Rather than testing for individual marker genes or proteins, researchers at the University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego) and the Moores UCSD Cancer Center have evidence that groups, or networks, of interactive genes may be more reliable in determining the likelihood that a form of leukemia is fast-moving or slow-growing.
One of the problems in deciding on the right therapy for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is that it is difficult to know which type a patient has. One form progresses slowly, with few symptoms for years. The other form is more aggressive and dangerous. While tests exist and are commonly used to help predict which form a patient may have, their usefulness is limited.
Han-Yu Chuang, a Ph.D. candidate in bioinformatics and systems biology program in the department of bioengineering in the UC San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering, senior author Thomas Kipps, M.D., Ph.D., professor of medicine and deputy director for research at the Moores UCSD Cancer Center, and their colleagues analyzed the activity and patterns of gene expression in cancer cells from 126 patients with aggressive or slow-growing CLL. The researchers, using complex algorithms, matched these gene activity profiles with a huge database of 50,000 known protein complexes and signaling pathways among nearly 10,000 genes/proteins, searching for "subnetworks" of aggregate gene expression patterns that separated groups of patients. They found 30 such gene subnetworks that, they say, were better in predicting whether a disease is aggressive or slow-growing than current techniques based on gene expression alone.
They presented their results Monday, December 8, 2008 at the annual meeting of the American Society of Hematology in San Francisco.
"We wanted to integrate the gene expression from the disease and a large network of human protein interactions to reconstruct the pathways involved in disease progression," Chuang explained. "By introducing the relevant pathway information, we can do a better job in prognosis." Chuang, co-author Trey Ideker, Ph.D., professor of bioengineering at UCSD, and their co-workers have previously shown the potential of this method in predicting breast cancer metastasis risk.
"When you are analyzing just the gene expression, you are analyzing it in isolation," Chuang explained. "Genes act in concert and are functionally linked together. We have suggested that it makes more sense to analyze the genes' expression in a more mechanistic view, based on information about genes acting together in a particular pathway. We are looking for new markers - no longer individual genes - but a set of co-functional, interconnected genes," she said. "We would like to be able to model treatment-free survival."
The current work is "proof of principle," Chuang said. Clinical trials will be needed to validate whether specific subnetworks of genes can actually predict disease CLL progression in patients. She thinks that the subnetworks can be used to provide "small scale biological models of disease progression," enabling researchers to better understand the process.
Eventually, she said, a diagnostic chip might be designed to test blood samples for such genetic subnetworks that indicate the likely course of disease. The involved biological pathways could be drug targets as well.
The American Cancer Society estimates that, in 2008, there will be about 15,110 new cases of CLL in the United States, with about 4,390 deaths from the disease.
Laura Rassenti, Ph.D., UCSD, was also a co-author on the study.
The Moores UCSD Cancer Center is one of the nation's 41 National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers, combining research, clinical care and community outreach to advance the prevention, treatment and cure of cancer. For more information, visit cancer.ucsd/.
Source: Steve Benowitz
University of California - San Diego
вторник, 28 июня 2011 г.
понедельник, 27 июня 2011 г.
Perceived Discrimination Affects Screening Rates
Minority men and women who perceived discrimination from their health care providers were less likely to be screened for colorectal or breast cancer, according to a report in the August issue of Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research
"We have yet to achieve bias-free health care. This has serious public health implications as we know that higher levels of screening lead to lower levels of mortality. Clinicians need to be aware that they may be sending signals, even unintentionally, that lead minorities to believe they are being discriminated against," said LaVera M. Crawley, M.D., M.P.H., an assistant professor at the Stanford University Center for Biomedical Ethics.
Exactly what those signals are will need to be determined in future studies, Crawley says, but the relationship between perceived discrimination and failing to get regular screenings is strong.
Crawley and colleagues analyzed data from the California Health Interview Survey, which examined cancer screening trends among African-American, American-Indian/Alaskan-Native, Asian and Latino adults. The data set included 11,245 respondents.
"Respondents answered yes or no to 'was there ever a time that you would have gotten better medical care if you had belonged to a different ethnic group?' However, we were not able to ask why they felt discriminated against," Crawley said.
If minority women perceived racial discrimination, they were 34 percent less likely to be screened for colorectal cancer and 48 percent less likely to be screened for breast cancer, compared with women of any racial group who did not perceive discrimination, researchers found.
The results were slightly different among minority men. Overall, men who perceived racial discrimination were no less likely to be screened for colorectal cancer than those who did not perceive discrimination.
However, if they had a regular source of health care, they were 70 percent less likely to receive colorectal screening if they perceived racial discrimination.
"This contradicts the general assumption in public health that having a usual source of care is a cure all," Crawley said. "If men felt discriminated against by their regular health care provider, they did not receive screening. So there is something else factoring in."
Crawley says the specific factor would need to be explored in further research, but it may be that there are specific racial stereotypes that apply to men that would not apply to women. "For example, African American men may be stereotyped as being more violent, which would affect how doctors respond to them and thus create a potential for discrimination," said Crawley.
According to Crawley, the consequences for delayed screening are dramatic. If detected early, five-year survival rates for colorectal and breast cancer are approximately 90 percent. However, if caught in later stages, the survival rate for colorectal cancer is 10 percent and 23 percent for breast cancer.
"The longer someone delays screening the worse the outcome. Perception of discrimination may be driving the differences we see in outcomes among minorities," said Crawley.
The mission of the American Association for Cancer Research is to prevent and cure cancer. Founded in 1907, AACR is the world's oldest and largest professional organization dedicated to advancing cancer research. The membership includes more than 28,000 basic, translational and clinical researchers; health care professionals; and cancer survivors and advocates in the United States and 80 other countries. AACR marshals the full spectrum of expertise from the cancer community to accelerate progress in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer through high-quality scientific and educational programs. It funds innovative, meritorious research grants. The AACR Annual Meeting attracts more than 17,000 participants who share the latest discoveries and developments in the field. Special conferences throughout the year present novel data across a wide variety of topics in cancer research, treatment and patient care. AACR publishes five major peer-reviewed journals: Cancer Research; Clinical Cancer Research; Molecular Cancer Therapeutics; Molecular Cancer Research; and Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention. Its most recent publication and its sixth major journal, Cancer Prevention Research, is dedicated exclusively to cancer prevention, from preclinical research to clinical trials. The AACR also publishes CR, a magazine for cancer survivors and their families, patient advocates, physicians and scientists. CR provides a forum for sharing essential, evidence-based information and perspectives on progress in cancer research, survivorship and advocacy.
American Association for Cancer Research
"We have yet to achieve bias-free health care. This has serious public health implications as we know that higher levels of screening lead to lower levels of mortality. Clinicians need to be aware that they may be sending signals, even unintentionally, that lead minorities to believe they are being discriminated against," said LaVera M. Crawley, M.D., M.P.H., an assistant professor at the Stanford University Center for Biomedical Ethics.
Exactly what those signals are will need to be determined in future studies, Crawley says, but the relationship between perceived discrimination and failing to get regular screenings is strong.
Crawley and colleagues analyzed data from the California Health Interview Survey, which examined cancer screening trends among African-American, American-Indian/Alaskan-Native, Asian and Latino adults. The data set included 11,245 respondents.
"Respondents answered yes or no to 'was there ever a time that you would have gotten better medical care if you had belonged to a different ethnic group?' However, we were not able to ask why they felt discriminated against," Crawley said.
If minority women perceived racial discrimination, they were 34 percent less likely to be screened for colorectal cancer and 48 percent less likely to be screened for breast cancer, compared with women of any racial group who did not perceive discrimination, researchers found.
The results were slightly different among minority men. Overall, men who perceived racial discrimination were no less likely to be screened for colorectal cancer than those who did not perceive discrimination.
However, if they had a regular source of health care, they were 70 percent less likely to receive colorectal screening if they perceived racial discrimination.
"This contradicts the general assumption in public health that having a usual source of care is a cure all," Crawley said. "If men felt discriminated against by their regular health care provider, they did not receive screening. So there is something else factoring in."
Crawley says the specific factor would need to be explored in further research, but it may be that there are specific racial stereotypes that apply to men that would not apply to women. "For example, African American men may be stereotyped as being more violent, which would affect how doctors respond to them and thus create a potential for discrimination," said Crawley.
According to Crawley, the consequences for delayed screening are dramatic. If detected early, five-year survival rates for colorectal and breast cancer are approximately 90 percent. However, if caught in later stages, the survival rate for colorectal cancer is 10 percent and 23 percent for breast cancer.
"The longer someone delays screening the worse the outcome. Perception of discrimination may be driving the differences we see in outcomes among minorities," said Crawley.
The mission of the American Association for Cancer Research is to prevent and cure cancer. Founded in 1907, AACR is the world's oldest and largest professional organization dedicated to advancing cancer research. The membership includes more than 28,000 basic, translational and clinical researchers; health care professionals; and cancer survivors and advocates in the United States and 80 other countries. AACR marshals the full spectrum of expertise from the cancer community to accelerate progress in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer through high-quality scientific and educational programs. It funds innovative, meritorious research grants. The AACR Annual Meeting attracts more than 17,000 participants who share the latest discoveries and developments in the field. Special conferences throughout the year present novel data across a wide variety of topics in cancer research, treatment and patient care. AACR publishes five major peer-reviewed journals: Cancer Research; Clinical Cancer Research; Molecular Cancer Therapeutics; Molecular Cancer Research; and Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention. Its most recent publication and its sixth major journal, Cancer Prevention Research, is dedicated exclusively to cancer prevention, from preclinical research to clinical trials. The AACR also publishes CR, a magazine for cancer survivors and their families, patient advocates, physicians and scientists. CR provides a forum for sharing essential, evidence-based information and perspectives on progress in cancer research, survivorship and advocacy.
American Association for Cancer Research
воскресенье, 26 июня 2011 г.
Medifocus Inc. Reports Improved Clinical Efficacy For Its Phase II, Randomized Clinical Study For The Treatment Of Early Stage Breast Cancer Tumors
Medifocus Inc. (TSXV:MFS) announced that positive clinical results when using the Company's proprietary focused heat treatment prior to surgery for the treatment of early stage breast cancer tumors, were presented during the Market Opening Ceremony of Medifocus at the Toronto Stock Exchange on March 25, 2009 and also at the 19th National Interdisciplinary Breast Center Conference held March 14-18, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The patient data were obtained from a multi-center, randomized clinical study to reduce cancer cells at the surgical margins, which potentially can reduce either re-excisions rates or second incision rates when Medifocus's focused heat, is delivered prior to surgery. This study was conducted in the USA under an Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) issued by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The data presented at the 2009 National Interdisciplinary Breast Center Conference represent the final analysis of the clinical data for the focused heat treatment for early-stage breast cancer. Dr. William C. Dooley, MD, at the University of Oklahoma, Health Sciences Center, was the Principal Investigator of the multi-institutional study that was conducted at 10 breast centers in the United States and the United Kingdom.
The primary treatment modality for the treatment of early stage breast cancer is surgery. For early stage breast cancer, if the tumor is detected early enough, and the tumor is small enough, then a breast conservation surgery (BCS) known as lumpectomy could be offered. One of the biggest concerns for lumpectomy is positive tumor margins, which normally will require either re-excision or second incision to remove the remaining cancer cells. In addition, clinical studies indicate that if the surgery is performed and the margin is positive with cancer cells, then there is an estimated 500% increase in the chance for recurrence of the breast cancer compared to when the margins are negative. The reported clinical trial results demonstrated that when Medifocus's focused heat therapy alone was delivered prior to surgery, 0 of 34 (0%) of the tumors removed had positive margins whereas in the surgical arm without receiving the focused heat treatment, 4 of 41 or almost 10% had positive margins.
This study, along with the positive clinical efficacy results of another randomized study for the treatment of large breast cancer tumors that Medifocus reported last week, demonstrates that Medifocus's focused heat technology can potentially treat the majority of all localized and invasive breast cancer tumors detected. The study reported last week, demonstrated that when the Medifocus's focused heat was added to the standard of care (SOC) neo-adjuvant chemotherapy in the treatment of large breast cancer tumors, tumor shrinkage was increased by an additional 50% over that induced by (SOC) chemotherapy alone.
The treatment goal of the Medifocus study on early stage breast cancer, is to demonstrate that focused heat treatment delivered prior to surgery can improve surgical outcomes and decrease the need for re-excisions or a second incision which can improve cosmesis and may reduce recurrent rates of the breast cancer.
About Medifocus
Medifocus owns a patented microwave focusing technology (the Adaptive Phased Array ("APA") technology), which can precisely target and control microwave energy to cause heating in cancerous tumors anywhere in the body reliably and repeatedly. The ability to target tumors with a precision controlled dose of heat can be used to destroy tumors at higher temperatures, to treat tumors in combination with chemotherapy and/or radiation at moderate temperatures for increased effectiveness and reduced toxicity and to trigger the targeted release of therapeutic drugs and genes at tumor sites at lower temperatures. While the core technology has been licensed from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Medifocus has further refined the precision of the microwave focusing and control ability and developed a commercial system dedicated exclusively for the treatment of Breast Cancer.
Forward Looking Statements and Information
This News Release contains forward-looking statements which may not be based on historical fact. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, events or developments to be materially different from any future results, events or developments expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors should be considered carefully and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The company disclaims any obligation to update any such factors or to publicly announce the result of any revisions to any of the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect future results, events or developments.
Source: Medifocus Inc
The primary treatment modality for the treatment of early stage breast cancer is surgery. For early stage breast cancer, if the tumor is detected early enough, and the tumor is small enough, then a breast conservation surgery (BCS) known as lumpectomy could be offered. One of the biggest concerns for lumpectomy is positive tumor margins, which normally will require either re-excision or second incision to remove the remaining cancer cells. In addition, clinical studies indicate that if the surgery is performed and the margin is positive with cancer cells, then there is an estimated 500% increase in the chance for recurrence of the breast cancer compared to when the margins are negative. The reported clinical trial results demonstrated that when Medifocus's focused heat therapy alone was delivered prior to surgery, 0 of 34 (0%) of the tumors removed had positive margins whereas in the surgical arm without receiving the focused heat treatment, 4 of 41 or almost 10% had positive margins.
This study, along with the positive clinical efficacy results of another randomized study for the treatment of large breast cancer tumors that Medifocus reported last week, demonstrates that Medifocus's focused heat technology can potentially treat the majority of all localized and invasive breast cancer tumors detected. The study reported last week, demonstrated that when the Medifocus's focused heat was added to the standard of care (SOC) neo-adjuvant chemotherapy in the treatment of large breast cancer tumors, tumor shrinkage was increased by an additional 50% over that induced by (SOC) chemotherapy alone.
The treatment goal of the Medifocus study on early stage breast cancer, is to demonstrate that focused heat treatment delivered prior to surgery can improve surgical outcomes and decrease the need for re-excisions or a second incision which can improve cosmesis and may reduce recurrent rates of the breast cancer.
About Medifocus
Medifocus owns a patented microwave focusing technology (the Adaptive Phased Array ("APA") technology), which can precisely target and control microwave energy to cause heating in cancerous tumors anywhere in the body reliably and repeatedly. The ability to target tumors with a precision controlled dose of heat can be used to destroy tumors at higher temperatures, to treat tumors in combination with chemotherapy and/or radiation at moderate temperatures for increased effectiveness and reduced toxicity and to trigger the targeted release of therapeutic drugs and genes at tumor sites at lower temperatures. While the core technology has been licensed from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Medifocus has further refined the precision of the microwave focusing and control ability and developed a commercial system dedicated exclusively for the treatment of Breast Cancer.
Forward Looking Statements and Information
This News Release contains forward-looking statements which may not be based on historical fact. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, events or developments to be materially different from any future results, events or developments expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors should be considered carefully and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The company disclaims any obligation to update any such factors or to publicly announce the result of any revisions to any of the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect future results, events or developments.
Source: Medifocus Inc
суббота, 25 июня 2011 г.
Breast-Cancer Risk Linked to Exposure to Traffic Emissions at Menarche, First Birth
Exposure to carcinogens in traffic emissions at particular lifetime points may increase the risk of developing breast
cancer in women who are lifetime nonsmokers, a study by epidemiologists and geographers at the University at Buffalo has
found.
Their study was conducted among women who lived in Erie and Niagara counties of New York State between 1996 and 2001. They
found that higher exposure around the time of first menstruation to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), potential
carcinogens found in traffic emissions, was associated with increased risk of premenopausal breast cancer.
However, for postmenopausal women, higher exposure to PAHs at the time of the first birth was associated with increased risk.
Neither association was found in women with a history of smoking.
Results of the study were presented earlier this month at the annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research
held in Anaheim, Calif. Jing Nie, Ph.D., a postdoctoral fellow in epidemiology in UB's School of Public Health and Health
Professions is first author on the study.
"There is growing evidence that there may be times in a woman's life when exposures to potential carcinogens may be critical
for breast-cancer initiation and development," said Nie. "Our study findings support the hypothesis that exposures in early
life contribute to breast-cancer risk."
The study was based on data from the Western New York Exposures and Breast Cancer (WEB) study. All participants were women
between the ages of 35 and 79 who lived in Erie or Niagara counties at the time of data collection. Women with primary,
histologically confirmed breast cancer served as cases. Controls were randomly selected and matched to cases on age, race and
county of residence.
Researchers in the WEB study conducted in-depth personal interviews with study participants to collect data on potential
breast-cancer risk factors and a history of where they had lived at different times in their lives. Researchers were
interested particularly in information related to four time periods: menarche (first menstrual period), first birth, 20 years
prior to the interview and 10 years prior.
Several information sources provided data on traffic volumes on roads in question for the years from 1960 to 2002 and
tail-pipe emissions, including measurements from tunnels and tests on individual vehicles. A geographic model was used to
reconstruct historic traffic PAHs, using measurements of benzo[a]pyrene, a known potent mutagen and carcinogen, as a
surrogate for total PAH exposure. Cruise emissions, cold engine emissions and intersection emissions were used to estimate
total traffic PAH emissions.
In addition, meteorological information was used in a geographic dispersion model to determine PAH exposure at each
participant's residence.
While the researchers found increased risk for exposure at menarche and first birth for premenopausal and postmenopausal
participants, respectively, who were lifetime nonsmokers, there was no association of traffic emissions with breast cancer
for the other time periods.
Nie said these findings related to PAHs need to be interpreted with caution, because they could be explained by other
compounds in vehicle exhaust or by other exposures related to the traffic emissions.
"While these results are subject to the limitations of epidemiologic observational studies, they are provocative in providing
evidence both of the importance of early exposures and of the potential importance of an environmental agent in risk of
breast cancer," said Nie. "Further examination of PAH exposure in early life is clearly warranted."
The UB researchers currently are examining whether genetic polymorphisms involving PAH metabolism may modify the risk, if
lifeline cumulative exposure may be associated with the risk and if this study may be replicated in another geographic
settings.
Jo Freudenheim, Ph.D., UB professor of social and preventive medicine, heads the WEB study.
Additional researchers were Jan Beyea, Ph.D., from Consulting in the Public Interest of Lambertville, N.J., who developed the
geographic dispersion model; Matthew Bonner, Ph.D., of the National Cancer Institute (NCI); Daikwon Han, Ph.D., Dominica
Vito, and Maurizio Trevisan, M.D., from the Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, UB School of Public Health and
Health Professions; and Peter Rogerson, Ph.D., of the Department of Geography, UB College of Arts and Sciences, along with
John Vena, Ph.D., now at the University of South Carolina, and Paola Muti, M.D., now at Italy's National Cancer Institute in
Genoa.
The research was supported in part by grants from the U.S. Army Breast Cancer Research Program and NCI.
The University at Buffalo is a premier research-intensive public university, the largest and most comprehensive campus in the
State University of New York.
Contact: Lois Baker
ljbakerbuffalo
716-645-5000 x1417
University at Buffalo
buffalo
cancer in women who are lifetime nonsmokers, a study by epidemiologists and geographers at the University at Buffalo has
found.
Their study was conducted among women who lived in Erie and Niagara counties of New York State between 1996 and 2001. They
found that higher exposure around the time of first menstruation to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), potential
carcinogens found in traffic emissions, was associated with increased risk of premenopausal breast cancer.
However, for postmenopausal women, higher exposure to PAHs at the time of the first birth was associated with increased risk.
Neither association was found in women with a history of smoking.
Results of the study were presented earlier this month at the annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research
held in Anaheim, Calif. Jing Nie, Ph.D., a postdoctoral fellow in epidemiology in UB's School of Public Health and Health
Professions is first author on the study.
"There is growing evidence that there may be times in a woman's life when exposures to potential carcinogens may be critical
for breast-cancer initiation and development," said Nie. "Our study findings support the hypothesis that exposures in early
life contribute to breast-cancer risk."
The study was based on data from the Western New York Exposures and Breast Cancer (WEB) study. All participants were women
between the ages of 35 and 79 who lived in Erie or Niagara counties at the time of data collection. Women with primary,
histologically confirmed breast cancer served as cases. Controls were randomly selected and matched to cases on age, race and
county of residence.
Researchers in the WEB study conducted in-depth personal interviews with study participants to collect data on potential
breast-cancer risk factors and a history of where they had lived at different times in their lives. Researchers were
interested particularly in information related to four time periods: menarche (first menstrual period), first birth, 20 years
prior to the interview and 10 years prior.
Several information sources provided data on traffic volumes on roads in question for the years from 1960 to 2002 and
tail-pipe emissions, including measurements from tunnels and tests on individual vehicles. A geographic model was used to
reconstruct historic traffic PAHs, using measurements of benzo[a]pyrene, a known potent mutagen and carcinogen, as a
surrogate for total PAH exposure. Cruise emissions, cold engine emissions and intersection emissions were used to estimate
total traffic PAH emissions.
In addition, meteorological information was used in a geographic dispersion model to determine PAH exposure at each
participant's residence.
While the researchers found increased risk for exposure at menarche and first birth for premenopausal and postmenopausal
participants, respectively, who were lifetime nonsmokers, there was no association of traffic emissions with breast cancer
for the other time periods.
Nie said these findings related to PAHs need to be interpreted with caution, because they could be explained by other
compounds in vehicle exhaust or by other exposures related to the traffic emissions.
"While these results are subject to the limitations of epidemiologic observational studies, they are provocative in providing
evidence both of the importance of early exposures and of the potential importance of an environmental agent in risk of
breast cancer," said Nie. "Further examination of PAH exposure in early life is clearly warranted."
The UB researchers currently are examining whether genetic polymorphisms involving PAH metabolism may modify the risk, if
lifeline cumulative exposure may be associated with the risk and if this study may be replicated in another geographic
settings.
Jo Freudenheim, Ph.D., UB professor of social and preventive medicine, heads the WEB study.
Additional researchers were Jan Beyea, Ph.D., from Consulting in the Public Interest of Lambertville, N.J., who developed the
geographic dispersion model; Matthew Bonner, Ph.D., of the National Cancer Institute (NCI); Daikwon Han, Ph.D., Dominica
Vito, and Maurizio Trevisan, M.D., from the Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, UB School of Public Health and
Health Professions; and Peter Rogerson, Ph.D., of the Department of Geography, UB College of Arts and Sciences, along with
John Vena, Ph.D., now at the University of South Carolina, and Paola Muti, M.D., now at Italy's National Cancer Institute in
Genoa.
The research was supported in part by grants from the U.S. Army Breast Cancer Research Program and NCI.
The University at Buffalo is a premier research-intensive public university, the largest and most comprehensive campus in the
State University of New York.
Contact: Lois Baker
ljbakerbuffalo
716-645-5000 x1417
University at Buffalo
buffalo
пятница, 24 июня 2011 г.
News And Feature Story Ideas For Breast Cancer Awareness Month (October)
Metropolitan Chicago Breast Cancer Task Force Issues Breast Cancer Disparity Report on October 17
The Chicago Breast Cancer Task Force will hold a press conference at Rush University Medical Center at 10 a.m. on October 17 to announce the group's recommendations to address breast cancer disparities and improve breast cancer care for all women. The citywide task force was created in response to a report issued in October 2006 about the alarming disparities in breast cancer mortality rates between African-American women and white women in Chicago.
Rush Researchers Study Groundbreaking Drug Avastin
Avastin, a humanized monoclonal antibody designed to interfere with the blood supply to a tumor, has been shown in clinical trials to provide significant benefit for advanced breast cancer patients. The next step is studying the drug in the adjuvant setting to determine if it can prevent tumors from reoccurring. "This is a drug that sabotages new blood vessel formation. The tumor can't grow bigger than the size of a sesame seed without an oxygen supply," said Dr. Melody Cobleigh, medical director of the Coleman Foundation Comprehensive Breast Center at Rush. Rush has been involved in the study of Avastin from the very beginning, participating in both the Phase I and Phase II studies of the drug.
Testing New Approaches to Treat Breast Cancer
Oncologist Dr. Ruta Rao is studying the use of Tarceva, a targeted drug therapy against the epidermal growth factor, for breast cancer patients whose genetic makeup puts them in a subset of patients typically very difficult to treat. Tarceva is currently approved for metastatic lung cancer and metastatic pancreatic cancer. Researcher Xiulong Xu, PhD is studying a drug used to suppress an enzyme associated with increased tumor growth and examining its potential to prevent and treat breast cancer.
New Electronic Brachytherapy Treatment System for Breast Cancer
Rush is the first medical center in the Midwest to treat breast cancer patients using a miniature X-ray source that can deliver localized and targeted radiation treatment in any clinical setting, rather than in heavily-shielded environments. The Xoft Axxent Electronic Brachytherapy System delivers therapy in 10-15 minutes, two times a day, for five days straight. "This system reduces radiation treatment from seven weeks down to five days," said surgeon Dr. Kambiz Dowlat. "With the shorter treatment time, more patients may choose breast sparing surgery over the alternative of a full mastectomy."
Breast Cancer in Perspective: Amazing Advances Greatly Reduce Mortality
In the last 20 years, with most of the progress in the last 10 years, a number of advances have led to a reduced mortality in breast cancer. According to the American Cancer Society the death rate for women under the age of 50 has been decreasing approximately 3.3% every year since 1990 and the death rate is decreasing 2% every year for women over the age of 50. New and innovative types of treatment, preventive measures, and diagnostic techniques have been developed such as Tamoxifen for the prevention of breast cancer in high-risk women, Herceptin for the treatment of tumors that express Her2/ErbB2 and aromatase inhibitors for the treatment of postmenopausal estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer. "The vast majority of patients with operable breast cancer are cured today," said Dr. Melody Cobleigh
"Venture" Initiative Funds Research at the Earliest Stages
Breakthrough ideas grow during the earliest stage of research, which is the most difficult stage to fund through grants. The Segal Foundation Research Initiative in Women's Cancers is providing the "seed" funding for seven young researchers at Rush to help them take their ideas from vision to reality. Based on the idea of "venture philanthropy," the Segal Foundation's initiative represents a new way of thinking about traditional giving. Applying venture capital principals to the philanthropic process focuses on results and provides the most gratifying return on investment. The initiative has inspired other organizations to take a similar approach. The Brian Piccolo Cancer Research Fund, with support from the Gavers Community Cancer Foundation, will provide seed monies this year to three talented researchers studying new approaches to breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. Likewise, the Rush Associates Board, an auxiliary group of mid-career professionals, will support young Rush researchers seeking to test promising ideas in a variety of clinical disciplines that are not yet ready for funding by established foundations or governmental agencies.
Awareness is Up but Fewer Women Getting Mammograms
After rising steadily during the 1990s, mammography screening rates leveled off after 2000 and began to decline about 2003, according to a recent study from the National Cancer Institute. The report says only 66% of eligible women are being screened; three million fewer women than five years ago. "Early detection saves lives and increases treatment options," says Dr. Peter Jokich, director of the Rush Breast Imaging Center. "Approximately 75 percent of women who develop breast cancer have no significant risk factors. Therefore, every woman over the age of 40 should undergo a screening for breast cancer with mammography every year."
Future Advances, Clinical Trials Stalled by Low Patient Participation
Before a new treatment becomes available, researchers must recruit hundreds or thousands of patients to participate in clinical research trials. But finding these patients is increasingly difficult. "Only 2% of cancer patients participate in clinical trials," said Dr. Melody Cobleigh. "There is a need for greater participation, especially in randomized Phase III trials." Even a modest increase of 2 to 3 percentage points would make a major impact, meaning the difference between completing a study in two years instead of three years.
Will You Get Breast Cancer? Genetic Testing for High Risk Patients
The Rush Inherited Susceptibility to Cancer Program (RISC) counsels people on their personal and family risks for developing cancer, and provides information on prevention and early detection. Cancer-causing mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes account for approximately 5%-10% of all breast cancer cases. "We don't recommend widespread testing for these mutations, however women with a strong family history of breast cancer should undergo counseling to determine if a genetic test is appropriate," said Dr. Lydia Usha, director of the RISC program.
Holistic Cancer Treatment Focuses on the Emotional, Psychological and Spiritual Effects of Cancer
The Cancer Integrative Medicine Program at Rush is designed to relieve stress, pain and fatigue, as well as help patients take an active role in enhancing their health. The program offers integrative and behavioral medicine methods of treatment including acupuncture, biofeedback, guided imagery, medical hypnosis, yoga, massage, nutritional counseling, and herbal counseling. "Stress is a huge issue for people with cancer," said Janine Gauthier, PhD, director of clinical services for the program. "When patients get relief from stress, they gain a sense of control and may tolerate their medical treatments better."
rush
View drug information on Avastin; Herceptin; Tarceva.
The Chicago Breast Cancer Task Force will hold a press conference at Rush University Medical Center at 10 a.m. on October 17 to announce the group's recommendations to address breast cancer disparities and improve breast cancer care for all women. The citywide task force was created in response to a report issued in October 2006 about the alarming disparities in breast cancer mortality rates between African-American women and white women in Chicago.
Rush Researchers Study Groundbreaking Drug Avastin
Avastin, a humanized monoclonal antibody designed to interfere with the blood supply to a tumor, has been shown in clinical trials to provide significant benefit for advanced breast cancer patients. The next step is studying the drug in the adjuvant setting to determine if it can prevent tumors from reoccurring. "This is a drug that sabotages new blood vessel formation. The tumor can't grow bigger than the size of a sesame seed without an oxygen supply," said Dr. Melody Cobleigh, medical director of the Coleman Foundation Comprehensive Breast Center at Rush. Rush has been involved in the study of Avastin from the very beginning, participating in both the Phase I and Phase II studies of the drug.
Testing New Approaches to Treat Breast Cancer
Oncologist Dr. Ruta Rao is studying the use of Tarceva, a targeted drug therapy against the epidermal growth factor, for breast cancer patients whose genetic makeup puts them in a subset of patients typically very difficult to treat. Tarceva is currently approved for metastatic lung cancer and metastatic pancreatic cancer. Researcher Xiulong Xu, PhD is studying a drug used to suppress an enzyme associated with increased tumor growth and examining its potential to prevent and treat breast cancer.
New Electronic Brachytherapy Treatment System for Breast Cancer
Rush is the first medical center in the Midwest to treat breast cancer patients using a miniature X-ray source that can deliver localized and targeted radiation treatment in any clinical setting, rather than in heavily-shielded environments. The Xoft Axxent Electronic Brachytherapy System delivers therapy in 10-15 minutes, two times a day, for five days straight. "This system reduces radiation treatment from seven weeks down to five days," said surgeon Dr. Kambiz Dowlat. "With the shorter treatment time, more patients may choose breast sparing surgery over the alternative of a full mastectomy."
Breast Cancer in Perspective: Amazing Advances Greatly Reduce Mortality
In the last 20 years, with most of the progress in the last 10 years, a number of advances have led to a reduced mortality in breast cancer. According to the American Cancer Society the death rate for women under the age of 50 has been decreasing approximately 3.3% every year since 1990 and the death rate is decreasing 2% every year for women over the age of 50. New and innovative types of treatment, preventive measures, and diagnostic techniques have been developed such as Tamoxifen for the prevention of breast cancer in high-risk women, Herceptin for the treatment of tumors that express Her2/ErbB2 and aromatase inhibitors for the treatment of postmenopausal estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer. "The vast majority of patients with operable breast cancer are cured today," said Dr. Melody Cobleigh
"Venture" Initiative Funds Research at the Earliest Stages
Breakthrough ideas grow during the earliest stage of research, which is the most difficult stage to fund through grants. The Segal Foundation Research Initiative in Women's Cancers is providing the "seed" funding for seven young researchers at Rush to help them take their ideas from vision to reality. Based on the idea of "venture philanthropy," the Segal Foundation's initiative represents a new way of thinking about traditional giving. Applying venture capital principals to the philanthropic process focuses on results and provides the most gratifying return on investment. The initiative has inspired other organizations to take a similar approach. The Brian Piccolo Cancer Research Fund, with support from the Gavers Community Cancer Foundation, will provide seed monies this year to three talented researchers studying new approaches to breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. Likewise, the Rush Associates Board, an auxiliary group of mid-career professionals, will support young Rush researchers seeking to test promising ideas in a variety of clinical disciplines that are not yet ready for funding by established foundations or governmental agencies.
Awareness is Up but Fewer Women Getting Mammograms
After rising steadily during the 1990s, mammography screening rates leveled off after 2000 and began to decline about 2003, according to a recent study from the National Cancer Institute. The report says only 66% of eligible women are being screened; three million fewer women than five years ago. "Early detection saves lives and increases treatment options," says Dr. Peter Jokich, director of the Rush Breast Imaging Center. "Approximately 75 percent of women who develop breast cancer have no significant risk factors. Therefore, every woman over the age of 40 should undergo a screening for breast cancer with mammography every year."
Future Advances, Clinical Trials Stalled by Low Patient Participation
Before a new treatment becomes available, researchers must recruit hundreds or thousands of patients to participate in clinical research trials. But finding these patients is increasingly difficult. "Only 2% of cancer patients participate in clinical trials," said Dr. Melody Cobleigh. "There is a need for greater participation, especially in randomized Phase III trials." Even a modest increase of 2 to 3 percentage points would make a major impact, meaning the difference between completing a study in two years instead of three years.
Will You Get Breast Cancer? Genetic Testing for High Risk Patients
The Rush Inherited Susceptibility to Cancer Program (RISC) counsels people on their personal and family risks for developing cancer, and provides information on prevention and early detection. Cancer-causing mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes account for approximately 5%-10% of all breast cancer cases. "We don't recommend widespread testing for these mutations, however women with a strong family history of breast cancer should undergo counseling to determine if a genetic test is appropriate," said Dr. Lydia Usha, director of the RISC program.
Holistic Cancer Treatment Focuses on the Emotional, Psychological and Spiritual Effects of Cancer
The Cancer Integrative Medicine Program at Rush is designed to relieve stress, pain and fatigue, as well as help patients take an active role in enhancing their health. The program offers integrative and behavioral medicine methods of treatment including acupuncture, biofeedback, guided imagery, medical hypnosis, yoga, massage, nutritional counseling, and herbal counseling. "Stress is a huge issue for people with cancer," said Janine Gauthier, PhD, director of clinical services for the program. "When patients get relief from stress, they gain a sense of control and may tolerate their medical treatments better."
rush
View drug information on Avastin; Herceptin; Tarceva.
четверг, 23 июня 2011 г.
Hormone Replacement Therapy: Real Concerns And False Alarms
In recent years, a series of highly publicized reports have warned of increases in breast cancer and other health problems in postmenopausal women who take hormone replacement therapy (HRT). But a closer look at the data suggests that those reports were often "distorted, oversimplified, or wrong," according to a paper in the March/April issue of The Cancer Journal: The Journal of Principles & Practice of Oncology. The journal is published by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, a part of Wolters Kluwer Health, a leading provider of information and business intelligence for students, professionals, and institutions in medicine, nursing, allied health, pharmacy and the pharmaceutical industry.
Despite "weak or statistically insignificant" data, scientific and media reports have emphasized the dangers of HRT, while downplaying its beneficial effects especially on menopausal symptoms, according to the article by Avrum Z. Bluming, M.D., and Carol Tavris, Ph.D. "Physicians and the public must be cautious about accepting 'findings by press release' in determining whether or not to prescribe or take HRT," according to Drs. Bluming and Tavris. Dr. Bluming is a Board-Certified Medical Oncologist, a Master of the American College of Physicians and a Clinical Professor of Medicine at the University of Southern California. Dr. Tavris is a social psychologist and writer.
Discrepancies Between Reports of HRT Dangers and Supporting Data
Doctors Bluming and Tavris cite the Harvard Nurses' Health Study, published in 1995, which employed retrospective substratification to exaggerate the association between HRT and breast cancer development. Statisticians have cautioned that spurious associations can result from this practice also called "data mining" in which researchers sift through their databases, looking for factors that might affect health outcomes. "The problem is that in a data set of many thousands of people, some relationship that is unearthed retrospectively will turn out to be statistically significant...just by chance."
The authors also criticize the Women's Health Initiative (WHI), published initially in 2002, which reported "relative risk" rather than "absolute risk" associations. This format can make "statistically modest or borderline results...look more impressive than they actually are." The authors note that the 26 percent relative risk of breast cancer in the initial WHI is similar to that reported for unlikely risk factors like eating grapefruit, working on a nightshift, or working as a flight attendant.
The core issue, according to Drs. Bluming and Tavris, is the difference between information and knowledge. "What we're trying to do is make a plea for knowledge, not just information, especially loosely based associations that are generated by epidemiologic studies. That isn't science. Post-hoc findings that make little or no scientific sense may give us clues for future investigation, but they shouldn't be accepted as proof of cause and effect."
Jumble of 'Positive, Negative and Meaningless' Findings
Press releases linking HRT to breast cancer failed to report that the initial WHI report of a 26 percent relative risk did not reach the level of statistical significance. Nevertheless, several editorials by prominent authorities highlighted the increase in risk as "statistically significant" a false claim repeated in news stories.
Subsequent analyses gave varying results: smaller but significant risk, larger but nonsignificant risk, or no significant difference in risk. "It is difficult to resist the conclusion that the WHI investigators have been doing everything they could to wring the bleakest possible interpretation from their recalcitrant data," Drs. Bluming and Tavris write.
Although concerns about breast cancer and other health risks are valid, "HRT is not the clear and present danger that the WHI and much of the media have made it out to be," Drs. Bluming and Tavris conclude. They contend that the weight of available evidence supports the use of HRT by women who are having menopausal symptoms, beginning at the start of menopause and continuing for as many years as necessary.
About The Cancer Journal
The Cancer Journal: The Journal of Principles & Practice of Oncology provides an integrated view of modern oncology across all disciplines. The Journal publishes original research and reviews, and also serves to update the content published in the textbook Cancer: Principles & Practice of Oncology
About Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Lippincott Williams & Wilkins (LWW) is a leading international publisher for healthcare professionals and students with nearly 300 periodicals and 1,500 books in more than 100 disciplines publishing under the LWW brand, as well as content-based sites and online corporate and customer services. LWW is part of Wolters Kluwer Health, a leading provider of information and business intelligence for students, professionals and institutions in medicine, nursing, allied health, pharmacy and the pharmaceutical industry.
Wolters Kluwer Health is a division of Wolters Kluwer, a leading global information services and publishing company. The company provides products and services for professionals in the health, tax, accounting, corporate, financial services, legal, and regulatory sectors. Wolters Kluwer had 2008 annual revenues of €3.4 billion ($4.9 billion), employs approximately 20,000 people worldwide, and maintains operations in over 35 countries across Europe, North America, Asia Pacific, and Latin America. Wolters Kluwer is headquartered in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Its shares are quoted on Euronext Amsterdam (WKL) and are included in the AEX and Euronext 100 indices.
Source: Wolters Kluwer Health
Despite "weak or statistically insignificant" data, scientific and media reports have emphasized the dangers of HRT, while downplaying its beneficial effects especially on menopausal symptoms, according to the article by Avrum Z. Bluming, M.D., and Carol Tavris, Ph.D. "Physicians and the public must be cautious about accepting 'findings by press release' in determining whether or not to prescribe or take HRT," according to Drs. Bluming and Tavris. Dr. Bluming is a Board-Certified Medical Oncologist, a Master of the American College of Physicians and a Clinical Professor of Medicine at the University of Southern California. Dr. Tavris is a social psychologist and writer.
Discrepancies Between Reports of HRT Dangers and Supporting Data
Doctors Bluming and Tavris cite the Harvard Nurses' Health Study, published in 1995, which employed retrospective substratification to exaggerate the association between HRT and breast cancer development. Statisticians have cautioned that spurious associations can result from this practice also called "data mining" in which researchers sift through their databases, looking for factors that might affect health outcomes. "The problem is that in a data set of many thousands of people, some relationship that is unearthed retrospectively will turn out to be statistically significant...just by chance."
The authors also criticize the Women's Health Initiative (WHI), published initially in 2002, which reported "relative risk" rather than "absolute risk" associations. This format can make "statistically modest or borderline results...look more impressive than they actually are." The authors note that the 26 percent relative risk of breast cancer in the initial WHI is similar to that reported for unlikely risk factors like eating grapefruit, working on a nightshift, or working as a flight attendant.
The core issue, according to Drs. Bluming and Tavris, is the difference between information and knowledge. "What we're trying to do is make a plea for knowledge, not just information, especially loosely based associations that are generated by epidemiologic studies. That isn't science. Post-hoc findings that make little or no scientific sense may give us clues for future investigation, but they shouldn't be accepted as proof of cause and effect."
Jumble of 'Positive, Negative and Meaningless' Findings
Press releases linking HRT to breast cancer failed to report that the initial WHI report of a 26 percent relative risk did not reach the level of statistical significance. Nevertheless, several editorials by prominent authorities highlighted the increase in risk as "statistically significant" a false claim repeated in news stories.
Subsequent analyses gave varying results: smaller but significant risk, larger but nonsignificant risk, or no significant difference in risk. "It is difficult to resist the conclusion that the WHI investigators have been doing everything they could to wring the bleakest possible interpretation from their recalcitrant data," Drs. Bluming and Tavris write.
Although concerns about breast cancer and other health risks are valid, "HRT is not the clear and present danger that the WHI and much of the media have made it out to be," Drs. Bluming and Tavris conclude. They contend that the weight of available evidence supports the use of HRT by women who are having menopausal symptoms, beginning at the start of menopause and continuing for as many years as necessary.
About The Cancer Journal
The Cancer Journal: The Journal of Principles & Practice of Oncology provides an integrated view of modern oncology across all disciplines. The Journal publishes original research and reviews, and also serves to update the content published in the textbook Cancer: Principles & Practice of Oncology
About Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Lippincott Williams & Wilkins (LWW) is a leading international publisher for healthcare professionals and students with nearly 300 periodicals and 1,500 books in more than 100 disciplines publishing under the LWW brand, as well as content-based sites and online corporate and customer services. LWW is part of Wolters Kluwer Health, a leading provider of information and business intelligence for students, professionals and institutions in medicine, nursing, allied health, pharmacy and the pharmaceutical industry.
Wolters Kluwer Health is a division of Wolters Kluwer, a leading global information services and publishing company. The company provides products and services for professionals in the health, tax, accounting, corporate, financial services, legal, and regulatory sectors. Wolters Kluwer had 2008 annual revenues of €3.4 billion ($4.9 billion), employs approximately 20,000 people worldwide, and maintains operations in over 35 countries across Europe, North America, Asia Pacific, and Latin America. Wolters Kluwer is headquartered in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Its shares are quoted on Euronext Amsterdam (WKL) and are included in the AEX and Euronext 100 indices.
Source: Wolters Kluwer Health
среда, 22 июня 2011 г.
Kansas Breast And Cervical Cancer Screening Program For Low-Income, Uninsured Women Runs Out Of Funding
The Kansas Early Detection Works program, which provides uninsured low-income women in the state with breast and cervical cancer screenings at no cost, has depleted its operating funds and will delay almost all cancer screenings until July 1, the Wichita Eagle reports. Janet Neff, director of the Cancer Prevention and Control Program at the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, said the program has received about $2.3 million annually in recent years from CDC. The program also receives some funding from the state and the Mid-Kansas affiliate of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation.
The screening program depleted its funds in March. However, program officials reserved a limited amount of funding to provide diagnostic tests until the new fiscal year begins on July 1 to women who display symptoms of breast or cervical cancer. Women who inquire about the program will be placed on a waiting list and will be screened when funding becomes available. Kansas women ages 40 to 64 who are uninsured and meet income guidelines are eligible for the program. According to Neff, about 5,800 of the at least 27,000 women in Kansas who qualify to receive no-cost screenings have done so since July 1, 2007.
Neff said she requested slightly more than $2.3 million in federal funds for FY 2009 (Shideler, Wichita Eagle, 5/5).
Reprinted with kind permission from kaisernetwork. You can view the entire Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery at kaisernetwork/dailyreports/healthpolicy. The Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report is published for kaisernetwork, a free service of The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation.
© 2008 Advisory Board Company and Kaiser Family Foundation. All rights reserved.
The screening program depleted its funds in March. However, program officials reserved a limited amount of funding to provide diagnostic tests until the new fiscal year begins on July 1 to women who display symptoms of breast or cervical cancer. Women who inquire about the program will be placed on a waiting list and will be screened when funding becomes available. Kansas women ages 40 to 64 who are uninsured and meet income guidelines are eligible for the program. According to Neff, about 5,800 of the at least 27,000 women in Kansas who qualify to receive no-cost screenings have done so since July 1, 2007.
Neff said she requested slightly more than $2.3 million in federal funds for FY 2009 (Shideler, Wichita Eagle, 5/5).
Reprinted with kind permission from kaisernetwork. You can view the entire Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery at kaisernetwork/dailyreports/healthpolicy. The Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report is published for kaisernetwork, a free service of The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation.
© 2008 Advisory Board Company and Kaiser Family Foundation. All rights reserved.
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