Stand Up To Cancer

Roche, a research-focused healthcare company, has released preclinical findings through the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) on a successful drug compound that may cause tumor regression in several human cancers. "This drug will have an impact," said Dr. William Pao, senior editor with the journal. "The response rates with currently available therapies are only in the 10 percent to 20 percent range, so this represents a large step forward." A Phase III trial for the drug compound is currently enrolling patients with specific types of metastic melanoma.
http://www.aacr.org/home/public--media/aacr-press-releases.aspx?d=1895

Tufts University researchers have found that higher 'good' cholesterol (HDL) may be tied to a lower cancer risk. While the specific connection is still unclear, experts believe it may be related to antioxidant effects and from strengthening the immune system overall. In an editorial accompanying the study, Dr. Jennifer G. Robinson from the University of Iowa wrote that some of the things people can do to increase their HDL cholesterol levels include exercising, quitting smoking, eating right, and maintaining a healthy weight.
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE65D5T020100614

A recent study shared in the Journal of the American Medical Association reveals that people with high levels of vitamin B6 may be at a decreased risk of developing lung cancer. Definitive conclusions behind the connection have not yet been determined, but researchers believe it may involve DNA maintenance. The study reports that in a majority of lung cancer cases, toxic smoke was the culprit in DNA damage, causing abnormal cell growth and eventually resulting in cancer.
http://www.usnews.com/science/articles/2010/06/16/vitamin-b6-linked-to-lowered-lung-cancer-risk.html

Colonoscopy screenings are key to early detection for colon cancer particularly because a person often has no symptoms of the disease, says Dr. Aliya Hasan from the University of Colorado Denver. "The nice thing about colon cancer is that we can prevent it. So what we believe is that a polyp is abnormal tissue which overtime grows into a cancer. So if we can find it at the polyp stage and take it out, we've known that we have prevented a cancer in developing in over 90 percent of people," said Dr. Hasan.
http://cbs4denver.com/health/colon.cancer.screening.2.1751374.html

Researchers at the Institute of Cancer Research have found three new genetic risk factors for testicular cancer. "This study represents further, important progress toward identifying men who are at increased genetic risk of testicular cancer," said Clare Turnbull, the study's leader. "Finding those men at highest risk may allow early detection or prevention of the disease."
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE65C22W20100613

Please check back next Thursday for more news and helpful links.