Healthcare Updates » CANCER

FDA approves Abiraterone for Late-Stage Prostate Cancer

krobleto — Thu, 05 May 2011 22:51:27 +0000

After an expedited six-month review, abiratone acetate (tradename Zytiga) has been approved by the FDA for the treatment of castration-resistant prostate cancer.

The approval comes ahead of its June 20, 2011 regulatory date due to the significant increase in overall survival shown by arbiraterone treatment. In a Phase III study, patients who received abiratone in combination with prednisone had a median overall survival of 14.8 months, compared to 10.9 for patients in the placebo group. Treatment with abiratone also resulted in a 35% reduction in the risk of death.

“While 3.9 months may not seem like much, in the history of prostate cancer, only 4 drugs have ever shown a survival benefit” said abiraterone investigator, Johann de Bono, MD., putting into perspective the apparent modest increase in survival.

The results of the trial were found by an independent panel to be so successful that it was considered unethical to keep the placebo patients without the drug. The study was stopped earlier than planned and placebo patients were crossed over to abiraterone treatment.

Abiraterone inhibits the enzyme CYP17A1 which is found in testicular, adrenal and prostate tumor tissues. The enzyme plays an important role in the production of testosterone which has been found to stimulate prostate tumor growth. Abiraterone works by ”[ultimately blocking] the cancer cell from making its own hormones” said Johann de Bono, resulting in tumor shrinkage.

Abiratone also seems promising in the treatment of breast cancer. A Phase I/II clinical trial evaluating the effectiveness of abiratone in late-state breast cancer patients is underway in the U.K.

Sources: MedScape; April 28, 2011, FDA Press Release, Investor’s Business Daily; September 24, 2010, ESMO 2010 interview by Oncology Tube: Johann de Bono, MD, GEN; September 10, 2010.

Author: Karla Robleto, Ph.D.

Hot flushes are linked with a significant reduction in breast cancer risk, study finds

admin — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 15:15:15 +0000

Combining targeted therapies might be required for maximum anti-tumor activity when treating HER2-positive breast cancers, according to two new studies.

Source:
ScienceDaily: Breast Cancer News

Lose Weight with Coffee – ROASTe

admin — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 21:45:26 +0000

Lose Weight with Coffee
ROASTe
He states in his article that not only have studies found statistically lower rates of several other cancers in coffee drinkers, including breast, prostate, esophagus, mouth and throat, but dental cavities and even gout are less prevalent with coffee ...

and more »

Source:
prostate cancer articles - Google News

Former Fremonter writes articles, blogs and a book on fatherhood – Fremont Tribune

admin — Sat, 05 Mar 2011 16:45:50 +0000

Can Turmeric Slow Down the Spread of Breast Cancer?
Huffington Post (blog)
Countries such as India in which turmeric is frequently consumed in the daily diet have lower rates of many cancers including prostate cancer, breast cancer and colon cancer. Turmeric can be safely added to your food as a cooking spice to add ...

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Source:
prostate cancer articles - Google News

Exelixis Shares Popped: What You Need to Know – Motley Fool

admin — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 17:20:40 +0000

Doctors connect with patients through social media
Palo Alto Online
"Don't be quiet about it," one said about prostate cancer. "Talk to your friends about it, and you might be surprised at how much support they'll give you." Another said: "I had my radiation first thing in the morning. I was at work by 9:30, ...

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Source:
prostate cancer articles - Google News

Novel methods for improved breast cancer survival

admin — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 14:04:04 +0000

Researchers asked post-menopausal breast cancer survivors whether they had fallen in the past year and then tracked their falls over a six-month study period. They found evidence that women who have survived breast cancer may fall more often than their peers.

Source:
ScienceDaily: Breast Cancer News

Obesity may increase risk of triple-negative breast cancer

admin — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 17:08:08 +0000

Using recent advances in genomics, researchers have uncovered a genetic pathway that affects the development of breast cancer, work that could help predict which patients are at risk of relapse for the disease.

Source:
ScienceDaily: Breast Cancer News

Obesity, some cancers linked – Las Vegas Review-Journal

admin — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 20:46:16 +0000

When Will Dendreon Make Money?
Motley Fool
Its current manufacturing facility is running at full capacity, but the company expects to increase manufacturing of its prostate cancer treatment, Provenge, tenfold over the next year. Dendreon should hear from the Food and Drug Administration about ...

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Source:
prostate cancer articles - Google News

When Will Dendreon Make Money? – Motley Fool

admin — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 17:26:19 +0000

Forbes (blog)

Why Medicaid is a Humanitarian Catastrophe
Forbes (blog)
A study of Florida patients published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that Medicaid patients were 6% more likely to have late-stage prostate cancer at diagnosis (instead of earlier-stage, more treatable disease) than the uninsured ...

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Source:
prostate cancer articles - Google News

New Highly Accurate Technique to Diagnose Prostate Cancer – MedIndia

admin — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 16:40:08 +0000

ThyBlackMan

The Men's Guide To Staying Young…
ThyBlackMan
Talk to your doctor about screening for colon cancer starting at age 45 (earlier if you have a family history of colon cancer) and for prostate cancer, the second most common cancer killer of men. 3. Maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight can take ...

Source:
prostate cancer articles - Google News