A-Type Lamins Associated with Aggressive Colorectal Cancer (08/27/2008)
Proteins called A-type lamins appear to indicate the presence of aggressive disease in patients with colorectal cancer. A-type lamins may also play a role in determining treatment options among these patients. These results were recently published in the journal PLoS ONE.

Maintenance Rituxan® Is Cost-effective for Follicular Lymphoma (08/26/2008)
Continued treatment (maintenance therapy) with Rituxan® (rituximab) appears to be cost-effective, as well as safe and effective, in the treatment of follicular lymphoma, a form of low-grade non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. These results were recently published in the journal Clinical Lymphoma Myeloma.

Dietary Flavonoids Reduce Risk of Ovarian Cancer (08/26/2008)
High consumption of plant-based foods that contain flavonoids may reduce the risk of ovarian cancer by nearly half. These results were recently published in the International Journal of Cancer.

Zevalin® Effective for Treatment of Cutaneous B-Cell Lymphoma (08/25/2008)
Zevalin® (Yttrium-90 [(90)Y] ibritumomab tiuxetan) appears highly effective in the treatment of primary cutaneous B-cell lymphoma (PCBCL). The details of this study appeared in an early online publication in Leukemia-Lymphoma on July 25, 2008.

Zevalin® Effective for Patients with Follicular Lymphoma Following an Autologous Transplant (08/25/2008)
Zevalin® (Yttrium-90 [(90)Y] ibritumomab tiuxetan) appears to provide effective, long-term anticancer responses for patients with follicular lymphoma whose cancer has progressed following an autologous stem cell transplant. The details of this small study appeared in an early online publication of Leukemia-Lymphoma of July 15, 2008.

Nplate® Approved for Thrombocytopenia in Patients with ITP (08/25/2008)
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the use of Nplate® (romiplostim) for the treatment of thrombocytopenia in adult patients with chronic immune (idiopathic) thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) that does not respond to standard therapies.

Early Skin Treatment Reduces Skin Reactions in Colorectal Cancer Patients Treated with Vectibix® (08/22/2008)
Among patients with colorectal cancer, skin treatment beginning on the day prior to therapy with Vectibix® (panitumumab) significantly reduces skin side effects associated with Vectibix compared with skin treatment after side effects occur. These results were presented at the 10^th World Congress on Gastrointestinal Cancer held in Spain in June 2008.

Vidaza® Approved for High-risk MDS (08/22/2008)
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Vidaza® (azacitadine) for the treatment of high-risk myelodysplastic syndromes. Vidaza is already approved for MDS that is categorized into all five French American British (FAB) subtypes. This information was recently released in a press release by Celgene Corporation.

“Scent” May Aid in Skin Cancer Diagnosis (08/21/2008)
The concentration of certain molecules called volatile organic compounds (VOCs) given off by a cancer may ultimately contribute to accurate diagnosis of skin cancer. These results were recently presented at the 2008 annual American Chemical Society meeting.

Preventive Dental Care Reduces Osteonecrosis of the Jaw Associated with Bisphosphonates (08/20/2008)
Patients who undergo preventive dental care prior to receiving therapy with bisphosphonates have a significantly reduced risk of developing osteonecrosis of the jaw. These results were published in an early online publication in the Annals of Oncology.

Nexavar® Provides Anticancer Activity in Advanced Thyroid Cancer (08/19/2008)
Nexavar® (sorafenib) provides cancer control among patients with thyroid cancer that has progressed following standard therapy. These results were recently published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

Ritalin® and Epoetins May Alleviate Cancer-related Fatigue (08/18/2008)
Ritalin® (methylphenidate) and erythropoietins may have a modest positive effect in treating cancer-related fatigue. The details of this meta-analysis appeared in an early online publication in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute on August 11, 2008.

Livial® Reduces Breast Cancer Risk but Increases Stroke Risk (08/18/2008)
Livial® (tibolone), an agent used to reduce menopausal symptoms as well as bone loss, significantly reduces the risk of breast cancer and prevents bone loss and fractures; however, it doubles the risk of stroke among postmenopausal women. These results were recently published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Initial Radical Prostatectomy Reduces Prostate Cancer Deaths (08/18/2008)
Patients with early prostate cancer who are treated with initial surgery appear to have reduced death from prostate cancer compared with those who undergo watchful waiting as initial therapy. These results were recently published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

Some Women at Risk for Recurrences Long After Breast Cancer Therapy (08/15/2008)
Some women with early breast cancer remain at a substantial risk for developing a cancer recurrence years following therapy.  These results were recently published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

Neulasta® Deemed Cost-effective for Prevention of Febrile Neutropenia in Breast Cancer Patients (08/15/2008)
The prophylactic use of Neulasta® (pegfilgrastim) is cost-effective for the prevention of febrile neutropenia in patients undergoing treatment for breast cancer. The details of this study appeared in the March-April 2008 issue of Value Health.

Forty Percent of Postmenopausal Breast Cancers Preventable by Lifestyle Changes (08/14/2008)
Approximately 40% of breast cancers among postmenopausal women may be prevented through lifestyle changes. These results were recently published in the American Journal of Epidemiology.

More Fruits and Veggies, Less Meat Reduces Colorectal Cancer (08/14/2008)
Individuals who consume a diet that is rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and healthy oils, contains sufficient dietary calcium and vitamin D, and is low in solid fats, added sugar, and red meats have a significantly reduced risk of developing colorectal cancer. These results were recently published in the American Journal of Epidemiology.

Avastin® and Reduced Doses of Interferon Effective and Tolerable in Advanced Kidney Cancer (08/13/2008)
The addition of the targeted agent Avastin® (bevacizumab) to reduced doses of the immune-stimulating agent interferon appears to improve progression-free survival among patients with advanced kidney cancer while reducing side effects caused by full doses of interferon. These results were recently published in the Annals of Oncology.

Adjuvant Chemotherapy Does Not Adversely Affect Quality of Life of Elderly Patients with Colorectal Cancer (08/12/2008)
Chemotherapy or radiation therapy for Stage III colon or rectal cancer, referred to as adjuvant therapy, does not significantly decrease quality of life compared with no adjuvant therapy among patients 75 years of age or older. These results were recently published in the journal Cancer.

Sutent® Provides Superior Quality of Life Compared with Interferon in Kidney Cancer (08/12/2008)
The targeted agent Sutent® (sunitinib) provides superior quality of life compared with interferon alfa for patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (kidney cancer). These results were recently published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

Injection of Umbilical Cord Stem Cells into Bone Appears Promising for Leukemia (08/12/2008)
The injection of stem cells collected from umbilical cords into the pelvic bone of patients with leukemia appears promising; however, longer follow-up is necessary to determine outcomes for these patients. These results were recently published in an early online publication of the Lancet Oncology.

Test to Identify Type of Cancer Cleared for Use by FDA (08/11/2008)
The Pathwork Tissue of Origin test has been cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in identifying the type of cancer that exists among patients with cancer of unknown primary.  This information was published in a press release by the FDA.

Low Risk of Perforation During Colonoscopy Screening for Colorectal Cancer (08/08/2008)
Perforation (a tear through the colon wall caused by a colonoscopy procedure) occurs in less than one in 1,000 patients undergoing a colonoscopy. These results were recently published in the Archives of Surgery.

Early Use of Neulasta® Superior to Later Use In Elderly Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy (08/08/2008)
The use of Neulasta® (pegfilgrastim) after the first cycle of chemotherapy among elderly patients undergoing chemotherapy decreases febrile neutropenia and associated effects compared with its use later during treatment with chemotherapy. These results were recently published in the journal Oncologist.

Gene-based Test Available to Detect Prostate Cancer (08/07/2008)
A gene-based molecular diagnostic test used to detect prostate cancer has completed the clinical trials process and is ready for commercial use in patients who are at a high risk for the disease. These results were recently released in a press release by Health Discovery Corporation.

ReMission™ Video Game Improves Treatment Adherence and Knowledge Among Pediatric Cancer Patients (08/05/2008)
The video game ReMission™, whose main character is a robot fighting cancer cells, improves treatment adherence, cancer-related self-efficacy, and knowledge among pediatric cancer patients. These results were recently published in the journal Pediatrics.

U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Does Not Recommend PSA Screening in Elderly Men (08/05/2008)
Members of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force have concluded that there is still insufficient evidence to recommend PSA screening in men 75 years of age or younger. The details of these recommendations were published in the August 5, 2008 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.

In Gastric Cancer Antibiotics Following Surgery Reduce Risk of Second Gastric Cancer (08/04/2008)
Among patients diagnosed with gastric (stomach) cancer, a combination of antibiotics against the bacterium Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) significantly reduces the risk of developing a second gastric cancer. These results were recently published in the August 2008 issue of Lancet Oncology.

Socioeconomic Status Affects Outcomes Among Some Cancer Patients (08/04/2008)
Researchers affiliated with the Findings from the National Program Registries Patterns of Care Study have reported that, due to later diagnoses and less aggressive treatments, low socioeconomic status is associated with a higher cancer mortality. The details of this study were reported in the August 1, 2008 issue of Cancer.