Ovarian Cancer

MONTREAL-Paraneoplastic syndromes are increasingly being recognized as the earliest warning signs of some cancers, according to presentations at the Presidential Symposium of the 123rd Annual Meeting of the American Neurological Association (ANA).

CHICAGO-Much of cancer treatment rightly relies on evidence from randomized clinical trials. However, definitive clinical trials have not been done on some problem diagnoses, such as ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS).

PHOENIX-A matched case-control study from Yale University suggests that early-stage breast cancer patients with deleterious BRCA1 or 2 mutations are at greater risk of late recurrences after breast-conserving surgery and radiation therapy than those without a mutation. Further, many of these late recurrences appear to be new primary breast cancers.

PHILADELPHIA-SmithKline Beecham’s topoisomerase I inhibitor Hycamtin (topotecan HCl for injection) has received FDA approval for the treatment of small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) after failure of first-line chemotherapy. The agent was previously approved for use in ovarian cancer after failure of initial or subsequent chemotherapy.

Amifostine (Ethyol) is an analog of cysteamine that selectively protects normal tissues in multiple organ systems against the toxic effects of radiation and various cytotoxic drugs while preserving the antitumor effects of these

This two-part series provides an up-to-date summary of the various chemopreventive agents currently in development and testing. Part 1, published in last month’s issue, focused on the retinoids, such as all-trans-

Researchers at Duke University Medical Center report animal studies that may explain, for the first time, why oral contraceptives offer protection against ovarian cancer. Their findings suggest that the progestin in birth control pills induces

WASHINGTON--Genetic research has produced a growing body of information about the mutations related to breast cancer, but, so far, "no clear algorithm" to help clinicians decide how to use the new findings in the interests of patients, reported Francis S. Collins, MD, PhD, director of the National Human Genome Research Institute.

Researchers at Duke University Medical Center report animal studies that may explain, for the first time, why oral contraceptives offer protection against ovarian cancer. Their findings suggest that the progestin in birth control pills induces damaged ovarian cells to die before they turn malignant.

After an almost 40-year search for a primary regulatory of platelet production, thrombopoietin has recently been purified and cloned. Thrombopoietin regulates all stages in the production of platelets by promoting both the

Cancer chemoprevention is the use of specific natural or synthetic substances with the objective of reversing, suppressing, or preventing carcinogenic progression to invasive cancer. Currently, numerous chemopreventive agents are in various stages of development and testing. Part 1 of this two-part series provides an overview of issues unique to chemoprevention trials, including the use of surrogate biomarkers as end points. This is followed by a discussion of the retinoids, such as all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA [Vesanoid]), 9-cis-retinoic acid (9cRA), and isotretinoin (Accutane), and the carotenoids (eg, beta-carotene and lycopene) and other "classic" antioxidants (eg, vitamins E and C and selenium). Research on these agents will be delineated by disease site when applicable. Part 2, which will appear in next month’s issue, will focus on hormonally mediated chemopreventive agents, such as tamoxifen (Nolvadex), finasteride (Proscar), oral contraceptives, and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). Part 2 also will cover nonantioxidant natural agents, such as calcium, the polyphenols, the isothiocyanates, and genistein; nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), such as celecoxib, sulindac sulfone, and aspirin; difluro-methylornithine (DFMO [Eflornithine]); oltipraz; and N-acetylcysteine. [ONCOLOGY(11):1643-1658, 1998]

ATLANTA--Cancer programs and hospitals wishing to expand their services to include genetic counseling and testing should be aware that the staff and resource needs are intense, Constance Roche, MSN, RN, CS, said at a conference sponsored by the National Consortium of Breast Centers. Ms. Roche and Kevin Hughes, MD, who were instrumental in establishing the Lahey Clinic Risk Assessment Program, Peabody, Massachusetts, offered advice on establishing and operating such a program.

NEW YORK--Caring for a mother with advanced breast cancer can be a lot to deal with for a daughter. She has the tricky task of reversing roles with her mother. She may have a family of her own to care for--and there is the fear that she is at risk for cancer herself.

SAN FRANCISCO--Whether to administer genetic testing to a patient is a complex issue, Patrice Watson, PhD, of Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, said at the American Cancer Society Second National Conference on Cancer Genetics.

LOS ANGELES--While the flurry of media attention on antiangiogenesis drugs has focused on angiostatin and endostatin, other such agents are further along in development. One of them, BAY 12-9566, has stopped tumor growth in patients for up to 11 months in an ongoing trial, Louise Grochow, MD, said at an ASCO session on novel approaches in drug development.

A new survey of more than 11,000 Americans reveals widespread ignorance about lung cancer, the nation’s leading cancer killer.

BETHESDA, Md--As part of his sweeping reorganization and innovative effort at the National Cancer Institute, director Richard D. Klausner, MD, last November named 15 advocates to the Director’s Consumer Liaison Group (DCLG). Its recommendations will go directly to the NCI director, as it becomes a high-powered chartered advisory committee. Dr. Klausner envisioned a threefold purpose for this group of advocates. First, it will provide a forum for advocates to raise and discuss issues of concern regarding the development of NCI programs and research priorities. Second, it will help NCI develop criteria for selecting consumer advocates to serve on a number of NCI program and policy committees, including peer review panels. Third, it will serve as a strong link between NCI and cancer advocacy groups. Oncology News International’s Washington Bureau Chief Patrick Young discussed the DCLG’s role within NCI with Eleanor Nealon, director of NCI’s Office of Liaison Activities, which coordinates the group.

The FDA’s Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee (ODAC) recommended the approval of topotecan hydrochloride for injection (Hycamtin) for the second-line treatment of sensitive small-cell lung cancer (SCLC).

MINNEAPOLIS--Living With Cancer: A Message of Hope, a conversation with some of the nearly 10 million US cancer survivors, debuts nationally on PBS, Friday, September 25, at 9:00 pm (check local listings).

LOS ANGELES--Bioengineered antibodies against HER2 received major attention at the the 34th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, but other approaches to HER2-expressing tumors are waiting in the wings. One uses an antitumor peptide vaccine to induce specific T-cell immunity to HER2. Another uses anti-HER2 immunoliposomes to steer intracellular delivery of antitumor drugs.

NEW YORK--Cancer Care, Inc. has launched a new online resource for ovarian cancer patients and their families and friends. A new section added to Cancer Care’s website (www.cancercare.org) offers a comprehensive overview of ovarian cancer and a resource guide.

Two phase III, multicenter clinical trials are seeking patients to participate in studies evaluating PSC 833, an investigational agent,in combating multidrug resistance in patients with acute myelogenous leukemia. The studies, sponsored by Novartis,

Irinotecan (CPT-11 [Camptosar]) has a broad range of antitumor activity. Extensive preclinical and early clinical work has demonstrated its activity against many tumor types--head and neck, esophagus, stomach, pancreas,

Predisposition testing (ie, genetic testing that provides information about a person’s susceptibility to disease) is now available for several inherited forms of cancer. Individuals who are found to have an altered gene (eg, a

Irinotecan (Camptosar), an active agent in the treatment of fluorouracil-refractory colorectal cancer, has antitumor activity in upper gastrointestinal cancers. Clinical trials from Japan indicate antitumor responses in gastric and

SAN DIEGO--A study of 1,000 patients who received high-dose chemotherapy (HDC) with peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) support in the community setting showed treatment-related mortality rates similar to those reported at academic centers, said C. Dean Buckner, MD, scientific director of Response Oncology, Inc. and a founder of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. He spoke at a symposium sponsored by the University of California, San Diego.

Predisposition testing (ie, genetic testing that provides information about a person’s susceptibility to disease) is now available for several inherited forms of cancer. Individuals who are found to have an altered gene (eg, a

LOS ANGELES--The use of cisplatin (Platinol)/paclitaxel (Taxol) for first-line treatment of advanced ovarian cancer gained additional support from the final survival analysis of a major international study presented at an ASCO scientific session.

GLASGOW--Docetaxel (Taxotere) used in combination with carboplatin (Paraplatin) appears to be an active and well-tolerated first-line treatment for advanced ovarian cancer, producing minimal neurotoxicity. Only 5% of patients experienced neuropathy, said lead investigator Paul Vasey, MD.

In order for the immune system to protect against cancer, it must recognize tumors as "non-self." Markers present on the surface of tumors, known as antigens, allow the immune system to recognize tumors as non-self. However, in order for the