Malinda P. TEEL Obituary: View Malinda TEEL's Obituary by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Malinda P. TEEL Obituary: View Malinda TEEL's Obituary by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution


TEEL, Malinda P. MALINDA P. TEEL October 23, 1942 – April 16, 2012

Malinda P. Teel died on April 16, in the Grant Park home she helped renovate and where she lived for 34 years, following a proactive 7-year fight against ovarian cancer. She was a graduate of UGA's School of Social Work and Thiel College and retired from her third career as a therapist and social worker in 2010. Previously, she had been a skilled writer and editor and for several years ran a small moving company in New York City known as Huckleberry Truck. She was the editor of a collection of true stories, Fortitude, published in 2000. An enthusiastic Francophile, she pursued study of the French language throughout her life, including a year at the Sorbonne in Paris. Other interests included vegetable gardening and all aspects of food-cooking, nutrition, restaurants, etc. After being diagnosed with ovarian cancer, Malinda was active as an advocate in the ovarian cancer community, and in 2010 was recognized by the Georgia Ovarian Cancer Alliance for her support of its mission. Malinda was born in Charlottesville, Virginia, and is survived by her dear husband, Thomas F. McGowan, beloved son, Samuel F. McGowan and his fiancé Jordan Dieck and her brothers Martin, Steve and Parker Teel and their families. Everyone loved Malinda. She blessed us all with her amazing fortitude, her joy for life and her optimism for the future. A celebration of her life will be held at a later time. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Ovarian Cancer Institute at Georgia Tech, http://ovariancancerinstitute.org/contributions.html. Goolsby Mortuary (404)588-0128.

abstract: Comparability and Biosimilarity

Conclusion: Given the knowledge gap under which biosimilars are developed, data to establish biosimilarity should go beyond a simple comparability exercise.


Read More: http://informahealthcare.com/doi/abs/10.1185/03007995.2012.686902

abstract: End-of-life preferences in advanced cancer patients willing to discuss issues surrounding their terminal condition

End-of-life preferences in advanced cancer patients willing to discuss issues surrounding their terminal condition

Abstract: 

The aim of the present study is to describe end-of-life preferences of advanced cancer patients willing to talk about death issues. Eighty-eight advanced cancer patients were interviewed through End of Life Preferences Interview (ELPI), a 23-item interview covering a wide range of end-of-life care issues.

For whom the bell tolls at Prima Biomed - CVac ovarian cancer vaccine

For whom the bell tolls at Prima Biomed

"Prima is developing a treatment for ovarian cancer and, at 22¢, its market capitalisation is $256 million. This is hefty for a company that is not forecast to make a profit for at least another four years (if it ever does)."

"The clinical results Prima Biomed has come up with so far do not seem to support its share price rise from 2¢ or so in early 2009, to peak at 39¢ this time last year. The full results of its preliminary (phase two) are due out in the next few months, but what we know so far is that the data from 21 patients ''has not demonstrated statistically significant results'', in the words of a report by Nomura Equity Research."

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/business/for-whom-the-bell-tolls-at-prima-biomed-20120422-1xf1f.html#ixzz1sonQHSR0

DNA donor rights affirmed : Nature News & Comment

DNA donor rights affirmed : Nature News & Comment

"It is a familiar scenario in genetic research: a subject's DNA is collected for one study, deposited in a database or biobank and then analysed by other researchers for separate studies. But what happens when a later study stumbles on something that could be of significance for the donor....."

"..... But, increasingly, geneticists are embracing the idea that research participants have a right to know of any unwelcome surprises in their genome...."

"The need to establish policies for the return of results has grown with the proliferation of whole-genome sequencing, says James Evans, editor-in-chief of Genetics in Medicine, which is publishing an entire issue on the return of results in genetic research, along with the consensus statement."

2012 Implementation of Tumor Based Screening for Lynch Syndrome in an integrated delivery system - slideset

Implementation of Tumor Based Screening for Lynch Syndrome in an integrated delivery system

abstract: Postmenopausal hormone therapy is associated with a reduced risk of colorectal cancer lacking CDKN1A expression

 http://cancerres.aacrjournals.org/content/early/2012/04/17/0008-5472.CAN-11-2619.abstract
  
Abstract

Experimental studies have shown that estrogen- or progesterone-activated signaling leads to growth inhibition effects on colon cancer cells through the upregulation of several cell cycle regulators. However, epidemiologic studies evaluating hormone therapy (HT) use and colorectal cancer risk by the status of cell cycle regulators are lacking. In this study, we used data from the prospective Nurses' Health Study to evaluate whether the association between HT use and colorectal cancer risk differs by the molecular pathological status of microsatellite instability (MSI) and expression of cell cycle-related tumor biomarkers, including CDKN1A (p21, CIP1), CDKN1B (p27, KIP1), and TP53 (p53) by immunohistochemistry. Duplication Cox regression analysis was used to determine an association between HT use, cancer risk, and specific tumor biomarkers in 581 incident colon and rectal cancer cases that occurred during 26 years of follow-up among 105520 postmenopausal women. We found a difference between HT use and colorectal cancer risk according to CDKN1A expression (p-value for heterogeneity=0.01). Current HT use was associated with a reduced risk for CDKN1A-nonexpressed (multivariate relative risk (RR)=0.61, 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.46-0.82), but not for CDKN1A-expressed (RR=1.32, 95% CI, 0.76-2.31) tumors. The lower risk for CDKN1A-nonexpressed, but not for CDKN1A-expressed cancers was also present among current users of estrogen-alone therapy. We found no significant difference in the relations between HT use and cancer risk according to MSI, CDKN1B, or TP53 status. Together, our molecular epidemiology findings suggest a preventive effect of HT against colorectal carcinogenesis which depends, in part, on loss of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor CDKN1A.

2010-2011-Annual Report English: Canadian Partnership Against Cancer

http://www.partnershipagainstcancer.ca/wp-content/uploads/2010-2011-Annual-Report-English.pdf
 

• (pages 55+)  STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION As at March 31, 2011 (with comparative figures)

(search) "ovarian":

• In collaboration with the Terry Fox Research Institute, the
  following progress occurred in other areas: Pilot projects in translational research related to ovarian and prostate cancer were funded.
• Anticipatory Science: Part 1 of an ovarian cancer screening summary, which will be updated with mortality statistics in 2011/12
• Surgery: Electronic synoptic reporting (summary/general overview) for cancer surgery was successfully implemented in selected centres in Nova Scotia, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba and Alberta for surgery for four disease sites: breast, colorectal, ovarian and head/neck.
• Electronic synoptic reporting for cancer surgery was
  successfully implemented in selected centres in Nova Scotia, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba and Alberta for surgery for four disease sites: breast, colorectal, ovarian and head/neck.
• The first of five ICBP modules produced robust and comparable analyses of cancer survival among all ICBP partners. Survival rates for four cancers — lung, breast, colorectal and ovarian — were analyzed and presented as a scientific paper in The Lancet in December 2010

abstract: Curr Oncol. 2012 Apr;19(2):70-7. Accelerating knowledge to action: the pan-Canadian cancer control strategy (including blogger's note)

Blogger's Note/Opinion: this is the medline abstract secondary to the recent posting via Oncology Reports; some points to consider: details of the history past need clarification so as not to presume certain statements; in fact a further ~$250 million was funded by the Canadian government at the 5 year renewal date; note also that the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer existed previously (name change), albeit without the current wider structure

                   ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Accelerating knowledge to action: the pan-Canadia... [Curr Oncol. 2012] - PubMed - NCBI
 

Abstract

"In 2006, the federal government committed funding of $250 million over 5 years for the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer Corporation to begin implementation of the Canadian Strategy for Cancer Control (cscc)...."

"Evaluation findings support the conclusions that Canada has made progress in achieving immediate outcomes (achievable in <5 years) associated with advancing its cancer control goals and that there is evidence that, with sustained effort, those goals will translate into a long-term (>25 years) impact on cancer."

"With the ongoing funding commitment to support coordinated action within a federated environment of health care delivery, there is opportunity to reduce the impact that cancer may have in the long term in Canada...."

Dying mom makes breast cancer video, begs the FDA to have a heart - She The People - The Washington Post (writer/ovarian cancer survivor: Donna Trussell)

Dying mom makes breast cancer video, begs the FDA to have a heart - She The People - The Washington Post

Phytoestrogens (soy) for menopausal symptoms: A review.

Wiki:  Isoflavones

Wiki:  Phytoestrogens
  .....(food sources) "According to a study by Canadian researchers about the content of nine common phytoestrogens in a Western diet, foods with the highest relative phytoestrogen content were nuts and oilseeds, followed by soy products, cereals and breads, legumes, meat products, and other processed foods that may contain soy, vegetables, fruits, alcoholic, and nonalcoholic beverages. Flax seed and other oilseeds contained the highest total phytoestrogen content, followed by soybeans and tofu.^[21] The highest concentrations of isoflavones are found in soybeans and soybean products followed by legumes, whereas lignans are the primary source of phytoestrogens found in nuts and oilseeds (e.g. flax) and also found in cereals, legumes, fruits and vegetables....."
                        ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Phytoestrogens for menopausal symptoms: A review

Maturitas. 2012 Apr 17;

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:
To review the evidence that isoflavones are effective treatments for menopausal symptoms and to present the safety data.

METHODS:
The databases Scopus, ScienceDirect and Primo Central Index were searched and preference was given to systematic reviews and meta-analyses.

RESULTS: 
The available evidence suggests that isoflavones do not relieve menopausal vasomotor symptoms any better than placebo. Long-term safety studies suggest that women who consume a diet high in isoflavones may have a lower risk of endometrial and ovarian cancer.

CONCLUSIONS: Isoflavones cannot be recommended for the relief of hot flushes.

abstract: Effects on the immune system and toxicity of carboplatin/paclitaxel combination chemotherapy in patients with stage III-IV ovarian and non small cell lung cancer and its role in survival and toxicity.

 
Effects on the immune system and toxicity of carboplatin/paclitaxel combination chemotherapy in patients with stage III-IV ovarian and non small cell lung cancer and its role in survival and toxicity.


Abstract
 
Purpose:
To examine the impact of paclitaxel and carboplatin combination chemotherapy on the parameters of the immune system in patients with non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and with ovarian cancer before, during and after chemotherapy, and the effect of this combination on the overall patient survival.

Methods:
24 patients with NSCLC and 20 with ovarian cancer (all in stage IIIb-IV) treated with 6 courses of paclitaxel and carboplatin combination chemotherapy were separated into two groups according to their survival group A: long survival (> 12 months for NSCLC; > 30 months for ovarian cancer) group B: short survival (<12 months for NSCLC; <30 months for ovarian cancer).

At the same time we studied some immunological parameters (CD3, CD4, CD8, CD56, CD34, IL-3, IFN-γ) in relation with the induced toxicity during chemotherapy. The results were analysed using the ANOVA method.

Results: 
We observed a statistically significant difference of CD4 and CD4/CD8 after chemotherapy between groups A and B (p<0.001 and p< 0.006 respectively), implying that the further increase of T-helper cells after chemotherapy had a positive impact on survival. In addition, statistically interesting was the difference in values of IFN-γ between patients of groups A and B before and after chemotherapy (p< 0.039 and p< 0.027, respectively). Patients with high IL-3 had little chance of toxicity.

Conclusion:
Our findings support that with carboplatin/ paclitaxel combination chemotherapy, important parameters of the immune system (IFN-γ, CD4, CD4/CD8) can be used as prognostic factors for survival, while others (IL-3) as indicators of toxicity.

abstract: Hormone Therapy and Different Ovarian Cancers: A National Cohort Study (postmenopausal women/does not include reference to clear cell ovarian)

 Blogger's Note: the abstract makes no reference to clear cell ovarian, given the number of women followed this omission (in the abstract) is curious


Hormone Therapy and Different Ovarian Cancers: A National Cohort Study

Abstract

Postmenopausal hormone therapy use increases the risk of ovarian cancer. In the present study, the authors examined the risks of different histologic types of ovarian cancer associated with hormone therapy. 

Using Danish national registers, the authors identified 909,946 women who were followed from 1995–2005. The women were 50–79 years of age and had no prior hormone-sensitive cancers or bilateral oophorectomy. 

Hormone therapy prescription data were obtained from the National Register of Medicinal Product Statistics. The National Cancer and Pathology Register provided data on ovarian cancers, including information about tumor histology......... In an average of 8.0 years of follow up, 2,681 cases of epithelial ovarian cancer were detected. 

Compared with never users, women taking unopposed oral estrogen therapy had increased risks of both serous tumors and endometrioid tumors but decreased risk of mucinous tumors. Similar increased risks of serous and endometrioid tumors were found with estrogen/progestin therapy, whereas no association was found with mucinous tumors. 

Consistent with results from recent cohort studies, the authors found that ovarian cancer risk varied according to tumor histology. The types of ovarian tumors should be given attention in future studies.

abstract: Unusual DNA mismatch repair-deficient tumors in Lynch syndrome: a report of new cases and review of the literature.

Unusual DNA mismatch repair-deficient tumors in Lynch syndrome: a report of new cases and review of the literature.

Hum Pathol. 2012 Apr 17;


Abstract

Immunohistochemical detection of DNA mismatch repair proteins and polymerase chain reaction detection of microsatellite instability have enhanced the recognition of mismatch repair-deficient neoplasms in patients with Lynch syndrome and, consequently, led to the identification of tumors that have not been included in the currently known Lynch syndrome tumor spectrum.

Here, we report 4 such unusual tumors. Three of the 4, a peritoneal mesothelioma, a pancreatic acinar cell carcinoma, and a pancreatic well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumor, represented tumor types that, to the best of our knowledge, have not been previously reported in Lynch syndrome. The fourth tumor was an adrenocortical carcinoma, which has rarely been reported previously in Lynch syndrome. Three of our 4 patients carried a pathogenic germ-line mutation in a mismatch repair gene. The unusual tumor in each of the 3 patients showed loss of the mismatch repair protein corresponding to the mutation. The fourth patient did not have mutation information but had a history of colonic and endometrial carcinomas; both lacked MSH2 and MSH6 proteins. Interestingly, none of the 4 unusual tumors revealed microsatellite instability on polymerase chain reaction testing, whereas an appendiceal carcinoma from 1 of the study patients who was tested simultaneously did. The recognition of such tumors expands the repertoire of usable test samples for the workup of high-risk families.

As yet, however, there are no data to support the inclusion of these tumors into general screening guidelines for detecting Lynch syndrome, nor are there data to warrant surveillance for these tumors in patients with Lynch syndrome.

Reuters News: Should more patients continue aspirin therapy before surgery? - - ModernMedicine

Should more patients continue aspirin therapy before surgery? - - ModernMedicine

Improving cancer control in Canada through knowledge translation: from in-the-field projects to policy initiatives in a new standing section in Current Oncology

Improving cancer control in Canada through knowledge translation: from in-the-field projects to policy initiatives in a new standing section in Current Oncology

abstract: High scores on the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale identify patients with self-defined high symptom burden.

High scores on the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale identify patients with self-defined high symptom burden.

Abstract:

The terms symptom burden and symptom distress are frequently seen in palliative care literature yet are used in multiple ways ranging from addition of symptom scores to more in-depth assessments of interference in function. Patient input to date has had little role in these varied definitions yet previous reviews have suggested the importance of such input. This mixed qualitative and quantitative prospective study was conducted to seek patient input into the definition of 'symptom burden' and to correlate burden self-ranked scores with symptom scores on the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS).

Results suggest that patients with advanced disease followed by palliative care providers are a group with a high level of self-defined burden. Further, any patient rating one or more symptoms on the ESAS ≥7 is at high risk of self-defined burden and likely to be experiencing significant impact on physical, emotional and social functioning. Further work should look at which aspects of symptom management best promote a lessening of perceived burden.

Medscape: Colonoscopy No Help in Finding Melena Source - in Gastroenterology, General Gastroenterology

 Wiki: Melena

Medical News: Colonoscopy No Help in Finding Melena Source - in Gastroenterology, General Gastroenterology

"Colonoscopy had a lower-than-expected yield when used after a negative upper endoscopy in stable patients with melena, researchers found.
The procedure diagnosed a suspected source of the bleeding in just 4.8% of patients with melena in a retrospective case-control study by Jason P. Etzel, MD, of Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, and colleagues......

Medscape: (Avastin) Bevacizumab: First-Line Therapy in Ovarian Cancer?: Evidence for First-Line Therapy Dr's Markman, Burger, Swenterton

Bevacizumab: First-Line Therapy in Ovarian Cancer?: Evidence for First-Line Therapy

Editor’s Note:
 
Two phase 3 trials published in the New England Journal of Medicine on December 29, 2011, found bevacizumab to be active as first-line therapy in advanced ovarian cancer. Although both trials showed an increase in progression-free survival [PFS], not enough time has elapsed to determine whether the drug extends overall survival. Furthermore, it is unclear whether bevacizumab in ovarian cancer is best used as first-line or second-line therapy. Recently, Drs. Robert Burger and Kenneth Swenerton participated in a Medscape virtual debate via email to address this question: "Should bevacizumab be used as first-line therapy in patients with advanced ovarian cancer?" Dr. Maurie Markman served as moderator. What follows is their conversation......

how to.....follow Ovarian Cancer and Us via email alerts (many options)

 Ovarian Cancer and Us - Blogger's Note:  

 Looks hard but is not - using this post as an example or you can just use the email link or others on the blog, lots of options for those interested:

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abstract: Preoperative PET/CT in early-stage breast cancer (including ovarian cancer primary/metastases)

Preoperative PET/CT in early-stage breast cancer

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic and therapeutic impact of preoperative positron emission tomography and computed tomography (PET/CT) in the initial staging of patients with early-stage breast cancer. 

Patients and methods: A total of 103 consecutive patients with newly diagnosed operable breast cancer with tumors ≥2 cm were independently examined preoperatively with conventional assessment (mammography, breast/axillary ultrasound, chest X-ray and blood samples) and PET/CT with no prior knowledge of the other. 

Results: PET/CT identified a primary tumor in all but three patients (97%). PET/CT solely detected distant metastases (ovary, bones and lung) in 6 patients and new primary cancers (ovary, lung) in another two patients, as well as 12 cases of extra-axillary lymph node involvement. In 15 patients (15%), extra-axillary malignancy was detected by PET/CT only, leading to an upgrade of initial staging in 14% (14/103) and ultimately a modification of planned treatment in 8% (8/103) of patients. 

Conclusions: PET/CT is a valuable tool to provide information on extra-axillary lymph node involvement, distant metastases and other occult primary cancers. Preoperative ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose–PET/CT has a substantial impact on initial staging and on clinical management in patients with early-stage breast cancer with tumors ≥2 cm.

Aspirin and cancer risk: a quantitative review to 2011

Aspirin and cancer risk: a quantitative review to 2011:

Background:
Aspirin has been associated to a reduced risk of colorectal and possibly of a few other common cancers.

Methods:
To provide an up-to-date quantification of this association, we conducted a meta-analysis of all observational studies on aspirin and 12 selected cancer sites published up to September 2011.

Results:
Regular aspirin is associated with a statistically significant reduced risk of colorectal cancer and of other digestive tract cancers, for squamous cell esophageal cancer, for esophageal and gastric cardia adenocarcinoma,, for gastric cancer), with somewhat stronger reductions in risk in case–control than in cohort studies. Modest inverse associations were also observed for breast and prostate cancer, while lung cancer was significantly reduced in case–control studiesbut not in cohort ones. No meaningful overall associations were observed for cancers of the pancreas, endometrium, ovary, bladder, and kidney.

Conclusions:
Observational studies indicate a beneficial role of aspirin on colorectal and other digestive tract cancers; modest risk reductions were also observed for breast and prostate cancer. Results are, however, heterogeneous across studies and dose–risk and duration–risk relationships are still unclear.

2011 Dec open access: Nuclear Medicine and Radiation Therapy - 18FDG-PET/CT Definition of Clinical Target Volume for Robotic Stereotactic Body Radiosurgery Treatment of Metastatic Gynecologic Malignancies

Blogger's Note: investigative research; study of 27 gyn patients of whom 15 were ovarian cancer patients

18FDG-PET/CT Definition of Clinical Target Volume for Robotic Stereotactic Body Radiosurgery Treatment of Metastatic Gynecologic Malignancies

 "As stereotactic body radiosurgery for abdominopelvic sites
of metastatic gynecologic cancers becomes more mainstream,
accumulated 18F-FDG PET and CT data will better guide treating
physician target contouring. Future research directions by our group
will study better radiosurgical target delineation, as modified by the
extent of respiratory motion, by four-dimensional (4D)-CT scanners
or by single 18F-FDG PET-magnetic resonance imaging (PET/MRI)
scanners."

23andMe Founder Discusses Genetics and Healthcare | News | The Harvard Crimson

23andMe Founder Discusses Genetics and Healthcare | News | The Harvard Crimson

A prospective multicenter (phase IIIb) trialstudy of Treosulfan in elderly patients with recurrent ovarian cancer: results of a planned safety analysis

A prospective multicenter study of treosulfan in elderly patients with recurrent ovarian cancer: results of a planned safety analysis

This open-label multicenter phase-IIIb trial was conducted at 47 German institutions; the first 25 patients analyzed in this safety analysis were recruited in 10 centers.

Background  

Treosulfan, an alkylating agent, has demonstrated activity in recurrent ovarian carcinoma. It is equieffective as oral (p.o.) and intravenous (i.v.) formulation. To explore the preference and compliance of elderly patients regarding p.o. or i.v. treosulfan for the treatment of relapsed ovarian carcinoma, women aged 65 years or older were included in this prospective multicenter study. Since elderly patients usually have several concomitant diseases and experience more treatment toxicity, an interim safety analysis was planned and performed after 25 patients finished therapy to assess the tolerability of the treatment regimens.


Table 1 - 6 

• Patient characteristics
• Concomitant diseases
• Treatment delivery
• Reasons for early therapy discontinuation [less than 12 cycles (i.v.) or 12 months of therapy 
• Non-hematological toxicities: highest grade per patient (in alphabetic order)
• Hematological toxicities: highest grade per patient

"Altogether 16 serious adverse events (SAE) were documented for nine patients. The predominant reason for SAE-reporting was hospitalization (14 reports). Death was the matter for the remaining 2 SAEs. An additional patient was hospitalized due to progressive disease and died in hospital. In all 3 cases, death was concerned as not related to study medication and progress of the underlying malignant tumor was stated as cause of death."

"In summary, the observed toxicities were in the same range as reported in previous studies with significantly younger patients and less comorbidity or with old women having received fewer previous lines of chemotherapy.

There were no unexpected hematological or non-hematological toxicities. Based on this safety analysis, treosulfan proved to be a safe and tolerable therapeutic option in elderly, heavily pretreated patients and the next step of study recruitment was initiated. Of note, the majority of patients in the interim safety population chose i.v. treosulfan over the oral application. Detailed analysis after completion of the trial will hopefully yield new insight into therapy preference and compliance of elderly patients with recurrent ovarian cancer."

Conflict of interest  The trial was supported by Medac GmbH.