New Strategies to Protect Cancer Patients From Serious Treatment-Related Infection
January 1st 1998Researchers presented new strategies to protect patients from life-threatening infections caused by dose-intensive anticancer therapy at a symposium held in conjunction with the 39th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH).
Protease Inhibitors May Halt or Reverse HIV Encephalopathy
January 1st 1998CHICAGO-A new radiological study suggests that protease inhibitors can not only halt the progression of HIV-related brain disease but, in some cases, may be able to reverse it, Christopher G. Filippi, MD, said at the Radiological Society of North America annual meeting.
HCFA, States Wrangle Over Potential Tobacco Settlement Funds
January 1st 1998WASHINGTON-The federal government wants a share of the $368.5 billion settlement worked out between the attorneys general of 40 states and the tobacco industry. The states say no. And the ultimate decision may rest with the Congress of the United States, adding another complicating factor to cementing the settlement agreement into law.
Recently Cloned Gene Produces Telomerase Activity in Normal Human Cells
January 1st 1998Geron Corporation announced in Nature Genetics that it has, for the first time, produced telomerase activity in normal, mortal human cells using the recently cloned gene for the human telomerase catalytic protein.
New Growth Factor Products Highlighted at ASH Meeting
January 1st 1998ASH-Researchers at the American Society of Hematology meeting in San Diego presented studies of three new growth factors under development by Amgen: megakaryocyte growth and development factor (MGDF); novel erythropoiesis stimulating protein (NESP); and keratinocyte growth factor (KGF).
Use of Saline-Filled Tissue Expanders to Protect the Small Bowel from Radiation
January 1st 1998Dr. Hoffman and colleagues have persisted in their efforts to provide a safe, reliable pelvic prosthesis to protect the small bowel during high-dose radiation therapy. I started using this type of plastic device in the early 1980s as part of the management of advanced primary and recurrent rectal cancer.[1,2] Similar to data reported by Drs. Hoffman, Sigurdson, and Eisenberg in this issue, my colleagues and I at the National Cancer Institute also noted a learning curve that accompanied our experience. We reported our experience with two iliac artery fistulas that occurred after extensive radiation therapy, possibly due to the prosthesis.[3] Sepsis within the irradiated field and surrounding the prosthesis led to a prosthesis-related death in one patient. A second patient who had multiple postoperative complications died of a pulmonary embolus.
Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma: Risk Group Assignment and Management Controversies
January 1st 1998Dr. Hicks and his associates have written an excellent article that summarizes current knowledge about the biologic behavior of differentiated carcinoma of the thyroid gland and explores current controversies related to its management. Their review is reasonably complete, citing most of the important recent references on the subject. Regarding treatment con- troversies, the authors discuss the differing philosophies of various investigators and place into perspective the data supporting these opposing viewpoints.
Use of Saline-Filled Tissue Expanders to Protect the Small Bowel from Radiation
January 1st 1998The article by Hoffman, Sigurdson, and Eisenberg updates their experience in the use of temporary saline-filled tissue expanders (TEs) for small bowel exclusion. In their initial prospective study of 34 patients with a median time of patient surveillance after TE placement of 18 months, the authors demonstrated that small bowel was displaced from more than 95% of the radiation therapy treatment volume in 70% of 27 evaluable patients and from more than 75% of the treatment volume in 89% of patients.[1]
Paclitaxel Plus Doxorubicin in Metastatic Breast Ca: The Milan Experience
January 1st 1998A pilot study conducted at the National Cancer Institute in Milan, Italy assessed the efficacy of six or eight cycles of paclitaxel (Taxol) 200 mg/m² q3wks plus doxorubicin (Adriamycin) (60 mg/m² q3wks) in 49 women with
NCI to Improve Infrastructure of Intramural Clinical Trials Program
January 1st 1998BETHESDA, Md-National Cancer Institute officials have pledged to quickly correct deficiencies found in the infrastructure of its intramural clinical research program. A committee formed to evaluate the operations of NCI’s Division of Clinical Sciences (DCS) found that the NCI “had made progress in recent months [in correcting problems with the infrastructure] but still must implement several organizational changes to fully match the quality of the best research centers in the country.”
Re-treatment With Rituximab Monoclonal Antibody Safe, Effective
January 1st 1998ASH-Rituximab (Rituxan), a chimeric anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, recently received FDA approval for use in patients with relapsed or refractory follicular or low-grade, CD20-positive, B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas . Poster presentations at the annual meeting of the American Society of Hematology in San Diego suggest that:
The Sidney Kimmel Foundation for Cancer Research Seeks 1998 Scholar Applicants
December 1st 1997The Sidney Kimmel Foundation for Cancer Research is seeking accomplished young investigators to apply for Kimmel Scholar Awards. The Kimmel Scholar Award, established in 1997, will be presented every year to up to 10 investigators who
Team-Based Approach to Managed Specialty Care
December 1st 1997NORWALK, Conn-A new team-based program instituted by Oxford Health Plans, Inc. is returning clinical autonomy to the specialists delivering care. Oxford has recently formed a subsidiary company-Oxford Specialty Management-through which integrated medical teams will deliver specialized patient care. To date, these teams have been established in 10 medical specialties, and more than 700 specialists have joined the program.
Children’s Art Project at M.D. Anderson
December 1st 1997HOUSTON-For 24 years, young cancer patients at The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center have celebrated the holiday season through their original creations of greeting cards and other gift items . Proceeds from 1996 sales totaled $891,000, which funds programs that benefit M.D. Anderson patients.
New Study Shows Processed Tomato Products Are a Better Source of Lycopene Than Fresh Tomatoes
December 1st 1997A second study shows that lycopene from tomato paste is better absorbed by the body than lycopene from fresh tomatoes, suggesting that processed tomato products-such as tomato paste, tomato sauce and ketchup-are a better source of this antioxidant.
Office of Cancer Survivorship Grants Awards for First 20 Studies
December 1st 1997BETHESDA, Md-The National Cancer Institute’s Office of Cancer Survivorship (OCS) has allocated $4 million ($2 million a year for 2 years) for the study of cancer survivorship issues in cancer-free individuals who have survived their disease at least 5 years. An additional $350,000 annually for 2 years from the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and its Baltimore affiliate will help fund the research.
Laparoscopic Colectomy May Prove Equivalent to Open Surgery
December 1st 1997CHICAGO-Laparoscopic colec-tomy increasingly is being performed for colorectal cancer, and, despite concerns about wound tumor implantation, it may be only a matter of time before this type of minimally invasive surgery is shown to be equivalent to open surgical resection, said Heidi Nelson, MD, associate professor of surgery, Mayo Clinic, at the annual scientific meeting of the American College of Surgeons.
‘MDs Too Often Fail to Give Adequate Analgesic Doses’
December 1st 1997NEW ORLEANS-In the treatment of cancer pain, physicians often withhold adequate analgesia out of fears that are largely unfounded in this population. As a result, cancer pain often robs patients of the opportunity “to see life as good” in their final days, Dr. Daniel Brookoff said at a cancer update, sponsored by the Ochsner Medical Foundation and the American Cancer Society.
Breach of Fiduciary Duty-How to Defend Against It
December 1st 1997SANTA MONICA, Calif-It can be especially difficult for physicians and managed care organizations to defend against patient lawsuits that include legal causes of action other than medical malpractice or negligence, said Michael Gonzalez, Esq, a defense attorney and partner in the Los Angeles firm of Kern, Streeter & Gonzalez.
American Association for Cancer Research 1998 Research Fellowships
December 1st 19971998-1999 Research Fellowship in Basic Research: This Fellowship, sponsored by the AACR, will provide a 2-year grant of $30,000 per year to a young scientist in North, Central, or South America engaged in meritorious basic cancer research.
Survivors Help Women Deal With Breast Cancer Diagnosis
December 1st 1997NEW YORK-Two breast cancer survivors-one an oncologist from Albert Einstein College of Medicine, the other, the head of the National Alliance of Breast Cancer Organizations (NABCO)-were among those offering special perspectives at a public meeting on clinical and public policy issues related to breast cancer, sponsored by NABCO and held at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.
‘Electronic Inhaler’ for Rapid Delivery of Morphine in Cancer Pain
December 1st 1997HAYWARD, Calif-Aradigm Corporation is working with SmithKline Beecham to develop a self-administered pulmonary drug delivery system to provide rapid pain relief. The new product is being developed for the treatment of cancer-related pain, especially breakthrough pain, as well as postoperative pain.
Life-Saving Oral Cancer Exam Takes Only a Minute
December 1st 1997NEW ORLEANS-Although a good examination for oral cancer takes less than a minute to perform, most physicians do inadequate exams or fail to screen for oral cancer at all, according to the professor and head of oral pathology at Louisiana State University School of Medicine, New Orleans.
Brachytherapy Offers Early-Stage Prostate Cancer Patients High QOL
December 1st 1997ORLANDO-Permanent trans-peritoneal ultrasound-guided radioactive implants (brachytherapy) get high marks for quality of life (QOL) in men with clinically localized prostate cancer, V. Elayne Arterbery, MD, reported in a poster session at the annual meeting of the American Society of Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (ASTRO).
Epidemiology of Cancer in Europe—What Are the Trends?
December 1st 1997"There is both good and bad news about cancer in Europe,” said Dr. Peter Boyle of the European Institute of Oncology, Milan, Italy, at the 1997 European Cancer Conference. “One welcome development is the large decrease in the incidence of
NCI Releases a Training Program on Cancer Survivor Issues
December 1st 1997BETHESDA, Md-As life after a cancer diagnosis grows longer for more patients, how these survivors live with their disease grows more important. Now, the National Cancer Institute’s Office of Cancer Communications has issued The Cancer Journey: Issues for Survivors, a training program for all health care professionals, including nurses, doctors, social workers, and therapists, to help them understand issues cancer survivors face.
Panel Looks at the Pulmonary Effects Of Cancer Therapy
December 1st 1997NEW ORLEANS-Improved treatment of cancer has not come without a price, including pulmonary complications directly related to radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and surgery. These were described in a symposium at the American College of Chest Physicians annual meeting.
Modulators of FUDR May Improve Outcomes in Patients Receiving Hepatic Artery Infusion
December 1st 1997CHICAGO-Hepatic artery infusion of fluorodeoxyuridine (floxuridine or FUDR) theoretically should benefit colorectal cancer patients with metastases in the liver because it delivers chemotherapy directly into the tumors. This not only raises intratumoral drug levels but also prolongs the duration of exposure of the tumors to chemotherapy without increasing toxicity.
Nutritional Intervention Trials to Prevent Cancer Move Forward
December 1st 1997NEW ORLEANS-There have been mountains of evidence from laboratory and epidemiologic studies about cancer prevention through nutrition, but only a “molehill” of intervention trials that will move the cancer prevention field forward, Dr. Daniel W. Nixon, president of the Society for Nutritional Oncology Adjuvant Therapy (NOAT), said at the 4th International Symposium on Nutrition and Cancer, jointly sponsored with the Cancer Treatment Research Foundation.