Lansley: understaffing is not excuse for 'never events' | News | Nursing Times (patient safety/"never events"....)

CDC Features - Protecting Patients With Central Lines (pic lines)

"One type of infection, called a bloodstream infection, can happen when a doctor puts in a central line (a tube that goes into a large vein of a patient's body – usually chest or neck) to give medicine. If the central line or area around it gets dirty, germs can enter the patient's bloodstream and cause infection. Bloodstream infections in patients with central lines can be deadly, killing as many as 1 in 4 who gets them.

Healthcare providers in hospital intensive care units (ICUs) have been working for years to stop bloodstream infections in patients with central lines. A new CDC Vital Signs report shows that their efforts have been largely successful.....cont'd

Homepage - TCGA Understanding Human Genomics

also:

February 22, 2011
The Cancer Genome Atlas Announces Sessions at the AACR 2011 Annual Meeting

Imedex: conference notice - Great Debates & Updates in Gynecologic Malignacies

Great Debates & Updates
in Gynecologic Malignancies

April 9, 2011

New York, New York

During the scientific sessions, speakers and the audience can exchange information through a “hands-on” computerized speaker-audience interaction system. With this state-of-the-art equipment, participants answer multiple choice questions, and within seconds, the answers are calculated and projected on a screen in tabular or graphic form for all to see. This system maximizes the ability for attendees from diverse disciplines to see differing opinions and compare consensus between the speakers and each other.
Imedex
11675 Rainwater Drive, Suite 600
Alpharetta, GA 30009, USA
Tel.: +1 (770) 751 7332
Fax: +1 (770) 751 7334
Email: meetings@imedex.com
Web: www.imedex.com

Platinum today: (Picoplatin - Phase 1) Platinum-based cancer treatment moves to clinical trial phase

Platinum-based cancer treatment moves to clinical trial phase 1st March 2011

Chinese authorities have given the go-ahead for clinical trials of a new platinum-based cancer treatment.

Poniard Pharmaceuticals was granted Clinical Trial Application (CTA) approval by the Chinese State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA) to progress with two Phase III clinical studies of picoplatin for the treatment of small cell lung cancer and ovarian cancer.

The biopharmaceutical company said picoplatin has already shown promise in treating both these types of cancer.

It is designed to overcome platinum resistance associated with chemotherapy in solid tumours, the company explained.

Ronald A Martell, chief executive officer of Poniard Pharmaceuticals, described the SFDA decision as a "milestone", which combined with two recent draw downs totalling $3.4 million (£2.1 million), will provide the company with additional leverage as it works towards completing its strategic review.

"We believe that CTA approval from the SFDA enhances picoplatin's value proposition to potential partners in two important disease settings in which picoplatin has demonstrated strong clinical potential," he added.

Source:

Poniard Pharmaceuticals Receives Chinese State FDA Approval for Clinical Development of Picoplatin (01/03/11)

(RNA ALK7) York University researchers uncovering how ovarian cancer resists chemotherapy

The study's lead author, Gang Ye, is a Research Associate in Peng's lab. Several trainees in Peng's lab, as well as scientists in Toronto's Sunnybrook Research Institute and in China also participated in the project.
The research was supported by an operating grant from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and a mid-career award to Peng from the Ontario Women's Health Council/CIHR. Ye was supported in part by a Fellowship from the Toronto Ovarian Cancer Research Network.
York University is the leading interdisciplinary research and teaching university in Canada.

Q&A: Focus on Virtual Colonoscopy - Cancerwise | Cancer blog from MD Anderson Cancer Center

included comment:

What types of research is MD Anderson doing?

"Since bowel preparation is the largest barrier to most people seeking colon cancer screening, my research involves the development of new bowel cleansing approaches. These include solutions to dissolve feces and remove it from below without the need to drink the usual cleansing agents."

podcast/text: Benefits and Dangers of Vitamin Supplements for Cancer Patients - Cancerwise | Cancer blog from MD Anderson Cancer Center

Note: includes discussion regarding cardiovascular risks

Reputable online resources
Through online resources, patients can check into the efficacy and safety of herbal or natural supplements. MD Anderson has several online articles and web pages that provide information about supplements and nutrition. The Learning Center at MD Anderson can also provide information on other reputable online resources.

HVO Welcomes Society of Gynecologic Oncologists as Sponsor

HVO Welcomes Society of Gynecologic Oncologists

as Sponsor



[Washington, DC - February 26, 2011] - Health Volunteers Overseas is pleased to announce that the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists has joined as a sponsor. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. The WHO reports that in 2005, cancer accounted for 7.6 million of all deaths with more than 70% of these cancer deaths occurring in the developing world. WHO projects 9 million people will be dying from cancer in 2015. These startling statistics show the great need for oncology training in the developing world.

How Will Myriad Respond to the Next Generation of BRCA Testing? GenOmics