A variant in a gene that promotes the production of testosterone by prostate cancer cells is linked to poorer survival and the development of castration-resistant disease in Caucasians with metastatic prostate cancer, a study suggests. Its researchers recommend that genetic testing be part of routine care for patients, as those with this variant may need…
Conditions
Conditions
FDA Asked to Approve Relugolix to Treat Advanced Prostate Cancer
Myovant Sciences has filed an application with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) seeking approval of relugolix to treat men with advanced prostate cancer. The new drug application (NDA) proposes a single daily dose of 120 mg, given as an oral tablet, based on positive results from the Phase 3 HERO trial (NCT03085095, still recruiting in China). “The…
Lung Cancer Patients Treated with IMRT Have Less Lung Toxicity and Better Tolerance to Chemotherapy
The analysis of an international clinical trial including patients suffering from locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) showed that those treated with intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) had a significant decrease in lung toxicity and improved chemotherapy tolerance when compared to patients treated with 3-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3-D CRT). The results were presented by Stephen Chun, M.D., fellow, Radiation Oncology at…
Langerhans Cells Protect Skin Tumors from Radiation Treatment
Researchers at the Tish Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, have discovered how tumors can survive the effects of radiotherapy. While studying skin tumors, the team discovered that during radiotherapy, skin immune cells — called Langerhans cells — are activated to repair the DNA damage caused by the radiation. When Langerhans cells were exposed to…
FDA Filing of Alzheimer’s Therapy Aducanumab Delayed to Late 2020, Biogen Says
Biogen is pushing back the submission of aducanumab, its investigational treatment for Alzheimer’s disease, to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to the third quarter of this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the company announced. “The COVID-19 pandemic has created a challenging situation for people and companies throughout the world, and Biogen personally…
Surge in Telemedicine One ‘Good’ Outcome from COVID-19 Crisis, Doctors Say
While there are few silver linings to the cloud created by COVID-19, the pandemic that has killed tens of thousands, hobbled economies worldwide and drove millions to quarantine in their homes, one may be a new appreciation of telemedicine. “If something good could come out of this crisis, it’s that we would learn how valuable…
Despite the Struggle, I Have Found Solace in Solitude
I’ve entered my sixth week of quarantine, and you’ll be happy to know that I haven’t gone completely insane (yet). Then again, I wouldn’t know, as I don’t have anyone to bounce my feelings off, except myself. Which I do a lot. On second thought, maybe I am insane. We are, as you might have…
Alzheimer’s Caregivers Often Fear Contracting the Disease
A wise man once said, “No one by worrying can add one inch to their height.” Constantly worrying about acquiring an admittedly horrible disease may be useless, but it also is common practice for caregivers. Our intimate involvement in the daily processes of a disease, and seeing how it affects our loved ones affects us,…
Study: Opdivo-Cabometyx Combo Extends Survival, Increases Response Rates in Advanced Kidney Cancer
Combining Cabometyx (cabozantinib) with Opdivo (nivolumab) significantly extends survival, delays disease progression and increases the rate of positive responses compared to standard treatment with Sutent (sunitinib) among people with newly diagnosed advanced renal cell cancer, a pivotal Phase 3 trial shows. The recent findings mean that the CheckMate -9ER trial (NCT03141177) met its primary goal of extending…
Industry leaders seek to advance innovative resources for rare and orphan disease communities amid COVID-19 outbreak
FFF Enterprises and BioNews announced today that both rare and orphan disease advocates are joining forces to provide patients with resources to help them connect as a community and continue to manage their health during this time when many are finding themselves alone. Recognized as the nation’s leading supplier of critical-care biopharmaceuticals, plasma products and…
Ovarian Cancer Often More Advanced at Diagnosis in Rural Areas in US
Women living in rural areas in the U.S. are significantly more likely to have metastatic disease at the time of their ovarian cancer diagnosis than those living in metropolitan areas, a study of patients in three Midwest states found. This finding is likely not a consequence of travel time to reach a primary care provider.…
Enhertu Approved for HER2-Positive Inoperable or Metastatic Cancer in Japan
Enhertu (trastuzumab deruxtecan) has been approved in Japan to treat adults with HER2-positive inoperable or metastatic breast cancer that is resistant to chemotherapy, or those who cannot tolerate it. Enhertu is an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) made up of the anti-HER2 antibody trastuzumab bound to the cancer-killing compound deruxtecan (a derivative of exatecan). HER2 is a protein found…