ASCO Research Highlights: Rectal and Anal Cancer

Researchers tried to push the envelope in treating rectal and anal cancer by adding new or different chemotherapy to standard chemoradiotherapy.  However, two trials in rectal cancer and one in anal cancer were not able to improve complete response rates for chemoradiation.  Adding extra chemotherapy after radiation was finished didn’t improve relapse-free survival for anal cancer either. Continue reading…

Posted by Kate Murphy on June 13th, 2009
Posted in: Research & Treatment News | No Comments »
Tags: anal cancer, chemoradiation, rectal cancer

ASCO Research Highlights: Molecular Markers in Stage II and III Colon Cancer

Several studies presented at ASCO looked a biomarkers that might predict cancer recurrence or patient survival in stage II and III colon cancer and whether patients could be chosen to receive chemotherapy based on those markers.  Of special interest was the hypothesis offered by two researchers from the PETACC-3 clinical trial that stage II and stage III may be very different biologically.  As Dr. Arnaud Roth said, “. . .in other words, could be different diseases.” Continue reading…

Posted by Kate Murphy on June 12th, 2009
Posted in: Research & Treatment News | 1 Comment »
Tags: ASCO 2009, molecular markers, stage II colon cancer, stage III colon cancer

Stage III MSI High Colon Cancer May Benefit from Irinotecan

About 15 percent of people with stage III colon cancer may have fewer recurrences and better survival when they are treated with irinotecan. Although all stage III colon cancers don’t have an additional benefit when irinotecan is added to bolus 5-FU and leucovorin in a treatment called IFL, this smaller group does.

About 15 percent of colon cancers develop when damaged DNA is not repaired and mutated cells grow into malignant tumors.  So-called deficient mismatch repair (dMMR) tumors have features different from most colorectal cancer, including a better prognosis.  They also have a very poor response to 5-FU-based chemotherapy.

However, researchers studying tumor tissue from patients enrolled in a clinical trial comparing 5-FU and leucovorin alone to 5-FU, leucovorin, and irinotecan found that those with deficient mismatch repair tumors who received irinotecan had better disease-free survival and overall survival at five years than patients whose mismatch repair genes were working.  Those with dMMR on the 5-FU-only arm of the trial had no similar benefit. Continue reading…

Posted by Kate Murphy on June 12th, 2009
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Tags: deficient mismatch repair, irinotecan, MSI

Free Colonoscopy Program in Connecticut Ends June 29

A reminder that free colonoscopies for Connecticut residents without insurance or whose insurance doesn’t pay for colonoscopy screening ends on June 29.

The program is a collaboration between the Connecticut Department of Health, the Community Health Center Association of Connecticut, and participating gastroenterologists.

Connecticut residents between the ages of 50 and 64 can contact one of the participating community health centers to schedule a test.

Posted by Kate Murphy on June 12th, 2009
Posted in: Research & Treatment News | No Comments »
Tags: free colonoscopies

Colorectal Cancer News in Brief: June 12

Briefs are back this week after a couple of weeks off for the ASCO meeting, and we review research that finds small liver mets don’t affect survival after treatment for peritoneal carcinomatosis.  A gene has been found  that’s necessary for Celebrex to control new colon polyps.

In other headlines, chimps don’t get cancer but aren’t as smart as humans, a new clinical trial is underway for people with KRAS mutant tumors, and a subcommittee of the House Veterans Affairs Committee will be holding hearings to investigate infections from poorly sanitized colonoscopes in VA medical centers.

Two helpful publications are available online:  One provides help understanding medical abstracts; the other is an advocate’s guide to negotiating Medicare Part D appeals. Continue reading…

Posted by Kate Murphy on June 12th, 2009
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Tags: Celebrex, chimps, Imprime PGG, Medicare Part D, peritoneal carcinomatosis, Veterans Affairs