Topical Gel May Reduce Discomfort with Mammography (07/24/2008)
Application of the topical gel, lidocaine, prior to a mammography appears to reduce discomfort caused by the procedure. These results were recently published in the journal Radiology.

Nexavar® Improves Survival in Advanced Liver Cancer (07/24/2008)
The targeted agent Nexavar (sorafenib) is associated with improved survival and doubling of the time to cancer progression for patients with advanced liver cancer. These results were recently published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Removal of More Lymph Nodes May Improve Survival in Gastric and Pancreatic Cancers (07/23/2008)
Researchers recommend that at least 15 lymph nodes be removed and examined in patients with early gastric or pancreatic cancers. These results were recently published in the Archives of Surgery.

Diagnostic Test Approved for Differentiating Between Types of Lung Cancer (07/23/2008)
A diagnostic test using MicroRNA technology has received regulatory approval to differentiate between the two main types of non–small cell lung cancer: squamous and non-squamous cell. These results were recently released in a press release by Rosetta Genomics Ltd.

BiovaxID® Improves Disease-free Survival in Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (07/21/2008)
The personalized investigative vaccine BiovaxID® (personalized anti-idiotype vaccine) significantly improves cancer-free survival among patients with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. These results were released in a press release by Accentia BioPharmaceuticals.

Thickness of Squamous Cell Cancer Associated with Risk of Recurrences (07/18/2008)
The thickness of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the skin is directly related to the risk of recurrences. These results were recently published in Lancet Oncology.

Radiofrequency Ablation Effective for Lung Tumors (07/16/2008)
The use of radiofrequency ablation for the treatment of lung cancer, or pulmonary metastases (cancer that has spread from site of origin to the lung) provides an effective and safe therapeutic option for some patients. These results were recently published in the Lancet Oncology.

Obesity with Depleted Muscle Mass Affects Mortality in Cancer Patients (07/16/2008)
Sarcopenic obesity, or obesity with depleted muscle mass, affects distribution of chemotherapy and ultimately may significantly affect mortality among obese patients with cancer. These results were recently published in the Lancet Oncology.

Treanda® plus Rituxan® Effective for Recurrent Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (07/15/2008)
The treatment combination consisting of Treanda® (bendamustine) plus Rituxan® (rituximab) provides effective therapy for patients with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) that has stopped responding to prior treatment. These results were recently published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

Higher Vitamin D Levels Result in Better Survival Among Colorectal Cancer Patients (07/15/2008)
Among patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer, those with higher levels of vitamin D in their blood prior to diagnosis have an improved survival compared with those with lower levels. These results were recently published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

Denosumab Improves Bone Density in Prostate Cancer Patients (07/14/2008)
In a Phase III clinical trial among men receiving androgen-deprivation therapy for nonmetastatic prostate cancer, treatment with investigational drug denosumab improved bone density and reduced the risk of vertebral fractures.

Melanoma Rates Increasing in Young Women (07/11/2008)
Rates of melanoma—the most deadly form of skin cancer—continue to increase among young women in the United States. These results were published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology.

FDA Approves New Test to Detect HER2 Status in Breast Cancer (07/10/2008)
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a new laboratory test to help identify patients with breast cancer who may benefit from treatment with Herceptin® (trastuzumab).

Immediate Hormone Therapy May Not Improve Outcomes in Elderly Men with Prostate Cancer (07/10/2008)
Treatment with immediate hormone therapy may not improve outcomes compared with conservative management among elderly men with prostate cancer. These results were recently published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Taking a Shot at Cervical Cancer (07/09/2008)
Each year in the United States, more than 11,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer and close to 4,000 die of the disease. Worldwide an estimated 310,000 women die of cervical cancer each year. More than 80 percent of these deaths occur in developing countries, where cervical cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in women.

Nurse-delivered Therapy Improves Depression Among Cancer Patients (07/08/2008)
Therapy delivered to cancer patients by oncology nurses improves cancer-related depression compared with standard therapies. These results were recently published in the Lancet.

ODAC Recommends Approval of Nplate (07/07/2008)
The Oncology Drugs Advisory Committee (ODAC), which provides recommendations to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), has recommended the approval of Nplate™ (romiplostim) for the treatment of thrombocytopenia in adult patients with chronic immune (idiopathic) thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP).

Measuring EGFR from Cancer Cells in Blood Can Monitor Treatment Effectiveness in Lung Cancer (07/07/2008)
Measuring changes in cancer cells through a microchip from blood samples may provide a way to monitor treatment effectiveness among patients with advanced non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). These results were recently published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Women Smokers Not at Greater Risk for Lung Cancer than Male Smokers (07/07/2008)
Women smokers may not be at greater risk for lung cancer than their male counterparts. These results were recently published in Lancet Oncology.

Addition of Preoperative Radiation to Chemotherapy Does Not Improve Survival in Stage III Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer (07/07/2008)
The addition of radiation to chemotherapy prior to surgery does not appear to improve survival compared with preoperative chemotherapy alone for patients with Stage III non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The results of this trial were recently published in Lancet Oncology. 

Involuntary and Far from Innocuous: The Health Effects of Secondhand Smoke (07/07/2008)
There is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke, and the evidence of adverse effects on health is incontrovertible. These are important messages from a 2006 report from the U.S. Surgeon General. Fortunately, steps to reduce the exposure of nonsmokers to tobacco smoke are beginning to make a difference. These benefits will likely expand across the lifespan, through reductions in sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), ear infections, and respiratory problems in infants and children and reductions in cancer and heart disease in adults.

Maintenance Rituxan® Is Safe for Follicular Lymphoma (07/03/2008)
Continued treatment for up to two years with Rituxan® (rituximab) is a safe therapeutic approach for the treatment of follicular lymphoma. These results were recently presented at the 2008 annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

Motesanib Diphosphate Provides Anticancer Activity Among Patients with Progressive Thyroid Cancer (07/03/2008)
The investigative agent motesanib diphosphate (AMG 706) produces a regression of cancer among patients with thyroid cancer that is progressing despite standard therapies. These results were recently published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

LYN Kinase Affects Sensitivity to Gleevec® in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (07/01/2008)
A protein structure known as the LYN kinase appears to play an important role in the effectiveness of Gleevec® (imatinib mesylate) in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) cancer cells. These results were recently published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

Certain Foods May Reduce Risk of Breast Cancer (06/30/2008)
Further evidence has emerged that certain dietary patterns may help prevent breast cancer among both women with a genetic risk for the disease and those with no genetic risk. These findings were recently published in the Journal of Cancer Detection and Prevention.

Blood Test and Symptoms Help Detect Ovarian Cancer (06/30/2008)
Symptoms associated with ovarian cancer combined with a blood test can help detect ovarian cancer in its earliest, most treatable stages. These results were recently published in the journal Cancer.

Sprycel® Effective for Newly Diagnosed Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (06/27/2008)
The targeted agent Sprycel® (dasatinib) is an effective treatment for patients newly diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). These results were recently presented at the 2008 annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

Flavopiridol Has Significant Activity in Relapsed Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (06/26/2008)
Flavopiridol provides pronounced anticancer activity among patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) that has stopped responding to prior therapies. These results were recently presented at the 2008 annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology in Chicago May 30-June 2.

Finasteride May Prevent Prostate Cancer Without Increased Risk of Aggressive Cancers (06/26/2008)
Treatment with finasteride for seven years reduced the incidence of prostate cancer by approximately 25% without increasing the incidence of aggressive prostate cancers. These findings, which included a reanalysis of previously reported results, were published in Cancer Prevention Research.

Tasigna® Effective for Patients with Newly Diagnosed Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (06/25/2008)
The targeted agent Tasigna® (nilotinib) appears to be an effective treatment for patients with newly diagnosed chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). These results were recently presented at the 2008 annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.