| Cancer Patient Traveling For Last Treatment Dies
DES MOINES, Iowa -- A terminally ill cancer patient from Carlisle, delayed by boarding problems at the Des Moines International Airport, died Tuesday morning in Oklahoma. NewsChannel 8 first told you Mark Houghton's story on Sunday night. Houghton was trying to get on a flight to Tulsa, Okla., for one last cancer treatment when the American Airlines refused to let him on, NewsChannel 8 reported. .
pSivida commences human trials of cancer treatment
Perth-based nanotechnology company pSivida Ltd has announced the first human trial of their pancreatic cancer treatment BrachySil, the first step in a six-month clinical study. The company, which is now effectively run from Boston, reported a loss of $31.4 million for the year to June 2006, reflecting an increase in research and development, spending and sales and administration expenses. The full text of a company announcement is pasted below Global bio-nanotech company pSivida Ltd is pleased to announce that the first patient has been implanted with BrachySil for the treatment of inoperable pancreatic cancer at Guys and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust Hospital in London, a major centre for cancer therapy in the United Kingdom. The treatment delivers BrachySil directly to a tumour in the pancreas via endoscopic ultrasound (used to assist in locating the delivery point).
Bowel cancer treatment advances revealed
New research into the uses of radiotherapy on bowel cancer patients has revealed the possibility of cutting the chances of recurrence to one per cent, according to reports.Administering radiotherapy before surgery to remove a tumour significantly cuts the chances of the cancer coming back and improves survival rates.The Medical Research Council (MRC) trial studied 1,350 patients, focusing on people with tumours in the rectum.This particular type makes up a third of all new instances of bowel cancer, with 13,000 new cases in the UK each year.One group of patients were given five radiotherapy treatments a day before having surgery to remove the tumour.A second group had the surgery, before receiving radiotherapy treatment and a course of drugs.The survival rate for the first group was 75 per cent compared to 67 per cent in the second group.
Research into customising lung cancer treatment
New research has suggested that testing the levels of the gene ERCC1 in lung cancer tumours could discern what kind of treatment a patient should receive, according to reports.Spanish researchers from the Catalan Institute of Oncology found that the lower the levels of ERCC1 in the tumour, the better it responded to cisplatin chemotherapy treatment.High levels of ERCC1 usually indicate a better chance of survival and the gene is linked to resistance to cisplatin. Therefore a different treatment would be preferable.Professor Rafeal Rosell, from the study team, told Reuters: "This test can predict how to use cisplatin in the treatment of lung cancer."It not only predicts the response to cisplatin but also to other drugs that are combined with cisplatin." Professor Rosell added that this research should highlight the "need to move on to customising treatment".For patients with high levels of the gene another treatment is preferential for offering a more effective level of care, without the side effects associated with chemotherapy.TUV Product Service, part of the TÜV SÜD Group of companies with 1bn Euros turnover, in excess of 9,500 employees and 500 locations worldwide, is a leading provider of Compliance and Assurance Solutions for the Health sector.
'Alicia's Angels' rally for friend's cancer treatment costs
For the past few months, a core of clo se friends have dedicated themselves to assisting fo r m er Doug las Coun ty School Board member Alicia Smalley as she undergoes treatment for lymphoma.
The Angels' next project is a yard and bake sale today at St. Paul Lutheran Church.
Smalley's hospital bills are covered by insurance, but the out-of-pocket expenses are mounting.
"A friend of mine asked if she could get names of some friends and see what they could do for me. It took off on its own. They've been so wonderful," Smalley said.
Her immediate goal is approval from her doctor for a bone marrow transplant.
Smalley is optimistic the transplant will take place. With 5 million people on the list, her chances were just 40 percent for a match.
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