Pathwork Diagnostics, Inc. recently announced that its Pathwork® Tissue of Origin Test for use in hard-to-identify-tumors has been cleared by the FDA. The test analyzes a tumor’s gene expression pattern to help pinpoint the source of hard-to-identify tumors and is the first test of its kind to receive FDA clearance. Up to an estimated 200,000 newly diagnosed cancer patients annually in the U.S. may have a tumor for which the site of origin is uncertain after the initial diagnostic workup. The FDA’s clearance underscores the growing role that patients’ genomic information can play in helping physicians make better decisions. Read the full press release from Pathwork Diagnostics, Inc. (pdf file) [Read more]

Republican party presidential candidate John McCain is a survivor of melanoma –  a deadly form of skin cancer. Earlier this week, a spot in his right cheek was removed as part of a routine check-up. Following biopsy results have showed that McCain is cancer-free. Presumed Republican presidential nominee John McCain, who has a history of dangerous melanomas, had a spot of skin removed from his face today, his campaign said. The patch of skin was removed from McCain’s right cheek during a routine checkup in Arizona, the candidate said. In 2000, an invasive melanoma was removed from the senator’s left temple. McCain denied there were any serious problems when he discussed the procedure at a campaign stop in Bakersfield. Read... [Read more]

Amgen has recently been told by the FDA to reword the labeling of its flagship anemia drugs – Aranesp and Procrit – to further restrict their use in treating cancer patients. The move, which the F.D.A. announced on Wednesday, represents the first time the agency has invoked authority under a 2007 law that empowered it to order changes in a drug’s prescribing information. Previously, the F.D.A. could only negotiate with a drug’s manufacturer to change the label. Sales of the drugs, Aranesp and Procrit, have already plummeted in the last year because of studies suggesting that their use to treat the anemia caused by chemotherapy could actually make cancer worse or shorten lives. Procrit is manufactured by Amgen but sold under... [Read more]

The Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute has received a $250,000 multi-year grant from the J.P. McCarthy Fund of the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan to benefit its J.P. McCarthy Cord Stem Cell Bank. The grant, which will be given in $50,000 increments over five years, will help enhance the collection area and expand the capacity to help people in need of cord stem cell transplants – non-embryonic stem cells that are extracted from the umbilical cord and placenta following the birth of a child. The J.P. McCarthy Cord Stem Cell Bank at the Karmanos Cancer Institute is one of two public cord blood banks in Michigan and the only center in the state with the National Marrow Donor program registry designation that requires compliance... [Read more]

I found a very nice read today, pointed out to me by Mike Street of Reader’s Digest Online: an article entitled 31 Simple Ways to Prevent Cancer. Some very practical tips presented in a sorta funny way but with a big ring of truth into it. Besides, before we all get rattled by the recent cancer scare on cellphone use and other stuff, really the prevention (or at least reducing our risk of developing any cancer later in life) all boils down to the dietary and lifetsyle changes each of us are willing to take, IMHO. Anyways, here goes in bullets only: Serve sauerkraut at your next picnic. Eat your fill of broccoli, but steam it rather than microwaving it. Toast some Brazil nuts and sprinkle over your salad. Pop a calcium supplement with... [Read more]