Colon cancer Archives

Colon cancer and rectal tumor constitute a single type of cancer

Study shows colon and rectal tumors constitute a single type of cancer — The Cancer Genome Atlas generates genomic data for colon and rectal cancers that point to potential targets for treatment – The pattern of genomic alterations in colon and rectal tissues is the same regardless of anatomic location or origin within the colon or the rectum, leading researchers to conclude that these two cancer types can be grouped as one, according to The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) project’s large-scale study of colon and rectal cancer tissue specimens.

Vigorous physical activity reduced psoriasis in women

Vigorous physical activity associated with reduced risk of psoriasis – A study of U.S. women suggests that vigorous physical activity may be associated with a reduced risk of psoriasis. Psoriasis is an immunologic disorder characterized by systemic inflammation and scaling of the skin.

Antibody may cure variety of human cancers

Single antibody shrinks variety of human tumors transplanted into mice, Stanford study shows – Human tumors transplanted into laboratory mice disappeared or shrank when scientists treated the animals with a single antibody. This antibody works by masking a protein flag on cancer cells that protects them from macrophages and other cells in the immune system.

Regorafenib improves survival of colorectal cancer patients

Drug improves survival of colorectal cancer patients, trial results show – Regorafenib – an investigational drug – slowed the progression of tumors and lengthened the lives of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. This is the first novel agent in eight years to show improvement in overall survival of colon cancer patients who have run out of treatment options.

Gene expression changes in nasal cells may help identify lung cancer

Gene expression changes in nasal cells may help identify lung cancer in earliest stages – A simple, minimally-invasive technique using cells from the interior of the nose could help clinicians detect lung cancer in its earliest – and most treatable – stages, according to a study conducted by researchers in Boston.

New class of cancer drugs could work in colon cancers with genetic mutation

New class of cancer drugs could work in colon cancers with genetic mutation, U-M study finds — 15 percent of colorectal cancers have mutation that responds to PARP inhibitors – A class of drugs that shows promise in breast and ovarian cancers with BRCA gene mutations could potentially benefit colorectal cancer patients with a different genetic mutation, a new study from the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center finds.

Activation of biomarker may improve survival among obese patients with colorectal cancer

Activation of Biomarker Appears Associated With Improved Survival Among Obese Patients With Colorectal Cancer – Among obese patients, activation of the protein biomarker CTNNB1 was associated with better colorectal cancer-specific survival and overall survival, whereas post-diagnosis physical activity was associated with better colorectal cancer-specific survival among patients negative for CTNNB1.

Parents favor genetic testing for melanoma in their children

Parents favor genetic testing for melanoma in their children – The vast majority of parents who tested positive for a genetic mutation that increases the risk of melanoma (the most serious form of skin cancer) support genetic testing of their children or grandchildren. Results of the two-year study at Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) at the University of Utah (U of U) appear in the December issue of the journal Genetics in Medicine. The data could lead to the establishment of formal, evidence-based guidelines for genetic testing of people younger than 18 years.

New stool test to predict colon cancer

New test measures DNA methylation levels to predict colon cancer – An investigational DNA methylation test could alter the screening landscape for colorectal cancer, according to data presented at the American Association for Cancer Research special conference on Colorectal Cancer: Biology to Therapy, held here Oct. 27-30, 2010.

Pancreatic cancers progress to lethal stage slowly

Surprise finding: Pancreatic cancers progress to lethal stage slowly – Pancreatic cancer develops and spreads much more slowly than scientists have thought, according to new research from Johns Hopkins investigators.

Obesity in colon cancer patients increases mortality

Obesity or abnormal body weight related to increased mortality in colon cancer patients – Postmenopausal women diagnosed with colon cancer may be at increased risk of death if they fail to maintain a healthy body weight before cancer diagnosis, revealed by researchers.

Rectal cancer rates rising in young individuals in US

Rectal cancer rates are rising in young individuals – A new analysis has found that while colon cancer rates have remained steady over the past several decades among people under the age of 40, rectal cancer rates are increasing in this population across races and in both sexes.