GLG News by Physicians who Perform Procedures using MammoSite

The data from the STAR P-2 trial on tamoxifen vs. raloxifene show that the drug raloxifene, currently used to prevent and treat osteoporosis in postmenopausal women, works as well as tamoxifen in reducing breast cancer risk for postmenopausal women at increased risk of the disease. This very large trial...

IMC-A12 is a fully human IgG1Mab that is designed to specifically target the human insulin-like growth factor type 1 receptor, thereby inhibiting certain ligands known as insulin-like growth factors I and II from binding to and activating the receptor. This action blocks a signaling pathway that enhances...

Hematide provides a novel mechanism to increase hemoglobin by binding to the epo receptor.   It is unclear yet if hematide lacks the similar safety issues of Aranesp, Procrit, and Epogen, and these studies will hopefully shed some light. The longer interval between doses (4 weeks) is attractive...

Continuous cuts in physician reimbursement along with rising practice overhead cost are eventually going to cost our health system's quality, and loss of access for patients.

New phase II data shows no benefit in time to progression, and likely signals no further investigation in this drug for ovarian cancer However, early data for NSCLC has been reported as promising, and, this could be a potential avenue of research and future market.

While the idea of a vaccine against cancer is elegant in theory and design, prior vaccine trials have been busts.    Anecdotal stories always generate promise, but until it's proven in a randomized fashion, I won't believe the hype.

As drug companies have had physicians cut back on drug rep visits, and have had less ability to influence in prescribing due to big pharma guidelines, they have set their eyes on a new target - the patient

While we have made great strides in reducing needle sticks through education and newer safety needles, accidents still happen.   Reporting of injuries is important, not only to identify reasons why people have these accidents (and to hopefully help them learn behaviors to minimized these...

Cerner has made large leaps in electronic charting.   The addition of this package to their suite builds additional safety into their system while allowing transfuions to be administered in a safe, paperless manner.

While the results are impressive for velcade/dex vs. VAD, most would not consider VAD a standard induction regimen.   Likely to be good news in the long run for Millenium, but many will want to see comparison data for velcade and thalidomide in the induction setting    ...