Test for targeted therapy in acute myeloid leukemia

Researchers have discovered that a particular hormone is responsible for driving a cancer enzyme to cause an often deadly red blood cell cancer, Polycythemia vera.
– An Oregon Health & Science University Cancer Institute researcher has discovered that a particular hormone is responsible for driving a cancer enzyme to cause an often deadly red blood cell cancer.

Gleevec improves special leukemia in children

Gleevec has been shown to improve outcomes for children with Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
– Gleevec, the targeted cancer pill that has saved more than 100,000 lives, now is saving more children with a dire leukemia, as well as preventing disease progression with long term use in adults with chronic myeloid leukemia.

Understanding chronic myeloid leukemia

Researchers have discovered abnormal cells in the early stem cell population in Chronic myeloid leukemia CML patients.
– Oregon Health & Science University Cancer Institute researchers have opened a new window into the roots of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). “We are looking under the surface of CML to understand better where the cancer is coming from. We have discovered abnormal cells in the early stem cell population in some CML patients, which don’t belong to the CML clone. These are abnormal cells that are not part of the CML clone,” said Thomas Bumm, M.D., OHSU Cancer Institute member.

Night shift work may cause cancer

World Health Organization study found that night shift work increases the risk of cancer in humans. Women are at a higher risk to develop breast and colon cancer and men more likely to experience prostate cancer.
– A study by the World Health Organization has found that night shift work increases the risk of cancer in humans. The study found that after prolonged exposure to night shift work, women are at a higher risk to develop breast and colon cancer. Men who work the night shift are more likely to experience prostate cancer.

New perspectives on health disparities in breast cancer research

Asian breast cancer women (67.5 percent) choose to have a mastectomy over lumpectomy compared to Caucasian women (57.3 percent).
– Breast cancer is a disease with a number of known genetic and behavioral risk factors, but scientists have seen that these risks are often compounded by social and racial inequalities. The question remains: how, exactly, do social disadvantages, genetics, race and culture add to the disparities faced by so many groups of women?

PET imaging more accurate in lung cancer staging

For more accurate staging of lung cancer, PET imaging founds to be a useful diagnostic tool. Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related death and early accurate diagnosis provides improved treatment for patients and the best chance for long term survival.
– Positron emission tomography (PET) is a useful diagnostic tool that supports the need for more accurate staging of lung cancer and improved treatment for patients, concludes an extensive systematic review published online in Journal of National Cancer Institute.

Health Newstrack