Content about cancer

January 30, 2012

The FDA announced the approval of Genentech's Erivedge (vismodegib) for adults with basal cell carcinoma who are not surgery or radiation therapy candidates and whose disease is locally advanced or has spread to other parts of the body.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new drug for treating the most common type of skin cancer, the agency said Monday.

The FDA announced the approval of Genentech's Erivedge (vismodegib) for adults with basal cell carcinoma who are not surgery or radiation therapy candidates and whose disease is locally advanced or has spread to other parts of the body.

December 21, 2011

Skin care brand La Roche-Posay is partnering with Mollie's Fund, the Mollie Biggane Melanoma Foundation, in its mission to increase awareness for melanoma prevention.

NEW YORK — Skin care brand La Roche-Posay is partnering with Mollie's Fund, the Mollie Biggane Melanoma Foundation, in its mission to increase awareness for melanoma prevention.

Touched by the Mollie Biggane story — the college sophomore was diagnosed with melanoma and died at age 20 — La Roche-Posay is donating 10,000 full-size pieces of its Anthelios 45 ultra light sunscreen fluid to cancer patients who currently are undergoing treatment and are at high risk because of compromised immune systems.

December 9, 2011

Diplomat Specialty Pharmacy has signed an agreement with a provider of acquisition and management services for oral cancer drugs that the companies said would allow for better access to the drugs and related programs.

SAN DIEGO — Diplomat Specialty Pharmacy has signed an agreement with a provider of acquisition and management services for oral cancer drugs that the companies said would allow for better access to the drugs and related programs.

RainTree Oncology Services announced the agreement with Flint, Mich.-based Diplomat, saying it was building a network of community oncologists through which members will obtain drugs at contracted prices and that the agreement would improve access to clinical and medication management programs.

December 1, 2011

A new study conducted by researchers at Yeshiva University's Albert Einstein College of Medicine found that high blood-sugar levels may be associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer.

BRONX, N.Y. — A new study conducted by researchers at Yeshiva University's Albert Einstein College of Medicine found that high blood-sugar levels may be associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer.

Researchers examined the fasting blood sugar and insulin levels of nearly 5,000 postmenopausal women — all of whom were enrolled in the National Institutes of Health's landmark Women's Health Initiative study — several times over a 12-year period.

November 28, 2011

A drug commonly used to treat Type 2 diabetes may reduce the risk of diabetes-associated cancers, including breast cancer, according to a new study.

EAST LANSING, Mich. — A drug commonly used to treat Type 2 diabetes may reduce the risk of diabetes-associated cancers, including breast cancer, according to a new study.

November 21, 2011

A drug made by Amgen delayed the spread of prostate cancer to the bones in men with the disease and prolonged the survival of men with the condition, according to results of a late-stage clinical trial.

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — A drug made by Amgen delayed the spread of prostate cancer to the bones in men with the disease and prolonged the survival of men with the condition, according to results of a late-stage clinical trial.

November 18, 2011

A drug widely used to treat breast cancer is not safe or effective, the Food and Drug Administration said Friday.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — A drug widely used to treat breast cancer is not safe or effective, the Food and Drug Administration said Friday.

November 7, 2011

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug made by Bristol-Myers Squibb for treating head and neck cancer, the agency said Monday.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug made by Bristol-Myers Squibb and Eli Lilly & Co. for treating head and neck cancer, the agency said Monday.

The FDA announced the approval of Erbitux (cetuximab) for use with chemotherapy in treating head and neck cancer that had spread to other parts of the body. The drug originally was approved in 2004 for treating certain cases of late-stage colon cancer in patients who had stopped responding to chemotherapy.

October 21, 2011

A study conducted by the University of Alberta found that women with Type 2 diabetes have an increased risk of developing breast cancer.

NEW YORK — A study conducted by the University of Alberta found that women with Type 2 diabetes have an increased risk of developing breast cancer.

October 20, 2011

Look Good…Feel Better, a global program dedicated to boosting cancer patients’ self-esteem and confidence through lessons on appearance-related side effects of cancer treatment, has announced the details of 12 new partnership programs being launched to support Look Good...Feel Better during October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

WASHINGTON — Look Good…Feel Better, a global program dedicated to boosting cancer patients’ self-esteem and confidence through lessons on appearance-related side effects of cancer treatment, has announced the details of 12 new partnership programs being launched to support Look Good...Feel Better during October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

October 13, 2011

New research published in the October 2011 issue of Harvard Men's Health Watch suggested aspirin may play a role in fighting cancer, the publication announced Wednesday.

BOSTON — New research published in the October 2011 issue of Harvard Men's Health Watch suggested aspirin may play a role in fighting cancer, the publication announced Wednesday.

October 12, 2011

A National Institutes of Health study published Tuesday in the Journal of the American Medical Association established a link between vitamin E supplementation and prostate cancer.

BETHESDA, Md. — A National Institutes of Health study published Tuesday in the Journal of the American Medical Association established a link between vitamin E supplementation and prostate cancer. Men who took 400 international units of vitamin E daily had more prostate cancers compared with men who took a placebo, according to an updated review of data from the Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial, the NIH stated.

October 11, 2011

Colomer USA’s ethnic hair care brand Creme of Nature has partnered with Look Good…Feel Better to educate people on the services available for women who are battling cancer and want to enhance their appearance.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Colomer USA’s ethnic hair care brand Creme of Nature has partnered with Look Good…Feel Better to educate people on the services available for women who are battling cancer and want to enhance their appearance.

Throughout October and November, Look Good…Feel Better leaflets can be found inside Creme of Nature product packaging to help spread the word about the organization and the support it provides for women who are undergoing cancer treatment.

October 11, 2011

Drug makers have 901 biotech drugs under development for more than 100 diseases ranging from cancers and infectious diseases to autoimmune disorders and cardiovascular diseases, the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America said.


WASHINGTON — Drug makers have 901 biotech drugs under development for more than 100 diseases ranging from cancers and infectious diseases to autoimmune disorders and cardiovascular diseases, the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America said.


October 7, 2011

A popular breast cancer treatment may pose an increased risk of diabetes among older women, according to a new study.

NEW YORK — A popular breast cancer treatment may pose an increased risk of diabetes among older women, according to a new study.

The research, which was published in the latest issue of Cancer, found that among more than 14,000 breast cancer survivors, ages 65 years and up, 10% were diagnosed with diabetes over a 5-year period. However, the likelihood of developing diabetes was 25% more among those taking breast cancer drug tamoxifen.

October 5, 2011

The Food and Drug Administration has accepted a regulatory approval application from Merck and Ariad Pharmaceuticals for a new drug to treat soft-tissue and bone cancers, the drug makers said Wednesday.

WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J. — The Food and Drug Administration has accepted a regulatory approval application from Merck and Ariad Pharmaceuticals for a new drug to treat soft-tissue and bone cancers, the drug makers said Wednesday.

The FDA is expected to complete its review of ridaforolimus for soft-tissue and bone sarcomas in patients who have shown a favorable response to chemotherapy by second quarter 2012.

Sarcomas are cancers of the body's connective tissues, and treatment options remain limited, the companies said.

October 4, 2011

More than three-quarters of cancer patients have insufficient levels of vitamin D, and the lowest levels are associated with more advanced cancer, according to a study presented Oct. 2 at the 53rd Annual Meeting of the American Society for Radiation Oncology.

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. — More than three-quarters of cancer patients have insufficient levels of vitamin D, and the lowest levels are associated with more advanced cancer, according to a study presented Oct. 2 at the 53rd Annual Meeting of the American Society for Radiation Oncology.

September 28, 2011

Sagent Pharmaceuticals has launched its new chemotherapy drug.

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. — Sagent Pharmaceuticals has launched its new chemotherapy drug.

Sagent sent that its paclitaxel injection USP is available in 30-mg, 100-mg and 300-mg latex-free, multi-dose vials. Paclitaxel is indicated for use alone or with other drugs to treat ovarian cancer, breast cancer, non-small cell lung cancer and AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma, Sagent said.

September 27, 2011

Mass merchandiser Sam's Club is offering a free women's health screening in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the chain said Tuesday.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Mass merchandiser Sam's Club is offering a free women's health screening in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the chain said Tuesday.

September 27, 2011

A drug made by Eli Lilly prevented the most common form of lung cancer from progressing in elderly patients when added to chemotherapy, according to results of a late-stage clinical trial.

INDIANAPOLIS — A drug made by Eli Lilly prevented the most common form of lung cancer from progressing in elderly patients when added to chemotherapy, according to results of a late-stage clinical trial.

Lilly released results of the 939-patient phase-3 "PARAMOUNT" study, which found that maintenance therapy with the injected drug Alimta (pemetrexed), added to the chemotherapy drug cisplatin, reduced the risk of disease progression in patients ages 70 years and older with advanced nonsquamous no-small cell lung cancer, or NSCLC.

September 26, 2011

Despite flooding from severe weather in several parts of Pennsylvania earlier this month, nearly 600 people ran in their underwear in Philadelphia in support of those who have been affected by colon cancer.

PHILADELPHIA — Despite flooding from severe weather in several parts of Pennsylvania earlier this month, nearly 600 people ran in their underwear in Philadelphia in support of those who have been affected by colon cancer.

Participants of the Fourth Annual Philadelphia Undy 5000 5K Run/Walk ran on MLK Drive, near the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and raised just over $110,000 to fight colon cancer.

September 23, 2011

Researchers have found signaling pathways in cells that may allow earlier detection and prevention of cancer in African-American women.

WASHINGTON — Researchers have found signaling pathways in cells that may allow earlier detection and prevention of cancer in African-American women.

September 21, 2011

Researchers at the University of California Los Angeles said they have found a possible link between two new drugs for Type 2 diabetes and cancers of the pancreas and thyroid, according to a new study published in the journal Gastroenterology.

LOS ANGELES — Researchers at the University of California Los Angeles said they have found a possible link between two new drugs for Type 2 diabetes and cancers of the pancreas and thyroid, according to a new study published in the journal Gastroenterology.

The researchers, at UCLA's Larry L. Hillblom Islet Research Center, examined incidents reported in the Food and Drug Administration's adverse event database between 2004 and 2009 among patients using Byetta (exenatide), made by Eli Lilly and Amylin Pharmaceuticals, and Merck's Januvia (sitagliptin).

September 19, 2011

The Food and Drug Administration has approved two new uses for a drug made by Amgen, the drug maker said Monday.

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved two new uses for a drug made by Amgen, the drug maker said Monday.

Amgen announced the approval of the biotech drug Prolia (denosumab) for increasing bone mass in men and women who are at risk of fractures due to hormone ablation treatments they are receiving for prostate and breast cancer, respectively.

September 16, 2011

Pharmacy benefit manager Express Scripts will provide services for patients using a drug to manage a debilitating side effect of many anti-cancer treatments, ESI said.

ST. LOUIS — Pharmacy benefit manager Express Scripts will provide services for patients using a drug to manage a debilitating side effect of many anti-cancer treatments, ESI said.