Scientists from the New York University Medical Center are starting clinical trials to determine the effectiveness of a vaccine designed to combat glioblastoma multiforme, a deadly form of brain cancer. The DCVax-Brain vaccine, manufactured by Northwest Biotherapeutics, Inc (OTC: NWBO), uses extracts from the patient’s own tumor cells to generate an immune response in the [...]

New studies published in the October 25, 2007, edition of the New England Journal of Medicine report significantly higher survival rates for head and neck cancer patients who received a three-drug chemotherapy regimen prior to radiation treatments rather than the standard two-drug therapy. The addition of docetaxel to the cisplatin and fluorouracil combination typically administered [...]

The University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health in Madison is reporting results of a study showing virtual colonoscopies are just as effective as traditional colonoscopies at detecting potentially cancerous growths. CT Colonography (commonly referred to as virtual colonoscopy, VC, or CTC) uses CT imaging and computers to create a 3D view of [...]

Some interesting things are happening down in the basement of the Center for Clinical Sciences Research building at the Stanford University School of Medicine. It might be because the university’s new Human Immune Monitoring Center has just opened. The unique facility has a simple goal: to extract as much information as possible about a patient’s [...]

Researchers at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) are collecting saliva samples from thousands of women to further studies on breast cancer. UAMS’ Spit for the Cure campaign is being conducted with support from the Arkansas chapter of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. The samples and questionnaires collected from volunteers will be [...]

Most forms of colorectal cancer can be prevented or successfully treated if caught early enough. Unfortunately, the disease is usually asymptomatic until it reaches the advanced stages so many people aren’t diagnosed until it is too late. Colonoscopies can detect pre-cancerous polyps or small cancerous tumors early but, many patients avoid getting the procedure because [...]

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted Bioniche Life Sciences, Incorporated (TSE: BNC) special protocol assessment status for upcoming clinical studies of a new bladder cancer treatment. The Ontario-based company plans to enroll 800 patients from Australia, Europe and North America in double-blind, randomized Phase 3 trials of Urocidin, the company’s product for treating [...]

A national bank designed to house blood and tissue samples from cancer patients has opened in the United Kingdom. The bank, operated by onCore UK, will securely store tumor and blood donations voluntarily provided by patients and make them accessible to researchers who are studying the disease. The Department of Health and the Medical Research [...]

Scientists from St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the international Pediatric Preclinical Testing Program have been busy trying to unlock the healing secrets of an unusual bacteria discovered in soil samples taken from the volcanic regions of Easter Island. The bacteria produced a substance known as rapamycin, which was initially shown to be an effective [...]

Pro-Pharmaceuticals, Incorporated, (AMEX: PRW) is reporting promising preliminary results in their Phase II trial of a first-line treatment for biliary cancer. Participants in the study received the company’s developmental drug, DAVANAT, combined with another common anti-cancer agent, 5-FU. To date, four of the five patients who have received dosing have stabilized their disease with one [...]