Chronix Biomedical to Launch Cancer Detection and Monitoring Service at ASCO to Advance Clinical Research Using Its Apoptotic DNA Blood Test | Business Wire

Note: in research "Chronix Biomedical to Launch Cancer Detection and Monitoring Service at ASCO to Advance Clinical Research Using Its Apoptotic DNA Blood Test —ASCO Data Show Chronix’s Apoptotic DNA Blood Test Detects Early-Stage Cancer with Excellent Sensitivity and Specificity— —“For Investigational Use Only” Clinical Trial Service Is Designed to Provide Early Data on Patient Response and Disease Progression"

Identifying and Eliminating the Roadblocks to Comparative-Effectiveness Research | Health Care Reform Center

When Patients Meet Online, Are There Side Effects? - NYTimes.com

Functional Proteomic Analysis of Advanced Serous Ovarian Cancer Using Reverse Phase Protein Array: TGF-β Pathway Signaling Indicates Response to Primary chemotherapy

Abstract Purpose: Using reverse phase protein array, we measured protein expression associated with response to primary chemotherapy in patients with advanced-stage, high-grade serous ovarian cancer. Conclusion: TGF-β pathway signaling likely plays an important role as a marker or mediator of chemoresistance in advanced serous ovarian cancer. On this basis, future studies to develop and validate a useful predictor of treatment failure are warranted.

Medical News: Off-Label Uses of CA Drugs Reviewed in AHRQ Report - in Hematology/Oncology, Other Cancers

Breast Cancer Genetic Risks Not Affected By Lifestyle Factors

Researchers Report No Difference In Breast Cancer Characteristics After Oophorectom

JCO -- Early Release Articles (date view)

Note: several pertinent publications for ovarian cancer

A genomic and transcriptomic approach for a differential diagnosis between primary and secondary ovarian carcinomas in patients with a previous histor

CONCLUSIONS: In patients with ovarian carcinoma and a previous history of breast cancer, SNP array analysis can be used to distinguish primary and secondary ovarian tumors.

Diagnosis of Ovarian Carcinoma Cell Type is Highly Reproducible: A Transcanadian Study

Abstract:
Reproducible diagnosis of ovarian carcinoma cell types is critical for cell type-specific treatment. The purpose of this study was to test the reproducibility of cell type diagnosis across Canada. Analysis of the interobserver reproducibility of histologic tumor type was performed among 6 pathologists after brief training in the use of modified World Health Organization criteria to classify ovarian carcinomas into 1 of 6 categories: high-grade serous, endometrioid, clear cell, mucinous, low-grade serous, and other. These 6 pathologists independently reviewed a test set of 40 ovarian carcinomas. A validation set of 88 consecutive ovarian carcinomas drawn from 5 centers was subject to local review by 1 of the 6 study pathologists, and central review by a single observer. Interobserver agreement was assessed through calculation of concordance and kappa values for pair-wise comparison. For the test set, the paired concordance between pathologists in cell type diagnosis ranged from 85.0% to 97.5% (average 92.3%), and the kappa values were 0.80 to 0.97 (average 0.89). Inclusion of immunostaining results did not significantly improve reproducibility (P=0.69). For the validation set, the concordance between original diagnosis and local review was 84% and between local review and central review was 94%. The kappa values were 0.73 and 0.89, respectively. With a brief training exercise and the use of defined criteria for ovarian carcinoma subtyping, there is excellent interobserver reproducibility in diagnosis of cell type. This has implications for clinical trials of subtype-specific ovarian carcinoma treatments.

Abstract/full free access: Legislation for trial registration and data transparency

"Public confidence in clinical trials has been eroded by data suppression, misrepresentation and manipulation. Although various attempts have been made to achieve universal trial registration- e.g., Declaration of Helsinki, WHO clinical Trial Registry Platform (WHO ICTRP), the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors requirement- they have not succeeded, probably because they lack the enough power of enforcement. Legislation appears to be the most efficient and effective means to ensure that all researchers register their trials and disseminate their data accurately and in a timely manner. We propose that a global network be established. This could be accomplished in two steps. The first step is to legislate about trial registration and data transparency, such as USA's FDAAA Act 2007; and the second step to establish a global network to ensure uniform, international consistency in policy and enforcement of trial registration and data transparency."

Counterpoint: implementing population genetic screening for lynch syndrome among newly diagnosed colorectal cancer patients--will the ends justify the means?

focus on: Cancer Neuropathic Pain: Overview of Current Status and Future Objectives -- The Oncologist

 ARTICLES

Cancer Neuropathic Pain: Overview of Current Status and Future Objectives

Frederick H. Hausheer, Kathleen M. Foley
The Oncologist 2010; 15(Supplement 2): 1-2; doi:10.1634/theoncologist.2009-S506
[Full Text] [PDF]  

Types and Epidemiology of Cancer-Related Neuropathic Pain: The Intersection of Cancer Pain and Neuropathic Pain

Mark J. Lema, Kathleen M. Foley, Frederick H. Hausheer
The Oncologist 2010; 15(Supplement 2): 3-8; doi:10.1634/theoncologist.2009-S505
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]   SUMMARY: This article briefly surveys the types and causes of neuropathic pain and then discusses what is known about the epidemiology of cancer-related neuropathic pain.

Pathophysiology and Animal Models of Cancer-Related Painful Peripheral Neuropathy

Gary J. Bennett
The Oncologist 2010; 15(Supplement 2): 9-12; doi:10.1634/theoncologist.2009-S503
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]   SUMMARY: The article reviews some of the work that has been done to study the peripheral causes of neuropathic pain as it relates to cancer.

Assessment of Cancer-Related Neuropathy and Neuropathic Pain

Charles S. Cleeland, John T. Farrar, Frederick H. Hausheer
The Oncologist 2010; 15(Supplement 2): 13-18; doi:10.1634/theoncologist.2009-S501
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]   SUMMARY: This article briefly outlines the currently accepted measures of neuropathy and neuropathic pain, discusses their commonalities and limitations, and offers thoughts on improvements to current assessment strategies.

Integrative and Behavioral Approaches to the Treatment of Cancer-Related Neuropathic Pain

Barrie R. Cassileth, Francis J. Keefe
The Oncologist 2010; 15(Supplement 2): 19-23; doi:10.1634/theoncologist.2009-S504
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]   SUMMARY: This article briefly describes research illustrating the promise of important integrative oncology therapies for the treatment of cancer-related neuropathic pain, including massage therapy, acupuncture, and psychological/behavioral interventions.

Future Directions in Neuropathic Pain Therapy: Closing the Translational Loop

Miroslav Backonja, Clifford J. Woolf
The Oncologist 2010; 15(Supplement 2): 24-29; doi:10.1634/theoncologist.2009-S502
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]   SUMMARY: This article briefly reviews emerging treatments for neuropathic pain and discusses specific opportunities to alter the drug discovery paradigm, stressing the need for an approach that emphasizes the unbiased evaluation of the particular neurobiological mechanisms contributing to neuropathic pain in individual patients.

Abstract/full free access: US public opinion regarding proposed limits on resident physician work hours (references to New Zealand, UK, Europe)