Targeted agent selumetinib shows promise in biliary cancer
2011-04-26
(Press-News.org) COLUMBUS, Ohio – The experimental agent selumetinib has shown promising results in people with advanced biliary cancer, according to a multi-institutional clinical trial led by cancer researchers at The Ohio State University.
Selumetinib, also known as AZD6244 (ARRY-142886), blocks a protein called MEK, which cancer cells need to proliferate and survive.
Biliary cancer is a malignancy of cells lining the bile ducts and gall bladder. About 100,000 patients are diagnosed annually worldwide with the disease, representing 15-20 percent of all liver-cancer cases. Most patients present at later stages of the disease, which has a universally poor outcome.
The findings of this 28-patient, multi-institutional phase II study are reported online in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
"This malignancy has no good standard of care," says principal investigator Dr. Tanios Bekaii-Saab, medical director of gastrointestinal oncology and a medical oncologist at Ohio State's Comprehensive Cancer Center-James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute.
"Our study provides a strong rationale for developing this agent further in larger trials, probably in combination with other drugs, which we hope will enable us to establish a new standard of care for biliary cancers in the near future," adds Bekaii-Saab.
In addition to Ohio State, trial participants included the University of North Carolina, Vanderbilt University and Emory University.
Selumetinib belongs to a class of drugs called protein-kinase inhibitors. The agent selectively inhibits the protein kinases MEK1 and MEK2. It is part of a signaling pathway that is often damaged in biliary cancer cells. The trial showed the following:
One patient responded completely – the tumor shrunk until it was undetectable – and two patients showed partial tumor shrinkage;
In 17 patients, the tumor stopped growing. This condition of stable disease lasted up to 16 weeks in the majority of cases;
Patients experienced no cancer progression for a promising 3.7 months on average, despite the fact that nearly 40 percent of patients had prior therapy before receiving selumetinib (such tumors tend to be more resistant to treatment);
Patients taking the drug regained weight – about 9 pounds on average. This included patients with tumors that may not have responded to the drug, Bekaii-Saab notes.
Patients who lacked a target protein called pERK did not seem to respond to the drug, suggesting that the drug may not work if the protein is missing in the cancer cells. "This finding suggests that in the future we may be able to identify which patients are most likely to respond to the drug," he adds.
###
The Ohio State team was also involved in a second study reported in the same issue of Journal of Clinical Oncology that used selumetinib to treat liver cancer.
For more information about the selumetinib trial for biliary cancer, visit ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT00553332.
ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:
Streptococci and E. coli continue to put newborns at risk for sepsis
2011-04-26
Bloodstream infections in newborns can lead to serious complications with substantial morbidity and mortality. What's more, the pathogens responsible for neonatal infections have changed over time. In recent years, however, antibiotic prophylaxis given to at-risk mothers has reduced the incidence of early-onset group B streptococcal infections among their babies.
A new nationwide, multi-site study aimed at determining current early-onset sepsis rates among newborns, the pathogens involved, and associated morbidity and mortality demonstrates that the most frequent pathogens ...
A "Fresh Food" approach to margin increase - How to eliminate waste and increase profits: April 28th Profitect Webinar 1PM EST
2011-04-26
In 2011 'Fresh' will continue to grow in importance as a key deciding factor on where to shop for groceries. Increased competition from supermarkets and non-traditional grocers, rising commodity prices, and increased transportation costs have added significant new pressures and overwhelming strains on an already lean supply chain.
How can retailers keep up with the trends without having to pay the toll of decreasing margins due to excessive damage and waste?
Sammy Kolt, VP of Applications and Omer Matityahu, COO will discuss new market trends, best practices and ...
Scientists create stable, self-renewing neural stem cells
2011-04-26
In a paper published in the April 25 early online edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, the Gladstone Institutes in San Francisco and colleagues report a game-changing advance in stem cell science: the creation of long-term, self-renewing, primitive neural precursor cells from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) that can be directed to become many types of neuron without increased risk of tumor formation.
"It's a big step forward," said Kang Zhang, MD, PhD, professor of ...
Non-profit Responds to Michelle Obama's Challenge; 1,000 iPAD2 Giveaway Program Targets Solutions for Jobless Veterans and Families
2011-04-26
Patriot Enterprise Project, Inc., (PEP) announced the opening of its national military veteran's business ownership initiatives with a 1,000 iPAD2s Giveaway. The innovative non-profit donation program will accelerate legislation and veteran advocacy initiatives to help quickly establish self-sustaining careers for more than 100,000 Gulf War veterans. http://www.2011gibill.org/help.php
Today, more than one million Gulf War veterans are unemployed. The unemployment rate for 18-24 year old veterans is three times the national average, and it's going up. Many jobless veterans ...
Tai chi appears to benefit quality of life for patients with chronic heart failure
2011-04-26
Tai chi exercise appears to be associated with improved quality of life, mood and exercise self-efficacy in patients with chronic heart failure, according to a report in the April 25 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.
"Historically, patients with chronic systolic heart failure were considered too frail to exercise and, through the late 1980s, avoidance of physical activity was a standard recommendation," the authors write as background information in the study. "Preliminary evidence suggests that meditative exercise may have benefits ...
Art-Bead Jewelry Designer Inspired by Multiple Sclerosis and Other Life Challenges
2011-04-26
In May, when the nation recognizes National Multiple Sclerosis Month, Stephanie White will be actively supporting the cause. The veteran jewelry designer will be sharing a line of bracelets, earrings and necklaces created especially for MS patients as well as the families and friends who care for them.
As a survivor of domestic abuse, Stephanie feels great compassion for women who are facing life-altering challenges, whether physical or psychological. So she taps into her creativity to find just the right beads, stones, colors and designs to reflect awareness of Multiple ...
Study examines changes in medical students’ views about internal medicine careers
2011-04-26
Compared with 1990, more medical students in 2007 viewed internal medicine as a potentially meaningful career; however, the majority of students are choosing other specialties, according to a report in the April 25 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.
"The United States faces a troubling shortage in its primary care medical workforce," the authors write as background information in the article. "According to the Institute of Medicine, the United States is not prepared to meet the health care needs of the growing number of older adults."
Mark ...
HIV infection may be a risk factor for heart failure
2011-04-26
Patients with HIV infection without a prior history of coronary heart disease may be at a higher risk of developing heart failure, according to a report in the April 25 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.
Previous studies have suggested that "class of antiretroviral drugs (particularly protease inhibitors), Human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) RNA levels, and low CD4+ lymphocyte counts are each associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease events, an important risk factor for heart failure," according to background ...
Grace Centers of Hope Holds "Women Helping Women" Luncheon and Fashion Show Fundraiser, May 7
2011-04-26
Grace Centers of Hope is hosting its 13th annual "Women Helping Women" Luncheon and Fashion Show on Saturday, May 7, 2011. World-renowned fashion and style expert, Mary Alice Stephenson, will provide the creative directing, styling and emceeing of this year's fashion show. The event features professional models, as well as Grace Centers' women and children, who will wear the Spring 2011 Collection of fashion designer Naeem Khan. Proceeds will benefit the women's and children's programs at Grace Centers of Hope, Oakland County's oldest and largest homeless shelter. ...
Study tests interventions targeting multiple health-related behaviors in african american couples
2011-04-26
Interventions to promote healthy behaviors, including eating more fruits and vegetables, increasing physical activity, and participating in cancer screenings, as well as prevention of HIV/sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), appear beneficial for African-American couples who are at high risk for chronic diseases, especially if one of the individuals is living with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus). The report is published in the April 25 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.
As background information in the article, the authors write ...