Breakthrough In Identifying Target Genes For Cancer
Cancer is usually attributed to faulty genes, but growing evidence from the field of cancer epigenetics indicates a key role for the gene "silencing" proteins that stably turn genes off inside the cell nucleus. A new study from Rice University and Baylor College of Medicine (BCM) promises to speed research in the field by rapidly identifying the genes that epigenetic proteins can target for silencing. The study, which appears this week in Nucleic Acids Research, shows how a new computer program called EpiPredictor can search any genome to identify specific genes affected by epigenetic proteins.
Zytiga Prednisone Combo Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer Trial Unblinded
A new statement by Janssen Research & Development, LLC informs that they have unblinded the Phase 3 study, COU-AA-302, which shows that Zytiga (abiraterone acetate), when taken alongside prednisone, is effective in treating mildly symptomatic or asymptomatic patients who are suffering from metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) and have not gone through chemotherapy. Regarding Zytiga, which was approved by the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2011, William N. Hait, MD, PhD, from Global Head, Janssen R&D commented: "Since its first approval in the U.
Colorectal Cancer For Under 50s On The Rise
Whilst colorectal cancer cases are generally on the decline since the beginning of the millennium, there seems to be an alarming rise in those under 50 hit by the disease. Since 1992, the number of people diagnosed with colorectal cancer has risen by two percent per year. One example, given by the Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia, who have published an article as part of Cancer Awareness month starting 19th March, cites the shocking case of Jessica Nixon from Conshohocken, PA.