Weekly Wednesday 2

It is probably the last thing on the mind of cancer patients and survivors, but cancer treatment and drug development is promoted as a great investment opportunity. I guess we all know how expensive treatment is but seeing that set out in an economic  profit and  investment scenario gives a whole new perspective.

That article is the last in this list with a couple of hopeful developments on the treatment side to start with and one on cannabis use, given that the subject has made a few recent headlines in this country.

Scan can tell if chemotherapy is effective after one round of treatment
Head and neck cancers are notoriously difficult to treat, but researchers say a new scanning technique could help determine whether chemotherapy is effective after just one round of treatment.
Combined PET and CT scans accurately measure a tumor's energy use and ability to convert glucose to energy, offering doctors a faster method of measuring treatment response for head and neck cancers, researchers at the Institute of Cancer Research report in a study published in the Journal of Nuclear Medicine.
Classifying participants as either responders or non-responders, the researchers found that if a tumor's energy use score fell by more than 55 percent or its glucose score dropped by more than 60 percent, the patients were more likely to respond well to treatment.
"Our work suggests that high-tech PET/CT scans can spot patients whose treatment might not work very rapidly, after only one cycle of chemotherapy," says Kevin Harrington, joint head of the division of radiotherapy and imaging at the Institute of Cancer Research Harrington.  "That gives patients and clinicians either the confidence to persist with treatment, or early warning that it isn't working so that it can be urgently switched for an alternative approach." #

Full story:  http://www.upi.com/Health_News/2016/09/27/Scan-can-tell-if-chemotherapy-is-effective-after-one-round-of-treatment/3521474982197/

Newer Radiation Technique Has Fewer Side Effects Than Traditional

When a patient’s cancer comes back, he or she is often left with limited treatment options and higher odds of debilitating side effects. But a University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute (UPCI) study  offers positive news for people with recurrent head and neck cancer.

Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT), a technique for delivering pinpoint radiation to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors, resulted in only half as many patients with recurrent head and neck cancer suffering severe, long-term side effects as compared to previously reported studies using more traditional treatment techniques
This discovery by UPCI scientists was made in the largest and longest follow-up analysis to date of patients with recurrent head and neck cancer treated with SBRT. The findings make SBRT a more attractive possibility for patients with few options left.

“We’re hoping that data like this will help physicians and patients understand and weigh their individual risks and benefits when deciding whether to pursue SBRT,” says Diane Ling, M.D., a resident in in UPCI’s Radiation Oncology Residency Program.

Dr. Ling and her colleagues reviewed the outcomes of 291 patients treated by UPMC CancerCenter who had recurrent, previously irradiated head and neck cancer between April 2002 and March 2013. #

Full story:   http://www.prweb.com/releases/2016/09/prweb13711767.htm

Radiation oncologist tells panel that former cancer patient's trials changed his perspective on medical cannabis

FRANKFORT — A radiation oncologist says his experiences watching a cancer patient ultimately lose her battle with the illness while also defending herself against charges of growing marijuana caused his perspective on medical cannabis to change completely.
Dr. Don Stacy says the woman, a 25-year-old female, had developed head and neck cancer.
And after various prescriptions did nothing to help her cope with complications of her chemotherapy and radiation treatment, she found relief in marijuana.
The woman, eventually began growing marijuana at her home “She was arrested, her child was taken away from her, and she ended up dying of her cancer.”
Stacy says the woman isn’t the only patient who has informed him of marijuana use, adding that the patients say it is “highly effective at minimizing their symptoms” that can include nausea and pain.
Medical marijuana is legal in 25 states and the District of Columbia, and the issue has shown marginal progress in recent legislative sessions.
But lawmakers indicated that they’ll need to see more before signing onto a bill legalizing pot for medical use. #

Full story:  http://mycn2.com/politics/radiation-oncologist-tells-panel-that-former-cancer-patient-s-trials-changed-his-perspective-on-medical-cannabis

Cancer Immunotherapy Market to Hit 14% CAGR to 2021

The global cancer immunotherapy market is set to reach $19.39 billion by 2021 growing at a CAGR of 14%  (The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) is the mean annual growth rate of an investment over a specified period of time longer than one year.)led by monoclonal antibodies forecast to show highest growth rate while increasing incidence of cancer, rising healthcare expenditure, and increased access to medical insurance in developed countries are major driving factors.
The complete report on global cancer immunotherapy market spread across 145 pages, profiling 10 companies and supported with 43 tables and 69 figures is now available at http://www.marketreportshub.com/cancer-immunotherapy-industry-research-marketsandmarkets.html .
The global cancer immunotherapy market has been segmented on the basis of type, application, end user, and region. The monoclonal antibodies segment is expected to register the highest growth rate in the cancer immunotherapy market, by type, during the forecast period. Factors such as high success rate and less recovery time are contributing to the high growth in this segment.
Based on application, the global cancer immunotherapy market is segmented into lung cancer, breast cancer, colorectal cancer, melanoma, prostate cancer, head & neck cancer, and others (renal cell carcinoma, cervical, gastric, and lymphoma).
Geographically, the cancer immunotherapy market is dominated by North America, followed by Europe.
The major players in the cancer immunotherapy market include Amgen (U.S.), AstraZeneca (U.K.), F. Hoffman La-Roche Ltd. (Switzerland), Bayer AG (Germany), Bristol-Myers Squibb (U.S.), Eli Lilly and Company (U.S.), Janssen Global Services, LLC (Belgium), Merck (U.S.), Novartis (Switzerland), and Pfizer (U.S.). Order a copy of Cancer Immunotherapy Market by Type (Monoclonal Antibodies, Cancer Vaccines, Check Point Inhibitors & Immunomodulators), Application (Lung, Breast, Colorectal, Melanoma, Prostate, Head & Neck), End User (Hospital and Clinics) - Global Forecast to 2021 research report at http://www.marketreportshub.com/purchase?rpid=4248 .
Apart from comprehensive geographic & product analysis and market sizing, the report also provides a competitive landscape that covers the growth strategies adopted by industry players over the last three years. In addition, the company profiles comprise the product portfolios, developments, and strategies adopted by the market players to maintain and increase their shares in the market. The above-mentioned market research data, current market size, and forecast of the future trends will help key market players and new entrants to make the necessary decisions regarding product offerings, geographic focus, change in strategic approach, and levels of output, in order to remain successful in the cancer immunotherapy market. Novartis International Ag (Switzerland) and Roche Holding Ag (Switzerland) have been profiled in this 126 pages research report available at http://www.marketreportshub.com/immunotherapy-drugs-industry-research-marketsandmarkets.html .

Full story:   http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cancer-immunotherapy-market-to-hit-14-cagr-to-2021-594387481.html

Weekly Wednesday - Head and neck cancer news

Immunotherapy is getting a lot of attention from researchers these days – essentially (and simply)  it finds ways to get the body to up its fight against cancer cells.  The premise is that the body is always fighting outbreaks of cancer and usually wins without anyone being aware the battle has occurred, but sometimes it needs some help.

The following articles look at that line of research  and some developments in the surgical field.

Molecular switch may boost cancer immune therapy: Study
Cancer immunotherapies have progressed spectacularly in recent years, placing some patients who were nearing death into total remission. But results are uneven, and far from a general cure.
A team led by UC San Diego researchers may have found a way of making these cancer immunotherapies more potent. In a study performed in mice, they have discovered a molecular switch that controls the response of immune cells called macrophages. These are early responders that engulf and destroy pathogens, including cancer cells.
The growth of tumors was significantly suppressed and survival extended in the mice. A Phase 1 trial of a drug that uses this mechanism was recently started by a biotech company that collaborated with the researchers on the study
The study was published Sept. 19 in the journal Nature. Judith Varner was senior author and Megan Kaneda was first author..
Macrophages play a key role in moderating the immune response. When they encounter pathogens, they release inflammatory proteins called cytokines that activate T cells, which also attack the threat. When the pathogens are gone, the macrophages turn down the immune response by releasing other cytokines that turn off inflammation and promote cellular repair.
Cancer cells recruit macrophages and prompt them to make the anti-inflammatory cytokines, inhibiting a T-cell response. This remodelling of what is called the tumour microenvironment makes it difficult for the immune system to get at the cancer. It presumably also interferes with cancer immunotherapies that activate these T cells.
The study tested a combination therapy with a checkpoint inhibitor and a PI3Ky inhibitor. Human tumours grafted on the mice regressed in 86 percent of males and nearly all females so treated.
If a drug to inhibit PI3Ky is successfully developed, yet another tool would be added to cancer immunotherapy.
Full story:
http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/business/

Innovative surgery at U of A Hospital sees cancer patients' thyroids moved into their arms

A bold new surgery pioneered at the University of Alberta Hospital is getting attention around the world.
Surgeons can now move patients' thyroids into their forearms to protect the sensitive glands from being damaged during radiation treatment for head and neck cancers.
Shaped like a butterfly, the thyroid gland is located in the front of the neck, below the Adam's apple. It wraps around the windpipe. It secretes hormones that influence the body's metabolism, growth and development, and body temperature.
Moving the gland from its normal position to a permanent new home in a patient's forearm allows the gland to remain healthy during cancer treatment and continue to function normally after the radiation treatment is finished.
“As long as it has good blood supply coming in and good blood supply going out, it continues to function as a viable organ," says Dr. Jeffrey Harris, a surgical oncologist at the University of Alberta Hospital.
About 14 patients have been a part of a study that has seen them undergo the novel procedure. Patients are enjoying a better quality of life because of the innovative surgery.
Full story at:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/innovative-surgery-at-u-of-a-hospital-sees-cancer-patients-thyroids-moved-into-their-arms-1.3771465

Incisionless robotic surgery offers promising outcomes for oropharyngeal cancer patients

A new study from researchers at Henry Ford Hospital finds an incisionless robotic surgery -- done alone or in conjunction with chemotherapy or radiation -- may offer oropharyngeal cancer patients good outcomes and survival, without significant pain and disfigurement.
Patients with cancers of the base of tongue, tonsils, soft palate and pharynx who underwent TransOral Robotic Surgery, or TORS, as the first line of treatment experienced an average three-year survival from time of diagnosis.
Most notably, the study's preliminary results reveal oropharyngeal cancer patients who are p16 negative -- a marker for the human papilloma virus, or HPV, that affects how well cancer will respond to treatment -- have good outcomes with TORS in combination with radiation and/or chemotherapy.
Led by Dr. Ghanem, Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit was among the first in the country to perform TORS using the da Vinci® Surgical System. TORS offers patients an option to remove certain head and neck cancer tumours without visible scarring, while preserving speech and the ability to eat.
With TORS, surgeons can access tumours through the mouth using the slender operating arms of the da Vinci, thus not requiring an open skin incision.
Unlike traditional surgical approaches to head and neck cancer that require a large incision and long recovery, TORS patients are able to return to their normal lives only a few days after surgery without significant pain and disfigurement.
Full story:
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/09/160916110638.htm