GLG News by Rituxan Prescribers: Hematologists (US)

K-Ras mutaions analysis in colorectal cancer may become a pre-requiste for use of anti-EGFR antibodies in therapy Erbitux and Vecitibix use may be relegated to less number of cases. This will benefit Avastin ( Genentech) whose mechanism of action is independent of these mutations

Measuring mutated K-RAS will show who will NOT respond to ImClone's Erbitux or Amgen's Vectibix. Thus to use either in CRC will not be particularly effective.

31 million more doses of Pneumovax yearly in the US??

Cell Genesys is basically stopping work on GVAX inview of failure in two trials. The cause of the failure is not readily apparent.

 as per an accompanying editorial "In conclusion, it is particularly gratifying that years of research in tumor biology and drug development have coalesced. Translation of these research advances into therapeutic benefits for patients with refractory thyroid cancer, and a related paradigm shift...

Genetic determinants will decrease use of some drugs due to mutations such as Kras which indicate less chance of response and thus the chemo agents will not be used.

The primary goal was improved survival- NOT REACHED!!

"U.K. Health Service Agrees to Pay for Tarceva Following the Company's Discount" so that the price is equivalent to Taxotere.

Radon is responsible for about 15% on lung cancer deaths in the US??

Apparently Merck has an interest in this compound and it is in trial in combination in other neoplasms.