer is underway.
A new chemotherapy drug combination has shown excellent results in a phase II trial, extending median survival time in patients with inoperable pancreatic cancer by up to 6.4 months compared to standard therapy. The treatment, EndoTAG-1, destroys new blood vessels around tumors, improving patient outcomes.
A genetic variant in the cyclin D1 gene is associated with a higher risk of developing melanoma. Individuals carrying two copies of the variant are 80% more likely to develop the disease. Extended and escalated dose chemotherapy shows no survival benefit in advanced melanoma cases.
A study at ESMO found gefitinib to be more tolerable and result in a greater likelihood of response in non-smoking Asian patients with adenocarcinoma of the lung. The targeted therapy is now considered a first-line treatment for this population.
A study by the European Society for Medical Oncology found substantial variation in the uptake of newer cancer drugs across EU countries. The cost of these drugs is a major barrier to access, and their complexity can make them harder to understand and use effectively.
Researchers found that adding four cycles of Taxotere to a sequential regimen of epirubicin and cyclophosphamide, methotrexate and fluorouracil reduces recurrence and death rates in patients with node-positive early stage breast cancer. This advantage comes at an increased toxicity level.
A phase II trial involving 45 patients found that an alternating regimen of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, plus cetuximab, yields favorable complete response rates and long-term results comparable to the best reported in literature. However, skin toxicity and toxicities resulting in patient deaths were also observed.
Researchers found that computer models underpredicted BRCA mutation frequency in Asian-American women by 50% compared to Caucasian counterparts. This suggests that more women of Asian descent may be at increased risk of hereditary breast and ovarian cancers than previously believed.
Researchers at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center discovered that 50% of HER2-positive breast cancer patients showed no signs of disease after surgery treated with Herceptin. However, some patients developed tumors that converted from HER2 positive to negative status, suggesting potential resistance to the therapy.
Debra DeMella, a brain tumor survivor, received the 2008 Survivor Circle Award from the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) for her dedication to helping others living with cancer. She founded Brainstormers, a brain tumor support group, and served on various boards to improve quality of life for patients.
Dr. Evans, a pioneering figure in pediatric oncology, has been recognized by ASTRO for her groundbreaking work on neuroblastoma staging and patient care. She has also co-founded the Ronald McDonald House and received numerous awards for her dedication to cancer research.
The American Society for Radiation Oncology has named 30 individuals as its 2008 Fellows, honoring their significant contributions to radiation oncology. The recipients have demonstrated excellence in research, patient care, education, and leadership, making them outstanding professionals in the field.
The Kenneth B. Schwartz Center and ASTRO are partnering to raise awareness of cancer survivorship through the Survivor Circle exhibit at ASTRO's Annual Meeting. The center supports compassionate healthcare and education, and will participate in the exhibit to promote its mission.
The report found that paediatric-oncology care varied substantially between countries, with access to care or management extremely poor in seven out of ten nations. The five-year survival rate was as low as 5% in some countries, while higher rates were observed in those with greater health expenditure and infrastructure.
A Swedish study found that more than 40% of widowers were never informed about their wives' incurable cancer or received the news in the last week of her life. The study suggests room for improvement in healthcare provider communication with husbands, particularly those who did not receive information before the wife's death.
ASTRO awarded several scholarships to young researchers in radiation oncology, including the Junior Faculty Career Research Training Award to Christopher D. Willey and Erik P. Sulman. The Residents/Fellows in Radiation Oncology Research Seed Grant Award also supported projects by Randall Joel Kimple and Shig-Hsin Eddy Yang.
Researchers found that metformin significantly increased pathologic complete response rates in diabetic women with early-stage breast cancer who took the drug during chemotherapy. The study showed a 24% response rate, three times higher than non-diabetic patients. Further investigation is needed to understand the mechanism of the drug.
Researchers presented promising results for OncoVEXGM-CSF in treating metastatic melanoma, achieving treatment success in 32% of patients. Additionally, studies on robotic prostatectomy found excellent cancer control outcomes with disease-free survival rates at 21 months. The association between obesity and microvascular invasion was a...
The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) has selected Christopher Rose, M.D., and Joel Tepper, M.D., as the recipients of the 2008 Gold Medal. The award recognizes their outstanding contributions to radiation oncology and leadership in the field.
A study found that Black and Hispanic women are less likely than white women to receive follow-up radiation for early breast cancer, suggesting thousands may be undertreated. The disparity is attributed to various barriers, including logistical problems, insurance status, and patient preferences.
Researchers develop a biomarker to detect pleural mesothelioma through plasma osteopontin levels. NYU Cancer Institute also explores using microRNAs to discover novel biomarkers and presents a new strategy for restoring androgen sensitivity in prostate cancer, as well as a potential melanoma vaccine
CAPHOSOL, an advanced electrolyte solution, has been shown to relieve oral mucositis and improve quality of life for cancer patients. The study found that 95% of patients reported favorable OM scores and high levels of patient and practitioner satisfaction with CAPHOSOL.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic found a correlation between women who underwent pre-surgical breast MRI and an increased rate of mastectomy. The study suggests that MRI may lead to greater anxiety, prompting patients and physicians to choose mastectomy over lumpectomy.
Ning Wong, a physician at Fox Chase Cancer Center, has received the ASCO Career Development Award for her exceptional work in genitourinary malignancies and health services research. The $200,000 grant will support her independent clinical cancer research program.
Seven IARC candidate names are publicly disclosed for the first time, sparking concerns over lack of transparency in the election process. The absence of a Search Committee and Scientific Council raises questions about bias and credibility.
A new online database provides a comprehensive list of somatic EGFR mutations, allowing clinicians to make more robust decisions about treatment options for non-small-cell lung cancer patients. The database includes data from thousands of patients and offers improved treatment outcomes for those receiving tyrosine kinase inhibitors.
Regular mammograms significantly decrease the risk of late-stage breast cancer in women 80 and older, with only about one-fifth receiving them. The study found that each mammogram performed was associated with a further reduction in late-stage disease risk.
Researchers found that regular mammograms significantly reduce the risk of being diagnosed with advanced stage breast cancer in women over 80. Women who received mammograms were more likely to be diagnosed with early-stage disease and had a higher five-year survival rate compared to non-users.
OHSU Cancer Institute researchers discovered the gene ASPP2 is necessary in eliminating cancer cells. This protein activates pathways that tell cancer cells to die, protecting them from one of the steps leading to cancer. The study may lead to better therapies and cancer care for patients.
A tracking system helped improve rates of medical oncology consultation and reduce disparities in breast cancer treatment by notifying surgeons when their patients visited an oncologist. The new system also eliminated racial disparity in treatment, as minority women were less likely to receive underuse of adjuvant therapy.
A growing trend of premature trial stops is raising concerns about patient safety and the over-statement of treatment effects. Italian researchers analyzed 25 trials that stopped due to patient benefits, finding that most were linked to marketing applications, potentially prioritizing industry interests.
A study examined 75 group-randomized oncology trials and found a substantial number of problems with the trials. Many relied on analyses that ignored group randomization altogether, raising concerns about type I errors. In contrast, HPV-based screening was found to be more accurate in detecting cervical precancerous lesions than cytology.
The National Lung Cancer Partnership has partnered with three organizations to co-sponsor new lung cancer research grants, focusing on survivorship care and nursing-sensitive patient outcomes. This move aims to address the lack of research funding for lung cancer, a leading cancer killer in the US.
Researchers found that a short course of hormonal therapy before and with radiation therapy slowed cancer growth by up to eight years, particularly the development of bone metastases. This delayed cancer progression increased survival rates among older men with potentially aggressive prostate cancer.
Research published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology found that Ashkenazi Jewish women with BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations have a significantly longer survival rate compared to those without these mutations. After up to nine years of follow-up, carriers were 28% less likely to die from ovarian cancer.
A study published in Journal of Clinical Oncology found that nearly 50% of women over 65 with early stage hormone-positive breast cancer discontinue Tamoxifen treatment before five years. Factors predicting premature discontinuation include age, medical illnesses, and lack of radiation after surgery.
Researchers found that erythropoietin administration can prevent acute cardiotoxic effects induced by chemotherapy agents doxorubicin and trastuzumab. The study suggests that rhEPO may be used to reduce acute cardiotoxic effects during chemotherapy, potentially preventing long-term development of cardiomyopathy.