A pill designed to zero in on abnormal genes that drive specific cancers has produced encouraging early results in children with an uncommon but aggressive type of lymphoma, as well as in children with a rare form of neuroblastoma.
A phase 1 clinical trial of the drug crizotinib achieved remissions, with minimal side effects, for 10 of the children participating in a clinical study carried out by the multicenter Children’s Oncology Group (COG). The results were “an exciting proof-of-principle” for the targeted treatment, said the study leader, Yaël P. Mossé, M.D., a pediatric oncologist at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
“We are entering a new era of cancer therapy, in which we use knowledge of basic biology to design very specific drugs that target cancer cells with potentially less side effects on healthy tissue,” said Mossé. “In addition, as we concentrate on targets in molecular pathways, we move away from an exclusive focus on one form of cancer to customizing treatments according to biological activity. Abnormal ALK activity occurs in subtypes of neuroblastoma and subtypes of lymphoma, so identifying ALK activity in individual patients may enable us to provide the most effective care.”
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/50776-childrens-hospital-philadelphia-lymphoma-neuroblastoma-oncology-gene-trial
Texas Oncology (http://www.texasoncology.com) is one of the nation’s leading cancer treatment networks, offering experienced physicians, advanced technologies, clinical research, and leading-edge treatments to patients in the fight against cancer.
With more than 300 physicians providing care at more than 100 sites of service throughout communities in Texas, New Mexico, and Oklahoma, Texas Oncology brings the power and resources of a world-class network to bear for cancer patients and their families every day. Celebrating its 25-year anniversary in 2011, Texas Oncology treats more Texans with cancer than any other provider in the state.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/texas-oncology/46947/
Researchers presenting at ASTRO 2015, the premier radiation oncology scientific event in the world, unveiled new data this week that could fundamentally change the way that early stage breast cancer is treated.
Results from a landmark prospective, randomized, multicenter phase III study conducted in Europe demonstrated that APBI brachytherapy leads to equivalent overall survival and local cancer control rates as compared to WBI after breast conserving surgery for selected patients with early stage breast cancers. These data were presented during the ASTRO official press conference and published in The Lancet, a leading high-impact global peer-reviewed medical journal.
“We have been confidently offering APBI brachytherapy to selected women for years based on numerous phase II, single site and large registry studies that have confirmed the clinical utility of site-specific radiation delivered in a condensed timeframe,” said Frank A. Vicini, M.D., radiation oncologist, 21st Century Oncology, Royal Oak, Mich. and contributing author to the 2009 and 2013 ASTRO and ABS APBI guidelines. “The results from this landmark, multicenter, prospective randomized clinical study are the first to offer the critical level one evidence necessary to drive the fundamental changes in breast conserving cancer treatment that patients and healthcare professionals have been demanding for years.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/uk/7661231-new-apbi-brachytherapy-data-at-astro-2015/
Provectus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (OTC BB: PVCT, http://www.pvct.com), a development-stage oncology and dermatology biopharmaceutical company, has announced additional positive data from its Phase 2 clinical trial of PV-10 for metastatic melanoma. The data, on changes in visceral and nodal metastases following chemoablation of cutaneous melanoma lesions with PV-10, was presented by Dr.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/pvct/43978/
Personalised Medicine is the future of cancer treatment, but it presents major challenges for doctors and health services, the President of the European Society of Medical Oncology has said. Professor Rolf Stahel was speaking ahead of the 3rd Astellas Innovation Debate: i-Genes – What the DNA and Data Revolutions mean for our Health, taking place on Thursday 29th January 2015 at the Royal Institution of Great Britain.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to: http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7430351-professor-rolf-stahel-astellas-debate/
Researchers presenting at ASTRO 2015, the premier radiation oncology scientific event in the world, unveiled new data this week that could fundamentally change the way that early stage breast cancer is treated.
Results from a landmark prospective, randomized, multicenter phase III study conducted in Europe demonstrated that APBI brachytherapy leads to equivalent overall survival and local cancer control rates as compared to WBI after breast conserving surgery for selected patients with early stage breast cancers. These data were presented during the ASTRO official press conference and published in The Lancet, a leading high-impact global peer-reviewed medical journal.
“We have been confidently offering APBI brachytherapy to selected women for years based on numerous phase II, single site and large registry studies that have confirmed the clinical utility of site-specific radiation delivered in a condensed timeframe,” said Frank A. Vicini, M.D., radiation oncologist, 21st Century Oncology, Royal Oak, Mich. and contributing author to the 2009 and 2013 ASTRO and ABS APBI guidelines. “The results from this landmark, multicenter, prospective randomized clinical study are the first to offer the critical level one evidence necessary to drive the fundamental changes in breast conserving cancer treatment that patients and healthcare professionals have been demanding for years.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/uk/7661231-new-apbi-brachytherapy-data-at-astro-2015/
The sixth annual Productive Innovation Index released by IDEA Pharma today, which ranks biopharmaceutical companies by their ability to successfully bring innovations to market, sees Johnson & Johnson top the industry for the fourth year running.
The Productive Innovation Index measures, scores and celebrates a company’s ability to deliver innovation to patients, by objectively evaluating performance data based on a rolling five year period (2010-2015), and operates on the premise: if you gave the same molecule to two different companies in early phase, which would make the best of it?
The success of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson and its consolidation of 1st place across the past four years’ rankings is driven largely by innovations in the field of oncology, immunology, neuroscience and cardiovascular/metabolism. Notable performers include Zytiga® (prostate cancer), Imbruvica® (chronic lymphocytic leukemia and mantle cell lymphoma (co-developed and co-marketed with Pharmacyclics, an AbbVie company)), Simponi®/Simponi Aria® (rheumatoid arthritis), Stelara® (psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis), Invega Sustenna® and Invega Trinza® (schizophrenia).
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/uk/7770851-johnson-and-johnson-tops-idea-pharma/
After a successful pilot program in October 2009, Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) is introducing an innovative approach to cancer treatment this July at each of its four hospitals in suburban Chicago, Philadelphia, Tulsa and suburban Phoenix. Called “Patient Empowered CareSM,” this advancement in the patient treatment delivery process offers patients an average of between two and three hours with a dedicated team of specialized oncology physicians and clinicians.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/cancercenter/44523/
The public is generally satisfied with cancer research progress over the past 20 years. However, they believe it takes too long for new cancer medicines to reach patients and that their countries invest too little in fighting cancer. Most fear that the current economic crisis will slow cancer research progress. This is according to the PACE Cancer Perception Index: A Six-Nation, Public Opinion Survey of Cancer Knowledge and Attitudes, released today in advance of World Cancer Day, which is recognized on February 4, 2013.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/60140-lilly-oncology-pace-cancer-perception-index
On the eve of World Cancer Day 2015, amidst the ongoing cost-of-cancer-care debate, PACE (Patient Access to Cancer care Excellence), a Lilly Oncology initiative, is launching the PACE Continuous Innovation Indicators™ (CII). CII is the first evidence-based, customizable online tool to review progress against cancer over time—initially covering 12 cancer types. The purpose of the tool is to inform public policy reforms and other efforts to accelerate continuous innovation against cancer.
“We have seen tremendous progress in cancer treatment and care during the past decades, and continuous innovation, with one discovery building on another, is responsible for most of it,” said John C. Lechleiter, Ph.D., Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY). “To keep the momentum going, we need policies that support continuous innovation, but first we need a deeper understanding of the innovations that have occurred, and where we need to be.”
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7419451-eli-lilly-oncology-pace/
Using a combination of 160 high-resolution tungsten leaves and dramatically faster leaf movement, Elekta’s revolutionary new Agility™* MLC promises a new level of precision and delivery speed in radiation therapy treatments for cancer patients. Elekta recently received 510(k) clearance (K121328) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for Agility, enabling U.S. medical centers to provide these clinical benefits to their patients with cancer.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/55638-elekta-agility-radiation-therapy-radiotherapy-cancer-sbrt
