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All News Analyses by this Author
Analyses are solely the work of the authors and have not been edited or endorsed by GLG.
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Panitumumab (and thus Erbitux): The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
February 9, 2009
A Randomized Phase IIIB Trial of Chemotherapy, Bevacizumab, and Panitumumab Compared With Chemotherapy and Bevacizumab Alone for Metastatic Colorectal Cancer | www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Panitumumab (Amgen) plus Avastin (Genentech) and chemo performs worse than Avastin and chemo alone in CRC. This is on top of data that Erbitux [GSK,Merck, Imclone] (EGFR inhibitor like Panit...) combined with Avastin is deleterious to CRC patients health. (see a prior blog) -
February 9, 2009
GlaxoSmithKile and Genmab Seek European Marketing Authorisation of Arzerra (Ofatumumab) in Advanced Stage Blood Cancer | www.pipelinereview.com
This drug is looking for approval in the Danish market for CLL, BUT... Rituxan (Vitamin R) is used extensively off label with and without other agents and is considered a vital part of therapy for CLL. -
FDA Joins the Genomic Revolution
February 6, 2009
New FDA Effort to Take Aim at Genomics | www.genomeweb.com
"The US Food and Drug Administration is creating a new position at the Office of FDA's Chief Scientist that will focus on the agency's genomics-related programs, FDA said this week." -
One thing I can assure you, patients will in some way, shape, or form; suffer.
February 6, 2009
Limits on Medicare's Ability to Control Rising Spending on Cancer Drugs | content.nejm.org
Medicare is looking to save money, which is currently spent on cancer chemotherapy agents. -
More is NOT NECESSARILY better in metastatic colorectal carcinoma.
February 5, 2009
Chemotherapy, Bevacizumab, and Cetuximab in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer | nejm.highwire.org
"...Many targeted agents are available or under development for use in a wide range of tumors. The inhibition of a single signal-transduction pathway is unlikely to provide optimal results, and therefore a combination of agents appears to be a valid strategy. Our results, however, argue against the combined use of anti-VEGF and anti-EGFR monoclonal antibodies with chemotherapy in cases of metastatic colorectal cancer." -
He who is without sin can cast the first stone....
February 4, 2009
Obama on Defense as Daschle Withdraws | online.wsj.com
Obama's effort to revolutionize delivery of health care was derailed and the administration will need to go to plan B (?) -
Tarceva + Avastin Beats Avastin Alone in Adenocarcinoma of the Lung...
February 4, 2009
OSI, Genentech Say Cancer Drug’s Benefits Ends Trial (Update2) | www.bloomberg.com
Tarceva, when added to Avastin, as maintenance therapy after standard chemo in adenocarcinomas of the lung, prolonged disease progression. The ATLAS trial will make this the standard of care post initial therapy in >50% of lung cancers (about 50,000+ patients/year.) -
February 3, 2009
Spinach and Peanuts, With a Dash of Radiation | www.nytimes.com
Irradiate food to kill "germs?" And expect the public to accept it?? -
January 29, 2009
Eli Lilly reports 4Q loss on ImClone costs | finance.yahoo.com
A loss?? Oh dear!! -
Pharmacogenetics Strikes Again!!
January 26, 2009
The largest prospective warfarin-treated cohort supports genetic forecasting | bloodjournal.hematologylibrary.org
Before Warfarin therapy is initiated genetic profiling would/should be used to improve patient care(?) -
remember--- IT'S ALL IN THE GENES!!!!
January 22, 2009
Clopidogrel, Genetics, and Drug Responsiveness | www.pjonline.com
Genetic variability is responsible for some cardiac patients responding to Clopidogrel prophylaxix and therapy. -
300 patients with the disorder, and the cost will be????
January 22, 2009
CSL Behring Receives FDA Approval of RiaSTAP, First and Only Approved Treatmetn of Acute Bleeding Episodes in Patients with Congenital Fibrinogen Deficiency | www.cslbehring.com
An effective therapy for the 300 patients in the USA with congenital fibrinogen deficiency. The cost?? -
January 21, 2009
Incentives Push More Doctors to E-Prescribe | online.wsj.com
I love it. This will really expedite care and will enable docs to save time in sending in scripts to local pharmacies. -
Gastric cancer trial: Phase II but may well be "the real deal"
January 20, 2009
Afinitor(R) Phase II trial results positive in patients with advanced gastric cancer after failure of one or more prior treatments | www.pipelinereview.com
This m-TOR inhibitor appears to show efficacy in this phase II trial. Before anointing it a success let's see what phase III trials show. -
As predicted the genomic revolution marches on!
January 15, 2009
Race for Inexpensive Genomes Goes Electric | blogs.wsj.com
Improved technology will make genetic profiles more readily available. "Illumina and Oxford Nanopore think the approach will be faster and cheaper" -
16.2% of GDP for health care??
January 8, 2009
Health-Care Outlays Climb at Slowest Rate in Years | online.wsj.com
"The data, which tally both private and public health spending, hardly represent a reprieve from soaring medical costs. Health-care spending again expanded faster than the overall economy, suggesting its share of GDP will climb as the economy remains mired in a protracted recession. In 2007, health care consumed 16.2% of GDP, up from 16% in 2006." Can we afford this continued increase?? -
Erbitux First Line in MCRC? Let's not get carried away.
January 7, 2009
Merck Serono: Study Published In JCO Shows Erbitux Enhances Efficacy In MCRC Patients With KRAS Wild-Type Tumors In 1st-Line Setting | www.medicalnewstoday.com
Ebitux plus chemo is better than chemo alone in patients WITHOUT K-RAS mutations. Yes, but... -
I warned you. Genetic testing as well as the companies offering them ARE the way of the future!
January 6, 2009
Response Genetics, Inc. Signs Amendment to Its Master Service Agreement With GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) as Preferred Provider of Genetic Testing Services | www.devicespace.com
Response Genetics, Inc. Signs Amendment to Its Master Service Agreement With GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) as Preferred Provider of Genetic Testing Services. The sub-text is that GSK is preparing to "package" their targeted drugs with tests to identify the target! -
Sorafenib (Bayer) in Breast Cancer: Strike 1
January 2, 2009
The long and the short?? No evidenceof efficacy -
Gleevec's (Novartis) other use...
December 23, 2008
FDA Approves Gleevec to Prevent Recurrence of Rare Gastrointestinal Cancer | www.therapeuticsdaily.com
This valuable agent can now be used as an adjuvant (preventative) fashion in patients with gastrointestinal stroma tumors (GIST)
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