press release: Problems in cancer care are not uncommon

 Blogger's Opinion: although this article focuses on breast cancer, there is of course a common theme, attention is deserved for those with less common/rare cancers as the dichotomies in care (access, research, outcomes.....) should be obvious

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Problems in cancer care are not uncommon

Public release date: 17-Apr-2012

Difficulties occur more often in communication than in medical care

Cancer care is increasingly complex, and as many as one in five cancer patients may experience "breakdowns" in their care, according to a new study in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. Such breakdowns include communication problems between patients and their care providers, as well as more traditional medical errors; both types of problems can create significant harms. In the study, communication problems outnumbered problems with medical care.

Kathleen Mazor, EdD, Assistant Director of the Meyers Primary Care Institute, in Worcester, MA, led the study, with researchers from the University of Washington, Group Health, and Kaiser Permanente. Their study was a project of the Cancer Research Network's Cancer Communication Research Center. They found that problematic events led to varied consequences, such as additional medical care, delayed recovery, emotional distress, and persistent damage to the relationship between patients and their doctors.

"For me, the take-home message is it's critical for us to listen to patients as we try to improve care," Dr. Mazor said. "The patients we spoke with were generous, articulate, and thoughtful in recounting their experiences, and were glad to share their stories because they wanted to make a difference. We also heard a lot of stories about physicians, nurses, and others who really helped make things better—in the aftermath of a problem or even in the absence of a problem."

Examining actions patients took following a breakdown, the research team found that only 13 percent formally reported the problem, choosing instead to focus on their health and their future. Nearly all patients indicated that the problem spurred them to take positive steps in their health care behaviors, such as asking more questions or researching symptoms and treatments. However, 10 percent of patients reported they became more hesitant to seek care. 

The study used telephone interviews rather than medical-chart documentation to understand how patients perceived their care experiences.

"It's vital that we hear directly from the patients," noted study co-author Sarah M. Greene, MPH. "The communication problems probably wouldn't have appeared in their medical record. But to the patient, they are as significant as a clinical adverse event, like a wrong dose of chemotherapy." Ms. Greene is a research associate at Group Health Research Institute in Seattle.

Both patients and clinicians need new ways to provide negative and positive feedback about cancer care, according to the authors, and these systems should include some patient and clinician education. Additionally, the study team noted that patients' perceptions of problems may differ from clinicians' perspectives, so educating clinicians is equally critical. The health systems in this study are currently exploring strategies to encourage both patients and clinicians to openly communicate about their care experiences and expectations.

This study "reminds us that substantial work is needed to optimize breast cancer care and, most importantly, communication," Jeffrey Peppercorn, MD, MPH, of Duke University Medical Center, wrote in an accompanying editorial.

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The National Cancer Institute funded the study.
Dr. Mazor's and Ms. Greene's co-authors were Douglas Roblin, PhD, and Josephine Calvi, MPH, of Kaiser Permanente Georgia, in Atlanta; Kathryn Horner, MPH, of Group Health Research Institute; Celeste Lemay, RN, and Cassandra Firneno, BS, of Meyers Primary Care Institute, in Worcester, Massachusetts; and Thomas H. Gallagher, MD, an affiliate investigator at Group Health Research Institute who is based at the University of Washington School of Medicine's Department of Medicine.

Journal of Clinical Oncology The Journal of Clinical Oncology serves its readers as the single most credible, authoritative resource for disseminating significant clinical oncology research. In print and in electronic format, JCO strives to publish the highest quality articles dedicated to clinical research. Original Reports remain the focus of JCO, but this scientific communication is enhanced by appropriately selected Editorials, Commentaries, Reviews, and other work that relate to the care of patients with cancer. For more information, see http://jco.ascopubs.org/
 
HMO Research Network The HMO Research Network is a consortium of 19 health care delivery organizations with both defined patient populations and formal, recognized research capabilities. The Network's vision is to be the research partner of choice for those seeking to shape health and health care delivery. For more information, see http://www.hmoresearchnetwork.org
 
Meyers Primary Care Institute The Meyers Primary Care Institute was established in 1996 as a joint venture of Fallon Clinic (now Reliant Medical Group), Fallon Community Health Plan, and the University of Massachusetts Medical School. The Institute's mission is to promote primary care practice through innovative research and educational initiatives. For more information, see http://www.umassmed.edu/meyers/index.aspx
Kaiser Permanente Georgia's Center for Health Research Kaiser Permanente Georgia's Center for Health Research conducts professionally independent, public domain research and disseminates its findings in the scholarly literature and scientific community. For more information, see http://www.kpchr.org/research/public/default.aspx
 
Group Health Research Institute Group Health Research Institute is the research arm of Seattle-based Group Health Cooperative, a consumer-governed, nonprofit health care system. Founded in 1947, Group Health Cooperative coordinates health care and coverage. Group Health Research Institute changed its name from Group Health Center for Health Studies in 2009. Since 1983, the Institute has conducted nonproprietary public-interest research on preventing, diagnosing, and treating major health problems. Government and private research grants provide its main funding. For more information, see http://www.grouphealthresearch.org
 
UW Medicine The UW Medicine health system includes Harborview Medical Center, Northwest Hospital & Medical Center, Valley Medical Center, UW Medical Center, UW Neighborhood Clinics, UW Physicians, UW School of Medicine, and Airlift Northwest. UW Medicine also shares in the ownership and governance of Children's University Medical Group and Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, a partnership among UW Medicine, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, and Seattle Children's. UW Medicine has major academic and service affiliations with Seattle Children's, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, the Veteran's Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System in Seattle, and the VA Hospital in Boise, Idaho. The UW School of Medicine is the top public institution for biomedical research in funding received from the National Institutes of Health. For more information about UW Medicine, visit http://uwmedicine.washington.edu.

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abstract: [Clinical aspects of familial ovarian cancer - current status and issues in Japan] (focus on brca)

Blogger's Note: the [ ] indicates translated version


[Clinical aspects of familial ovarian cancer - current status and issues in Japan]

Abstract
Familial ovarian cancer occurs as part of two genetically distinct syndromes: hereditary breast and ovarian cancer(HBOC) and hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer(HNPCC) (Lynch Syndrome) .

HBOC caused by inherited mutations of BRCA1/2 and HNPCC caused by mismatch-repair genes are considered responsible for about 65 to 75% and 10 to 15% of familial ovarian cancers, respectively. Germline mutations of BRCA1 are considered responsible for about 50% of ovarian cancer families and 80% of breast-ovarian cancer families. BRCA2 mutations are less common than BRCA1 mutations in ovarian cancer families. A high proportion of serous adenocarcinomas at an advanced stage has been reported with BRCA-related ovarian cancers in several studies. It is controversial whether BRCA-related ovarian cancer patients carry a better prognosis despite the aggressive tumor-pathological characteristics of their disease, compared to sporadic cases. However, a good therapeutic response may be attributable to platinum-based chemotherapy. Recently in Japan, gene testing of BRCA1/2 has been available as a routine clinical test for diagnosing ovarian cancer families. Because the mutation spectrum of BRCA1/2 in Japanese was different from that of non-Ashkenazi individuals, the clinical application of BRCA1/2 gene testing for Japanese has been advocated. Approximately 1-5% of ovarian cancer pa-tients in Japan are thought to have a family history of breast and/or ovarian cancer. The prevalence of deleterious mutations of BRCA1/2 in Japanese was reportedly significantly higher than that of non-Ashkenazi individuals despite the low frequency of familial cases in Japan. Although the age at diagnosis of ovarian cancers with BRCA1/2 mutation in the United States was earlier than those of the sporadic cases, there were no differences among Japanese. These results suggest that clinical and genetic aspects of BRCA-related ovarian cancer of the Japanese are different from those of Caucasians.

A serious issue in this field is how the results will lead to a basis for the clinical application of a cancer prevention strategy targeting BRCA mutation carriers in Japanese.

Progress against cancer in the Netherlands since the late 1980s: An epidemiological evaluation.

Progress against cancer in the Netherlands since the late 1980s: An epidemiological evaluation.:

Progress against cancer through prevention and treatment is often measured by survival statistics only instead of analyzing trends in incidence, survival and mortality simultaneously because of interactive influences. This study combines these parameters of major cancers to provide an overview of the progress achieved in the Netherlands since 1989 and to establish in which areas action is needed. The population-based Netherlands Cancer Registry and Statistics Netherlands provided incidence, 5-year relative survival and mortality of 23 major cancer types. Incidence, survival and mortality changes were calculated as the estimated annual percentage change. Optimal progress was defined as decreasing incidence and/or improving survival accompanied by declining mortality, and deterioration as increasing incidence and/or deteriorating survival accompanied by increasing mortality rates. Optimal progress was observed in 12 of 19 cancer types among males: laryngeal, lung, stomach, gallbladder, colon, rectal, bladder, prostate and thyroid cancer, leukemia, Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Among females, optimal progress was observed in 12 of 21 cancers: stomach, gallbladder, colon, rectal, breast, cervical, uterus, ovarian and thyroid cancer, leukemia, Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Deterioration occurred in three cancer types among males: skin melanoma, esophageal and kidney cancer, and among females six cancer types: skin melanoma, oral cavity, pharyngeal, esophageal, pancreatic and lung cancer. Our conceptual framework limits misinterpretations from separate trends and generates a more balanced discussion on progress.

open access: Causes and imaging features of false positives and false negatives on 18F-PET/CT in oncologic imaging

fulltext.pdf (application/pdf Object)

press release: Consumer Activity on Social Media Sites Dwarfs That of Healthcare Companies, Finds New PwC Study on Social Media in Healthcare

Consumer Activity on Social Media Sites Dwarfs That of Healthcare Companies, Finds New PwC Study on Social Media in Healthcare

NEW YORK, April 17, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Social media is changing the nature of healthcare interaction, and health organizations that ignore this virtual environment may be missing opportunities to engage consumers, according to a new report by the Health Research Institute (HRI) at PwC US entitled, "Social media likes healthcare: From marketing to social business." The report found that social media activity by hospitals, health insurers and pharmaceutical companies is miniscule compared to the activity on community sites......

The consumer survey found:

• One-third of consumers now use social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and online forums for health-related matters, including seeking medical information, tracking and sharing symptoms, and broadcasting how they feel about doctors, drugs, treatments, medical devices and health plans.
• Four in 10 consumers say they have used social media to find health-related consumer reviews (e.g. of treatments or physicians); one in three have sought information related to other patients' experiences with their disease; one in four have "posted" about their health experience; and one in five have joined a health forum or community.
• When asked how information found through social media would affect their health decisions, 45 percent of consumers said it would affect their decision to get a second opinion; 41 percent said it would affect their choice of a specific doctor, hospital or medical facility; 34 percent said it would affect their decision about taking a certain medication; and 32 percent said it would affect their choice of a health insurance plan.
• While 72 percent of consumers said they would appreciate assistance in scheduling doctor appointments through social media channels, nearly half said they would expect a response within a few hours.
• As is the case more broadly, young adults are leading the social media healthcare charge. More than 80 percent of individuals between the ages of 18 and 24 said they were likely to share health information through social media channels and nearly 90 percent said they would trust information they found there. By comparison, less than half (45 percent) of individuals between the ages of 45 and 64 said they were likely to share health information via social media.

Diffusion-weighted Imaging Study in Cancer of the Ovary - Full Text View - ClinicalTrials.gov

Diffusion-weighted Imaging Study in Cancer of the Ovary - Full Text View - ClinicalTrials.gov

Diffusion-weighted Imaging Study in Cancer of the Ovary (DISCOVAR)

This study is not yet open for participant recruitment.

Verified March 2012 by Institute of Cancer Research, United Kingdom

First Received on November 18, 2011.   Last Updated on March 30, 2012   History of Changes

Sponsor:	Institute of Cancer Research, United Kingdom
Collaborators:	Cancer Research UK Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Information provided by (Responsible Party):	NdeSouza, Institute of Cancer Research, United Kingdom
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:	NCT01505829

  Purpose

This project seeks to develop a quantitative imaging biomarker for evaluating and monitoring treatment response in ovarian cancer metastases and assess its potential in monitoring treatment response. This will involve standardising DW-MRI for the abdomen and pelvis across multiple centres and platforms, assessing reproducibility of the measurement in patients planned for neoadjuvant chemotherapy and assessing its utility as an early response biomarker in patients with platinum-sensitive relapse due to receive therapy with carboplatin. Scanning measurements will be correlated with histopathological markers in tumour samples in order to link the biomarker with response mechanisms.

Condition
Ovarian Cancer Peritoneal Metastases

Study Type:	Observational
Study Design:	Observational Model: Cohort Time Perspective: Prospective
Official Title:	Assessing Treatment Response of Peritoneal Metastases in Ovarian Cancer Using Diffusion Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

financial news: ImmunoGen Says IND For Anticancer Compound IMGN853 Is Now Active

ImmunoGen Says IND For Anticancer Compound IMGN853 Is Now Active


(RTTNews.com) - ImmunoGen, Inc. (IMGN) announced that the Investigational New Drug, or IND, application for its IMGN853 product candidate is now active. IMGN853 is a potential new therapeutic for ovarian cancer, non-small cell lung cancer and other epithelial malignancies which over-express folate receptor 1, or FOLR1.
The company expects Phase I evaluation of IMGN853 to commence in the middle of 2012.....

Pinterest: Lynch Syndrome

Lynch Syndrome

Health Imaging: Uptick in colorectal cancer among under-50 crowd poses questions for researchers (Lynch Syndrome....)

Uptick in colorectal cancer among under-50 crowd poses questions for researchers

 ....Whatever the cause, the rate of colorectal cancer in young adults has increased to the point where nearly 10 percent of new diagnoses are in patients younger than 50. Most of these patients were diagnosed in their forties, but the disease has been found in patients in their twenties and thirties.......Another troubling recent finding is that when colorectal cancers are diagnosed in younger patients, they are more likely to be at an advanced stage of the disease. A study published Feb. 13 online in Archives of Internal Medicine found 63 percent of colon cancers and 57 percent of rectal cancers are stage III or IV at diagnosis......“The important thing for radiologists would be the notion that certain individuals, because of their age, may be denied radiology procedures by insurance companies,” she said.......

open access: What do surgical trainees think about patient safety culture, and is this different from their consultants?

What do surgical trainees think about patient safety culture, and is this different from their consultants?

Abstract

Introduction Little is known about the patient safety culture within surgical departments in UK hospitals. What has been done to date is to survey only permanent senior staff opinion of the safety culture in their institution. This study surveyed both consultant and trainee views on perceived patient safety and compared the results between these two groups. 

Material and methods The previously validated Team Work and Safety Climate Questionnaire was configured in Survey Monkey format and sent to all surgical trainees and consultant surgeons in the South West Strategic Health Authority. Two reminders were sent to achieve as high a return rate as possible. 

Results Two hundred and ninety-six replies were received. Forty-four percent of trainees and 30% of consultants responded to the survey. Consultants consistently rated a higher safety culture than surgical trainees. Only 2.9% of trainees believe their patient safety concerns would be acted upon by hospital management. There is notable variation in perceived patient safety culture between hospitals. 

Conclusion This study has suggested that the patient safety culture in hospitals, within a Strategic Health Authority, is variable and sub-optimal when viewed by surgical trainees and their consultants. This study also provides some evidence that the perception of patient safety in an organization varies according to clinical experience. As trainees deliver a great deal of clinical care, surveys of safety culture should include this group. As perceived patient safety culture is correlated to clinical outcomes, validated safety surveys might form part of the assessment of a hospital's performance, along with outcome and patient satisfaction.

Previous SectionNext Section

Introduction

Medical errors are a major cause of mortality and morbidity. The National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA) estimates that 10% of all hospital admissions suffer an adverse event defined as a medical error that results in harm to the patient. One percent of all admissions die as a result of an adverse event. In practice this means that in England and Wales 300,000 adverse events and 30,000 deaths are recorded every year. This figure of 30,000 deaths a year is a greater number of deaths than the combined annual mortality from colorectal, prostate and breast cancer.¹ Even these striking figures may be underestimating the extent of the problem because recent studies in the surgical literature² indicate the adverse event rate could even be as high as 20%...........

Cancer Prevention Research: Does Vitamin E Prevent or Promote Cancer?

Abstract

The cancer preventive activity of vitamin E has been suggested by many epidemiologic studies. However, several recent large-scale human trials with α-tocopherol, the most commonly recognized and used form of vitamin E, failed to show a cancer preventive effect. The recently finished follow-up of the Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial (SELECT) even showed higher prostate cancer incidence in subjects who took α-tocopherol supplementation. The scientific community and the general public are faced with a question: “Does vitamin E prevent or promote cancer?” Our recent results in animal models have shown the cancer preventive activity of γ- and δ-tocopherols as well as a naturally occurring mixture of tocopherols, and the lack of cancer preventive activity by α-tocopherol. On the basis of these results as well as information from the literature, we suggest that vitamin E, as ingested in the diet or in supplements that are rich in γ- and δ-tocopherols, is cancer preventive; whereas supplementation with high doses of α-tocopherol is not. Cancer Prev Res; 1–5. ©2012 AACR.

open access: PLoS ONE: Proteins from Avastin® (bevacizumab) Show Tyrosine Nitrations for which the Consequences Are Completely Unclear

PLoS ONE: Proteins from Avastin® (bevacizumab) Show Tyrosine Nitrations for which the Consequences Are Completely Unclear

"......A major finding indicating pathogenetic or toxic properties of nitrated proteins was presented recently: assembly of alpha-synuclein and fibrinogen were deteriorated by nitration of only a small fraction of proteins [25], [32]. As for fibrinogen, nitration is accelerating the rate of fibrin clot formation [33]. It cannot be ruled out, therefore, that nitration of Avastin® may lead to side effects based upon probable disturbed protein-protein interactions as aggregations that in turn may lead to a series of complications as listed in the drug information sheet.
As to the underlying cause of tyrosine nitration it remains open, whether it can be considered as a post-translational modification of the immunoglobulin Avastin® or technical in nature, or both [34]-[38].
Taken together, it remains unclear if the observed nitrations and other PMs detected on Avastin® may be responsible for different biological or pharmacotoxicological properties and effects. Quantification of nitrations and their presence in several batches of the product has to be taken into considerations on probable toxicity as well, but corresponding in vivo analyses based upon these findings should be carried out by the manufacturers to probably save this protein drug that may have strong potential in tumor therapy."

media: Merck’s $1 billion deal includes phase 3 ovarian cancer therapeutic (Vintafolide/Endocyte)

Merck’s $1 billion deal includes phase 3 ovarian cancer therapeutic

 Merck (NYSE:MRK) has forged a deal with a biopharmaceutical company for its phase 3 platinum-resistant ovarian cancer treatment and nonsmall cell lung cancer in mid-stage development in a deal valued at up to $1 billion... Under the terms of the deal, Merck, through a subsidiary, will get worldwide rights to develop and commercialize vintafolide for ovarian cancer that’s resistant to platinum-based chemotherapy treatment. Endocyte (NASDAQ:ECYT), the Indiana-based cancer therapeutics developer, will receive a $120 million up-front payment and is eligible for milestone payments of up to $880 million if it achieves certain development, regulatory and commercialization milestones for vintafolide for a total of six cancer indications, according to a company statement......

"...The clinical trials for both maladies will also use etarfolatide, a noninvasive companion diagnostic imaging agent that is used to identify folate receptor positive tumor cells.....

JCO The Art of Oncology (2010) Art Informs Medicine (ovarian cancer)

Art Informs Medicine

"...... The artist, whose work is on exhibit, is here by appointment. She was diagnosed with ovarian cancer 2 years ago.......

(2003) A Couple With Cancer: Conflicting Wishes, Joint Decisions (ovarian cancer) JCO Art of Oncology

A Couple With Cancer: Conflicting Wishes, Joint Decisions

"JULIE AND ROBERT arrived at the hospital from a small country town concerned about Julie’s swollen abdomen and her inability to eat. Scans demonstrated ascites and bilateral ovarian masses, but a small liver lesion and a thickened stomach wall did not fit with a typical ovarian cancer. After discussing the likely diagnosis of cancer, possibly gastric, the gynecological oncologist deferred surgery, organized an endoscopy, and requested a medical oncology opinion........"

(2005) Cancer Patients' and Patient Advocates' Perspectives on a Novel Information Source: A Qualitative Study of The Art of Oncology, When the Tumor Is Not the Target

Cancer Patients' and Patient Advocates' Perspectives on a Novel Information Source: A Qualitative Study of The Art of Oncology, When the Tumor Is Not the Target

"....A special section of the Journal of Clinical Oncology entitled “The Art of Oncology: When the Tumor Is Not the Target” was initiated in January 2000 to facilitate discussion among professionals regarding improved end-of-life patient care. The articles published in this journal section, which were written by and for oncology health care professionals, were compiled into an anthology, which is also entitled The Art of Oncology: When the Tumor Is Not the Target,⁷ and sent to all members of the American Society of Clinical Oncology in May 2003. The anthology is divided into the following four sections: (1) end-of-life issues; (2) emotions of the oncologist; (3) hospice and symptom control; and (4) survivorship issues. The articles included in the anthology were developed from the beginning as informational sources that could potentially be of value, not only to professional audiences, but to select members of the lay public as well, including patients facing end-of-life issues and their families. In the current study, we interviewed advanced cancer patients and patient advocates about their personal perspectives on this anthology (ovarian cancer patients included).....

JCO series: Art of Oncology (3) open access

 Blogger's Note: the Art of Oncology series, formerly known as The Art of Oncology, When the Tumor is Not the Target represents a collection of integrated clinical and human interest stories, typically written from the healthcare provider's perspective, all involving special patients/situations/lasting memories; searching the archives of the series you will find ovarian cancer in this series

JCO Early Release Articles (date view)

April 16, 2012

Art of Oncology Wal's Story: Reflections on Presence

• John H. Kearsley
JCO published online on April 16, 2012; 
• [PDF]
Art of Oncology Parallel Lives Diverge

• Daniel Rayson
JCO published online on April 16, 2012; 
• [PDF] 
Art of Oncology A Balancing Act

• Mark A. Lewis
JCO published online on April 16, 2012; 
• [PDF]

Discussions: More On Dichloroacetate (DCA) In Cancer Treatment

Blogger's Note: background - the debates surrounding DCA include some opinions that because the drug is readily available and cheap, the role for cancer integration (manufacturing/pharma) is the reason there have been no advances in DCA research; the U of Alberta seems to be one exception (included in the discussion/s)

More On Dichloroacetate (DCA) In Cancer Treatment

audio/video/text: Topol on The Creative Destruction of Medicine (technology/social networks/patients sharing data/Patients Like Me, young patients, privacy ...)

(Dr) Topol on The Creative Destruction of Medicine

eg. MS/Facebook (Canada/stents/Facebook; I use this as an example (there are others in the interview) as the social networks moved forward clinical trials for MS patients where no support existed prior.....)

numerous videos: the Hastings Center - A Conversation with Leaders in Bioethics and Genetics | Help with Hard Questions

A Conversation with Leaders in Bioethics and Genetics | Help with Hard Questions

Merck and Endocyte Enter Exclusive Worldwide Agreement to Develop and Commercialize Phase III Cancer Candidate Vintafolide (EC145) - MarketWatch

Merck and Endocyte Enter Exclusive Worldwide Agreement to Develop and Commercialize Phase III Cancer Candidate Vintafolide (EC145) - MarketWatch

Apr 16, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Merck, known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, MRK +0.58% and Endocyte Inc. ECYT +103.95% , today announced that they have entered into an agreement to develop and commercialize Endocyte's novel investigational therapeutic candidate vintafolide (EC145). Vintafolide is currently being evaluated in a Phase III clinical trial for platinum-resistant ovarian cancer, (PROCEED trial) and a Phase II trial for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC); both studies are also using Endocyte's investigational companion diagnostic agent, etarfolatide (EC20).

"Vintafolide is a promising and innovative late-stage cancer drug candidate. In addition to pursuing the lead indication of platinum-resistant ovarian cancer, Merck plans to further evaluate its potential for treatment of multiple other cancer types," said Peter S. Kim, executive vice president and president Merck Research Laboratories. "This agreement underscores our strategy of building a portfolio of oncology therapeutics that employ a companion diagnostic to facilitate selection of those patients most likely to respond to treatment.".....

Mayo Clinic, Assured Diagnosis Inc. Announce Two New Private Health Insurance Products for Canadians - Press Release - Digital Journal

Mayo Clinic, Assured Diagnosis Inc. Announce Two New Private Health Insurance Products for Canadians - Press Release - Digital Journal


ROCHESTER, MN, and CALGARY, April 16, 2012 /CNW/ - Mayo Clinic and Assured Diagnosis Inc. (ADI) of Calgary, Alberta, announced today the launch of two new health insurance options that will provide more Canadians access to Mayo Clinic's expertise and care in the event of serious illness.
The two new offerings, MyCare Health Benefit Option (HBO) and MyCare Advantage Insurance, are now available to companies and associations as an addition to their benefit packages. Like the original MyCare plan, designed for individuals and families, these two new products are available nationwide in Canada, initially excluding Quebec..........

Read more: http://digitaljournal.com/pr/665605#ixzz1sDBY6jgA

Thomson Reuters Announces 100 Top (U.S.) Hospitals Award Winners PRNewswire

 Blogger's Note: not a specific list for Cancer Centers but includes teaching centers

Thomson Reuters Announces 100 Top Hospitals Award Winners -- ANN ARBOR, Mich., April 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

"The Thomson Reuters 100 Top Hospitals® study evaluates performance in 10 areas: mortality; medical complications; patient safety; average patient stay; expenses; profitability; patient satisfaction; adherence to clinical standards of care; post-discharge mortality; and readmission rates for acute myocardial infarction (heart attack), heart failure, and pneumonia. The study has been conducted annually since 1993."

For more information, please visit www.100tophospitals.com

press release: (OVA1) Vermillion Receives Notice of Allowance for Patent of Biomarker for Ovarian Cancer

Vermillion Receives Notice of Allowance for Patent of Biomarker for Ovarian Cancer


(press release) About OVA1
OVA1 is a blood test for pre-surgical assessment of ovarian tumors for malignancy, using a unique multi-biomarker approach. In a published clinical trial, OVA1 achieved 99% sensitivity in detecting epithelial ovarian cancers (EOC). This included 96% sensitivity for stage I EOC, the earliest and most curable EOC stage, compared with 57% for the conventional biomarker CA125.(1) In addition, OVA1 found 70% of malignancies missed by non-specialist pre-surgical assessment,(1) and it increased detection of malignancy over ACOG guidelines from 77% to 94%.(2) As the first protein-based, In Vitro Diagnostic Multi-Variate Index Assay (IVDMIA) cleared by the FDA, OVA1 also represents a new class of software-based diagnostics.

open access: Synthetic lethality of PARP inhibition in cancers lacking BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations (technical)

Synthetic lethality of PARP inhibition in cancers lacking BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations - UKPMC Article - UK PubMed Central

Abstract

Utilizing the concept of synthetic lethality has provided new opportunities for the development of targeted therapies, by allowing the targeting of loss of function genetic aberrations. In cancer cells with BRCA1 or BRCA2 loss of function, which harbor deficiency of DNA repair by homologous recombination, inhibition of PARP1 enzymatic activity leads to an accumulation of single strand breaks that are converted to double strand breaks but cannot be repaired by homologous recombination. Inhibition of PARP has therefore been advanced as a novel targeted therapy for cancers harboring BRCA1/2 mutations. Preclinical and preliminary clinical evidence, however, suggests a potentially broader scope for PARP inhibitors. Loss of function of various proteins involved in double strand break repair other than BRCA1/2 has been suggested to be synthetically lethal with PARP inhibition. Inactivation of these genes has been reported in a subset of human cancers and might therefore constitute predictive biomarkers for PARP inhibition. Here we discuss the evidence that the clinical use of PARP inhibition may be broader than targeting of cancers in BRCA1/2 germ-line mutation carriers.

Key words: homologous recombination, PARP inhibitor, BRCA1, BRCA2, PTEN, PALB2, EMSY, double strand break repair