'Suicide' gene offers hope of targeted ovarian cancer treatment

A Study has developed a cancer treatment that uses a 'suicide' gene to fight ovarian cancer that is advanced and has recurred after radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

Using a nanoparticle to deliver the DNA-encoding diphtheria toxin to the site of the tumour in mice, scientists found the cancer was less likely to grow.

Effectiveness of brain cancer treatment established by scientists

The research was carried out by scientists at UCLA and has developed a test which can identify brain tumours and predict which ones will be most likely to respond to the drug Avastin.

A connection was established between high water movement in tumours and the effectiveness of the drug.

Having determined this, scientists can now scan patients and use the image to forecast whether they would benefit from being given Avastin.

Ultrasound for prostate cancer

A pioneering treatment for the UK’s most common male cancer is more successful than surgery or radiotherapy,’ The Daily Telegraph reported. The newspaper said that new research shows that intensive ultrasound therapy is as effective as traditional treatments (surgery or radiotherapy) but that side effects are dramatically reduced..

read more at http://www.nursingtimes.net/whats-new-in-nursing/behind-the-headlines-archive/ultrasound-for-prostate-cancer/5003619.article

EU Approves Bevacizumab Plus Docetaxel for First-Line Metastatic Breast Cancer Treatment

The European Commission has broadened the indication for bevacizumab. Bevacizumab can now be combined with docetaxel for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer.

The approval is based on a phase 3 trial (BO17708) where 736 patients who did not receive previous chemotherapy for their metastatic breast cancer were randomised to bevacizumab 15 mg/kg q3w in combination with docetaxel 100 mg/m2; bevacizumab 7.5 mg/kg q3w in combination with docetaxel 100 mg/m2; or placebo in combination with docetaxel 100 mg/m2 (control arm).

New Lung Cancer Treatment Approach Raises Hopes and Debate

A number of clinical trials have tried and failed to improve survival in patients who have advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) by extending the duration of their initial treatment. The premise behind the approach, often called maintenance therapy, is simple: In patients whose tumors regress following their initial treatment, give the cancer another kick while it's down, rather than waiting for it to regain steam before delivering further therapy.