The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted approval for PROVENGE® (sipuleucel-T | Dendreon Corporation) for treating asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic, metastatic, hormone-resistant (castrate-resistant) prostate cancer (CRPC). It acts by eliciting an immune response against a prostate cancer-specific antigen, prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP). The drug formulated from patient-specific white blood cells, is not indicated for preventing the development or progression of prostate cancer. Continue Reading

Beta-blockers are one of the most widely used classes of medications prescribed for hypertension and cardiovascular disorders. Now, a recent breakthrough trial by Nottingham and German researchers suggests a novel therapeutic application of beta-blockers, i.e., in reducing breast cancer metastasis, and thereby enhancing patient survival rate. The findings of the pilot study were presented at the seventh European Breast Cancer Conference (EBCC7) held in Barcelona, on March 26th, 2010. Continue Reading

CXCR1 (CXC chemokine receptor 1) is an inflammatory receptor, which triggers the growth of cancer stem cells in response to tissue damage and inflammation. A study published in the recent online issue of the Journal of Clinical Investigation, reports that blockage of CXCR1, an interleukin-8 receptor, selectively destroys human breast cancer stem cell (CSC) lines in vitro and in xenografts. Blocking of the receptor was found to considerably hinder the growth of the tumor and reduce metastasis. Continue Reading

A remarkable rise in antibiotic resistance has necessitated the exploration of novel approaches for combating several bacterial illnesses. Now, a recent study published in the International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents, reports that iron triple helicate ([Fe₂L₃]⁴⁺), a synthetic metallomolecule, exhibits bactericidal activity by binding to the major groove of bacterial DNA, causing coiling and preventing its replication. Owing to the direct interaction with DNA, the molecule has been suggested to overcome multi-drug resistance. Continue Reading

Renal cell cancer, the most common type of kidney cancer, develops in the lining of the kidney tubules. Several drugs are being studied to treat the cancer as a single agent or in combination with other anti-tumor drugs. Now, a phase I trial has reported the safety and efficacy of the combination treatment involving temsirolimus (TEM) and bryostatin (BRYO) for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Findings of the study were presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, held at Orlando, Florida, during May 29-June 2, 2009. Continue Reading

A recent multicenter phase II study suggests that weekly administration of nanoparticle albumin-bound (nab)-paclitaxel (ABRAXANE® | Abraxis BioScience, Inc.) has superior antitumor activity and safety compared to docetaxel (Taxotere® | Sanofi-aventis) for the first-line treatment of metastatic breast cancer. A statistically and clinically significant progression-free survival of >5 months was noted in patients receiving 150 mg/m² nab-paclitaxel weekly than those receiving 100 mg/m² docetaxel every three week (q3w). The study results are published in the recent issue of the Journal of Clinical Oncology. Continue Reading

The dependence of various cancer cells on the glycolytic pathway for their energy requirements has also been correlated with the aggressiveness of different types of tumors. Now, a recent study has found a novel glycolysis inhibitor, 3-BrOP that lowers the growth of neuroblastoma by 75% in xenograft models. The results of the study have been presented at the 22^nd annual meeting of the American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology held at San Diego, California, during April 22-25, 2009. Continue Reading

The investigational humanized monoclonal antibody, tigatuzumab (Daiichi Sankyo, Inc.), in combination with gemcitabine (Gemzar® | Eli Lilly and Company) has shown to reduce pancreatic cancer stem cells, achieve tumor remission, and prevent tumor recurrence in a preclinical study. The study results were presented at the 100th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research, held at Denver, Colorado, during April 18-22, 2009. Continue Reading

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted approval to everolimus oral tablets (Afinitor® | Novartis AG) to be used as the first treatment for patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma, following failed response to previous therapies using other kinase inhibitor cancer drugs such as sunitinib or sorafenib. The FDA approval is based on the results from a clinical trial that demonstrates 67% reduced risk of disease progression or death in patients administered with everolimus. Continue Reading

Selenium (Se), an essential trace element, is crucial for the maintenance of normal cellular metabolism. Several epidemiological studies have reported a potential link between selenium deficiency and severity of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), signifying the element’s protective role against HIV infection. Now, a study published in the recent issue of The Journal of Biological Chemistry suggests that increased production of thioredoxin reductase-1 (TR1), a selenoprotein in blood cells, could slow down the replication of HIV up to ten fold. Continue Reading