Oncotype DX DCIS Score Predicts Recurrence Risk for Women with DCIS (12-8-2011)

A DCIS Score generated by the Oncotype DX breast cancer test provides information about how likely it is that breast ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) will recur. This may help guide decisions about whether women with DCIS need radiation therapy after breast-conserving... Continue Reading

NCCN Recommends Lung Cancer Screening for People at High Risk (12-6-2011)

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN)—a not-for-profit alliance of 21 cancer centers—has released guidelines for lung cancer screening. The guidelines recommend screening with helical low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) for selected patients... Continue Reading

Cervarix Provides Cross-Protection Against Other Types of HPV (12-5-2011)

Updated results from a large clinical trial of the HPV vaccine Cervarix® (human papillomavirus bivalent [types 16 and 18] recombinant vaccine) confirm its protection against cervical precancer and cancer and also provide evidence of cross-protection... Continue Reading

High Blood Sugar May Increase Risk of Colorectal Cancer (12-1-2011)

In a study of postmenopausal women, those with higher blood sugar were more likely than those with lower blood sugar to develop colorectal cancer. These results were published in the British Journal of Cancer. Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause... Continue Reading

Herceptin Given At Same Time As Chemotherapy May Provide Most Benefit for Breast Cancer (12-1-2011)

The results of a Phase III clinical trial suggest that starting Herceptin® (trastuzumab) during chemotherapy for early-stage, HER2-positive breast cancer may be more effective than starting Herceptin after chemotherapy has been completed. These results... Continue Reading

Coffee May Cut Uterine Cancer Risk (11-30-2011)

Women who consume four or more cups a coffee per day may have a lower risk of endometrial cancer (cancer of the lining of the uterus) than women who drink very little or no coffee. These results were published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers, &... Continue Reading

Increased Skin Cancer Risk Among Those with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (11-29-2011)

People with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) may be at increased risk of non-melanoma skin cancer, particularly if they receive immune-suppressing medications such as thiopurines. These were the results of two studies published in Gastroenterology. Crohn’s... Continue Reading

Rindopepimut Continues to Show Promise Against Glioblastoma (11-23-2011)

According to longer-term follow-up of a Phase II clinical trial, the investigational vaccine rindopepimut (CDX-110) may improve overall survival with glioblastoma mutiforme (GBM). These results were presented at the 2011 annual meeting of the Society... Continue Reading

FDA Revokes Avastin’s Approval for Breast Cancer (11-22-2011)

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is revoking the approval of Avastin® (bevacizumab) for the treatment breast cancer. The FDA concluded that Avastin has not been shown to be safe and effective for this purpose. This decision does not affect the... Continue Reading

Xgeva Delays Bone Metastases from Prostate Cancer (11-21-2011)

Among men with prostate cancer that has stopped responding to hormonal therapy, the bone drug Xgeva™ (denosumab) delayed the spread of cancer to the bones. These results were recently published in The Lancet, and were previously presented at the 2011... Continue Reading

Erbitux Approved for New Use in Head and Neck Cancer (11-18-2011)

The US Food and Drug Administration has expanded the approval of Erbitux® (cetuximab) to include the initial treatment, in combination with platinum-based chemotherapy, of selected patients with recurrent or metastatic squamous cell head and neck cancer. Head... Continue Reading

Additional Treatment With Femara After Five Years of Tamoxifen May Improve Overall Survival Among Women with Early Breast Cancer (11-17-2011)

Among postmenopausal women who complete five years of tamoxifen for the treatment of early-stage breast cancer, an additional five years of treatment with the aromatase inhibitor Femara® (letrozole) may improve overall survival. These results were published... Continue Reading