Trial Drug Offers Hope for Ovarian Cancer Patients

Breast cancer, ovarian cancer, melanoma yield to new approaches

(NEWSER) - New treatments for cancer—breast, ovarian, and skin—raised hopes at this weekend's meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology in Chicago. The findings aren't enough for Robert Langreth of Forbes , who sees "serious questions about whether big drug companies may be rushing too fast." Judge for yourself.

• A single dose of radiation administered at the site of tumor removal deterred recurrence of breast cancer as well as the standard grueling course of radiation on the entire breast, the Chicago Tribune reports.

New use for old test: early diagnosis of deadly disease

(NEWSER) - Combining an existing blood test for ovarian cancer with a new screening protocol may lead to a reliable way to diagnose the deadly disease in its early stages, a new study says. "This is an important step forward," the lead researcher tells the Houston Chronicle . " This may be pointing the way toward developing a 'mammogram' if you will for ovary cancer, " another oncologist says in an interview with Reuters . More»

Do patents on breast, ovarian cancer genes, retard new research?

(NEWSER) - A Manhattan judge yesterday heard arguments on whether human genes should be covered by patents. A company called Myriad Genetics is being sued over its patents on two genes linked to an increased risk of breast and ovarian cancer—BRCA1 and BRCA2. The suit alleges that women's health is harmed by the patents, because, as an ACLU lawyer put it, "New forms of testing and new ways of using the gene have been inhibited." More»

Avastin's effects on early-stage disease don't meet expectations

(NEWSER) - Clinical trials to determine the drug Avastin’s effects on early-stage colon cancer were a big disappointment for drug firm Genentech, the New York Times reports. The drug, which is typically used in late-stage cancer, didn’t significantly cut the recurrence rate among 2,700 subjects in the early stages, Genentech said. A successful study could have meant billions more yearly for the firm. More»

Benefit increases as amount of caffeine consumed rises

(NEWSER) - One day after the release of a study linking caffeine and miscarriages, female coffee addicts got some good news today: Caffeine appears to lower the risk of developing ovarian cancer, a new study shows. What's more, the benefit appears to increase with the amount of caffeine consumed. The risk is lowest for women who have never taken oral contraceptives or postmenopausal hormones, reports Reuters. More»