July 15th, 2011
CAMBRIDGE, Mass.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Cerulean Pharma Inc., a leader in designing and developing tumor-targeted nanopharmaceuticals, today announced the dosing of the first patients with CRLX101 in a randomized, controlled non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) Phase 2 clinical trial.
“The initiation of this Phase 2 study marks a major milestone in the clinical advancement of nanopharmaceuticals,” said Oliver Fetzer, Ph.D., president and chief executive officer of Cerulean. “Cerulean is excited to develop CRLX101 as a potential new therapy for lung cancer patients who otherwise have limited treatment options.”
July 14th, 2011
Cancer studies less likely than other research fields to make data available for reuse
Durham, NC — A new study finds that — even in a field with clear standards and online databases — the rate of public data archiving in cancer research is increasing only slowly. Furthermore, research studies in cancer and human subjects are less likely than other research studies to make their datasets available for reuse.
The results come from a study of patterns of research data availability conducted by Dr Heather Piwowar of the National Evolutionary Synthesis Center.
Data collected in scientific research is often useful for future studies by other investigators, but scientists have rarely made their raw research data widely available. Tools and initiatives are underway to encourage scientists to publicly archive their data. This analysis confirms there is still much room for improvement.
July 14th, 2011
Over 90% Accuracy Identifying the Four Main Subtypes of Lung Cancer Using Small Tumor Quantities
PHILADELPHIA, PA and REHOVOT, ISRAEL–(Marketwire – Jul 14, 2011) – Rosetta Genomics (NASDAQ: ROSG), a leading developer and provider of microRNA-based molecular diagnostic tests, announces that it has launched miRview® lung, the Company’s advanced microRNA test that differentiates neuroendocrine tumors from non-small cell lung tumors (NSCLC), and then further subtypes neuroendocrine tumors into small cell lung cancer and carcinoid; and subtypes NSCLC tumors into squamous and non-squamous. miRview® lung will be marketed in the U.S. by Rosetta Genomics’ oncology sales team and will be available internationally through the Company’s various distribution partners.
July 12th, 2011
Combination of Landmark Internal Radiation Therapy and da Vinci Robotics Represents Paradigm Shift in Early Stage Lung Cancer Treatment
RICHLAND, Wash., Jul 12, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) — IsoRay, Inc. ISR +7.37% announced another milestone, today, in the use of its proprietary Cesium-131 (Cs-131) brachytherapy seeds (internal radiation therapy) in mesh. Dr. Deepak Khuntia, known as one of the nation’s leading thought leaders in lung and brain tumors, performed the world’s first implant of Cesium-131 mesh brachytherapy in an early stage lung cancer patient using the da Vinci(R) Surgical System. Dr. Khuntia and the surgical team performed the surgery at El Camino Hospital in California.
For many patients with stage 1 lung cancer, treatment options are severely limited. Typically, extensive surgery is performed, removing the entire cancerous lung or one of five lobes of the lung. However, this surgery is not an option for patients with limited breathing capacity and health problems that impact normal breathing. The alternative option is a limited surgical procedure to remove the tumor mass from a lobe, leaving these patients with a 20 to 40 percent chance of their cancer recurring along the surgical repair line. With Cesium-131 mesh brachytherapy, Dr. Khuntia says the odds shift in the patient’s favor, “Mesh brachytherapy can dramatically reduce the recurrence rate for early-stage lung-cancer patients. With brachytherapy, recurrence is just one percent. That’s a significant difference. At the same time, patients receive significantly less radiation exposure than traditional radiation.” Using the da Vinci robot to implant the Cesium-131 mesh brachytherapy further reduces radiation exposure for physicians and adds a new level of safety for patients, who benefit from a smaller incision and quicker recovery.
July 10th, 2011
Lung cancer patients given amrubicin (Calsed) as a second-line therapy had a significantly improved response rate and longer progression-free survival than patients treated with topotecan (Hycamtin), according to research presented at the 14th World Conference on Lung Cancer in Amsterdam, hosted by the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC).
“Amrubicin showed significant improvements in tumor shrinkage, symptom control and progression-free survival over topotecan without improving overall survival, the primary endpoint of the trial,” said principal investigator Dr. Joachim von Pawel, of the Asklepios Hospital Munich-Gauting in Germany. “However, for patients with the most difficult-to-treat small cell lung cancer, amrubicin offered an improvement in overall survival compared with topotecan.”
July 9th, 2011
by Sheela Philomena on July 09, 2011 at 11:47 AM
For the first time the entire DNA, RNA of a patient with lung cancer has been sequenced by researchers.
The 61-year-old woman patient, whose lung cancer had entered her bloodstream and spread to other parts of her body, had been treated with several types of chemotherapy.
The study used Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS), also called Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS), to look at all 3 billion chemical bases of the patient’s normal, as well as the patient’s tumour, DNA.
It went further by examining the normal and tumour RNA for whole transcriptome sequencing, which can reveal the possible defects in how proteins are synthesized. This provided an even more intricate view of the tumours biological make up and what might have led to her cancer.
July 9th, 2011
Celecoxib significantly reduces bronchial Ki-67 labeling index, and may be a potential chemopreventive agent for lung cancer in former smokers, according to a study published in the July issue of Cancer Prevention Research.
FRIDAY, July 8 (HealthDay News) — Celecoxib significantly reduces bronchial Ki-67 labeling index (Ki-67 LI), and may be a potential chemopreventive agent for lung cancer in former smokers, according to a study published in the July issue of Cancer Prevention Research.
July 9th, 2011
July 07, 2011
by Sruthi Valluri, DOTmed News
A new non-invasive, three-dimensional test by VisionGate Inc. could help detect lung cancer in its early stages The test, called LuCED, would be the first of its kind to screen for early stage-lung cancer without the use of X-rays.
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in the world. The disease will claim 154,000 lives in the United States this year alone, which accounts for more deaths than breast cancer, prostate cancer and ovarian cancer combined.
July 8th, 2011
Thursday 7th July 2011
Researchers in cardiac jobs have discovered that there are distinctive differences in the nature of lung cancer tumours developed in patients who have never smoked, compared to those who have.
Different patterns of genetic alterations between the two groups suggest that the diseases are driven by different molecular mechanisms, according to scientists from the BC Cancer Agency Research Centre in Vancouver, which “may require different treatments”.
The findings could prove hugely significant for the treatment of lung cancer, which is the world’s most prevalent form of the disease, with more than 1.6 million new cases diagnosed globally every year, according to figures from Cancer Research UK.
July 8th, 2011
Lung Cancer Alliance Thanks Senator for Endorsing Legislation
WASHINGTON, July 7, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Today, Lung Cancer Alliance (LCA) commended Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) for endorsing the Lung Cancer Mortality Reduction Act, a bi-partisan bi-cameral bill that establishes a multi-agency, comprehensive research program targeted at all aspects of lung cancer.
After recent meetings in Washington, D.C. with LCA President & CEO Laurie Fenton Ambrose and LCA-Washington Chapter Chair, Cecilia Izzo, Senator Cantwell joined as co-sponsor of Senate Bill S.752. She was also a co-sponsor of its predecessor, S.322.
“It is so exciting to see momentum continue to build in support of a national plan of action for lung cancer,” said Laurie Fenton Ambrose, President & CEO of LCA. “The willingness of Senator Cantwell to join other Senate and House colleagues and call for greater compassion, increased resources and a comprehensive plan for lung cancer – is what will ultimately end the disease as we know it.”
