Today in breast cancer news, there are stories on the government response to the drug shortage, the use of hormone replacement therapy to treat hot flashes and a great piece on gifts for mastectomy patients. Interestingly, all of today's stories are from the New York Times.
The US considers interventions in response to the drug shortage
The chemotherapy drug shortage is real. A LATESTBreastCancer.com subscriber recently shared that she was unable to receive her last infusion of Taxol (paclitaxel). She was given another, similar drug instead. (She shares her experience in her blog.)
Last week, USA Today ran a story on price gouging due to the shortage.
On Friday, the New York Times wrote about government plans for intervention. (Link may be found on the Taxol page of our website.) Proposals include a national stockpile of cancer drugs, a nonprofit to manage drug import and manufacture, mandatory early warnings of shortages and increased inspections of foreign plants.
In the meantime, concern and prices are soaring. Dr. Michael Link, president of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, was quoted in the New York Times, "These shortages are just killing us." “These drugs save lives, and it’s unconscionable that medicines that cost a couple of bucks a vial are unavailable.”
Hot flashes, hormone replacement therapy and breast cancer risk
Is hormone replacement therapy, which has been associated with an increased risk of breast cancer, still an option to treat hot flashes during menopause?
An August 15 blog in the New York Times suggests it should be for some. For women with severe symptoms, hormone replacement is effective. Alternative remedies such as soy and flaxseed have been disappointing in clinical trial.
According to the article, some doctors are frustrated by the message that women must seek alternative treatment. They believe risk of breast cancer should be factored into the decision like any other treatment side-effect. For some women, the benefits of hormone replacement would outweigh the risks.
Back in May, the Los Angeles Times ran a similar piece. Dr. Richard Santen, the endocrinologist interviewed, clarified that studies on breast cancer risk have involved women in their 60s. For women in their 50s, who have had a hysterectomy, estrogen alone may be taken to treat symptoms of menopause. For women with a low personal risk of breast cancer, taking estrogen and progesterone results in a potential breast cancer risk which is "also quite low." On the other hand, women with a family history of breast cancer and high personal risk should not take estrogen plus progesterone. He concluded, "We've got to individualize the therapy to the individual patient."
Gifts for mastectomy patients
"What gifts bring the most comfort to breast surgery patients?" Last week, the New York Times shared an entry from the Losing My Boobs blog with terrific suggestions for gifts for mastectomy patients. It's a must read for women facing surgery and her friends and family.
Please check back tomorrow for more breast cancer news and research updates. Until then, all news and research on any breast cancer test or treatment option may be found on the LATESTBreastCancer.com website.
Showing posts with label Taxol. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Taxol. Show all posts
Monday, August 22, 2011
Friday, August 12, 2011
Breast Cancer News (8/12): Insomnia and anemia
Feeling tired? Insomnia and anemia are problems for many breast cancer patients, and both cause fatigue. Today we'll look at the latest breast cancer research on insomnia and anemia.
Insomnia in breast cancer patients and survivors
Three recent studies and a Reuters news story addressed insomnia in breast cancer patients and survivors. All may be found on the mastectomy page of the LATESTBreastCancer.com website.
Insomnia before and after surgery for early-stage cancer
An August 8 Journal of Clinical Oncology study from Canada periodically assessed insomnia in early-stage cancer patients from before surgery to 18 months later. Before surgery, insomnia levels were high. Women with breast or gynecologic cancers had higher rates than men with prostate cancer.
Over time, insomnia declined, but remained pervasive even 18 months later. The authors suggest that "[e]arly intervention strategies, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, could prevent the problem from becoming more severe and chronic."
Carol Enderlin, a sleep researcher not involved in either study, told Reuters the findings indicate that sleep is "a really big problem for cancer patients." She advised patients to report changes in sleep before the problems become more severe. "When people are faced with stress, when they are faced with challenges, they do much better on a good night's sleep," she said. "It's very important, never more so than with cancer patients."
Insomnia, fatigue and depression after treatment for early breast cancer
Also on August 8, a Journal of Clinical Oncology study from UCLA assessed fatigue, sleep disturbance and depression among women who completed surgery, radiation and/or chemotherapy for early breast cancer. More than 60% reported "clinically significant problems with fatigue and sleep, and 25% reported elevated depressive symptoms." Women treated with chemotherapy reported higher levels of all symptoms. The authors associated the symptoms with elevated blood levels of markers of inflammation, suggesting that inflammatory signaling contributes to fatigue.
Insomnia may be due to arm and shoulder pain from breast cancer treatment
A June study from Norway in Sleep Medicine evaluated insomnia a median of 4 years and again 7 years after surgery and radiation for stage II/III breast cancer. Arm and shoulder pain at 4 years was significantly associated with insomnia at 4 and 7 years on simple analysis. In multivariate analysis, however, only the use of sleep aids remained associated with insomnia at 4 years. Only insomnia at 4 years remained associated with insomnia at 7 years. Nevertheless, the authors concluded that arm and shoulder problems, particularly pain, are factors to consider in breast cancer survivors with insomnia.
Anemia develops immediately after treatment for advanced cancer
One potential side effect of chemotherapy is anemia, a low red blood cell count. An August 3 study in Breast Cancer Research and Treatment analyzed the blood of advanced breast cancer patients one hour after chemotherapy with Adriamycin (doxorubicin) or Taxol (paclitaxel). Just one hour after chemotherapy, anemia and oxidative stress were already evident. The authors conclude that this is a new perspective on the aggravation of chronic anemia in women with advanced breast cancer.
Please check back Monday for the weekend breast cancer research news update. Until then, all the latest news and research for any breast cancer test or treatment option may be found on the LATESTBreastCancer.com website anytime.
Insomnia in breast cancer patients and survivors
Three recent studies and a Reuters news story addressed insomnia in breast cancer patients and survivors. All may be found on the mastectomy page of the LATESTBreastCancer.com website.
Insomnia before and after surgery for early-stage cancer
An August 8 Journal of Clinical Oncology study from Canada periodically assessed insomnia in early-stage cancer patients from before surgery to 18 months later. Before surgery, insomnia levels were high. Women with breast or gynecologic cancers had higher rates than men with prostate cancer.
Over time, insomnia declined, but remained pervasive even 18 months later. The authors suggest that "[e]arly intervention strategies, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, could prevent the problem from becoming more severe and chronic."
Carol Enderlin, a sleep researcher not involved in either study, told Reuters the findings indicate that sleep is "a really big problem for cancer patients." She advised patients to report changes in sleep before the problems become more severe. "When people are faced with stress, when they are faced with challenges, they do much better on a good night's sleep," she said. "It's very important, never more so than with cancer patients."
Insomnia, fatigue and depression after treatment for early breast cancer
Also on August 8, a Journal of Clinical Oncology study from UCLA assessed fatigue, sleep disturbance and depression among women who completed surgery, radiation and/or chemotherapy for early breast cancer. More than 60% reported "clinically significant problems with fatigue and sleep, and 25% reported elevated depressive symptoms." Women treated with chemotherapy reported higher levels of all symptoms. The authors associated the symptoms with elevated blood levels of markers of inflammation, suggesting that inflammatory signaling contributes to fatigue.
Insomnia may be due to arm and shoulder pain from breast cancer treatment
A June study from Norway in Sleep Medicine evaluated insomnia a median of 4 years and again 7 years after surgery and radiation for stage II/III breast cancer. Arm and shoulder pain at 4 years was significantly associated with insomnia at 4 and 7 years on simple analysis. In multivariate analysis, however, only the use of sleep aids remained associated with insomnia at 4 years. Only insomnia at 4 years remained associated with insomnia at 7 years. Nevertheless, the authors concluded that arm and shoulder problems, particularly pain, are factors to consider in breast cancer survivors with insomnia.
Anemia develops immediately after treatment for advanced cancer
One potential side effect of chemotherapy is anemia, a low red blood cell count. An August 3 study in Breast Cancer Research and Treatment analyzed the blood of advanced breast cancer patients one hour after chemotherapy with Adriamycin (doxorubicin) or Taxol (paclitaxel). Just one hour after chemotherapy, anemia and oxidative stress were already evident. The authors conclude that this is a new perspective on the aggravation of chronic anemia in women with advanced breast cancer.
Please check back Monday for the weekend breast cancer research news update. Until then, all the latest news and research for any breast cancer test or treatment option may be found on the LATESTBreastCancer.com website anytime.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
The Breast Cancer News Update: June 24
In the news today the FDA says silicone implants appear to be safe. Also, a possible shortage of a mainstay breast cancer chemotherapy, and the possibility of a topical gel form of tamoxifen that might eliminate side effects that keep some patients from using the drug.
Silicon Implants: So Far So Good
Silicone breast implants were banned in 1992 based on health concerns but then were reintroduced into the market in 2006. Yesterday FDA officials claimed that, based on research performed since 2006, their decision to reintroduce the products seems to have been the right one. The research was performed by the manufacturers. Last year 60% of breast implants were silicone-based rather than saline-based. You can find all of these stories on our Breast Implant page.
A Possible Shortage of Taxol (paclitaxel)
Taxol is one of the most commonly used breast cancer chemotherapeutics. It's used to treat early stage, locally advanced and metastatic disease. A report from About.com claims that some hospitals are finding it difficult to get enough of the drug. The degree of the shortage is unclear, as is the reason. Find the article on our Taxol page.
Tamoxifen the Gel
Researchers at Northwestern University are conducting a clinical trial of a gel form of tamoxifen that might very well avoid some of the major side effects of the tablet: namely, blood clots, uterine cancer and hot flashes. In theory, a gel would concentrate the drug in the breast and minimize exposure to the rest of the body. This could be very good news, especially for the many women at high risk who choose not to take the drug based on their concerns about these side effects. The article does not say when the drug might be available assuming positive trial results. The article will be the first News Article listed on LatestBreastCancer.com's Tamoxifen page.
Next update: Monday June 27. Enjoy the weekend!
Silicon Implants: So Far So Good
Silicone breast implants were banned in 1992 based on health concerns but then were reintroduced into the market in 2006. Yesterday FDA officials claimed that, based on research performed since 2006, their decision to reintroduce the products seems to have been the right one. The research was performed by the manufacturers. Last year 60% of breast implants were silicone-based rather than saline-based. You can find all of these stories on our Breast Implant page.
A Possible Shortage of Taxol (paclitaxel)
Taxol is one of the most commonly used breast cancer chemotherapeutics. It's used to treat early stage, locally advanced and metastatic disease. A report from About.com claims that some hospitals are finding it difficult to get enough of the drug. The degree of the shortage is unclear, as is the reason. Find the article on our Taxol page.
Tamoxifen the Gel
Researchers at Northwestern University are conducting a clinical trial of a gel form of tamoxifen that might very well avoid some of the major side effects of the tablet: namely, blood clots, uterine cancer and hot flashes. In theory, a gel would concentrate the drug in the breast and minimize exposure to the rest of the body. This could be very good news, especially for the many women at high risk who choose not to take the drug based on their concerns about these side effects. The article does not say when the drug might be available assuming positive trial results. The article will be the first News Article listed on LatestBreastCancer.com's Tamoxifen page.
Next update: Monday June 27. Enjoy the weekend!
Monday, May 23, 2011
The Breast Cancer News Update: May 23
All of today's breast cancer news involves early research. Although these discoveries are not yet available in clinical practice, it's interesting to see what's coming down the pike.
Link between obesity gene and breast cancer risk
Chicago researchers discovered a connection between obesity and breast cancer risk. In the study, people who possessed a variant in the fat mass and obesity associated gene (FTO) had a 30% greater risk of developing breast cancer. Everyone carries the FTO gene, but only 18% have the variant. Testing is not currently available.
Biomarker predicts Taxane-induced neuropathy
Researchers in Indiana identified a biomarker which predicts who is at risk for neuropathy, or nerve pain, numbness or tingling, from taxane chemotherapy, such as Taxol (paclitaxel). Again, a test is not currently available and further research is planned.
Protein is involved in development of tamoxifen resistance
UK researchers identified a protein which is involved in the development of tamoxifen resistance. In animal and cell studies, blocking the production of the protein made tamoxifen resistant cancer cells more responsive to tamoxifen. Scientists are now looking for drugs to block the effects of the protein.
At LATESTBreastCancer.com, we'll continue to follow these and other early breast cancer research developments. When something becomes clinically relevant, or an option for a patient today, even if off-label or in clinical trial, we add it to our database. All clinically relevant test and treatment options can be found on our website.
Link between obesity gene and breast cancer risk
Chicago researchers discovered a connection between obesity and breast cancer risk. In the study, people who possessed a variant in the fat mass and obesity associated gene (FTO) had a 30% greater risk of developing breast cancer. Everyone carries the FTO gene, but only 18% have the variant. Testing is not currently available.
Biomarker predicts Taxane-induced neuropathy
Researchers in Indiana identified a biomarker which predicts who is at risk for neuropathy, or nerve pain, numbness or tingling, from taxane chemotherapy, such as Taxol (paclitaxel). Again, a test is not currently available and further research is planned.
Protein is involved in development of tamoxifen resistance
UK researchers identified a protein which is involved in the development of tamoxifen resistance. In animal and cell studies, blocking the production of the protein made tamoxifen resistant cancer cells more responsive to tamoxifen. Scientists are now looking for drugs to block the effects of the protein.
At LATESTBreastCancer.com, we'll continue to follow these and other early breast cancer research developments. When something becomes clinically relevant, or an option for a patient today, even if off-label or in clinical trial, we add it to our database. All clinically relevant test and treatment options can be found on our website.
Friday, May 20, 2011
The Breast Cancer News Update: May 20
It's the Friday breast cancer news weekly research wrap-up. Today we'll highlight some of the links to medical journal abstracts we added to the LATESTBreastCancer.com database this week.
Hormone therapy research: Fareston and Arimidex
A review from China, published in Breast Cancer Research and Treatment, concluded that toremifene (Fareston) is "an effective and safe alternative to tamoxifen" for adjuvant endocrine therapy. The authors analyzed four randomized trials with over 3,700 patients.
There were two Journal of Clinical Oncology studies involving aromatase inhibitors this week. The first found that patients respond differently to anastrozole (Arimidex) therapy depending upon body mass index (BMI). The second found that aromatase inhibitor use before surgery can reduce mastectomy rates. Both stories attracted media attention. Links to the research abstracts and news stories can be found on the anastrozole (Arimidex) page of our website.
Chemotherapy research: Taxol
An MD Anderson study published in Breast Cancer Research and Treatment found that the addition of paclitaxel (Taxol) to the doxorubicin (Adriamycin)/cyclophosphamide (Cytoxen) chemotherapy combination (AC) had no impact on locoregional control (LRC) in patients with node-positive breast cancer. Researchers concluded that the historically inferior LRC without paclitaxel may have been due to "an inadequate duration of systemic therapy and not due to the absence of paclitaxel."
Complementary Therapies: Vitamin D
A study published in Breast Cancer Research found that blood plasma levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D "were not significantly associated with breast cancer risk" in a premenopausal population. Last month, the media reported that plasma levels of Vitamin D were associated with more aggressive tumors. This week's study and last month's news can be found on the Vitamin D page of our website.
Check back on Monday for a summary of the weekend breast cancer news. In the meantime, I'll send any important updates out on Twitter (@ann_latestbc).
Hormone therapy research: Fareston and Arimidex
A review from China, published in Breast Cancer Research and Treatment, concluded that toremifene (Fareston) is "an effective and safe alternative to tamoxifen" for adjuvant endocrine therapy. The authors analyzed four randomized trials with over 3,700 patients.
There were two Journal of Clinical Oncology studies involving aromatase inhibitors this week. The first found that patients respond differently to anastrozole (Arimidex) therapy depending upon body mass index (BMI). The second found that aromatase inhibitor use before surgery can reduce mastectomy rates. Both stories attracted media attention. Links to the research abstracts and news stories can be found on the anastrozole (Arimidex) page of our website.
Chemotherapy research: Taxol
An MD Anderson study published in Breast Cancer Research and Treatment found that the addition of paclitaxel (Taxol) to the doxorubicin (Adriamycin)/cyclophosphamide (Cytoxen) chemotherapy combination (AC) had no impact on locoregional control (LRC) in patients with node-positive breast cancer. Researchers concluded that the historically inferior LRC without paclitaxel may have been due to "an inadequate duration of systemic therapy and not due to the absence of paclitaxel."
Complementary Therapies: Vitamin D
A study published in Breast Cancer Research found that blood plasma levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D "were not significantly associated with breast cancer risk" in a premenopausal population. Last month, the media reported that plasma levels of Vitamin D were associated with more aggressive tumors. This week's study and last month's news can be found on the Vitamin D page of our website.
Check back on Monday for a summary of the weekend breast cancer news. In the meantime, I'll send any important updates out on Twitter (@ann_latestbc).
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