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Friday 23 August 2019
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Topic: Oncology

August 22, 2019
Research suggests antibiotic use is linked to increased risk of bowel cancer
The findings suggest a pattern of risk that may be linked to differences in gut microbiome activity along the length of the bowel and reiterate the importance of judicious prescribing, say the researchers
Antibiotic use is linked to a heightened risk of colon suggests research published online in the journal Gut.
 
The findings suggest a pattern of risk that may be linked to differences in gut microbiome (bacteria) activity along the length of the bowel and reiterate the importance of judicious prescribing, say the researchers.
 
August 7, 2019
NICE recommends additional treatment option for people with early breast cancer
Neratinib, which is taken as 6 x 40 mg tablets daily for one year, represents a further adjuvant treatment option in the early breast cancer treatment pathway
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has published draft guidance recommending neratinib as an additional treatment for some people with early hormone-receptor-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer.
 
August 6, 2019
Researchers make immunotherapy work for treatment-resistant lymphoma
Transplanting T-cells boosts efficacy of immunotherapies in several cancers
Researchers have developed a way to use immunotherapy drugs against treatment-resistant non-Hodgkin's lymphomas for the first time by combining them with stem cell transplantation, an approach that also dramatically increased the success of the drugs in melanoma and lung cancer
 
The study was published in Cancer Discovery in August.
 
August 6, 2019
Shrinking brain tumours and opening the door for targeted cancer therapies
Research suggests that IP1867B could be effective against glioblastoma, one of the most aggressive forms of human brain cancer, which kills thousands of patients within a year
A new drug, known as IP1867B, could be used for future treatments of brain tumours.
 
Dr Richard Hill led the research team at the Brain Tumour Research Centre at University of Portsmouth, working with the University of Algarve (Portugal), the University of Liverpool (UK) and Innovate Pharmaceuticals to examine IP1867B.
 
The research team showed that IP1867B worked with existing cancer treatments boosting their effectiveness and, in some cases, restored sensitivity to some treatments.
August 2, 2019
Offer daily aspirin to those with inherited genetic condition to reduce risk of cancer
People with Lynch syndrome have an increased lifetime risk – estimated to be four out of five people – of developing colorectal cancer
Aspirin taken daily for more than two years could reduce the risk of colorectal cancer in people with an inherited genetic condition, NICE has said in new draft guidance.1
 
People with Lynch syndrome (LS) have an increased lifetime risk – estimated to be four out of five people – of developing colorectal cancer.
 
July 26, 2019
Antibiotics can inhibit skin lymphoma
New research from the LEO Foundation Skin Immunology Research Center at the University of Copenhagen shows, surprisingly, that antibiotics inhibit cancer in the skin in patients with rare type of lymphoma
Many patients with the rare lymphoma cancer, CTCL, contract staphylococcal infections in the skin. CTCL is a cancer in the T-cells of the immune system, which shows in the skin. Therefore, the patient's immune system is weakened and the skin is less resistant to bacteria.
 
July 26, 2019
Lonsurf receives positive CHMP opinion
Gastric cancer in Europe affects approximately 130,000 people a year, and it is estimated that 40% of those patients will have metastatic disease; for those with advanced or metastatic disease the treatment options are limited and are often palliative
The CHMP has issued a positive opinion for Lonsurf (trifluridine/tipiracil) as monotherapy for the treatment of adult patients with metastatic gastric cancer including adenocarcinoma of the gastroesophageal junction, who have been previously treated with at least two prior systemic treatment regimens for advanced disease. 
 
The CHMP’s opinion will now be sent to the European Commission for the adoption of the decision.
 
July 18, 2019
Ribociclib receives NICE recommendation
Ribociclib in combination with fulvestrant will be available on the NHS with immediate effect, providing approximately 5300 a year in England and Wales with a new option for their advanced breast cancer
Novartis has announced that Kisqali® (ribociclib) has been recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) for use on the NHS in combination with fulvestrant, where exemestane plus everolimus is the most appropriate alternative,for the treatment of women with hormone receptor positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 negative (HR+/HER2-) locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer who have received prior endocrine therapy.
 
July 11, 2019
Targeted therapy combination improves survival in patients with advanced bowel cancer
New data have shown for the first time that a combination of targeted therapies can improve survival in patients with advanced bowel cancer

Results of the BEACON CRC Phase III trial have shown that triple therapy targeting BRAF mutations in progressive metastatic colorectal tumours significantly improved overall survival and objective response compared to standard care. 

The data, reported at the ESMO World Congress on Gastrointestinal Cancer 2019, suggest that the three-drug combination, encorafenib, binimetinib and cetuximab, should replace chemotherapy for the one in seven patients with metastatic colorectal cancer who have a BRAF mutation.1

July 11, 2019
Worldwide variation in nurses’ knowledge of cancer
In the first study of its kind, researchers from the University of Surrey investigated nurses’ awareness of cancer warning signs, cancer screening and the frequency of discussions held with patients about early cancer diagnosis in eight countries across the world
Nurses’ knowledge of cancer and screening processes varies significantly across the globe – potentially resulting in unnecessary deaths where knowledge falls short - new research in the European Journal of Oncology Nursing reports.
 
In the first study of its kind researchers from the University of Surrey investigated nurses’ awareness of cancer warning signs, cancer screening and the frequency of discussions held with patients about early cancer diagnosis in eight countries across the world.
July 2, 2019
Study suggests MS patients are at a greater risk of cancer
A Norwegian study has an increased risk of developing haematological cancers in non-MS siblings of MS patients, compared with both MS patients and the general population
New results of a 65-year follow-up study of nearly 7000 Norwegian patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) suggest that patients may have a greater overall risk of developing cancer than the general population, with an especially high risk of cancer in respiratory organs, urinary organs and the central nervous system.
 
Cancer risk among MS patients compared with the non-MS population:
  • Respiratory cancer: 66% increase in risk
  • Central nervous system (CNS): 52% increase in risk
July 1, 2019
Antioxidants implicated in new understanding of how lung cancer spreads
Studies pave the way for new therapeutic strategies for lung cancer
Lung cancer cells use antioxidants, endogenous or dietary, to spread in the body by activating a protein called BACH1 and increasing the uptake and use of sugar, Swedish and American researchers report in two independent studies. 
 
July 1, 2019
New genetic test helps predict side effects of chemotherapy
The test looks at 19 different variants of the DPYD gene that indicate susceptibility with the toxicity of these drugs; DPYD activity is important as it normally acts to breakdown 5-FU.
The Cancer and Haematology Centre at the Churchill Hospital in Oxford and the Horton General Hospital in Banbury have introduced a genetic test that helps predict dangerous side-effects of chemotherapy.
 
July 1, 2019
One in five haematological cancer patients suffer blood clots or bleeding
New Danish research may help direct focus towards the serious complications that on average every fifth haematological cancer patient suffers
New Danish research may help direct focus towards the serious complications that on average every fifth haematological cancer patient suffers. 
 
This is according to medical doctor and PhD Kasper Adelborg from Aarhus University and Aarhus University Hospital, who has studied the cases of 32,000 haematological cancer patients between the years 2000-2013. Haematological cancer includes leukaemia, bone marrow cancer and cancers of the lymph nodes.
 
June 18, 2019
Lynparza approved for first-line maintenance treatment of BRCA-mutated advanced ovarian cancer
This approval is based on data from the Phase III SOLO-1 trial, which showed that Lynparza, after a median follow-up of 40.7 months, lowered the risk of disease progression or death by 70% than with placebo
AstraZeneca and MSD have announced that the European Commission (EC) has approved Lynparza (olaparib) as a 1st-line maintenance treatment for women with BRCA-mutated advanced ovarian cancer.
 
The licensed indication is as a maintenance treatment of adult patients with advanced (FIGO stages III and IV) BRCA1/2-mutated (germline and/or somatic) high-grade epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer who are in response (complete or partial) following completion of 1st-line platinum-based chemotherapy.
June 13, 2019
Pixuvri approved for use in Europe
Pixantrone has been available to patients since 2012 following a conditional approval in Europe
Servier has announced that the European Commission (EC) has approved the conversion of the conditional approval of Pixuvri® (pixantrone) into a standard marketing authorisation as a single agent for the treatment of adult patients with multiply relapsed or refractory aggressive non-Hodgkin B-cell lymphoma.
 
June 12, 2019
Pharmacies make a lifestyle impact for patients with prostate cancer
Cardiovascular health and physical activity levels of prostate cancer patients improve following successful interventions by community pharmacies, new research in the British Medical Journal reports
In the first study of its kind, researchers from the University of Surrey, funded by the Movember Foundation in partnership with Prostate Cancer UK, developed and tested the feasibility of community pharmacies delivering programmes to improve levels of physical activity and diet of men with prostate cancer and those who have successfully completed treatment for the disease. 
 
June 12, 2019
Scotland sees advance in treatment of kidney cancer
Decision based on data from Phase III head-to-head study stopped early due to an overall survival efficacy benefit versus sunitinib, a current standard of care

Bristol-Myers Squibb has announced that the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) has decided to fund the combination of Opdivo® (nivolumab) plus Yervoy® (ipilimumab) for use within NHS Scotland as a first-line treatment option for an advanced form of the most common type of kidney cancer, renal cell carcinoma (RCC), specifically in previously-untreated patients who are considered of intermediate- and poor-prognostic risk.

June 10, 2019
Protons to play a vital role in the battle against prostate cancer
An upsurge in demand for proton beam therapy was predicted as the centenary of the discovery of the proton was celebrated at a major scientific conference
Proton beam therapy, an innovative form of radiotherapy that delivers cancer treatment in a more targeted manner, has recently arrived in the UK through the Rutherford Cancer Centres and an NHS facility. 
 
As the number of patients treated with this precision therapy grows, there is a debate about the benefits that this innovative treatment can bring.
 
June 6, 2019
Long-term data from pivotal Phase III studies of ibrutinib presented at ASCO and EHA
The results support a robust set of existing data demonstrating the sustained efficacy, safety, and tolerability of continuous ibrutinib treatment in patients with CLL
Janssen has announced long-term follow-up results from two pivotal Phase III studies of Imbruvica® (ibrutinib) in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL), a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma and the most common form of leukaemia in adults.1 
 
May 29, 2019
Stem cell differences could explain why women are more likely to develop adrenal cancer
Scientists have discovered a potential biological reason why women are more likely to develop adrenal disorders, including cancer; the answer could lie in the increased turnover of hormone-producing cells found in the adrenal glands of females

Scientists have discovered a potential biological reason why women are more likely to develop adrenal disorders, including cancer. According to the researchers, the answer could lie in the increased turnover of hormone-producing cells found in the adrenal glands of females.

May 29, 2019
Using 3D to test personalised cancer treatments in five days
Researchers have devised a cell co-culture platform that reproduces a patient's tumour structure in 3D and which can be used to test several drugs or their combinations at different stages of the tumour's development

Why doesn't the same treatment work in the same way for every patient? How can a drug's performance be optimised without causing side effects due to an excessive dosage?

May 17, 2019
Liquid biopsy could identify cancer patients at risk of metastatic disease
Analysing fragments of DNA that are shed by tumours into the bloodstream could indicate early on whether patients are at risk of their cancer spreading, according to new research
Researchers at The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust in the UK say ctDNA, a form of liquid biopsy, may be an accurate technique to monitor treatment response in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer, allowing treatment to be adapted or changed earlier to try to prevent the development of metastatic disease.
 
May 17, 2019
New strategy of reprogramming regulatory T cells may improve cancer therapies
A new study describes a method of reprogramming regulatory T cells that usually suppress immune responses into inflammatory cells that not only permit but also intensify an antitumour immune response
A new study from the Center for Immunology and Inflammatory Diseases (CIID) at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) describes a method of reprogramming the regulatory T cells that usually suppress immune responses into inflammatory cells that not only permit but also intensify an antitumour immune response.1 
 
May 10, 2019
Whole body MRI may help to detect spread of cancers more quickly
Largest trials of their kind suggest that whole body MRI may be quicker and cheaper than standard imaging for detecting spread of colorectal and non-small cell lung cancers, while just as sensitive
Trials with people with newly-diagnosed colorectal and non-small cell lung cancer suggest that whole body MRI could reduce the time it takes to diagnose the stage of cancers.
 
The results are from two prospective trials with nearly 500 patients across 16 UK hospitals, published in The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology and The Lancet Respiratory Medicine journals.1,2