Gene Mutation Improves Response to Lung Cancer Drug

People with lung cancer who are screened for a genetic mutation and then given a drug called Tarceva, which is believed to work well with that mutation, live longer than those without the mutation who take the drug, new research has found.


According to the Spanish authors of a study in the Aug. 20 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine, this type of widespread screening is actually doable and could lead to better decisions about treatment.
"They proved that it is worthy to test patients for the [epidermal growth factor receptor gene] mutations, and that if you have the mutations you are going to do well," said Dr. Edgardo Santos, an assistant professor of medicine in the hematology and oncology section at the University of Miami's Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center. "If we are moving toward personalized medicine in the future, I think this is the way to go -- that patients be tested and use the drug if indicated." ....

Elderly skin 'raises cancer risk'

Older people are more at risk of skin cancer and infection because their skin is unable to mobilise the immune system to defend itself, UK research suggests.
It contradicts previous thinking that defects in a type of immune cell called a T cell were responsible for waning immunity with age....

Scientists have discovered a common genetic d...hey say could save lives.

Scientists have discovered a common genetic difference in women at risk from ovarian cancer, in an important development they say could save lives.
The newly discovered variation, which occurs in 55% of women, carries with it an increased risk of the disease of between 20 and 40%.
It is the first time that a common variant has been linked to ovarian cancer, bringing with it the potential of future screening programmes...

Scottsdale Healthcare-TGen clinical trial res...ances against skin cancer

Study data appears in New England Journal of Medicine

PHOENIX, Ariz. – Sept. 2, 2009 — Analyses of clinical trial results published today in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) shows a potential new investigational therapy for advanced and metastatic basal cell skin cancer.
The study, conducted at TGen Clinical Research Service (TCRS) at Scottsdale Healthcare and two other sites appears to demonstrate tumor shrinkage and limited side effects. TCRS is a strategic alliance between the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) and Scottsdale Healthcare.
These findings are significant because no proven therapy exists for advanced basal cell carcinoma (BCC). BCC is the most common cancer in the United States with about one million new cases diagnosed each year. Arizona has one of the highest incidences of skin cancer in the world.
The article appears on-line today and in the Sept. 17 print issue of NEJM....

Glaxo's cancer vaccine inches toward approval

Federal regulators said Friday that a GlaxoSmithKline vaccine prevents the leading cause of cervical cancer in women, bringing the company one step closer to competing with Merck's blockbuster Gardasil, which has controlled the U.S. market for three years....