Diane West

The Politics and Policy page provides a concise and timely round-up of key government-related oncology and biotechnology news. Content is focused upon the public sector activities that are most likely to impact the evolving oncology and biotech industries.

This month we report on presentations made at the BIO (Biotechnology Industry Organization)CEO & Investor Conference (February 11-14, 2007, New York, NY).

This month we report on presentations made at the Association of Community Cancer Centers 33rd Annual National Meeting (March 28-31, 2007, Rockville, MD) and at a colorectal cancer meeting held at the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins University (March 28-31, 2007, Baltimore, MD).

This issue features reports from: American Association for Cancer Research meeting April 14-18, 2007 Los Angeles, CA BIO International Convention May 6-9, 2007 Boston, MA

The articles featured in this issue are: 1) Supplemental Drug Application Submitted for Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting by John D. Zoidis, MD 2) Medicare Proposes Limits on Coverage for Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Drugs by John D. Zoidis, MD 3) Femara Reduces Risk of Early Breast Cancer Relapse in Postmenopausal Women by Prachi Patel-Predd 4) Researchers Develop Pancreatic Cancer Risk Model by Prachi Patel-Predd 5) Beyond BCG: New Bladder Cancer Treatments Offer Hope of Tailored, More Effective Therapies by Diane West 6) Doctor���¢�¯�¿�½�¯�¿�½s Own Brush With Bladder Cancer Gives Him Unique Insight to Patients���¢�¯�¿�½�¯�¿�½ Challenges by Diane West

Like the Vikings of old, scientists are hoping a new "longboat" drug delivery system will compromise the walls of resistant cancer cells and fight them with high-dose chemotherapy released only when they are inside.

News reports from the American Head and Neck Society's annual meeting, held in San Diego, CA include the following: 1) New Role for Immune Activation of Antibody Therapy May Fine-Tune Approach to Head and Neck Cancer Treatment 2) Robots and Lasers Change the Face of Head and Neck Cancer Surgery 3) Advances in Head and Neck Cancer Treatment Compel Clinical Trials and Success Measures to Keep Up 4) Clear Connection Between Diagnosis of Advanced Head and Neck Cancer and Insurance Coverage, ACS Study Reports

At the 101st American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting in Washington, DC, in April, Pfizer presented a broad overview of its current oncology pipeline.

The ability to predict how the course of cancer will likely play out in an individual patient based on genetic factors is already changing the way certain cancers are approached. As highlighted at the recent Biomarker World Conference in Philadelphia, clinical oncologists have an increasingly integral role.

Key findings from the 2008 ASCO Breast Cancer Conference focus on the latest multidisciplinary research as well as in-depth discussions on how and when to translate new findings into patient care. Highlighted presentations address the need for greater selectivity in choosing a therapy regimen for a specific patient with breast cancer. In particular, what efforts are underway to develop targeted treatments for triple-negative breast tumors?

Key findings from the 2008 ASCO Breast Cancer conference; updates on goserelin, capecitabine, docetaxel & lapatinib.

Breast cancer in general is not openly discussed in Malaysia, but this may be changing.