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Showing posts from April, 2017

FDA approves 1st treatment for liver cancer in decade

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration Thursday expanded the approved use of Stivarga (regorafinib) for the treatment of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), or liver cancer. This is the first FDA-approved treatment for a liver cancer in almost 10 years. The FDA granted the approval of Stivarga to Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc. According to the National Cancer Institute, about 40,710 people will be diagnosed with liver cancers in 2017, and approximately 28,920 will die of these diseases. HCC is the most common form of liver cancer. “Limited treatment options are available for patients with liver cancer,” said Richard Pazdur, M.D., an acting director at the FDA’s Oncology Center of Excellence. “This is the first time patients with HCC have had an FDA-approved treatment that can be used if their cancer has stopped responding to initial treatment with sorafenib.” Stivarga is a kinase inhibitor that is effective by blocking several enzymes, including the vascul

FDA approves new combination treatment for acute myeloid leukemia

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Rydapt (midostaurin) for the treatment of adult patients with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who have a specific genetic mutation called FLT3, in combination with chemotherapy. The drug is approved for use with a companion diagnostic, the LeukoStrat CDx FLT3 Mutation Assay, which is used to detect the FLT3 mutation in patients with AML.   AML is a rapidly progressing cancer that forms in the bone marrow and results in an increased number of white blood cells in the bloodstream. The National Cancer Institute estimated that approximately 19,930 people would be diagnosed with AML in 2016 and 10,430 were projected to die of the disease. “Rydapt is the first targeted therapy to treat patients with AML, in combination with chemotherapy,” said Richard Pazdur, M.D., acting director of the Office of Hematology and Oncology Products in the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research and director of the FDA’s Oncology Center

FDA expands approved use of Stivarga to treat liver cancer

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today expanded the approved use of Stivarga (regorafinib) to include treatment of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC or liver cancer) who have been previously treated with the drug sorafenib. This is the first FDA-approved treatment for a liver cancer in almost a decade.   “Limited treatment options are available for patients with liver cancer,” said Richard Pazdur, M.D., acting director of the Office of Hematology and Oncology Products in the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research and director of the FDA’s Oncology Center of Excellence. “This is the first time patients with HCC have had an FDA-approved treatment that can be used if their cancer has stopped responding to initial treatment with sorafenib.” According to the National Cancer Institute, approximately 40,710 people will be diagnosed with liver cancers in 2017 and approximately 28,920 will die of these diseases. HCC originates in the liver and is the most common form o

Cancer Hospitals in Bangalore | Oncologists in Bangalore | Cancer Specialists in Bangalore

The diagnosis and treatment of cancer has undergone many changes in recent years. Early detection brought about by increased awareness and advanced diagnostic methods have ensured a high rate of survival. Find the list of our best cancer hospitals in Bangalore and top oncologists in Bangalore KIDWAI Cancer Hospital Bangalore KMIO is recognized as a charitable cancer institute in the Bangalore by the Endowment Department of Karnataka, considering its commitment for services to poor cancer patients.The charges levied for cancer investigations and treatment, are well within the reach of poor patients.In cases where the total treatment cost becomes too heavy, such patients are financially assisted by various schemes like Free drugs from the Institute, Karnataka Chief Minister’s Medical Relief fund, Poor Patients Welfare Fund, children Welfare Fund, Kidwai Cancer Drug Foundation, etc.The anti-cancer drugs sold at Kidwai Cancer Drug Foundation’ are 40 to 60% cheaper than the market rat

New courses at cancer institute

The region's premier cancer hospital,  Dr B Borooah Cancer Institute (BBCI), has become the only institute in the whole of eastern India to be granted permission by the ministry of health and family welfare to initiate post doctorate super speciality courses in oncology. Cancer experts have hailed the latest development as introduction of new courses in cancer studies will help bridge the gap emanating from shortage of doctors and manpower since Assam and the northeast are home to a burgeoning number of cancer patients. Based on estimates of data collected from cancer cases and government reports on the projected population of 2026, there could be 26,973 new cancer cases across Assam among both men and women in 11 years. BBCI will initiate the super speciality course from the present academic session 2017-18. With the initiation of the latest course, BBCI has now added another feather to its cap as the  Medical Council of India  had already granted permission to start post

CCI rules in favour of Biocon in case against Roche over breast cancer drug

Biocon and Mylan started marketing biosimilars of Roche's Trastuzumab drug in 2014 The Competition Commission of  India  (CCI) has given directions for carrying out a detailed investigation to ascertain if  Roche  used its dominant position to maintain its monopoly over the breast  cancer  drug Trastuzumab.   The order comes as a response to a joint complaint filed by the  Mylan  and  Biocon  in 2016 alleging that the  Roche  Group indulged in "abusive conduct". "The Commission is of the considered view that, prima facie, the contravention with regard to Section 4(2)(c) of the Act is made out against  Roche  Group, which warrants a detailed investigation into the matter. The DG is, thus, directed to carry out a detailed investigation into the matter", said the order. Both  Mylan  and  Biocon  further alleged that the group tried to influence regulatory authorities to deny the sale of biosimilars of Trastuzumab by them.  Roche  had allegedly inform

Cancer Genetics, Inc. Launches a Unique, Industry-Leading Panel That Provides Comprehensive & Precise Information for Immuno-Oncology Therapy Assessment & Patient Monitoring

Complete::IO TM  provides immune endpoint and immune monitoring of patients allowing informed therapeutic decisions and assessment of potential toxicities of IO therapies in blood cancers and solid tumors Complete::IO TM  can determine precise details of anti-tumor immunity for each cancer patient as it allows the detection of multiple markers on an individual cell, which is limited when utilizing other technology platforms, including next-generation sequencing (NGS) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) RUTHERFORD, N.J., April 24, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cancer Genetics, Inc. (Nasdaq: CGIX ) ("CGI" or "The Company"), a leader in enabling precision medicine for oncology through molecular markers and diagnostics, announced today the successful CLIA validation and approval of its immuno-oncology (IO) assay, Complete::IO TM . Complete::IO TM  is a multi-marker, flow cytometry-based panel allowing a comprehensive characterization of the immune repertoire of cancer patie

High thyroid cancer rate due to better diagnosis

The head and neck surgeons and oncologists said that the high incidence of  thyroid cancer cases  in  Kerala  is not due to overdiagnosis but better diagnosis. "In Kerala, there is no overdiagnosis but better diagnosis of thyroid cancer. Probably many of them would have been detected later or may have gone undetected if left alone, as they grow slowly ," said Dr  Subramania Iyer , head, Centre for Head and Neck Surgery and Oncology, AIMS. "Now, almost 25% of the thyroid cases are cancerous. Five years back, the carcinoma thyroid cases was just about 5%. If the swelling is more than four centimetres in diametre, then whether cancerous or not, it needs to be removed. If it is less than four and the ultrasound is suggesting that it is problematic, then it is better to remove it. If you are late, the patient will have to go for radioactive iodine treatment program besides surgery. If further advanced, then they will require radiation," said Dr R Padmakumar, endoscopic

Narayana Hrudayalaya acquires NewRise Healthcare from Panacea Biotec

Buying a near-complete hospital with around 230 beds to help NH to strengthens its Northern cluster Dr Devi Prasad Shetty-promoted  Narayana Hrudayalaya  Limited (NH) has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire NewRise  Healthcare  Pvt Ltd from  Panacea Biotec  Limited for an enterprise value of Rs 180 crores. NewRise  Healthcare  is setting up a multi-speciality, 230-beds hospital at Gurugram, which is in final stages of completion and is expected to be commissioned within the next 9 months. This marks NH’s first hospital in Gurugram. This transaction is intended to consolidate NH’s footprint in the Northern cluster and therefore serve the region’s fast expanding  healthcare  space. With a flexible business model,  Narayana Hrudayalaya  aims to fast-track its penetration and emerge as a prominent  healthcare  services provider in the growing NCR market. Located in South-Western part of NCR, NewRise  Healthcare  complements NH Group’s East Delhi based Dharamshila Nara

Oral cancer: Early detection can help boost chances of survival

The problem in India is that people ignore the early signs of cancer and they only consult a doctor when the cancer has reached the third or the fourth stage. Cancer has many warning signs that can help detect the onset of the disease before it's too late. With the present times experiencing a boost in medical advancements, it has become easier and smoother to detect a disease in its early stages and increase the patient's chances of survival. Educating and promoting early diagnosis and spreading awareness on the various screening processes are the two major components of early detection of cancer. Doing this, can help decrease the mortality rate as well as improve prognosis. Oral cancer or mouth cancer comes under a wide umbrella of Head and Neck cancers, which is caused due to abnormal tissue growth in the oral cavity. Oral cancer is a major health complication, especially in the Indian sub-continent. It ranks among the top three types of cancer accounting to over

P.D. Hinduja Hospital & MRC and Kings’ College, London discuss new frontiers in breast and thoracic malignancies

P.D. Hinduja Hospital & MRC and Kings’ College, London discuss new frontiers in breast and thoracic malignancies The 3-day conference saw leading doctors discussing and debating on several other important topics as well. Well-known oncologists and researchers from P.D. Hinduja Hospital & MRC and Kings’ College, London came together to deliberate the growing incidences of oncology, cost  burden and the future of effective cancer treatment at a 3 day conference themed  ‘New Frontiers in Breast and Thoracic Malignancies’  held at P.D. Hinduja Hospital. The first of its kind symposium was organized with the purpose of enhancing India’s efforts towards effective cancer management and providing higher standards of medical support in Breast, Lung and Esophagus cancers. The symposium witnessed close to 40 experts who provided novel insights through a knowledge and expertise sharing session and was attended by over 150 practicing oncologists and post graduate student

Amgen launches online media resource, Neulasta Onpro NARRATIVES

Amgen announced the launch of Neulasta (pegfilgrastim) Onpro NARRATIVES, an online media resource about the value of a cancer care team that provides comprehensive support for patients receiving strong chemotherapy. Intended to support conversations between cancer patients undergoing strong chemotherapy and their healthcare team about potential risk for infection due to a low white blood cell count, Neulasta Onpro NARRATIVES shares personal cancer stories as well as educational materials. "Getting the breast cancer diagnosis was terrifying and unbelievable," said Natalie M., a breast cancer patient from Huntington Beach, California. “But once I got over the shock, I made sure I had the right team around me, including an oncologist and nursing staff I trusted to help guide me through my cancer journey." After identifying Natalie was at risk for infection due to strong chemotherapy, her oncologist, Dr. John S. Link in Orange County, Calif., recommended she take Neulasta.