ALL ABOUT PROSTATE CANCER

Beyond The Abstract - Is It Necessary To Cure Prostate Cancer When It Is Possible?
UroToday.com - Treating Prostate Cancer as a Chronic Disease is becoming increasingly popular among physicians who recognize that up to a third of all prostate cancer treatments are unnecessary. The late, William Fair, M.D. (former Chairman of the Departments of Urology and Surgery at Memorial Sloan-Kettering) popularized the concept when he stated in 2000, “Based on everything we know about prostate cancer, I am not certain that it should not be treated as a chronic disease.

Docetaxel Plus Prednisone Or Mitoxantrone Plus Prednisone For Advanced Prostate Cancer: Updated Survival In The TAX 327 Study
UroToday.com- The TAX 327 study was reported in 2004 and evaluated patients with hormone-refractory prostate cancer (HRPC) in three treatment arms; docetaxel 75mg/m2 every 3 weeks (D3P), docetaxel 30mg/ m2 weekly (D1P), or mitoxantrone 12 m2 every 3 weeks (MP), each with prednisone 5mg twice daily. It demonstrated significant survival benefit to D3P compared to MP but no significant difference to D1P. D3P also had better palliation. At that report, 557 of 1,006 participants had died.
Infant study casts doubt on vaccine-autism link
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The mercury in a vaccine preservative is pumped out of a baby’s body too quickly for it to do any damage, researchers reported on Wednesday in a study they say should further absolve shots of causing autism.

Warning over cannabis lung harm
Heavy cannabis use may raise the risk of chronic lung disease more than smoking, two studies suggest.
Clinical Trials Update: Jan. 30, 2008 (HealthDay)
HealthDay - (HealthDay News) — Here are the latest clinical trials, courtesy of Thomson CenterWatch:

B-K Medical And Advanced Medical Diagnostics Collaborate On The Introduction Of HistoScanning Technology For The Prostate
B-K Medical, a wholly owned subsidiary of Analogic Corporation (NASDAQ:ALOG), and Advanced Medical Diagnostics, S.A., a company committed to providing innovative computer-aided solutions that improve the diagnostic interpretation of ultrasound scans, today announced the signing of a collaboration agreement under which they will deploy the innovative HistoScanning? tissue characterization technology for the prostate.

Beyond The Abstract - Integrative Genomics Analysis Reveals Silencing Of Beta-Adrenergic Signaling By Polycomb In Prostate Cancer
UroToday.com - Prior analyses identified overexpression of the transcriptional repressor EZH2 as a significant predictor of poor outcome in organ-confined prostate cancer. Utilizing multiple data sources of cancer gene expression, the authors identify ADRB2 as a potential target of the Polycomb group protein complex PRC2 that includes EZH2. Data supporting this association was drawn from in vitro and in vivo studies and further supported by gene expression analyses of patient tumor samples.
Drug-name mix-ups hurt patients, getting worse
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Dr. Julius Pham’s stomach churned when he saw a critically ill heart patient getting an antibiotic instead of a drug to support his blood pressure — the kind of mix-up that is increasingly common in the United States, according to a new report.

Docetaxel Plus Prednisone Or Mitoxantrone Plus Prednisone For Advanced Prostate Cancer: Updated Survival In The TAX 327 Study
UroToday.com- The TAX 327 study was reported in 2004 and evaluated patients with hormone-refractory prostate cancer (HRPC) in three treatment arms; docetaxel 75mg/m2 every 3 weeks (D3P), docetaxel 30mg/ m2 weekly (D1P), or mitoxantrone 12 m2 every 3 weeks (MP), each with prednisone 5mg twice daily. It demonstrated significant survival benefit to D3P compared to MP but no significant difference to D1P. D3P also had better palliation. At that report, 557 of 1,006 participants had died.
SARS enters host cells via “fatty rafts”: study
HONG KONG (Reuters) - The SARS virus, which spread to many countries around the world in 2003 killing about 800 people, invades its victims using “fatty rafts” on the cell membrane, Chinese scientists have found.
Cells’ internal clocks revealed
A person’s preference for being a “lark” or a “night-owl” is largely determined by genes, a study suggests.
Clinical Trials Update: Jan. 28, 2008 (HealthDay)
HealthDay - (HealthDay News) — Here are the latest clinical trials, courtesy of Thomson CenterWatch:
Prostate Cancer Gene Test Coming Soon
Title: Prostate Cancer Gene Test Coming Soon
Category: Health News
Created: 1/17/2008
Last Editorial Review: 1/17/2008
Study finds that blood test can gauge prostate cancer risk
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. New genomics research has found that a simple blood test can determine which men are likely to develop prostate cancer. Click here for more info

Breakthrough Study Links Prostate Cancer, Depression, IBS, Adrenal Fatigue And Allergies To Lead And Mercury Toxic Load In Body
Better Health Publishing, announced the results of a breakthrough study in linking multiple medical conditions to the accumulation of toxic metals in the body.
Caffeine ups blood sugar level in diabetics: study
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Cutting down on caffeine could help people with the most common form of diabetes better control their blood sugar levels, researchers said on Monday.
Cancer: The facts
The disease tends to affect older people - but can strike at any time.

Robotic Prostate Cancer Surgery Performed On Two Brothers, Just Hours Apart
“We are blessed to have each other to depend on. If you have to go through something bad like cancer, you’re glad to have a friend to go through it with,” said one of two brothers from Savannah, Georgia recovering from robotic prostate cancer surgery. The two siblings flew to The Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York to have lifesaving surgery on the same day this week. Dr. David B. Samadi, M.D.
NY subpoenas Merck and Schering-Plough over Vytorin
CHICAGO (Reuters) - New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo has subpoenaed Merck & Co and Schering-Plough Corp for documents and information to see whether the companies hid the results of a study on their cholesterol drug Vytorin.
Machines vend marijuana in US
Vending machines distributing marijuana are to begin operating in California.
Don’t stop Brazil Carnival but be careful: Lula (Reuters)

Reuters - As Brazilians get ready for their annual Carnival celebrations, the government is urging them to practice safe sex and avoid drinking too much.

Uninsured More Likely to Die From Cancer Following Diagnosis
Title: Uninsured More Likely to Die From Cancer Following Diagnosis
Category: Health News
Created: 12/21/2007 2:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 12/21/2007

Beyond The Abstract - Integrative Genomics Analysis Reveals Silencing Of Beta-Adrenergic Signaling By Polycomb In Prostate Cancer
UroToday.com - Prior analyses identified overexpression of the transcriptional repressor EZH2 as a significant predictor of poor outcome in organ-confined prostate cancer. Utilizing multiple data sources of cancer gene expression, the authors identify ADRB2 as a potential target of the Polycomb group protein complex PRC2 that includes EZH2. Data supporting this association was drawn from in vitro and in vivo studies and further supported by gene expression analyses of patient tumor samples.
NY subpoenas Merck and Schering-Plough over Vytorin
CHICAGO (Reuters) - New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo has subpoenaed Merck & Co and Schering-Plough Corp for documents and information to see whether the companies hid the results of a study on their cholesterol drug Vytorin.
Morning coffee is ‘meal in a cup’
The coffee you grab on the way to work may contain up to a fifth of your daily recommended calories, a study says.
Dust, air, water sources of lead (AP)
AP - The dangers of lead in some toys are well-known, but there are plenty of other ways people can be exposed to the metal.
Uninsured More Likely to Die From Cancer Following Diagnosis
Title: Uninsured More Likely to Die From Cancer Following Diagnosis
Category: Health News
Created: 12/21/2007 2:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 12/21/2007

Prostate Cancer Progression May Be Promoted By Hormonal Dietary Supplements
Hormonal components in over-the-counter dietary supplements may promote the progression of prostate cancer and decrease the effectiveness of anti-cancer drugs, researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have discovered.The findings, which appear in Clinical Cancer Research, reaffirm that patients should inform their doctors about any herbal or hormonal dietary supplements they are taking or considering taking.

Protein Discovery Offers Hope For Prostate Cancer, Australia
Australian scientists are researching a possible way of making aggressive prostate cancer cells less invasive after their discovery of a protein essential for the normal functioning of cells. Professor Robert Parton led a team of scientists from the
Aspirin reduces death rate in heart patients
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - In people with stable heart disease, low-dose aspirin reduces the occurrence of heart attacks, strokes, and deaths from all causes, according to a new analysis.
Synthetic life ‘advance’ reported
US scientists say they have taken a step towards creating synthetic life in the laboratory.
Future chefs learn how to cut trans fat (AP)

AP - The movement to ban artery-clogging trans fats from food has a new venue: cooking schools.

Liver Cancer Drug Raises Blood Pressure
Title: Liver Cancer Drug Raises Blood Pressure
Category: Health News
Created: 1/23/2008 2:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 1/23/2008
Gene combo may hike prostate cancer risk
Scientists have taken a key step toward revealing the causes of prostate cancer, finding that a combination of five gene variants dramatically raises the risk of the disease. Added to family history, they accounted for nearly half of all cases in a study of Swedish men. More…

Beyond The Abstract - Sexual Function Reported By Japanese And American Men
UroToday.com - We conducted a cross-cultural comparison of sexual function and bother in men with localized prostate cancer in the U.S. and Japan.Japanese men were more likely than American men to report poor sexual desire (OR = 21.2; 95% CI = 12.2 37.0), poor erection ability (OR = 16.2; 95% CI = 9.7 27.1), poor overall ability to function sexually (OR = 16.7; 95% CI = 9.7 28.9), poor ability to attain orgasm (OR = 1.7; 95% CI = 1.3 2.3), poor quality of erections (OR = 2.

Interim Analysis Supports Continuation Of Cell Genesys’ VITAL-1 Phase 3 Clinical Trial Of GVAX Immunotherapy For Prostate Cancer
Cell Genesys, Inc. (Nasdaq: CEGE) announced that the Independent Data Monitoring Committee (IDMC) for VITAL-1, the first of two ongoing Phase 3 clinical trials of GVAX immunotherapy for prostate cancer, has completed a pre-planned interim analysis and has recommended that the study continue. This event-driven interim analysis was designed to determine whether the study should continue to completion and took place in the time frame originally estimated.
Cancer treatment may also help osteoporosis
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A drug used to treat bone marrow cancer may also help treat osteoporosis by stimulating stem cells, U.S. researchers reported on Friday.
Pill ‘has stopped 100,000 deaths’
The contraceptive pill has prevented at least 100,000 deaths from ovarian cancer, researchers say.
UK to spend millions on anti-obesity campaign (Reuters)
Reuters - The government is to spend 75 million pounds on a campaign to encourage healthy lifestyles and counter what it calls an obesity epidemic in Britain.
Research Yields Clues to Recurrent Prostate Cancer
Title: Research Yields Clues to Recurrent Prostate Cancer
Category: Health News
Created: 1/3/2008 2:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 1/3/2008

Localized Prostate Cancer Patients May Benefit From Hormone Suppression Combined With Radiation Treatment
While a man with localized prostate cancer will live longer if he receives male hormone suppression therapy combined with radiation treatment, the same does not happen for patients with moderate/high levels of other illnesses, says an article in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), January 23rd issue.

Localized Prostate Cancer Patients May Benefit From Hormone Suppression Combined With Radiation Treatment
While a man with localized prostate cancer will live longer if he receives male hormone suppression therapy combined with radiation treatment, the same does not happen for patients with moderate/high levels of other illnesses, says an article in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), January 23rd issue.
Birth control pill lowers ovarian cancer risk: study
LONDON (Reuters) - Birth control pills can protect women against ovarian cancer for 30 years or longer after they stop taking them and have so far prevented 100,000 ovarian cancer deaths worldwide, British researchers said on Thursday.
GPs discuss quitting over hours
GPs have discussed quitting the NHS in a row over longer hours, doctors’ leaders reveal.
Driving Skills Decline Among People With Early Alzheimer’s (HealthDay)
HealthDay - THURSDAY, Jan. 24 (HealthDay News) — People with early Alzheimer’s disease were involved in more traffic crashes and performed worse on road tests than drivers without cognitive impairment, a new study finds.
High Meat Consumption Linked to Heightened Cancer Risk
Title: High Meat Consumption Linked to Heightened Cancer Risk
Category: Health News
Created: 12/12/2007 9:16:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 12/12/2007

Beyond The Abstract Clusterin Isoforms Differentially Affect Growth And Motility Of Prostate Cells: Possible Implications In Prostate Tumorigenesis
BERKELEY, CA (UroToday.com) - Despite the considerable attention that the Clusterin (CLU) gene has received from many research laboratories, its possible biological role is still debated. CLU is often considered an “enigmatic” gene, also because of conflicting or sometimes confusing hypotheses based on experimental results which were somehow contradictory (i.e. Is CLU up- or down-regulated in prostate cancer? When highly expressed, it exerts a pro- or an anti-apoptotic role?).

Protein Discovery Offers Hope For Prostate Cancer, Australia
Australian scientists are researching a possible way of making aggressive prostate cancer cells less invasive after their discovery of a protein essential for the normal functioning of cells. Professor Robert Parton led a team of scientists from the
Even small copay deters mammogram use, study says
PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island (Reuters) - Requiring even a small co-payment dramatically reduces the likelihood that women will get regular mammograms to detect breast cancer, researchers reported on Wednesday.
Detailed gene map ‘within grasp’
Experts to map the genomes of 1,000 people worldwide in a bid to understand how genes influence disease.

Robotic Prostate Cancer Surgery Performed On Two Brothers, Just Hours Apart
“We are blessed to have each other to depend on. If you have to go through something bad like cancer, you’re glad to have a friend to go through it with,” said one of two brothers from Savannah, Georgia recovering from robotic prostate cancer surgery. The two siblings flew to The Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York to have lifesaving surgery on the same day this week. Dr. David B. Samadi, M.D.
Dannon sued over “probiotic” bacteria claims
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - A proposed class action filed on Wednesday in California accuses The Dannon Co Inc of mounting a massive false advertising campaign to convince consumers to pay more for yogurt containing “probiotic” bacteria because of the products’ health benefits.

Risk Of Cardiovascular Mortality Secondary To Androgen Deprivation Therapy For Localized Prostate Cancer
UroToday.com - Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is associated with metabolic syndrome, which includes the development of type II diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease. In the October 17, 2007 issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute evaluated whether ADT induced metabolic changes result in an increased risk of cardiovascular (CV) death. The longitudinal, observational prostate cancer registry CaPSURE was used to study a cohort of 4,892 men.
Work-related stress can kill, study finds
LONDON (Reuters) - Work really can kill you, according to a study on Wednesday providing the strongest evidence yet of how on-the-job stress raises the risk of heart disease by disrupting the body’s internal systems.

Interim Analysis Supports Continuation Of Cell Genesys’ VITAL-1 Phase 3 Clinical Trial Of GVAX Immunotherapy For Prostate Cancer
Cell Genesys, Inc. (Nasdaq: CEGE) announced that the Independent Data Monitoring Committee (IDMC) for VITAL-1, the first of two ongoing Phase 3 clinical trials of GVAX immunotherapy for prostate cancer, has completed a pre-planned interim analysis and has recommended that the study continue. This event-driven interim analysis was designed to determine whether the study should continue to completion and took place in the time frame originally estimated.
Laser may help reverse gum disease
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Laser therapy for severe gum disease may help regenerate the diseased tissue that normally secures the teeth, a small study suggests.
Stem cell hope for dystrophy
A new way to manipulate human embryonic stem cells offers hope of a treatment for muscular dystrophies.
Pedometers help people lose weight: U.S. study (Reuters)
Reuters - Walking can help people lose weight, especially if they use a pedometer to make sure they are going far enough, U.S. researchers reported on Tuesday.
Aspirin, Hormone Therapy Combo Can Shorten Lives of Prostate Cancer Patients
Title: Aspirin, Hormone Therapy Combo Can Shorten Lives of Prostate Cancer Patients
Category: Health News
Created: 12/27/2007 2:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 12/27/2007

A Phase II Clinical Trial Of Sorafenib In Androgen-Independent Prostate Cancer
UroToday.com- In the January 1, 2008 issue of Clinical Cancer Research, Dr. Dahut and colleagues report a Phase II trial of Sorafenib in androgen-independent prostate cancer (AICaP). Sorafenib is an oral, multikinase inhibitor targeting Raf kinase, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor, platelet-derived growth factor receptor, c-kit, and c-Ret. According to data on file at the manufacturer Bayer, Sorafenib has activity in preclinical models of prostate cancer.
Drinking coffee may lower ovarian cancer risk: study
LONDON (Reuters) - Caffeine appears to lower a woman’s chances of developing ovarian cancer, U.S. researchers said on Tuesday, while smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol do not.
Pregnancy timeline
A week by week guide to pregnancy taking in how the baby develops, changes to the mother and key scan dates.