LungBlog

A cancer cluster was identified in the Indian River area last year, prompting a new study that identified eight clusters statewide.

Millsboro remains the only cancer cluster site in Sussex County. The area has a higher than average occurrence of lung cancer. The state report says it cannot identify the causes of the state’s cancer clusters, but many in the area say industrial pollution has something to do with it.

The report is an important first step, say lawmakers and environmentalists, but the state has to do more to determine the causes of the clusters and limit industrial pollutants.

Native Hawaiians, Maoris and Polynesians have higher rates of breast, stomach, cervical and lung cancer than whites, according to a study published in the May issue of The Lancet Oncology, the Honolulu Advertiser reports. The study examined the number of cancer cases, and survival and death rates among Polynesian populations in Hawaii, Easter Island and New Zealand, the Advertiser reports.

Breast, stomach and lung cancer deaths occurred in Native Hawaiian men at a rate of 145 per 100,000 deaths, compared with 117 per 100,000 deaths in white men, the study found. Among Native Hawaiian women, 123 per 100,000 deaths were from breast, stomach, cervical or lung cancer, compared with 82 per 100,000 deaths for white women. Researchers also found that 34% of Native Hawaiian men smoked, compared with 23% of white men, and that 28% of Native Hawaiian women smoked, compared with 16% of white women

A study by professor Li Mao of the Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Centre Houston has suggested that perhaps one day a test for lung cancer may be as simple as taking a swab of the mouth.

It seems that 90% of the time damage in the mouth’s molecular tissue structure caused by tobacco is similar to damage of the lung tissue. 1,774 samples were taken from 127 smokers for analysis.

Pfizer Oncology yesterday announced the initiation of a Phase III, global, open-label, randomized, first-line clinical trial to determine whether the addition of CP-751,871 in combination with carboplatin and paclitaxel prolongs survival (overall survival) in patients with locally advanced (Stage IIIB with pleural effusion) or metastatic (Stage IV or recurrent) NSCLC of non adenocarcinoma histology (e.g., squamous, large cell and adenosquamous histologies). 

CP‑751,871 is a selective fully human monoclonal antibody against the insulin‑like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF‑1R) pathway. Through this inhibition, CP-751,871 blocks one of the key signaling pathways in cancer cells that lead to uncontrolled growth and survival of tumor cells.  This is the first Phase III study (1016) to examine the promising mechanism of action of IGF-1R in patients with non-adenocarcinoma NSCLC, an underserved patient population who have not benefited from recent treatment advances.     

The multi-year grant will support Dmitrovsky’s ongoing studies of innovative ways to treat and prevent lung cancer, the number one cause of cancer death for men and women in the United States.

“This is really recognition for my team and for Dartmouth,” says Dmitrovsky. “We’ve made tremendous progress while I’ve been working here due to the collaborative efforts of my outstanding colleagues from Norris Cotton Cancer Center, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Dartmouth Medical School, and Dartmouth College. Our team is now moving research findings in lung cancer from the laboratory bench into the clinic.”

Surviving cancer is their common bond, and their current work in cancer advocacy and prevention is what keeps them strong.

“We have what is called ‘the obligation of the cured,’” Joy said.

While cancer will always be in the back of their minds, the four made the decision that it would not prevent them from devoting their lives to raising money, promoting cancer prevention, and being actively involved in raising awareness.