| Varian Medical Systems Inc.: Radiating Innovation
Nov. 1, 2007 -- The National Cancer Institute estimates that in 2007 218,890 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in the United States. It's a disease that's gained increased attention with advancements made in screenings and treatments. A key player in many of these treatments is Palo Alto, Calif.-based medical-device manufacturer Varian Medical Systems Inc. .
Hyperthermia Combined with Radiation and Androgen Therapy Provides ...
BSD Medical Corp. (AMEX:BSM) today announced that the International Journal of Hyperthermia has published the preliminary results of a phase II clinical study involving 144 patients with locally advanced prostate cancer. In this study BSD Medical's BSD-2000 hyperthermia system was used to deliver local hyperthermia combined with conformal radiation therapy and androgen suppression therapy in the treatment of prostate cancer. Hyperthermia combined with radiation and androgen therapy demonstrated results in survival similar to treatments using higher radiation doses, with no significant side effects associated with either hyperthermia or radiation therapy. The report is entitled "Conformal radiotherapy plus local hyperthermia in patients affected by locally advanced high risk prostate cancer: Preliminary results of a prospective phase II study" (see Int.
Clues to prostate cancer found
Scientists from the TGen and other research facilities and universities have identified a gene that may be linked to an aggressive form of prostate cancer, a finding that researchers say may advance the treatment of the disease. The scientists believe the gene, called DAB2IP, aids in suppressing tumor growth. When the gene takes on a variant form, the body's natural protection is stripped away, allowing prostate cancer to spread more rapidly, researchers say. Scientists say the research eventually could yield a simple blood test that helps doctors and patients determine the best course of treatment for the disease. .
Dendreon Completes Target Enrollment of 500 Patients in Phase 3 IMPACT ...
SEATTLE, Oct. 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Dendreon Corporation (NASDAQ: DNDN) today announced that the Company has completed enrollment of over 500 patients in the Phase 3 IMPACT (IMmunotherapy for Prostate AdenoCarcinoma Treatment, also known as D9902B) clinical trial of PROVENGE (sipuleucel-T), the Company's investigational active cellular immunotherapy for the treatment of advanced prostate cancer. The IMPACT study is a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled Phase 3 trial designed to measure overall survival in men with metastatic hormone-refractory prostate cancer receiving PROVENGE versus placebo. Earlier this year, following a positive recommendation from an outside panel of experts, Dendreon received a complete response letter from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that asked for additional evidence that would support the efficacy of PROVENGE.
TGen finds key prostate cancer gene
Scientists from TGen and other research facilities and universities have identified a gene that may be linked to an aggressive form of prostate cancer, a finding that researchers say could advance the treatment of the disease. The research eventually could yield a simple blood test to help doctors and patients determine the best course of treatment for the disease, scientists say. That would be an important step because physicians now have no way of knowing whether a prostate tumor is dangerous, prompting many unnecessary radiation treatments and surgeries that can have harmful side effects. The scientists believe the gene, called DAB2IP, aids in suppressing tumor growth. When the gene takes on a variant form, the body's natural protection is stripped away, allowing prostate cancer to spread unchecked, researchers say.
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