 |
Quick Links |
| Information by Disease |
|
|
|
| Cancer News |
|
|
|
| Conference Coverage |
|
|
|
| AZN | $44.82 | -0.37 (-0.82%)
| | NVS | $53.13 | -0.16 (-0.3%)
| | SNY | $37.67 | -0.01 (-0.03%)
| | GSK | $41.53 | 0.06 (0.14%)
|
|
|
Platinol® and Surgery Optimal Therapy for Standard-risk Hepatoblastoma in Children (10/23/2009)
Researchers affiliated with International Childhood Liver Tumor Strategy Group (SIOPEL) 2 trial have reported that neoadjuvant and adjuvant treatment with Platinol® (cisplatin) alone is as effective as Adriamycin® (doxorubicin) plus Platinol, with less toxicity, in children with standard-risk hepatoblastoma. The details of this study were published in the October 22, 2009 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
Sutent® Not Effective for Patients with Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma (7/9/2009)
Researchers from France have reported that treatment with Sutent® (sunitinib) of patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma was associated with a low response rate and significant toxicity. The details of this study appeared in an early online publication in Lancet Oncology on July 7, 2009.
Women with Hypothyroidism at Increased Risk of Liver Cancer (6/23/2009)
Researchers from the M. D. Anderson Cancer Center have reported that long-term hypothyroidism in women significantly increases the risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma. The details of this study appeared in the May 2009 issue of Hepatology.
Combination of Chemotherapy Drugs Improves Survival with Biliary Tract Cancer (5/26/2009)
Researchers from the United Kingdom have reported that treatment of gallbladder or bile duct cancer with a combination of Gemzar® (gemcitabine) and cisplatin results in better survival and a lower risk of cancer progression than treatment with Gemzar alone. The details of this Phase III clinical trial will be presented at the 2009 annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), May 29-June 2, in Orlando Florida.
Percutaneous Thermal Ablation Effective for Medium and Large Hepatocellular Carcinomas (4/29/2009)
Researchers from China have reported that thermal ablation with radiofrequency thermal ablation (RFA) or microwave ablation (MWA) is effective treatment for hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) measuring between 3 and 7 centimeters. The details of this study appeared in the May 1, 2009 issue of Cancer.
Incidence of Liver Cancer on the Rise (4/13/2009)
Researchers from the National Cancer Institute have reported that the incidence of liver cancer in the United States tripled between 1975 and 2005, but survival rates are improving, according to the results of a study published in the March 20, 2009 issue of the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Moderate Alcohol Consumption Increases Risk of Cancer in Women (3/13/2009)
Researchers from the UK have reported that women who regularly consume low to moderate amounts of alcohol have an increased risk of cancers of the upper digestive tract, rectum, liver, and breast when compared with women who do not drink. The results of this study were published in the March 4, 2009 issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
Avastin® plus Tarceva® Shows Promise in Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma (2/10/2009)
Researchers from the M. D. Anderson Cancer Center have reported that the combination of two targeted therapies—Avastin® (bevacizumab) and Tarceva® (erlotinib)—has anticancer activity in patients with advanced hepatocellular cancer (HCC) and warrants further study. The details of this Phase II trial were reported on January 12 in an early online publication in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Nexavar® Effective for Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Asians (1/28/2009)
Researchers from 23 medical centers in Asia have reported that Nexavar® (sorafenib) is effective in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The details of this randomized trial appeared in the January 2009 issue of Lancet Oncology.
Meta-analysis Defines Risk of Needle Track Seeding Following Biopsy for Hepatocellular Cancer (11/3/2008)
Researchers from the UK have reported that the risk of needle track seeding following biopsy of hepatocellular cancer (HCC) is approximately 3%. The details of this meta-analysis were published in the November 2008 issue of Gut.
Genetic Signature of Tissue Adjacent to Hepatocellular Carcinoma Predicts Late Recurrence (10/23/2008)
Researchers from Japan have reported that gene expression signatures from liver tissue adjacent to surgically removed hepatic cancers predicts for outcome while gene expression signatures from tissue obtained from the primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) do not. The details of this study appeared in an early online publication on October 15, 2008 in the New England Journal of Medicine.
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.
Nexavar® Improves Survival in Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma (8/1/2008)
Researchers affiliated with the SHARP Investigators Study Group have reported that Nexavar® (sorafenib) significantly improves survival and doubles the time to progression among patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This is the first agent to ever demonstrate a significant improvement in survival in the treatment of HCC. The results of this study were published in the July 24, 2008 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine. Preliminary results of this study were previously presented at the 2007 annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (see first item of related news).
High Incidence of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Asians and Hispanics (5/23/2008)
Researchers from the University of California have reported that Asians and Hispanics have a much higher incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma than Caucasians. The details of this study appeared in the June 1, 2008 issue of the American Journal of Medicine.
Photodynamic Therapy May Be Effective Palliation for Cholangiocarcinoma (5/5/2008)
Researchers from the University of Virginia have reported that photodynamic therapy (PDT) and stent placement was more effective than stent placement alone for patients with inoperable cholangiocarcinoma. The details of this study appeared in an early online publication in the March 2008 issue of Clinical Gastrointestinal Hepatology.
Chemoembolization and Radiofrequency Ablation Effective for Hepatocellular Carcinoma (4/14/2008)
Researchers from China have reported that transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is more effective than TACE alone or RFA alone for the treatment of inoperable hepatocellular carcinoma larger than 3 centimeters in size. The details of this study appeared in the April 9, 2008 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Screening of Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B and C Improves Survival from Liver Cancer (4/2/2008)
Researchers from Hong Kong have reported that screening in patients with chronic hepatitis improves survival from hepatocellular cancer. The details of this study appeared in the April 2008 issue of Annals of Surgery.
Surveillance for Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Patients with Cirrhosis Improves Outcomes (2/28/2008)
Researchers from the Virginia Commonwealth Medical Center have reported that the quality of surveillance in patients with cirrhosis has an impact on stage at diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma and survival from liver transplantation. The details of this retrospective study were published in the February 2008 issue of The American Journal of Medicine.
Hispanics in the U.S. Have Higher Rates of Liver Cancer (10/19/2007)
According to results recently published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, Hispanics living in the United States have a high rate of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common form of liver cancer. These rates have increased among this population since the 1990s.
Eloxatin® and Xeloda® for Treatment of Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma (10/10/2007)
Researchers from France have reported that the combination of Eloxatin (oxaliplatin) and Xeloda (Xelox®, capecitabine) is effective for the treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The details of this study appeared in the October 1, 2007 issue of the British Journal of Cancer.
Nexavar® and Doxorubicin More Effective than Doxorubicin Alone for Hepatocellular Carcinoma (9/28/2007)
A multicenter international trial has shown that the combination of Nexavar® and doxorubicin is more effective than doxorubicin alone for the treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The details of this study were presented at the 14th European Cancer Conference of the European CanCer Organization (ECCO).
sNDA Application Submitted for Nexavar® (9/10/2007)
A supplemental new drug application (sNDA) has been submitted by Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals, Inc and Onyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc for the targeted agent Nexavar (sorafenib). The sNDA would include the use of Nexavar for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
Nexavar® Improves Liver Cancer Survival Among Asians (8/31/2007)
A Phase III clinical trial comparing Nexavar® (sorafenib) to placebo in Asia has provided further evidence that Nexavar improves survival in patients with advanced liver cancer.
Recurrence Rates for Liver Metastases Reduced When Neoadjuvant and Adjuvant Chemotherapy are Used With Surgery (6/6/2007)
According to results from a late-breaking session at the 2007 annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), patients with resectable liver metastases from colorectal cancer have significantly improved rates of recurrence-free survival when surgery is coupled with neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy.
Nexavar® Improves Survival in Hepatocellular Carcinoma (6/5/2007)
Results from a late-breaking abstract presented at the 2007 annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) indicate that Nexavar (sorafenib) significantly improves survival and doubles the time to progression among patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This is the first agent to ever demonstrate a significant improvement in survival in the treatment of HCC.
FDA Extends NDA Review of Torisel™ (4/16/2007)
The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced that is has extended its review of Wyeth Pharmaceuticals’ New Drug Application (NDA) for its agent Torisel (temsirolimus) for the treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
Colchicine May Delay Progression of Viral Cirrhosis to Liver Cancer (10/18/2006)
Researchers from Mexico have reported that colchicine reduces the risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with viral hepatic cirrhosis.
Thalidomide May Be Effective in Chronic Hepatitis C Unresponsive to Interferon and Ribavarin (2/17/2006)
Researchers from Italy have reported that the administration of thalidomide to patients with hepatitis C unresponsive to interferon alfa and ribavarin is well tolerated and reduced liver enzymes elevations in 6 of 8 treated patients.
Coffee Drinking Lowers the Risk of Liver Cancer in Japanese (6/6/2005)
Researchers from Japan have reported that drinking one or more cups of coffee per day lowers the risk of liver cancer by over 40%. They found that this effect was also present in patients with liver disease who were at high risk of developing liver cancer.
Habitual Coffee Drinking Reduces Hepatocellular Cancer in Japanese (2/17/2005)
Japanese researchers have reported that hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was less frequent in coffee drinkers than in abstainers. This reduction included patients at high and low risk for HCC. The details of this report appeared in the February 16, 2005 issue of the Journal of the National Institute.
Neumega® May Have Role in Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis C (1/24/2005)
Researchers from the Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio have reported that Neumega® (interleukin-11) may reduce hepatic inflammation in patients with chronic hepatitis C who have failed anti-viral therapy. The details of this report appeared in the December 2004 issue of the American Journal of Gastrenterology.
Interferon May Decrease Liver Cancer in Patients with Cirrhotic Hepatitis C (1/21/2005)
Researchers from Japan have reported a lower rate of liver cancer in patients with cirrhosis from hepatitis C who received interferon when compared to similar patients who refused therapy. The details of this non-randomized study appeared in the January 18, 1005 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Lamivudine Decreases Hepatocellular Cancer in Patients with Hepatitis B Infection with Advanced Liver Disease (10/12/2004)
Researchers affiliated with the Cirrhosis Asian Lamivudine Multicentre Study Group have reported that the chronic administration of lamivudine (Epir HBV®) reduces the incidence of hepatic decompensation and the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma. The details of this report appeared in the October 7, 2004 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
Vitamin K2 May Prevent Cancer of the Liver (7/29/2004)
Researchers from Japan have reported that women with cirrhosis due to viral infection have a lower incidence of hepatocellular cancer if they receive vitamin K2 (menaquinone-4, menatetrenone) supplementation. The details of this randomized trial appeared in the July 21, 2004 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Types 2 and 3 Hepatitis C Virus more Susceptible to Treatment with Peginterferon (PEGASYS®) and Ribavirin than Type 1 (3/22/2004)
Researchers for the PEGASYS International Group demonstrated that more prolonged treatment with a higher dose of ribavirin was more effective in clearing type 1 but not type 2 and 3 HCV.
1 The results of this randomized trial were published in the March 2004 issue of
The Annals of Internal Medicine.
Results of Liver Transplants for Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma are Improving (12/3/2003)
Researchers from Johns Hopkins University, using the data base of the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), have concluded that outcome of liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma have improved since 1987. They attribute part of this improvement to better patient selection but other factors may also be operative. The results of this study were published in the December 1, 2003 issue of the
Journal of Clinical Oncology.
1
Hepatocellular Carcinoma Continues to Increase in the US (11/19/2003)
Researchers from the Veterans Affairs Medical Center and the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston and the NCI have reported that the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma due to hepatitis C infection continues to increase in the US. The details of this report appeared in the November 18, 2003 issue of
The Annals of Internal Medicine.
Randomized Trial Shows Amifostine (Ethyol®) Reduces Bladder and Bowel Toxicities from Pelvic Radiation Therapy (7/10/2003)
Greek researchers have reported that Ethyol® reduces the incidence of grade 2-3 bladder and GI toxicities in patients receiving pelvic radiation therapy. These findings appeared in the July 15, 2003 issue of the
International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, and Physics.
Hepatitis C Vaccines to Prevent Liver Cancer Not Yet Fully Developed (5/2/2003)
In a conference was held in Los Angeles on April 27-29, 2003 titled
Development of Therapeutic Cancer Vaccines, Dr Michael Houghton of Chiron Corporation presented the current status of developing a vaccine against hepatitis C.
New Treatment for Hepatitis B e Antigen (HBeAg) Positive Patients May Decrease Incidence of Hepatocellular Cancer (3/17/2003)
Hepatocellular cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world, especially in Asia. One cause of hepatocellular cancer is infection with hepatitis B. However, not all patients who have hepatitis B infection will develop hepatocellular cancer. There is some evidence that early treatment with antiviral agents, such as lamivudine and interferon, can prevent the replication of the hepatitis B virus and possibly decrease the incidence of hepatocellular cancer. There is also evidence that vaccination to hepatitis B would prevent most cases of hepatocellular cancer due to this virus.
Post-Operative Interferon-Alfa Maintenance Treatment Improves Survival of Patients with Hepatitis C Associated Liver Cancer (2/21/2003)
Hepatitis C is a major cause of cirrhosis and liver cancer. Interferon-alfa can reduce the incidence of both cirrhosis and hepatic cancer. In patients diagnosed with hepatic cancer, interferon-alfa is often used in conjunction with other treatment modalities. Common methods of treating hepatic cancer include: surgery, percutaneous cryosurgery, percutaneous injection of ethanol, radiofrequency ablation, systemic and intra-arterial chemotherapy and chemo-embolization. Choice of treatment depends on the size of the cancer or cancers and the condition of the patient. Many patients have severe coexisting cirrhosis making treatment of liver cancer difficult. Hepatic cancers associated with hepatitis C tend to be multiple and prone to recur at second or third sites after primary treatment. The role of maintenance therapy in these patients is not clear. In the February 17, 2003 issue of the
Annals of Internal Medicine, Japanese researchers suggest that interferon-alfa maintenance prolongs survival in patients treated for liver cancer and hepatitis C.
Radiofrequency Ablation Superior to Cryosurgery for Treatment of Inoperable Primary or Secondary Liver Cancer (1/9/2003)
Currently, the only curative treatment option for primary or secondary liver cancer is surgical resection. However, only a small percentage of patients are eligible for surgery because the majority of patients have cancer that has replaced too much of the liver or spread outside the liver to other parts of the body. There are several non-surgical options for palliative treatment of inoperable primary or secondary liver cancer including percutaneous cryosurgery and percutaneous radiofrequency ablation. Cryosurgery utilizes extremely low temperatures to destroy cancers while radiofrequency ablation entails the use of an electric current that is passed into the area of cancer. Both techniques use ultrasound, computerized tomography (CT) scan, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to place a needle probe into the cancer. Although both cryosurgery and radiofrequency ablation have been shown to be effective treatments for inoperable primary or secondary liver cancer, there have been no direct comparisons of these techniques. In the December 2002 issue of
Archives of Surgery, French researchers have compared the two techniques and concluded that percutaneous radiofrequency ablation produces more long lasting remissions than percutaneous cryosurgery.
Peginterferon alfa-2a (Pegasys®) and Daily Ribavirin is Effective Treatment for Hepatitis C (10/21/2002)
Persons with hepatitis C infection are at increased risk for developing chronic liver disease resulting in liver failure. Patients with chronic hepatitis C infection are also at an increased risk for the development of liver cancer. Treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis C infection with interferon alfa-2a has led to a decrease in the expected incidence of liver cancer in one Japanese study. However, current treatments are not 100% effective for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C and any regimen that would improve treatment would theoretically decrease the incidence of liver cancer.
Testing for Hepatitis B e Antigen (HBeAg) Helps Predict Those Who Will Develop Hepatocellular Cancer (7/22/2002)
Hepatocellular cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world, especially in Asia. One cause of hepatocellular cancer is infection with hepatitis B. However, not all patients who have hepatitis B infection will develop hepatocellular cancer. There is some evidence that early treatment with antiviral agents, such as lamivudine and interferon, can prevent the replication of the hepatitis B virus and possibly decrease the incidence of hepatocellular cancer. There is also evidence that vaccination to hepatitis B would prevent most cases of hepatocellular cancer due to this virus. The presence of HbeAg in the serum of patients with hepatitis B is a reflection of active viral replication in hepatocytes and is considered a surrogate marker for the presence of hepatitis B virus DNA. Researchers in Taiwan have reported that testing for the HBeAg can identify individuals with a high risk of developing liver cancer. Their results were published in the July 17, 2002 issue of the
New England Journal of Medicine.
Chemoembolization Improves Survival for Select Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma (6/3/2002)
Chemoembolization improves survival for selected patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma who have good liver function, according to the results of a study recently published in the
Lancet.
Adjuvant Therapy and Liver Transplantation Can Be Effective for Hepatocellular Carcinomas Larger Than Five Centimeters (5/9/2002)
Liver transplantation has been used successfully to treat patients with relatively small hepatocellular carcinomas. However, the results of transplantation of cancers larger than 5 centimeters have been poor. According to results published in the
Annals of Surgery, researchers from Mt. Sinai Medical Center in NYC have recently reported that a significant proportion of patients with hepatocellular carcinomas measuring 5 cm or larger can achieve long-term survival after liver transplantation if they receive multimodal adjuvant therapy.
|
|
Patient Home
