GLG News by Physicians who Treat CML (US)

The ECOG study showed increased overall survival in AML patients , aged 16-60 , with higher doses of the anthracyclin Daunorubcin combined with cytarabine. These preliminary studies need to be confirmed and do not extend to AML patients older than 60 where survival is the lowest. High cumulative doses...

The findings that Tamoxifen may enahnce breast cancer growth in cells with decreased expression of acthedrin is ynlikely to have clinical impact  for 2 reasons: 1- Most ER postive breast cancer patients by definition have higher expression of cathedrin 2- Tamoxifen is largely replaced by aromatase...

Chronic use of long acting agonists in children is already known to increase hospitlizations from mortality from asthma. This may reflect the severity of asthma in these children and poor access to medical care rather than a direct drug effect. Current Asthma gudelines advocate use of inhaled steroids...

The data about increased risk of thrombosis with Avastin is inflated-to say the least. Avastin"COULD" increase risk of thrombosis by 12 % in a population of cancer patients who are already at increased risk of thrombosis. Moreover , very few clots were fatal. The benefit of increased survival in colorectal...

BMS is forking out a lot of cash ( $ 240 million) for two cancer drugs still in development. BMS may know something I don't!!!

President elect Obama will try , most probably unsuccessfully, to take on insurance companies in orfder to fulfill his election promises of "close to universal" health care. Generics will thrive, but Big Phrama , especially those with innovative products and biotech companies will continue to pr...

A recent study infers taht periods of increased rainfall could be linked to increase in number of children dioagnosed with autism. The causla l;ink of rainfall is unlikely, but most probably reflects other factors like children staying more indoors and thus watch more TV, get less sun exposure and...

Genetech's Avastin have shown modest increase in progresion free survival and overall survival in patients with gliobalstoma multiforme, the most common and most agressive malignant brain tumor With such data, Avastin is expected to join Temodar as chemotherapy agent approved for this tumor with...

Sanofi's rapid acting insulin formulation got FDA approval for use in children 4 years and older with Type I insulin dependent diabetes. The drug has rapid action so it may replace lispro and older short acting  insulin preparations, if the price tag is not prohibitive.

Two Phase II trials show meanigful prolonged pFS in patients with iodine-refractory thyroid cancer who are treated with Sorafenib ( bayer/Onyx) The benefit needs to be confirmed in larger trials and need also to establish a favorable safety profile. Studies are needed for combination with other targeted...