In September 2011, the American Association of Cancer Research (AACR) issued a new report, “AACR Cancer Progress Report 2011” (www.aacr.org/Uploads/Document Re pository/2011CPR/2011_AACR_CPR_ Text_web.pdf) on the current state of cancer research and the implications of recent cuts in funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Cancer Institute (NCI). These cuts in NIH and NCI funding are already adversely affecting the progress made in cancer research in the United States.

In phase 1 and 2 clinical trials, olaparib, a small-molecule poly(ADPribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor, has demonstrated objective responses in women with breast or ovarian cancer and BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations. Results of a new study show that olaparib may be a promising therapy for women with aggressive ovarian cancer (Gelmon KA, et al. Lancet Oncol. 2011;12:852-861).

The BCR-ABL inhibitor nilotinib (Tasigna) was developed as a selective treatment for patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) who are not responding appropriately to imatinib (Gleevec) therapy. Previous results from the Evaluating Nilotinib Efficacy and Safety in Clinical Trials–Newly Diagnosed Patients (ENESTnd) study showed 12-month superior efficacy for nilotinib over imatinib in patients with newly diagnosed Philadelphia chromosome– positive (Ph+) CML in the chronic phase.

New discoveries in diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of cancer abound, but what is just “noise”? What is in oncology that is interesting, intriguing, inspiring, yet still just “noise,” because the path to action “here and now” is missing, or not obvious?

San Francisco, CA—A novel histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor, when added to the aromatase inhibitor exemestane (Aromasin), appears to restore sensitivity to the endocrine agent by significantly delaying recurrences and creating an increased survival trend.

The findings come from the Entinostat Combinations Overcoming Resistance (ENCORE 301) study presented at the 2011 Breast Cancer Symposium by Denise Yardley, MD, Sarah Cannon Research Institute and Tennessee Oncology, Nashville.

San Francisco, CA—Several studies presented at the 2011 Breast Cancer Symposium shed light on the quality of breast cancer care received by women who are uninsured or receiving Medicaid.

In a study conducted at Rollins School of Public Health of Emory University, Atlanta, researchers investigated the quality of breast cancer treatment in patients enrolled under Medicaid and the Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention and Treatment Act (BCCPTA) of 2000 in Georgia.

San Francisco, CA—Accelerated partial breast irradiation using brachytherapy (APBIb) for breast cancer has been rapidly adopted in the United States, although its use varies by region, race, and ethnicity. Jona A. Hattangadi, MD, Harvard Radiation Oncology Program, Boston, reported the findings at the 2011 ASCO Breast Cancer Symposium, which was sponsored by 6 breast, oncology, and surgical societies.

San Francisco, CA—The debate over the clinical significance of occult micrometastases in the lymph nodes of patients with breast cancer continues.

San Francisco, CA—Whether women receive chemotherapy or surgery first as their initial treatment for breast cancer does not affect long-term localregional recurrence, according to a large case series from the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, that was presented at the 2011 Breast Cancer Symposium.

The population of cancer survivors is rapidly growing. More than 12 million Americans are alive after a cancer diagnosis: most are living at least 5 years and 16% are alive 20 years after diagnosis.

This growing population of cancer survivors is at risk for many comorbidities, especially as they age. A study of 10,397 childhood cancer survivors showed that group is 8 times more likely to have a severe or life-threatening condition than their siblings (Oeffinger K, et al. N Engl J Med. 2006; 355:1572-1582).

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