August 2009 – Oral Cancer News

Los Angeles jury recommends Philip Morris USA pay $13.8 million in punitive damages

Source: snus-news.blogspot.com Author: staff A jury on Monday, August 24th, recommended that cigarette maker Philip Morris USA should pay $13.8 million in punitive damages to the daughter of a longtime smoker who died of lung cancer, according to a report by the Associated Press. The panel voted 9 to 3 in favor of Bullock's daughter Jodie Bullock, who is now the plaintiff in the case. Betty Bullock died of lung cancer in February 2003. She had sued Philip Morris in April 2001, accusing the company of fraud and product liability. A jury in 2002 recommended Philip Morris pay a record $28 billion in punitive damages to Bullock, but a judge later reduced the award to $28 million. In 2008, the 2nd District Court of Appeal reversed the jury's decision and remanded the case for a new trial over the punitive damages. Philip Morris said the $28 million remained excessive; however, the original jury recommended the tobacco company pay Bullock $750,000 in damages and $100,000 for pain and suffering, a verdict that still stands. In a statement, Richmond, Va.-based Altria Group Inc., which owns Philip Morris, said any amount given to Bullock's daughter is unwarranted. "After hearing weeks of improper arguments and evidence that violated state and federal law on punitive damages, the jury still managed to reject plaintiff's patently unreasonable request," said Murray Garnick, Altria Client Services senior vice president, speaking on behalf of Philip Morris. "Even so, we believe that any punitive damages award is unwarranted based on the [...]

Oral Cancer Foundation News Team - A2009-08-29T16:53:58-07:00August, 2009|Oral Cancer News|

Advantages of TomoTherapy platform for radiation therapy highlighted at 10th biennial ESTRO conference

Source: au.sys-con.com Author: press release TomoTherapy Incorporated announced today that there will be more than 40 presentations at the 10th Biennial ESTRO Conference on Physics and Radiation Technology for Clinical Radiotherapy that explore use of the TomoTherapy® treatment system. The TomoTherapy system -- a versatile, CT scanner-based device that integrates image guidance for increased treatment accuracy and helical radiation therapy delivery for enhanced tumor targeting -- is helping cancer centers advance patient care around the world. The papers cover a breadth of advantages related to the TomoTherapy system, including the importance of daily imaging for precise patient positioning and adaptive therapy purposes, fundamental advancements in treatment planning and improvements in treatment quality for the patient. The ESTRO Conference will take place August 30 to September 3, 2009, in Maastricht, The Netherlands. At booth 140, TomoTherapy will highlight how its radiotherapy platform is reshaping radiation therapy, with exhibits and presentations on topics such as the evolution and future of the TomoTherapy platform, user case studies, use of TomoDirect technology to increase system versatility and throughput, and the new TQA(TM) quality assurance tool. The conference will feature more than 40 TomoTherapy-related papers, on a range of topics, including: Clinically Applied Imaging Adaptive Radiotherapy to Treatment Response - UCL-Cliniques Universitaires Saint Luc, Brussels, Belgium. This study explores how recent advancements in imaging, computational and technological fields may enable clinicians to achieve high precision radiation dose delivery. Initial results show that use of the TomoTherapy system's adaptive planning capabilities allows for a significant reduction [...]

Oral Cancer Foundation News Team - A2009-08-28T12:43:54-07:00August, 2009|Oral Cancer News|

Widespread, growing use of snus

Source: WebMD Author: Marlene Busko Lyon, France - Smokeless tobacco—such as snuff and chewing tobacco—is not harmless when it comes to heart health, according to a new meta-analysis [1]. A review of 11 studies from Sweden and the US, almost entirely in men, showed that smokeless-tobacco users had an increased risk of death from MI or stroke. The study, by researchers at the International Agency for Research on Cancer(IARC), is published online August 18, 2009 in BMJ. Contrary to common belief that smokeless tobacco has very little effect on health, these products have been shown to increase cancer risk, coauthor and IARC researcher Dr Kurt Straif (Lyon, France) told heartwire. "There is sufficient evidence for a causal association between smokeless tobacco and oral and pancreatic cancer [2] and probably also esophageal cancer [3]," he said. "Now, this study adds evidence that smokeless tobacco causes death from cardiovascular diseases," Straif summarized. Widespread, growing use of snus Types of smokeless tobacco used in North America and Europe include dry snuff that is inhaled, as well as moist snuff (called snus in Sweden) and chewing tobacco (or spit tobacco), which are sucked inside the cheek. These products have been around for centuries, and after a decline in consumption for most of the 20th century, use has rebounded in the past few decades, the authors write. In 2000, 23.9% of men and 4.1% of women in Sweden reported using snus daily or occasionally. In the same year, in the US, 4.4% of men and 0.3% of women were [...]

Charlotte Parker2009-08-25T20:10:54-07:00August, 2009|Oral Cancer News|

Saliva test for microRNA could detect oral cancer

Source: www.medpagetoday.com Author: Chris Emery, Contributing Writer, MedPage Today Researchers say they have identified dozens of microRNAs in saliva, raising hopes that saliva tests could assist in early detection of oral cancers. Analyzing patient saliva with a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique, the researchers identified about 50 microRNAs -- molecules that halt mRNA translation and/or lead to mRNA degradation, according to a report in the Sept. 1 edition of Clinical Cancer Research. Of the miRNAs they found, a few were present at significantly lower levels in the saliva of patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) than in control subjects (P<0.05). "Two of these miRNAs, miR-125a and miR-200a, are differentially expressed in the saliva of the OSCC patients compared with that of healthy controls," David T. Wong, DMD, DMSc, of the Los Angeles School of Dentistry, and colleagues wrote. "These findings suggest that the detection of miRNAs in saliva can be used as a noninvasive and rapid diagnostic tool for the diagnosis of oral cancer." The authors noted that OSCC is the sixth most common cancer in the U.S., accounting for 90% of oral cancers and leading to 8,000 deaths per year. "The average five-year survival rate for OSCC is [about] 50%," they wrote. "Shockingly, this number has not changed in last three decades. Therefore, an early detection method for OSCC is needed to increase long-term patient survival." Other recent studies have discovered hundreds of miRNAs in various organisms that play roles in cell growth, differentiation, apoptosis, stress response, immune [...]

Oral Cancer Foundation News Team - A2009-08-25T20:10:52-07:00August, 2009|Oral Cancer News|

Dietary vitamin D and cancers of the oral cavity and esophagus

Source: Annals of Oncology 2009 20(9):1576-1581 Authors: L. Lipworth et al. Background: Data on the association between vitamin D and upper digestive tract neoplasms are limited. Methods: In two case–control studies in Italy, we examined the relation between dietary vitamin D intake and squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus (SCCE; 304 cases) and oral/pharyngeal cancer (804 cases). Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated by multiple logistic regression. Results: Adjusted ORs for SCCE and oral/pharyngeal cancer were 0.58 (95% CI 0.39–0.86) and 0.76 (95% CI 0.60–0.94), respectively, for the highest tertile of vitamin D intake. Using a reference group of those in the highest tertile of vitamin D who were never/former smokers, ORs were 8.7 (95% CI 4.1–18.7) for SCCE and 10.4 (95% CI 6.9–15.5) for oral/pharyngeal cancer among heavy smokers in the lowest vitamin D tertile; similarly, compared with those in the highest tertile of vitamin D who drank <3 alcoholic drinks/day, corresponding ORs were 41.9 (95% CI 13.7–128.6) for SCCE and 8.5 (95% CI 5.7–12.5) for oral/pharyngeal cancer, among heavy alcohol drinkers in the lowest vitamin D tertile. Conclusion: We observed inverse associations between dietary vitamin D intake and risk of SCCE and, perhaps, oral/pharyngeal cancer, which were most pronounced among heavy current smokers and heavy consumers of alcohol. Authors: L. Lipworth1,2, M. Rossi3, J. K. McLaughlin1,4, E. Negri3, R. Talamini5, F. Levi6, S. Franceschi7 and C. La Vecchia3,4,8 Authors' affiliations: 1 International Epidemiology Institute, Rockville, MD 2 Department of Preventive Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical [...]

Oral Cancer Foundation News Team - A2009-08-25T04:04:14-07:00August, 2009|Oral Cancer News|

Light-mediated therapy aims to overcome both tumour cell uptake barriers and toxicity problems

Source: news.prnewswire.com Author: press release PCI Biotech Holding ASA, the Norwegian drug delivery company focusing on effective delivery of cancer therapeutics, today announced that the first patient has received treatment in the Phase I/II trial with the lead candidate Amphinex(R), which uses a new approach called photochemical internalisation. The patient was treated at the University College Hospital (UCH) in London. PCI's proprietary photosensitiser Amphinex(R) is in this study combined with the therapeutic agent bleomycin. When activated by light, Amphinex(R) promotes effective delivery of large therapeutic molecules such as bleomycin through triggered endosomal release. The trial will investigate a broadly representative spectrum of cancers including head and neck cancer and breast cancer, to demonstrate the safety and potential of this new approach. The primary objective of this study is to assess the maximum tolerated dose of Amphinex(R), in PCI treatment with bleomycin. Secondary objectives include determination of the antitumor activity of Amphinex(R) when used in combination with bleomycin, as well as its pharmacokinetics. Colin Hopper, Principal Investigator at UCH, said: "At UCH we are dedicated to high quality patient care and we have extensive experience in the use of photodynamic therapy to treat cancer patients. PCI is a very exciting new approach in photodynamic medicine that has shown great promise in preclinical studies. We are very proud of being the first centre to move this new technology into the clinic." Per Walday CEO of PCI Biotech, said: "This first in man trial is an important step forward for the company. We [...]

Oral Cancer Foundation News Team - A2009-08-24T20:34:26-07:00August, 2009|Oral Cancer News|

First ever list of top-rated cancer fighting nonprofits

Source: Hotindienews.com Author: Staff Menlo Park, Calif. — For donors and volunteers looking to support a cancer charity, GreatNonprofits releases the first ever list of top-rated cancer fighting nonprofits. A huge variety of cancer support, education, and advocacy organizations were reviewed during the 2009 GreatNonprofits Cancer Fighters Awards in July. The large diversity of organizations that received reviews combined with the large number of reviews posted, shows the incredible passion and commitment these organizations inspire. “We’re really proud of this,” says Brian Hill, Founder and Executive Director of The Oral Cancer Foundation, which won for top-rated cancer organization with an annual budget below $250,000. “It’s an honest appraisal of metrics of what we’ve accomplished that’s actually human.” Nancy Frank is the Executive Director of the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation, the winner among organizations with budgets over $1,000,000. She says, “We were thrilled with the response. We work our little nose to the grindstone every day and this kind of renewed our spirits in this hard year.” The contest, held throughout July, asked people to submit reviews and ratings about nonprofits serving the cancer community. The contest was sponsored by GreatNonprofits, GuideStar and Planet Cancer. The results provide surprising and inspiring insights into the diversity of organizations that are considered effective and important by volunteers, donors and stakeholders of the cancer community. This is the first ever list providing reviews of cancer fighting nonprofits by those who have actually experienced their work. These unique results will be helpful to donors and [...]

Charlotte Parker2009-08-24T22:36:54-07:00August, 2009|OCF In The News, Oral Cancer News|

Surgeons carry out world’s first face, jaw and tongue transplant

Source: www.mirror.co.uk Author: staff Surgeons have successfully carried out the world's first face, jaw and tongue transplant. They spent 16 hours operating on a man of 43 whose face had been horribly disfigured by radiotherapy for a tumour 11 years ago. The patient will eventually be able to eat, taste, swallow and speak again. Pedro Cavadas, who led 30 Spanish medics in Valencia in the day-long op, said yesterday: "The patient's seen himself and is delighted." The case was marred by controversy after authorities released details about the donor against his family's wishes. French woman Isabelle Dinoire received the first face transplant four years ago after losing her nose, lips and chin when a dog mauled her.

Oral Cancer Foundation News Team - A2009-08-22T05:37:19-07:00August, 2009|Oral Cancer News|

Laser microsurgery for tongue cancer

Source: www.ajho.com Author: staff A retrospective chart review undertaken at a Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois, indicates that transoral laser surgery to treat cancer of the tongue is as effective as open surgery. The less invasive procedure may also improve patients' quality of life. The study reviewed data from 71 patients who underwent transoral laser microsurgery for squamous cell carcinoma of the base of the tongue. At 24 months, overall survival was 90% and disease-specific survival was 94%. Of the 46 patients for whom quality-of-life information was obtained, the majority reported mild or no pain, minimally impaired to normal swallowing, and normal speech. Surgical approaches through the neck once provided the only safe access to the base of the tongue, although the voice box, trachea, esophagus, lymph nodes, muscles, and large nerves make surgical resection in this area difficult. Significant complications often included impairment of speech and of swallowing. Transoral laser microsurgery, using an endoscope with a lighted camera, a microscopic lens, and a CO-2 laser, enables surgeons to treat cancers that were not treatable previously. Dr Guy Petruzzelli, study author and chief of the Section of Head, Neck and Skull Base Surgery at Rush University Medical Center, noted, “Due to the precision of this surgery, most patients require less adjuvant chemotherapy, and in some cases patients will not need chemotherapy. And the functional outcomes are superior. Patients are able to speak and swallow much sooner and better than with an open technique.” Of patients responding, 91% reported [...]

Oral Cancer Foundation News Team - A2009-08-21T04:54:55-07:00August, 2009|Oral Cancer News|

Worldwide study shows MI risk increases with all forms of tobacco use

Source: HeartWire Author: Steve Stiles London, UK - Tobacco use significantly ups the risk of nonfatal MI independently of its varied methods around the world and whether exposure is direct or through second-hand smoke, according to INTERHEART, a large, broadly international case-control study [1]. The findings sharpen and add a global perspective to the massive epidemiologic evidence implicating smoking and other tobacco uses as causes of heart disease. The analysis, which appears in the August 19, 2006 issue of the Lancet, suggests that current cigarette smoking confers nearly triple the adjusted MI risk faced by persons who have never smoked and that the hazards can't be escaped by resorting to other forms of tobacco use. The study looked at the effects of not only smokeless tobacco but also less common modes of smoking, including some that are primarily limited to specific geographic regions such as South and Central Asia. "Our findings show that tobacco in any form is harmful," write the authors, Dr Koon K Teo (McMaster University-Hamilton Health Sciences, Hamilton, ON) and associates. Other noteworthy observations include a significant dose-response relationship between the number of cigarettes consumed daily and the likelihood of MI, even at only a few cigarettes per day. Commenting on the study for heartwire, Dr Ira S Ockene (University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester) said that it replicates much earlier work but "adds so much more," including a global perspective not only geographically but in terms of spanning virtually all forms of tobacco exposure. Its data on the risks of chewing [...]

Charlotte Parker2009-08-20T14:47:56-07:00August, 2009|Oral Cancer News|