Sunscreen gene may guard against skin cancer

A new study conducted at the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine has identified a "sunscreen" gene that may protect against skin cancer.  According to senior study author Chengyu Liang, the UV-resistant gene was discovered following a study on 340 patients with melanoma.  Liang further explains that this gene "may serve as a biomarker for skin cancer prevention, and lead to new drugs to combat a cancer that leads to more than 10,000 deaths in United States each year.

To read more about this study, click here

HIV-positive patients more likely to lack cancer treatment

May 17, 2016 –A new study finds HIV-infected patients with cancer in the United States appear to be less likely to receive cancer treatment, regardless of insurance and other existing health conditions. The study, by researchers at the University of Utah, National Cancer Institute and the American Cancer Society, appears early online in Cancer.

Cancer is an increasingly common cause of morbidity and mortality among individuals infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). In the United States, cancer incidence rates in this population have increased since the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Cancer is now the second most common cause of death among HIV-infected individuals, after AIDS-related deaths. Read more here.

Anti-proliferative effect and predictive biomarkers to palbociclib in early breast cancer

May 12, 2016 - In this study, the investigators from the Institut Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France aimed to identify if short-term preoperative palbociclib is associated with decreased proliferation and early biomarker changes in patients with early breast cancer. Untreated patients were randomised 3:1 to oral palbociclib 125 mg daily for 2 weeks until the day before the surgery vs no treatment.

Short-term preoperative palbociclib treatment in patients with early breast cancer significantly decreased Ki67; this effect depended on molecular subtypes and correlated with changes in pRB, suggesting that activity of palbociclib could be the main determinant of its short-term effect on proliferation. Read more here.

Canine research may offer clues to human brain cancer

A new study conducted at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences indicates that dogs may aid in discovering the genetics behind malignant brain tumour in humans.  According to study co-lead Katarina Truve, certain dog breeds, "such as Boxers, Bulldogs, and Boston Terriers, have a higher risk for gliomas."  Two genes in particular have been identified as having links to cancer.

To read more about this study, published May 12 in PLOS Genetics, click here.

Breast cancer genes may play a role in prostate cancer

According to three new studies, risk of developing aggressive and lethal prostate cancer "may be heavily influenced by gene mutations previously linked to breast and ovarian cancer in women." Thus, men in families with a history of breast cancer should undergo more intensive prostate cancer screening.  According to one study, men carrying the BRCA2 gene mutation found in breast cancer were 4 times more likely to already exhibit an advanced stage of prostate cancer when diagnosed.

To read more about the findings from these studies, click here.

Analysis of rare endocrine cancer reveals novel genetic alterations

May 8, 2016 - In the most comprehensive molecular characterization to date of adrenocortical carcinoma, a rare cancer of the adrenal cortex, researchers extensively analyzed 91 cases for alterations in the tumor genomes. They identified several novel genetic mutations as likely mechanisms driving the disease. They also found that whole genome doubling, wherein a cell has one or more extra sets of chromosomes, as a probable driver of the disease. Read more here.

Mentioned study: Thomas J. Giordano, Roel G.W. Verhaak Comprehensive Pan-Genomic Characterization of Adrenocortical Carcinoma Cancer Cell 29(5) p723–736, 9 May 2016

After rising for decades, thyroid cancer incidence stabilizes

May 6, 2016 - After rising steadily for decades, the incidence of thyroid cancer in the United States may have stabilized, according to a new study. Although still increasing, the number off new cases has risen at a much slower rate in recent years than in the past.

The incidence of thyroid cancer in the United States began to rise during the early 1990s, with incidence in 2013 triple that of 30 years earlier. But the new analysis found that incidence began to level off in 2009 and remained relatively stable through 2012.

Mentioned study: Changing Luc G. T. Morris, MD, MSc1; R. Michael Tuttle, MD2; Louise Davies, MD, Trends in the Incidence of Thyroid Cancer in the United States JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. Published online April 14, 2016. doi:10.1001/jamaoto.2016.0230

Disparities in gut microbiome could lead to biomarkers for estrogen-driven breast cancer

May 5, 2016 - Disparities in the gut microbiome between healthy people and women with estrogen-driven breast cancer may indicate possible biomarkers based on the microbiome that could help to mitigate the risk of certain cancers.

The estrobolome is the gut bacterial genes that are capable of metabolizing estrogens in gut bacteria. Residential microbes, whose population includes bacteria, viruses, Archaea, and Eukaryotes, are increasingly recognized for playing important roles in health and disease. Read more here.

Venetoclax approved for some patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia

On May 4, 2016 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved venetoclax (Venclexta®) for patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) whose tumors have a specific genetic alteration.

The accelerated approval is for patients with CLL whose tumor cells are missing a portion of chromosome 17, commonly referred to as a 17p deletion, and who have received at least one prior therapy for their cancer. Read more here.

EMA recommends extending the authorised indications for obinutuzumab

On 28 April 2016, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) adopted a positive opinion recommending a change to the terms of the marketing authorisation for the medicinal product obinutuzumab (Gazyvaro).The marketing authorisation holder for this medicinal product is Roche Registration Limited.

The CHMP adopted a new indication as follows: Follicular Lymphoma (FL)

Gazyvaro in combination with bendamustine followed by Gazyvaro maintenance is indicated for the treatment of patients with FL who did not respond or who progressed during or up to 6 months after treatment with rituximab or a rituximab-containing regimen. Read more here.

Elevated bladder cancer risk in New England and arsenic in drinking water from private wells

On May 2, 2016 A new study has found that drinking water from private wells, particularly dug wells established during the first half of the 20th century, may have contributed to the elevated risk of bladder cancer that has been observed in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont for over 50 years. Other risk factors for bladder cancer, such as smoking and occupational exposures, did not explain the excess risk in this region.

Bladder cancer mortality rates have been elevated in northern New England for over half a century. The incidence of bladder cancer in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont has been about 20 percent higher than that in the United States overall. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Baris D … Silverman DT, et al. Elevated Bladder Cancer in Northern New England: The Role of Drinking Water and Arsenic. May 2, 2016. JNCI. DOI: DJW099

Study links residential radon exposure to hematologic cancers in women

On April 28, 2016 a new report finds a statistically-significant, positive association between high levels of residential radon and the risk of hematologic (blood) cancer in women. The study is the first prospective, population-based study of residential radon exposure and hematologic cancer risk, leading the authors to caution that it requires replication to better understand the association and whether it truly differs by sex. It appears early online in Environmental Research. Read more here.

Cape Breton Cancer Centre introduces new breast cancer treatment method

The Cape Breton Cancer Centre is using a new technique called breath/hold to treat some breast cancer patients. It's a simple technique that requires the patient to take a deep breath and hold it for 20 to 30 seconds to allow a radiation beam to focus and more accurately hit its intended area.

The Nova Scotia Health Authority says the centre at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital is the first in Atlantic Canada to adopt the technique. "The heart comes very close to the chest wall and we are treating the chest wall, so when they hold their breath, it pushes the heart downwards and out of the radiation field," said Dr, Waseem Sharieff, a radiation oncologist at the centre. Read more here.

Bevacizumab, in combination with erlotinib, is indicated for first-line treatment of advanced non-squamous NSCLC with EGFR activating mutations

On 28 April 2016, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) adopted a positive opinion recommending a change to the terms of the marketing authorisation for the medicinal product bevacizumab (Avastin). The marketing authorisation holder for this medicinal product is Roche Registration Limited.

The CHMP adopted a new indication as follows:

"Bevacizumab, in combination with erlotinib, is indicated for first-line treatment of adult patients with unresectable advanced, metastatic or recurrent non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer with Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) activating mutations." Read more here.