News From The Journal Of Clinical Investigation: July 18, 2011
7/19/2011
ONCOLOGY: Platinum-based drugs: double trouble for tumors One of the reasons that tumors are able to grow rapidly is that they actively prevent immune cells from generating effective antitumor immune responses. Researchers are developing approaches to combat the mechanisms used by tumors to inhibit immune responses, but such approaches don't kill tumor cells directly...
Pitt Study: Esophageal Cancer Risk Higher In Medically Treated GERD Patients With Fewest Symptoms
7/19/2011
Medically treated patients with mild or no symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are at higher risk for developing esophageal cancer than those with severe GERD symptoms, according to a University of Pittsburgh study published in the current issue of Archives of Surgery...
Thalidomide Analog Appears Worthy Opponent Of Sickle Cell Disease
7/19/2011
A thalidomide analog is shaping up as a safe, worthy opponent of sickle cell disease, Georgia Health Sciences University researchers report. Much like hydroxyurea, the only Food and Drug Administration-approved therapy for sickle cell, pomalidomide increases production of fetal hemoglobin which, unlike its adult counterpart, cannot take on the destructive sickle shape...
News From The Annals Of Internal Medicine: July 19, 2011
7/19/2011
1. Testing for the Lynch Syndrome in All Colorectal Cancer Patients Cost-effective Relatives of Those Who Test Positive Are at Increased Risk and Should Also be Tested The Lynch syndrome is the most common genetic cause of colorectal cancer and is also associated with endometrial and other types of cancer...
In a study published recently in the journal Science Signaling Van Andel Research Institute (VARI) scientists demonstrate on the molecular level how the anti-malaria drug chloroquine represses inflammation, which may provide a blueprint for new strategies for treating inflammation and a multitude of autoimmune diseases such as arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and certain cancers...
Researchers from the John Theurer Cancer Center at Hackensack University Medical Center presented results from 14 cancer-related studies during the recently concluded American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting, which took place June 3 - 7, 2011 in Chicago. The studies examined new cancer treatments, ways to predict the best treatment outcomes, and patient quality of life issues...
Key Metabolic Pathway Implicated In Intractable Form Of Breast Cancer
7/19/2011
Using a new in vivo screening system, Whitehead Institute researchers have identified a protein in the serine biosynthesis pathway that is essential in estrogen receptor (ER)-negative breast cancer a notoriously difficult disease to treat associated with low five-year survival rates...
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital scientists have identified a key immune system regulator, a protein that serves as a gatekeeper in the white blood cells that produce the "troops" to battle specific infections. Researchers demonstrated the protein, Tsc1, is pivotal for maintaining a balanced immune system and combating infections...
EpiCept Corporation (Nasdaq and Nasdaq OMX Stockholm Exchange: EPCT) announced today the publication of a new meta-analysis which concluded that interleukin-2 (IL-2) monotherapy is not effective as a maintenance therapy for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients in first complete remission...
Translating Oncology Therapies From The Lab To Proof Of Concept - Conference
7/18/2011
Conference Dates: 12-13th October, 2011 Venue: Vienna, Austria When running early clinical trials for experimental new drugs across a range of therapeutic areas, demonstrating "proof of concept" is a critical milestone of the development process, yet one that is very difficult to achieve...