GLG News by Oncologists who Treat Hematologic Malignancies (US)

An FDA panel recommended NOT to use ESA's for treatment of chemotherapy induced anemia in Breast cancer patients and head and neck acncer patients, a significant number of cancer patients. It also voted overwhelmingly to limit ESA's for non-curable cancer patients in the setting of palliative care....

Manufacturers include Roche Holding AG and Novartis AG of Switzerland and Sanofi-Aventis. Generic versions of the antineoplastic agents will be made available and the patents obviously ignored.

FDA's approval of Genentech's Avastin is backed both by efficacy data and aggressive political activism. Extension of PFS by almost 6 months and shrinking large tumors, thus improving quality of life, are tangible and real beneficial effects. Avastin was already being prescribed off-label. The approval...

The FDA is now warning of increased death & tumor growth in breast and cervical cancer patients.

This editorial is questioning the use of this expensive agent in patients with metastatic breast cancer when it only increases time to progression 5.5 months.

Pfizer's Irinotecan ( CPT-11) is mostly used in colorectal cancer with some limited use in sarcomas, glioblastoma multiforme, and other solid tumors. Teva's generic compound is expected to be cheaper, and with current economic situation, may be mandated by third party payers to cut costs, and this will...

Antisoma's AS 1409 has just entered a clinical phase I trial for patients with advanced melanoma and renal cancer. While efficacy results are years ago, this "immunotherapy" will be competing with many approved targeted agents in renal cancer ( Sutent, Nexavar, Torisel) and with many other immunotherapeutic...

Virtual Colonoscopy and stool analysis for DNA alterations for colon cancer, are being recommended for screening.

     With recent developments in preparation of unfractionated heparins (http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/06/health/06heparin.html?_r=1&ref=health&oref=slogin) not only are the LMWH varieties more effective as well as cheaper when all of the co factors are included, they...

"Celebrity" advertisements of percription drugs are disingenuous?