A two-drug combination destroys precancerous colon polyps with no effect on normal tissue, opening a new potential avenue for chemoprevention of colon cancer, a team of scientists at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center reports in the advance online edition of the journal Nature. The regimen, tested so far in mouse models and on human colon cancer tissue in the lab, appears to address a problem with chemopreventive drugs - they must be taken continuously long term to be effective, exposing patients to possible side effects, said senior author Xiangwei Wu, Ph.D…

Two new studies show an increase in polyp detection rates using the Third Eye Retroscope (TER), a retrograde viewing device, during colonoscopy. The first study found that TER added to standard colonoscopy detected 13.2 percent more polyps than colonoscopy alone, including 11 percent additional adenomas (precancerous polyps). A second study examined endoscopist experience using TER and its impact on polyp detection rates, concluding that polyp detection rates improved significantly with TER…

EDP Biotech, a Knoxville-based company today briefed Tennessee state legislators on its revolutionary ColoMarker™ colon cancer test which potentially could save 50,000 lives and more than $12 billion in healthcare costs annually in the U.S. Legislators were also provided the opportunity to personally experience the ColoMarker™ test by enrolling in the control study group for EDP’s latest research. The briefing and test were scheduled to coincide with National Colon Cancer Month, which is being observed throughout March 2010…

In recognition of Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists reminds ob-gyns and women that the best defense against colorectal cancer-the third leading cause of cancer death among women in the US-is getting screened. The College recommends that all women undergo colorectal cancer screening beginning at age 50, or earlier if they have risk factors for the disease. Colorectal cancer (often referred to as colon cancer) is a slow-growing cancer that affects the cells in the colon and rectum and can spread to other parts of the body…

Mammograms, pap smears and early detection tests for prostate cancer, colorectal cancer and other malignancies are critical for catching cancer before it becomes deadly. However, a new study by University at Buffalo researchers shows that persons of different ethnic groups have different ideas and opinions about whether they are at risk for developing cancer — perceptions that can influence whether they undergo screening…

Tumor budding at the invasive tumor front of colorectal cancer is recognized as an independent prognostic factor significantly related to both lymph node and distant metastasis. Several lines of evidence seem to suggest that tumor buds may, to some extent, represent malignant colorectal cancer stem cells because of their potential for migration and re-differentiation locally and at sites of metastasis…

Light Sciences Oncology, Inc. (LSO) announced the achievement of a major milestone in its late-stage clinical development of Aptocine™ (talaporfin sodium) for treatment of solid tumors. LSO’s global Phase 3 trial of Aptocine in metastatic colorectal cancer (MCRC) has reached target enrollment of 450 patients at 52 sites. The controlled, randomized MCRC trial is being conducted to assess the progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) of patients with colorectal cancer with recurrent liver metastases treated with Aptocine plus chemotherapy versus chemotherapy alone…

Curis, Inc. (NASDAQ: CRIS), a drug development company seeking to develop next generation targeted small molecule drug candidates for cancer treatment, announced that Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (TSE: 4519) has exercised its right of first refusal for the development and commercialization in Japan of GDC-0449, a Hedgehog pathway inhibitor, under an existing agreement with F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Ltd (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY). GDC-0449 is being developed by Genentech, Inc., a wholly owned member of the Roche Group, under the 2003 collaboration agreement between Genentech and Curis…

I would like to introduce you to Mr Gordon Buchannan, he’s a Consultant Colorectal and General Surgeon at The London Rectal Clinic at 108 Harley Street and Imperial Hospitals, London. He has published papers on many aspects of colorectal surgery, in particular investigation of anorectal conditions and fistula-in-ano. He is presently undertaking collaborative research on laparoscopic resection of colorectal cancer…

Certain patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), both ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease of the colon, have an increased risk of developing colorectal cancer compared to individuals without IBD. A number of factors contribute to the increase in risk, which necessitates an individualized and sensible approach to surveillance in patients, according to a new medical position statement and technical review published by the American Gastroenterological Association in its official journal, Gastroenterology…