Latest Gastrointestinal cancer Stories

Authors draw no specific recommendations due to size of study The most recent research released in June's Journal of Thoracic Oncology indicates there might be a positive correlation between tumor size and adjuvant platinum based chemotherapy in surgically resected patients with node negative non-small cell lung cancer. The study, published in the June 2012 issue of the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer's (IASLC) Journal of Thoracic Oncology, analyzed the effect of...

Current colorectal cancer screening guidelines for individuals with first-degree relatives with precancerous colon polyps are based on studies that were not properly designed or were too limited to shape those guidelines, according to a new systemic review of research on the topic. The review authors call for new studies to measure the risk and identify the factors that modify it. "We found that most studies that are cited for the risk for colorectal cancer when first-degree relatives --...

Computerized 'virtual cleansing' helps identify lesions most likely to become cancerous A CT-scan-based form of virtual colonoscopy that does not require laxative preparation appears to be as effective as standard colonoscopy in identifying the intestinal polyps most likely to become cancerous. In the May 15 issue of Annals of Internal Medicine, a Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH)-based research team reports finding that the new technique, which uses computer-aided systems both to...

MADISON, Wis., May 15, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Novelos Therapeutics, Inc. (OTCQX: NVLT), a pharmaceutical company developing novel drugs for the treatment and diagnosis of cancer, today announced that it has successfully completed the first cohort in a U.S. multi-center Phase 1b dose-escalation trial of its cancer-targeted molecular radiotherapeutic compound I-131-CLR1404 (HOT) in cancer patients with advanced solid tumors. The first two-patient cohort was successfully dosed with...

INDIANAPOLIS, May 14, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) will present data from several molecules that make up its clinical oncology pipeline during the 48th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) held in Chicago, Ill. from June 1 - 5, 2012. Lilly Oncology has more than 30 molecules in early- and late-stage development to treat various types of cancer. The company remains committed to evaluating each of its molecules for biomarkers...

All amounts are in U.S. dollars (unless otherwise noted) QUEBEC CITY, May 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ - Aeterna Zentaris Inc. (NASDAQ: AEZS) (TSX: AEZ) (the "Company"), today reported financial and operating results as at and for the first quarter ended March 31, 2012. Highlights AEZS-108 (LHRH-Targeted Cytotoxic Conjugate) -- Agreement signed with Ventana Medical Systems, Inc., a member of the Roche Group, to develop a companion diagnostic for the...

Colonoscopy may be preferable to sigmoidoscopy for these populations Blacks and Hispanics have a significantly higher risk of developing precancerous colorectal polyps compared with whites, according to a study by researchers at NewYork – Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center. The findings appeared in the online edition of Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics. "Our data suggest that we need to redouble our efforts to increase colon cancer screening in areas with...

A new study finds differences in screening account for more than 40 percent of the disparity in colorectal cancer incidence and nearly 20 percent of colorectal cancer mortality between blacks and whites. Differences in stage-specific survival, which likely reflect differences in treatment account for additional 35% of the black-white disparity in colorectal cancer mortality rates. The study, appearing early online in Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers and Prevention, concludes that equal access...

CALGARY, May 3, 2012 /PRNewswire/ - Oncolytics Biotech Inc. ("Oncolytics") (TSX:ONC, NASDAQ:ONCY) announced today that it has entered into an agreement whereby the NCIC Clinical Trials Group (CTG) at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario, will sponsor and conduct a randomized Phase II study of REOLYSIN(®) in patients with advanced or metastatic colorectal cancer. "We are pleased to be conducting a second randomized study with the NCIC CTG," said Dr. Brad Thompson, President...

Abdominal tumors involving both roots of the celiac and superior mesenteric artery (SMA) are deemed unresectable by conventional surgical methods, as removal would cause necrosis of the organs that are supplied by those blood vessels. A case report published in the journal American Journal of Transplantation presents a novel surgical technique that enables surgeons to remove tumors that are unresectable by the usual surgical techniques. Led by Tomoaki Kato, MD, FACS, of Columbia...