Mike Pruitt, 50, handled high-profile drug cases Dec 9, 2008
Capt. Mike Pruitt, 50, of Fayetteville lost his battle with kidney cancer, said Fayette Sheriff-elect Wayne Hannah. Capt. Pruitt was a special agent with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation before joining the Fayette Sheriff s Office 27 years ago. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
Mystery sponsor funds cancer drug Dec 8, 2008
A kidney cancer patient who was refused a life-saving drug on the NHS has been given hope, after a mystery benefactor offered to pay for the treatment ... Mr Rosser was diagnosed with kidney cancer last year and learned he may only have two years only to live. (BBC News -- UK)
Top QC wages battle on NHS postcode lottery Dec 7, 2008
Mr Telford said: "I never wanted to become involved in this cause; when I saw what happened to my sister, I had no choice. "It took the NHS five years and 28 GP visits to diagnose Elaine's cancer, and then they compounded it by saying she could not have the one treatment which could have helped her," he said. The barrister said he wrote the guide, which provides patients with step-by-step advice about how to apply for funding for rationed drugs on "exceptional grounds" because he had been... (Telegraph.co.uk)
* Lonard relaxed ahead of Australian PGA tourney Dec 4, 2008
Allenby, who was in contention at the Masters at Huntingdale last week until a late double-bogey X considered staying at home with his ailing mother, Sylvia, who has stopped all treatment for lung and kidney cancer. I didnt think I was ready, mentally and emotionally, to play this week, Allenby said yesterday. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
British Balance Benefit vs. Cost of Latest Drugs Dec 4, 2008
RUISLIP, England When Bruce Hardy s kidney cancer spread to his lung, his doctor recommended an expensive new pill from Pfizer ... To analyze the value of the drug that Mr. Hardy, the kidney cancer patient, wanted, and the value of three other kidney cancer medicines, the British institute hired a university group that considered how many months the drugs delayed cancer s progress ... Given that fewer than 6,000 people per year in England and Wales are diagnosed with kidney cancer, Why put... (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Health)
Scientists Home In On Origins Of Childhood Kidney Cancer Dec 3, 2008
3, 2008) Scientists at The Institute of Cancer Research have made significant progress in pinpointing two new risk factors associated with the most common childhood kidney cancer, known as Wilms tumour ... The research published in Clinical Cancer Research today found that specific genetic changes in certain cells may cause childhood kidney cancer ... 8, 2007) Researchers at the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center have discovered a novel gene mutation associated with Wilms tumor, the... (Science Daily)
Britain weighs the cost of prolonging life Dec 3, 2008
When Bruce Hardy's kidney cancer spread to his lung, his doctor recommended an expensive new pill from Pfizer. But Hardy is British, and the British health authorities refused to buy the medicine. (International Herald Tribune)
Kidney Function Discovery Sheds Light On Genetic Complexity Of Disease Dec 2, 2008
1, 2008) Scientists have made significant progress in pinpointing two new risk factors associated with the most common childhood kidney cancer, known as Wilms. (June 25, 2007) Researchers have identified proteins in the rod and cones of the eye that could lead to the discovery of the genetic causes of a host of inherited eye diseases. (Science Daily)
Surgeons Perform World's First Pediatric Robotic Bladder Reconstruction Nov 29, 2008
(July 29, 2008) Clinical research is helping bring the advantages of robotic surgery, including reduced pain and quicker recovery, to kidney cancer. (May 17, 2008) Bladder regeneration via a neo-bladder replacement may prove to be effective in. (Science Daily)
Death From Cancer Goes Into Decline Nov 27, 2008
The improvements are due to gains against some leading cancers -- prostate, colorectal, breast and, for men, lung cancer -- but numerous other types still are on the rise, including melanoma and kidney cancer, the report said. The figures are not spread evenly across the country, however. (KCRA 3, CA)
Cancer rates in U.S. slowly declining, study shows Nov 27, 2008
But numerous other types still are on the rise, including melanoma and kidney cancer. Also, yesterday's report highlights a disappointing missed opportunity: Huge state-by-state variations in antismoking policies that translate into big differences in lung cancer. (Globe and Mail -- International)
Cancer Rates, Cancer Deaths Dip Nov 27, 2008
The improvements reflect gains against some leading cancers including prostate, colorectal and breast cancer, but other types are still on the rise, including melanoma and kidney cancer. Despite the good news in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, experts wonder if the positive trends can survive the bad economy. (KWTX.com, TX)
Cancer cases in US decline for first time Nov 26, 2008
Critics, however, noted that many forms of cancer are still on the rise, including non-Hodgkin lymphoma, kidney cancer, and melanoma. "If you look at the overall picture, that really distorts and reduces the realization that there's been a steady increase of non-tobacco-related cancer," said Samuel Epstein, a professor emeritus at the University of Chicago. (Boston Globe)
Antigenics Vaccine for Brain Cancer Extends Lives (Update2) Nov 25, 2008
Antigenics won approval for Oncophage as a treatment for kidney cancer in Russia in April. The product is not approved for any disease in the U.S.. (Bloomberg)
Painless zap gives hope in battle against cancer Nov 25, 2008
So far he has treated one patient with liver cancer and another with kidney cancer. What surprised him was how painless the procedure was, with patients reporting no side effects from the treatment. (The Canberra Times)
Healthy connections Nov 25, 2008
Licata, a school counselor, lost a kidney after being diagnosed and treated for kidney cancer in 2000 ... She sought a different level of support, the kind only another kidney cancer survivor could share ... According to the , there will be about 54,390 new cases of kidney cancer in the United States in 2008. (Buffalo Business First, NY)
Guy Peellaert, Belgian painter, collagist of surreal art; at 74 Nov 24, 2008
WASHINGTON - Guy Peellaert, a Belgian painter-collagist whose fervid imagination produced surreal album covers for John Lennon, David Bowie, and the Rolling Stones, as well as images for a seminal book about rock mythology, "Rock Dreams," died of kidney cancer Nov. 17 at a hospital in Paris. He was 74. (Boston Globe)
New Cancer Treatment Shrinks Pancreatic Tumor Nov 24, 2008
Text hiding to spacing. Nov. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- A new cancer treatment is realizing outstanding results against pancreatic cancer. (PR Newswire)
Added Medicaid cuts raise concerns Nov 24, 2008
Nov. 22, 2008 Copyright. Las Vegas Review-Journal. (Las Vegas Review - Journal)
Genes Associated With Fat Metabolism Could Increase Kidney Cancer Risk Nov 24, 2008
24, 2008) A team of international scientists has identified three genes associated with the body's processing of fats that may increase susceptibility to kidney cancer ... The researchers found that variations within three genes associated with lipid peroxidation the process of breaking down fats and lipids when exposed to oxygen could increase a person's risk of kidney cancer ... Scientists have suspected lipid peroxidation as a unifying mechanism through which risk factors such as obesity,... (Science Daily)
Alfred Hospital trials painless treatment for cancer Nov 24, 2008
So far he has treated a liver cancer patient and one with kidney cancer. What surprised Dr Thomson was how painless the procedure was, with patients reporting no negative effects after undergoing the treatment. (Courier Mail)
Electrical pulses can safely zap cancerous tumours Nov 24, 2008
The research team is currently testing the new approach in patients with liver and kidney cancer. Ads By Google The Alfreds professor of radiology, Ken Thomson, said that he was extremely excited about the potential for removing tumours that would previously have needed risky surgery and left the patient weak and in pain. (Indian Express)
Tough decisions Nov 23, 2008
" Pressure mounting Often decisions - such as the rejection of funding for the kidney cancer drugs Sutent, Avastin, Nexavar and Torisel - have resulted in an avalanche of media attention and criticism. Professor Barnett said that although he had learnt over the years not to take these comments too personally, he felt they added pressure on members, particularly the lay members. These members of the public are offered support to help them cope. And he said the often one-sided media response to... (BBC News -- UK)
Letter: Change YC water, limit cancer risk? Nov 22, 2008
Kidney cancer is a rare cancer and even rarer for a woman ... Kidney cancer usually does not have any warning signs until it is too late. (Appeal Democrat, CA)
Durham company closes on $35M fundraiser Nov 22, 2008
Argos, which has now raised more than $80 million from investors, is using the money to develop treatments for kidney cancer and HIV using its Arcelis drug platform. The money is also being used for trials of CD83, a separate technology used to prevent patients from rejecting mismatched organs in transplants. (Raleigh Triangle Business Journal, NC)
Health Care: Season Of Hope, Legacy Of Harm Nov 22, 2008
Jack Prosser, a 57-year-old suffering from kidney cancer, told Bloomberg News that he "burst into tears" when he read a letter from officials informing him that he was being denied Sutent, a drug that his doctor believes could extend his life by three or four years. His story is not an isolated case. (Investors Business Daily)
Cancer Drug Ups Risk of Clots in Veins Nov 20, 2008
3 percent of breast cancer patients, and 3 percent of those with kidney cancer developed VTE.. "They were able to expand the sample size, and it looks like a significant increase in venous blood clots," said Dr. Alok Khorana, an associate professor of medicine at the University of Rochester Medical Center. (MEDLINEplus)
He's Harvard's captain marvel Nov 19, 2008
His father died of kidney cancer before his son's final year at Lynn English. "The beautiful thing with me and my father is that we came to our peace before he passed away," Curtis says. (Boston Globe -- Sports)
Patients who pay for cancer care still face NHS costs Nov 16, 2008
The 53-year-old kidney cancer sufferer from Portsmouth was recently billed for 18,000 for her medical care ... The proposals are 'totally misleading in the way they have been presented', says Kate Spall, of the Pamela Northcott Fund, a group that campaigns for new drugs and treatments to be made available to kidney cancer patients ... Her hope is that Nice will come back with a positive recommendation for new kidney cancer drugs. (guardian.co.uk)
Steven Burrill, others win biotech honors Nov 15, 2008
Outstanding Product: Nexavar by Onyx Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:ONXX) and Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc. The Nexavar tablets are approved in more then 70 countries worldwide for the treatment for patients with advanced kidney cancer, and in over 60 countries for the treatment of advanced liver cancer. Outstanding Partnering Deal: OncoMed Pharmaceuticals Inc. The Redwood City company developing therapeutics targeting cancer stem cells recently closed a ground breaking, pre-clinical... (San Jose Business Journal, CA)
From the heart Nov 10, 2008
She has conquered poverty, a rare form of kidney cancer and a career start later in life. She didn't get into business until five years ago, when her husband, W.G. Downie, wanted to expand his IHOP franchises in the area and needed her assistance. (The Augusta Chronicle)
Drug Mimics Low-cal Diet To Ward Off Weight Gain, Boost Running Endurance Nov 6, 2008
Overweight people are at higher risk of developing post-menopausal breast cancer, endometrial cancer, colon cancer, kidney cancer and a. (Nov. (Science Daily)
Hospitals 'allowing top up care' Nov 4, 2008
Ian Jenkins has advanced kidney cancer and pays for some drugs privately ... Ian Jenkins, 47, has kidney cancer which has spread to his lungs ... " Shadow Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said: "David Cameron and I have pressed the Health Secretary, Alan Johnson, to enter into a risk sharing scheme for the kidney cancer drug Sutent in order that patients will be able to access this life saving treatment immediately, but nothing has been done. (BBC News -- UK)
Q&A: NHS top-ups Nov 4, 2008
Since her case attracted national attention, a number of other cancer patients, particularly those with kidney cancer, have also had their plights highlighted. But getting a clear idea of how many people have been affected is tricky. (BBC News -- UK)
Tailored Treatment Boosts Kidney Cancer Survival Nov 4, 2008
SATURDAY, Nov. 1 (HealthDay News) -- Personalized treatment of kidney cancer patients can increase survival, according to a UCLA study of almost 1,500 patients that identified subsets of kidney cancer that behave differently and need to be treated accordingly ... "We have shown that not all kidney cancer patients are the same, not all localized kidney cancers are the same, and not all metastatic kidney cancers are the same," study senior author Dr. Arie Belldegrun, a professor of urology and a... (MEDLINEplus)
Landmark UCLA study finds aggresive, personalized treatment increases kidney cancer patient survival Nov 1, 2008
A study of nearly 1,500 patients treated for kidney cancer at UCLA in the last 15 years shows that an aggressive, tailored treatment approach results in better survival rates and uncovered subsets of kidney cancer that behave differently and need to be treated accordingly. The one-size-fits-all approach traditionally used in kidney cancer treatment should be changed based on the results of the study, the longest to date to analyze kidney cancer patients and their outcomes, said Dr. Arie... (EurekAlert!)
Disney sets out to make 'The Passion for kids' Oct 31, 2008
Kidney cancer patients will have to wait months for the NHS drugs rationing body to decide if they can have new drugs. Half of students at Cambridge University have admitted cheating, according to new figures. (Yahoo News -- 'The Passion of the Christ')
National Patient Advocate Foundation (NPAF) Commends SSA's New 'Compassionate Allowances Process' Oct 29, 2008
Some of these conditions include acute leukemia, bladder cancer, bone cancer, ependymoblastoma (Child Brain Tumor), kidney cancer (inoperable or unresectable), liver cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma, and stomach cancer, among others. "This is a major accomplishment for patients suffering with chronic, debilitating, and life-threatening illnesses. For the 130 million Americans living with a chronic medical condition, having accelerated disability determinations can make a difference in their... (PR Newswire)
Cancer Vaccine Shows Promise In Patients With Bowel, Kidney And Prostate Cancer Oct 27, 2008
Apart from the vaccines against cervical cancer and Oncophage (vitespen, approved in Russia for the treatment of kidney cancer), there are no other licensed cancer vaccines ... In addition to the phase III trial in early stage colon cancer patients, the effect of TroVax is being monitored in a current phase III trial of 733 kidney cancer patients ... "We are very hopeful that the ongoing phase III trial in kidney cancer and two planned studies in metastatic colorectal and early stage colon... (Science Daily)
Obituaries in the news Oct 27, 2008
Fantroy died Sunday after a lengthy struggle with kidney cancer, City Council member Tennell Atkins told The Associated Press ... U.S. District Judge Ed Kinkeade of Dallas had given Fantroy the choice because the ex-councilman had kidney cancer and used a wheelchair. (Fresno Bee -- Local)
10000 set to pay for top-up cancer drugs Oct 26, 2008
In August Nice ruled that four life-prolonging kidney cancer drugs should not be funded on the NHS because, although they could halt the spread of the cancer for six months, this would be at a cost of up to 35,000 a year. Nice will now be asked to take greater account of how precious this extra time is for terminally ill patients. (Times Online)
Banding Together Oct 24, 2008
Big Ten rivals Penn State and Ohio State to show solidarity in the fight against kidney cancer, even while knocking heads at the Horseshoe Saturday night ... The PSU and OSU chapters have each targeted kidney cancer as the focal point of their efforts ... And the orange wristbands being worn by players on both teams this weekend are meant to be symbolic of the battle against kidney cancer. (LionNews.com)
Freeze therapy Oct 23, 2008
Kidney cancer patients are being offered new hope of a cure with a treatment that kills tumours by freezing them ... " Mr Phelps is one of around 7,000 people a year to be diagnosed with kidney cancer - one of the top ten biggest cancer killers in the UK. It affects mainly men. Ball of ice During his keyhole surgery several needles were pushed into the tumours. Argon gas was then pumped via the needle tip. This creates a large ice ball of minus 40 degrees celcius to cover the tumour, freezing it... (BBC News -- Health)
Robert 'Bob' A. Freeman, 45, corporate lawyer Oct 21, 2008
Robert A. Freeman, a corporate lawyer and former judicial clerk, died Sept. 22 at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center of kidney cancer. The Dover resident was 45. (Boston Globe)
A new shade for solidarity Oct 18, 2008
His sister Helen Lykes has battled breast and kidney cancer and in homage to them all, he started using pink chocks a while ago. Chocks are small blocks of wood firefighters use as wedges and they stuff them into bands around their helmets, for easy access. (NJ.com -- Times)
Principal Survives Breast Cancer; School Goes Pink Oct 18, 2008
I have been afflicted with breast cancer twice and kidney cancer once; due to this I strive to help other people, said Salazar. She's fought the battle for the past 20 years. (KFOXTV.com, TX)
Our view: Pratt cancer study is a research milestone Oct 17, 2008
The study found there was a 30 percent greater death rate from kidney cancer and a 27 percent higher rate of nonmalignant respiratory disease deaths at the North Haven plant. Those rates are considered statistically significant. (Middletown Press, CT)
Doctors 'bending the rules to defy NHS ban on patients buying ... Oct 15, 2008
Kidney cancer patient Ian Jenkins, 47, is determined to prolong the time he can spend with his daughter. The father, pictured here with two-year-old Eve, is paying privately for a drug called Sutent but he is managing to avoid the penalty of being charged for NHS care at the same time. (Daily Mail)
Breakout drug Oct 13, 2008
1998: Herceptin, advanced breast cancer2001: Gleevec, chronic myeloid leukemia2002: Gleevec, gastrointestinal tumors2004: Erbitux, colon cancer2004: Avastin, colorectal cancer2004: Tarceva, lung cancer2005: Tarceva, pancreatic cancer2005: Nexavar, kidney cancer2006: Vectibix, colorectal cancer2006: Herceptin, early breast cancer2006: Sutent, kidney cancer and gastrointestinal cancer2007: Sutent, liver cancer2007: Tykerb, advanced breast cancer. Source: FDA. (USA Today -- News)
Drug Sorafenib Improves Kidney Cancer Outcomes Oct 11, 2008
THURSDAY, Oct. 9 (HealthDay News) -- People with kidney cancer, regardless of age, seem to benefit from and tolerate sorafenib drug therapy equally well, a new study says. The finding, published online Oct. 7 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, counters the general perception that older patients derive less benefit from the therapy and are more likely to suffer side effects than younger patients. (MEDLINEplus)
Obituary: Robert Freeman Oct 7, 2008
Memorial donations may be made to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 10 Brookline Place West, Brookline, MA 02445-7226; or to Kidney Cancer Research Fund, c/o Dr. Michael B. Atkins, MASCO 412, 375 Longwood Ave., Boston MA 02215. Arrangements were made by Levine Chapels, Brookline. (Dover Sherborn Tab, MA)
Lonedell Family Fights Together After Cancer Diagnosis Oct 4, 2008
Wilms' tumor is a rare kidney cancer that primarily affects children. Also known as nephroblastoma, it is the most common malignant tumor of the kidneys in children. (Missourian Publishing, MO)
Actuarial tables paint scary picture of possible McCain-Palin administration Oct 3, 2008
Amy Redding wrote on Oct 1, 2008 8:45 AM:" Speaking from personal experience, a malignant melenoma is not necessarily a death sentence. My mother had a malignant melanomea removed and prudently had further testing. Doctors discovered stage 1 kidney cancer. The kidney was removed 4 years ago and now she is cancer free and heathy as ever at 67. John McCain surely has had the best cancer treatments as well. Cancer is not the immediate death sentence it used to be with modern day testing. Any one of... (DeKalb Daily Chronicle, IL)
Research Suggests Doctors Should Consider Kidney-sparing Surgery Oct 3, 2008
2, 2008) A study of almost 1,500 kidney cancer patients treated at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center suggests that surgery to spare as much kidney tissue as possible may improve overall survival in patients who also have reduced kidney function at the time their cancer is diagnosed. The finding is significant because both kidney cancer and decreased kidney function appear to be increasing ... "In patients who have the combination of kidney cancer and lowered kidney function, doctors should... (Science Daily)
Stocks to Watch: Aditya Birla, Rel, HCL Oct 3, 2008
The application had sought permission to manufacture and export copy versions of two patented drugs: F Hoffman La Roche Ltds lung cancer drug Tarceva, and Pfizer Inc.s kidney cancer drug Sutent. Sun Pharmaceuticals continues its focus on the US with new vigour. (India Times)
Healthy James Levine opens Boston Symphony season Sep 25, 2008
BOSTON - James Levine returned to podium for the Boston Symphony Orchestra's gala opening night performance, after taking several weeks off following surgery for kidney cancer. During a dress rehearsal earlier Wednesday at historic Symphony Hall, Levine said he felt great and was excited to return. (Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier)
Cancer drug access varies widely Sep 24, 2008
People prescribed Sutent by their doctors for kidney cancer would be unlucky if they lived in Oxfordshire whose PCT turned down 12 out of 13 requests for the drug, compared to people living just a few miles down the road in Buckinghamshire, which did fund 13 out of 15 requests for the same drug. In fact, the survey revealed that Oxfordshire is one of the worst places in the UK to apply for the five top cancer drugs, since it turned down 16 of the 17 requests it received last year. (BBC News -- UK)
Groups say bailout doesn't do enough to aid homeowners Sep 24, 2008
"Industry lobbyists have said the proposal is unnecessary because once the government buys the troubled mortgage securities, it has the authority to change the loan terms and make the loans affordable.The bankruptcy provision would be an immediate help to homeowners such as Candace Weaver, an 8th grade teacher in Wilmington, N.C.In December 2005, Weaver and her husband refinanced their home loan to pay some bills while her husband recovered from a heart attack. They got an adjustable-rate... (Anchorage Daily News)
Are campaign contributors buying justice? Sep 21, 2008
resident has survived a bout with kidney cancer and, in December, a fall that broke bones in his back and foot. "There's a tremendous amount of pressure and tension in what we've done," said Mr. Caperton, who gives his age as "an old 53.". (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA)
Dion answers Liberal critics with Rae at his side Sep 17, 2008
That catastrophic pharmacare plan is especially aimed at the four Atlantic Canada provinces, who have less drug coverage than most other provinces, and would fund payments for high-cost drug treatments for illnesses like kidney cancer. But at a time when stock markets are bleeding huge sums, Mr. Dion veered from his topic in his speech to blast Mr. Harper for mismanaging the economy, accusing him of denying the depth of the problem in the hope Canadians won't notice before the election. (Globe and Mail -- National)
Latest RAD001 Study Results Show Further Increase in Time Without Tumor Growth in Patients With Advanced Kidney Cancer Sep 16, 2008
9 months with placebo - One quarter of patients in trial remained progression-free beyond ten months of treatment - RAD001 is first drug to show significant benefit after failure of initial therapy, Sutent(R) or Nexavar(R)**, with potential to address unmet medical need - RAD001 under review by regulatory authorities; potential to be first once-daily oral mTOR therapy for advanced kidney cancer EAST HANOVER, N.J., Sept. 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- New data continue to demonstrate the potential... (PR Newswire)
Avastin slows progression of lung cancer Sep 16, 2008
The drug is approved in different countries as a treatment for colorectal, lung, breast and kidney cancer. VIEW: lect. (Scientific American)
New Tool To Speed Cancer Therapy Approval Available Sep 16, 2008
(May 31, 2007) The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today approved Torisel (temsirolimus) for the treatment of a certain type of advanced kidney cancer known as renal cell carcinoma. Torisel was approved. (Science Daily)
Glaxo's pazopanib shows promise in ovarian cancer Sep 15, 2008
Pazopanib is already in pivotal clinical tests as a treatment for breast cancer and has just completed a Phase III assessment in kidney cancer ... Paoletti said the drug was most likely to win its first regulatory approval in kidney cancer, where it will compete with a number of other new products ... Pfizer and Bayer have recently introduced competing kidney cancer drugs called Sutent and Nexavar, while Novartis hopes to win a green light for its product Afinitor around the end of the year. (International Herald Tribune -- Technology)
Rationed kidney cancer drugs can lengthen survival Sep 15, 2008
Patients with advanced kidney cancer who were given the drugs sunitib and sorafenib survived for an average of 22 months, compared with patients who were refused the drug, who died after seven months ... A new study of 80 patients treated in Birmingham Hospitals compared the fate of 40 who were given the drugs for advanced kidney cancer with 40 whose requests for funding were denied ... He described the drugs sunitib, marketed as Sutent, and sorafenib, branded Nexavar, as "the only hope" to... (Telegraph.co.uk)
