Articles

At the University of Arkansas Myeloma Institute for Research and Therapy, a participatory model of care has improved patient outcomes and may lower the cost of treatment. This patient-partnered model allows patients to participate in treatment decisions, including location of care (in- or outpatient, when applicable), and to self-administer intravenous and subcutaneous medications. In addition, caregivers are significantly involved, and an emphasis is placed on outpatient therapy, patient education, and patient networking. Read More ›

Mayo Clinic investigators and collaborators from the United Kingdom cured well-established prostate tumors in mice using a human vaccine with no apparent side effects. This novel cancer treatment approach encourages the immune system to rid itself of prostate tumors without assistance from toxic chemotherapies and radiation treatments. Such a treatment model could some day help people to live tumor free with fewer side effects than those experienced from current therapies.

Cancer survivors are less likely to be employed, and they work fewer hours, than similarly aged adults without a history of cancer, even two to six years after diagnosis, according to a study by Penn State researchers.

"The finding is significant when you consider that there are nearly 12 million cancer survivors living in the United States," said John Moran, assistant professor of health policy and administration in the College of Health and Human Development, who led the study.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a short-acting formulation of oxycodone (Oxecta, Pfizer) that uses “Aversion” technology to stop potential abusers from crushing, chewing, snorting, or injecting the drug. Oral abuse remains possible. In addition, Pfizer acknowledged that the potential to abuse the drug through all routes is feasible.

The drug is indicated for acute and chronic moderate-to-severe pain.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a 45 mg for 6-month administration formulation of leuprolide acetate for depot suspension (Lupron Depot, Abbott) for palliative treatment of advanced prostate cancer. This dosing option adds to the existing formulations, which are injected every 1 month, 3 months, and 4 months.

A combination of fludarabine, pixantrone, dexamethasone, and rituximab (FPD-R) achieved major durable responses in patients with relapsed or refractory indolent non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) in a single-arm phase 1 dose-escalation study. The study identified a dose of 120 mg/m²pixantrone as the recommended dose for this regimen. The overall response rate with this regimen was 89%, and the regimen was well tolerated with no grade 3/4 cardiovascular adverse events. Grade 3/4 lymphopenia occurred, however, in 89% of patients and leukopenia in 79%.

Concomitant chemotherapy with reirradiation offers a cure for select patients with recurrent head and neck cancer in a previously irradiated area. With the findings of 2-year survival in 25% of patients, the researchers noted the importance of choosing the correct patients for this therapy. Previous concurrent chemoradiotherapy was associated with poor survival outcomes. In addition, there was significant risk of sever toxicity, with 20% of patients experiencing treatment-related death.

Read More ›

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Inform Dual ISH (Ventana Medical Systems), a genetic test that allows for measurement of the number of copies of the HER2 gene in tumor tissue. This method of identification of women with breast cancer who are HER2-positive pinpoints who is, and who is not, a candidate for Herceptin (trastuzumab).

Use of hormone therapy for menopause is associated with reduced risks for esophageal, gastric, and colorectal cancers, according to results of a prospective study that were then combined with published studies in a meta-analysis. In this British study of women aged 50 to 64 years, researchers found no significant differences in risk by type of hormone therapy, duration of use, or between past and current users. The reduction in risk, however, was small in comparison to the increased risk of breast cancer that has been attributed to hormone therapy in this population.