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/
During a live global event, Elekta announced the launch of Versa HD™, an advanced linear accelerator system designed to improve patient care and treat a broader spectrum of cancers. Featuring high precision beam shaping and tumor targeting, Versa HD also unveils new capabilities designed to maximize health care system resources and deliver highly sophisticated therapies without compromising treatment times.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/60246-elekta-sets-new-benchmark-for-cancer-treatment-launch-of-versa-hd-system
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/
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/
Evidence from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study suggests that changes in childhood cancer treatment have reduced deaths from the late effects of cancer treatment and extended the lives of childhood cancer survivors. St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital investigators led the research, which will be presented today at the plenary session of the 2015 annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).
The study is one of four being featured at the plenary session press briefing, which highlights research that ASCO deems as having the highest scientific merit and greatest potential to affect patient care.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7532851-st-jude-cancer-research/
Let’s Win, an initiative supported by the Lustgarten Foundation, launched the Let’s Win! Pancreatic Cancer Survivors video series Friday, January 19, 2018, at the American Society of Clinical Oncology Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium. The new online video series, featuring long-term pancreatic cancer survivors of all ages and diverse backgrounds, has been created to show pancreatic cancer patients and their families that people do survive this disease. The survivors have responded exceptionally well to pancreatic cancer therapy that incorporates clinical trials and treatments that go beyond traditional protocols.
When patients are first diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, they often turn to the internet, only to find devastating and frightening statistics about the disease. “Our goal is to provide hope and inspiration to patients and their families,” says Cindy Gavin, founding executive director of Let’s Win. “We are so grateful for the incredible vision of one special patient and the generosity of The Flora Family Foundation for their support of this incredible initiative.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8213752-lets-win-pancreatic-cancer-survivor-video-series/
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/
Results from two national surveys of patients receiving chemotherapy and pharmacists, conducted by the Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association (HOPA) in collaboration with Eisai Inc.,* found that 83% of patients receiving chemotherapy who have experienced chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) believe it is a side effect with which they must live. Results also showed that 95% of cancer patients surveyed believe that CINV has, at some point, had an impact on their daily lives. These national surveys are part of the Time to Talk CINV™ campaign, which aims to increase awareness among patients and caregivers about CINV prevention and the importance of speaking with their pharmacist and full healthcare team about this often preventable side effect.
“The survey results underscore the confusion patients who are undergoing chemotherapy have about CINV and the need for them to understand that there are ways to manage their symptoms so that they do not have to needlessly suffer with CINV,” said Scott Soefje, PharmD, MBA, BCOP, President, Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association (HOPA) and Director of Pharmacy at the University Medical Center Brackenridge in Austin, TX. “It is imperative that patients discuss CINV prevention early in treatment and with all members of the health care team, including pharmacists.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7560331-time-to-talk-cinv/
Varian Medical Systems (NYSE: VAR) today is introducing the Halcyon™ system, an entirely new device for cancer treatment. Engineered to revolutionize clinical workflow, Halcyon simplifies and enhances virtually every aspect of image-guided volumetric intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT). This new treatment system is designed to expand the availability of high quality cancer care globally and help save the lives of millions more cancer patients.
“The global cancer challenge is enormous,” said Kolleen Kennedy, president of Varian's Oncology Systems business. “It is expected that there will be 24.6 million cancer cases diagnosed annually by 2030, and there is an acute shortage of equipment and trained clinicians. With the innovations in this new technology platform, the system will deliver high quality Halcyon treatments that empower clinicians to care for many more patients. At Varian we are very excited with the introduction of Halcyon to be taking another big step toward advancing cost-effective cancer care worldwide.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8065951-varian-medical-systems-halcyon-cancer-treatment/
