Monday, June 07, 2010
Costly Cancer Treatments Zero In On Disease Niches With Mixed Results : NPR
And the progress being made is costly. Take, for instance, the use of Avastin to slow the growth of ovarian tumors by about four months — at a cost of around $72,000.
“Many would not consider this cost effective for the gain seen,” said Dr Elizabeth A. Eisenhauer of the Canada's National Cancer Institute, according to the New York Times.
Voreloxin - Sunesis Announces Data From Phase 2 Clinical Program of Voreloxin in Acute Myeloid Leukemia Support Phase 3 Trial in Relapsed or Refractory Patients - plus Ovarian Cancer
"Responses to single agent voreloxin observed in women with ovarian cancer for whom multiple prior therapies have failed, including some for whom both platinum-based chemotherapy and Doxil(R) had failed, are promising," said Hal Hirte (medical oncologist), M.D., Associate Professor, McMaster University, Department of Oncology and Chief of Oncology, Juravinski Cancer Centre at Hamilton Health Sciences (Ontario, Canada) and an investigator for the Phase 2 clinical trial. "These data warrant further investigation of voreloxin in this vastly underserved patient population, both in this later stage, salvage setting and in earlier lines of therapy."
Cancer gene patent faces legal challenge - BRCA patients/Australia
"...A legal challenge to the validity of an Australian patent for breast and ovarian cancer genes will be launched in the Federal Court on Tuesday.
The patent for the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, which make women more suceptible to the cancers, is owned by American biotechnology company Myriad Genetics. Melbourne-based company Genetic Technologies Limited (GTL) has the exclusive licence from Myriad to carry out testing for the genes in Australia. But law firm Maurice Blackburn is filing a case in the Federal Court in Sydney, challenging the right of the companies to hold exclusive rights to the gene...."
ASCO: Debulking Predicts Survival in Recurrent Ovarian Cancer - in Meeting Coverage, ASCO
"Our analysis represents the first study investigating the relevance of primary surgical outcome for survival after recurrence in ovarian cancer," Mahner and colleagues concluded in their poster presentation. "Our data show that the prognostic importance of initial surgery extends beyond initial treatment to recurrent disease, particularly for patients who have a platinum-free interval of more than 12 months."
Action Points
- Explain to interested patients that an analysis of three large trials found that successful primary surgery increased progression-free and overall survival in ovarian cancer patients who had been platinum-free for at least 12 months.
- Note that this study was published as an abstract and presented at a conference. These data and conclusions should be considered to be preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal.
Transdermal and oral hormone replacement therapy and the risk of stroke: a nested case-control study
Conclusions The use of transdermal HRT containing low doses of oestrogen does not seem to increase the risk of stroke. The presence of residual confounding, however, cannot be entirely excluded in the interpretation of this finding.
Gyn Clinical Spotlights | prIME Oncology
7 JUNE 2010
These Clinical Spotlight interviews, with accompanying eNewsflash and downloadable slides, discuss the topic of targeting angiogenesis in the treatment of ovarian cancer with a focus on the following data release:
#LBA1: Phase III trial of bevacizumab (BEV) in the primary treatment of advanced epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC), primary peritoneal cancer (PPC), or fallopian tube cancer (FTC): A Gynecologic Oncology Group study
The first interview is an expert analysis with Gini Fleming, MD, from the University of Chicago, Illinois in the United States, and Bradley Monk, MD, from the University of California Irvine, Orange, California, United States
The second interview is a supplemental perspective and discussion with Bradley Monk, MD, from the University of California Irvine, Orange, California, United States, and Michael Birrer, MD, PhD, from the Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts in the United States.
View the expert analysis with Gini Fleming, MD, and Bradley Monk, MD
View the expert analysis with Bradley Monk, MD, and Michael Birrer, MD, PhD
View eNewsflash
Clinical Care Options Oncology - Ovarian Cancer
Note: registration is required/ free
Ovarian Cancer Source: CCO Independent Conference Coverage of the CCO Independent Conference Coverage of the 2010 American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting*
Expert Analysis: Ovarian Cancer (coming soon)
Faculty:
* Thomas J. Herzog, MD
* Bradley J. Monk, MD, FACOG, FACS
Capsule Summaries
* Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Phase II Study of AMG 386 Combined With Weekly Paclitaxel in Patients (pts) With Recurrent Ovarian Carcinoma (coming soon)
* Efficacy and Safety of Farletuzumab, a Humanized Monoclonal Antibody to Folate Receptor alpha, in Platinum-Sensitive Relapsed Ovarian Cancer Subjects: Final Data From a Multicenter Phase II Study (coming soon)
* A Phase II Study of Bevacizumab With Nab-Paclitaxel in Patients With Recurrent, Platinum-Resistant Primary Epithelial Ovarian or Primary Peritoneal Carcinoma (coming soon)
* Phase II Study of NKTR-102 in Women With Platinum-Resistant/Refractory Ovarian Cancer (coming soon)
* Phase III Trial of Bevacizumab (BEV) in the Primary Treatment of Advanced Epithelial Ovarian Cancer (EOC), Primary Peritoneal Cancer (PPC), or Fallopian Tube Cancer (FTC): A Gynecologic Oncology Group Study (coming soon)
* Phase III Trial of Induction Gemcitabine (G) or Paclitaxel (T) Plus Carboplatin (C) Followed by Elective T Consolidation in Advanced Ovarian Cancer (OC): Final Safety and Efficacy Report (coming soon)
* Carboplatin (C) Plus Paclitaxel (P) vs Carboplatin Plus Pegylated Liposomal Doxorubicin (PLD) in Patients With Advanced Ovarian Cancer (AOC): Final Analysis of the MITO-2 Randomized Multicenter Trial (coming soon)
Medical News: ondansetron - Cancer Antiemetic Recalled By Drugmaker - in Product Alert, Prescriptions from MedPage Today
Cancer Antiemetic Recalled By Drugmaker
By Cole Petrochko, Staff Writer, MedPage Today
Published: June 07, 2010
The distributor of intravenous ondansetron for use in preventing nausea and vomiting in patients undergoing chemotherapy initiated a voluntary recall due to debris and possible contamination of lots of the product.
Nonsterile bags of the treatment may result in potentially fatal infections, particularly in immunocompromised patients.
Affected lot numbers include A090309 through A090312. The pouches were distributed from August 2009 to May 2010.....
Please sign the Ovarian Cancer Pettion & Circulate widely: U.S. Ovarian Cancer Awareness Postage Stamp
In memory of Carolyn Benivegna, survivors, family and friends of those touched by ovarian cancer, please click on the link and help us send our message through the U. S. Postal Service. http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/ovcastamp
press release: OncoGenex/OGX-427
BOTHELL, WA, and VANCOUVER, June 7 /CNW/ - OncoGenex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: OGXI) today announced final results from a Phase 1 trial. The primary purpose of this trial was to evaluate the safety and tolerability of OGX-427 up to doses of 1000 mg for the treatment of various solid tumors. Patients enrolled had a diagnosis of castrate resistant prostate cancer, breast cancer, ovarian cancer or non-small cell lung cancer. Final results showed that OGX-427 was safe and well tolerated as a monotherapy as well as in combination with docetaxel. In addition, OGX-427 when used as a single agent demonstrated declines in circulating tumor cells at all doses and in all diseases evaluated, as well as evidence of reduction in tumor markers in prostate and ovarian cancer. Results were presented today at the 46th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO)...."
GOG 218 Phase III Study Showed Avastin-Based Regimen Helped Women with Advanced Ovarian Cancer Live Longer Without Their Disease Worsening | news
Note: more detailed information in this article
ELC : Detail Imedix (Best of the Day from ASCO) - video June 6th
Note: registration is required to view this video/site (free)
POF (premature ovarian failure) Mount Sinai Hospital - Help for Women with Early Menopause
Note: this does not include surgical menopause
"Other POF patients have survived cancer in their youth, only to learn that they will have to spend their entire life dealing with the ramifications of that early treatment."
Barriers to participation in cancer prevention clinical trials; Acta Oncologica - 0(0):Pages 1-10 - Informa Healthcare
Abstract
Background. Cancer prevention clinical trials seek to enroll individuals at increased risk for cancer. Little is known about attitudes among physicians and at-risk individuals towards cancer prevention clinical trials. We sought to characterize barriers to prevention trial participation among medical oncologists and first-degree relatives of their patients.
Methods. Physician participants were practicing oncologists in Pennsylvania. Eligible first-degree participants were adult relatives of a cancer patient being treated by one of the study physicians. The influence of perceived psychosocial and practical barriers on level of willingness to participate in cancer prevention clinical trials was investigated.
Results. Response rate was low among physicians, 137/478 (29%), and modest among eligible first-degree relatives, 82/129 (64%). Lack of access to an eligible population for prevention clinical trials was the most commonly cited barrier to prevention clinical trials among oncologists. Nearly half (45%) of first-degree relatives had not heard of cancer prevention clinical trials, but 68% expressed interest in learning more, and 55% expressed willingness to participate. In the proportional odds model, greater information source seeking/responsiveness (i.e., interest in learning more about clinical prevention trials from more information sources) (p = 0.04), and having fewer psychosocial barriers (p = 0.02) were associated with a greater willingness to participate.
Conclusions. Many individuals who may be at greater risk for developing cancer because of having a first-degree relative with cancer are unaware of the availability of clinical cancer prevention trials. Nonetheless, many perceive low personal risk associated with these studies, and are interested in learning more.
What Happened at ASCO Over the Weekend - Health Blog - WSJ
"There was also news from Roche about another often-deadly form of cancer (ovarian cancer). Continuing the use of Avastin for two years following a chemo/Avastin regimen gave ovarian cancer patients an additional four months of progression-free survival, to 14 months total. Long-term use of Avastin is a pricey proposition, however, given its cost of up to $56,000 a year. Here’s the WSJ story.
The Health Care Economy: Where the Jobs Are - TheFiscalTimes.com
Blogger's Note: the financial health of the healthcare industries (global) is very much in discussion. This website has numerous articles for discussion on topics such as below. After a cursory look, it seems charities have not been touched which may be a cause for concern for many given the time of year when many charities focus on their events. In one recent example in Toronto, the head of the hospital charity/fundraising conglomerate earned more than the head of the actual hospital itself. Whether it is a charity or whether it is the hospital/insurance/system itself, the question begs consideration of all factors - where is the money going?
Life at all Costs: The Politics
Life at All Costs: Dying Abroad
Life at All Costs: The Solutions
Life at All Costs: The Choices
Life at All costs: The Mid-Death Crisis
Justice Holmes Had it Right on Taxes
Social Security: Getting Facts Right
The Evil of Taxation
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