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NCI Cancer Bulletin for June 29, 2010
Name of the Trial A Phase 2 Trial of Bevacizumab, Lenalidomide, Docetaxel, and Prednisone (ART-P) for Treatment of Metastatic Castrate-resistant Prostate Cancer (NCI-09-C-0195). See the protocol summary . Dr. William Dahut
NCI Cancer Bulletin for June 29, 2010
Gefitinib Improves Progression-free Survival for Metastatic Lung Cancers with EGFR Mutations Patients newly diagnosed with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who received gefitinib (Iressa) had significantly higher response rates and longer progression-free survival compared with patients who received carboplatin plus paclitaxel (73.7 percent versus 30.7 percent and 10.8 months versus 5.4 months, respectively), according to results of a phase III trial conducted in Japan. The results were published in the June 24 New England Journal of Medicine . All patients enrolled in the study had epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations that were sensitive to the tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) gefitinib. The patients did not have the resistant EGFR mutation T790M, and they had not been previously treated with chemotherapy. The researchers, led by Dr.Janssen-Cilag UK has unveiled the first psoriasis iPhone app - a disease calculator for healthcare professionals treating the chronic skin condition. It is the pharma company’s first foray into addressing the opportunity presented by Apple’s iPhone and was produced by Manchester-based agency Creative Lynx. The CL PASI Calculator can be used to determine how severely a patient has been affected and is based on the Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI).
First app for psoriasis launched
New developments in pancreatic cancer @AACR - Pharma Strategy Blog
Pancreatic cancer is a devastating disease with a generally poor prognosis, largely because it is usually detected in late stage disease where chemotherapy options generally have a limited effect. Typically response rates with gemcitabine are around 5%, with advanced patients living around 5-6 months on average. Erlotinib , an EGFR inhibitor, is also approved in the USA for treatment of the disease, but the therapy only adds approximately two weeks to survival.
I did a double take at my inbox alerts this morning as things have been rather quiet of late in the Pharma and Biotech world. You can read the financial aspects of the deal in Celgene's press release . While the timing might be a little bit of a surprise, the strategic acquisition is not and makes a lot of commercial sense for Celgene .
Celgene buy Abraxis Bioscience for $2.9B - Pharma Strategy Blog
Cancer Research + Author Affiliations Roughly 40% of cancer survivors will develop life-threatening health problems within 30 years of their initial cancer diagnosis, according to a 2006 study. The list of cancer therapy's late effects is long and troubling. It includes not just second cancers but strokes, bone damage, and obesity.
Childhood's Cures Haunted by Adulthood's 'Late Effects' -- Marder 328 (5985): 1474 -- Science
NCI Cancer Bulletin for June 29, 2010
Gefitinib Improves Progression-free Survival for Metastatic Lung Cancers with EGFR Mutations Patients newly diagnosed with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who received gefitinib (Iressa) had significantly higher response rates and longer progression-free survival compared with patients who received carboplatin plus paclitaxel (73.7 percent versus 30.7 percent and 10.8 months versus 5.4 months, respectively), according to results of a phase III trial conducted in Japan. The results were published in the June 24 New England Journal of Medicine .
Obesity increases the risk of cancer death among Asians too | Booster Shots | Los Angeles Times
Historically, obesity has been a problem of western countries. For instance, nearly 1 in 3 Americans is obese (defined as having a body mass index that tops 30), as are about 1 in 4 members of the United Kingdom. According to this ranking compiled with data from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, the most obese countries in Asia are Japan and South Korea, where a mere 3.2% of the population has a BMI over 30. But with obesity rates rising in China, South Korea, Thailand, Singapore and other Asian countries, an international group of researchers wondered how those extra pounds might be raising the risk of death from cancer.Update: MELA Sciences priced 2.2 million shares of stock at $7.50 a share Wednesday. MELA expects to gross about $17.5 million, including the sale of over-allotment shares. MELA tried to get $8 a share for the stock offering Tuesday night, according to a source familiar with the deal terms. IRVINGTON, NY ( TheStreet ) -- MELA Sciences ( MELA ) CEO Joseph Gulfo explained to investors on a Tuesday night conference call that the company decided to raise money now -- just two months shy of an all-important FDA advisory panel reviewing the company's melanoma skin cancer detection device -- because investors are worried that MELA is running short on cash. Hmm...
MELA's Stock Sale Suggests Problems for Skin Cancer Detector
Celgene strikes $2.9B deal to acquire Abraxis
With an eye to burnishing its oncology rep and its already sizable revenue, Celgene has struck a deal to buy Abraxis BioScience for cash and stock totaling $2.9 billion. The buyout gives Celgene control of Abraxane, now approved for breast cancer treatment, along with its discovery platform and a pipeline of experimental therapies. In exchange for every share of Abraxis, Celgene will pay $58 a share in cash and 0.2617 of a share of Celgene. That values Abraxis' shares at $71.93, a 17 percent bump on yesterday's close. Abraxis shareholders also stand to gain up to $650 million in additional milestone payments if Abraxane is approved for lung and pancreatic cancers. In addition to a slate of ongoing trials for Abraxane, Abraxis has one mid-stage trial underway, a Phase I and three preclinical programs listed on its website.
Did you notice that lately, every time you search for a pharma brand on Google, the #1 organic result is always the NIH? Always? Always. It's not the brand.com site anymore.
The Gov't Controls Google's Search Results for Your Brand. Surprised? | ePharma Rx
Celgene Acquires Abraxis for $2.9 Billion
SUMMIT, N.J. ( TheStreet ) -- Celgene ( CELG ) is acquiring Abraxis BioScience ( ABII ) for $2.9 billion in cash and stock to expand its cancer drug business, the company announced Wednesday. Celgene is one of the largest biotech companies in the world, with revenue of $2.7 billion last year coming mainly from drugs like Revlimid used to treat cancers of the blood. By acquiring Abraxis, Celgene gains ownership of a drug used to treat breast cancer patients and expands the company's commercial operations into the solid tumor market. "The acquisition of Abraxis BioScience is an exceptional strategic fit that will accelerate our strategy of becoming a global leader in oncology," said Bob Hugin, Celgene's CEO, in a statement. Under terms of the agreement, each Abraxis share will be exchanged for $58 in cash and 0.2617 of a share of Celgene common stock.I'm Had Enough: Half of BC Survivors Stop Tamoxifen Early
This is a headline that quadruples my empathy factor: "Half of breast cancer patients stop taking hormone drugs." I've been there. I did that. And damn, I'm here to tell you about it. But first, here's what was reported, from USA Today by Liz Szabo Half of breast cancer patients stop taking hormone drugs and from the American Society of Clinical Oncology Fewer than half of breast cancer survivors adhere.... from a study of 8800 women with early-stage breast cancer. Researchers found that only 49 percent of the women completed the recommended regimen for tamoxifen, aromatase inhibitors or both.Our worst habits are always the hardest ones to break, but if you can manage to insert at least a few of these positive habits into your daily routine, you’ll be ahead of the game. See a few below: Drink a glass of water when you wake up.
30 habits that will improve your life http://tinyurl.com/26e4wku
Community management isn’t what it used to be. Once upon a time, managing a community meant hanging out in an online location – be it a forum or a chat room – and moderating chat. Approving comments. Handling some support issues. Dealing with trolls, helping people with questions. That kind of thing.