Latest Cancer News

  • November 6, 2009
    Vaccine Against HPV-16 Effective for Vulvar Intraepithelial Neoplasia
    Researchers from the Netherlands have reported that vaccination with synthetic long-peptides against human papillomavirus (HPV)-16 was effective in treating vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN). The details of this study were published in the November 5, 2009 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

  • November 6, 2009
    Small HER2-positive Breast Cancers Have a Higher Risk of Recurrence
    Researchers from the M. D. Anderson Cancer Center and the University of Milan, Italy, have reported that women with Stage T1a,b, N0M0 HER2-positive breast cancers have a have a high recurrence rate without the administration of adjuvant chemotherapy or Herceptin® (trastuzumab). These data suggest that these women should be treated with Herceptin®-based adjuvant chemotherapy. The details of these two studies appeared in early online publications on November 2, 2009 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

  • November 6, 2009
    Alcohol May Reduce Risk of Thyroid Cancer
    Researchers affiliated with the NIH-AARP Diet and Health Study have reported that alcohol intake may reduce the risk of thyroid cancer. The details of this study appeared in the November 4, 2009 issue of the British Journal of Cancer.

  • November 6, 2009
    Health reform gets boost before vote
    WASHINGTON (Reuters) - With a close vote looming in the House of Representatives, President Barack Obama's push for healthcare reform was boosted on Thursday by the support of powerful lobbies representing doctors and seniors.

  • November 5, 2009
    Even Small HER2-positive Breast Cancers Have a Higher Risk of Recurrence
    Among women with small, node-negative breast cancers, those with tumors that are HER2-positive have a higher risk of cancer recurrence. This suggests that consideration of HER2-targeted therapy such as Herceptin® (trastuzumab) may be important, even for women with small tumors. These results were published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

  • November 5, 2009
    Obesity causes 100,000 US cancer cases: report
    WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Obesity causes more than 100,000 cases of cancer in the United States each year -- and the number will likely rise as Americans get fatter, researchers said on Thursday.

  • November 5, 2009
    Italy's waste woes taking toll on citizens' health
    NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Decades of illegal waste disposal in southern Italy may be having dire consequences for the health of people living in the area, new research shows.

  • November 5, 2009
    Nanoparticles can damage DNA at a distance: study
    LONDON (Reuters) - Nanoparticles can damage the DNA of cells from a distance, even without crossing the cellular barriers that protect certain parts of the body, British researchers said on Thursday.

  • November 5, 2009
    Continuous Daily Sutent® Palliative in Patients with Relapsed or Refractory Advanced NSCLC
    Researchers from several U.S. and Spanish medical centers have reported that single-agent daily Sutent® (sunitinib) was associated with a 25% disease control rate in patients with previously treated advanced non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The details of this study appeared in the November 4, 2009 issue of the British Journal of Cancer.

  • November 5, 2009
    Dose-dense Chemotherapy for Disseminated Thymoma Reported
    Researchers from Japan have reported that dose-dense chemotherapy is effective for the treatment of patients with Stage IV thymoma. The details of this study appeared in the November 4, 2009 issue of the British Journal of Cancer.

  • November 5, 2009
    Childhood Cancer Survivors at Risk for Thyroid Cancer
    Researchers from the UK have reported that survivors of childhood cancer are 18 times more likely to develop thyroid cancer than the general population. The details of this study appeared in the November 15, 2009 issue of the International Journal of Cancer.

  • November 5, 2009
    Experimental vaccine cures pre-cancer vulvar growths
    BOSTON (Reuters) - An experimental vaccine cured nearly half of women with pre-cancerous growths on their genitals, producing major improvement in nearly four out of five, researchers in the Netherlands reported on Wednesday.

  • November 5, 2009
    Red, processed meats linked to prostate cancer
    NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Men who eat a lot of red meat and processed meats may have a higher risk of developing prostate cancer than those who limit such foods, a large study of U.S. men suggests.

  • November 4, 2009
    Rapamune™ May Improve Responses to Gleevec® in Patients with Chordoma
    Researchers from Italy have reported that the addition of Rapamune® (sirolimus, rapamycin) to Gleevec® (imatinib) may improve disease control in patients with chordoma resistant to Gleevec. The details of this study appeared in the November 2009 issue of the Annals of Oncology.

  • November 4, 2009
    Low-dose Interferon-alfa Does Not Improve Outcomes of Patients with Renal Cell Carcinoma Receiving Nexavar®
    Researchers from the M. D. Anderson Cancer Center have reported that the addition of low-dose interferon-alfa (IFN) to Nexavar® (sorafenib) did not improve survivals of patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC). The details of this study were published early online in Cancer on October 27. 2009.

  • November 4, 2009
    Anticonvulsants May Improve Survival of Patients with Glioblastoma
    Researchers from the Mayo Clinic have reported that patients with glioblastoma who are receiving enzyme-inducing anticonvulsant (EIAC) drugs may have improved outcomes compared with similar patients with glioblastoma not taking such drugs. The details of this study appeared in the October 13, 2009 issue of Neurology.

  • November 4, 2009
    Oncophage® Cancer Vaccine Shows Promise Against Glioblastoma
    Among patients with recurrent or progressive, high-grade glioblastoma, treatment with the investigational Oncophage® (vitespen) cancer vaccine may improve survival. Preliminary results from a Phase II clinical trial were presented at the 2009 Joint Meeting of the Society for Neuro-Oncology (SNO) and the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS)/CNS section on tumors.

  • November 4, 2009
    November Is National Lung Cancer Awareness Month
    As the month of November brings lung cancer into focus, it’s time to increase public understanding of the disease, including its prevalence, approaches to screening and prevention, treatment options, and resources that offer updated lung cancer information throughout the year.

  • November 3, 2009
    Addition of Low-dose Interferon Alfa to Nexavar® Does Not Improve Kidney Cancer Outcomes
    In a Phase II clinical trial, the combination of low-dose interferon alfa and Nexavar® (sorafenib) did not appear to be any more effective than Nexavar alone for the treatment of metastatic renal cell (kidney) cancer. These results were published in Cancer.

  • November 3, 2009
    Smoking Cessation Reduces Risk of Head and Neck Cancer
    Compared with people who continue to smoke, people who stop smoking have a 30% lower risk of head and neck cancer within one to four years of quitting, and a 77% lower risk after 20 years. Quitting alcohol also reduces the risk of head and neck cancer, but the benefit takes longer to become apparent. These results were published in the International Journal of Epidemiology.

  • November 3, 2009
    Smoking Cessation Leads to Reduction in Risk of Head and Neck Cancer
    Researchers involved in the International Head and Neck Cancer Epidemiology Consortium have reported that smoking cessation for one to four years resulted in a 30% reduction in the risk of head and neck cancer. A benefit of cessation of alcohol drinking, however, was not observed until after 20 years or more. The details of this study appeared in an early online publication in the International Journal of Epidemiology on October 5, 2009.

  • November 3, 2009
    Risk of Pancreatic Cancer in Families with Lynch Syndrome Defined
    Researchers from several U.S. medical centers have reported that patients with Lynch syndrome have an 8.6-fold increase in the risk of pancreatic cancer compared with the general population. The details of this study appeared in the October 28, 2009 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

  • November 3, 2009
    New Analysis Suggests Decreased Mortality from Hormone Replacement Therapy in Younger Postmenopausal Women
    Researchers from Stanford University, McMaster University, California Institute of Technology, and Cornell University have reported that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may reduce mortality by 28% in younger postmenopausal women. The details of this study appeared in the November 2009 issue of the American Journal of Medicine.

  • November 3, 2009
    Low cholesterol may be sign of undiagnosed cancer
    CHICAGO (Reuters) - Low total cholesterol may be a sign of cancer rather than a cause, as some researchers have suggested, and men who have low cholesterol actually have a lower risk of developing high-risk prostate cancer, two teams reported on Tuesday.

  • November 3, 2009
    Brain trouble often persists after brain cancer
    NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Survivors of childhood brain tumors often suffer lasting problems with memory and other "cognitive" functions, results of a study indicate.

  • November 3, 2009
    High fiber intake may interfere with ovulation
    NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Women who get the recommended amount of fiber in their diets may have lower estrogen levels and ovulate less often than women who eat less fiber, a new study suggests.

  • November 2, 2009
    Many doctors overuse Pap testing: survey
    NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Many U.S. primary care doctors are out of step with guidelines on Pap testing for cervical cancer -- largely because they overuse the test, according to a study published Monday.

  • November 2, 2009
    Childhood Cancer Survivors at Risk for Thyroid Cancer
    Survivors of childhood cancer are 18 times more likely to develop thyroid cancer than the general population, according to the results of a study published in the International Journal of Cancer.

  • November 2, 2009
    Lynch Syndrome Increases Risk of Pancreatic Cancer
    Lynch Syndrome, an inherited cause of colorectal cancer that also increases the risk of several other types of cancer, results in a risk of pancreatic cancer that is several times higher than the risk in the general population. These results were published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

  • November 2, 2009
    Arzerra™ Approved for Refractory Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
    The targeted therapy Arzerra™ (ofatumumab) has been granted accelerated approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for treatment of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) that is refractory to Fludara® (fludarabine) and Campath® (alemtuzumab).

  • November 2, 2009
    Addition of Xeloda® to Gemzar® Improves Outcomes in Pancreatic Cancer
    Researchers affiliated with the Swiss Group for Clinical Cancer Research (SAKK) and the Central European Cooperative Oncology Group (CECOG) have reported that the addition of Xeloda® (capecitabine) to Gemzar® (gemcitabine) improves outcomes of patients with advanced or metastatic pancreatic cancer. The details of this study appeared early online October 26, 2009 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

  • November 2, 2009
    How long does hepatitis B vaccine protection last?
    NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - The hepatitis B vaccine - given to protect against infection by a virus that can cause severe liver damage and cancer - may protect for more than two decades, according to a new study.

  • November 2, 2009
    Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy Improves Outcomes of Patients with Advanced Head and Neck Cancer
    Researchers affiliated with the UK Head and Neck (UKHAN1) trial have reported that concurrent chemoradiotherapy reduces recurrences and death in patients with advanced head and neck cancer. The details of this study appeared in an early online publication in Lancet Oncology on October 28, 2009.

  • November 2, 2009
    Working with poultry linked to certain cancers
    NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Poultry workers may be at particularly high risk of developing several forms of cancer, according to a new study that points to viruses carried by birds as a possible cause.

  • November 2, 2009
    REFILE: Liposuction: A source for breast augmentation?
    NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Worried about what to do with fat you've had liposuctioned from pudgy areas? Researchers have turned it into stem cells in the lab, but here's a more immediate use: Fat liposuctioned from other parts of the body can safely be used to increase a woman's breast size, according to study findings presented this week at the Plastic Surgery 2009 meeting in Seattle.

  • October 30, 2009
    Liposuction: A source for breast augmentation?
    NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Worried about what to do with fat you've had liposuctioned from pudgy areas? Researchers have turned it into stem cells in the lab, but here's a more immediate use: Fat liposuctioned from other parts of the body can safely be used to increase a woman's breast size, according to study findings presented this week at the Plastic Surgery 2009 meeting in Seattle.

  • October 30, 2009
    Coffee may lower endometrial cancer risk
    NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Women dread a diagnosis of endometrial cancer, but those who drink at least two cups of caffeinated coffee a day may have a lower risk for this cancer of cells lining the uterus.

  • October 30, 2009
    Antibody protects animals against bat-borne virus
    CHICAGO (Reuters) - A new antibody treatment protected animals that had been exposed to the deadly Nipah virus, raising hopes for a treatment for this and the related Hendra virus that affect humans and livestock, an international team reported on Thursday.

  • October 29, 2009
    Vaccination for HPV in Females Associated with a Decline in Genital Warts in Females and Males
    Researchers from Australia have reported a decline in the number of cases of genital warts in women and men since the initiation of quadrivalent vaccination to prevent human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. The details of this study appeared in an early on-line publication in Sexually Transmitted Infections on October 16, 2009.

  • October 29, 2009
    Knowledge Deficits Limit Use of HPV Vaccine in Young Women
    Researchers from Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Upstate Medical University and the State University of New York at Buffalo have reported that knowledge and risk perceptions among college students limits vaccination for human papillomavirus (HPV). The details of this study appeared in an early on-line publication in Sexually Transmitted Infections on October 19, 2009.

  • October 29, 2009
    NSAIDs tied to reduced death after colon cancer
    NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Women who regularly use nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have better survival after a colorectal cancer diagnosis, research indicates.

  • October 29, 2009
    Using ice cream to combat side effects of chemo
    WELLINGTON (Reuters Life!) - New Zealand scientists are developing an ice cream that is so good for you, it could come with a doctor's prescription.

  • October 28, 2009
    Arzerra™ Approved for Refractory Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
    The targeted therapy Arzerra™ (ofatumumab) has received accelerated approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for treatment of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) that is refractory to Fludara® (fludarabine) and Campath® (alemtuzumab).

  • October 28, 2009
    Scientists say curry compound kills cancer cells
    LONDON (Reuters) - A molecule found in a curry ingredient can kill esophageal cancer cells in the laboratory, suggesting it might be developed as an anti-cancer treatment, scientists said on Wednesday.

  • October 28, 2009
    Nexavar® May Reduce Brain Metastases in Patients with Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma
    Researchers from France and Poland have reported that Nexavar® (sorafenib) may reduce the incidence of brain metastases in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC). The details of this study appeared early online on October 22, 2009 in the Annals of Oncology.

  • October 28, 2009
    HPV Vaccination Not Cost-effective for Women over 30 Years of Age
    Researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health have reported that human papillomavirus vaccination for prevention of cervical cancer is not cost-effective in women between the ages of 35 and 45 years. The details of this report appeared in the October 20, 2009 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.

  • October 27, 2009
    Long-term Follow-up Validates Effectiveness of Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for Esophageal Cancer
    Researchers from the UK have reported that neoadjuvant chemotherapy improves five-year survival from 17.1% to 23.0% in patients with resectable esophageal cancer. The details of this study appeared in the October 20, 2009 issue of the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

  • October 27, 2009
    Neoadjuvant Taxotere® and ADT Well Tolerated in High-risk Prostate Cancer
    Researchers from Spain have reported that neoadjuvant Taxotere® (docetaxel) and androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) was well tolerated and associated with a 6% pathological complete response (pCR) rate and a 6% near pCR rate in men with high-risk prostate cancer. The details of this study appeared in the October 13, 2009 issue of the British Journal of Cancer.

  • October 27, 2009
    Thyroid cancer a risk after childhood cancer
    NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Childhood cancer survivors are 18 times more likely to develop thyroid cancer than the general population, UK researchers report.

  • October 26, 2009
    Risks to personalized medicine seen in U.S. reform
    CHICAGO (Reuters) - The federal government's push to control health costs through comparative effectiveness research could threaten strides in personalized medicine, in which medicines are tailored to an individual's genetic makeup, the chief of the National Institutes of Health said on Monday.