Head and neck cancer patients with a history of smoking have the worst prognosis. A new clinical trial conducted only at the University of Colorado Cancer Center will use a novel combination of two drugs with radiation to help increase the odds for this population. Funding for this unique clinical trial comes in part from the 5th annual "Heads Up For Head and Neck Cancer" golf tournament, sponsored by brothers Kuntal and Rahool Vora in loving memory of their father, Naren A. Vora. The tournament will take place Saturday, June 16th at the Raccoon Creek Golf Course in Littleton, CO. Shotgun start is at 7:30am. Registration is linked … [Read more...]
Golf tournament directly funds first-of-its-kind research in head and neck cancer
May 17, 2012 By Leave a Comment
The protein RAL is associated with aggressive characteristics in prostate, bladder and skin cancers
May 17, 2012 By Leave a Comment
THREE KEY POINTS: Presence of the proteins RalA and RalB predict aggressive human cancers RAL proteins change gene expression -- signatures of these changed genes predict cancer stage and shorter survival RAL proteins are a likely target for cancer therapies We have known for years that when the proteins RalA and RalB are present, cells in dishes copy toward aggressive forms of cancer. However, until this week, no study had explored the effects of RAL proteins in human cancers – an essential step on the path to developing drugs to target these proteins. From metastasis in bladder cancer, to seminal vessel … [Read more...]
Dietary supplements increase cancer risk
May 15, 2012 By Leave a Comment
THREE KEY POINTS: Taken at more than 10x RDA, beta-carotene, selenium and folic acid are proven to increase cancer risk Full biological effects of dietary supplements are unknown Supplements lack the FDA regulation afforded to "drugs" Beta-carotene, selenium and folic acid – taken up to three times their recommended daily allowance, these supplements are probably harmless. But taken at much higher levels as some supplement manufacturers suggest, these three supplements have now been proven to increase the risk of developing a host of cancers. "It's not that these nutrients are toxic – they're essential and we … [Read more...]
Prostate danger zone study wins international best paper prize
May 10, 2012 By Leave a Comment
A high level of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) predicts prostate cancer – about 30 percent of men with PSA over 4.0ng/ml have the disease. And until recently, below 4.0ng/ml was considered fairly safe. A University of Colorado Cancer Center paper shows that even at PSA levels between 1.5-4.0ng/ml, a man's chance of having prostate cancer increases 15-fold. The finding was chosen the year's top publication in the British Journal of Urology International. "We call this the 'early warning PSA zone'," says E. David Crawford, MD, investigator at the CU Cancer Center and the study's lead author. Specifically, Crawford's study examined … [Read more...]
Human tumors grown in mice help little cancer drugs go big
May 2, 2012 By Leave a Comment
THREE KEY POINTS: Human tumors, sampled and grown on mice are more accurate cancer models than cell lines grown on plastic Human-derived "xenografts" are more genetically are structurally similar to patient tumors Patient-derived tumor models can help predict who will respond to new, targeted cancer treatments and how to overcome a tumor's treatment resistance Sampling human tumors and incubating them on mouse models is more accurate than standard cell lines grown on plastic, writes a paper from the University of Colorado Cancer Center, recently published in the journal Nature Reviews: Clinical Oncology. These … [Read more...]
Pedaling with purpose
May 2, 2012 By Leave a Comment
After 12 years of support, researcher gives back to Leukemia & Lymphoma Society James DeGregori is no stranger to cycling or to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. At the age of 10, DeGregori became a commuter cyclist, biking back and forth to school. Today, more than 30 years later, he still commutes 20 miles a day to and from the University of Colorado Cancer Center, where he co-directs the center’s Molecular Oncology Program. “I greatly enjoy cycling to work,” says DeGregori, PhD, professor of biochemistry and molecular genetics at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. “It’s a great way to stay healthy … [Read more...]
Thriving once cancer treatment is complete
May 1, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Be among the first in the nation to take part in cancer survivorship research trial University of Colorado Cancer Center is looking for cancer survivors in Colorado Springs to take part in a clinical trial of a program aimed at helping them manage their condition more effectively. The program, called “Cancer: Thriving and Surviving,” is adapted from a method proven effective by helping people manage other chronic conditions like diabetes and arthritis. Nearly 150 people have participated, half of the study recruitment goal. With more than 12 million cancer survivors nationwide, researchers would like to know if programs that have … [Read more...]
Study to find biomarkers that make Hispanics with lung cancer live longer
May 1, 2012 By Leave a Comment
THREE KEY POINTS: On average, Hispanic lung cancer patients survive longer than other ethnic groups Researchers suspect genetic reasons for this increased survival A new study from NCI and partners including the University of Colorado Cancer Center will search for the genetic "biomarkers" of this increased survival The Los Angeles Time reports that despite fewer resources and less access to care, Latino lung cancer patients in the U.S. survive longer than their non-Latino white and black counterparts. A study now underway at University of Colorado Cancer Center consortium partner, Denver Health Medical Center, and … [Read more...]
Drug combination nearly doubles survival for subset of advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients
April 26, 2012 By Leave a Comment
THREE KEY POINTS: Results of 30-center phase II clinical trial show that combination of erlotinib and entinostat nearly doubles survival in subset of advanced non-small-cell lung cancer patients Entinostat increases the effectiveness of erlotinib in patients with high E-cadherin Example of personalized cancer care, target at tumor's genetic characteristics The drug erlotinib is FDA-approved for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer, "but we haven't cured a patient yet," says Fred R. Hirsch, MD, PhD, investigator at the University of Colorado Cancer Center. "And so the challenge is to improve its … [Read more...]
“It’s now a part of our family history”
April 23, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Blindsided by multiple cancer diagnoses in one year, family and friends decide to do something about it Prior to 2010, the Wehling’s family history of cancer was short. Maybe one or two cases of prostate cancer, says Karen Wehling, but not enough to cause concern. In the span of 12 months, that short history ballooned: colorectal and throat cancer was added. Paul Wehling, Karen’s husband of 32 years, was diagnosed with throat cancer in June 2010. A year later, Karen’s routine colonoscopy revealed colorectal cancer. The family was in shock. “I was blindsided by the diagnosis,” says Beth Slaboda, Karen and Paul’s … [Read more...]
About Kim Chriscaden
Kim Chriscaden is the web/communications specialist for the University of Colorado Cancer Center. Reach her at kimberly.chriscaden [at] ucdenver.edu or 303-724-0114..
