Autophagy Modulation May Be a Novel Approach to Treatment of Advanced Cancers
November 29th 2015Although prolonged autophagy can result in cancer cell death, recent investigations suggest that therapy-induced autophagy is a reversible response that promotes cancer cell survival, and thus may diminish the efficacy of some therapeutic agents.
Nivolumab Approved for Third Indication: Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma
November 23rd 2015Two months after being granted a Breakthrough Therapy designation by the FDA for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC), nivolumab was today approved by regulators for treating mRCC patients who have failed a certain type of prior therapy.
Avelumab Receives Breakthrough Therapy Designation for Merkel Cell Carcinoma
November 18th 2015The FDA has granted a breakthrough therapy designation to avelumab as a potential treatment for patients with metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma following progression on at least one prior chemotherapy regimen.
Gene therapy improves functional vision in Leber congenital amaurosis
November 14th 2015A phase III gene therapy trial for Leber congenital amaurosis showed that patients’ mean mobility test scores promptly improved after treatment, and the benefit was sustained at 1 year, said Albert M. Maguire, MD.
Subset of Lung Cancer Patients Have Improved Outcomes with Tivantinib, Erlotinib Combination
November 12th 2015Advanced lung cancer patients who have tumors with mutations in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene may benefit from the combination treatment of erlotinib standard therapy plus tivantinib.
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.