NEWS
Dutasteride Decreases Prostate Cancer Risk
Results from a large, randomized clinical trial indicate that men at an increased risk for prostate cancer reduced their risk with regular use of the drug dutasteride (Avodart). The results came from the REDUCE trial, which is the second large clinical trial to demonstrate a decreased risk of prostate cancer in men taking an agent from the class of drugs known as 5-α reductase inhibitors (5-αRIs). Previously, the Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial (PCPT) showed that the drug finasteride had a risk reduction similar to what has now been seen in REDUCE. Read more > >
Phase III Lung and Pancreatic Cancer Trials Stopped
Interim data analyses indicate neither trial will show expected benefitUse of Health Care Services May Contribute to Colorectal Cancer Disparities
Black participants in a screening trial were less likely to undergo colonoscopy after abnormal sigmoidoscopy than whitesComplementary and Alternative Medicine Commonly Used by Pediatric Patients
Some products used are known to negatively interact with standard anticancer therapiesBreast Cancer Study Tests Effects of Zoledronic Acid
Trial suggests that the drug may prevent or delay bone metastasis
COMMENTARY
Guest Director's Update: Improving the Efficiency of Clinical Trials— Decreasing Activation Times by Fifty Percent
by Dr. James H. Doroshow
NCI is dedicated to bringing new therapeutic and diagnostic options to patients with cancer as quickly as possible. On average, 25,000 to 30,000 patients per year are accrued to NCI-supported clinical trials through several networks of institutions and clinical trialists. However, the current process of activating new phase III clinical trials conducted by NCI’s cooperative groups averages more than 2 years; and the time to activate most phase I and II studies requires more than 500 days. A recent analysis of NCI’s clinical trials activation process demonstrated that many trials, especially those that took the longest to open, never reached their accrual goals and had to be closed, wasting precious time and resources. The analysis also showed that the complex path to trial activation was characterized by steps that did not ultimately add value to the clinical trial itself. Read more > >
Guest Commentary by Ambassador Nancy Brinker: Collaborating Globally to Address Breast Cancer in Latin America
The founder and CEO of Susan G. Komen for the Cure describes a partnership between her organization and NCI to address breast cancer issues in Latin American countries. Read more > >
A Conversation with Dr. Robert T. Croyle on Communicating Science
The Director of NCI’s Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences talks about communicating health data clearly Read more > >
A MESSAGE TO READERS
Coverage of AACR Annual Meeting
The American Association for Cancer Research 101st Annual Meeting will take place April 17–21 in Washington, DC. Look for highlights from the meeting in the April 20 issue of the NCI Cancer Bulletin.
IN DEPTH
Scientists Restore DNA Repair in Mice with Brca1 Gene Mutations
Within cells, competition may exist among pathways to repair DNA damage
Focusing on Older Cancer Patients: A Clinical Need and a Research Necessity
An aging population represents a challenge for oncology and an opportunity for nurses
Featured Clinical Trial: New Chemotherapy Drug for Advanced Cervical Cancer
Will women with recurrent or resistant disease who are not eligible for surgery benefit from a new epothilone drug called ixabepilone?
Cancer Center Profile: Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center
The cancer center has grown rapidly in the last decade, with new facilities, increases in research funding, and faculty who are leaders in the cancer community
UPDATES
Legislative Update
- House Committee Convenes Hearing on NCI Research
FDA Update
- New Tobacco Products Advisory Committee Focuses on Menthol Cigarettes
- Advisory Panel Recommends Restrictions on Tanning Bed Use by Minors
Notes
- Take Part in SELECT Biorepository Symposium
- Meet NCI Experts at AACR
- Tutorial on Targeted Therapies for Multiple Myeloma Available Online
Correction
An article in the March 9 issue of the NCI Cancer Bulletin on the potential cardiac side effects of some cancer therapies reported that a clinical trial involving the drug bevacizumab (Avastin) was temporarily halted by the FDA. The article should have stated that enrollment to the trial was temporarily halted, not the dosing of patients already enrolled in the trial. The original article has been corrected. More information on the trial is available here.
Selected articles from past issues of the NCI Cancer Bulletin are available in Spanish.
The NCI Cancer Bulletin is produced by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), which was established in 1937. Through basic, clinical, and population-based biomedical research and training, NCI conducts and supports research that will lead to a future in which we can identify the environmental and genetic causes of cancer, prevent cancer before it starts, identify cancers that do develop at the earliest stage, eliminate cancers through innovative treatment interventions, and biologically control those cancers that we cannot eliminate so they become manageable, chronic diseases.
For more information about cancer, call 1-800-4-CANCER or visit http://www.cancer.gov.
NCI Cancer Bulletin staff can be reached at ncicancerbulletin@mail.nih.gov.
