GLG News by Oncologists who Treat Hematologic Malignancies (US)

Pfizer's sutent cased moderate to severe cardiac toxicity in a study involving 75 patients who all had normal cardiac function at study entry. This relatively high rate of adverse events will push physicians more towards prescribing Nexavar ( Bayer/Onyx)  and Torisel (Wyeth) in patients...

Starting January 1st Medicare will reduce payments to doctors by 10.1% and some physicians may revolt by not seeing Medicare patients.

In one study 11% of an admittedly small group of patients developed cardiac problems.

Families will treat their loved ones with combinations of drugs rather than than seeking appropriate clinical trials.

Geron's cancer vaccine targets telomerase which is active in growth of many cancers. Eraly clinical trials are ongoing in AML and vaccine may have role in melanoma, sarcomas, NHL and lung cancer. Main role of cancer vaccines is in minimal residual disaese or as maintenanence/consolidation therapy...

Vaccine targeting non infectious agents to control neoplasia.

This agent is useful in reducing spleen size as well as adverse symptoms in MF. With what may happen to Epo products in this condition there will be a market!

Myelofibrosis (MF) is a myeloproliferative disorder that is associated with anemia and has been treated with Epo since the agents came on the market. Now a question is raised that they may increase the chance for leukemic conversion.

Millennium has been desparately trying to move Velcade up to a first line indication in MM. I see no reason to believe they won't get it, but....

Various new agents are in development to replace the old standbys in post operative thrombosis prevention as well as clots in atrial fibrillation (AF.)