Anti-estrogens May Reduce Risk of Lung Cancer Death(12/15/2009) Researchers from Switzerland have reported that anti-estrogens (such as tamoxifen [Nolvadex®]) used as treatment for breast cancer may also reduce the risk of death from lung cancer. The details of this study were presented at the 2009 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium.
High Time Costs for Informal Care Givers of Cancer Patients(9/10/2009) Researchers from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) have reported that the time spent by informal caregivers is significant and an important component in the overall burden of cancer care. The details of this study appeared in the September 4, 2009 issue of Cancer.
Bilateral Oophorectomy Increases Risk of Lung Cancer(7/30/2009) Researchers from Canada have reported that women who have bilateral oophorectomy are 1.92 times as likely to develop lung cancer as women who have natural menopause. The details of this study appeared in an early on-line publication in the International Journal of Cancer on May 11, 2009.
Smoking Kills More Than 440,000 People Each Year in the United States(4/27/2009) According to an analysis by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cigarette smoking and exposure to tobacco smoke cause at least 443,000 premature deaths each year in the United States alone. These results, based on data from 2000-2004, were published in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Little Evidence That Lycopene Reduces Cancer Risk(7/23/2007) According to a review conducted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), there is “no credible evidence” that lycopene reduces the risk of cancers such as prostate cancer, and “very limited evidence” that tomato consumption reduces risk. The review was published in the July 10,2007 issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
Hospitalization for Pneumonia Leads to Diagnosis of Lung Cancer in 9%(12/30/2009) Researchers from several U.S. medical centers have reported that 9% of patients hospitalized with pneumonia were diagnosed with pulmonary malignancy, but the median time from hospitalization to diagnosis is 297 days. The details of this study were published in the January 2010 issue of the American Journal of Medicine.
Volume and Doubling Time Used to Determine Significance of Nodules in CT Screening for Lung Cancer(12/4/2009) Researchers involved in the Dutch–Belgian randomized lung cancer screening trial (Nederlands-LeuvensLongkanker Screenings Onderzoek [NELSON]) have reported that a strategy of using the volume and volume-doublingtime of a noncalcified nodule as the main criteria for further work-up may improve the efficiency of CT screening for lung cancer. The details of this study appeared in the December 3, 2009 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
Folic Acid and Vitamin B12 Increase Risk of Cancer in Patients with Heart Disease(11/19/2009) Researchers from Norway have reported that folic acid and B12 supplements in patients with ischemic heart disease increase the risk of cancer and all-cause mortality. The details of this study appeared in the November 18, 2009 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Society.
Bilateral Oophorectomy Increases Risk of Lung Cancer(7/30/2009) Researchers from Canada have reported that women who have bilateral oophorectomy are 1.92 times as likely to develop lung cancer as women who have natural menopause. The details of this study appeared in an early on-line publication in the International Journal of Cancer on May 11, 2009.
Schizophrenia Associated with Increased Cancer Mortality(7/22/2009) Researchers from France have reported that persons with schizophrenia have an increased risk of mortality from cancer, especially from breast cancer for women and lung cancer for men. The details of this study appeared in the August, 2009 issue of Cancer.
Smoking Cessation Benefits Patients with Early-stage Lung Cancer(2/12/2010) Researchers from the UK have reported that smoking cessation after the diagnosis of early stage non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) or limited stage small cell lung cancer (SCLC) improves survival. The details of this study were published in the January 30, 2010 issue of the British Medical Journal.
Stereotactic Radiotherapy Confirmed Effective for Stage I NSCLC in the Elderly(12/3/2009) Researchers from Holland have reported that stereotactic radiotherapy results in a local control rate of 89% in patients with Stage I non–small cell lung cancer. The details of this study appeared in an online publication on November 30, 2009 in Cancer.
Iressa® Improves Progression-free Survival over Standard Chemotherapy in Patients with NSCLC with EGFR Mutations(9/28/2009) Researchers from Japan have reported that Iressa® (gefitinib) alone improves outcomes of patients with non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with epithelial growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations compared with patients receiving Paraplatin® (carboplatin) and Taxol® (paclitaxel). The details of this study were presented at the Joint ECCO 15 – 34th ESMO Multidisciplinary Congress in Berlin, September 20-24, 2009.
PET-CT Detects More Advanced Disease in Patients with NSCLC(8/20/2009) Researchers from Canada have reported that preoperative whole-body positron emission tomography, computed tomography (PET-CT), and cranial imaging identifies more patients with mediastinal and extrathoracic non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) than conventional staging. However, some patients were upstaged incorrectly by PET-CT. The details of this study were reported in the August 16, 2009 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.
ASCO 2009: Phase I-II Results of New Bcl-2 Inhibitor, AT-101(8/5/2009) At the 2009 meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) there were several preclinical and Phase I-II clinical presentations suggesting activity for a new inhibitor of the Bcl-2 family of proteins (Bcl-2, Bcl-xL, Mel-1, Bcl-W), AT-109, developed by Ascenta Therapeutics.
Avastin® Not Contraindicated in Patients with CNS Metastases(3/8/2010) Researchers from France have reported that patients with central nervous system (CNS) metastases have similar rates of whether or not they receive Avastin® (bevacizumab). The details of this study appeared in the January 2010 issue of Clinical Cancer Research.
Iressa® Superior to Platinol® and Taxotere® for Treatment of NSCLC with EGFR Mutations(2/5/2010) Researchers from Japan have reported that Iressa® (gefitinib) alone improves progression-free survival (PFS) of patients with locally advanced or metastatic non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with epithelial growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations compared with patients receiving Platinol® (cisplatin) plus Taxotere® (docetaxel). The details of this study were published in the February 2010 issue of Lancet Oncology.
Zolinza® Enhances Efficacy of Paraplatin® and Taxol® for Treatment of Advanced NSCLC(11/25/2009) Researchers involved in a multicenter U.S. clinical trial have reported that the addition of Zolinza® (varinostat) to Paraplatin® (carboplatin) and Taxol® (paclitaxel) improves responses in patients with previously untreated Stage IIIB-IV non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The details of this study were published early online on November 23, 2009 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Continuous Daily Sutent® Palliative in Patients with Relapsed or Refractory Advanced NSCLC(11/5/2009) Researchers from several U.S. and Spanish medical centers have reported that single-agent daily Sutent® (sunitinib) was associated with a 25% disease control rate in patients with previously treated advanced non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The details of this study appeared in the November 4, 2009 issue of the British Journal of Cancer.
Continuous Daily Sutent® Palliative in Patients with Relapsed or Refractory Advanced NSCLC(11/5/2009) Researchers from several U.S. and Spanish medical centers have reported that single-agent daily Sutent® (sunitinib) was associated with a 25% disease control rate in patients with previously treated advanced non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The details of this study appeared in the November 4, 2009 issue of the British Journal of Cancer.
Combination of Vidaza® and Entinostat Has Significant Activity in Relapsed NSCLC(8/4/2009) Researchers from the Johns Hopkins Medical Institute and the Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute have reported that the combination of Vidaza® (5-azacitidine) and entinostat (SNDX-275) has significant activity in patients with advanced relapsed non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The details of this study were presented at the 2009 meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.
Iressa® Confirmed Effective for Elderly with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer(10/17/2008) Researchers from Japan have reported that Iressa® (gefitinib) is effective and well tolerated for initial treatment of elderly patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The details of this study were published in the October, 2008 issue of the Journal of Thoracic Oncology.
Normalization of N-telopeptide Associated with Improved Survival from Bone Metastasis Treated with Bisphosphonates(6/25/2008) Researchers involved in a multicenter international trial have reported that normalization of N-telopeptide of type I collagen (NTX) levels is associated with skeletal-related events and survival among patients with bone metastases from solid tumors treated with Zometa® (zoledronic acid) or Aredia® (pamidronate). These results were published in the July 1, 2008 issue of Cancer.
Avastin® with Chemotherapy or Tarceva® Superior to Chemotherapy Alone in NSCLC(10/24/2007) A multi-institution US study has determined the addition of Avastin (bevacizumab) to Tarceva (erlotinib) or to chemotherapy improves survival compared with chemotherapy alone in the treatment of recurrent non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The details of this study appeared in an early on-line publication in the Journalof Clinical Oncology on October 1, 2007.
Surgery Maybe Effective in Selected Patients with Limited-stage SCLC(2/17/2010) Researchers from the State University of New York Downstate Medical Center have reported that the use of surgery, especially lobectomy, in patients with limited-stage small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is associated with improved survival outcomes. The details of this study were published early online in Cancer on January 15, 2010.
Smoking Cessation Benefits Patients with Early-stage Lung Cancer(2/12/2010) Researchers from the UK have reported that smoking cessation after the diagnosis of early stage non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) or limited stage small cell lung cancer (SCLC) improves survival. The details of this study were published in the January 30, 2010 issue of the British Medical Journal.
Amrubicin® and Paraplatin® Active and Tolerable in Elderly Patients with SCLC(10/22/2009) Researchers from Japan have reported Amrubicin®, a new synthetic anthracycline, combined with Paraplatin® (carboplatin) resulted in an 89% overall response rate (ORR) in elderly patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC). The details of this report appeared in an early online publication in the Annals of Oncology on October 13, 2009.
Thalidomide Doesn’t Benefit Patients with Small Cell Lung Cancer Treated with Etoposide and Carboplatin(7/24/2009) Researchers from the U.K. have reported that treatment with a combination of thalidomide (Thalomid®) and chemotherapy did not improve survival among patients with small cell lung cancer, and resulted in a higher risk of blood clots than treatment with chemotherapy alone. The results of this study were published in the August issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
Non-Platinum Chemotherapy as Effective for SCLC(10/17/2008) Researchers affiliated with the Cochrane Library have reported that chemotherapy regimens that do not contain platinum agents (Platinol and Paraplatin) appear to be just as effective as regimens that do contain platinum agents in the treatment of small cell lung cancer. These results were recently published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.
Thalidomide Doesn’t Benefit Patients with Small Cell Lung Cancer Treated with Etoposide and Carboplatin(7/24/2009) Researchers from the U.K. have reported that treatment with a combination of thalidomide (Thalomid®) and chemotherapy did not improve survival among patients with small cell lung cancer, and resulted in a higher risk of blood clots than treatment with chemotherapy alone. The results of this study were published in the August issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
Gemzar® and Paraplatin® Equivalent to Platinol® and VePesid® for SCLC(12/4/2008) Researchers from the United Kingdom have reported that a regimen of Gemzar® (gemcitabine) and Paraplatin® (carboplatin) is as effective palliation as standard Platinol® (cisplatin) and VePesid® (etoposide) for patients with poor-risk small cell lung cancer (SCLC) but with less toxicity. The details of this study appeared in an early online publication in Thorax on September 11, 2008.
Non-Platinum Chemotherapy as Effective for SCLC(10/17/2008) Researchers affiliated with the Cochrane Library have reported that chemotherapy regimens that do not contain platinum agents (Platinol and Paraplatin) appear to be just as effective as regimens that do contain platinum agents in the treatment of small cell lung cancer. These results were recently published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.
VePesid®/Platinol® Remains Standard of Care for Small Cell Lung Cancer(6/6/2008) Researchers affiliated with the Southwest Oncology Group (SWOG) reported that Camptosar® (irinotecan) plus Platinol® (cisplatin) did not demonstrate a survival improvement compared with VePesid® (etoposide)/cisplatin in the treatment of extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (SCLC). The SWOG researchers state that in North America, “etoposide remains the reference standard for treatment of SCLC.” These results were presented at the 2008 annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.
Aranesp® Does Not Increase the Relapse Rate in Patients with Advanced SCLC(5/19/2008) Researchers involved in Amgen’s Aranesp pharmacovigilance program (the 145 Study) have reported that Aranesp® (darbepoetin alfa) has no adverse effect on outcomes of patients with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (SCLC) receiving platinum-based chemotherapy. The details of this randomized Phase III study were published in the May 10, 2008 issue of the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
ASCO 2009: Phase I-II Results of New Bcl-2 Inhibitor, AT-101(8/5/2009) At the 2009 meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) there were several preclinical and Phase I-II clinical presentations suggesting activity for a new inhibitor of the Bcl-2 family of proteins (Bcl-2, Bcl-xL, Mel-1, Bcl-W), AT-109, developed by Ascenta Therapeutics.
Non-Platinum Chemotherapy as Effective for SCLC(10/17/2008) Researchers affiliated with the Cochrane Library have reported that chemotherapy regimens that do not contain platinum agents (Platinol and Paraplatin) appear to be just as effective as regimens that do contain platinum agents in the treatment of small cell lung cancer. These results were recently published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.
Aranesp® Has No Adverse Effect on Survival or Progression-free Survival when Used to Treat Chemotherapy-induced Anemia in SCLC(9/17/2007) Researchers involved in Amgen’s Aranesp pharmacovigilance program (the 145 Study) have reported that Aranesp (darbepoetin alfa) has no adverse effect on the outcomes of patients with extensive stage small cell lung cancer (SCLC) receiving platinum-based chemotherapy. The details of this randomized Phase III study were reported at the 2007 World Conference on Lung Cancer.
Further Results Show Improved Survival with Picoplatin for Small Cell Lung Cancer(9/11/2007) Researchers affiliated with the Picoplatin Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC) Study Group have reported that follow-up of a Phase II study presented at the 2007 American Society of Clinical Oncology Meeting (ASCO) showed that picoplatin may improve survival compared to existing therapies in the treatment of patients diagnosed with SCLC who have previously received platinum-based therapies. The details of this study were presented at the 2007 meeting of the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC).
Radiation to the Brain Should Become Standard Therapy for Extensive-Disease Small Cell Lung Cancer(8/21/2007) Researchers affiliated with the EORTC Radiation Oncology Group and Lung Cancer Group have reported that prophylactic cranial radiation following treatment with chemotherapy should now become a standard treatment option for patients with extensive-disease small cell lung cancer (SCLC). The details of this randomized trial were published in the August 16, 2007 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine. This study had previously been presented at the 2007 meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.
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