Dana-Farber in the News
October-December 2007
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Aspirin could hinder prostate cancer therapy USA Today
Taking low-dose aspirin can cause abnormal liver function tests in men receiving hormones for prostate cancer, causing doctors to prematurely end the therapy. Dr. Anthony V. D'Amico and Dr. Philip W. Kantoff report that prostate cancer patients whose hormone therapy ended early had triple the risk of death compared with those who completed it. (December 31, 2007)
Scientists weigh stem cells' role as cancer cause New York Times
Researchers at Dana-Farber are collaborating with two other institutions to study cancerous stem cells — aberrant cells that maintain and propagate malignant tumors. Dr. Kornelia Polyak said that the debate is still ongoing about cancerous stem cells, noting that cancer cells appear to be moving targets, changing from stem cells to non-stem cells and back again. (December 21, 2007)
Breast cancer surgeons don't discuss reconstruction options HealthDay
Only a third of breast cancer patients get to discuss their breast reconstruction options with their general cancer surgeon before the tumor is removed, new research finds. Dr. Mehra Golshan, who reviewed the study, couldn't say for sure why such a low number of surgeons referred their breast cancer patients to plastic surgeons for reconstruction discussions, but he speculated that they may think complication rates are too high with immediate reconstruction. (December 21, 2007)
Looking through the eyes of a mouse eMaxHealth
Researchers have developed an optical device that allows them to peer through the eyes of a mouse and monitor the cells passing through its bloodstream. Dana-Farber's Dr. Irene Ghobrial is interested in helping people with multiple myeloma by finding better drugs and treatment strategies and this new device will help her to test the effect of various experimental chemotherapy agents and therapeutic strategies in mice with multiple myeloma. (December 19, 2007)
Surviving breast cancer: Affliction of the stars ABC News
Singer and breast cancer survivor Kylie Minogue has expressed interest in having children. According to Dr. Eric Winer, breast cancer itself has no impact on getting pregnant. The difficult issue for pregnancy is related to the treatment for breast cancer. Chemotherapy may disrupt menstruation or decrease fertility. (December 18, 2007)
Glaxo's Tykerb prevents breast cancer spread to brain in study Bloomberg
Dr. Nancy Lin reported at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium that combining lapatinib, a targeted therapy, with capecitabine, a chemotherapy, reduced brain tumors by more than half their original size in 20 percent of the 49 study participants who had HER2+ metastatic breast cancer. (December 16, 2007)
Drug combo 'promising' myeloma treatment United Press International
Dr. Paul Richardson reported research data at the annual meeting of the American Society of Hematology that showed a three drug combination was effective against multiple myeloma. (December 12, 2007)
Pfizer cancer drug Sutent linked with heart risks Reuters
(December 13, 2007)
New cancer drug tied to heart problems HealthDay News
Nearly half of 75 patients with rare gastrointestinal tumors who took Pfizer's cancer drug Sutent in a clinical trial developed high blood pressure, eight percent developed heart failure and two patients had heart attacks, according to a new analysis of clinical trial data. The analysis was conducted by researchers at Dana-Farber, Children's Hospital Boston and Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia. (December 13, 2007)
Fewer breast patients may need chemo Associated Press
Thousands of breast cancer patients each year could be spared chemotherapy or get gentler versions of it without harming their odds of beating the disease, according to research presented Thursday at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. Dr. Eric Winer said that chemotherapy is being used more selectively in certain women. (December 14, 2007)
Sox bring smiles, trophy to hospitals MLB.com
Boston Red Sox players visited both adult and pediatric patients at Dana-Farber yesterday. (December 10, 2007)
Yawkey Center: Spiffing up Longwood Medical Area Boston Business Journal
The construction of Dana-Farber's Yawkey Center for Cancer Care will help DFCI accommodate an increasing demand for services as well as the corresponding need for more clinical and research space. The building will also contribute to an overall refurbishment of the Longwood area. (December 7, 2007)
How many will die before the mesothelioma dust settles? The Plain Dealer
Asbestos' direct link to mesothelioma is widely documented. Dr. Pasi Jänne said that it is becoming more apparent that secondary exposure to asbestos can also cause the disease. (December 4, 2007)
Optical device helps test cancer therapies United Press International
U.S. scientists have developed a medical device called a retinal flow cytometer to non-invasively sample blood circulating through the eyes of a mouse. Irene Ghobrial of Dana-Farber believes the optical device might become a valuable tool because it allows scientists to test the effect of various experimental chemotherapy agents and therapeutic strategies in mice with multiple myeloma. (December 3, 2007)
Genentech's Avastin not recommended for breast cancer Bloomberg
An advisory panel to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration voted 5-4 against recommending the use of Avastin for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer, stating that drug side effects merited concern. Dr. Eric Winer commented at the meeting that because Avastin slows tumor growth, it improves a patient's quality of life, and it should be approved. (December 5, 2007)
A public life with cancer CR Magazine
Geraldine Ferraro talks candidly about going public with her multiple myeloma diagnosis. Dr. Ken Anderson is one of Ferraro's doctors. (November 30, 2007)
Deval Patrick to visit Milford today Milford Daily News
Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick's visit to Milford today will include a stop at the Milford Regional Medical Center's new cancer center, which is scheduled to be completed at the end of the month. The center marks an important collaboration between Milford Regional, Dana-Farber and the Brigham and Women's Physician Organization. (November 13, 2007)
Contagious cancers Boston Globe
The cancer toll from germs and bacteria may turn out to be higher than originally thought, as researchers discover more and more of these elusive microbes and how they do their grim work. Dr. Matthew Meyerson said that scientists have not come up with a simple way to identify unknown viruses lurking inside human genes. (November 12, 2007)
Pan-Mass. Challenge donates $33 million to Jimmy Fund Associated Press
(November 8, 2007)
Charity ride nets a record $33m Boston Globe
Organizers of the annual Pan-Massachusetts Challenge presented a check last night for $33 million to the Jimmy Fund to bring the event's total donations to more than $200 million. (November 9, 2007)
Cancer crusader targets lethal infection Sun-Sentinel.com
Dr. John Wingard, director of the University of Florida's blood and marrow transplant program, is collaborating with colleagues at collection sites at Duke University, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Dana-Farber to research aspergillus, a fungus that has become an increasing health threat to cancer patients and transplant recipients. (November 6, 2007)
Sweep of lung cancer genome reveals new gene Reuters
(November 5, 2007)
Researchers detail cancer DNA damage Boston Globe
An international team led by Dr. Matthew Meyerson unveiled the most detailed look ever at the genetic ravages inside a lung tumor, finding at least one target for drug research and laying the foundation for an ambitious – and controversial – federal effort to identify all the DNA damage that causes major cancers. (November 5, 2007)
My struggle with cancer: Why Red Sox pitcher Jon Lester's World Series win is my win FOX News
FOX News producer and cancer survivor Don Fair writes about how Red Sox pitcher Jon Lester's cancer recovery provided inspiration, in addition to the Jon Lester Project bracelets, which benefit the Jimmy Fund. (October 30, 2007)
Patient put on a clinic Boston Globe
After a World Series win, Red Sox pitcher and former Dana-Farber cancer patient Jon Lester is doing better than ever. Dr. Robert Soiffer said that patients on Lester's type of chemotherapy treatment are hopefully able to resume their life and do everything they were able to do prior, and Lester has done that and more. (October 30, 2007)
Full Series share Boston Globe
Reflecting on events surrounding the Red Sox over the last year, general manager Theo Epstein recalls being shaken up by the news of Jon Lester's cancer diagnosis. Red Sox CEO Larry Lucchino recalled his own cancer diagnosis and treatment at Dana-Farber more than 25 years ago. (October 30, 2007)
Our team covers all bases Boston Herald
(October 27, 2007)
Guest Column: Win another for Jimmy The Sun Chronicle
(October 29, 2007)
Rookies lived a dream in 1967, too Boston Globe
Jimmy Fund Chairman Mike Andrews writes about the importance of the relationship between the Red Sox and the Jimmy Fund. (October 29, 2007)
Life after breast cancer, Today (4:08)
Karen Webster talks to the Today show about a Web site she has created that encourages breast cancer survivors to share their stories. (Oct. 26, 2007)
View video | Read Karen's story
Three chemo drugs better than two for advanced head/neck cancers HealthDay News
The addition of the chemotherapy drug, docetaxel, to the standard two-drug regimen used for head and neck cancers improved the efficacy of the treatment while reducing the toxicity, two new studies report. Dr. Marshall Posner, author of the first study, says this is a study that demonstrates that a three-drug regimen is substantially better for head and neck cancer survival. (October 24, 2007)
Letter: Cancer treatment New York Times
Drs. Edward Benz and David Nathan respond to a New York Times editorial on cancer treatment. (October 24, 2007)
Taxotere improves survival in head-neck cancer Reuters
Adding the Sanofi-Aventis cancer drug Taxotere to standard chemotherapy helps people with head and neck cancer live more than three years longer, two teams of researchers reported on Wednesday. Dr. Marshall Posner, who led one of the studies, says that this is the first improvement in head and neck cancer treatment in almost 25 years. (October 24, 2007)
Fever pitch can set off a Series of health woes Boston Herald
Red Sox nutritionist Tara Mardigan, who is also a nutritionist at Dana-Farber, said the day-long anticipation of tonights game could mask hunger pains, for players and fans. (October 25, 2007)
Cancer patients show Sox support TheBostonChannel.com
Jimmy Fund Clinic patients broke out paper and paint to make signs rooting on the Boston Red Sox during the World Series. Jimmy Fund Chairman Mike Andrews commented that the Red Sox support of the Jimmy Fund has helped increase pediatric cancer cure rates. (October 23, 2007)
After testing, steps are complicated Star-Telegram.com
More women who undergo genetic testing and learn they are at risk for breast cancer are opting to have their ovaries and/or breasts removed as a preventive measure. Dr. Eric Winer said some physicians recommend ovary removal for premenopausal women, especially those who have completed childbearing. (October 22, 2007)
Sanofi says Taxotere gets CHMP positive opinion Reuters
Drugmaker Sanofi-Aventis said its Taxotere cancer treatment had received a positive opinion from the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) recommending approval in the European Union for induction treatment for locally advanced head and neck cancer. Dr. Marshall Posner said that the survival improvement seen with this regimen is extraordinary for locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma. (October 22, 2007)
Millennium gets expanded use for Velcade MSN Money
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the use of Velcade to treat multiple myeloma patients with impaired kidney function. Dr. Paul Richardson said that the ability to use Velcade without dose adjustments in patients with renal dysfunction differentiates it from other multiple myeloma therapies. (October 15, 2007)
War on Cancer NBC Nightly News (2:07)
Commenting on the NCI's latest report on cancer rates, Edward J. Benz Jr., MD, said detecting cancer early improves treatment outcomes. (October 15, 2007)
View video
What's chemo, Mommy? Newsweek
Many hospitals and health care facilities offer programs designed to help the families of seriously ill patients. These illnesses prove to be especially difficult for young children, who may think they had something to do with the condition, according to Dr. Nancy Borstelmann. (October 22, 2007 issue)
White Coat Notes: IOM takes note of locals Boston Globe
Dr. William Kaelin is one of five Boston researchers elected to membership in the Institute of Medicine. (October 15, 2007)
Sox-Indians oh-so-sweet for Taylor Boston Herald
Jimmy Fund patient Jordan Leandre sang the National Anthem at Friday night's Red Sox game. Additionally, Jim Lonborg threw out the first pitch in honor of the 1967 Impossible Dream Team's donation of its ALCS shares to the Jimmy Fund. (October 14, 2007)
Drug a new weapon against one form of breast cancer Washington Post
A new study co-authored by Dr. Eric Winer finds that the drug Taxol, when added to standard chemotherapy, cuts the recurrence of breast cancer by 41 percent in women with HER2-positive tumors. (October 10, 2007)
ALCS foes have plenty in common Sports Illustrated
Although he no longer plays for the Boston Red Sox, Trot Nixon received a standing ovation when he recently returned to Fenway Park with the Cleveland Indians. His wife, Kathryn, received an award from the Jimmy Fund for the couple's charitable work and threw out the first pitch. (October 10, 2007)
Genetic breast cancer testing brings controversy TheBostonChannel.com
Many genetic testing experts are upset about a new ad campaign by Myriad, the company that makes the BRACAnalysis breast cancer genetic test. Dr. Judy Garber says not all patients should have BRACAnalysis. (October 9, 2007)
Taxotere gets FDA approval for advanced head and neck cancer before chemoradiotherapy and surgery Medical News Today
The Food and Drug Administration has approved Taxotere Injection Concentrate in combination with cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil for induction therapy of locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck before patients undergo chemoradiotherapy and surgery. Dr. Marshall Posner said that the addition of Taxotere significantly improves patient survival, adding years to patients' lives. (October 2, 2007)
White Coat Notes: Cancer investigators honored Boston Globe
Dr. Todd R. Golub is one of the recipients of the 2007 Paul Marks Prize for Cancer Research from Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. The prize recognizes contributions to understanding the treatment of cancer made by scientists under the age of 45. (October 1, 2007)