Researchers predict that death rates from cancer will fall in 2018 in Australasian countries and in Russia. However, a greater proportion of the population will die in Russia from the disease than in any of the other countries, mainly because of the large numbers of men who still smoke. In a study published in the […]
Category: Cancer
Patients with rare, incurable digestive tract cancers respond to new drug combination
Dublin, Ireland: Patients with rare, but incurable cancers of the digestive tract have responded well to a combination of two drugs that block the MEK and BRAF pathways, which drive the disease in some cases. They have survived for longer without the disease progressing than the usual average time of less than five months, even […]
Combination of two immunotherapies shows activity in non-small cell lung cancer patients
Dublin, Ireland: A combination of two drugs, which prompt the body’s immune system to identify and kill cancer cells, is a safe treatment for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer and has shown some signs of efficacy. Results from a phase I/II clinical trial in 25 patients, presented at the 30th EORTC-NCI-AACR [1] Symposium […]
Difficult-to-treat bowel cancers respond in first study of new drug combination
Dublin, Ireland: Early results from a phase I trial in a small group of patients with advanced cancer using two drugs (nivolumab and pixatimod) that stimulate the immune system report that patients with bowel cancer may benefit from the combination. Dr James Kuo, a medical oncologist and the deputy medical director of Scientia Clinical Research, […]
Drug combination makes cancer disappear in mice with neuroblastoma: ‘significant’ findings suggest potential for effective, non-toxic treatment for this aggressive childhood cancer
Dublin, Ireland: Researchers investigating new treatments for neuroblastoma – one of the most common childhood cancers – have found that a combination of two drugs made tumours disappear in mice, making it more effective than any other drugs tested in these animals. Professor Murray Norris, deputy director of the Children’s Cancer Institute Australia for Medical […]
Two genomic tests identify groups of patients most likely to benefit from new drugs: latest results from I-SPY 2 trial
Dublin, Ireland: New results from a long-running trial to identify which new drugs or combinations of drugs are most effective in which types of breast cancer, show that two genomic tests are bringing the era of truly personalised medicine ever nearer. Professor Laura van ‘t Veer, leader of the Breast Oncology Program at the University […]
New oral drug designed to boost radiotherapy for hard-to-treat cancers can be taken safely by patients
Dublin, Ireland: A new drug designed to make radiotherapy more effective in treating cancer has been given to patients while they are receiving radiation and shown to be safe, according to research presented at the 30th EORTC-NCI-AACR [1] Symposium on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics in Dublin, Ireland. The drug, called 5-iodo-2-pyrimidinone-2’-deoxribose (IPdR), or ropidoxuridine, […]
Patients with cancers of the gullet, stomach and bowel respond well to new anti-HER2 drug
Dublin, Ireland: An antibody that binds simultaneously to two distinct regions of the HER2 receptor to block the growth of cancer cells has shown promising signs of anti-tumour activity in a number of cancers including those of the gullet (oesophagus), stomach and bowel. Results from the phase I clinical trial of the drug, called ZW25, […]
Drug matched to cancer patients according to tumour gene testing shows signs of being effective in early trial
Dublin, Ireland: Treatment with capivasertib, a drug designed to work against a particular gene mutation found in some tumours, shows signs of being effective in a trial of 35 patients presented at the 30th EORTC-NCI-AACR [1] Symposium on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics in Dublin, Ireland. The phase 2 trial (EAY131-Y) is part of a […]
Campaigners call for stronger rights to work for people living with breast cancer. Governments challenged over disconnect between cancer care costs and patient outcomes
Brussels, Belgium: Campaigners are calling on EU parliamentarians to make it easier for people with advanced breast cancer to return to work and to support them properly with flexible working arrangements. At an event at the European Union Parliament hosted by MEP Lieve Wierinck, members of the Advanced Breast Cancer (ABC) Global Alliance highlighted to […]