A national survey of health professionals showed that drug shortages are taking a heavy toll on cancer patients.  The results characterize oncology drug shortages across the United States and the impact of shortages on clinical practice, patient safety, clinical trials, and health care costs.  The researchers conclude that shortages may force treatment changes and delays that, for some patients, may meant worse outcomes, more therapy-related complications and higher costs. investigators…

A new phase III study confirms that the breast cancer drug nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel (Abraxane®, Celgene) in combination with gemcitabine (Gemzar®, Eli Lilly and Company), the current standard of for advanced pancreatic cancer, demonstrated highly statistically significant and clinically meaningful results across primary and key secondary endpoints and patient…

Two new studies presented at ESMO 2012, the meeting of the European Society for Medical Oncology in Vienna, Austria (September 28 - October 2, 2012) show how improvements in breast cancer treatments are making it possible for more women to conserve their breasts following therapy. However, the trials but raise concerns about whether enough women are being offered these approaches.…

Researchers at Duquesne Universityhave developed new, nontoxic, anti-tumor compounds which may offer such great promise for fighting hard-to-treat tumors that the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has placed them on its fast track for development.



These novel agents fight breast and other cancers that become resistant to paclitaxel (Taxol®, Bristol-Myers…

The European Commission has approved bevacizumab (Avastin®, Roche) in combination with standard chemotherapy (carboplatin and paclitaxel) as a first-line treatment following surgery for women with advanced ovarian…

Final Phase III data from clinical trial with Abraxane® (paclitaxel albumin-bound particles for injectable suspension developed by Celgene Biopharmaceuticals) in combination with carboplatin in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)shows significantly improved overall response rate for patients receiving the drug combination.



The…

Bevacizumab (Avastin®, Genentech/Roche) in combination with paclitaxel remains a treatment option for women with breast cancer, but not with other combinations. Earlier today the European Medicines Agency (EMA) confirmed that the benefits of bevacizumab in combination with paclitaxel outweigh its risks and that this combination remains a valuable treatment option for patients suffering from metastatic breast cancer.



The decision by the European regulators…

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced today that the agency is recommending removing the breast cancer indication from the label for bevacizumab (Avastin®, Genentech/Roche) because the drug has not been shown to be safe and effective for that use.



The FDA is making this recommendation after reviewing the results of four clinical studies of bevacizumab in women with HER2-negative, metastatic…