EurekAlert! - Cancer

Racial disparities persist in the diagnosis of advanced breast cancer and colon cancer in the U.S.

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 00:00:00 EST

(Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center) The incidence of advanced breast cancer diagnosis among black women remained 30 percent to 90 percent higher compared to white women between 1992 and 2004, according to new findings by researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. In addition, the disparity in the incidence of advance colorectal cancer actually widened over this time period as rates fell among whites but increased slightly among blacks.

Researchers reveal 3-D structure of bullet-shaped virus with potential to fight cancer, HIV

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 00:00:00 EST

(University of California - Los Angeles) A recent UCLA study demonstrates that with advanced imaging technique, the vesicular stomatitis virus can be modified to serve as an anti-cancer agent because it displays high selectivity in killing cancer cells while sparing normal cells. It can also be engineered as a potent vaccine against HIV/AIDS.

Study reveals new details on the dangers of third-hand smoke

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 00:00:00 EST

(DOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory) Nicotine in third-hand smoke, the residue from tobacco smoke that clings to virtually all surfaces long after a cigarette has been extinguished, reacts with the common indoor air pollutant nitrous acid to produce dangerous carcinogens. This new potential health hazard was revealed in a multi-institutional study led by researchers with the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

Lower detection of prostate cancer with PSA screening in US than in a European randomized trial

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 00:00:00 EST

(Journal of the National Cancer Institute) Fewer prostate cancers were detected by prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening in the US than in a European randomized trial because of lower screening sensitivity, according to a new brief communication published online February 8 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

JCI online early table of contents: Feb. 8, 2010

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 00:00:00 EST

(Journal of Clinical Investigation) This release contains summaries, links to PDFs, and contact information for the following newsworthy papers to be published online, Feb. 8, 2010, in the JCI: Marker of Ewing sarcoma: potential new drug target?; Enhancing arrest of cell growth to treat cancer in mice; New approach to treating the kidney disease Alport syndrome?; Role for the protein HIF-2-alpha in Chuvash polycythemia; Rab25: a suppressor of tumor formation in intestines?; and Complete chemokine profile of a cell.

Marker of Ewing sarcoma: Potential new drug target?

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 00:00:00 EST

(Journal of Clinical Investigation) Ewing sarcoma (EWS) is a bone tumor that affects children and young adults. The protein CD99 is highly expressed in most cases of EWS, but its function in the disease is unknown. Now, researchers have identified a crucial role for CD99 in the development of EWS and suggest that targeting CD99 or its downstream molecular pathway may be a new therapeutic approach for EWS.

Enhancing arrest of cell growth to treat cancer in mice

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 00:00:00 EST

(Journal of Clinical Investigation) New research, to be published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, has identified a new type of cellular senescence (i.e., irreversible arrest of cell growth) and determined a way to enhance it to suppress prostate tumor development and growth in mice. These data suggest that enhancing this process might provide a new approach for cancer prevention and therapy.

Method of the future uses single-cell imaging to identify gene interactions

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 00:00:00 EST

(Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) Cellular imaging offers a wealth of data about how cells respond to stimuli, but harnessing this technique to study biological systems is a daunting challenge. In a study published online in Genome Research, researchers have developed a novel method of interpreting data from single-cell images to identify genetic interactions within biological networks, offering a glimpse into the future of high-throughput cell imaging analysis.

Soft drink consumption may increase risk of pancreatic cancer

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 00:00:00 EST

(American Association for Cancer Research) Increased sugar intake may stimulate tumor growth through effects of insulin.Pancreatic cancer rates increased nearly twofold over the past several decades.Drinking two or more soft drinks a week led to an 87 percent increased risk.

Financial hardship contributes to diagnosis anxiety

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 00:00:00 EST

(American Cancer Society) Women with medium or low levels of income are more susceptible to anxiety and depression after ductal carcinoma in situ diagnosis.

Medicare reimbursement change meant to save money has opposite effect

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 00:00:00 EST

(American Cancer Society) Increased Medicare payments to physicians for outpatient surgeries for bladder cancer have led to a dramatic rise in the number of these procedures being performed and an overall increase in cost to the health care system.

Metabolite common among cancers

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 00:00:00 EST

(Rockefeller University Press) A study published online on Feb. 8 in the Journal of Experimental Medicine reports that several distinct mutations found in a subset of patients with acute myelogenous leukemia result in excess production of the same metabolite.

More smokers than non-smokers accept HPV vaccination for their daughters

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 00:00:00 EST

(American Association for Cancer Research) A parent's existing health habits or behaviors, like cigarette smoking, may influence the likelihood that they will have their daughters vaccinated against HPV.

A potent suppressor of endometrial cancer is revealed

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 00:00:00 EST

(The Company of Biologists) Treatment of endometrial cancer has not advanced significantly in 30 years and there are no screening tests to promote early detection. Researchers at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and Harvard Medical School developed a new approach to specifically target genetic changes to the endometrial cells in mice. Using this new technique, they show that loss of an emerging tumor suppressor causes abnormal growth and widespread malignancy of cells lining the uterus.

Few women take tamoxifen to prevent breast cancer

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 00:00:00 EST

(American Association for Cancer Research) Less than a quarter of one percent of women took tamoxifen in 2000 and 2005 to prevent breast cancer.Further research is recommended to explore explanations for the drug's low use.

Scientists identify first genetic variant linked to biological aging in humans

Sun, 07 Feb 2010 00:00:00 EST

(University of Leicester) A new discovery has important implications for the understanding of cancer and age-associated diseases.

Using nitroglycerin to treat prostate cancer shows potential to halt disease, Queen's research

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 00:00:00 EST

(Queen's University) Treatment of prostate cancer using a very low dose of nitroglycerin may slow and even halt the progression of the disease without the severe side effects of current treatments, Queen's University researchers have discovered.

New approach to treating breast and prostate cancers

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 00:00:00 EST

(Loyola University Health System) In a new approach to developing treatments for breast cancer, prostate cancer and enlarged hearts, Loyola researchers are zeroing in on a workhorse protein called RSK. When activated, RSK is involved in cell survival, cell proliferation, cell enlargement and a rare disease called Carney complex.

TGen finalizes alliance with Van Andel Research Institute

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 00:00:00 EST

(The Translational Genomics Research Institute) The Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) today announced the completion of a strategic alliance and affiliation agreement with the Van Andel Research Institute (VARI) that will maximize the research capabilities of both nonprofit institutes.

News brief: HPV vaccines may reduce a wide range of genital diseases

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 00:00:00 EST

(Journal of the National Cancer Institute) High-coverage human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccinations among adolescents and young women may result in a rapid reduction of genital warts, cervical cell abnormalities, and diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, researchers report in a new study published online Feb. 5 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. Some of these genital abnormalities are precursors of cervical, vulvar and vaginal cancers.

Panel calls for reducing colorectal cancer deaths by striking down barriers to screening

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 00:00:00 EST

(NIH/National Institutes of Health, Office of Disease Prevention) An NIH state-of-the-science panel was convened this week to identify ways to further increase the use and quality of colorectal cancer screening in the United States. The panel found that the most important factors associated with being screened are having insurance coverage and access to a regular health care provider. Their recommendations highlighted the need to remove out-of-pocket costs for screening tests.

ASTRO, ACR issue IGRT, SBRT guidelines

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 00:00:00 EST

(American Society for Radiation Oncology) The American Society for Radiation Oncology and the American College of Radiology have released practice guidelines for image guided radiation therapy and stereotactic body radiation therapy in the February issue of the International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics, the official journal of ASTRO.

Rice physicists kill cancer with 'nanobubbles'

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 00:00:00 EST

(Rice University) Scientists at Rice University have discovered a way to use lasers and nanoparticles to identify and treat individual diseased cells with tiny vapor "nanobubbles." In research published in the journal Nanotechnology, the scientists described how to use the method to explode nanobubbles and kill cancer cells. In laboratory tests, they showed they could tune these nanobubbles for "theranostics," a combined approach that melds diagnosis and treatment into a single procedure.

Tests showing smokers their individual risk of future disease will help them quit, says paper

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 00:00:00 EST

(Chempetitive Group) Personalized risk assessment has been the mainstay of coronary artery disease prevention and has resulted in significant mortality reduction over the last decade. Such an approach could be equally applied to smoking cessation, now that we have predictive risk assessment tools that identify those at greatest risk of lung-related illness from smoking.

AACR to host 101st Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C.

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 00:00:00 EST

(American Association for Cancer Research) Affecting one in two men and one in three women, cancer remains a leading cause of death around the world. This year, in the nation's capital, the American Association for Cancer Research will convene its 101st Annual Meeting, which will draw more than 17,000 academics, scientists, clinicians, industry leaders, survivors and media professionals to hear and discuss the latest scientific findings in this fast-moving arena.