The University of Texas’ MD Anderson Cancer Center, in collaboration with the National Cancer Institute and Golfers Against Cancer, is evaluating the usefulness of a blood test called CA-125 at detecting ovarian cancer at early stages in low-risk women. Cancer antigen 125 (CA-125) is a protein found at higher levels in people with ovarian and other types of cancer.…
Conditions
Conditions
Puerto Rico to Test miR’s ‘Liquid Biopsy’ in Detecting Prostate Cancers
The Puerto Rico Health Insurance Administration (ASES) has signed an agreement with miR Scientific to evaluate the economic and health benefits of using the miR Sentinel PCC4 Assay, also called the miR Sentinel Prostate Test, to alleviate the burden of prostate cancer in the U.S. territory. Prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer and…
Clinical Trial to Test CRISPR-modified T-cells in Treating Advanced Cancers
Immune cells that have been genetically engineered using CRISPR technology will be tested for a first time as a potential treatment of metastatic gastrointestinal cancer in a clinical trial. The Phase 1/2 trial (NCT04426669) is enrolling up to 20 eligible patients at the University of Minnesota’s Masonic Cancer Center. Contact information for this single-site study can be…
Gum Disease Bacteria Found in Most Alzheimer’s Patients in Atuzaginstat Trial
Most of the mild to moderate Alzheimer’s patients enrolled in the atuzaginstat (COR388) Phase 2/3 trial show evidence of systemic infection due to Porphyromonas gingivalis, a bacteria linked to periodontal disease whose toxic enzymes are thought to contribute to Alzheimer’s and are targets for this candidate therapy. A “high proportion” also test positive for biomarkers associated with this neurodegenerative disease.…
FDA Grants Fast Track Status, Rolling Review to Lumicell’s LUM Imaging System
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted fast track designation with rolling review to Lumicell’s LUM Imaging System for the detection and treatment of breast cancer. Fast track is given to accelerate the development and review of investigational therapies aimed at treating serious or life-threatening conditions, and addressing an unmet medical need. With…
New $100M Program Aims to Improve Diversity in Clinical Trials
A new $100-million program aims to improve the diversity of participants in U.S. clinical trials with the ultimate goal of achieving better health outcomes and parity in care for underserved patient populations. The initiative seeks to extend the reach of clinical studies to underserved populations in the nation’s urban and rural communities, and promote treatment development…
ALKS 4230-Keytruda Combo Found to Reduce Tumor Size, Halt Disease Progression
The combination of Keytruda (pembrolizumab) and ALKS 4230 was able to halt disease progression and reduce tumor size in a small group of heavily pre-treated patients with advanced ovarian cancer, according to data from an ongoing Phase 1/2 trial. Findings from the trial, called ARTISTRY-1 (NCT02799095), also showed the combination therapy had a manageable safety…
PCF Helps Fund 2 Centers of Excellence to Treat Veterans With Prostate Cancer
The Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF) has committed $5 million to support the launch of two new Centers of Excellence that will provide precision medicine treatments to veterans with prostate cancer. The centers are being launched in collaboration with the Veterans Administration Boston Healthcare System, the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, the VA Portland Health Care System, and…
AlzeCure’s Lead Therapy Candidate Entering Phase 1 Testing in Sweden
AlzeCure Pharma is preparing to launch a Phase 1 clinical trial in Sweden to evaluate the tolerability and safety of ACD856, one of its therapy candidates for Alzheimer’s disease, the company announced. The trial follows the release of the first positive clinical results, in which ACD856 showed a good pharmacokinetic profile (how the body affects…
Merck Halts Phase 3 Trial on Yervoy-Keytruda Combo in Advanced Lung Cancer
Merck has decided to suspend its Phase 3 trial that was assessing a combination of Yervoy (ipilimumab) and Keytruda (pembrolizumab) as a first-line therapy for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the company announced in a press release. The decision to halt the study was based on recommendations from an independent data monitoring committee,…
China Approves Xgeva to Prevent Bone Events Due to Multiple Myeloma, Other Cancers
Xgeva (denosumab) has been approved by the China National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) to prevent bone problems — such as fractures, spinal cord compressions, and the need for radiation or surgery — in people with multiple myeloma and in those with bone metastases from solid tumors. Xgeva was previously approved in China to treat adults, and adolescents…
IGC Starts Phase 1 Study of Low-dose Cannabinoid in Alzheimer’s Patients
A Phase 1 trial is enrolling patients with mild to severe dementia from Alzheimer’s disease to test IGC-AD1, an investigational cannabis-based treatment being developed India Globalization Capital (IGC) Pharma, a subsidiary of IGC, according to a recent press release. In the placebo-controlled study, 12 participants will receive the medication over three 14-day periods, with the…