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Use of vitamin supplements may reduce the risk of recurrence and death in women with breast cancer, two new studies suggest.
These studies contrast with some previous studies, which suggested that antioxidants may protect cancer cells during radiotherapy and chemotherapy, thus reducing the effectiveness of treatment.
More patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in chronic phase achieve molecular response when peginterferon alfa-2a is added to imatinib therapy, but toxic side effects make completing treatment difficult for many, according to analysis of SPIRIT trial data (N Engl J Med. 2010;363:2511-2521). The researchers concluded that this increase in molecular responses could translate into better survival.
Read More ›The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a new indication for Gardasil—the prevention of anal cancer and associated precancerous lesions caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) types 6, 11, 16, an 18 in patients 9 to 26 years of age.
The vaccine is already approved for the prevention of cervical, vulvar, and vaginal cancer in this female cohort of this population, as well as the prevention of genital warts in men and women.
First-cycle acneiform rash may act as a surrogate marker for which patients with advanced non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) will have positive outcomes with cetuximab treatment, according to a subgroup analysis of FLEX data (Lancet Oncol. Dec 17, 2010. Epub ahead of print).
ORLANDO—Low doses of alemtuzumab were effective in preventing graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) in leukemia patients receiving sibling and matched unrelated hematopoietic cell transplants.
A small, prospective study from Greece found alemtuzumab 10 mg effective in reducing GVHD among patients receiving stem cell transplants to treat acute leukemias. Alexandros Spyridonidis, MD, PhD, presented the results at the 52nd American Society of Hematology annual meeting and exposition.
Read More ›Rituximab maintenance in patients with high tumor burden follicular lymphoma (FL) who have responded to rituximab plus chemotherapy induction improves progression-free survival (PFS), according to recently released results of the PRIMA study (Lancet. Dec 21, 2010. Epub ahead of print).
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning against using the injectable form of dolasetron mesylate to prevent nausea and vomiting associated with cancer chemotherapy. New data shows that dolasetron can increase the risk for developing abnormal heart rhythms. The oral tablets of dolasetron may be still be used for this indication; however, a strong warning is being added to the drug’s label.
Patients with congenital QT syndrome or other underlying heart rate or rhythm problems should not receive either form of the drug.
Read More ›Oncology pharmacists, like other healthcare professionals and organizations, have had a mixed response to the US Food and Drug Administration decision to withdraw the breast cancer indication for bevacizumab (Avastin), which was announced last week. Based on our initial report (http://www.theoncologypharmacist.com/article/fda-starts-withdrawal-process-avastins-breast-cancer-indication), readers have commented on the FDA’s decision.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has begun its process to remove the breast cancer indication from bevacizumab’s (Avastin, Genentech) label. Its decision to move forward is based on a recommendation by it advisory committee composed mainly of oncology.
The risk for developing listerosis is five time higher in patients receiving cancer treatment than in other high-risk groups, and they should be offered advice on how to avoid food-borne infections, according to a study by British researchers.
Listerosis, caused by the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes is rare, but can be serious in patients with cancer or others with suppressed T-cell–mediated immunity due to the disease or its treatment.