Campath® and Rituxan® Promising for Untreated High-risk CLL

October 7, 2008 — Researchers from the Mayo Clinic have reported that early treatment of asymptomatic patients with high-risk features of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) with Campath® (alemtuzumab) and Rituxan® (rituximab) appears promising. The details of this study appeared in the October 15, 2008 issue of Cancer.

Long-term Incense Use Increases Risk of Cancer Upper Respiratory Tract Cancer

October 7, 2008 — Researchers from Singapore have reported that long-term incense use increases the risk of squamous cell carcinoma of the respiratory tract. The details of this study appeared in the October 1, 2008 issue of Cancer.

Vitamin D deficiency makes bowel disease worse

October 7, 2008 — NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - A vitamin D deficiency can make inflammatory bowel disease more severe and worsen the quality of life for affected individuals, according to a study presented this week at the 73rd annual scientific meeting of the American College of Gastroenterology.

End-of-life talk has cascading benefits: study

October 7, 2008 — NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - In terminally ill patients, "end-of-life" discussions with their doctor do not increase emotional distress or reduce quality of life, a study shows. On the contrary, these discussions improve the quality of life of both the patient and loved ones when death is near.

Arimidex® Not Associated with Cognitive Impairment Among Postmenopausal Women at High Risk for Breast Cancer

October 7, 2008 — The use of the aromatase inhibitor Arimidex® (anastrozole) does not appear to be associated with cognitive impairment among postmenopausal women at a high risk of developing breast cancer. These results were recently published in the Lancet Oncology.