Inherited mutated gene increases lung cancer risk in women

Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center suggest that people who have an inherited mutation of a certain gene have a high chance of getting lung cancer than heavy smokers with or without the inherited mutation. Although both genders have an equal risk of inheriting the mutation, those who develop lung cancer are mostly women and have never smoked, the researchers found. People with the rare inherited T790M mutation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene who have never smoked have a one-in-three chance of developing lung cancer, researchers found. (Read: MK-3475 – Scientists develop new drug that could potentially cure lung cancer)

This risk is considerably greater than that of the average heavy smoker, who has about a one-in-eight chance of developing lung cancer – about 40- fold greater than people who have never smoked and do not have the mutation. The likelihood of developing lung cancer is so strong for women with the mutated gene and people with the mutated gene who have never smoked that they may need to get screened for lung cancer at regular intervals, according to Dr. Adi Gazdar, Professor of Pathology and Deputy Director for the Nancy B. and Jake L. Hamon Center for Therapeutic Oncology Research at UT Southwestern.

‘Fortunately the mutation, which is extremely rare, can be detected by a blood test. Only people suspected of having the mutation and their family members need to be tested for the mutation,’ Dr. Gazdar said. ‘This is a very rare inherited mutation in the general population, but because it confers a greatly increased risk of developing lung cancer, it is present in about one in every hundred lung cancer cases,’ the researcher said. The findings are published in the Journal of Thoracic Oncology. (Read: Beware – Vitamin E supplements could cause lung cancer!)

What is lung cancer?

Lung cancer refers to uncontrolled cellular growth in the lung tissues. These lumps and tumours interfere with the normal functioning of the lungs, stopping it from performing its primary duty of providing oxygenated blood to the rest of the body. Lung cancer, considered one of the most deadly forms of the disease, causes close to 1.4 million deaths per year, according to a World Health Organization estimate. The two main types of this cancer are small-cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) and non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC).

Tobacco smoking, both active and passive, is the foremost reason for development of lung cancer. According to a new study, smoking ultra-long or long cigarettes can put you at greater risk of lung cancer. Heavy exposure to asbestos, radon, uranium, arsenic, genetic predisposition, and lung scarring from any prior illness can all cause lung cancer. Due to environmental pollution, lung cancer is increasing rapidly among Indian women in the 45 to 55 age group. Fine particulate matter in the air that lodges itself in the lungs causes harm over time, and damage starts early.

Cough, haemoptysis (coughing up blood), wheezing, shortness of breath, weight loss and chest pains are some of the common symptoms. But these symptoms usually show up in the advanced stage, often making the treatment ineffective. Scientists are now developing a breathalyser device that can detect lung cancer in early stages. Lung cancer may be diagnosed on chest X-rays and CT scans. Biopsy confirms the diagnosis. Treatments include surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, either alone or in combination. Some of the latest advances in treatment are experimental drug called MK-3475, combination of drugs in targeted therapy against lung adenocarcinomas and therapeutic vaccine.

Source:http://health.india.com/news/inherited-mutated-gene-increases-lung-cancer-risk-in-women/

Radiotherapy hope in early breast cancer

Women with early stage breast cancer that has just started to spread are less likely to suffer a recurrence or die from the disease if they receive radiotherapy after mastectomy, a new research study has shown.

The study by an international team of researchers seeks to resolve a debate whether radiotherapy can help women who have early stage breast cancer that has spread only to one, two or three of their lymph nodes.

Most breast cancer treatment guidelines prescribe radiotherapy after mastectomy only to women whose cancer has spread to four or more lymph nodes --- because studies have clearly established that adding radiotherapy helps reduce recurrence and mortality in this set of women. But until now there has not been enough evidence to recommend radiotherapy to women with limited spread of cancer.

 “We’re hoping this new study will influence clinical practice and help reduce the number of women dying from breast cancer,” Carolyn Taylor, a clinical oncologist at the University of Oxford and a member of the research team, told The Telegraph.

The researchers pooled data from 22 earlier trials mainly in Europe and North America involving 8,135 women with breast cancer with or without spread to their lymph nodes who had received mastectomy, radiotherapy or chemotherapy or some combinations of these.

Their analysis, Taylor said, has shown the benefits of post-mastectomy radiotherapy in both sets of women — those whose cancer had spread to four or more lymph nodes and those whose cancer was restricted to one, two or three lymph nodes.

Among 1,314 women who had cancer in one to three lymph nodes, those who received radiotherapy after mastectomy had 32 per cent lower recurrence and 20 per cent lower mortality. Radiotherapy led to 12 fewer recurrences of breast cancer in every 100 women after 10 years. The results of the study were published today in The Lancet, a medical journal.

 “These are highly significant results,” said Vinod Raina, a senior oncologist at the Fortis Memorial Research Institute and Hospital in Gurgaon who had participated in the study’s steering committee meetings but was not directly involved in it.

While the benefits of radiotherapy had been established for women with the involvement of four lymph nodes, Raina said it was not clear whether this strategy also yields similar benefits to women with smaller number of nodes.

 “But over the past four or five years, some oncology centres have been prescribing radiotherapy to this set of women (with less than four lymph nodes),” Raina told this newspaper. “These new results will help consolidate this practice.”

The study observed the benefits of post-mastectomy radiotherapy regardless of whether the patients in the trials had or had not received chemotherapy or hormone therapy that is sometimes part of managing early stage breast cancer.

 “By assimilating results from multiple trials, we’ve reduced the effects of chance and get reliable results,” said Paul McGale, a senior statistician and team member at the Clinical Trials Research Unit at the University of Oxford.

The evidence shows that radiotherapy after mastectomy significantly reduces the risk of recurrence of breast cancer which, McGale told this newspaper over the telephone, translates into lower risk of dying from the disease.

Breast cancer has emerged the most common cancer among women in several Indian cities, including Bangalore, Calcutta, Chennai, Delhi and Mumbai and the second most malignancy after cervical cancer in rural areas.

A cancer registry maintained by the Indian Council of Medical Research suggests that breast cancer accounts for nearly one-fourth of cancers in women in some Indian cities.

McGale will present the results of the study at the European Breast Cancer Conference in the UK on Thursday.

The 22 trials the study examined had been initiated between 1964 and 1982. Improvements in radiotherapy delivery techniques over the past two decades are likely to increase the proportional benefits to patients. However, improvements in chemotherapy during the same period could make the absolute gains in reduced risk of recurrence and mortality appear slightly smaller.

Source:http://www.telegraphindia.com/1140320/jsp/nation/story_18098420.jsp#.UypzMvmSwko

Indian doctors devise breast cancer test

In a major boost to breast cancer treatment in India, doctors at AIIMS and Tata Memorial Hospital have developed an indigenous technology to screen patients for a possible spread of a tumour. Sentinel node biopsy uses a cheaper dye — fluorescein — to map the spread of the tumour under ultraviolet light.

The mapping technique involves injecting a tracer material that helps a surgeon locate the sentinel nodes during surgery. "We have studied 40 breast cancer patients to assess the efficacy and safety of fluorescein as an alternative method when compared to the standard methods of radiotracers and blue dye, which are several times costlier," said Dr Anurag Srivastava, the head of the surgery department at AIIMS. Overall, sentinel-node identification rate using the new technique was 97.5%. "False negative probability in this study was zero," Srivastava said.

The mapping is the best way to find out if breast cancer cells have escaped the original tumour and spread to nearby lymph nodes in the armpit. It is performed as part of breast cancer surgery. "Only few government hospitals now have the mapping facility as the dye, sulphur colloid, is costly," said a senior doctor.

Source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Indian-doctors-devise-breast-cancer-test/articleshow/32108939.cms

Pancreatic cancer and diabetes may be linked

Australian researchers have found that there is an association between pancreatic cancer and diabetes.

Researchers from the University of Melbourne reviewed data from 1973 to 2013 to conclude there was a time-dependent link between being diagnosed with diabetes and pancreatic cancer.

The review of 88 international studies to date, is the largest analysis on the topic published, researchers said.

Dr Mehrdad Nikfarjam, liver, pancreas and biliary specialist from the Department of Surgery at the University of Melbourne said pancreatic cancer was often diagnosed when at an advanced, incurable stage.

"This is an important paper that highlights for doctors and in patients with newly diagnosed diabetes without an obvious cause, a diagnosis of underlying pancreatic cancer should be considered," Nikfarjam said.

"The study revealed the risk of pancreatic cancer was greatest after the diagnosis of diabetes but remained elevated long after the diagnosis. The presence of diabetes remains a modest risk factor for the development of a cancer later in life," he added.

"The priority on screening should be on patients with new-onset diabetes but can later be expanded to long-standing diabetic patients," said Nikfarjam.

"New onset diabetes is more prevalent in people over the age of 55. It may be important to consider screening all newly diagnosed diabetics for pancreatic cancer, particularly those without significant risk factors for developing diabetes in the first place," he said.

Source:http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/pancreatic-cancer-and-diabetes-may-be-linked-114032200161_1.html

CGI's Proprietary DNA-Based Test for Cervical Cancer, FHACT(TM), Adopted by Leading Kamineni Hospital Group in India for the Diagnosis and Triaging of Cervical Cancer

CGI's Proprietary DNA-Based Test for Cervical Cancer, FHACT(TM), Adopted by Leading Kamineni Hospital Group in India for the Diagnosis and Triaging of Cervical Cancer

   -- There are over 123,000 new cervical cancer cases in India each year where

      it is a leading cause of cancer mortality, causing 17% of deaths in women

      30-69 years of age.

   -- Adoption of FHACT(TM) cervical cancer test by Kamineni Hospitals

      positions CGI to significantly improve women's health in India.

RUTHERFORD, N.J., March 20, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cancer Genetics, Inc. (Nasdaq:CGIX) ("CGI" or the "Company"), an emerging leader in DNA-based diagnostics, announced today that Kamineni Hospitals based in Hyderabad, India, have introduced CGI's FHACT(TM) diagnostic test for the detection and management of cervical cancer. This is the first broad-scale adoption of the genomic test in India where cervical cancer is the most prevalent cancer affecting women.

CGI's FISH-Based HPV-Associated Cancer Test (FHACT(TM)) assesses genomic alterations commonly observed in cervical pre-cancer and cancer upon infection and persistence of HPV. FHACT(TM) is a unique DNA FISH probe combination of four genomic biomarkers that can be used on remnant liquid Pap cytology or on conventional Pap smear.

Cervical cancer is the most common cancer affecting women in India, where cervical cancer contributes to 20-30% of total global incidence.(1) In 2012, there were roughly 528,000 new cases diagnosed worldwide, 123,000 of them in India.(2) Due to the prevalence and ongoing growth of cervical cancer in India, the adoption of FHACT(TM) by Kamineni represents a major opportunity to improve women's health and potentially improve patient outcomes. This launch culminates a collaboration begun in July of 2013 to assess the value and clinical utility of FHACT(TM) in India.

Panna Sharma, President and CEO of CGI, stated, "Kamineni is a leading hospital system in India and a model for the future health enterprise where they bring together physicians, researchers and world-class facilities to aggressively pursue solving and managing serious health conditions."

Cervical cancer mortality rates in India remain high due to late screening and a lack of effective screening programs. Kamineni Hospitals will be offering the test in conjunction with Pap smear and HPV testing, and believes that the test will allow for more wide-spread, early detection of cervical cancer. CGI's FHACT(TM) test doesn't require additional patient visits to the doctor or laboratory and offers a significant advantage for predominantly rural populations in India and other developing countries, where access to healthcare providers is limited. CGI is actively pursuing and seeking additional collaborations in high growth, developing economies where managing cervical cancer is a primary health concern.

FHACT(TM) is a unique combination of four genomic biomarkers that can be used on remnant liquid pap cytology or on conventional Pap smear. In the U.S. the test is offered in CGI's CLIA laboratory in New Jersey and is intended to help in the triaging associated with the diagnosis and management of the approximately 3.5 million abnormal Pap smears in the U.S.

About Cancer Genetics:

Cancer Genetics, Inc. is an emerging leader in DNA-based cancer diagnostics, servicing some of the most prestigious medical institutions in the world. Our tests target cancers that are difficult to diagnose and predict treatment outcomes. These cancers include hematological, urogenital and HPV-associated cancers. We also offer a comprehensive range of non-proprietary oncology-focused tests and laboratory services that provide critical genomic information to healthcare professionals, as well as biopharma and biotech companies. Our state-of-the-art reference lab is focused entirely on maintaining clinical excellence and is both CLIA certified and CAP accredited and has licensure from several states including New York State. We have established strong research collaborations with major cancer centers such as Memorial Sloan-Kettering, The Cleveland Clinic, Mayo Clinic and the National Cancer Institute. For further information, please see www.cancergenetics.com.

Forward-Looking Statements:

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements pertaining to future financial and/or operating results, future growth in research, technology, clinical development and potential opportunities for Cancer Genetics, Inc. products and services, along with other statements about the future expectations, beliefs, goals, plans, or prospects expressed by management constitute forward-looking statements. Any statements that are not historical fact (including, but not limited to, statements that contain words such as "will," "believes," "plans," "anticipates," "expects," "estimates") should also be considered to be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, risks inherent in the development and/or commercialization of potential products, uncertainty in the results of clinical trials or regulatory approvals, need and ability to obtain future capital, maintenance of intellectual property rights and other risks discussed in the Company's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2013 and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof. Cancer Genetics disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

Source: http://online.wsj.com/article/PR-CO-20140320-906754.html

Mindfulness-based meditation can help teens with cancer

Mindfulness-based meditation could lessen some symptoms associated with cancer in teens, scientists say. Mindfulness-based meditation focuses on the present moment and the connection between the mind and body.

In a new study, researchers at the University of Montreal and its affiliated CHU Sainte-Justine children’s hospital asked 13 adolescents with cancer to complete questionnaires covering mood (positive and negative emotions, anxiety and depression), sleep and quality of life.

The group was divided in two: a first group of eight adolescents were offered eight mindfulness-based meditation sessions and the remaining five adolescents in the control group were put on a wait-list.

The eight sessions were 90 minutes long and took place weekly. After the last meditation session, patients from both groups filled out the same questionnaires a second time. “We analysed differences in mood, sleep and quality of life scores for each participant and then between each group to evaluate if mindfulness sessions had a greater impact than the simple passage of time,” said Catherine Malboeuf-Hurtubise of the University of Montreal’s Department of Psychology.

“We found that teenagers that participated in the mindfulness group had lower scores in depression after our 8 sessions.” Girls from the mindfulness group reported sleeping better. We also noticed that they developed mindfulness skills to a greater extent than boys during the sessions,” Malboeuf-Hurtubise said. “Our results suggest that mindfulness sessions could be helpful in improving mood and sleep in teenagers with cancer,as previous oncology research suggests with adults,” she said.

Differences between both groups were not large enough for the researchers to impute observed benefits solely to the mindfulness component of the sessions. “The social support provided to the adolescents in the mindfulness group could possibly explain observed benefits on mood and sleep,” Malboeuf-Hurtubise said. “Nonetheless, mindfulness-based interventions for teenagers with cancer appear as a promising option to lighten psychological inconveniences of living with cancer,” she said.

Source:http://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/health/mindfulness-based-meditation-can-help-teens-with-cancer/

There's a link between diabetes, pancreatic cancer: Study

The sugar imbalance disease — diabetes — can lead to pancreatic cancer, shows a research from the University of Melbourne.

In a new study published on Friday in the Annals of Surgical Oncology journal, doctors and mathematicians reviewed data from 1973 to 2013 and concluded there is a time-dependent link between being diagnosed with diabetes and pancreatic cancer.

Dr Mehrdad Nikfarjam from the University of Melbourne said pancreatic cancer was often diagnosed at an advanced, incurable stage of diabetes. Diabetes is basically the body's inability to produce insulin to manage sugar levels in blood. In some patients, sugar levels are a problem even though the pancreas produce adequate amount of the insulin.

"This is an important paper that highlights for doctors and in patients with newly diagnosed diabetes without an obvious cause, a diagnosis of underlying pancreatic cancer should be considered," the university press release quoted Dr Nikfarjam as saying. Incidentally, the presence of diabetes is considered a modest risk factor for the development of a cancer later in life.

While the numbers of pancreatic cancer in the population are relatively low, the study suggests a screening program should be considered. "The priority on screening should be on patients with new-onset diabetes but can later be expanded to long-standing diabetic patients," said Dr Nikfarjam.

Source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/science/Theres-a-link-between-diabetes-pancreatic-cancer-Study/articleshow/32062725.cms