Analysis of:
In Long-Awaited Maps of Cancer, The Breakthrough Is the Problem (online.wsj.com)
Pharmacogenomics will lead to the development of targeting agents and offer true hope for the future.
Analysis of:
Gleevec Receives FDA Priority Review as First Therapy to Reduce Recurrence of Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors After Surgery (www.therapeuticsdaily.com)
Novartis is looking for approval for therapy in C-KIT + Gastrointestinal stromal tumors
Analysis of:
Expanding Circle of Inhibition: Small-Molecule Inhibitors of Bcl-2 as Anticancer Cell and Antiangiogenic Agents (jco.ascopubs.org)
Bcl-2 inhibition by small molecules stands to be the next avenue for antineoplastic therapy- Looks like the real deal!
Analysis of:
Cell Genesys Ends Clinical Trials For Prostate Cancer Treatment (online.wsj.com)
No reason for the increased mortality vs Chemo alone was identified. Cell Genesys is looking into where to go now.
Analysis of:
Bortezomib plus Melphalan and Prednisone for Initial Treatment of Multiple Myeloma (content.nejm.org)
Velcade + classic Melphalan/ Prednisone (MP) is better than MP alone. No surprise
Analysis of:
Amgen Blood-Disorder Drug Gains Clearance (online.wsj.com)
Chronic ITP is not all that uncommon and becomes a quality of life issue with chronic steroid use as well as agents that are normaly used in neoplasia and even derivatives of male hormones.
Analysis of:
Scientists Find Way to Create Red Blood Cells (online.wsj.com)
Advanced Cell Technology in Worcester, Mass., the University of Illinois at Chicago and the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. scientists say they've found an efficient way to make red blood cells from human embryonic stem cells. Impreesive!
Analysis of:
Drug Makers’ Push Leads to Cancer Vaccines’ Fast Rise (www.nytimes.com)
Cervical cancer vaccines manufactured by Merck and Glaxo have been hyped, pushed and if the companies have their way, mandated by various states and organizations. (Who is benefiting? Patients or the politicians?) There are many unanswered questions but marketing and mandates press on!
Analysis of:
Economic Evaluation of Sunitinib Malate for the First-Line Treatment of Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma (jco.ascopubs.org)
When using a model (of whose desin?) Pfizer's Sunitinib (Sutent) was found to be cost effective by Pfizer people? Surprise!!!
Analysis of:
Randomized Phase II Trial of a Toll-Like Receptor 9 Agonist Oligodeoxynucleotide, PF-3512676, in Combination With First-Line Taxane Plus Platinum Chemotherapy for Advanced-Stage Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer (jco.ascopubs.org)
"The investigator-assessed objective response rate (complete and partial response), including both confirmed and unconfirmed responses, was 38% in the PF-3512676 plus chemotherapy arm and 19% in the chemotherapy-alone arm (P = .043)." In other words. IT MAY WORK!