2009 – Page 31 – Oral Cancer News

Cancer researchers “play it safe” due to grant system

Source: NYTimes Author: Gina Kolata Among the recent research grants awarded by the National Cancer Institute is one for a study asking whether people who are especially responsive to good-tasting food have the most difficulty staying on adiet. Another study will assess a Web-based program that encourages families to choose more healthful foods. Many other grants involve biological research unlikely to break new ground. For example, one project asks whether a laboratory discovery involving colon cancer also applies to breast cancer. But even if it does apply, there is no treatment yet that exploits it. The cancer institute has spent $105 billion since PresidentRichard M. Nixon declared war on the disease in 1971. TheAmerican Cancer Society, the largest private financer of cancer research, has spent about $3.4 billion on research grants since 1946. Yet the fight against cancer is going slower than most had hoped, with only small changes in the death rate in the almost 40 years since it began. One major impediment, scientists agree, is the grant system itself. It has become a sort of jobs program, a way to keep research laboratories going year after year with the understanding that the focus will be on small projects unlikely to take significant steps toward curing cancer. “These grants are not silly, but they are only likely to produce incremental progress,” said Dr. Robert C. Young, chancellor at Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia and chairman of the Board of Scientific Advisors, an independent group that makes recommendations to the cancer institute. The [...]

Charlotte Parker2009-06-30T04:29:16-07:00June, 2009|Oral Cancer News|

New cancer treatment shows promise in testing

Source: nytimes.com Author: Nicholas Wade A new method of attacking cancer cells, developed by researchers in Australia, has proved surprisingly effective in animal tests. The method is intended to sidestep two major drawbacks of standard chemotherapy: the treatment’s lack of specificity and the fact that cancer cells often develop resistance. In one striking use of the method, reported online Sunday in Nature Biotechnology, mice were implanted with a human uterine tumor that was highly aggressive and resistant to many drugs. All of the treated animals were free of tumor cells after 70 days of treatment; the untreated mice were dead after a month. The lead researchers, Jennifer A. MacDiarmid and Himanshu Brahmbhatt, say their company, EnGeneIC of suburban Sydney, has achieved a similar outcome in dogs with advanced brain cancer. “We have been treating more than 20 dogs and have spectacular results,” Dr. Brahmbhatt said. “Pretty much every dog has responded and some are in remission.” These experiments have not yet been published. Cancer experts who were not involved with the research say that the new method is of great interest, but that many treatments that work well in laboratory mice turn out to be ineffective in patients. Bert Vogelstein, a leading cancer researcher at Johns Hopkins University, called the method “a creative and promising line of research,” but noted the general odds against success. “Unfortunately our track record shows that far less than 1 percent of our promising approaches actually make the grade in patients,” he said. The EnGeneIC [...]

Oral Cancer Foundation News Team - A2009-06-28T20:17:08-07:00June, 2009|Oral Cancer News|

Oral health suffers in down economy

Source: www.myjournalcourier.com Author: Katie Anderson As layoffs and furlough days continue to eat away at pocket books, local dentists say they’ve noticed a decrease in the area’s appetite for oral health care. Dental health care experts are concerned. “I think a lot of preventative care has become affected by people’s economic situations,” said Randall Lawson, a doctor of dental surgery and owner of College Avenue Dental in Jacksonville. “I have two hygienists that do preventive care, cleanings, et cetera, and they have seemed to become less busy as of late.” He said although the summer time is busier due to children being out of school, his office has seen more cancellations than usual. William Weller, a doctor of dental surgery with an office on West Lafayette Avenue, has seen a similar trend at his practice. “Whenever we have a downturn or anything like this there are several things that happen,” Dr. Weller said. “Probably the most significant is people looking for ways to cut corners — looking to delay or postpone their six-month checkups. It’s kind of unfortunate because yes, they’ll save 100 bucks on a checkup but they’ll pay later.” Dr. Weller said the people he and his fellow dentists treat in the area, for the most part, “are really honest people.” “If they don’t have the money they don’t want to come in and incur a debt,” he explained. “Which is laudable to some degree, but something that we worry about.” They worry for many reasons. One, most [...]

Oral Cancer Foundation News Team - A2009-06-28T16:49:49-07:00June, 2009|Oral Cancer News|

Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center’s research efforts highlighted at annual cancer conference

Source: www.mc.vanderbilt.edu Author: Dagny Stuart A new drug which targets a genetic mutation found in more than 50 percent of melanoma cases, 10 percent to 15 percent of colorectal tumors and 8 percent of other solid tumors, caused tumor shrinkage and extended progression-free survival among patients during a recent Phase 1 clinical trial. Igor Puzanov, M.D., assistant professor of Medicine, and Jeffrey Sosman, M.D., Ingram Professor of Cancer Research, led Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center's participation in the multi-center study. Puzanov delivered the initial findings during a poster session at the recent American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) conference in Orlando, Fla. Puzanov and Sosman were among nearly a dozen VICC cancer investigators who were invited to give oral or poster presentations on their latest research findings during the ASCO conference. PLX4032 is a novel, highly selective drug that targets the BRAFV600E cancer-causing genetic mutation. In addition to tumor shrinkage and delay in tumor progression, some patients reported clinical improvement in symptoms. “The BRAFV600E mutation activates the MAP kinase signaling pathway, causing cells to proliferate. One of the hallmarks of cancer is this uncontrolled, unregulated cell proliferation,” said Puzanov. “The new drug is a very selective inhibitor which appears to target only this mutation, and it blocks the unregulated cell growth and causes cell death.” In patients without the mutation, no clinical response to treatment was observed and progression-free survival was less than two months, consistent with historical data. “This is personalized medicine at its best,” said Sosman. “If continued trials confirm [...]

Oral Cancer Foundation News Team - A2009-06-27T15:28:04-07:00June, 2009|Oral Cancer News|

Zila enters into merger agreement with Tolmar

Source: www.earthtimes.org Author: press release Zila, Inc. today announced that it has entered into a definitive merger agreement with Tolmar Holding, Inc., a privately held, pharmaceutical research, development, manufacturing and commercial operations company. Under terms of the agreement, Tolmar will acquire all of the outstanding shares of Zila for a cash purchase price of $0.38 per share, representing an approximate premium of 18% over the closing price of Zila’s shares on June 24, 2009. Total consideration paid by Tolmar includes the purchase of Zila’s existing $12 million senior secured convertible debt at a discount. The proposed merger transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including approval by Zila’s stockholders, but is not subject to any financing contingency. David Bethune, Zila’s chairman and CEO, stated, “We are fortunate to have entered into this merger agreement with Tolmar, given Zila’s current financial condition and our inability to access the financial markets. The Board of Directors conducted a substantial and exhaustive review of Zila’s available alternatives, before concluding that this transaction was fair to and in the best interest of the company and its stockholders. I am gratified that we have found a way to both satisfy our debt obligations and provide value for our shareholders. This merger will provide the resources and platform for Zila’s dedicated employees to realize the true worldwide potential of Zila’s oral cancer screening and periodontal products." About Zila, Inc. Zila, Inc., headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, is a diagnostic company dedicated to the prevention, detection and treatment of [...]

Oral Cancer Foundation News Team - A2009-06-27T15:21:37-07:00June, 2009|Oral Cancer News|

Detecting subtle changes in cancer cells with nanofluidic biopsy

Source: www.azonano.com Author: staff By taking two standard laboratory techniques—capillary electrophoresis and antibody-based protein detection—and shrinking them to the nanoscale, researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine have created a new method for detecting miniscule changes in the levels of proteins associated with cancer. In a study published in the journal Nature Medicine, the investigators used their new device to analyze whether individual cancer-associated proteins were present in the tiny samples and even whether modifications of the proteins varied in response to cancer treatments. Although the study focuses on blood cancers, the hope is that the technique also might provide a faster, less invasive way to track solid tumors. “Currently, we don’t know what’s going on in a patient’s tumor cells when a treatment is given,” said Alice C. Fan, M.D., who along with Dean W. Felsher, M.D., headed the team that developed this nanofluidic proteomic immunoassay (NIA) system. “The standard way we measure whether a treatment is working is to wait several weeks to see if the tumor mass shrinks. It would be a leap forward if we could detect what is happening at a cellular level.” Dr. Felsher, who is a member of the Center for Cancer Nanotechnology Excellence Focused on Therapy Response based at Stanford University, added, “This technology allows us to analyze cancer-associated proteins on a very small scale. “Not only can we detect picogram levels—one-trillionth of a gram—of protein, but we also can see very subtle changes in the ways the protein is modified.” [...]

Oral Cancer Foundation News Team - A2009-06-27T15:14:25-07:00June, 2009|Oral Cancer News|

Mark Karan’s track “Walk Through the Fire” -proceeds to benefit OCF

Source: Marinij.com Author: Paul Liberatore Singer-guitarist Mark Karan wrote the title track to this heartfelt solo album while he was in a hospital bed, steeling himself for a battle against throat cancer. After chemotherapy and radiation, Karan, one of rock's most respected sidemen, has been pronounced cancer-free and has returned to his lead guitar slot in Bob Weir's band RatDog. The song "Walk Through the Fire" is about personal resolve, humility, acceptance, courage and lessons learned in his brush with the life-threatening disease. Karan, who lives in Fairfax, manages this without being preachy or mawkish, showing maturity and strength in dealing with what was an intensely emotional experience. Profits from the track will go to the Oral Cancer Foundation. After Jerry Garcia's death, Karan was chosen to share his lead guitar slot with Steve Kimock in the post-Grateful Dead band the Other Ones, playing with that group for its two tours. When Weir, the Dead's rhythm guitarist and singer, formed RatDog, he tapped Karan as his lead guitarist. He moonlights with his side group, Jemimah Puddleduck. He doesn't need any help on this CD, but it's enriched by some prestigious guest musicians - the late Delaney Bramlett joins voices with Karan and plays dobro on Robert Johnson's blues classic "Love in Vain." And Little Feat's Bill Payne sweetens Karan's uptempo "Rock Your Papa" with Wurlitzer organ. The Persuasions add background vocals. Karan nods to Marin rock history with "Annie Don't Lie," a New Orleans-flavored tune written by Alex Call, former lead [...]

Charlotte Parker2009-06-26T11:09:49-07:00June, 2009|Oral Cancer News|

Anti-smoking bill a victory for kids

Source: www.blackvoicenews.com Author: Dr. Ernest Levister, Jr The health risks of tobacco are well known, yet the rates of smoking and using chewing tobacco continue to grow. Many young people pick up these habits every year — in fact, 90% of all adult smokers started when they were kids. Each day, more than 4,400 kids become regular smokers. So it was particularly encouraging to see President Barack Obama this week surrounded by children from the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids sign the strongest anti-smoking measure ever, calling it “an extraordinary accomplishment that will help keep children from getting hooked on cigarettes”. This landmark legislation is a clear victory for kids. With an estimated 3,500 young people smoking their first cigarette each day, the ban on flavorings alone could have significant health benefits. Mr. Obama cited his own long struggle to quit the cigarettes he got hooked on as a teenager and praised the bill for providing critically needed protections for kids. Studies show that African Americans smoke fewer cigarettes when compared to Caucasians, but they share a far greater burden of smoking related health problems. It’s important to make sure kids understand the dangers of tobacco use. Smoking is the leading cause of preventable deaths in the United States, and can cause cancer, heart disease, and lung disease. Chewing tobacco (smokeless or spit tobacco) can lead to nicotine addiction, oral cancer, gum disease, and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, including heart attacks. Kids might be drawn to smoking and [...]

Oral Cancer Foundation News Team - A2009-06-25T18:23:42-07:00June, 2009|Oral Cancer News|

Use of Erbitux in head and neck cancer rejected by NICE

Source: Pharmafocus.com Author: Staff Erbitux has failed to win NICE approval for the treatment of head and neck cancer, due to doubts over its cost and clinical effectiveness compared to existing treatments. It was rejected under NICE's new scheme to make more end-of-life drugs available by extending the threshold at which they are considered cost-effective, making it an extra heavy blow for manufacturer Merck Serono. Chief executive Andrew Dillon defended NICE's decision, saying the alternative of approving the medicine for the health service was unviable. He added: "This would mean the NHS making significant funds available for a very expensive treatment which may or may not benefit individual patients. Those funds would not then be available for treating other conditions with greater and more certain benefits for other patients." Erbitux is a monoclonal antibody and one of a new class of cancer drugs which target genetic mutations that allow cancer cells to multiply, and are designed to bypass many of the unpleasant side-effects associated with traditional chemotherapy. Licensed also in colorectal cancer, in 2008 the drug made global sales of nearly $1.6 million in 2008, and is expected to reach sales of $3.4 million by 2014. In the latest appraisal, Erbitux was rejected as a treatment of recurrent and/or metastatic squamous cell cancer of the head and neck and NICE recommended against its use in combination with platinum-based chemotherapy in patients with this cancer. The appraisal committee were uncertain over the clinical effectiveness of the drug and the cost of [...]

Charlotte Parker2009-06-25T16:43:53-07:00June, 2009|Oral Cancer News|

NYC may require tobacco retailers to post warning signs

Source: NEWSDAY.COM Author: MICHAEL FRAZIER The New York Health Department is proposing city tobacco retailers post signs with graphic images such as cancer-ravaged throats and black lungs in an effort to discourage smoking, health officials said Wednesday.The signs - the first of their kind in the country - would include health risk warnings and information on how to quit, said Sarah Perl, assistant commissioner of the city's Bureau of Tobacco Control."You're going to see what a blackened lung looks like; you're going to see what mouth cancer looks like; you're going to see what it looks like when you have throat cancer," Perl said. "They're going to have to think, 'Do I really want to pay 10 bucks for mouth cancer?' "The city Board of Health will hold hearings and vote in September on the proposal. Officials expect opposition from many of the city's 12,000 tobacco retailers and the cigarette industry. Jim Calvin, president of the state Association of Convenience Stores, said a new law giving the Food and Drug Administration more tobacco control is sufficient. "I'm not sure we would be eager to give up additional wall space and advertising space for posters and signs and images," said Calvin, whose group represents 7,700 stores statewide. President Barack Obama signed a law Monday allowing the FDA to lower the amount of nicotine in tobacco products; forbid ads geared toward children; ban sweetened cigarettes that appeal to youngsters; and prohibit "light" and "low tar" labeling. The Health Department said its proposal is aimed mainly [...]

Charlotte Parker2009-06-25T10:49:05-07:00June, 2009|Oral Cancer News|