FDA Drug Approval Summary: Bevacizumab plus Interferon for Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma -- The Oncologist

*the Oncologist now requires a subscription $$/abstracts available for free

Patient Safety:  note the adverse effects
"In the reviewed trial, serious adverse events and National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events grade 3 adverse events were reported more frequently in bevacizumab-treated patients (31% versus 19% and 63% versus 47%, respectively). The most common bevacizumab-related toxicities were bleeding/hemorrhage, hypertension, proteinuria, and venous or arterial thromboembolic events."

Combining Targeted Therapies: Practical Issues to Consider at the Bench and Bedside -- The Oncologist

*the Oncologist now requires a subscription $$/abstracts available for free

Predictive Value of Symptoms for Early Detection of Ovarian Cancer -- Rossing et al., 10.1093/jnci/djp500 -- JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute

Predictive Value of Symptoms for Early Detection of Ovarian Cancer -- Rossing et al.,  JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute

MEMO TO THE MEDIA: Symptoms Have Little Value for Early Detection of Ovarian Cancer JNCI

media news: Symptoms have little value for early detection of ovarian cancer including editorial commentary

Preventing Future Cancers by Testing Women With Ovarian Cancer for BRCA Mutations -- University of British Columbia/MD Anderson

"BRCA testing of women with ovarian cancer based on personal/family history of cancer or Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry is a cost-effective strategy to prevent future breast and ovarian cancers among FDRs (first degree relatives). More inclusive testing strategies prevent additional cancer cases but at significant cost."

GenSpera Announces First Cancer Patient Treated With G-202 In Phase I Trial

WARNING: this information is from a media article and gives virtually no information, so cautions. This obviously is not intended to discredit Johns Hopkins/Wisconsin Cancer Center, but the lack of information in the article.

"Patients interested in enrolling in the G-202 trial may contact the University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center Connect line at (800) 622-8922. Patients who want to be evaluated for eligibility for this study at Johns Hopkins should call 410-955-8964, option #2. "

Keyhole surgery - Cutting Edge - Cancer World

Rare cancers in Europe - tackling a common problem - Editorial - Cancer World

Vesna Kesic: exporting excellence in women’s cancers - Cover Story - Cancer World

Expression of interleukin-1 (IL-1) ligands system in the most common endometriosis-associated ovarian cancer subtypes

Note: highly technical paper comparing serous, clear cell and endometrioid ovarian cancer cells type/endometriosis/Interleukins (in research)

Ovarian Cancer Trial RESULTS - National Cancer Institute

Patient Advocate Foundation :: 1-800-532-5274

help for solving insurance and access problems (U.S.):

Patient Advocate Foundation :: 1-800-532-5274

Learn.Genetics™ - a great site - easy to use & interactive/numerous sections of interest for all

Ovarian Cancer Symptoms Speak Out--But What Are They Really Saying? -- Cass and Karlan, 10.1093/jnci/djp525 -- JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute

Ovarian Cancer Symptoms Speak Out--But What Are They Really Saying? -- Cass and Karlan, 10.1093/jnci/djp525 -- JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute

media article: Plant-based flavonoid may cut ovarian cancer risk (Apigenin)

language issues: borderline - significant ??

"women reporting the highest apigenin intake had a "borderline significant decrease" in ovarian cancer risk"

Time to end pelvic exams done without consent - The Globe and Mail

This article by Andre Picard of the Globe and Mail is a regurgitated column previously noted media columns.  Interestingly enough the SGOC has an 'award' for columnists at the moment so it is highly suspect in its timing.
However, included are comments from both public and healthcare individuals.

Australian public service announcement - ovarian cancer on Youtube

Illumina to Complete Analysis of Ovarian Cancer - Sequencing - Genome Web

"The original plan was to analyze 25 ovarian and 25 gastric tumor/normal pairs by the end of 2009 using the company's Genome Analyzer, including whole-genome sequencing to at least 30-fold coverage, mRNA-seq, methylation sequencing, and chip genotyping. That timeline got delayed somewhat, and the company now expects to finish the ovarian tumors by the end of March and move into a validation phase, and then tackle the gastric cancer samples.

The delay was largely due to a longer-than-expected process of acquiring and qualifying the samples, Heath explained. For the ovarian cancer project, for example, he said the company was looking for stage I or II samples with a tumor content of at least 70 percent from non-smokers who did not have mutations in the BRCA 1 or 2 genes. He also said that the type of consent required for whole-genome sequencing is "quite a bit different from what is normally consented" and required the company, in some instances, to go back and ask for additional consent."

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound in the detection and characterization of liver tumors

"Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) has unique advantages over contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the characterization of hepatic tumors."

The Practice of Gastrostomy Tube Placement Across a Canadian Regional Health Authority

Now's the time to find biomarkers on purpose -- Annals of Oncology

"Studies need to be conducted to determine the optimal design for using genome-wide profiling to identify putative biomarkers of drug response. To date, most biomarkers of drug response identified through genome-wide profiling have occurred through retrospective analysis of available tissue. To really progress this field, realistic planning for biomarker discovery and validation in clinical trials needs to be conducted. We, as clinical scientists, need to progress from only using convenient clinical cohorts to identify biomarkers to actually planning and following through with prospective clinical trials whose aims are to discover and/or validate putative biomarkers of drug response. To initiate a study without a realistic plan for discovery and validation reflects a lack of serious desire to find robust clinical predictors.^.... Until this becomes more commonplace, the genomic revolution will be focused on manuscript generation and investigator career development, leaving the benefit to patients nothing more than an unrealized dream."

Patient Participation: Current Knowledge and Applicability to Patient Safety — Mayo Clinic Proceedings

"...Patient-related factors, such as acceptance of the new patient role, lack of medical knowledge, lack of confidence, comorbidity, and various sociodemographic parameters, all affect willingness to participate in the health care process. Among health care workers, the acceptance and promotion of patient participation are influenced by other issues, including the desire to maintain control, lack of time, personal beliefs, type of illness, and training in patient-caregiver relationships. Social status, specialty, ethnic origin, and the stakes involved also influence patient and health care worker acceptance.

Cleaning service offers comfort to sick clients - STLtoday.com )St Louis)

Pelvic symptoms unlikely to mean ovarian cancer | Reuters

2009 Newsletter fall issue: GOC (THE SOCIETY OF GYNECOLOGIC ONCOLOGY, LA SOCIÉTÉ DE GYNÉCO-ONCOLOGIE DU CANADA)

media article: Care vs. Cost: How Much Is Too Much to Treat Cancer? - DailyFinance

Cancer Causes and Controls: abstract - Microsatellite instability and survival in rectal cancer (Lynch Syndrome)

"Abstract
Objective High levels of microsatellite instability (MSI-H) have been associated in many studies with improved prognosis in colon cancer. Very few studies have evaluated the effect of MSI-H on rectal cancer survival. We assessed MSI-H and other genetic and epigenetic changes on survival of 990 individuals diagnosed with first primary rectal cancer.
Conclusion The genetic and epigenetic characteristics of MSI-H rectal cancers suggest that they are enriched for Lynch-associated tumors; adverse prognosis associated with MSI-H in these tumors may reflect the relatively high frequency of Lynch-associated cancers and/or the effect of radiation or chemotherapy on Lynch-associated rectal cancers or MSI tumors in general."

Women's decision-making needs related to treatment for recurrent ovarian cancer: a pilot study

"abstract:
The purpose of this pilot study was to describe the decision-making needs of women with ovarian cancer related to treatment of recurrent disease. ..... CONCLUSIONS: The findings provide some beginning direction for an inter-professional decision support approach, as well as implications for future research.

Email Guidelines for Patients (Patient Handout)

About these guidelines

Adopting appropriate email practices with patients is an important step to safeguarding the integrity of the doctor-patient relationship and maintaining the confidentiality of sensitive patient information.
The email guidelines that you are about to generate will outline when, why and how your patients may use email to contact you.
These guidelines can be:

• printed and used as a patient handout
• used as a patient consent form
• used as a statement of best practices for you and your staff
• saved on your computer
• downloaded from your practice website

(Canadian Medical Protective Association).

(World Health Organization) WHO surgical safety checklist and implementation - Patient Safety

10 Years Later: A Progress Report on the Blueprint for Action – Quality End-of-Life Care Coalition of Canada (QELCCC)

A Revision Of The EU Clinical Trials Directive Supported By European Cancer Organization

"Certain groups of patients have been particularly hard hit: children, patients with rare cancers, patients who would profit greatly from international trials that optimise already existing treatments and which, therefore, do not find commercial sponsorship, and elderly patients with other health problems, including secondary cancers due to earlier treatments."

Breast and Ovarian Cancer Tests Not for Some Women, Say Experts (media item/U of Michigan)

2009 Expert Perspectives on Challenges, Controversies, and Opportunities in Ovarian Cancer Therapy: The Present and the Future | PeerView Press

(free) viewing:
Includes: Dr's Markman, Armstrong & Coleman


Topics:

• Expert Perspectives on Challenges, Controversies, and Opportunities in Ovarian Cancer Therapy: The Present and the Future  
• Taking Stock of the Current Research: Which New Therapies Are Showing Promise in Ovarian Cancer?   
• Audio - Q&A Lightning Round: Expert Opinions on Unanswered Questions and Controversies in Ovarian Cancer

Search Results: ovarian

simple search: 'ovarian' = 23 references

quick search - ovarian cancer - Clinical Research as at 1/28/2010 9:51 pm EST

There are 5 clinical trials at NIH that match your search criteria
Cancer by type/disease: Ovarian Cancer 

A Phase II Study of Sorafenib and Bevacizumab in Epithelial Ovarian, Fallopian, and Peritoneal Cancer

 A Phase II Study of Sorafenib and Bevacizumab in Epithelial Ovarian, Fallopian, and Peritoneal Cancer Clinical, Genetic, Behavioral, Laboratory, and Epidemiologic Characterization of Individuals and Families at High Risk of Breast/Ovarian Cancer

A Phase I Study With an Expansion Cohort of the PARP Inhibitor AZD2281 (KU-0059436) Combined With Carboplatin in Breast and Ovarian Cancer in BRCA 1/2 Mutation Carriers, Familial Breast and Ovarian Cancer, and Sporadic Triple Negative Breast Cancer and Ovarian Cancer 

A Phase I, Open-Label Study of MEDI-547 to Evaluate the Safety, Tolerability, Pharmacokinetics, and Biologic Activity of Intravenous Administration in Subjects With Refractory Solid Tumors Associated With EphA2 Expression

A Phase I Study of Dasatinib in Combination With Bevacizumab in Advanced Solid Tumors

Clinical Trials at NIH: Clinical Research: Clinical Trials by Cancer Site

Healthcare-Associated Infection: Not on My Watch - Kimberly-Clark Health Care

"When someone develops an infection at a hospital or other patient care facility that they did not have prior to treatment, this is referred to as a healthcare-associated (sometimes hospital-acquired) infection (HAI).
Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are a global crisis affecting both patients and healthcare workers.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), at any point in time, 1.4 million people worldwide suffer from infections acquired in hospitals."

(financial news source) Non-Patch, Transdermal Estrogen Products Such as Divigel(R) Are Effective Hormone Therapy Alternatives to Oral Estrogen

A Link between mir-100 and FRAP1/mTOR in Clear Cell Ovarian Cancer- Molecular Endocrinology

"Our experiments have revealed strong candidate miRNAs and their target genes that may contribute to the pathogenesis of clear cell ovarian cancer, thereby highlighting alternative therapeutic strategies....."

Cost-effectiveness analysis of prevention strategies for gynecologic cancers in Lynch syndrome

Ottawa MD pleads guilty to professional misconduct - CAM

YouTube - Faces of Ovarian Cancer

FDA Adds Cardio Warnings to Weight-Loss Drug

FDA Recalls Millions of Huber Needles - in Product Alert, Devices and Vaccines from MedPage Today

Risk assessment model for first-cycle chemotherapy-induced neutropenia in patients with solid tumours

Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting: contemporary approaches to optimal management

L-Glutamine Use in the Treatment and Prevention of Mucositis and Cachexia: A Naturopathic Perspective -- Noé 8 (4): 409 -- Integrative Cancer Therapies

Columns - Focus on Policy - Outliers: The Story of Success

"Gladwell asks why it is so difficult to acknowledge the fact that each of us comes from a culture with its own distinctive mix of strengths and weaknesses, tendencies, and predispositions. "Who we are cannot be separated from where we are from -- and when we ignore that fact, planes crash."

And patients die."

Why doctors' stories matter

"...As I read the winning stories, I had a fantasy, which is probably not a good idea to apply literally, but it’s useful as what philosophers would call a thought experiment. My fantasy was that in a doctor’s waiting room, instead of old magazines and public health brochures, patients might pick up stories that the doctor had written—stories not unlike these winning stories. And maybe patients would then bring in their stories and leave copies of those on the rack next to the doctor’s stories. That would open the silent world on both sides."

Does computer use in patient-physician encounters influence patient satisfaction?

EDITOR’S KEY POINTS

• Patient-physician communication is central to every physician’s practice and to patient satisfaction. Physicians have been concerned that the introduction of computers into patient consultations will lead to a breakdown of communication.
  
• This study sought to examine patients’ opinions about the effects of computer use on patient-physician interaction and on their satisfaction with their visits.
  
• Results of this study suggest that concerns about computer use negatively affecting patient-physician relationships and patient satisfaction are largely unfounded. Most patients had no preference for whether computers were used or not, and computer use actually seemed to have a positive effect on overall satisfaction. Other studies have shown that patients’ main concerns about computer use have to do with privacy, but in this study only 3.4% of respondents were concerned about a "negative" or "very negative" effect on privacy.

Effects of the Internet on patient consultations -- Canadian Family Physician

Rapid Responses: Canadian Family Practice -- Rapid Responses for Thoma "The Other Side of the Speculum"

The other side of the speculum -- Thoma 55 (11): 1112 -- Canadian Family Physician

Interview: The Health 2.0 Blog: ACOR, Health 2.0 in the US & Europe: Gilles Frydman tells all

"Gilles Frydman is one of the leading ePatients. He started and runs ACOR (Association of Cancer Online Resources) and has discussed the role of engaged patients with rare diseases at the last few Health 2.0 Conferences."

Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor--A Positive and Negative Regulator of Tumor Growth

Phase I Trial of Intraperitoneal Administration of an Oncolytic Measles Virus Strain Engineered to Express Carcinoembryonic Antigen for Recurrent Ovarian Cancer

Inherited Determinants of Ovarian Cancer Survival

"Conclusion: An extensive multiple-pathway assessment found evidence that inherited differences may play a role in outcome of ovarian cancer patients, particularly in genes within the angiogenesis and inflammation pathways. Our work supports efforts to target such mediators for therapeutic gain."

Analyses Identify the Geographic Source of Patients at a National Cancer Institute Comprehensive Cancer Center

The Language of Prognostication in Intensive Care Units

JAMA -- Incomplete Financial Disclosure in: A 70-Year-Old Woman With Shingles: Review of Herpes Zoster, January 26, 2010, 0 (2010): 2010.110

Newswire - PR / Women & Infants and Latino Public Radio Launch ESCUCHE Radio Program - Health/Surgery - Women & Infants Hospital

NCI: The Downside of Diagnostic Imaging

Jan 26, 2010 NCI: Helping Breast Cancer Gene Mutation Carriers Weigh Prevention Choices

Note: charts

NCI clincial trial: A Targeted Phase I/II Trial of ZD6474 (Vandetanib; ZACTIMA) Plus the Proteasome Inhibitor, Bortezomib (Velcade(Registered Trademark)), in Adults With Solid Tumors With a Focus on Hereditary or Sporadic, Locally Advanced or Metastatic Medullary Thyroi... - Full Text View - ClinicalTrials.gov

Drug: VELCADE, PS-341 (Bortezomib, NSC #681239) Drug: ZACTIMA (Vandetanib) (ZD6474) Phase I Phase II

FDA warning: Velcade (bortezomib): Starting Dose Adjustments for Patients with Hepatic Impairment

Serological and immunohistochemical HER-2/neu statuses do not correlate and lack prognostic value for ovarian cancer patients

Jan 26, 2010: PARP Inhibitors: What We Know and What We Have Yet to Know - Cancer Network

January 26, 2010 media article: (PARP) Inhibition of Poly(ADP)-Ribose Polymerase as a Therapeutic Strategy for Breast Cancer - Cancer Network

audio available: The latest in cancer research | Minnesota Public Radio NewsQ

Forty years into the war on cancer, the death rate for many cancers has not changed significantly. Scientists say a new approach is needed. Midmorning talks with two cancer researchers about the latest and most promising research.  

The Science of Small Clinical Trials (2010)

PLoS Medicine: Science Must Be Responsible to Society, Not to Politics

American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR): Cancer Research: What Do We Know Today That We Didn't Know A Decade Ago?

Moral angst for surgical residents: a qualitative ... [Am J Surg. 2010] - PubMed result

"BACKGROUND: The ethical dilemmas that residents experience throughout their training have not been explored qualitatively from surgical residents' perspectives.
METHODS: Grounded theory methodology was used. All University of Toronto surgical, otolaryngology, and obstetrics and gynecology residents were invited to participate.Twenty-eight face-to-face interviews were conducted. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed by 3 reviewers.
RESULTS: Five encompassing themes emerged: (1) residents prefer operating with another resident while the staff watches; (2) residents felt that patients were rarely well informed about their role; (3) residents develop good relationships with patients; (4) residents felt ethically obliged to disclose intraoperative errors; and (5) residents experience ethical distress in certain teaching circumstances.
CONCLUSIONS: Residents encounter ethical dilemmas leading to moral angst during their surgical training and need to feel safe to discuss these openly. Staff and residents should work together to establish optimal communication and teaching situations."

CMA Urges Collegiality, Not Confrontation, to Improve Patient Care (nurses vs physician assistants)

Prevalence, incidence, and natural history of simple ovarian cysts among women >55 years old in a large cancer screening trial

Rare genetic variants create 'synthetic' genome-wide signals of disease risk

e-Health Presentation 2009

Autonomic Neuropathy: eMedicine Neurology

Canadian Neuropathy Association - Autonomic Neuropathy

Autonomic neuropathy: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia

Abstract: Combination therapy: intermittent sorafenib with bevacizumab yields activity and decreased toxicity

media article: Williams urges risk-taking in writing (Mom died of ovarian cancer - diaries)

MEDSCAPE DRUG REFERENCE RESULTS Results matching Ovarian Germ Cell Tumor Carcinoma

MEDSCAPE DRUG REFERENCE RESULTS Results matching Ovarian Carcinoma

Oncology: Genetic variability in a tumor as an indicator of patient risk

A New Way to Look for the Genetic Roots of Common Disease - NYTimes.com

Editorial : Measuing performance is essential to patient-centred care

"A health care system should, first and foremost, be organized to meet the needs of patients rather than the needs of institutions and providers. More often than not, however, the needs of institutions and health providers come first. How often do we see patients repeatedly
return to clinics on different days for poorly coordinated visits for diagnostic tests and follow-up with their physician?..."

Evidence Updates: Impact of two supportive care interventions on anxiety, depression, quality of life, and unmet needs in patients (advanced cancer)

Evidence Updates: Impact of two supportive care interventions on anxiety, depression, quality of life, and unmet needs in patients
Girgis A, Breen S, Stacey F, et al. Impact of two supportive care interventions on anxiety, depression, quality of life, and unmet needs in patients with nonlocalized breast and colorectal cancers. J Clin Oncol. 2009 Dec 20;27(36):6180-90. Epub 2009 Nov 16. PMID: 19917842 (Original)
DISCIPLINE RELEVANCE TO PRACTICE IS THIS NEWS?
Oncology - Breast 3 / 7 3 / 7
Oncology - Gastrointestinal 4 / 7 4 / 7
Oncology - Palliative and Supportive Care 6 / 7 6 / 7

Abstract PURPOSE: Patients with cancer experience considerable symptom burden, psychological morbidity, and unmet psychosocial needs. Research suggests that feedback of patient-reported outcomes to clinicians or caseworkers, alongside management strategies, may result in improved patient functioning. Two intervention models were developed to test this effect in a randomized, controlled trial against usual care (UC): a telephone caseworker (TCW) model and an oncologist/general practitioner (O/GP) model. Primary end points included anxiety, depression, physical/emotional functioning, and unmet supportive care needs.  
PATIENTS AND METHODS: Participants with nonlocalized breast or colorectal cancers were surveyed by computer-assisted telephone interview (CATI) at three time points: baseline, 3 months, and 6 months. Data collected from participant CATIs in the supportive care models were used to generate feedback to either each participant`s designated TCW, or their nominated O/GPs. Data obtained from participants in the UC model were used only to assess the impact of supportive care models. In total, 356 participants consented to study participation, completed the baseline CATI, and were randomly assigned to the UC, TCW, or O/GP groups.  
RESULTS: No overall intervention effect was observed. Physical functioning was significantly improved at the third CATI for participants in the TCW model (P = .01), and there was a trend toward fewer participants with unmet needs (P = .07). TCW group participants also were more likely to have the following: identified issues of need discussed (P < .0001); referrals made (P < .0001); and strong agreement that the intervention improved communication with their health care team (P = .0005).  
CONCLUSION: The TCW model holds some promise; however, additional work in at-risk populations is required before we recommend implementation.

full free access: Use of a surgical safety checklist to reduce morbidity and mortality

Note: the use of surgical site checklists stemmed from WHO's Patient Safety group/s.

Flu Vaccines for Cancer Patients - MD Anderson Cancer Center

Cancer Recurrence Fears - MD Anderson Cancer Center

"For many cancer survivors, the fear of recurrence is oppressive. It hinders them from enjoying everyday activities and profoundly affects their quality of life. However, by learning to manage their anxieties, patients can become more confident about their survivorship."

Clinical Trials Matching Service - Ovarian Cancer National Alliance

"Women can explore clinical trials by visiting the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance Clinical Trials Matching Service online or by calling (800) 535-1682."

press release: Women's College Hospital (Toronto) offers Jewish women genetic screening for breast cancer

“Our study identified two major concerns with current breast cancer screening guidelines,” says Dr. Kelly Metcalfe, adjunct scientist at the Women’s College Research Institute and associate professor at the University of Toronto. “The first is that over half of the women we identified with a mutation would never have known that they were at an increased risk of cancer because they were not eligible for genetic testing outside of this study. The second concern was that although 45 per cent of the women with mutations were eligible for genetic testing based on their family history of cancer, none were referred by their health-care provider for screening. "

Two Combination Treatment Regimens Added to Updated NCCN Guidelines for Ovarian Cancer - media item

NCCN updates their guidelines annually - the guidelines on a variety of subjects (cancers/genetics etc) can be found at: http://www.nccn.org
Access requires registration but is free. There is a specific area for the genetics of breast/ovarian but to find genetics relating to Lynch Syndrome you need to go to the colorectal cancer section.

Does computer use in patient-physician encounters influence patient satisfaction?

A Study Comparing Oral Picoplatin With Intravenous Picoplatin in Subjects With Solid Tumors - Full Text View - ClinicalTrials.gov

A Study Comparing Oral Picoplatin With Intravenous Picoplatin in Subjects With Solid Tumors - Full Text View - ClinicalTrials.gov:
"This study has been completed.
First Received: April 23, 2007 Last Updated: September 23, 2009
Sponsor: Poniard Pharmaceuticals
Information provided by: Poniard Pharmaceuticals
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00465725"

Pharma press release: re Phase 2 Trial of Picoplatin in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Meets Primary Endpoint and Study Objectives

"Our ultimate goal is to secure a strategic partnership to support further development of picoplatin in CRC and other solid tumor indications, including prostate and ovarian cancers.'"

article: (Focused Microwave Thermotherapy) breast cancer therapy reduces mastectomies, saves breast

"In theory, Dooley said the technique could be used on any organ that could be "held relatively still." Scientists are now working to integrate heat-sensitive nanotechnology that would more precisely target cancer cells. They also plan to study a byproduct of the rapid disintegration of the tumor – a boosted immune system."

abstract: Toxicity of sorafenib: clinical and molecular aspects; Expert Opinion on Drug Safety

Green Tea May Have Cancer Benefit - in Meeting Coverage, AACR-IASLC 2010 conference

"Experimental studies have suggested that one mechanism for chemoprevention with green tea may be its impact on insulin-like growth factors."

Search of: Open Studies | Interventional Studies | solid tumors | Adult | Phase II III IV - List Results - ClinicalTrials.gov

search results = 137 clinical trials

Possible results: genetic testing (as per Myriad site)

Simple chart: possibleresults1big.jpg (JPEG Image, 945x582 pixels)

Gene discovery may help guide breast cancer care | Reuters

California to set time limit to see doctors - washingtonpost.com

full free access: Early-onset breast cancer in a Lebanese family with Lynch syndrome due to MSH2 gene mutation

"Background: There are still controversies about the integration of breast cancer as a part of the disease spectrum in Lynch syndrome."

full free access: Type D personality in the general population: a systematic review of health status, mechanisms of disease, and work-related problems

"Type D personality in the general population: a systematic review of health status, mechanisms of disease, and work-related problems."

Jan 23, 2009: Authors' Reply: Dose-dense paclitaxel for advanced ovarian cancer – Authors' reply : The Lancet

Authors' explanation to Commentaries 1 & 2

Jan 23, 2009: Commentary (2nd of 2): Dose-dense paclitaxel for advanced ovarian cancer : The Lancet

Jan 23, 2009: Commentary (1 of 2): Dose-dense paclitaxel for advanced ovarian cancer : The Lancet

Note: may require registration (free):

Growth of aid and the decline of humanitarianism : The Lancet

updated 2010 - MSH2 (one of the Lynch Syndrome genes)

"People with mutations in the MSH2 gene have an increased risk of developing several other types of cancer (colorectal), including cancers of the endometrium (lining of the uterus), ovary, stomach, small intestine, liver, gallbladder duct, upper urinary tract, brain, and skin.
Some mutations in the MSH2 gene increase the likelihood of several uncommon skin tumors occurring in addition to colorectal cancer, a combination called Muir-Torre syndrome. These rare skin tumors include sebaceous adenomas and carcinomas, which occur in skin glands (sebaceous glands) that produce an oily substance called sebum. Multiple, rapidly growing skin tumors called keratoacanthomas may also occur, usually on sun-exposed areas.

Jan 5th, 2010 Q&A: Understanding and Managing Lynch Syndrome - Cancerwise | Cancer blog from M. D. Anderson Cancer Center

Basic overview

Kathryn Joosten: Talking About That Tough Subject

media item: Father's long crusade for answers

Note:  "In 2006, a respected cancer research charity started losing donors when it was mistaken for the CCRG following the W5 program."

Understanding the problem of inadequately staging of early ovarian cancer (subanalysis of ACTION trial)

CONCLUSIONS: Even in a randomised trial in which comprehensive surgical staging was strongly advised in the study protocol the majority of patients (66%) were incompletely staged. Factors relating to a lack of surgical skills attributed most to the number of incompletely staged patients, but insufficient knowledge of the tumour behaviour and routes of spread of ovarian cancer also contributed substantially to this problem. Multicentre trials recruiting patients from many institutes with small volume contribution to the study, run the risk of inadequate adherence to the study protocol.

Venous Thromboembolism Risk and Prophylaxis in the Acute Care Hospital Setting (ENDORSE Survey): Findings in Surgical Patients

Note: study of data from 2004

"Use of prophylaxis varied according to major surgery type from 86.0% for orthopedic surgery to 53.8% in urologic/gynecologic...."  "Conclusions: The majority of surgical patients are at high-risk for VTE. Despite long-standing recognition of the high-risk for VTE in surgical patients, thromboprophylaxis remains underutilized."

March 1, 2010 abstract: Conundrums in screening for cancer

Mini Review

Conundrums in screening for cancer

Anthony B. Miller *

Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, ON, Canada

email: Anthony B. Miller (ab.miller@sympatico.ca)

*Correspondence to Anthony B. Miller, Associate Director, Research, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Canada
This article is based upon the Joint International Journal of Cancer and Meyenburg-Stiftung Lectureship, delivered at Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum, February 18, 2009.

Keywords

screening for cancer • breast cancer • cervix cancer • prostate cancer

Abstract

Screening for cancer has to be carefully organized for maximum effectiveness, and introduced in full understanding of the natural history of the disease. There are major potential harms as well as benefits from screening. The current state of art for breast, cervix and prostate cancer screening is reviewed, only for breast and cervix are policies of screening in the population justified.

---

Unique Canadian Program Teaches Students Stroke Care

Neoadjuvant Bevacizumab May Increase Serious Surgical Complications - OncologySTAT

Note: free access (sign up):
Neoadjuvant_Bevacizumab_May Increase Serious Surgical Complications

media article: Neoadjuvant Bevacizumab May Increase Serious Surgical Complications

"Most complications started in the immediate postoperative period, stuttered along, then worsened weeks later when bevacizumab was restarted, according to Dr. Golshan." "This observation caused one audience member to quip, “Perhaps these wounds, even though they may appear to be healed, should receive more respect and less bevacizumab.”"

media item: Breast cancer surgeons prefer to go it alone - Cancer Network

Ten-year follow-up of a phase 2 study of dose-intense paclitaxel with cisplatin and cyclophosphamide as initial therapy for poor-prognosis, advanced-stage epithelial ovarian cancer

"METHODS:: Patients with stage III/IV EOC received cyclophosphamide 750 mg/m(2), followed by a 24-hour infusion of paclitaxel 250 mg/m(2) and cisplatin 75 mg/m(2) on Day 2. Filgrastim began on Day 3 at 10 mug/kg daily for 9 days. Patients received 6 cycles of all drugs." CONCLUSIONS:: The studied regimen yielded a high response rate and encouraging overall survival."

Vermillion Emerges From Bankruptcy -- FREMONT, Calif., Jan. 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --

"This is a great day for all of our stakeholders as well as women who will benefit from OVA1,' said Gail Page, executive chair of Vermillion. 'We are in a position to resume development of our other programs in ovarian cancer and peripheral arterial disease,' she added."

Cancer, Culture, and Health Disparities: Time to Chart a New Course?

full free access

full free access: Progress in Cancer Care: A Rational Call To Do Better - CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians

Editorial by incoming American Cancer Society President - Dr Alan G. Thorson

Study Finds Omission of Axillary Lymph Node Dissection Safe for Patients with Sentinel Node Micrometastases (early stage breast cancer)

full free access: link: http://caonline.amcancersoc.org/cgi/reprint/60/1/2.pdf

abstract: Review The potential of biologic network models in understanding the etiopathogenesis of ovarian cancer

BRCA1 185delAG mutant protein, BRAt, up-regulates Maspin in ovarian epithelial cells

"Consequently, understanding early genotypic and phenotypic changes in the context of high risk disease may provide a better understanding of the mechanism of mutation-associated ovarian cancer and provide new targets for therapeutic intervention."

abstract: Current state of biomarker development for clinical application in epithelial ovarian cancer

Maintenance immunotherapy in recurrent ovarian cancer: Long term follow-up of a phase II study

"Therapy consisted of low-dose subcutaneous IL-2 and oral RA, administered on intermittent schedules for up to 5 years."

Epigenetic therapies for chemoresensitization of epithelial ovarian cancer

Trial design for evaluation of novel targeted therapies

"Conclusions:Alternatives to traditional phase II trial design including alternative end points, randomized designs, biomarkers, and imaging tools should allow ineffective agents to be discarded and promising agents to undergo further investigation."

Phase II study of gefitinib in combination with paclitaxel (P) and carboplatin (C) as second-line therapy for ovarian, tubal or peritoneal adenocarcinoma

"Conclusion:  Gefitinib, administered in combination with paclitaxel and carboplatin, provides a good clinical response but associated with an increased risk of hematologic disorders."

10 Patient Safety Tips for Hospitals

Could gynecologists be sued for a missed breast cancer diagnosis? - Because ob/gyn practices historically are at the highest risk for malpractice litigation

Nurses oppose the Ontario government's physician assistant role citing inadequate education, concerns over patient safety and unnecessary cost

Note: the RNAO also made the same statement regarding pharmacists (2009)


Toronto, January 22, 2010
"Members of the public will not be well served if the provincial government pursues a plan to allow physician assistants (PAs) to work in hospitals, family health teams, community health centres, and family physician offices. The board of directors of the Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario (RNAO) has unanimously endorsed a position statement, which raises serious questions about the level of education and regulatory oversight physician assistants have and how these could jeopardize patients..."

Satisfaction with care among low-income women with breast cancer

"Greater information giving was associated with greater satisfaction"

abstract: Association of Skeletal Muscle Wasting With Treatment With Sorafenib

Note: this study is not specific to ovarian cancer but may be of interest for those deciding on Sorafenib:

Risk factors for reproductive and breast cancers among older lesbians.

Note: the term 'older' in the study was >40 yrs

Cochrane Collaboration review: Antigen-specific active immunotherapy for ovarian cancer

"AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that despite promising immunological responses no clinically effective antigen-specific active immunotherapy is yet available for ovarian cancer. Furthermore, the adoption of guidelines to ensure uniformity in trial conduct, response definitions and trial reporting is recommended to improve quality and comparability of immunotherapy trials."

Cochrane Collaboration Review: Management of drainage for malignant ascites in gynecologic cancer

"AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Since no relevant studies were identified, we are unable to make recommendations regarding the management of drains for malignant ascites in women with gynaecological cancer. Large, multi-centre RCTs are required to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the management of ascitic drains when in situ and their impact on QOL."

Analysis of Marshall Edwards, Inc.'s OVATURE Trial to Proceed Following Database Lock

"The OVATURE trial is a major multi-center international Phase III clinical trial of orally-administered investigational drug phenoxodiol in combination with carboplatin in women with advanced ovarian cancer resistant or refractory to platinum-based drugs, to determine its safety and effectiveness when used in combination with carboplatin.......The Company expects the final analysis will be performed strictly according to the protocol and now is expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2010"

Combo Test Might Spot Ovarian Cancer Early - BusinessWeek

Search of: Open Studies | Interventional Studies | ovarian cancer | Adult | received from 01/01/2010 to 01/22/2010

Results = 3 (new interventional studies since Jan 1/10)

Clinical Trials Search of: Open Studies - ovarian cancer

Search of: Open Studies | ovarian cancer | Adult | updated from 01/01/2010 to 01/22/2010 - List Results - ClinicalTrials.gov

The cost-effectiveness of genetic testing strategies for Lynch Syndrome among newly diagnosed patients with colorectal cancer

"This finding provides support for a recent US recommendation to offer testing for Lynch syndrome to all newly diagnosed patients with colorectal cancer."

MRI, CT, and PET/CT for Ovarian Cancer Detection and Adnexal Lesion Characterization

"CONCLUSION. The goal of imaging in ovarian cancer detection is to expeditiously distinguish benign adnexal lesions from those requiring further pathologic evaluation for malignancy. For lesions indeterminate on ultrasound, MRI increases the specificity of imaging evaluation, thus decreasing benign resections. CT is useful in diagnosis and treatment planning of advanced cancer. Although 18F-FDG-avid ovarian lesions in postmenopausal women are considered suspicious for malignancy, PET/CT is not recommended for primary cancer detection because of high false-positive rates."

MRI of Endometriotic Cysts in Association With Ovarian Carcinoma

"CONCLUSION. Endometriotic cysts with enhanced mural nodules are not always complicated with malignancy. In elderly patients, the presence of large enhanced nodules on large endometriotic cysts is more likely to indicate malignancy."

abstract: Clinical Decision Making Using Ovarian Cancer Risk Assessment

Advances in Sonographic Detection of Ovarian Cancer: Depiction of Tumor Neovascularity With Microbubbles

Risk Assessment and Genetic Testing for Ovarian Cancer

"CONCLUSION. To offer potentially life-saving interventions for at-risk family members, we propose that every woman newly diagnosed with ovarian cancer be offered genetic testing for BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes because mutations in these genes are the strongest known predictors of ovarian cancer risk."

Ultrasound and Assessment of Ovarian Cancer Risk

New Frontiers for Ovarian Cancer Risk Evaluation: Proteomics and Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound

abstract: Current Update on Borderline Ovarian Neoplasms

CONCLUSION. Borderline tumors are considered to be precursors of low-grade ovarian cancers. Accurate diagnosis and staging facilitate optimal patient management particularly in patients desiring to preserve fertility.

MRI in the planning of initial lumpectomy for invasive breast carcinoma: effect on ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence after breast conserving therapy

CONCLUSION: MRI evaluation of invasive carcinoma in the planning of initial lumpectomies was not associated with improved local outcomes after BCS (breast conserving surgery) with RT in this cohort of patients.

in research: abstract - MicroRNAs in Ovarian Cancer Biology and Therapy Resistance

Early evidence of prolonged disease stabilization in pre-treated patients suggests ENMD-1198 is worthy of additional investigation.

Abdominal Bloating: An Under-recognized Endometriosis Symptom

Pleurodesis treatment : Cancer Research UK : CancerHelp UK

PatientView website

now accepting applications: Genetic Alliance

"We are now accepting applications for the Advocates Partnership Program at the American College of Medical Genetics (ACMG) Annual Clinical Genetics Meeting March 24-28 in Albuquerque, New Mexico."

ACOR - Association of Online Cancer Resources - Home Page

ACOR.org delivered 1,819,859 individual emails across the globe last week.

full access: Access to pain treatment as a human right

Omega-3 Fatty Acids for Neuropathic Pain: Case Series : The Clinical Journal of Pain

abstract/study of 5 patients

Jan 2009 full free access - Development of PARP inhibitors in oncology; Expert Opinion on Investigational Drugs + Expert Opinion

Note: highly technical but worth reviewing (BRCAness, sporadic, specific therapies (combination/single agent/+radiotherapy), those in clinical studies (Table 1),
differing cancers etc

Consumption of a Flaxseed-Rich Food Is Not More Effective Than a Placebo in Alleviating the Climacteric Symptoms of Postmenopausal Women - Journal of Nutrition

Prognostic and Predictive Value of the 21-Gene Recurrence Score Assay in Postmenopausal Women With Node-Positive, Oestrogen-Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer on Chemotherapy

media item

now acceptng applications - Director's Consumer Liaison Group (U.S.)

The DCLG indentifies and responds to issues and challenges facing the Institute at the request of the Director. The DCLG provides relevant, non-scientific skills and perspectives in order to improve research outcomes by identifying new approaches, promoting innovation, recognizing unforeseen risks or barriers, and identifying unintended consequences that could result from NCI decisions.

Medical News - Ultrasound + Proteomic Blood Analyses May Help Physicians Diagnose Early-Stage Ovarian Cancer

full free access: Identifying the barriers to conducting outcomes research in integrative health care clinic settings

Conclusions
"..... as IHC clinics are often complex systems, a whole systems approach to research should be used taking into account the multidimensional and complex nature of such treatment systems so that the results are useful and reflect real life."

Dec 2009 article: Influenza Vaccination in Immune Compromised Persons: Practical Advice for Oncologists - OncologySTAT

Note: if you are unable to view the full article then you need to register (it's free)

abstract: Combining Targeted Therapies: Practical Issues to Consider at the Bench and Bedside -- The Oncologist

"Recent and continuing developments in high-throughput and multiplexed assay platforms as well as in disciplines such as bioinformatics and biostatistics will surely shape the future of clinical trials. Application of novel techniques in a comprehensive approach, revealing the interrelations among targets and the mechanisms of action underlying cancer (systems biology), may lead to comprehensive diagnostic tools (systems pathology) and specific combinations of drugs (cocktails of monoclonal antibodies, RNA therapeutics, or others) in what has been called the actualization of personalized medicine. We know that momentum in the era of targeted therapy will continue to accelerate, bringing new hope to our patients
with cancer and their families"

Abstract/free full access: High penetrances of BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations confirmed in a prospective series

define:  deleterious = harmful
Note:  genetic modifying factors of penetrance = factors which result in lower or high risks of cancer

Oriah Mountain Dreamer: 'The Invitation"

poem

Clinical Presentation of Endometrioid Epithelial Ovarian Cancer with Concurrent Endometriosis: A Multicenter Retrospective Study

abstract: The Effectiveness of Chemoprevention Agents Is Underestimated When Lesion Sizes Are Rounded

Economy down, health costs up

Editorial note: .....or maybe your best friend?? (slight humour)

"Chaos" protects health privacy

Naturopathic doctors gaining new powers

The quality of dying and death: a systematic review of measures-- Palliative Medicine

These are important issues for us as patients/caregivers:

"Less than half were based on an explicit definition of quality of dying and death and even fewer relied on a conceptual model that incorporated multidimensionality and subjective determination.The specified duration of the dying and death phase ranged from the last months to hours of life."

Will Myriad's Marketing to Mammogram Centers Ease or Fan Over-Testing Concerns with BRACAnalysis? | Pharmacogenomics Reporter

In Anti-Gene-Patenting Case, Myriad Files for Summary Judgment; USPTO Requests Court to Dismiss Charges | Pharmacogenomics Reporter

Flight Health - apparent independent website + links to information

Pharma Pipeline News: Preliminary results from Nektar Therapeutics' NKTR-102 Phase 2 study in platinum-resistant ovarian cancer

Note: conference reporting news item

Fungal nail infection: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia

Cooking with anti cancer herbs and spices better than some medicines

Submitted by Kathleen Blanchard RN- Jan 19th, 2010

Quick Poll - question

Note: The quick poll is anonymous, so for the person who answered 'other' please email me - you can do this direct from the blog, if you wish. Thanks! Sandi

Jan 19, 2009: I’m a Cancer Patient. Should I Ask About PARP Inhibitors? - Health Advice Deborah K. Armstrong

Health Advice
Q. I’m a Cancer Patient. Should I Ask About PARP Inhibitors?
By Deborah K. Armstrong, M.D.

We're In the Hayfield Now Daylily Gardens

St. Louis Herb society - Patricia Holt

submit your application between March 15-22nd, 2010 - ASCO Patient Advocate Scholarship Program

pdf file - application/criteria

2010 The ASCO Cancer Foundation Patient Advocate Scholarship Program | Cancer.Net

abstract: Safety and efficacy results of the advanced renal cell carcinoma Sorafenib expanded access program in North America

Note: while this is not specific to ovarian cancer knowing the side effects which patients experienced may be helpful

abstract: Sarcomas associated with hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer: broad anatomical and morphological spectrum (Lynch Syndrome)

abstract: Clinicopathological features of 67 cases of endometriosis-associated epithelial ovarian carcinoma (China)

"CONCLUSION: Patients of endometriosis-associated epithelial ovarian carcinoma, especially patients with tumors arising from endometriosis, were found to be younger, having a significant lower stage and a better survival, and were mostly diagnosed with the subtype of clear-cell."

abstract: Understanding the support needs of patients accessing test results online. PHRs offer great promise, but support issues must be addressed to

Understanding the support needs of patients accessing test results online. PHRs offer great promise, but support issues must be addressed to ensure appropriate access.

abstract: Phase II biomarker trial of a multimarker diagnostic for ovarian cancer-Australia

CA-125; C-reactive protein (CRP); serum amyloid A (SAA); interleukin 6 (IL-6); and interleukin 8 (IL-8)

"CONCLUSIONS: The use of a panel of plasma biomarkers for the identification of women with ovarian cancer delivers a significant increase in diagnostic performance when compared to the performance of CA-125 alone."

Breast cancer immunohistochemistry can be useful in triage of some HNPCC families. (Lynch Syndrome)

Consistency of self-reported first-degree family history of cancer in a population-based study - Brazil

"The prevalence of cancer history in an FDR (first degree relative) was similar to previous reports in other populations. Consistency and reliability of the self-reported information was high, regardless of educational level."

full free access: Targeting the EGF Receptor for Ovarian Cancer Therapy

Note: numerous different treatments are discussed

News: Docs Feel Stress When Patients Can't Make Own Decisions - survey of Chicago physicians

"In only 10% of cases was a living will involved -- and in fully 35% of cases, the physician did not know if there was a living will or not."

2010 full free access: The prosurvival activity of ascites against TRAIL is associated with a shorter disease-free interval in patients with ovarian c

( highly technical )The prosurvival activity of ascites against TRAIL is associated with a shorter disease-free interval in patients with ovarian cancer

full free access: The prosurvival activity of ascites against TRAIL is associated with a shorter disease-free interval in patients with ovarian cancer

Abstract/full free access: Endometriosis-associated ovarian cancer: A ten-year cohort study of women living in the Estrie Region of Quebec, Canada

excerpts of interest:

The C.A.M. Report » Blog

Note: This is a huge site with a vast amount of information including institutional based research etc.

National Center for Complimentary and Alternative Medicine

searchable database: eg. green tea oil, fish oil....

Lymph node involvement in ovarian serous tumors of low malignant potential: a clinicopathologic study of thirty-six cases.

abstract (in research) HMGA2: a potential biomarker complement to P53 for detection of early-stage high-grade papillary serous carcinoma in FT

"Our findings of immunoreactivity for HMGA2 may lead to a novel, useful biomarker to complement p53 in the detection of early-stage serous carcinoma."

abstract: Prophylactic bilateral oophorectomy or removal of remaining ovary at the time of hysterectomy in the United States, 1979-2004.

media item: In Research: OMRF identifies new method that may improve treatment of ovarian cancers

Who is OMRF?
"Founded in 1946, OMRF is one of the nation’s oldest and most respected nonprofit biomedical research institutes. Located in Oklahoma City, OMRF fosters a worldwide reputation for excellence by following an innovative cross-disciplinary approach to medical research."

Words that heal column by Deepak Chopra

Breaking down the breakthrough claims - Blog

Note: this one was all over the news this past week: partial excerpt: "A new drug called dabigatran prevents more strokes with less bleeding than warfarin." Dr. Atlas says: "Dabigatran may be a game changer, but there is one thing the story didn't mention. The group that got Dabigatran had more heart attacks than those who got coumadin. Oops! This could be the real game changer from the FDA's perspective. Note it's still under review there."

abstract: The treatment of menopausal symptoms by traditional East Asian medicines: Review and perspectives

Note: abstract provides very limited information

Coping with Cancer, Side Effects, Caregiving, and other Cancer Resources OncoLink (general)

news item: Ovarian Cancer Therapy Researchers at University of Tokyo target ovarian cancer therapy

AMA news: Participatory medicine: A high-tech alliance with patients

"At its most basic level, participatory medicine means shared decision-making and deep patient engagement. Because of the rise in technology use -- as well as an increase in out-of-pocket health care expenses -- this has gone well beyond the traditional tell-me-where-it-hurts conversation between patient and doctor in the exam room....Physicians "are afraid this is something that will cost them time and money, and it will create arguments with patients," Dr. Greene said."

abstract: Body mass index as a prognostic factor in epithelial ovarian cancer and correlation with clinico-pathological factors (1994–2003)

"The prognostic impact of BMI on survival was only noted for underweight patients with serous tumors."

abstract: Pharmacogenomics of taxane/platinum therapy in ovarian cancer

epigentics: The study of heritable changes in gene function that occur without a change in the DNA sequence

"CONCLUSIONS: Other mechanisms of variability, including epigenetic control of gene expression and copy number variation, may play important roles. In addition, nongenetic influences such as concurrent medications, and physiological and environmental factors could also affect individual responses to taxane and platinum therapy."

August 2009: Safety of (Avastin) Bevacizumab in Advanced Ovarian and Müllerian Cancers: A Review: Bevacizumab and Ovarian Cancer

"To date, several investigators (Table 1) have explored bevacizumab as a single agent or in combination with metronomic chemotherapy in the management of advanced ovarian cancer. All studies to date with bevacizumab as a single agent or in combination with chemotherapy have shown promising responses. The concern is centered on whether the benefit of this therapeutic agent outweighs its potential toxicity."

full free access: Review Copy number variations and cancer

Note: long article

Clinical Trial: How Our Immune System Can Help Fight Cancer

Note: not yet recruiting for patients - An interesting study bringing together genetics and immune system. Location: New York, U.S.A.

Clinical Trials Search of: Open Studies ovarian cancer Adult- new studies received from 12/01/2009 to 01/17/2010

13 new studies shown (non specific)

Dr Dizon's blog: The Women's Cancer Blog

"Dr. Dizon is a medical oncologist specializing in women's cancers. He takes care of both breast and gynecologic cancers and has interests in new treatments, survivorship, and sexuality, and is Director of Medical Oncology at the Program in Women's Oncology at Women and Infants hospital of Rhode Island. He is also an Assistant Professor of Obstetrics-Gynecology and Internal Medicine at Alpert Medical School of Brown University."

Search of: Open Studies "ovarian cancer"

as at: January 17th, 2010 6:26 pm search results = 447 studies (general non specific search) - all types of studies, all phases

Jan Geibler: "We, the patients" - Cover Story - Cancer World

Nov/December issue now online - Cancer World - Education & knowledge through people & facts

free full access: JAMA -- Funding of US Biomedical Research, 2003-2008, January 13, 2010, Dorsey et al. 303 (2): 137

Note: charts for quick overviews

full free access April 2009: Repertoire of microRNAs in Epithelial Ovarian Cancer

"...Small RNA cDNA libraries were constructed from RNA sample pools....and epithelial ovarian cancer specimens of serous, clear cell and endometrioid histologies....This report expands the body of miRNAs known to be expressed in epithelial ovarian cancer and provides a useful resource for future studies of the role of miRNAs in the pathogenesis and early detection of ovarian cancer."

abstract 5/2009: MicroRNAs and their target messenger RNAs associated with ovarian cancer response to chemotherapy

abstract: Screening for Founder Mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 in Unselected Jewish Women

Cancer Blood Tests

"...The team made the discovery partly by accident. They were studying short pieces of RNA called micro RNAs in human tissue samples. These tiny pieces of RNA, discovered only a few years ago, play a big role in regulating genes, and are now known to be altered in cancer..... In a large majority of the cases, just by measuring the amount of micro RNA in the blood, we could tell who had cancer and who didn’t,” Tewari says."

PBS: Genetic Genealogy on Faces of America - airing February-March 2010

Eva Longoria, Meryl Streep, Mario Batali, Stephen Colbert, Malcolm Gladwell, Yo-Yo Ma, Mike Nichols, Kristi Yamaguchi, Elizabeth Alexander, Queen Noor and Louise Erdrich have all submitted DNA tests for a new PBS television series FACES OF AMERICA.
Faces of America with Henry Louis Gates, Jr. airs on Wednesdays, February 10 – March 3, 2010 from 8-9 p.m. ET on PBS.

abstract: An effect from anticipation also in hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer families without identified mutations.(Lynch Syndrome)

Note: this would apply to the many with no known mutations in the many genetic syndromes (eg. BRCA, Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome...)

"This observation suggests that anticipation may apply also to families without identified mutations and serves as a reminder to initiate surveillance programmes at young age also in HNPCC families with undefined genetic causes."

Editorial: Targeted Chemotherapy? Platinum in BRCA1-Dysfunctional Breast Cancer

A Link between mir-100 and FRAP1/mTOR in Clear Cell Ovarian Cancer --joint study Japan/U.S.

Note: This abstract is highly technical, but the significance is that there is a focus on clear cell ovarian cancer.

"...Our experiments have revealed strong candidate miRNAs and their target genes that may contribute to the pathogenesis of clear cell ovarian cancer..."

Hereditary breast and ovarian cancer: Referral source for genetic assessment and communication regarding assessment with nongenetic clinicians in the

Hereditary breast and ovarian cancer: Referral source for genetic assessment and communication regarding assessment with nongenetic clinicians in the community setting:

2009 Yi and St Louis Ovarian Cancer at OneTrueMedia.com

see the Montage from last year's (2009) ovarian cancer ACOR & friends August weekend

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Ovarian stimulation and emergency in vitro fertilization for fertility preservation in cancer patients.

WWOX tumour suppressor gene polymorphisms and ovarian cancer pathology and prognosis.

"One-third of ovarian tumours show loss of WWOX expression, and this loss significantly associates with clear cell and mucinous histology, advanced stage, low progesterone receptor expression and poor survival, suggesting that WWOX status affects ovarian cancer progression and prognosis."

e-blogger Dave: The Invisible Stakeholder - Patient is not a third-person word.

Doctors’ Blind Spot? The Patient | Conversations...

FDA (U.S.)Basics - new website

The tool answers questions such as (and more):

How and where do I find out if a drug is approved for use?
Why are there still food recalls?
How do I report a pet food compliant?
You can also submit your own questions, provide feedback, and view interviews with FDA staff.

Bazedoxifene, a selective estrogen receptor modulator: effects on the endometrium, ovaries, and breast from a randomized controlled trial in osteoporo

Bazedoxifene, a selective estrogen receptor modulator: effects on the endometrium, ovaries, and breast from a randomized controlled trial in osteoporotic postmenopausal women

Ovarian status in healthy postmenopausal women: follow-up 12 months after transvaginal ultrasound.

Depression, anxiety and body image after treatment for invasive stage one epithelial ovarian cancer.

Urinary angiostatin levels are elevated in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer.

Note: further research required

Immunohistochemical analysis of hMLH1 and hMSH2 proteins in serous ovarian tumours.

Note: Immunohistochemical = tumour sample; hMLH1 and hMSH2 (2 of) Lynch Syndrome genes

 "Our results suggest that hMLH1 and hMSH2 proteins may be involved in ovarian carcinogenesis."

AACR upcoming conference: Cancer Epigenetics

"The study of epigenetic mechanisms in cancer, such as DNA methylation, histone modifications, nucleosome positioning and non-coding RNA expression, has revealed a plethora of events that contribute to the neoplastic phenotype through stable changes in the expression of genes critical to transformation pathways...Therefore, improved understanding of normal epigenetic programs is necessary to better understand malignancy-specific epigenetic alterations.....numerous other clinical applications of the field being explored in areas such as cancer screening and early detection, prevention, classification for epidemiology and prognostic purposes, and predicting outcomes after standard therapy."

media report: monoacylglycerol lipase (or MAGL for short) Cancer cells co-opt fat metabolism pathway to become more malignant

Tweet cloud

Exons: Researchers Sequence 'Exomes' Of New Strategy For Finding Disease Genes

"....demonstrated the feasibility and value of a new strategy for identifying relatively rare genetic variants that may cause or contribute to disease....The new strategy involves isolating and sequencing all exons which are the parts of the human genome that contain the information needed to produce proteins, the building blocks of the body. The complete set of exons – referred to as the "exome" – makes up only one percent of the human genome. By selecting only the exome to sequence, the important information about an individual can be obtained at a much lower cost than sequencing a person's entire genome."

Medical News: FDA (U.S.) Pleads for More Research on Anemia Drugs

2010 Who Is Responsible? The Role of Family Physicians in the Provision of Supportive Cancer Care

Note: the issues from the family physicians' perspective

Editorial: Who Should Follow Our (Cancer) Patients?

Note: Good plain english article generalizing the issues - $$/capacity/knowledge

abstract : Laparoscopic optical coherence tomography imaging of human ovarian cancer

Note: advances in the imaging of ovarian cancer

media article: Testing for Breast Cancer Gene: No Simple Answers

Surgery duration linked to infectious complications, hospital stay - Anesthesiology Videos - The Doctor's Channel

not specific to ovarian cancer

full free access: Targeting Insulin and Insulin-Like Growth Factor Pathways in Epithelial Ovarian Cancer

Note: a highly technical paper - look at Table 2; 7.5 = clinical trials link; 8.0 = Conclusion

press release: HE4 - Abbott Receives European Regulatory Approval for New Ovarian Cancer Diagnostic Test

Contemporary Management of and Future Directions in Ovarian Cancer - Cancer Network

Note: this was posted in November, but I have brought the posting date forward to coincide with other like articles, so both can be viewed at the same time. Access to this article requires that you sign on to the website (free).

full free access: Jan 2/2010 - Targeted Therapy in Ovarian Cancer

Review Article
Targeted Therapy in Ovarian Cancer
Lyndsay J. Willmott and John P. Fruehauf
Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California Irvine, Orange, CA 92868, USA Academic Editor: Charles F. Levenback

full free access: (2010) Germline Mutations and Polymorphisms in the Origins of Cancers in Women

Note: a good explanation in (close to) plain english on a subject that is anything but easy to understand.

Will Myriad's Marketing to Mammogram Centers Ease or Fan Over-Testing Concerns with BRACAnalysis? | Pharmacogenomics Reporter | DxPGx | GenomeWeb

Defective Mismatch Repair, Microsatellite Mutation Bias, and Variability in Clinical Cancer Phenotypes -- Shah et al. 70 (2): 431 -- Cancer Research

Abstract:
"Microsatellite instability is associated with 10% to 15% of colorectal, endometrial, OVARIAN, and gastric cancers, and has long been used as a diagnostic tool for hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal carcinoma–related cancers. Tumor-specific length alterations within microsatellites are generally accepted to be a consequence of strand slippage events during DNA replication, which are uncorrected due to a defective postreplication mismatch repair (MMR) system. Mutations arising within microsatellites associated with critical target genes are believed to play a causative role in the evolution of MMR-defective tumors. In this review, we summarize current evidence of mutational biases within microsatellites arising as a consequence of intrinsic DNA sequence effects as well as variation in MMR efficiency. Microsatellite mutational biases are generally not considered during clinical testing; however, we suggest that such biases may be clinically significant as a factor contributing to phenotypic variation among microsatellite instability–positive tumors."

ACS :: Possible Risks of Blood Product Transfusions

Comment: Before Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents were introduced, blood transfusions were widely used for the improvement of platelet counts etc. With recent negative research regarding Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents, blood transfusions will be a choice - seek professional/oncologist opinion. This article from the ACS describes some of the concerns with blood transfusions.

(2009 updated) Ethyol (amifostine) For Injection

(2008) Ethyol (Amifostine) Drug Information: Uses, Side Effects, Drug Interactions and Warnings at RxList

NCI - main site

There are quite a few different clinical trials listed for 'chemotherapy induced neuropathy" - check the search box at the top of the website for clinical trials underway

Clinical Trial SURVEY: Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy

Phase III Randomized Study of Glutathione for the Prevention of Paclitaxel/Carboplatin-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy in Patients With Ovarian, Fallopi

Phase III Randomized Study of Glutathione for the Prevention of Paclitaxel/Carboplatin-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy in Patients With Ovarian, Fallopian Tube, and/or Primary Peritoneal Carcinoma

Biological Therapies for Cancer: Q & A - National Cancer Institute

What are interleukins?
"Like interferons, interleukins (ILs) are cytokines that occur naturally in the body and can be made in the laboratory. Many interleukins have been identified; interleukin-2 (IL–2 or aldesleukin) has been the most widely studied in cancer treatment. IL–2 stimulates the growth and activity of many immune cells, such as lymphocytes, that can destroy cancer cells. The FDA has approved IL–2 for the treatment of metastatic kidney cancer and metastatic melanoma.
Researchers continue to study the benefits of interleukins to treat a number of other cancers, including leukemia, lymphoma, and brain, colorectal, ovarian, breast, and prostate cancers."

A phase II trial of intraperitoneal interleukin-2 in patients with platinum-resistant or platinum-refractory ovarian cancer

Treatment of disseminated ovarian cancer using nonviral interleukin-12 gene therapy delivered intraperitoneally. Jason G. Fewell. 2009; The Journal of Gene Medicine - Wiley InterScience

Molecular Cancer | Full text | Methylation and protein expression of DNA repair genes: association with chemotherapy exposure and survival in sporadic ovarian and peritoneal carcinomas

CA-125 Response Patterns in Patients With Recurrent Ovarian Cancer Treated With Pegylated Liposomal Doxorubicin (PLD)

Conclusions: "Our ROC analysis did not demonstrate any reliable CA-125 cutoff on response. Discontinuation of the therapy before cycle 3 may exclude some patients who will benefit from PLD."

Five emotions you never knew you had - life - 13 January 2010 - New Scientist

"CAN you name the six basic emotions? Take a straw poll of your friends and we guarantee that you will find no consensus. Yet psychologists are unequivocal: joy, sadness, anger, fear, surprise and disgust...."

media item: new anti-cancer drug called "COTI-2" TD2 and Critical Outcome Technologies Inc. Develop Novel Anti-Cancer Drug

"....small molecule compound was discovered and developed by COTI of London, Ontario, Canada. This working relationship resulted through the expanded relationship between Canadian companies and the Phoenix-based Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen). TD2, TGen's Scottsdale-based drug-development subsidiary, will work with COTI to complete the Investigational New Drug (IND) enabling research necessary to gain U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval of clinical trials,perhaps by the end of 2010, and eventually move the drug to market where it can benefit patients.....Researchers hope to demonstrate that this oral pill will be especially beneficial for patients with small- cell lung cancer (SCLC), endometrial cancer and ovarian cancer, but may also help treat those with colorectal and pancreatic cancers."

Surgical Technician Schools » 10 Famous Doctors who Made Medicine What it is Today + more

Beyond the history, at the bottom of the page, there are a number of links which you may find interesting such as:

* 100 Best Blogs for Living Healthy on a Budget
* The Surgery is Over… Now What? 4 Tips for A Successful Rehab
* Top 100 Doctor Bloggers
* 100+ Ways to Spring Clean Your Mind and Body
* The Top 50 Surgeon Bloggers
* What Does a Surgical Technician Do?

full free access: Is no news good news? Inconclusive genetic test results in BRCA1 and BRCA2 from patients and professionals' perspectives

Small study but included view of patients and physician views.

Use of Four Biomarkers to Evaluate the Risk of Breast Cancer Subtypes in the Women's Contraceptive and Reproductive Experiences Study

"Our findings offer evidence of differences in the hormone-related risk factors between triple-negative cancers and other ER/PR/HER2-defined subtypes of breast cancer."

Collaborating or co-existing: a survey of attitudes of medical oncologists toward specialist palliative care

identifying barriers

Vandetanib, Designed to Inhibit VEGFR2 and EGFR Signaling, Had No Clinical Activity as Monotherapy for Recurrent Ovarian Cancer and No Detectable Modulation of VEGFR2

"Twelve patients entered the study, and accrual was terminated in the first stage because of lack of response or disease stabilization beyond 6 months."

abstract - Impact of bowel obstruction at the time of initial presentation in women with ovarian cancer.

plus read commentary from gyn/onc

SPECIAL on Ovarian Cancer Study Tests Lead Time of Potential Biomarkers - NCI Cancer Bulletin for January 12, 2010 - National Cancer Institute

NCI Cancer Bulletin: PARP Inhibitor and Metronomic Chemotherapy for Refractory Cancer - Phase I Study of ABT-888 and Metronomic Cyclophosphamide ....

Name of the Trial:
Phase I Study of ABT-888 and Metronomic Cyclophosphamide in Patients with Refractory Solid Tumors or Lymphoma (NCI-09-C-0048).

For More Information (read the article to see direct links to the information):
See the lists of eligibility criteria and trial contact information or call the NCI Clinical Trials Referral Office at 1-888-NCI-1937. The call is toll free and confidential.

full free access: Feasibility of brief psychological distress screening by a community-based telephone helpline for cancer patients and carers.

full free access : Proteomic effects of hormone therapies - new research in Genome Medicine

"New research by Samir Hanash, Ross Prentice and colleagues, recently published in Genome Medicine, suggests that the different proteomic effects of estrogen-alone and estrogen plus progestin treatments may explain the distinctive clinical effects of each therapy."

Overcoming technical challenges with robotic surgery in gynecologic oncology.

UC Academic Health News : Findings: UC Gynecologic Cancer Team Expands Services to Northern Kentuck-Dayton

"His goal is to recruit three additional double board-certified gynecologic oncologists who are qualified to perform both cancer care as well as advanced pelvic surgery. This team will cover a wide range east and west of the I-75 stretch between Northern Kentucky and Dayton."

My Bra? Color Me Furious -- Politics Daily author: Donna Trussell

abstract: Identification of an ovarian clear cell carcinoma gene signature that reflects inherent disease biology and the carcinogenic processes

definitions we need to know when reading this abstract:
1) microenvironment: a specific set of physical, biological, and chemical factors immediately surrounding the organism;
2) epigenetic: - something that affects a cell, organ or individual without directly affecting its DNA.

Predicting the Outcome of Cytoreductive Surgery for Advanced Ovarian Cancer

"Conclusions: The rates of optimal cytoreduction vary among surgeons. A universally applicable clinical model that can predict which patients will undergo optimal cytoreduction remains elusive. More research is needed to devise a set of uniform criteria that can be used to predict ovarian cancer resectability among different patient populations."

Cancer Survivorship Research Conference 2010: Recovery and Beyond

June 17-19, 2010
Marriott Wardman Park Hotel
Washington, DC

The Biennial Cancer Survivorship Research Conference, initiated in 2002 by the National Cancer Institute’s Office of Cancer Survivorship and the American Cancer Society’s Behavioral Research Center, brings together investigators, clinicians, and survivors to share and learn about the most up-to-date cancer survivorship research. In 2010, the 5th biennial conference is co-sponsored by the National Cancer Institute, the American Cancer Society, LIVESTRONG, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

press release: Nektar Announces Positive Topline Results for NKTR-102 From First Stage of Phase 2 Study in Platinum-Resistant Ovarian Cancer

"The first stage of the NKTR-102 Phase 2 study showed an overall GCIG response rate of 32% (6/19) in the once every 14 days (q14 day) dose schedule and 35% (7/20) for the once every 21 days (q21 day) dose schedule.
Confirmed objective response rates using RECIST were 21% (4/19) and 22% (4/18) for the q14 day and q21 day dose schedules, respectively.
CA-125 response rates were 31% (5/16) and 38% (6/16), for each dose schedule, respectively.
The Phase 2 study has now completed enrollment with a total of 71 patients. Approximately one-third of the patients in the study remain on NKTR-102 treatment, including a number of patients in the first stage of the study."

abstract: Generational risks for cancers not related to tobacco, screening, or treatment in the United States

"CONCLUSIONS:
Despite declining overall cancer death rates, adults are experiencing increased incidence of cancers that are not associated with tobacco or screening relative to their parents. Future research should examine whether similar patterns are exhibited in other modern nations and should identify population-wide avoidable risks that could account for unexplained increases in these residual cancers."

abstract: Physician factors associated with discussions about end-of-life care

this link is the actual research article and from which the media item was based (abstract/only-pay-per-view)

Second Opinion - Doctors Often Delay Conversations About Death With Terminal Patients - NYTimes.com

this is a good article for everyone, IMHO

Obesity and cancer: Effects on risk, screening and mortality | HemOncToday

My response, assuming it gets posted:

"As a cancer (ovarian) survivour, the value of the research and 'weight' concerns are ever present. However, at this very moment weight issues in cancer are primarily a health issue with many unknowns as it relates to specific implications in specific cancers. I see many websites/programs who arbitrarily have included 'weight' issues as a risk factor. Until the exact mechanisms and results are known, I urge great caution as this adds to significant burdens on patients who at this very moment are fighting to survive. It is not ethically or morally appropriate to add to these burdens for those dying of cancer."
Sandi Pniauskas

FDA calls for more research into erythropoiesis-stimulating agents | HemOncToday

"PERSPECTIVE

It should be emphasized that the FDA release focuses solely on patients with chronic renal disease, not cancer. It's a different population, so nothing in this release applies to the anemia of chemotherapy or patients with myelodysplastic syndrome. Right now, the ASCO/ASH ESA guideline committee is looking at present data to see if they need to make any modifications in the guidelines for the use of ESAs. The NCCN modified its guideline about a year ago and agree with the FDA recommendations that ESAs shouldn't be used in a standard fashion in patients being treated for curative intent. That's become standard of care, and for patients on chemotherapy, nothing has changed in the past year.

- Samuel Silver, MD, PhD
HemOnc Today Editorial Board member"

New Breast Screening Limits Face Reversal (media item)

the issues of 'big business'

full free access: Questionnaires in clinical trials: guidelines for optimal design and administration

Special Report: NCI Cancer Bulletin - Ovarian Cancer

Special Report: NCI Cancer Bulletin - Ovarian Cancer

Canadian Adverse Reaction update: Black cohosh products and liver toxicity

“My Voice” by Donna Trussell

Breast cancer multigene test helping patients avoid chemotherapy

JCO Is Seeing Believing? (patients/medical information needs & comprehension)

American Society of Clinical Oncology Policy Statement Update: Genetic and Genomic Testing for Cancer Susceptibility

Depression assessment and classification in palliative cancer patients: a systematic literature review

"The full range of the DSM-IV diagnostic criteria was seldom assessed,i.e. less than one-third of the assessments in the review tookinto account the duration of symptoms and 18% assessed consequences and impact upon patient functioning. A diversity of assessment methods had been used. Few studies classified depression byreferring to a diagnostic system or by using cut-off scores.Evidently, there is a need for a consensus on how to assessand conceptualize depression and related conditions in palliative care."

media item: Imaging studies help detect underlying cancers in patients with neurologic symptoms

Paraneoplastic neurologic disorders occur in some people with cancer—including lung, breast or ovarian cancer

Letter of Response: Disregarding clinical trial-based patient-reported outcomes is unwarranted: Five advances to substantiate the scientific stringency of quality-of-life measurement

Dear Dr Sprangers;

I want to express my appreciation for your paper detailing these Patient and research issues which have been outstanding and often unheeded far too long. Unfortunately, I must add, even as we speak. These issues have been of great concern to our cancer communities over much time. Without the inclusion of Patients in all that affects the research, at and as the bottom line issue, the value and efforts are, yes, meaningless. Patient QOL measurements, need to be addressed, so that the real life issues are not censured through statistical analyses and re-interpretation.

Without an emphasis encompassing integrity and ethics, if not a moral obligation, QOL research and all research, is futile. It is one of our largest failings. I have never found a way to quite understand how we have gotten to this place, not only in research but often times in practice.

I do see glimmers of hope, but over time these 'glimmers' have been replaced with consistently witnessing, as a patient/survivour, much suffering combined with a profess lack of urgency. While understanding of course that the specific issue of Patient QOL does not operate in a silo, it is because we are.

Acknowledging special exceptions in clinical practice/s, when someone mentions: "I know how you feel" my response is quite simply this: "No, actually, you do not."

Thank you once again, I greatly appreciate your efforts.
Sandi Pniauskas
Canada
http://ovariancancerandus.blogspot.com

abstract:
http://tinyurl.com/ykmf39w

or:

http://informahealthcare.com/doi/abs/10.3109/02841860903440288?prevSearch=authorsfield%253A%2528Sprangers%252C%2BMirjam%2BA.%2BG.%2529&searchHistoryKey=

Room for improvement? A quality-of-life assessment in patients with malignant bowel obstruction Palliative Medicine

Reporting on Cancer Research

While this site's intended target audience is journalists/media, there is some good information here for everyone. Some of it though is still pretty technical.

Thyroid Cancer Home Page - National Cancer Institute

MedPage Today Blogs: Paying Attention to Thyroid Disease (not cancer, general information)

Disregarding clinical trial-based patient-reported outcomes is unwarranted: Five advances to substantiate the scientific stringency of quality-of-life

"Background. The clinical impact of trial-based quality of life (QL) outcomes is frequently underestimated due, in part, to prejudice and lack of knowledge by the medical community ....It is a waste of effort and money and also unethical when collected trial-based QL data are not used to their full power. QL and other patient-reported outcomes deserve to be included in more trials, with full disclosure of all results, and standardized interpretation."

2008 full free access: Postoperative Adhesions/Gyn surgery

Adhesions, General and After Surgery

Comparison of extended colectomy and limited resection in patients with Lynch syndrome.

abstract for our Lynch Syndrome/ovarian members or also those who family members may have been diagnosed with advanced colorectal cancer

Krukenberg tumors of colorectal origin (colon/stomach/ovarian cancers....)

The perioperative management of patients with gynaecological cancer undergoing major surgery: A debated clinical challenge

Molecular Abnormalities in Ovarian Cancer Subtypes Other than High-Grade Serous Carcinoma

Table 1: site (area of the body) of first relapse

Treatment for Recurrent Ovarian Cancer—At First Relapse

2009 University of Health Network Toronto Patient Relations report - Office of the (hospital) Ombudsman

This report is of questionable value to patients as the Office of the Ombudsman is not independent but within the institution.
"The Patient Relations Department (Office of the Hospital Ombudsman)"

(repost): Combination therapy: intermittent sorafenib with bevacizumab yields activity and decreased toxicity : BMJ

abstract only - BMJ does not have open access (pay per view/subscription req'd)

Cancer genetic predisposition: information needs of patients irrespective of risk level.

"Participants were stratified by risk level and included those concerned about an inherited predisposition to breast, ovarian or colorectal cancer."
"Findings indicated that irrespective of a person's actual or perceived level of risk, cancer worry, demographic background or personal motivation; priorities in the type of information required were similar. Greatest emphasis focused on information provision about how risk was assessed. Least important was acquiring an understanding about genes and inheritance patterns. Most participants reported difficulties accessing or finding information."

The correlation between a family history of colorectal cancer and survival of patients with colorectal cancer.

Improving the Quality of Colorectal Cancer Screening: Assessment of Familial Risk.

"Many patients reporting a known familial cancer syndrome or a very strong family history did not have that history indicated on the endoscopist's procedure form, and recommended follow-up intervals were beyond guideline recommendations for 60.4% of the very high-risk group."

(Texas) Cedar Park woman, fearing high cancer risk, chooses hysterectomy, double mastectomy

plus commentaries from oncologists

Avemar - corporate website

This page shows past research with the pdf files being fully accessible. I haven't looked at the research/quality, so have no comment on this one - anyone?

full free access: Risk factors for breast cancer in postmenopausal Caucasian and Chinese-Canadian women

What "best practice" could be in Palliative Care: an analysis of statements on practice and ethics expressed by the main Health Organizations

Current Issue : Menopause

Note: this journal requires a subscription to access the full text of the articles. You can, however, access the abstracts.

The prevalence of germ-line TP53 mutations in women diagnosed with breast cancer before age 30.

When is Cancer Care Cost-Effective? A Systematic Overview of Cost-Utility Analyses in Oncology

abstract: Using More End-of-Life Homecare Services is Associated With Using Fewer Acute Care Services: A Population-Based Cohort Study.

Note: look at the hours

Occult fallopian tube carcinoma detected in routine pelvic washing specimens submitted for staging: another justification for pelvic washing cytology?

Diagn Cytopathol. 2009 Dec;

Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA. jjorns@umich.edu

"Peritoneal washing cytology is important in the staging, prognosis, and treatment schema for women diagnosed with gynecologic malignancies. Additionally, peritoneal washings are often performed before the specific diagnosis or even the distinction between benign or malignant lesion is known. Occasionally, the cytology and surgical pathology specimens, although obtained during the same procedure, will show unexpected and/or discordant findings. Perhaps, the greatest dilemma occurs when atypical cells suggestive of malignancy are identified in peritoneal washing specimens when a corresponding benign or discordantly low grade malignant diagnosis is made in the surgical pathology specimen. We present two such cases in which further investigation proved extremely valuable, not only leading to resolution of initially discrepant cytologic and surgical pathology findings but also in the process leading to second diagnoses of early fallopian tube carcinoma. Increasing evidence appears to be pointing to the fallopian tube as the site of origin of many serous carcinomas previously thought to be of primary pelvic or ovarian origin. These cases further confirm the utility of peritoneal washing cytology as a diagnostic modality when routine gross examination and sampling of the surgical specimens alone would have failed to provide the complete diagnosis."

2010 surgical oncology: Lymph node involvement in ovarian serous tumors of low malignant potential: a clinicopathologic study of thirty-six cases.

"Experience with lymph node involvement (LNI) in ovarian serous tumors of low malignant potential (OSLMP) is limited, which has led to an uncertainty about the clinical significance of this phenomenon....."

from February 2009: Ovarian - GEICO - ESMO - European Society for Medical Oncology

the actual program itinerary and related abstracts:
http://www.doctaforum.com/aocsymp2009/

Prognostic factors for complete debulking in first- and second-line ovarian cancer.

Lymph node-positive stage IIIC ovarian cancer: a separate entity?

abstract: Consolidation therapy in ovarian cancer: a clinical update.

Optimal management of recurrent ovarian cancer. [Int J Gynecol Cancer. 2009] - PubMed result

Note: several years ago Cary Vera Garcia (deceased) published an article about ovarian cancer as a chronic disease. It was an excellent article and she felt using the term chronic as it may apply to ovarian cancer 'Devalued a Survivor's Challenge'. Dr Markman wrote a response concerning the clinical use of the word 'chronic' as it may apply to ovarian cancer. So, 'very serious chronic' is a new term which is interesting.
Sandi
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Int J Gynecol Cancer. 2009 Dec;19 Suppl 2:S40-3.
Optimal management of recurrent ovarian cancer.

Markman M.

Department of Gynecologic Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd., Houston, TX 77030, USA. mmarkman@mdanderson.org

The development of an optimal management approach in recurrent ovarian cancer requires careful consideration of a number of important factors including (a) response to and severity/persistence of toxicity associated with prior therapy, (b) existence of relevant trial data (particularly phase 3 studies), (c) patient interest in participating in clinical trials, (d) cost of (and ability to pay for) particular anti-neoplastic drug regimens, and (e) patient choice. It is likely that the increasing availability of biologically active novel agents (and combination programs) in this clinical setting will add to the difficulty of defining optimal therapy in recurrent/resistant ovarian cancer, which, in many individuals, can be reasonably considered a very serious chronic disease process.

abstract: Symptom control pts with recurrent OC: measuring the benefit of palliative chemotherapy in women with platinum refractory/resistan

Symptom control in patients with recurrent ovarian cancer: measuring the benefit of palliative chemotherapy in women with platinum refractory/resistant ovarian cancer.

abstract: Trials with impact on clinical management: first line.

Changing the paradigm in the treatment of platinum-sensitive recurrent ovarian cancer: from platinum doublets to nonplatinum doublets and adding antia

Changing the paradigm in the treatment of platinum-sensitive recurrent ovarian cancer: from platinum doublets to nonplatinum doublets and adding antiangiogenesis compounds.

Laparoscopy staging of early ovarian cancer: our experience and review of the literature.

2009 Clinician-patient communications: evidenced based recommendations to guiide practice in cancer Guidelines (series)

Biological Mechanisms Linking Obesity and Cancer Risk: New Perspectives - Annual Review of Medicine, 61(1):301 - Abstract

"While public health policies aimed at curbing the underlying causes of the obesity epidemic are being implemented, there is a parallel need to better understand the biological processes linking obesity and cancer as a prerequisite to the development of new approaches to prevention and treatment."

Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy in Patients on Immunomodulatory Therapies* - Annual Review of Medicine, 61(1):35 - Abstract

Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Neuroscience, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892; email: majorg@ninds.nih.gov

"Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is a demyelinating disease of the white matter of the human brain caused by lytic infection of oligodendrocytes with the human polyomavirus JCV. Although the majority of PML cases occur in severely immune-suppressed individuals, with HIV-1 infection as the predominant factor, PML has been increasingly diagnosed in patients treated with biological therapies such as monoclonal antibodies that modulate immune system functions...."

Top Rated Cancer Non Profits

Use of granisetron transdermal system in the prevention of chemotherapy

full free access

Maintaining efficacy in the treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropathy

06 Jan 2010: Nil by mouth should be last resort according to RCP published report - Royal College of Physicians, London

Patient-Centered Medical Homes in Ontario | Health Care Reform

Some interesting observations in this article including:

"Per capita, Canada has one third fewer active physicians than the United States, 15% more primary care physicians, and half as many specialists. Consequently, the heavy responsibilities of Canadian specialists promote shared care with family physicians, and specialists rarely see patients without referral. In the United States, only 30% of visits to specialists occur through referrals,⁵ and patients are likely to see multiple specialists."

Addressing clinical trials: Can the Multidisciplinary Tumor Board improve participation?

ACOR Home Page

ACOR.org delivered 1,524,367 individual emails across the globe last week.

April 17-21, 2010 in Washington, DC. - AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010

New Concepts in Organ Site Research:
Recent Advances in Ovarian Cancer Research
Co-Chairpersons: Christopher P. Crum, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, and Shelley S. Tworoger, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA
* David D. Bowtell, Peter MacCallum Cancer Center, Melbourne, Australia
* Elise C. Kohn, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD
* Martin Widschwendter, Institute for Women's Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
* Alicja Wolk, National Institute of Environmental Medicine, Stockholm, Sweden

Dear Advocates: (sponsorship) 2010 ACMG Annual Clinical Genetics Meeting

January 8th, 2009:
Dear advocates,

We are now accepting applications for the Advocates Partnership Program at the American College of Medical Genetics (ACMG) Annual Clinical Genetics Meeting, March 24-28 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

The Advocates Partnership Program aims to foster new connections among members of the genetics community. Highlights for participants include engaging in thought-provoking discussions about clinical genetics and informatics, and attending exclusive daily briefings with ACMG staff and professionals working in your area of interest. The ACMG preliminary meeting schedule is available at http://www.acmgmeeting.net/schedule.php

Acceptance into the Advocates Partnership Program includes waived full registration to the ACMG Annual Clinical Genetics Meeting. Furthermore, participants will be reimbursed for up to $250 for transportation, hotel accommodations, or airfare.

We welcome applications from individuals interested in the field of clinical genetics. Individuals who hold ACMG membership or those who could be a potential candidate for membership are not eligible to apply for the Advocates Partnership Program.

To apply, please download the application form from http://www.geneticalliance.org/advocates.opportunities.

Please return it to tmurza@geneticalliance.org no later than Friday, February 5, 2010.
Priority will be given to individuals who previously have not participated in the Advocates Partnership Program.

Please forward this message to your friends and colleagues.
If you have any questions, please contact Tetyana Murza at tmurza@geneticalliance.org or (202) 966-5557 ext. 205. We look forward to hearing from you.

Best,
Genetic Alliance

A randomized phase II study of carboplatin plus pegylated liposomal doxorubicin versus carboplatin plus paclitaxel in platinum sensitive ovarian cancer patients: a Hellenic Cooperative Oncology Group study

Jan 7th, 2009 abstract and full free access

ProLindac Nicely Positioned as Improved, Safer Platinum Drug --monotherapy/ovarian

The breast cancer navigator. A new role for nurse

no abstract

press release: Theralase Technologies Research Successfully Destroys Breast Cancer cells

preclinical studies to come in 2010

full free access-focus on Lynch Syndrome Ultradeep Sequencing of a Human Ultraconserved Region Reveals Somatic and Constitutional Genomic Instability

"Genomic instability is a common trait of cancer cells and plays a pivotal role in promoting carcinogenesis in several hereditary tumours. One of the best-known examples is the Lynch syndrome, an autosomal dominant condition associated with heterozygous mutations in mismatch repair (MMR) genes. During their lifespan, individuals affected by the Lynch syndrome...... The tumourigenic process starts when mutations hit oncogenes and/or tumour suppressors, often in actively renovating tissues such as endometrium, ovary, and colon. In the latter case, the genetic condition is known as hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC), which represents the most common form of inherited colorectal cancer.... Since more than 90% of HNPCC show MSI this has become a common diagnostic marker..."

Conceptual and practical challenges for implementing the communities of practice model on a national scale - a Canadian cancer control initiative

full free access: Canada/U.S. - Physician Supply and Breast Cancer Survival -- The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine

JCO Editorial: Weighing Options for Cancer Risk Reduction in Carriers of BRCA1 and BRCA2 Mutations

JCO Editorial: Generalizing the Results of Cancer Clinical Trials

See also Table 1:Occult Influences of the Clinical Trial Setting on the Generalizability of Results - Differences in the Patient Population

"As clinical trials increasingly become a global enterprise, issues of generalizability will increase in importance. It will be essential to ensure that the conduct of a trial and its subsequent reporting include attention to aspects that influence generalizability, so that determinations of whether observations and conclusions reached in one geographic setting, or within one type of health care system, are applicable to the policy makers and practitioners from other settings."

JCO Editorial: Biomarkers of Antiangiogenic Therapy: How Do We Move From Candidate Biomarkers to Valid Biomarkers?

"Thus, these candidate biomarkers should continue to be actively explored in trials of antiangiogenic agents in patients, to get closer to the goal of improving and individualizing cancer therapy."

The Association between Primary Endometrioid Carcinoma of the Ovary and Synchronous Malignancy of the Endometrium.

Journal of Oncology — An Open Access Journal Role of lymphadenectomy in early and advanced ovarian cancer

click on 'pdf' top right hand corner

full free access: Journal of Oncology —Role of lymphadenectomy in early and advanced ovarian cancer

full free access - click on the 'pdf' box - top right corner

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors increase GI bleeding risk - Critical Care Videos /text

Press Release: Canary Foundation Announces New Partnerships - including Ovarian Cancer

There Is a New Pre-Symptomatic Screening Test for Ovarian Cancer Coming From Arrayit Corporation, and It Will Be Available Soon - OvaDx(TM)

Note: The test will soon be submitted to the FDA for approval

BJC - Abstract: Combination therapy: intermittent sorafenib with bevacizumab yields activity and decreased toxicity

Note: ovarian cancer patients were included in this phase 1 study but abstract gives limited information

Ovarian metastases from breast cancer Cancer Jnl

abstract: Human kallikrein related peptidases 6 and 13 in combination withCA125 is a more sensitive test for ovarian cancer than CA125 alone

DNAPrint Genomics - Ovanome

Note: As far as I can tell this test still needs approvals

OVANOME:
Ovanome is a genetic test for predicting an ovarian cancer patient’s response to first-regimen Taxol¹ and carboplatin (TC) chemotherapy. 30% of chemo-naive women do not respond to TC treatment and DNAPrint™ research shows that this problem is largely a function of genetic polymorphism.

Biotech News & Online Store - Belinostat phase II trial initiated in platinum-resistant ovarian cancer by the Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG) supported by

The study:
A Phase II evaluation of Belinostat and carboplatin in the treatment of recurrent or persistent platinum-resistant ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer.

UK: i LEARN u LEARN events

Our ‘i LEARN – u LEARN’ events are taking place in March 2010.
These are six interactive meetings that will be held in
* London (1 & 17 March 2010)
* Belfast (4 March 2010)
* Cardiff (9 March 2010)
* Liverpool (12 March 2010)
* Edinburgh (15 March 2010)
At these meetings, you can find out more about regulation in the health sector and take part in various activities where you can lend your voice to some ongoing debates. We will be supported at all meetings by representatives from the health professional regulatory bodies. Places at these meetings are limited, so we encourage you to register early to attend these events. You can register by emailing us at reception@chre.org.uk or by calling us on 020 7389 8030.

This Emotional Life - Premiering January 4, 2010

Richard Gere looks great!

Pallimed: A Hospice & Palliative Medicine Blog

This most recent update has some good information and includes some Twitter comments regarding Palliative/Hospice care comments.

UK The Press Association: PM pledges cancer survivor support

N.L. cancer patients to seek approval of $17.5M settlement

10 trends in health care journalism going into 2010 - Gary Schwitzer's HealthNewsReview Blog

10 trends in health care journalism going into 2010 - Gary Schwitzer's HealthNewsReview Blog

HealthNewsReview.org: Study: Ginkgo biloba has no effect on Alzheimer's, dementia

Study: Ginkgo biloba has no effect on Alzheimer's, dementia

HealthNewsReview.org Independent Expert Reviews of News Stories - Ginkgo Won't Slow Decline of Aging Brain

A High-Throughput Pharmaceutical Screen Identifies Compounds with Specific Toxicity against BRCA2-Deficient Tumors — CCR

free full access: Current status of maintenance therapy for advanced ovarian cancer

Note: below the abstract click on 'pdf download article' (full free access)
"This article reviews the current status of maintenance therapy for advanced ovarian cancer, including phase III evidence and new and upcoming trials."

2010 full free access: The global burden of cancer: priorities for prevention Carcinogenesis (ovarian cancer not included)

full free access: Lynch syndrome (hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer) and endometrial carcinoma - Memorial Sloan Kettering

Pharma Discloses Physician Relationships - Now What?

Myriad Genetics Partners With Mammography Reporting Systems to Increase Identification of High Risk Breast Cancer Patients

free full access: NEJM Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Agents — Time for a Reevaluation

full free access (2008) Prevention of Venous Thromboembolism* — CHEST gynecologic cancers are included

This is a very long article, includes gynecologic cancer surgery as well as other topics regarding blood clots including for at-risk travellers:

"Cancer patients undergoing surgery have at least twice the risk of postoperative DVT and more than three times the risk of fatal PE encountered by noncancer patients who are undergoing similar procedures."

news item: Mabcure Launches Clinical Trial to Diagnose Ovarian Cancer

press release: Vermillion Unsecured Creditors Approve Proposed Plan of Reorganization -- FREMONT, Calif., Jan. 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --

About the OVA1 Test
The OVA1 Test is a qualitative serum test that combines the results of five immunoassays into a single numerical score. It is indicated for women who meet the following criteria: over age 18, ovarian adnexal mass present for which surgery is planned, and not yet referred to an oncologist. The test utilizes five well-established biomarkers --- Transthyretin (TT or prealbumin), Apolipoprotein A-1 (Apo A-1), Beta2-Microglobulin (Beta2M), Transferrin (Tfr) and Cancer Antigen 125 (CA 125 II) --- and a proprietary algorithm to determine the likelihood of malignancy in women with pelvic mass for whom surgery is planned.
OVA1(TM) Test is a trademark of Vermillion Inc.

OncoGenex - OGX-427

"We are also considering a randomized Phase 2 clinical trial investigating OGX-427 in ovarian cancer," said Scott Cormack, President and Chief Executive Officer of OncoGenex."

Male Breast Cancer: A Population-Based Comparison With Female Breast Cancer

full free access: Editorial - Targeted Chemotherapy? Platinum in BRCA1-Dysfunctional Breast Cancer (includes PARP discussion)

BBC News - Cancer survivors 'facing neglect'

Use of monoclonal antibodies in the treatment of ovarian cancer - abstract

Dermatologic Infections in Cancer Patients Treated With Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Inhibitor Therapy -- Eilers et al. 102 (1): 47 -- JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute

Influenza and pneumococcal vaccination in cancer patients | HemOncToday

Influenza and pneumococcal vaccination in cancer patients | HemOncToday

full free access: TP53 Mutations in Human Cancers: Origins, Consequences, and Clinical Use — Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Biology

Somatic TP53 mutations occur in almost every type of cancer at rates from 38%–50% in ovarian and..........TP53 mutations, but not p53 positive immunohistochemistry (IHC), have been consistently associated with poor prognosis in cancers such as breast, colorectal, head and neck, and leukemia.....In terms of clinical applications, TP53 mutations have proven to be extremely complex biomarkers. Despite impressive progress in mechanistic understanding of p53 structure and function, p53 research has not yet generated applications of wide impact on cancer management and therapy."

Debulking Surgery and HIPC to Treat Ovarian Cancer Debulking Surgery and HIPC to Treat Ovarian Cancer Robert E. Bristow Johns Hopkins

ReachMD - Program - Debulking Surgery and HIPC to Treat Ovarian Cancer

Nadroparin for the prevention of thromboembolic events in ambulatory patients with metastatic or locally advanced solid cancer receiving chemotherapy:

abstract/full text: Gene silencing of glypican-3 in clear cell carcinoma of the ovary renders it more sensitive to the apoptotic agent paclitaxel

"Clear cell carcinoma has been classified as a subgroup of EOC and reported to be an interesting histologic type with unique clinical features. CCC showed a poorer prognosis compared to serous adenocarcinoma because it tended to be resistant to antineoplastic agents, including paclitaxel.

CCC comprises more than 15% of EOC cases in Japan, although it represents 8–10% of all EOC cases in the USA. Therefore, it is important to establish new treatment strategies to improve the prognosis of CCC patients.

GPC3 regulates cell growth either positively or negatively depending on the cell type. Genetic and functional studies showed that glypicans regulate the signaling activity of various morphogens, including Wnts, Hedgehogs, bone morphogenic proteins, and fibroblast growth factors. Previous studies showed that GPC3 was overexpressed in Wilms' tumor, hepatocellular carcinoma, and hepatoblastoma. In ovarian carcinoma, GPC3 was overexpressed in yolk sac tumor and CCC.(15–17) However, GPC3 function in CCC was unclear. Furthermore, we investigated the role of this molecule in the sensitivity of CCC to paclitaxel, which is a key drug for ovarian cancer, using shRNA targeting GPC3.

Taken together, our data could support the use of GPC3-targeted therapies for CCC patients. We suggest that therapy targeting to GPC3 may be a novel treatment strategy that could potentially help to prevent the appearance, progression, and/or recurrence of CCC."

full free access:
http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/fulltext/122614981/HTMLSTART

free full access: Cardiotoxicity of Anticancer Drugs: The Need for Cardio-Oncology and Cardio-Oncological Prevention -- JNCI

Longwoods Publishing - TOP TEN BEST READ DOCUMENTS/ARTICLES FOR DECEMBER 2009

TOP TEN BEST READ DOCUMENTS/ARTICLES FOR DECEMBER 2009

(as measured by actual access from the longwood.com web site)

Saskatchewan Patient First Review - Patient Experience Final Report (PDF) The Day We Stop Caring | Caregiving for the Future. (PDF) Adalsteinn Brown, Breakfast With The Chiefs, May 13, 2009 Lifting The Burden Of Chronic Disease | What's Worked | What Hasn't | What Next (PDF) - Directional Document. Sara Kreindler, D.Phil., Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, Research & Evaluation Unit. May, 2008 A Return to Diploma-Prepared Registered Nurses. June F. Kikuchi Research Distilled: Enabling Intelligent Decisions; Focus: Healthcare Information Systems. KLAS Where There's Smoke, There's Pfizer: Sparks Fly Over Recent CIHR Appointment. Steven Lewis Effects of Leadership and Span of Control on Nurses' Job Satisfaction and Patient Satisfaction. Amy Sanchez McCutcheon, Diane Doran, Martin Evans, Linda McGillis Hall and Dorothy Pringle The Conference Board: Rank Amateurs with an Agenda? Steven Lewis Ten Key Principles for Successful Health Systems Integration. Esther Suter, Nelly D. Oelke, Carol E. Adair and Gail D. Armitag Bottom-Up vs. Top-Down Innovation - and Hot Air. Neil Seeman

Overview/Basics: Epithelial Ovarian Cancer (The Doctor Will See You Now)

Bevacizumab (Avastin) Safety in Patients with Central Nervous System Metastases — Clinical Cancer Research

Analysis of Contemporary Trends in Access to High-Volume Ovarian Cancer Surgical Care

Breast-Conserving Surgery in BRCA1/2 Mutation Carriers: Are We Approaching an Answer?

How strong is the evidence that solar ultraviolet B and vitamin D reduce the risk of cancer?: An examination using Hill's criteria for causality.

full free access: Conditional Inactivation of Brca1, p53 and Rb in Mouse Ovaries Results in the Development of Leiomyosarcomas

2nd article

full free access: Induction of Ovarian Leiomyosarcomas in Mice by Conditional Inactivation of Brca1 and p53

free full access: (2008) Ovarian Tumors of Low Malignant Potential (Borderline Ovarian Tumors) - DOI 10.3843/GLOWM.10247

full free access - Journal of Oncology - A Current Review of Targeted Therapeutics for Ovarian Cancer

full free access Global Library of Women's Medicine - (2008) Laparoscopy in Gynecologic Oncology

Risk Factors for Pancreatic Cancer « Rush InPerson

Certain hereditary conditions, including:

• Hereditary pancreatitis
  
• multiple endocrine neoplasia type I syndrome (MEN)
  
• hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer (HNPCC or Lynch Syndrome)
  
• von Hippel-Lindau syndrome, ataxia-telangiectasia
  
• familial atypical multiple mole melanoma syndrome (FAMMM)
• BRCA2
  
• Peutz-Jeghers syndrome
• cystic fibrosis

New platinum compound shows promise in tumor cells-in research Milaplatin combination

New platinum compound shows promise in tumor cells
"The new compound, mitaplatin, combines cisplatin with another compound, dichloroacetate (DCA), which can alter the properties of mitochondria selectively in cancer cells. Cancer cells switch their mitochondrial properties to change the way they metabolize glucose compared to normal cells, and DCA specifically targets the altered mitochondria, leaving normal cells intact."

Longer Lasting Tumor Blocker VEFG/M-CSF gene....

Longer Lasting Tumor Blocker

news item: Cancer Vaccine Shows Benefit in Early Human Clinical Trial Jan 4, 2010

I Am Biotech: Nominations accept until Jan 31st 'everyday heroes'

I Am Biotech: Discover. Share. Discuss.

(Lynch Syndrome) Hereditary Nonpolyposis Colorectal Cancer - Genetic Information - Access DNA

Long-term decline in cervical cancer inciden...

In perspective??

2006 Canadian deaths=380..........need for a population based vaccine is ????

NCCN Annual Conference Clinical Practice Guidelines and Quality Cancer Care Agenda - does not include ovarian cancer

High platelet count predicted VTE (blood clots) in patients with cancer

Canadian cancer survivours: application deadline is January 18th - Action Group renewal | Canadian Partnership Against Cancer

Guest Book for (Kat) Laurie Star Rosenthal – Online Guest Book by Vancouver Sun and The Province and Legacy.com.

January 4th, 2010 - includes gynecologic oncology - The Stupid Cancer Show on Blog Talk Radio

Patient Voices: Where Are They Now?

Forty Years' War - Old Ideas Spur New Approaches in Cancer Fight - Series - NYTimes.com

"Dear Cancer" - Varian RapidArc's Letter Writing Campaign "Dear Cancer"

Note: at this moment the website shows that 1,770+ letters have been written, only 14 ovarian cancer contributions
(to check out the website click on the logo for further information)

Remembering Kat (Star) Rosenthal - Vancouver obituary Jan 2, 2010

ROSENTHAL, Laurie Star (Kat)

Cytoreductive Surgery and Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy for Colorectal Cancer: A Panacea or Just an Obstacle Course for the Patient?

comment: although this discussion is related to colorectal cancer, awareness of these concerns is relevant to our community, I believe

Journal of Pediatric Surgery : Can we preoperatively risk stratify ovarian masses for malignancy?

"1- to 8-year age group had the highest percentage of malignancies"

7th European Congress: Perspectives in Gynecologic Oncology 29-30 January 2010 Spain