Scientists say they're closer to perfecting a double-barreled "smart bomb" approach that one day might kill off stubborn cancers without damaging surrounding tissue.

The technique -- which uses targeted viruses hidden in immune cells to destroy tumors -- has only succeeded in mice so far, and it's not known if it will work in humans. (excite.com)

January 3, 2006

Two new studies deal a double blow to hopes that cholesterol-lowering statin drugs could help prevent cancer as well as heart disease.

In one report, researchers analyzed 26 rigorous, randomized studies involving more than 73,000 patients and concluded that drugs such as top-selling Lipitor and Zocor had no effect on the risk of developing or dying from any form of cancer. (excite.com)

Posted by news editor | Filed under: Cancer Research

December 10, 2005

A new research review suggests high consumption of dairy products such as milk and cheese may be linked to a higher rate of prostate cancer.

"Given the high prevalence of prostate cancer in American men … these findings suggest caution before one embraces the new recommendations to increase dairy intake, especially among older men," they wrote in the Dec. 7 issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. (WebMD.com)

Posted by news editor | Filed under: Prostate Cancer

December 8, 2005

Scientists have learned the mechanics of how cancer cells spread from the primary site to secondary sites. This process, known as metastasis, is one reason many late-stage cancers are difficutl to treat. The new study provides insight into the metastatic process:

Instead of a cell just breaking off from a tumor and traveling through the bloodstream to another organ where it forms a secondary tumor, or metastasis, researchers in the United States have shown that the cancer sends out envoys to prepare the new site. (Reuters.com)

Posted by news editor | Filed under: Cancer Research

August 16, 2005

Some types of brain cancer may start with specialized stem cells, researchers said in a report that could lead to new treatments for hard-to-treat brain tumors. (Reuters)

Posted by news editor | Filed under: Brain Tumors

August 15, 2005

Seven-time Tour de France winner and cancer survivor Lance Armstrong said yesterday that the United States, which is embroiled in a costly war in Iraq, should focus more effort on a war facing many Americans -- the one against cancer. (Boston Globe)

Posted by news editor | Filed under: Cancer Research

June 21, 2005

A common virus that is harmless to people can destroy cancerous cells in the body and might be developed into a new cancer therapy, U.S. researchers said on Tuesday. (Reuters)

Posted by news editor | Filed under: Cancer Therapies

April 20, 2005

Taking calcium supplements protects against the development of colon polyps, which can become cancerous, and this benefit appears to persist for up to 5 years after people stop taking the supplements, according to a new study. (Reuters)

Posted by news editor | Filed under: Colon Cancer

April 13, 2005

Promising new gene therapy against skin cancer, in which researchers use electricity to open skin pores and deliver an immune-bosting gene, is now being readied for clinical trials. (Forbes)

Posted by news editor | Filed under: Skin Cancer

April 12, 2005

A Denmark study compared the use of mobile phones by people who developed brain tumors with their use by a control group of healthy people. The results show that by three measures - using a phone, using it frequently or using it over several years - there is no evidence of a link with the development of tumors. (The Australian)

Posted by news editor | Filed under: Cancer Risk Factors

April 11, 2005

Celgene Corp. on Monday said initial results from two pivotal-stage trials show that its blood cancer drug Revlimid in combination with chemotherapy significantly delays progression of multiple myeloma in relapsed patients. (Reuters)

Posted by news editor | Filed under: Multiple Myeloma

April 2, 2005

A Mayo Clinic study has shown that advanced prostate cancer may be curable:

A study of more than 5,600 men from the Mayo Clinic suggested that cT3 prostate cancer, a disease in which the cancer spreads from inside the prostate to immediately outside it, is operable and has 15-year cancer survival rates of almost 80 percent. (KSAT.com)

Posted by news editor | Filed under: Prostate Cancer