Increasing Body Mass Associated with Increasing Cancer Incidence and Mortality(11/19/2007) Researchers affiliated with the UK Million Women Study have reported that increasing body mass index (BMI) is associated with an increased risk of 10 specific types of cancer out of 17 evaluated. The details of this study appeared in an early on-line publication on November 6, 2007 in the British Medical Journal.
Vitamin B12 Deficiency Occurs in Over 10% of Patients with Plasma Cell Dyscrasias(8/19/2004) Researchers from the Cleveland Clinic have reported that 13.6% of patients with plasma cell dyscrasias have vitamin B12 deficiency. They suggest that “serum vitamin B12 measurements should be part of the initial evaluation and subsequent workups for anemia in patients with plasma cell dyscrasias.” The details of this report appeared in the August 2004 issue of Cancer.
Long-Term Outcomes from Childhood ALL Affected by Irradiation(8/14/2003) Researchers from St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital have reported that children with ALL who have not received radiation to the brain have normal long-term survival while irradiation is associated with the development of second neoplasms, a slight excess in mortality, and an increased unemployment rate. These findings were published in the August 14, 2003 issue of the
New England Journal of Medicine.
Second Malignancies Are Frequent After Stem Cell Transplants(4/11/2003) A study of second malignancies in children receiving stem cell transplants revealed that the risk of post-transplant malignancies, especially solid tumors, continues to increase even 20 years after transplant, necessitating long-term close follow-up for these patients. These results were reported by researchers from the University of Minnesota in the April 1, 2003 issue of the
Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Will Intra-osseous Injection of Umbilical Cord Blood Reduce Graft Failures?(8/15/2008) Researchers from Italy have reported that the injection of umbilical cord blood directly into the pelvic bones of patients with leukemia appears promising. These results were recently published in an early online publication of the Lancet Oncology on August 9, 2008.
Prophylactic Antibiotics Decrease Infectious Morbidity in Pediatric AML(7/10/2008) Researchers from St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital have reported that children with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) benefit from intravenous antibiotic prophylaxis during remission induction therapy. The details of this study appeared in an early online publication on May 5, 2008 in Cancer.
Radiation Therapy for Prostate Cancer Increases Incidence of AML(6/18/2008) According to a study presented at the 2008 meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the use of external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) for treatment of prostate cancer is associated with a twofold increase in the risk of developing acute myeloid leukemia (AML).
Quinamed® + ARA-C Effective for Secondary Acute Myeloid Leukemia(6/17/2008) Researchers from several U.S. Medical Centers have reported that the combination of Quinamed® (amonafide, benzisoquinolinedione, nafidimide) and ara-C is active in the treatment of patients with secondary acute myeloid leukemia (sAML). The details of this Phase II study were presented at the 2008 annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) in Chicago, May 30-June 2.
Molecular Distinctions in AML with Normal Cytogenetics Defined(5/5/2008) Two recent publications in the May 1, 2008 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine suggest that molecular testing can be of prognostic significance in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with normal cytogenetics.
Sprycel® Effective for CNS Philadelphia Chromosome-positive Leukemia(7/29/2008) Researchers from Europe have reported that Sprycel® (dasatinib) is effective therapy for patients with Philadelphia chromosome-positive (Ph-positive) leukemia that involves the central nervous system (CNS). The details of this study appeared in an early online publication in Blood on May 13, 2008.
Sprycel® Effective for Patients with Newly Diagnosed CML(6/24/2008) Researchers from the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center have reported that Sprycel® (dasatinib) produces rapid and complete cytogenetic response in patients with newly diagnosed chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). These data were presented at the 2008 meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology in Chicago May 30-June 2.
Tasigna® Effective for Patients with Newly Diagnosed CML(6/24/2008) Researchers from the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center have reported that Tasigna® (nilotinib) produces rapid and complete cytogenetic response in patients with newly diagnosed chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). These data were presented at the 2008 meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology in Chicago May 30-June 2.
Sprycel® (Dasatinib) Confirmed Effective for Gleevec-Resistant Patients with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML)(1/2/2008) At the 2007 meeting of the American Society of Hematology, held in Atlanta Georgia, December 8-11, there were several reports concerning treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) with two newly FDA approved tyrosine kinase inhibitors; dasatinib (Sprycel) and nilotinib (Tasigna®). Both drugs are approved by the US Food and Drug adminiatration for treatment of patients who fail imatinib mesylate (Gleevec®).
Long-Term Results of Gleevec for Chronic Phase Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) Reported(12/14/2007) Researchers affiliated with the International Randomized Study of interferon versus STI571 (IRIS) study have reported six year follow-up data on over 500 patients in the Gleevec (imatinib) arm. The details of this study were presented at the 2007 annual meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH), December 8-10, 2007 in Atlanta, Georgia.
Will Intra-osseous Injection of Umbilical Cord Blood Reduce Graft Failures?(8/15/2008) Researchers from Italy have reported that the injection of umbilical cord blood directly into the pelvic bones of patients with leukemia appears promising. These results were recently published in an early online publication of the Lancet Oncology on August 9, 2008.
Gleevec Improves Outcomes of Philadelphia Chromosome Positive (Ph+) Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)(12/12/2007) Researchers affiliated with Children’s Oncology Group (GOG) have reported that the addition of Gleevec® (imatinib mesylate) to high-dose chemotherapy improves event-free survival (EFS) in children with Philadelphia chromosome positive (Ph+) acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The details of this study were presented at the 2007 meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH), December 8-10, in Atlanta Georgia.
Tasigna® Effective for CML Patients with Gleevec® Resistance or Intolerance(11/13/2007) Researchers involved in two international Phase II trials have reported that Tasigna (nilotinib) is highly effective for the treatment of patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) who are resistant or intolerant to Gleevec®. The details of these studies appeared in the November 15, 2007 issue of Blood.
Marqibo Gets Fast-Track Designation(8/31/2007) Hana Biosciences has announced that their agent Marqibo has received fast-track designation by the United States Food and Drug Administration.
Umbilical Cord Blood Transplantation after a Reduced-Intensity Treatment Regimen: An Effective Strategy(7/12/2007) Researchers from the University of Minnesota have reported a survival rate of almost 50% in adult patients with hematologic disease treated with umbilical cord blood transplantation following a regimen of Fludara® (fludarabine) and 200 cGy of total body irradiation (TBI). The details of this study appeared in an early on-line publication on June 13, 2007 in Blood.
Genetic Characteristics of Hepatitis B Associated with Risk of Liver Cancer(9/2/2008) Researchers from Taiwan have reported that different genetic characteristics of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) are associated with varying risks of developing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). These results were recently published in the August 20, 2008 issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
Long-term Results of Fludara®, Cytoxan®, and Rituxan® for CLL(7/29/2008) Researchers from the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center have reported six-year follow-up data on 234 patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) treated with Fludara® (fludarabine), Cytoxan® (cyclophosphamide), and Rituxan® (rituximab) (FCR). The details of this study appeared in an early online publication in Blood on April 14, 2008.
Lumiliximab and FCR Promising for Relapsed CLL(6/26/2008) Researchers from M.D. Anderson Cancer Center have reported that a regimen of lumilixmab, fludarabine, cyclophosphamide, and rituximab (L-FCR) is effective for the treatment of patients with relapsed CLL. The details of this Phase I/II study were presented at the 2008 meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology in Chicago May 30-June 2.
Flavopiridol Has Significant Activity in Relapsed Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia(6/25/2008) Researchers from Ohio State University have reported that flavopiridol has “pronounded” activity in treating patients with relapsed chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). The details of this study were presented at the 2008 meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology in Chicago May 30-June 2.
Patients with Lymphoma and CLL Are at Increased Risk of Lung Cancer(6/20/2008) Researchers from Wayne State University have reported that patients with Hodgkins lymphoma (HL), non-Hodgkins lymphoma (NHL), and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) have a 30-300% increased risk of developing lung cancer compared with controls without these diseases. The details of this study were reported at the 2008 meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology in Chicago, May 30-June 2.
Tamibarotene Receives Orphan Drug Designation(11/5/2007) The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Innovive Pharmaceuticals, Inc. orphan drug designation for their agent tamibarotene for the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). The indication of the designation is for the treatment of APL that has relapsed or is refractory to all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) and arsenic trioxide.
Atovaquone Effective Prophylaxis for Pneumocystis carinii Pneumonia in Children(4/10/2007) Researchers from St Jude Children’s Research Center have reported that atovaquone (Mepron®, Malarone®) is effective prophylaxis against Pneumocystis carinii in children with leukemia. The details of this study appeared in the April 15, 2007 issue of Cancer.
Single-Agent Arsenic Trioxide Very Effective for Treatment of APL(3/27/2006) Researchers from India have reported that single-agent arsenic trioxide (ATO), without ATRA (all-trans retinoic acid) and combination chemotherapy, results in an event-free survival of 75% in patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). The details of this phase II study were reported in the April 1, 2006 issue of Blood.
Mylotarg® Effective for Relapsed Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia (APL)(9/29/2004) Researchers from Italy have reported that gemtuzumab ozogamicin (Mylotarg®) “is highly effective as a single-agent treatment for patients with molecularly relapsed APL including those with advanced disease”. The details of this report appeared in the October 1, 2004 issue of Blood.
Treatment of Elderly Patients with APL is Highly Effective(8/17/2004) Researchers from Spain have reported that 79% of elderly patients (ages 60-83) with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) are alive and disease-free 6 years after diagnosis when treated with anthracyclines and ATRA. These authors suggest that elderly patients have better risk disease than younger patients with APL and should be treated aggressively for optimal results. The details of this report appeared as an advanced on line publication on August 3, 2004 in Blood.
Increased Risk of Second Malignancies in Hairy Cell Leukemia(2/15/2007) Researchers from the National Cancer Institute have reported that patients with hairy cell leukemia have an increased risk of developing non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, Hodgkin’s lymphoma and thyroid cancer.
High Response Rate of Hairy Cell Leukemia to Rituximab (Rituxan®)(11/26/2003) Researchers from the MD Anderson Cancer Center have reported an 80% overall response rate following Rituxan® treatment for patients with hairy cell leukemia who have failed previous therapy. The results of this phase II clinical trial appeared in the December 2003 issue of
Blood.
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