Christine

Fantastic! I am so happy for you.

Device is one of many innovations that may revolutionize care By Amanda Gardner TUESDAY, Sept. 18 (HealthDay News) -- A small, cheaply produced device could hold the key to detecting cancer at its earliest and most curable stage, developers say. Graduate students say they've created an acoustic sensor aimed at detecting minute amounts of mesothelin, a molecule associated with several cancers, in blood samples. But they stress that real-life applications are still a way off. "We're still at an early stage. This is just past the proof-of-concept stage," said Anthony J. Dickherber, lead author of the study and a doctoral candidate in bioengineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta. "Once this tool is fully developed, it probably will be most useful to clinical laboratories. We're trying to create a very cost-effective, disposable test that can detect very small amounts of a target in a very noisy medium [a blood sample] where you have parts per billion or parts per trillion of your target amid all these things." Dickherber presented the findings at the American Association for Cancer Research's second International Conference on Molecular Diagnostics in Cancer Therapeutic Development, being held in Atlanta. A second study, also being presented at the conference, identifies a protein that may be an early warning sign for lung cancer. Early detection is a holy grail of cancer research. The earlier a cancer is found, the more likely a cure will ensue. Scientists are always busy identifying many new biomarkers that can detect cancer at its very earliest stages. However, these biomarkers are usually only found in very low concentrations. That means that not one, but multiple markers may be needed for an accurate diagnosis to be made. "It's generally considered for most cancers that not one single golden target is going to tell you everything you need to know. It's very likely you will need to have multiple targets," Dickherber explained. "The idea is that a tool needs to detect multiple things at very low concentrations." Dickherber and his colleagues developed the ACuRay (Acoustic micro-array) chip, a tiny device that should be able to be mass produced at low cost. "Incredible advances in the past 30 to 40 years in microelectronic fabrication has driven costs down to be able to mass produce integrated circuits, so we were thinking there has to be a way to leverage that to make disposable sensors to detect things at low concentrations," Dickherber said. The ACuRay is not unlike sonar. Tiny particles are resonating back and forth at a very high rate. When the molecule the scientists are trying to detect binds to the surface of the device, the particles slow down. "It's that difference that we can detect electrically," Christopher Corso, the other graduate student engaged in the project and an M.D., Ph.D. student, said. The challenge now is to make them work for different, specific purposes. "We probably still have a couple of months left of optimizing the design so that we can move on to looking for new targets and trying to detect them," Dickherber said. "The reason for the optimization is to make the device as sensitive as possible," Corso added. Cancer is one problem for which the device might provide a solution. But environmental hazards and bioterror could be others. The second study also addressed the early-detection problem, this time specifically for lung cancer, the leading cancer killer in the United States. The five-year survival rate for lung cancer, which is rarely detected early, is a very low 15 percent. But, if detection can be made early, survival rates of 50 percent have been seen. Researchers from Panacea Pharmaceuticals of Gaithersburg, Md., have developed a blood test that targets a protein called human aspartyl (asparaginyl) beta-hydroxylase (HAAH), which appears on the surface of cancer cells and in the blood of people with cancer. Ninety-nine percent of 160 patients with different stages and types of lung cancer had high levels of HAAH in their blood, as opposed to only 9 percent of nonsmokers without lung cancer. "It would be very valuable to have an inexpensive test to recognize that someone has an increased risk of lung cancer," said Dr. Arthur Frankel, a professor of internal medicine at Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine and director of the Cancer Research Institute and the Division of Hematology/Oncology, Scott & White. "And, if you had markers that told you that if you had this marker, and you smoked, it was a bad thing, that would be very valuable. Many people are at increased risk because of genetics."

Sept. 18, 2007 Courtesy American Association for Cancer Research and World Science staff When it’s qui­et—al­most “too qui­et”—in movies, it’s of­ten a sign some­thing is about to go wrong for the good guys. The same may be true of genes that guard against lung can­cer, re­search­ers have found. They iden­ti­fied 15 such genes, adding that these could help pre­dict can­cer: if their col­lec­tive ac­ti­vity be­comes too qui­et, it sug­gests oth­er fac­tors in the cell are sup­pres­sing them, a pos­si­ble step to­ward can­cer. A test for these genes in nor­mal cells sam­pled via bron­chos­co­py could iden­ti­fy peo­ple at risk for lung can­cer, said James C. Wil­ley of the Un­ivers­ity of To­le­do, Ohio, the lead re­search­er. In a study of 49 peo­ple, about half of whom had lung can­cer, Wil­ley and his col­leagues said they iden­ti­fied those pa­tients cor­rectly 96 per­cent of the time. Wil­ley cau­tioned that more, larg­er stud­ies will need to be done to see if such a test can iden­ti­fy fu­ture can­cer suf­fer­ers be­fore they be­come sick. “Smok­ing causes about 90 per­cent of all lung can­cer cases, yet only about 10 to 15 per­cent of heavy smok­ers will de­vel­op lung can­cer,” said Wil­ley. “We are look­ing for new tech­niques that will al­low us to pick out the 10 to 15 per­cent of in­di­vid­u­als at high­est risk for lung can­cer from the enor­mous pool of cur­rent and form­er smok­ers.” The Un­ited States alone has more than 40 mil­lion current or form­er heavy smok­ers, he added. And al­though in­creas­ingly pow­er­ful screen­ing tools are avail­a­ble to de­tect lung can­cer ear­ly, it’s very costly to screen all these peo­ple. The new test could lead to bet­ter tar­geted screen­ing, Wil­ley said. To find which genes are ac­tive in lung can­cer, Wil­ley and his col­leagues look for lev­els of mes­sen­ger RNA tran­script­s—in­struc­tions cop­ied from DNA that di­rect cells to cre­ate spe­cif­ic pro­tein molecules. Pre­vi­ously, the re­search­ers had found that genes that pro­tect lung cells from dam­age caused by smoke or tox­ins are poorly reg­u­lat­ed in lung can­cer pa­tients. In the new work, the team tested their the­o­ries by meas­ur­ing “tran­script abun­dance” of 15 genes that en­code pro­tec­tive an­ti­ox­i­dant and DNA re­pair pro­teins in lung air­way cells. Tran­script abun­dance is an in­di­ca­tor of gene ac­ti­vity. The find­ings were pre­s­ented Sept. 18 at the Amer­i­can As­socia­t­ion for Can­cer Re­search’s In­terna­t­ional Con­fer­ence on Mo­lec­u­lar Di­ag­nos­tics in Can­cer Ther­a­peu­tic De­vel­op­ment, in At­lan­ta, Ga.

18 September 2007 NewScientist.com news service Roxanne Khamsi A simple blood test that identifies early lung cancer before it has had a chance to spread could save lives by alerting doctors to the need for treatment, researchers say. The blood test looks for a telltale protein that is linked to tumour growth. In preliminary tests the process correctly identified 99% of patients with lung cancer at various stages of development. Lung cancer claims the lives of 150,000 people each year in the US alone, making it the leading cause of cancer deaths. But doctors have lacked a means of accurately detecting lung tumours in the earliest stages. Over the past decade, medical experts have explored the use of computed tomography (CT) body scans as a way to screen for lung cancer. But while patient advocacy groups say CT scans serve as a useful early detection tool, many chest physicians argue that they too often misidentify harmless scar tissue as cancer. Mark Semenuk, a researcher at Panacea Pharmaceuticals in Gaithersburg, Maryland, US, says a simple blood test could provide a much simpler and more effective way to screen people at high risk of developing lung cancer, such as smokers. Antibody Test Semenuk and colleagues developed the test, which measures levels of a protein called human aspartyl beta-hydroxylase (HAAH) in the blood. Scientists believe HAAH migrates to the surface of a cell to help make it receptive to chemical cues that promote growth. Laboratory findings also suggest that if the protein stays too long at the cell's surface, it may fail to mature properly, and can become cancerous. The Panacea team suspected that too much HAAH may also get carried in the blood. So they measured HAAH levels in blood samples using antibodies that change colour when they bind to the protein. In one experiment, they used this test to screen blood serum taken from 303 people, 160 of whom were known to have lung cancer at various stages of development. Their test accurately identified the presence of cancer in all but one of the patients with the disease. Previous laboratory tests have suggested that more than 3 nanograms of HAAH per millilitre of blood to be abnormal. These people with lung cancer had an average HAAH count of 34 ng/ml of blood. Much lower levels of HAAH were found in the rest of the group, which included 93 non-smokers and 50 smokers. However, about 8% of those without the cancer had more than 3 ng/ml, triggering a handful of false positive results. In a second experiment, the team screened blood from a further 60 patients with lung cancer at several known stages of development. This included 15 people with stage 1 lung cancer – the earliest stage of this illness and at which point the cancer has not yet spread. All 60 samples tested positive for cancer, indicating that the test can reliably detect the illness early on. Improved Survival Rates "We desperately need new methods for detecting lung cancer at the earliest stage possible," adds Regina Vidaver, executive director of the National Lung Cancer Partnership in Madison, Wisconsin, US. "Having a blood test that has high specificity with high sensitivity would greatly improve our abilities to diagnose lung cancer at earlier, potentially curable stages." "Most people agree that you improve survival rates in cancer if you pick it up early," says Norman Edelman, chief medical officer for the American Lung Association in New York, US. But Edelman adds that further testing is necessary: "If this is really as good as they say, the next step is to look at a large population of smokers." The test received approval for limited laboratory testing in July 2007, but the FDA has yet to approve a commercial version of the test. Laurie Fenton, president of Lung Cancer Alliance in Washington, DC, US, says it will be a while before the true usefulness of the screening test becomes apparent. In the meantime, she says patients should consult their doctors about whether it makes sense for them. Semenuk presented the lung cancer test at a meeting in Atlanta, Georgia, US, on molecular diagnostics in cancer therapeutic development run by the American Association for Cancer Research.

September 18, 2007 Copyright 2004-2005 THE MAINICHI NEWSPAPERS The Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry has awarded compensation to the family of a woman who died of lung cancer after deeming that asbestos at the factory where she worked caused her cancer. Tokyo Labor Bureau officials used an X-ray photograph of a man who worked at the same factory as the woman as evidence to conclude asbestos caused her to suffer from lung cancer. The woman died in 1988 at age 68 after working for the brake parts factory in Tokyo. Officials from an activist group for sufferers of asbestos-caused ailments said that X-ray photographs of the woman were not maintained at the hospital where she underwent treatment. (Mainichi)

http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/ ... full.story

Ry & John, my condolences to you and your family during this difficult time.

Jack, I am so very sorry for your loss. Christine

Welcome. You'll find a lot of helpful information here, not to mention more support than you can imagine.

What The New, Young Faces Of Lung Cancer Are Doing Terri Gruca, WCCO Reporting (WCCO) Each year in Minnesota: More people are diagnosed with lung cancer than breast, colon and prostate cancer combined. It's a disease most people associate with smokers, but a growing number of patients have never smoked. Sometimes the place that makes us feel the safest hides a horrible truth. Berni Collins and her family learned that three years ago when she was diagnosed with lung cancer. "It's really been hard to accept because I've never smoked," said Collins. A quick test of her home revealed she had been living the past 34 years in a home with dangerous levels of radon. "I got the results back and found out we had a 7.8 level," Collins said. Radon is a colorless, odorless gas and is the second leading cause of lung cancer. Levels above four are considered dangerous. Two of every five homes in Minnesota that are tested are above that level. "Testing our home is one of the best things we've ever done," said Collins. Doctors may never know for sure if radon caused Collin's cancer. Lung cancer caused by radon does not look any different than that caused by smoking or second-hand smoke. However, Collins was determined to keep the invisible gas out of her home. She spent $1,300 on a system to keep the radon out. She can now constantly monitor the levels in her home. Since installing the system the levels have stayed at zero. "We wanted to make sure no one else would ever go through this living in this house if that was the cause of it," said Collins. If that's not enough to make you test your home -- maybe these stories will. High levels of radon combined with smoking can double your risk of developing lung cancer. Something MJ McKeon didn't know until she was diagnosed 17 months ago. "I had had pain in my shoulder for about two years," said McKeon. She associated it with a car accident from a few years earlier until a CT scan showed the cancer had grown out of her lung and near her spine. Judy Golz's diagnosis came during a routine checkup for an adrenal gland issue. "I felt perfectly fine, there were no symptoms to make me feel like I was sick," Golz said. Her cancer resembles cotton in her lungs. Lise Kraemer was the picture of perfect health until June of this year. This 43-year-old non-smoking mother of three works out five days a week. "My legs were swollen and my knees hurt, I couldn't bend my knees," said Kraemer. Luckily she didn't ignore the symptoms and went to her doctor who eventually performed a chest x-ray. "There was a big mass," she recalls. Each of these women is living with one of the deadliest forms of cancer. Their symptoms were totally different; two out of three of them didn't smoke. Yet they are increasingly the kinds of patients showing up at doctor's offices across the state. "We're tending to see a trend in non-smoking females that are younger," said oncology nurse Michele O'Brien. "They don't know why. There are epidemiology studies being done now." There is no mandatory screening for lung cancer, however these women want to encourage other women to stop and listen to their bodies. Do not ignore feeling tired or any of the other symptoms they suffered. After being diagnosed with cancer these women formed a support group. They meet weekly to talk about ways to raise awareness. Lung Run/Walk This Saturday those cancer survivors are launching the first Twin Cities 5K Lung Run and Walk at Lake Calhoun. The money they raise goes to research as to why so many new cancer cases are being diagnosed each year. To know more about how to participate in that run go here. The event kicks off at 8 a.m. with the run beginning at 9 a.m. and the walk at 10 a.m. Radon Test Kits You can get a radon test kit at your local health department. Many give them away for free.

Thanks Kasey. My intention is to get annual scans although, I agree with John about the radiation. It's a tough call either way.

http://patient.cancerconsultants.com/Ca ... ntId=40509 Daily Cancer News According to an article recently published in Thorax, treatment with photodynamic therapy is an effective strategy for patients who have early lung cancer located in the center of the lungs and are not eligible for surgery. Lung cancer is responsible for more deaths than breast cancer, prostate cancer, and colon cancer combined. Suboptimal long-term survival among patients with this disease is largely blamed on the fact that the majority of lung cancer is diagnosed once it has spread from its site of origin. However, if lung cancer is detected in its earliest stages prior to spread, patients may achieve long-term survival and even a cure. Surgery is an important part of early lung cancer treatment. However, some patients are not eligible for surgery for reasons such cancer in a location that would make surgery dangerous or an inability to tolerate surgery. Another possible approach to treatment of early lung cancer, Phytodynamic therapy (PDT), involves the use of specific wavelengths of light to kill cancer cells. Initially, an agent that specifically collects in cancer cells is administered into a vein. The agent collects in the cancer cells, and when the specific wavelength of light is applied to these cells, the reaction between the agent and the light kills the cancer cells. Since the agent tends to only collect in cancer cells, non-cancerous tissue is spared from side effects of therapy. PDT is still being evaluated as a treatment option for patients with various types of cancer. Researchers from the United Kingdom recently conducted a clinical trial to further evaluate PDT in the treatment of early lung cancer. This study evaluated data from 200 patients who had early lung cancer located near the center of the chest and were not eligible for surgery. Treatment was performed on 21 patients. All patients achieved a complete disappearance of detectable cancer. All patients reported that they were satisfied with the treatment, and only one patient developed a mild skin reaction. Between 12–28 months, only three patients had died from cancer. The researchers concluded that PDT can achieve long-term survival among patients with early lung cancer who are not eligible for surgery. Patients who are not eligible for surgery and have early lung cancer may wish to speak with their physician regarding their individual risks and benefits of treatment with PDT or other promising therapeutic approaches. Reference: Moghissi K, Dixon K, Thorpe J, et al. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) in early central lung cancer: a treatment option for patients ineligible for surgical resection. Thorax. 2007;62:391-395.

I agree with you Katie. I have been watching a couple of nodules for almost two years now. My last official wait and see CT scan is scheduled for April. But, I plan to continue with annual scans just keep track of them. Peace-of-mind is priceless.

Thanks Katie. Yes, I usually post the link as well as the article, however I recently stopped doing so because it seemed to me to be redundant. Since it was pointed out to me how easily readers could become confused by what I post, I will resume the inclusion of the article link with each post.

Thu Sep 13, 2007 1:32AM BST NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Guidelines released Monday by the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) indicate that at present lung cancer screening with CT scanning and other methods is generally not warranted outside of research studies. In a larger, accompanying report, the group lists 260 recommendations that should be followed in the prevention, screening, diagnosis, staging, and treatment of lung cancer. Both sets of guidelines are published in a supplement to the journal Chest. After reviewing previous study findings, the research team, led by Dr. Peter B. Bach, from Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York, concludes that screening with CT imaging or certain sputum tests, simply does not reduce lung cancer deaths, even in high-risk groups, such as heavy smokers. According to the investigators, one of the problems is that current research on CT and sputum screening has focused primarily on lung cancer detection rates, not on whether patient outcomes are actually improved. Studies addressing this question are underway, but the answers will not be available for years. Based on a lack of solid evidence supporting the following practices, the group makes three recommendations: --Do not use CT to screen for lung cancer outside of trial settings. --Do not use chest X-rays to screen for lung cancer. --Do not use sputum tests to screen for lung cancer. "Population screening for lung cancer is not recommended and may, ultimately, put the patient at risk for further complications," Gene L. Colice, vice-chair of the ACCP lung cancer guidelines, said in a statement. The guidelines also advise against the use of vitamins, particularly beta-carotene, vitamin A, and vitamin E, as a means of preventing lung cancer. In the case of beta-carotene, use of this vitamin may actually increase the risk of the cancer. According to the report, there is also no solid evidence that aspirin helps prevent lung cancer or reduces lung cancer deaths. By contrast, for the first time, the guidelines support the use of certain alternative treatments as in addition to conventional therapy. Massage therapy is recommended when anxiety or pain is present, and acupuncture is advised for fatigue, shortness of breath, and poorly controlled nausea and vomiting. SOURCE: Chest, September 2007.

Perhaps I should have added this disclaimer, because I don't necessarily agree with something just because I post it. I will post something if I believe it might be of interest to this community. It is the responsibility of each patient/caregiver/family member who gathers information from ANY post on this board to do their own research and speak with their medical team in order to make informed decisions regarding their healthcare.

Instead of sharing the disproportionate statistics that affect our society, let's get right to the source and focus on much needed advice. All forms of cancer are on the rise due to increased stress, the strain-induced lifestyles we lead, and unhealthy eating habits. This is a fact based on the latest study conducted by the National Academy of Naturopathy. Our body is comprised of trillions of cells that are in a constant state of rejuvenation or cell mutation. If you have unhealthy, harmful eating habits, or are not giving your body what it needs nutritionally, this will determine you’re pre-disposition to cancer and other degenerative diseases. To that end, cancer can strike at will on whomever, whenever the cells are being starved from oxygen, nutrition and clogged with toxins. Whenever this type of mal-absorption of sufficient nutrients exists, the immune response is severely compromised, thus giving disease a V.I.P. pass within our bodies. So how can we re-gain control over our inner terrain? We can right away adopt a healthy food regime that contains no chemicals which offers 3 dimensional properties against cancer: preventative, curative and health promotion. What foods contain all three? 1) Organic Cabbage - According to Dr. Murthy of the National Academy of Naturopathy, “cabbage speeds up metabolism of estrogen and is useful in Colon cancer. Carrot juice acts as an antidote to lung cancer”, says Dr Murthy. 2) Beet Juice - This is rich in sodium, potassium, prosperous, calcium, sulphur, vitamins B1, B2, B6 niacin which is known to have cancer curing powers. 3) Organic Juices in the citrus family - These include lemon, orange and grapefruit. Spinach, lettuce and broccoli juice act as antioxidants. 4) Raw Fruits and Vegetables - On a daily basis, no less than 100-150 grams of organic fruits, 100 grams of raw leafy vegetables, 1 fruit or 175-ml. of fruit or vegetable fruit juice should be consumed as the ideal nutritious meal. A clean source of protein is essential for healthy cell function. The first preference for protein source should be raw and meatless. 5) Wheat Grass Juice - This repairs damaged cells and a cancer patient should be advised to eat fiber rich foods like bran, oats, barley, along with Spirulina to boost nutritional value. These are 5 quick healthy additions to implement into your everyday lifestyle of preventative actions. We should all be reminded that lifestyle changes go a long way in reducing your risk and if already diagnosed with cancer; increasing your overall quality of life and life expectancy. Other external factors should be guarded against such as exposure to carcinogenic (cancer-causing) substances and toxins. We should become well-informed of all possible culprits. While conventional methods of cancer treatments are preferred by some, there are many safe, natural alternatives readily available. These alternative methods are in most cases much more effective, as they offer a fresh approach of drugless options. Unlike conventional treatments that destroy healthy tissue and cells, alternative treatments offer a holistic approach with heavy emphasis on reviving cellular function with enzymes, nutrients and detoxification. Start protecting yourself so that you will be on the proactive, not reactive side!

Variations in a gene that influences the innate immune system—the part of the immune system that provides short-term protection against infection—may be associated with lung cancer survival. Curtis Harris, M.D., of the National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, Md., and colleagues examined whether any of five variations of the MBL2 gene influenced survival among 558 white patients and 173 African-American patients with non–small-cell lung cancer. Some gene variants were associated with improved survival among white patients, but not African-American patients. White patients who did not have the gene variants had poorer survival, particularly the heavy smokers. “This study may provide insight into the continued disparity in lung cancer survival between African-American and white patients,” the authors write. Journal of the National Cancer Institute

By Norra MacReady SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA -- September 11, 2007 -- Expression of the BrCa1 oncogene may be a clue to prognosis in patients with lung cancer, a researcher reported here at the 12th World Conference on Lung Cancer (WCLC). In an analysis of tumour samples from 126 patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), only high BrCa1 mRNA expression and a tumour that is at stage IIIA were independently associated with short overall survival, said Rafel Rosell, MD, Chief, Medical Oncology Service, and Scientific Director of Oncology Research, Catalan Institute of Oncology, Hospital Germans Trias i Pujol, Badalona, Spain. Conversely, Dr. Rosell and colleagues found that low BrCa1 expression was a predictor of longer survival. To determine the relationship, if any, between oncogene expression and survival, Dr. Rosell and his colleagues analysed gene expression from 126 Polish patients who had undergone complete resection for NSCLC. The BrCa1 findings were compared with those from a validation sample of 58 completely resected Italian patients with NSCLC. Gene analysis to measure BrCa mRNA was performed using real-time polymerase chain reaction. The principal cohort comprised 28 women and 98 men, with a median age of 64 years. Nearly all (94.5%) were current or former smokers. There were 93 cases of squamous cell carcinoma (73.8%) and 33 cases of adenocarcinoma (26.2%). Most of the tumours (68.3%) were at stage IB or II, and were determined to be moderately or poorly differentiated (91.8%). Among the 40 patients with a BrCa expression level >5, median survival time was 29 months. Patients with higher levels of BrCa were still alive at the time of the analysis ([P =.01). BrCa overexpression also was associated with a shorter time to relapse. All in all, BrCa levels >5 were associated with a hazard ratio (HR) of 1.98 for shorter survival (P =.02). The risk was especially strong among patients with grade IIIA NSCLC, in whom high BrCa expression had an HR of 7.91 for shortened survival (P =.001). By comparison, in the validation group, BrCa1 levels >12.01 were associated with an HR of 2.4 for shorter survival (P =.04). The association between BrCa1 overexpression and shorter survival means that "BrCa1 assessment could be useful for customising adjuvant chemotherapy," Dr. Rosell said. It has already been established that high levels of BrCa translate into decreased sensitivity to cisplatin. In those patients, therefore, "cisplatin-based chemotherapy could be a mistake."

Sept. 11 (Bloomberg) -- Merck KGaA, the German drugmaker that bought Serono SA in January, said its Erbitux cancer medicine helped lung cancer patients live longer, contradicting the results of an earlier trial by ImClone Systems Inc. The drug, combined with chemotherapy, met the main goal of an advanced test by faring better than chemotherapy alone, Darmstadt, Germany-based Merck said in a statement on DGAP- Adhoc wire today. Merck shares rose as much as 4.8 percent. Merck, which bought rights to the drug outside the U.S. from ImClone in 1998, proved a benefit where its partner didn't, the study suggests. It used more patients and combined the drug with a different chemotherapy to show that Erbitux can prolong the lives of patients whose cancer had spread. As part of their agreement, ImClone may use Merck trial data for regulatory submissions in the U.S. Non-small cell lung cancer that has spread from its primary site is extremely difficult to treat, so we are delighted with these results,'' said Wolfgang Wein, head of Merck's oncology business. The patients, who had advanced lung tumors, had not previously been treated for the disease. ImClone said in July that a study it conducted on lung cancer patients showed Erbitux failed to slow tumor growth. Merck said at the time that its trial may show a different outcome. Quality of Life Merck and ImClone are expanding tests on Erbitux as they try to close the gap on Roche Holding AG and Genentech Inc.'s Avastin. The German drugmaker plans to publish full data from the latest trial at a medical meeting soon. Spokeswoman Phyllis Carter declined to say which meeting. The Merck trial also examines patients' response to the drug, how long it keeps lung cancer at bay, and the quality of life it offers as secondary goals, according to Carter. Once all the data are available it will decide when to submit an application to European drug regulators, she said. The European drug agency is currently reviewing Erbitux, which is approved to treat colon cancer, as a first-choice therapy for tumors of the bowel. A submission for lung cancer can only take place once the agency has ruled on the current application, Carter said.

Jill, I am sorry for the loss of your mother. My thoughts and prayers and with you and your family.

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - Sept. 10, 2007) - Perceptronix Medical Inc. (Perceptronix) invited local physicians to an informational symposium on Early Detection in Lung Cancer which introduced LungSignTM, their product for the early detection of lung cancer, held September 5, 2007 at the Vancouver Art Gallery. The symposium was a success, attracting maximum attendance with 240 registrants from the metro Vancouver area. The audience primarily consisted of general practitioners, family practitioners, respiratory specialists, and other physicians interested in and focused on the early detection of lung cancer. Physicians are recognizing that for the first time, an approved novel sputum marker that helps detect the early stages of lung cancer is available, enabling them to detect the disease at a treatable stage and thus, help improve lung cancer survival statistics. "The consistent theme reiterated by the speakers was the need for earlier lung cancer detection diagnostics," comments Dr. Bojana Turic, CEO of Perceptronix. "Currently, the majority of patients are only diagnosed once the cancer has metastasized. As lung cancer typically doesn't present symptoms until it has reached the advanced stages, the five year survival data is quite low. This inability to identify those at risk and diagnose early is a concern for physicians. We are very pleased the LungSignTM test can provide this necessary new resource for physicians." The event was chaired by Dr. Pearce Wilcox, MD, FRCP, an Associate Professor with the Department of Medicine, UBC and Respirologist at St. Paul's Hospital in Vancouver, BC. The keynote speaker for the evening was Dr. D. Paul Dhillon, MA, MD, FRCP, Consultant Chest Physician at University Hospital, Coventry, UK who gave a talk entitled "New Developments for Early Detection of Lung Cancer". Another noted guest speaker was Dr. Victor Ling, PhD, Senior Scientist at the BC Cancer Agency who presented on "The Challenges of Lung Cancer Research". Following the presentations, attendees were encouraged to participate in a question and answer session on the LungSignTM test and its applications for risk assessment of patients who have a high risk for developing lung cancer. The evening concluded with a dinner and private viewing of the Monet to Dali exhibit within the Vancouver Art Gallery. "We are very excited to provide such a valuable tool in addressing this deadly disease," added Rohini Hira, VP Sales & Marketing. "With no major advances in lung cancer detection in the past 30 years, LungSign offers a significant opportunity to effectively diagnose early stage lung cancer and vastly improve survival statistics." Perceptronix is a Vancouver-based, privately-owned cancer diagnostic company founded in 1999 as a spin off of the BC Cancer Agency. With so much support from local scientists and researchers, it was important to first introduce LungSignTM within their own local market to acknowledge the hard work of so many as well as develop grass roots awareness. LungSignTM is a safe, painless and convenient test to assess a patient's risk of lung cancer based on an innovative marker in sputum that is highly correlated with the presence of lung malignancy - even in early stage, presymptomatic disease. As such, LungSignTM is the first test to market that provides both an independent result to help with the early detection of lung cancer and a useful complement to current radiological diagnostic methods. LungSignTM may benefit high-risk patients of both sexes, in particular: smokers, former smokers, and individuals exposed to industrial and environmental carcinogens. LungSignTM is requested and interpreted under the care of a physician. The LungSignTM test consists of a sputum specimen collection kit, used by patients in the privacy of their homes or their doctor's offices, and, following laboratory analysis, a specimen testing report and interpretation guide, which is sent directly to the patient's physician. The LungSignTM kit may be ordered directly from Perceptronix with a doctor's requisition, and all details including requisition forms are posted on LungSign.com (www.LungSign.com). Doctors may also contact Perceptronix directly at info@lungsign.com to find out more about the test. Those who were unable to attend the symposium can refer to the archive of the event which will be posted on the product website, www.LungSign.com, later this month. Alternatively, interested parties can contact Perceptronix, info@lungsign.com, to receive a CD-rom of the archive.

SEOUL, South Korea, Sept. 10 -- Positron emission tomography (PET) scans can be useful for staging lung cancer but may not be sufficient alone, researchers affirmed. In a small study, PET altered the computed tomography (CT)-based tumor stage for 44% of patients, but pathology confirmed less than half of these alterations as accurate, reported Sergio L. Faria, M.D., Ph.D., of McGill University Health Centre in Montreal, and colleagues at the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer's world conference here. "As has been shown, PET is better than CT to evaluate the extent of the disease, but results of PET should ideally be confirmed by pathology," Dr. Faria said. This may come as no surprise to most oncologists, commented Andrew T. Turrisi, III, M.D., of Wayne State University in Detroit, who was a chair of the session at which the paper was presented. "You can't use it alone," he said. "In fact, you have to use all three, and you have to use a little bit of judgment." A previous study had shown that PET, integrated with CT, altered tumor volume delineation in about 50% of non-small-cell lung cancer cases compared with CT alone. Dr. Faria's group went a step further to compare findings with pathology. Their study included 32 patients with histologically-proven localized non-small-cell lung cancer with tumor tissue as well as a pre-treatment chest CT and fluorodeoxyglucose PET integrated with CT (FDG-PET/CT). The researchers generated two sets of theoretical gross tumor volumes and tumor stages based, respectively, on CT and PET/CT without use of any mathematical algorithm. They found: - PET altered CT-determined Tumor, Nodes, and Metastases (TNM) stage in 44% of cases (14 of 32). - Pathology altered CT staging in 69% of cases (22 of 32). - Pathology altered PET staging in 50% of cases (16 of 32). - PET/CT altered tumor volume in 56% of cases (18 of 32) compared with CT. In nearly all of the cases in which PET/CT altered tumor volume, there was at least a 30% change in volume (16 of 18). Most of the substantial changes (10 of the 16) were an increase rather than a decrease in tumor volume. Because PET staging was accurate by pathology more often than CT was, Dr. Faria concluded that PET was a better method. But, "we don't know if the changes are better," he acknowledged. "Whether FDG-PET/CT-based radiation planning will improve outcome or quality of life for [non-small-cell lung cancer] patients is unknown." Although the study sounds a cautionary note against drawing volumes or staging based on PET alone, the sense of the room at the session was that PET can be useful in conjunction with CT and pathology and that each adds slightly different information about the tumor, Dr. Turrisi concluded

PHILADELPHIA – Scientists and clinicians from around the world will gather in Atlanta, Georgia next week at the American Association for Cancer Research’s second International Conference on Molecular Diagnostics in Cancer Therapeutic Development. The conference is subtitled “Maximizing Opportunities for Personalized Treatment,” which reflects the potential of molecular diagnostics to provide new strategies for tailoring therapies to fit the needs of each cancer patient’s unique biology. Sessions will include discussions on the use of biomarkers – blood-borne molecules that indicate the presence of cancer – in clinical practice and new drug development, advanced imaging technologies for diagnosis, and the application of proteomics in personalized medicine. Novel findings to be reported at the conference include: Case studies that report how clinicians are already bridging the gap between basic cancer biology and personalized clinical care. Researchers present examples of how they fine-tuned the treatment of a number of different cancer types, including lung and ovarian, based on the genetic profile of the patient’s tumors. A new acoustic sensor device that could make it possible to screen for multiple cancer biomarkers during a routine doctor’s visit. A sensitive blood test for early-stage liver cancer that detects a gene altered by the molecular processes that lead to cancer. A blood-borne protein, present in 99 percent of lung cancer patients tested, could provide a target for a simple blood test for the disease. “As genetic, proteomic, imaging, and other new technologies become more sophisticated and our knowledge of tumor biology and signaling pathways advances, so too does our ability to molecularly characterize individual tumors and identify germline determinants of patient prognosis and response,” said David Sidransky, M.D., meeting chairperson and professor of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Oncology, Pathology, Urology, and Cellular and Molecular Medicine at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and director, Head and Neck Cancer Research at The Johns Hopkins Hospital. “This new era of personalized medicine has brought with it great opportunities to enhance cancer drug development and improve patient care,” Dr. Sidransky said. “However, in order to harness this potential and maximize these opportunities, it is essential that there be an ongoing exchange of new ideas and information.”

Monday, September 10, 2007 Newton-based Novelos Therapeutics Inc. reports it has obtained a U.S. patent that covers certain aspects of its lead anti-cancer compound, NOV-002. The drug is in Phase 3 clinical trials for the treatment of nonsmall cell lung cancer and has been granted a fast-track regulatory designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, according to the firm. Company officials said the new patent covers the structure of NOV-002, giving the firm five U.S. patents related to its oxidized glutathione technology and allowing the firm to expand its pipeline of compounds with the same structure. The company now has NOV-002 in Phase 2 studies for patients with ovarian cancer and unable to be treated with chemotherapy, as well as those with early-stage breast cancer. Novelos, a developer of drugs to treat cancer and hepatitis, reported a 2006 net loss of $8.9 million with no revenue. The firm has seven employees.