The best way to cure cancer is to catch it early when surgical removal of a localized mass can successfully rid the patient of all cancer cells and cancer stem cells. This is no more important than in pancreatic cancer for which late stage therapies have not been shown to be very effective. (Thank you, Elaine, for sending me this article to discuss on the blog.) Continue reading
A Phase III study in patients with chemo-refractory colorectal cancer with wild-type K-ras genotype demonstrated that Amgen’s Vectibix (panitumumab) improved overall survival compared to best supportive therapy, alone. A total of 377 patients were randomized to receive best supportive care with or without intravenous infusions of Vectibix every 14 days. Full results of the study will be presented at a future medical meeting and submitted for publication. Continue reading
I was sent articles by two non-cancer researchers last week – they are quite fitting for discuss on this blog (thank you, Gina and Sherilyn). The first was on DCA (dichloroacetate), a drug approved for congenital lactic acidosis, and the second about bromelain, an enzyme in pineapples. Continue reading
In a Phase 3 Paloma-III study of Pfizer’s CDK4/6 inhibitor (Ibrance – palbociclib) and an estrogen receptor antagonist (Faslodex – fulvestrant), patients receiving the combination had significantly prolonged progression-free survival than women with breast cancer who received Faslodex, alone. Continue reading
Researchers examined large-scale genomic datasets and found that patients with higher levels of miR-182 had a better chance of surviving glioblastoma (GBM) longer. This prompted them to perform pre-clinical studies to elucidate the mechanism by which miR-182 acts. Continue reading
Entinostat is currently in a Phase III trial in combination with Aromasin (exemestane – aromatase inhibitor that blocks the synthesis of estrogen) in patients with metastatic breast cancer who have recurred following treatment with an aromatase inhibitor. Continue reading
A drug that was rejected by the FDA in 2005 for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia, and has also failed studies in pancreatic cancer will be further developed by a company called Kura, which in-licensed the drug from J&J. Continue reading
In a Phase 3 study of 929 patients with previously treated multiple myeloma, two proteasome inhibitors, Velcade (bortexomib – Johnson & Johnson and Takeda) ) and Kyprolis (carfilzomib – Amgen), in combination with dexamethasone, were compared. Patients treated with Kyprolis had a median progression-free survival of 18.7 months, versus 9.4 months for those treated with Velcade.
This is a timeline of the major milestones and watershed moments in cancer biology discovery and treatments. Continue reading
Bexion Pharmaceuticals received Orphan Drug Designation for its novel drug, BXQ-350 for the treatment of patients with glioblastoma multiforme. The drug has shown activity in over 60 different cancer cell lines, and is toxic to cancer cells, only.The nanovesicals bypass the blood brain barrier. Continue reading