Mechanism Of Action Of EGFR Inhibitors in Cancer Chemotherapy Nov 2, 2007
2, 2007) Three papers published this month in the open access general medical journal PLoS Medicine investigate how tumors respond to a an important class of drugs used in cancer chemotherapy, known as epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors. See also. (Science Daily)
Amgen's Next Opponents Oct 26, 2007
Amgen just beat back an attempt by Swiss drug giant Roche to invade its turf: the $10 billion U.S. market for drugs to treat the anemia that occurs after kidney dialysis or treatment with cancer chemotherapy. But even as Amgen (nasdaq: - - ) defends its anemia franchise against threats on all sides--including cuts in what insurers and the government will pay for--investors will ask whether it can conquer a new disease: osteoporosis, the chronic bone weakening that afflicts 10 million Americans,... (Forbes -- Business)
Surviving Breast Cancer: Chemotherapy & Bone Loss Oct 20, 2007
Paula Francis, AnchorSurviving Breast Cancer: Chemotherapy Loss. Build Your Own Newscast. (KLAS-TV.com, NV)
How A Benign Fungus Can Become Life-Threatening Oct 9, 2007
C. albicans can cause serious and potentially life-threatening infections in the mouth, blood and other tissues of people who are undergoing cancer chemotherapy or radiation treatments, or who have developed AIDS or other diseases that damage the immunity of the individual. In two separate papers recently published in Developmental Cell and the EMBO journal, the team of scientists led by Wang Yue, principal investigator at IMCB, have managed to reveal previously unknown mechanisms which are... (Science Daily)
How Candida albicans transforms from its normally benign form into life-threatening form Oct 5, 2007
C. albicans can cause serious and potentially life-threatening infections in the mouth, blood and other tissues of people who are undergoing cancer chemotherapy or radiation treatments, or who have developed AIDS or other diseases that damage the immunity of the individual. In two separate papers published last month in Developmental Cell and in August in the EMBO journal, the team of scientists led by Wang Yue, principal investigator at IMCB, have managed to reveal previously unknown mechanisms... (EurekAlert!)
Call to ban herbalists' cocktails Oct 4, 2007
In the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee and the relief of cancer chemotherapy side-effects, the herbal mixtures did not work at all. In irritable bowel syndrome, they were better than nothing, but the patients who did best were those on a standardised herbal medicine, not on an individualised cocktail. (Guardian Unlimited)
Woman who died after gene therapy had infection Aug 18, 2007
But in people whose immune systems are compromised because of AIDS or cancer chemotherapy, for example the fungal cells can spread to other organs and blossom quickly into fatal infections. It was in her liver. (The Pantagraph newspaper)
Death by medicine Aug 18, 2007
"Most of the trials were done in males aged in their 60s. But 90 per cent of admissions for heart failure are for people aged over 75, the majority women. To me this is as sensible as breast cancer chemotherapy trials being carried out in men.". Australia's specialists too often treat the disease not the person, and while GPs often feel powerless, they are also regarded as "independent professionals" with no official requirement to monitor their patients. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
Non-small Cell Lung Cancer: Chemotherapy Before Surgery Appears Better Than Surgery Alone Jul 18, 2007
Combining pre-operative chemotherapy and surgery increases the average chance of survival for non-small cell lung cancer patients at five years by approximately 6% compared with surgery alone. This conclusion was drawn by a team of Cochrane Researchers from the MRC Clinical Trials Unit in London after they identified 12 eligible randomised controlled trials. (Science Daily)
New Medicines For Dogs And Cats May End Up Helping Humans Jun 28, 2007
Petkewich cites, for instance, the first diet drugs for dogs; the first approved drug for vomiting in dogs, including vomiting due to motion sickness or cancer chemotherapy; and a new medication for the barking and other undesirable behavior of separation anxiety, which can occur when dogs are left home alone. Just as drug companies are shifting some human health focus to geriatric medications, their animal health divisions are working on products to treat cancer, heart disease and other... (Science Daily)
Scariest Hospital Risks Jun 19, 2007
Truth is, for all the life-saving miracles unfolding each day at modern hospitals--from cancer chemotherapy to heart bypass surgery--they are also filled with danger. "It's human frailty," says Carol Haraden, a vice president at the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, which several years ago started an effort to reduce the toll from medical mistakes. (Forbes)
Report touts new drug to fight osteoporosis May 4, 2007
The drug is sold by drug maker Novartis in the U.S. under the brand name Zometa to treat Paget's disease a genetic disorder in which bone becomes soft and breaks down readily and the prevention of bone loss in cancer chemotherapy. The company is applying to the Food and Drug Administration to sell it under the name Reclast for treating osteoporosis. (Seattle Times)
Simpler treatment found to reduce postmenopausal fracture May 3, 2007
The drug already is sold by drug maker Novartis in the United States under the brand name Zometa for the treatment of Paget's disease -- a genetic disorder in which bone becomes soft and breaks down readily -- and the prevention of bone loss in patients undergoing cancer chemotherapy. The company is applying to the Food and Drug Administration to sell it under the name Reclast for treatment of osteoporosis. (Boston Globe)
Plans for anemia drug run into roadblocks Apr 9, 2007
Erythropoietin products are used to boost red blood cell counts in patients with kidney failure or who are undergoing cancer chemotherapy. The first drug in the class was Epogen, the biotechnology industry's first blockbuster product. (Boston Globe)
Improving Blood Platelet Life Span Could Help Blood Banks And Patients Mar 27, 2007
Scientists at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research in Australia have made a discovery with potentially profound implications for the care of patients, especially those undergoing cancer chemotherapy ... An undesirable side effect of cancer chemotherapy is extensive bruising and potentially life-threatening bleeding. (Science Daily)
Discovery could increase shelf life of blood Mar 23, 2007
"Probably the major class of patients having platelet transfusions are patients having cancer chemotherapy, which tends to damage the body's own ability to produce platelets," he said. "So those people are often requiring platelet transfusions, particularly during their chemotherapy cycles.". (ABC Regional Online)
U.S. drug agency tightens rules on conflicts of interest Mar 22, 2007
The drugs are mainly used to treat anemia caused by kidney failure or cancer chemotherapy and have combined worldwide sales of roughly $10 billion a year. A panel is scheduled to meet May 10 to discuss the safety of the drugs. (International Herald Tribune -- Business)
* New kind of scientists required now Mar 5, 2007
Such systems have the potential to deliver new kinds of drugs in complex regimens which might be useful for cancer chemotherapy, for example. They could also provide new means of localized drug delivery that might be useful in several areas, including delivery of multiple drugs. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
Birthday boy shuns gifts, gathers food for friends in need Feb 7, 2007
Cynthia Billmeyer was laid up for six weeks after surgery Dec. 15, while Kurt Billmeyer started cancer chemotherapy Dec. 21. So Caleb asked his buddies to bring groceries rather than gifts to his football/tailgate birthday party Dec. 30. (La Crosse Tribune, WI)
BDSI given OK to start human testing on drug delivery technology Feb 4, 2007
The first Bioral product to be tested is an oral version of Amphotericin B, an antifungicidal agent for treating infections such as esophageal candidiasis, an infection prevalent in HIV patients and many patients receiving cancer chemotherapy. Mark Sirgo, CEO of BDSI (Nasdaq: BDSI), said the human trials will begin in 2007 but the 15-employee company has yet to set an exact date. (Raleigh Triangle Business Journal, NC)
Darcy Behrendt named chief nurse at Mo. Valley hospital Jan 12, 2007
Mrs. Behrendt is certified in Basic Life Support, Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Pediatric Advanced Life Support, Trauma Nurse Core Course, and Cancer Chemotherapy. She is a member of the Emergency Nurses Association and Alegent Health Domestic Violence Leadership Corp. Mrs. Behrendt is a Dunlap native and resides there with her husband Nick and their four children Kara, Colton, David and Nicole. (Dunlap Reporter, IA)
Par Pharmaceutical Receives Approval for Ondansetron Orally Disintegrating Tablets Dec 27, 2006
The product is used for the prevention of nausea and vomiting associated with highly emetogenic cancer chemotherapy and with initial and repeat courses of moderately emetogenic cancer chemotherapy, certain radiotherapies, and the prevention of postoperative nausea and/or vomiting. Annual U.S. sales of Zofran ODT(R) are approximately $300 million, according to IMS Health. (PR Newswire)
Barr's Subsidiary PLIVA Launches Ondansetron 4 mg and 8 mg Orally Disintegrating Tablets Dec 27, 2006
Zofran ODT(R) is used for the prevention of nausea and vomiting associated with emetogenic cancer chemotherapy, certain radiotherapies, and the prevention of postoperative nausea and/or vomiting. Ondansetron 4 mg and 8 mg Orally Disintegrating Tablets will compete in a market that had total U.S. sales of approximately $300 million, based on IMS data for the 12-month period ending September 2006. (PR Newswire)
Hospira Launches Ondansetron Injection Dec 27, 2006
Ondansetron is an antiemetic used for the prevention of nausea and vomiting caused by cancer chemotherapy and anesthesia/surgery. It is currently available from Hospira in a 4 mg single-dose vial and a 40 mg multiple-dose vial. (PR Newswire)
Bedford Laboratories(TM) to Begin Shipping Ondansetron Injection USP Dec 27, 2006
Ondansetron Injection USP is indicated for prevention of nausea and vomiting associated with initial and repeat courses of emetogenic cancer chemotherapy, including high-dose cisplatin. It is also indicated for prevention of postoperative nausea and/or vomiting. (PR Newswire)
Hospira launches generic version of Zofran Dec 27, 2006
Lake Forest-based Hospira said ondansetron is an antiemetic used for the prevention of nausea and vomiting caused by cancer chemotherapy and anesthesia. Additional Resources. (Crain's Chicago Business)
Cole opens business to help with hair loss Dec 8, 2006
Send your commentary to The Natchez Democrat. Have a story or tip for our staff. (Natchez Democrat, MS)
Cancer chemotherapy impairs brain Dec 4, 2006
Cancer chemotherapy can impair the brain of a patient as it can kill crucial neural cells and cause key parts of the organ to shrink, according to two studies released this week. The new findings add to a growing body of evidence suggesting that "chemo brain" - the mental fuzziness, memory loss and cognitive impairment is a serious problem, according to the studies. (People's Daily Online, China)
Chemotherapy Harms Brain Dec 2, 2006
Chemotherapy harms the brain, researchers find / 3 studies uncover reasons for mental fuzziness that doctors often dismiss (San Francisco Chronicle -- Science)
Studies say chemotherapy causes brain damage Dec 1, 2006
Cancer chemotherapy is shown to impair the brain - Los Angeles Times ... Cancer chemotherapy is shown to impair the brain ... Cancer chemotherapy can impair the brain, killing crucial neural cells and causing key parts of the organ to shrink, according to two studies released this week. (Los Angeles Times)
Temporary Brain Shrinkage May Explain 'Chemobrain' Nov 28, 2006
Explain to patients that cancer chemotherapy appears to have a temporary and reversible effect on thought processes and memory, and that the cancer treatment benefits far outweigh possible short-term effects on cognitive function. MRI scans of breast cancer survivors within a year of completing adjuvant chemotherapy showed significantly smaller regional volumes of gray and white matter in areas involved in cognitive function compared with other survivors or healthy controls, they reported in an... (MedPage Today)
Toward Reducing The Toxic Side Effects Of Cancer Chemotherapy Nov 22, 2006
(June 5, 2006) -- Prospects for developing more effective cancer chemotherapy, with fewer side effects, have brightened with the discovery of a fundamentally new way of targeting anti-cancer drugs on malignant. . (Science Daily)
Understanding Chemotherapy Nov 2, 2006
On the 30th Anniversary of Breast Cancer Chemotherapy, Doctors Discuss What Works ... Today's issue of the New England Journal of Medicine has published a study comparing breast cancer chemotherapy treatments ... Several doctors commented about the significance of this study and where they believe breast cancer chemotherapy is headed. (ABC News)
Delayed Nausea After Chemo Lowers Quality of Life Oct 31, 2006
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Nausea and vomiting occurring the week after cancer chemotherapy is common, despite the use of so-called "anti-emetics" to control nausea and vomiting, and can adversely affect quality of life. And nausea appears to have a greater negative impact than vomiting does. (MEDLINEplus)
Moms compete for label 'hot' Oct 13, 2006
Moms strut their stuff TV auditions draw hot crowd. By The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Published on: 10/12/06. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Metro)
Stem cell therapies still years away Jul 19, 2006
But despite 50 years of research so far, adult stem cells' main use today is through bone marrow transplants to counteract intense cancer chemotherapy or to treat only a handful of other disorders, researchers wrote in the journal Science last week. "The politicians kind of set us up against each other but ... the scientists are not arguing about this. We are working together," University of Minnesota stem cell researcher Meri Firpo said in an interview. (CNN -- Health)
Monthly money Jul 16, 2006
Lenders say they're seeing people assume reverse mortgages to pay for cancer chemotherapy, to put an end to their regular house payments, modify homes for wheelchair access or visit their distant grandchildren. Some are using it to quit their jobs, avert foreclosure or simply buy groceries and other amenities they couldn't previously squeeze into their budgets. (Sacramento Bee -- Business)
President Kalam may cancel south Orissa trip Jul 5, 2006
He was also scheduled to preside over the silver jubilee celebrations of Mahuda Pharmaceutical College nearby and inaugurate the Acharya Prafulla Chandra Roy Memorial cancer chemotherapy research unit set up by the college. The weather is rough and the helicopter in which he will travel could not take off,' Khordha district police chief Amitav Thakur told IANS. The state capital Bhubaneswar comes under Khordha district. (Monsters and Critics.com)
Oops: Turns out turtles still illegal to sell Jun 27, 2006
The Southern Illinoisan. Monday, June 26, 2006. (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
Affymax and Takeda Announce Comprehensive Global Agreement for Development and Commercialization of Hematide(TM) for Anemia Jun 27, 2006
Hematide, a synthetic, peptide-based erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA), is designed to stimulate the production of red blood cells and is in Phase 2b clinical trials for anemia in dialysis, pre-dialysis and cancer chemotherapy patients. ESAs currently address a US$12 billion market worldwide and have been used successfully to manage anemia in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and cancer-related anemia. (PR Newswire)
Injection may prevent infertility in men receiving cancer chemotherapy Jun 21, 2006
Public release date: 20-Jun-2006. It may be possible to protect the testes of cancer patients against the loss of fertility caused by chemotherapy, a scientist told the 22nd annual conference of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology in Prague, Czech Republic on Tuesday 20 June 2006. (EurekAlert!)
Baxter Receives Tentative FDA Approvals For Ondansetron Injection In Vials And Premix Containers Jun 16, 2006
About Ondansetron Ondansetron is indicated for the prevention of nausea and vomiting associated with initial and repeat courses of emetogenic cancer chemotherapy, including high-dose cisplatin. The single and multi dose vials are also indicated for the prevention of postoperative nausea and/or vomiting. (PR Newswire)
Gene test can show need for breast cancer chemotherapy Jun 14, 2006
Tuesday, June 13, 2006 08:36:23 pm. SMS NEWS to 8888 for latest updates. (India Times, India -- Health/Science)
A fundamentally new approach to improving cancer chemotherapy Jun 6, 2006
Public release date: 5-Jun-2006. Contact: Michael Bernstein. (EurekAlert!)
FDA approves Valeant's chemo-induced nausea drug May 19, 2006
The FDA has given marketing approval for Valeant Pharmaceuticals' Cesamet oral capsules to treat nausea and vomiting associated with cancer chemotherapy in patients who have failed to respond adequately to conventional anti-emetic treatments. Cesamet is a synthetic version of cannabis that is thought to interact with the cannabinoid receptor, CB1, which is present throughout the nervous system and is involved in regulating nausea and vomiting. (Pharmaceutical Business Review)
Pro-Hemp Demonstration Held Saturday May 8, 2006
The trio offered literature promoting cannabis as a medicine which touted benefits for AIDS victims, and those suffering from cancer chemotherapy, glaucoma and multiple sclerosis. Another brochure touted hemp as an alternative fuel. (Alva Review Courier, OK)
Astellas Pharma, FibroGen Conclude Licensing Agreement for Oral Anemia Treatments May 3, 2006
They also plan to launch trials for anemia associated with cancer chemotherapy and cancerous anemia. The agents will be available in Europe by 2012. (JCN Network, Japan)
Pot Has No Medicinal Value? Are You High? Apr 25, 2006
It described relief from nausea associated with cancer chemotherapy, appetite stimulation for cancer and HIV patients, and treatment of muscle spasticity for patients with multiple sclerosis or spinal cord injury. Though these benefits seem real, the authors of the IOM report point out that we really don't know yet if they are significant or valuable enough to warrant the use of medical marijuana. (Slate)
Chemotherapy gel may fight breast cancer and reduce breast deformity Apr 25, 2006
To test their idea, the researchers encapsulated a common breast cancer chemotherapy drug, doxorubicin, in microspheres, or beads, and then mixed them with a gelatin made of a polymer substance. Mice with breast cancer tumors were treated by inserting the gel under the skin next to the mammary gland. (EurekAlert!)
Gene Behind Rare Bone Disorder Is Found Apr 24, 2006
Kitterman's grandson, like many others, received cancer chemotherapy. Kaplan cited the case of one girl whose arm was amputated because doctors thought she had cancer. (Los Angeles Times)
Nicotine Can Inhibit Lung Cancer Chemotherapy Apr 4, 2006
Posted: April 3, 2006. Nicotine can prevent chemotherapeutic drugs such as taxol from killing lung cancer cells, researchers at the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute report. (Science Daily)
New Evidence Suggests Statins Could Prove Useful In Treating Multiple Sclerosis Mar 18, 2006
Copaxone and the beta interferons are used to treat relapsing-remitting disease, which, in half of these patients, progresses to a "secondary progressive," or chronic, form, and Novatrone, a cancer chemotherapy, is used to treat this progressive form. The drugs are effective to varying degrees in roughly a third of patients and are often limited by side effects or toxicities. (Science Daily)
Howard Skipper Jan 12, 2006
Pioneer of cancer chemotherapy ... Fifty years ago, cancer chemotherapy was rudimentary and doctors felt that the idea held little promise. (The Independent, UK)
