NCI Cancer Bulletin for May 19, 2009 - National Cancer Institute

An Experimental Treatment Improves Survival for Patients with Neuroblastoma

An experimental treatment significantly improved progression-free survival in patients with neuroblastoma at high risk for recurrence, including many young children, researchers from the Children’s Oncology Group reported last week. Speaking at a press briefing sponsored by the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the trial’s lead investigator, Dr. Alice Yu from the University of California, San Diego, said the finding makes the treatment—an antibody-based immunotherapy—“the new standard of care” for patients with high-risk neuroblastoma. Read more > >

Ginger Helps Reduce Nausea from Chemotherapy
Researchers found that half a teaspoon or less of this common kitchen spice reduced symptoms
Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy Suitable for Staging Penile Carcinoma
Risk of a false-negative result should be weighed against the side effects of lymph node removal
Three Genes Help Breast Cancer Invade the Brain
A mouse study identifies genes that mediate brain metastases
DEAR1 Gene May Help Drive Early-onset Breast Cancer
Gene may also identify patients at high risk of local recurrence
Formaldehyde May Cause Some Blood Cancers, but Risk Drops over Time
NCI researchers have updated their previous report with 10 years of new data

Guest Director's Update: Marking a Memorable Moment in AIDS Research

By Dr. Robert Yarchoan

NCI has played a critical role in HIV- and AIDS-related research from the day in 1981 when one of the first AIDS patients was admitted to the NCI Metabolism Branch. NCI's advances in AIDS research, in part, resulted from the Institute's long-term commitment to research on the interrelationship between viruses and cancer. Read more > >

Special Report: Decades Later, Seeing the Benefits of Radiation after Prostate Surgery
Men who had radiation after a prostatectomy reduced their risk of cancer recurring
Spotlight: Comparative Effectiveness Research Stirs Excitement as Well as Debate
This research, which aims to address holes in the evidence for treating and managing some types of cancer, is gaining momentum
Featured Clinical Trial: Cetuximab and Chemoradiotherapy for Locally Advanced Esophageal Cancer
Will adding cetuximab to chemotherapy and radiation therapy improve outcomes for patients with locally advanced esophageal cancer?

FDA Update
- Bevacizumab Approved for Recurrent Glioblastoma Brain Cancer
Notes
- In Memoriam: NCI's Dr. John Brady
- Deadline Approaching for DCLG Nominations
- IOTF Fellowship Program Seeks Applicants
- Women's Health Hearing and Workshop Series Continues
- NCI Cancer Bulletin Writer Wins NAGC Award
- Meet NCI Experts at ASCO
Cancer.gov Update
- Smokefree Women Web Site Launched
- NCI Publications Locator Web Site Improved

The NCI Cancer Bulletin is produced by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), which was established in 1937. Through basic, clinical, and population-based biomedical research and training, NCI conducts and supports research that will lead to a future in which we can identify the environmental and genetic causes of cancer, prevent cancer before it starts, identify cancers that do develop at the earliest stage, eliminate cancers through innovative treatment interventions, and biologically control those cancers that we cannot eliminate so they become manageable, chronic diseases.

For more information about cancer, call 1-800-4-CANCER or visit http://www.cancer.gov.

NCI Cancer Bulletin staff can be reached at ncicancerbulletin@mail.nih.gov.

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