Markers in Medullary Thyroid Cancer May Signal Metastasis, Vandetanib Response
October 22nd 2015Researchers in Germany appear to have identified a gene-expression signature associated with metastasis in sporadic medullary thyroid cancer and prognostic molecular tumor markers of medullary thyroid cancer response to vandetanib therapy.
Making Noise About "Silent" Mutations in Treating Skin Cancer
September 11th 2015Melanoma and other types of skin cancer are among the many types of cancer poised to benefit greatly from genomic research that identifies susceptibilities and potential targets for genetic-based therapy. A recent paper in Pigment Cell & Melanoma Research suggests, however, that an entire category of genetic mutations – one that could be incredibly fruitful in terms of diagnosis and treatment – is largely being ignored.
Promising Results on Gene Therapy for Congestive Heart Failure
September 9th 2015California researchers report good results in a phase II study of a gene therapy for congestive heart failure. The news comes five months after Celladon's Mydicar gene therapy for CHF failed to meet its trial's endpoints.
Eltrombopag Approved in Europe for Severe Aplastic Anemia
September 2nd 2015The European Commission has approved eltrombopag as a treatment for adult patients with severe aplastic anemia who are refractory to immunosuppressive therapy or are heavily pretreated and not suitable for hematopoietic stem cell transplant.
Heart Failure Patients: Gene Transfer Therapy Does Not Help
September 1st 2015Barry Greenberg, MD, UCSD Sulpizio Cardiovascular Center, La Jolla, California, USA, presented results from the Calcium Up-Regulation by Percutaneous Administration of Gene Therapy in Cardiac Disease Phase 2b (CUPID 2) gene transfer study at the European Society of Cardiology 2015 Congress.
Immune Checkpoint Combination Strategies Evolving in NSCLC
August 1st 2015A number of clinical trials are now assessing PD-1 and PD-L1 inhibitors in combination with chemotherapy, targeted therapies, and radiation therapy in an attempt to further improve outcomes for patients with non–small cell lung cancer.
Sonidegib Approved for Advanced Basal Cell Carcinoma
July 29th 2015Oncologists now have a new tool for treating locally advanced basal cell carcinoma. On July 24, 2015, The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved sonidegib (Odomzo) to treat patients with this type of cancer after it has recurred following surgery or radiation therapy.