MedWorm: Cancer Vaccines

Navigating Treatment Decisions

Kidney Cancer Association — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 17:54:52 +0100

This article focuses on treatment for clear cell disease, but some of these treatments are also appropriate for patients with non-clear cell disease. Some patients may have only a single metastatic tumor that can be removed by surgery. But most patients with metastatic disease have tumors in many parts of the body. In order to treat all of these tumors, patients are given systemic therapies, which are drugs that travel through the bloodstream and can directly reach cells throughout the body. Immunotherapy is a type of treatment that gives a boost to the immune system. The goal of immunotherapy is to help the patient’s immune system attack the cancer cells. Immunotherapy treatments have been available for decades and have generated renewed interest for treating metastatic RCC ...

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Find the best January Sales in the UK.

Key To Immune Cell's 'internal Guidance' System Discovered

Health News from Medical News Today — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 09:00:00 +0100

University of British Columbia researchers have discovered the molecular pathway that enables receptors inside immune cells to find, and flag, fragments of pathogens trying to invade a host. The discovery of the role played by the molecule CD74 could help immunologists investigate treatments that offer better immune responses against cancers, viruses and bacteria, and lead to more efficient vaccines. The findings are published in this week's edition of Nature Immunology... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Essay: Breast Cancer Screening Matters, but Prevention Is the Real Goal

NYT Health — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 22:39:10 +0100

Perhaps too much emphasis is placed on looking for existing breast cancer when the search should focus on prevention and the possibility of finding a vaccine. (Source: NYT Health)

In latest vaccine marketing fraud, CDC says Gardasil shots should be 'routine' for boys

NaturalNews.com — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 06:00:00 +0100

Every male between the ages of 11 and 21 should get a Gardasil vaccine for cervical cancer, and those between the ages of 13 and 21 should also get "catch-up" shots later down the road. This is only the opinion of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's... (Source: NaturalNews.com)

Key to immune cell's 'internal guidance' system discovered

ScienceDaily Headlines — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 21:38:38 +0100

Researchers have discovered the molecular pathway that enables receptors inside immune cells to find, and flag, fragments of pathogens trying to invade a host. The discovery of the role played by the molecule CD74 could help immunologists investigate treatments that offer better immune responses against cancers, viruses and bacteria, and lead to more efficient vaccines. (Source: ScienceDaily Headlines)

UBC researchers discover key to immune cell's 'internal guidance' system

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(University of British Columbia) UBC researchers have discovered the molecular pathway that enables receptors inside immune cells to find, and flag, fragments of pathogens trying to invade a host.The discovery of the role played by the molecule CD74 could help immunologists investigate treatments that offer better immune responses against cancers, viruses and bacteria, and lead to more efficient vaccines. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Please support the Doctors In Chains campaign for the medics tortured and sentenced for up to 15 years in Bahrain. #FreeDoctors

Vaccine Eyed for Early-Stage Prostate Ca

MedPage Today Hematology/Oncology — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 23:03:35 +0100

SAN FRANCISCO (MedPage Today) -- The immunotherapy agent sipuleucel-T (Provenge) appears safe for use earlier in prostate cancer, researchers found. (Source: MedPage Today Hematology/Oncology)

US Pediatricians Recommend Routine HPV Vaccination For Boys

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 20:00:00 +0100

As part of a revised standard published this week, the American Academy of Pediatrics says boys should be routinely vaccinated against the human papillomavirus (HPV), a common virus that is spread through sexual contact. Although there are dozens of types of HPV, vaccines can protect both male and females against some of the more common types that can lead to disease and cancer... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Conference focuses on vaccines for chronic diseases

EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston) At a symposium sponsored by the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston and scheduled for Feb. 7-9, an international group of researchers will discuss development of vaccines for addiction, cancer, chronic infectious diseases and neurodegenerative diseases. (Source: EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science)

Assessing the Effectiveness of a Community-Based Sensitization Strategy in Creating Awareness About HPV, Cervical Cancer and HPV Vaccine Among Parents in North West Cameroon

Journal of Community Health — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 18:14:03 +0100

Abstract In 2010, the Cameroon Baptist Convention Health Services (CBCHS) received a donation of HPV vaccine (Gardasil®) to immunize girls of ages 9–13 years in the North West Region of Cameroon. We evaluated the effectiveness of the CBCHS campaign program in sensitizing parents/guardians to encourage HPV vaccine uptake, identified factors that influence parents’ decisions to vaccinate girls, and examined the uptake of cervical cancer screening among mothers. We conducted a cross-sectional survey in four healthcare facilities run by CBCHS, churches and other social settings. A total of 350 questionnaires were distributed and 317 were used for the analysis. There were high levels of awareness about cervical cancer, HPV and HPV vaccine. 75.5% understood HPV is sexua...

Cervical cancer: There's an app for that

USATODAY.com Health — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:47:34 +0100

A novel Facebook app is being used to raise awareness about cervical cancer and ways to possibly avoid it, such as screening and vaccination ... (Source: USATODAY.com Health)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Find the best January Sales in the UK.

Recommendations For HPV And Hepatitis B Vaccinations Broadened By 2012 Adult Immunization Schedule

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 09:00:00 +0100

The CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) now recommends routine HPV vaccination for males aged 11 to 12 years and catch-up vaccination for males aged 13 to 21. These are just two of the changes to the 2012 Recommended Adult Immunization Schedule published February 1 in Annals of Internal Medicine, the flagship journal of the American College of Physicians (ACP). In addition to the changes in the HPV vaccine, the ACIP now recommends vaccination against Hepatitis B for adults younger than age 60 who have diabetes, as soon as possible after diabetes is diagnosed... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Vaccine Therapy With or Without Fludarabine

Kidney Cancer Association — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 04:29:04 +0100

This randomized phase II trial is studying vaccine therapy and fludarabine to see how well they work compared to vaccine therapy alone in treating patients with stage IV kidney cancer.02/01/2012 (Source: Kidney Cancer Association)

Quality of life during dendritic cell vaccination

Kidney Cancer Association — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 04:18:51 +0100

The data indicate that dendritic cells (DCs) vaccination, which is a personalised treatment modality, maintains quality of life (QoL) and thus represents an attractive nontoxic treatment option for patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC).02/01/2012 (Source: Kidney Cancer Association)

Pediatricians' Group Recommends HPV Vaccine for Boys

Cancercompass News: Gynecological Cancer — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Immunization schedules for meningitis, flu also updated (Source: Cancercompass News: Gynecological Cancer)

Dendreon Names A New CEO, But Will It Be Enough?

Forbes.com Healthcare News — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 19:02:11 +0100

After a year filled with setbacks and mounting investor anger, Dendreon has replaced Mitchell Gold as ceo with John Johnson, a recently appointed Dendreon board member who has a long track record of working in oncology for big pharma - notably, Eli Lilly and Johnson & Johnson. The move signals a belated recognition that the embattled company needs more experienced management if its Provenge vaccine for prostate cancer is to become a blockbuster. (Source: Forbes.com Healthcare News)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Please support the Doctors In Chains campaign for the medics tortured and sentenced for up to 15 years in Bahrain. #FreeDoctors

The entirely carbohydrate immunogen Tn-PS A1 induces a cancer cell selective immune response and cytokine IL-17

Cancer Immunology, Immunotherapy — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 17:13:25 +0100

Abstract The tumor-associated carbohydrate antigen/hapten Thomsen-nouveau (Tn; α-D-GalpNAc-ONH2) was conjugated to a zwitterionic capsular polysaccharide, PS A1, from commensal anaerobe Bacteroides fragilis ATCC 25285/NCTC 9343 for the development of an entirely carbohydrate cancer vaccine construct and probed for immunogenicity. This communication discloses that murine anti-Tn IgG3 antibodies both bind to and recognize human tumor cells that display the Tn hapten. Furthermore, the sera from immunization of mice with Tn-PS A1 contain cytokine interleukin 17 (IL-17A), which is known to possess anti-tumor function and represents a striking difference to an IL-2, and IL-6 profile obtained with anti-PS A1 sera. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Short CommunicationPages ...

Pediatricians' Group Recommends HPV Vaccine for Boys

MedicineNet Cancer General — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 07:00:00 +0100

Title: Pediatricians' Group Recommends HPV Vaccine for BoysCategory: Health NewsCreated: 2/1/2012 10:06:00 AMLast Editorial Review: 2/1/2012 (Source: MedicineNet Cancer General)

Evaluation of antigen specific recognition and cell mediated cytotoxicity by a modified lysispot assay in a rat colon carcinoma model

Journal of Experimental and Clinical Cancer Research — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: The assay proved to be highly sensitive and specific, detecting even low frequencies of cytotoxic/activated cells and providing the evaluation of cytokine-expressing T cells as well as the extent of cytotoxicity against the target cells as independent functions. This assay may represent an important tool to be adopted in experimental settings including the development of vaccines or immune therapeutic strategies (Source: Journal of Experimental and Clinical Cancer Research)

A DNA vaccine expressing PB1 protein of influenza A virus protects mice against virus infection

Archives of Virology — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 16:44:28 +0100

Abstract Although influenza DNA vaccine research has focused mainly on viral hemagglutinin and has led to promising results, other virion proteins have also shown some protective potential. In this work, we explored the potential of a DNA vaccine based on the PB1 protein to protect BALB/c mice against lethal influenza A virus infection. The DNA vaccine consisted of pTriEx4 plasmid expressing PB1. As a positive control, a pTriEx4 plasmid expressing influenza A virus HA was used. Two weeks after three subcutaneous doses of DNA vaccine, the mice were challenged intranasally with 1 LD50 of A/Puerto Rico/8/34 (H1N1) virus, and PB1- and HA-specific antibodies, survival rate, body weight change, viral mRNA load, infectious virus titer in the lungs, cytokines IL-2, IL-4 and IL-10, ...

SUMO-Snipping Protein Plays Crucial Role In T And B Cell Development

Health News from Medical News Today — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 08:00:00 +0100

When SUMO grips STAT5, a protein that activates genes, it blocks the healthy embryonic development of immune B cells and T cells unless its nemesis breaks the hold, a research team led by scientists at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center reports in Molecular Cell. "This research extends the activity of SUMO and the Sentrin/SUMO-specific protease 1 (SENP1) to the field of immunology, in particular the early lymphoid development of T and B cells," said the study's senior author, Edward T. H. Yeh, M.D., professor and chair of MD Anderson's Department of Cardiology... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Find the best January Sales in the UK.

Autologous dendritic cell vaccine for estrogen receptor (ER)/progestin receptor (PR) double-negative breast cancer

Cancer Immunology, Immunotherapy — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 07:06:06 +0100

Conclusion Our findings strongly suggest that tumor lysate-pulsed DCs provide a standardized and widely applicable source of breast cancer antigens that are very effective in evoking anti-breast cancer immune responses. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original articlePages 1-10DOI 10.1007/s00262-011-1192-2Authors Chun-Jian Qi, Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou No. 2 People’s Hospital, Changzhou, 213003 People’s Republic of ChinaYong-Ling Ning, Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou No. 2 People’s Hospital, Changzhou, 213003 People’s Republic of ChinaYe-Shan Han, Central Laboratory, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou No. 2...

Immunotherapy with PI3K Inhibitor and Toll-Like Receptor Agonist Induces IFN-{gamma}+IL-17+ Polyfunctional T Cells That Mediate Re&jnodot;ection of Murine Tumors

Cancer Research — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

In this study, we show that specific small molecule inhibitors of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) relieve immunosuppression to heighten the proinflammatory effects of TLR ligands that support antitumor immunity. Multiple strategies to inhibit PI3K in dendritic cells (DC) each led to suppression of interleukin (IL)-10 and TGF-β but did affect IL-12 or IL-1β induction by the TLR5 ligand flagellin. In three different mouse models of cancer, combining flagellin with a class I PI3K inhibitor, either with or without a DC vaccine, delayed tumor growth and increased survival, with some animals exhibiting complete rejection and resistance to secondary challenge. Tumor growth suppression was associated with increased accumulation of polyfunctional T cells that secreted multiple effector cytokines...

Breast cancer vaccine called promising

Health News - UPI.com — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 03:50:56 +0100

PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 30 (UPI) -- A vaccination made using a patient's own cells triggers tumor eradication in nearly 20 percent of those with one type of breast cancer, U.S. researchers said. (Source: Health News - UPI.com)

Targeted DNA vaccine using an electric pulse

ScienceDaily Headlines — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:36:36 +0100

The vaccines of the future against infections, influenza and cancer can be administered using an electrical pulse and a specially-produced DNA code, new research suggests. The DNA code programs the body’s own cells to produce a super-fast missile defense against the disease, researchers say. (Source: ScienceDaily Headlines)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Please support the Doctors In Chains campaign for the medics tortured and sentenced for up to 15 years in Bahrain. #FreeDoctors

'Oral cancer risk' in men as HPV rates higher

NHS News Feed — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 09:57:00 +0100

Conclusion This was a relatively large cross-sectional study that estimated the number of oral HPV infections in the US among 14 to 69 year olds. These estimates cannot be directly generalised to the UK. The researchers say that their data provide evidence that oral HPV infection is mainly sexually transmitted. This is because infection was uncommon among participants with no previous sexual partners, but was up to eight times higher among those with previous partners, and increased significantly as the number of partners increased. The researchers do point out, however, that their study did not collect information on possible non-sexual transmission methods. While policy decisions regarding HPV infection generally focus on genital HPV among females, this research demonstrated that, at lea...

New Vaccine Approach Discovered For The Treatment Of Cancer

Health News from Medical News Today — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 09:00:00 +0100

Scientists in Trinity College Dublin, Ireland, have developed a new vaccine to treat cancer at the pre-clinical level. The research team led by Professor Kingston Mills, Professor of Experimental Immunology at Trinity College Dublin discovered a new approach for treating the disease based on manipulating the immune response to malignant tumours. The discovery has been patented and there are plans to develop the vaccine for clinical use for cancer patients... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

4-week vaccination regimen knocks out early breast cancer tumors, Penn researchers report

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine) Researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania report that a short course of vaccination with an anti-HER2 dendritic cell vaccine made partly from the patient's own cells triggers a complete tumor eradication in nearly 20 percent of women with ductal carcinoma in situ, an early breast cancer. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

Knowledge, attitude and practice in primary and secondary cervical cancer prevention among young adult Italian women.

Vaccine — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Donati S, Giambi C, Declich S, Salmaso S, Filia A, Atti ML, Alibrandi MP, Brezzi S, Carozzi F, Collina N, Franchi D, Lattanzi A, Meda M, Minna MC, Nannini R, Gallicchio G, Bella A, Abstract In Italy since 2007 vaccination against human papillomavirus (HPV) is offered to 11-year-old females, whereas vaccination for older age groups is still a matter of debate. To assess Italian young women's knowledge, attitudes and practice regarding primary and secondary cervical cancer prevention a cross-sectional study among young women aged 18-26 years was conducted in 2008. The survey collected information on in-depth awareness and knowledge regarding Pap testing, HPV infection, HPV vaccine and cervical cancer. The response rate was 57.7% with a wide range of variability (34-84%) amo...

HPV Vaccine Not Linked To Autoimmune Disorders, Study

Health News from Medical News Today — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0100

A two-year study of nearly 190,000 girls and women, finds that Gardasil, the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine made by Merck & Co, does not trigger autoimmune disorders such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes and multiple sclerosis. The results are published in the Journal of Internal Medicine. Study lead author Dr Chun Chao, a research scientist at the Kaiser Permanente Department of Research & Evaluation in Pasadena, California, said in a statement released on Friday, that: "This kind of safety information may help parents with vaccination decisions... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Find the best January Sales in the UK.

Discovery of new vaccine approach for treatment of cancer

ScienceDaily Headlines — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 19:05:05 +0100

Scientists have developed a new vaccine to treat cancer at the pre-clinical level. They developed a new approach for treating the disease based on manipulating the immune response to malignant tumors. (Source: ScienceDaily Headlines)

Semireplication-competent vesicular stomatitis virus as a novel platform for oncolytic virotherapy

Journal of Molecular Medicine — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 17:53:02 +0100

In conclusion, srVSV is a promising platform for virotherapeutic approaches and also for VSV-based vector vaccines, combining improved safety with an increased coding capacity for therapeutic transgenes, potentially allowing for multipronged approaches. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original ArticlePages 1-12DOI 10.1007/s00109-012-0863-6Authors Alexander Muik, Georg-Speyer-Haus, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, GermanyCatherine Dold, Institute for Virology, Innsbruck Medical University, Fritz-Pregl-Str. 3, A-6020 Innsbruck, AustriaYvonne Geiß, Georg-Speyer-Haus, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, GermanyAndreas Volk, Georg-Speyer-Haus, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, GermanyMarina Werbizki, Georg-Speyer-Haus, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, GermanyUrsula Dietrich, Georg-Speyer-Haus, 60596 Frankfurt am Mai...

Abscopal Regression of Antigen Disparate Tumors by Antigen Cascade After Systemic Tumor Vaccination in Combination with Local Tumor Radiation

Cancer Biotherapy and Radiopharmaceuticals — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 16:34:30 +0100

Cancer Biotherapy & Radiopharmaceuticals , Vol. 0, No. 0. (Source: Cancer Biotherapy and Radiopharmaceuticals)

Men At Greater Risk For Oral HPV Infection, HPV-Related Cancers

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 12:00:00 +0100

Oral HPV infection is more common among men than women, explaining why men are more prone than women to develop an HPV related head and neck cancer, according to a study presented at the Multidisciplinary Head and Neck Cancer Symposium, sponsored by AHNS, ASCO, ASTRO and SNM. Human papillomavirus, or HPV, has recently been linked to some types of head and neck cancer that are becoming more prominent in the United States, mostly among men... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

2-Year Study Finds Gardasil Does Not Trigger Autoimmune Conditions After Vaccination

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 08:00:00 +0100

Gardasil, the human papillomavirus vaccine that is now recommended for male and female adolescents and young adults, does not trigger autoimmune conditions such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes or multiple sclerosis after vaccination in young women, according to a new study in the Journal of Internal Medicine. Kaiser Permanente researchers used electronic health records to conduct an observational safety study of 189,629 females aged 9 to 26 years old in California who were followed for six months after receiving each dose of the quadrivalent HPV vaccine in 2006-2008... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Please support the Doctors In Chains campaign for the medics tortured and sentenced for up to 15 years in Bahrain. #FreeDoctors

Study Finds No Link Between HPV Vaccine and Autoimmune Disorders

MedicineNet Cancer General — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 07:00:00 +0100

Title: Study Finds No Link Between HPV Vaccine and Autoimmune DisordersCategory: Health NewsCreated: 1/26/2012 2:05:00 PMLast Editorial Review: 1/27/2012 (Source: MedicineNet Cancer General)

Cancer vaccine uses body's own immunity

Health News - UPI.com — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 06:59:42 +0100

BUFFALO, N.Y., Jan. 27 (UPI) -- The Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, N.Y., began a phase I clinical trial of a dendritic cell vaccine that uses the body's immunity to fight cancer. (Source: Health News - UPI.com)

Roswell Park cancer vaccine uses body's own immunity

Health News - UPI.com — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 06:59:42 +0100

Discovery of new vaccine approach for treatment of cancer

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(Trinity College Dublin) Scientists in Trinity College Dublin, Ireland, have developed a new vaccine to treat cancer at the pre-clinical level. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Find the best January Sales in the UK.

Oral Cancer: Another target ripe for HPV vaccine

Health Facts and Fears — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Oropharyngeal cancer, which affects the throat, tongue, soft palate, and tonsils, has become increasingly common among men in the U.S. Because a distinct form of it is caused primarily by HPV (human papillomavirus), a recent study set out to determine the prevalence of oral HPV infection. attack. (Source: Health Facts and Fears)

Well: Oral HPV More Common in Men Than Women

NYT — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 19:30:23 +0100

About one in 15 Americans is infected with oral human papillomavirus, a sexually transmitted virus that causes throat cancers, and the disease is especially common among men, new research shows. (Source: NYT)

Vital Signs: Patterns: Oral HPV More Common in Men Than Women

NYT Health — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 19:30:23 +0100

Vital Signs: Risks: Oral HPV More Common in Men Than Women

NYT Health — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 19:30:23 +0100

7% Of Americans Have Oral HPV

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 17:00:00 +0100

A study published online in JAMA on Thursday suggests 7% of men and women in the US carry the Human papillomavirus (HPV), the virus that causes a distinct form of cancer that affects the part of the throat that sits at the back of the mouth. The study suggests oral HPV infection is predominantly sexually transmitted, and estimates that men are nearly three times more likely to have the virus than women. Maura L. Gillison, Professor in the College of Medicine at Ohio State University (OSU), and others carried out the study... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Please support the Doctors In Chains campaign for the medics tortured and sentenced for up to 15 years in Bahrain. #FreeDoctors

Self-HPV Testing Could Be An Effective Cervical Cancer Screening Method

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 17:00:00 +0100

A study published January 23 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute , has found that self-HPV (human papillomavirus) testing, in low-resource settings, may be a more effective way to screen for cervical cancer than liquid-based cytology (LBC) and visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA). Cervical cancer is one of the most prevalent cancers found in women. Each year, around 530,000 women are diagnosed with the disease, resulting in an estimated 275,000 deaths... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Well: Oral HPV More Common in Men Than Women

NYT Health — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 15:49:41 +0100

Indications Of A Benefit In Primary HPV Testing

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 08:00:00 +0100

Precursors of cervical cancer can be detected and treated earlier / Risk of over-treatment Studies currently available provide indications and a "hint" that precursors of cervical cancer can be detected and treated earlier, and consequently tumours occur less often, in women who underwent testing for human papillomavirus (HPV). In this context, an HPV test can be used alone or in addition to a Papanicolaou test (Pap smear). However, both screening procedures also carry a risk of harm in the form of unnecessary treatments after testing (over-treatment)... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Women Can Take Steps to Prevent Cervical Cancer

Cancercompass News: Gynecological Cancer — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Regular Pap tests, HPV vaccine go a long way in warding off the disease, experts say (Source: Cancercompass News: Gynecological Cancer)

Quality of life during dendritic cell vaccination against metastatic renal cell carcinoma

Cancer Immunology, Immunotherapy — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 18:14:34 +0100

Abstract Patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) undergoing cytokine or targeted therapies may show a remarkable decline in quality of life (QoL). We wanted to evaluate QoL in patients with metastatic RCC undergoing therapeutic vaccination with dendritic cells (DCs). In a cross-sectional analysis, QoL was therefore assessed in RCC patients participating in three consecutive clinical trials of DC vaccination. Before the first and after the third vaccination with DCs, patients completed a QoL questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30, version 3). Data were transformed into scale scores and analysed using SPSS 12.0 software. Mean values of the resulting scores obtained before and after DC vaccination were compared using students t test and Wilcoxon rank-sum test. P <&nb...

Health Highlights: Jan. 25, 2012

Primary Care News - Doctors Lounge — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 15:58:00 +0100

Psychiatrists Debate Classifying Grief as Treatable Disorder No Whooping Cough Deaths in California Last Year Cancer Vaccine Trial Begins Less Salt, More Grains, Veggies in School Lunches: USDA Studies Show Link Between Brown Fat and Cold and Exercise Insulated Lunch Boxes and Thermal Food Carriers Recalled (Source: Primary Care News - Doctors Lounge)

Major Annoucement on Kidney Cancer Vaccine

Kidney Cancer Association — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 22:27:31 +0100

Roswell Park Launches Landmark Immunotherapy Vaccine Trial [Read More] The ability to stretch out the attack for a long-term, durable response suggests that the vaccine may be effective in preventing disease recurrence. The new NY-ESO-1 dendritic cell vaccine is expected to show great promise in patients with bladder, brain, breast, esophageal, gastrointestinal, hepatocellular, kidney, lung, melanoma, ovarian, prostate, sarcoma and uterine tumors. 01/24/2012 (Source: Kidney Cancer Association)

TSLP: From allergy to vaccine adjuvant.

European Journal of Immunology — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 20:42:44 +0100

Authors: Soumelis V Abstract The field of vaccine adjuvants has been an area of active research and development because of the need to improve the generation of protective immunity to a large number of pathogens, as well as in diseases such as cancer. Adjuvants can also help induce stronger immune responses with fewer injections, and consequently improve both the feasibility and success rate of large-scale population vaccine campaigns in developing countries. A current challenge is to identify vaccine adjuvants of various classes (cytokines, toll-like receptor ligands, etc.) with specific immune-modulating properties in order to tailor the immune response to certain pathological situations. In this issue, Van Roey et al. [Eur. J. Immunol. 2012. 42: 353-363] explore one of these cha...

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Please support the Doctors In Chains campaign for the medics tortured and sentenced for up to 15 years in Bahrain. #FreeDoctors

Cervical Cancer Screening Via Self-Collection

Health News from Medical News Today — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 10:00:00 +0100

Human papillomavirus (HPV) testing of self-collected specimens may be a more effective way to screen for cervical cancer in low-resource settings compared to visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) and liquid-based cytology (LBC), according to a study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. Cervical cancer is the third most common cancer found in women with approximately 530,000 new cases each year resulting in an estimated 275,000 deaths... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

How Immune Cells Move Against Invaders

Health News from Medical News Today — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 08:00:00 +0100

UCSF scientists have discovered the unexpected way in which a key cell of the immune system prepares for battle. The finding, they said, offers insight into the processes that take place within these cells and could lead to strategies for treating conditions from spinal cord injury to cancer. The research focused on the neutrophil, the most common type of white blood cell. Like other cells in the immune system, its job is to seek out and destroy bacteria, viruses or other foreign entities that enter the bloodstream or organs... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Axillary lymph node accumulation on FDG-PET/CT after influenza vaccination

Annals of Nuclear Medicine — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 07:21:06 +0100

Conclusions Recent influenza vaccination before FDG-PET/CT examination may cause ipsilateral axillary lymph node accumulations, especially within several days after vaccination. Questionnaires about vaccination can help to avoid false interpretation of FDG avid axillary lymph nodes. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original articlePages 1-5DOI 10.1007/s12149-011-0568-xAuthors Norihisa Shirone, Department of Radiology, Takai Hospital, 461-2 Kuranosho-cho, Tenri, Nara 632-0006, JapanTakayuki Shinkai, Department of Radiation Oncology, Nara Medical University, 840 Shijo-cho, Kashihara, Nara 634-8522, JapanTomohiko Yamane, Division of Molecular Imaging, Institute of Biomedical Research and Innovation, 2-2, Minatojima Minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0047, JapanF...

Default policies and parents’ consent for school-located HPV vaccination

Journal of Behavioral Medicine — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 07:15:42 +0100

We examined the effect of two default policies on parents’ consent to have their adolescent sons hypothetically receive HPV vaccine at school. A national sample of 404 parents of adolescent sons participated in an online 3 × 2 between-subjects factorial experiment. Factors varied the default consent policy (opt-in, opt-out, or neutral) and the number of vaccines sons would receive (HPV vaccine alone or along with two other recommended adolescent vaccines). Among parents wanting to get their sons HPV vaccine in the next year, consent was higher in the opt-in condition (compared to the opt-out condition) or if other recommended adolescent vaccines would be included. Default policies had no effect among parents undecided about HPV vaccination. Parents’ consent for school-...

Photodynamic therapy–generated cancer vaccine elicits acute phase and hormonal response in treated mice

Cancer Immunology, Immunotherapy — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 06:48:05 +0100

Abstract Photodynamic therapy (PDT)–generated cancer vaccines have shown promising results in preclinical studies and are being introduced in the clinics. Using an SCCVII mouse squamous cell carcinoma-based whole-cell autologous PDT vaccine model developed in our previous work, we have examined systemic effects in vaccinated mice that could be related to the induction of acute phase response. The upregulation of gene encoding serum amyloid P component (prototypic mouse acute phase reactant) was detected in the liver and to a lesser degree in the tumor of vaccinated mice at 24 h post-PDT vaccine treatment. A strong upregulation of gene for heat shock protein 70 was found in both the liver and tumor of mice at 4 h after their PDT vaccine treatment. Changes in the...

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Find the best January Sales in the UK.

Clinical outcome of patients with various advanced cancer types vaccinated with an optimized cryptic human telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) peptide: results of an expanded phase II study

Annals of Oncology — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: Vx-001 vaccine was well tolerated and induced a TERT-specific immunological response, which was significantly correlated with improved clinical outcome. (Source: Annals of Oncology)

Immunogenicity and safety of the influenza A H1N1v 2009 vaccine in cancer patients treated with cytotoxic chemotherapy and/or targeted therapy: the VACANCE study

Annals of Oncology — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: A single dose of AS03-adjuvanted A/H1N1 vaccine triggered a low immune response in cancer patients on chemotherapy depending on their treatment type and frequency. Two doses are needed for these cancer patients. (Source: Annals of Oncology)

TSLP: From allergy to vaccine adjuvant

European Journal of Immunology — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 11:21:16 +0100

AbstractThe field of vaccine adjuvants has been an area of active research and development because of the need to improve the generation of protective immunity to a large number of pathogens, as well as in diseases such as cancer. Adjuvants can also help induce stronger immune responses with fewer injections, and consequently improve both the feasibility and success rate of large‐scale population vaccine campaigns in developing countries. A current challenge is to identify vaccine adjuvants of various classes (cytokines, toll‐like receptor ligands, etc.) with specific immune‐modulating properties in order to tailor the immune response to certain pathological situations. In this issue, Van Roey et al. [Eur. J. Immunol. 2012. 42: 353–363] explore one of these challenges, namely to id...

Behavioural therapy is more effective than delayed treatment for persistent postprostatectomy incontinence

Evidence-Based Medicine — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Context Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men, with a lifetime risk of one in six. Urinary incontinence (UI) is reported to affect 2–57% of men after radical prostatectomy.1 Patients report much higher rates of UI than doctors. The wide variation in rates may relate to different definitions of incontinence, different surgical techniques and different time points for measurement. Rates of UI are possibly higher and take longer time to resolve with advancing age. Adjuvant radiotherapy does not seem to affect long-term UI. The prevalence tends to decrease with time, probably with a peak 1–2 years after surgery.1 There are few studies that have followed men beyond 2 years. Incontinence affects quality of life and return to normal activities. It is common to offer beha...

Cord Blood Stem Cell-derived DCs Generate Potent Antigen-Specific Immune Responses and Anti-tumor Effects

Clinical Science — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

This study aims to evaluate if cord blood stem cells (CBSCs) can be new source of dendritic cells (DCs) which can generate more potent antigen-specific immune responses and anti-tumor effects. The CBSCs and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were collected, cultured and differentiated into DCs. Surface markers, secreting cytokines, antigen presentation activity, antigen-specific cell-mediated immunity and cytotoxic killing effects induced by these two origins of DCs were evaluated and compared. The CBSCs expanded for ~17-fold by ex vivo culture. The expressions of surface markers in CBSC-derived DCs were higher than those in PBMC-derived DCs treated with LPS. The CBSC-derived DCs mainly secreted IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-a, while PBMC-derived DCs mainly secreted IL-5 and IFN-γ. T...

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Please support the Doctors In Chains campaign for the medics tortured and sentenced for up to 15 years in Bahrain. #FreeDoctors

Results in a New Study Published in the Annals of Medicine Show...

PRWeb: Medical Pharmaceuticals — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 05:56:11 +0100

The publication of the startling results of a Canadian study involving the effectiveness of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine against cervical cancer demonstrate that vaccine policy and...(PRWeb January 18, 2012)Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2012/1/prweb9112116.htm (Source: PRWeb: Medical Pharmaceuticals)

Global epidemiology of hepatitis B virus infection: New estimates of age-specific HBsAg seroprevalence and endemicity.

Vaccine — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSION: Declines in HBV infection prevalence may be related to expanded immunization. The increasing overall number of individuals being chronically infected with HBV, and the widespread global differences in HBV prevalence call for targeted approaches to tackle HBV-related mortality and morbidity. HBV infection prevalence data are needed at country and sub-national level to estimate disease burden and guide health and vaccine policy. PMID: 22273662 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Vaccine)

Liver disease in Viet Nam: Screening, surveillance, management and education: A 5‐year plan and call to action

Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 20:46:58 +0100

We report here the initial steps taken as part of a comprehensive approach to liver disease that will ultimately include nationwide education for health‐care providers, health educators, and the public; expansion of nationwide screening for hepatitis B and C followed by hepatitis B virus vaccination or treatment of chronic hepatitis B and/or hepatitis C; education about alcoholic liver disease; long‐term surveillance for liver cancer; reduction of infection transmission related to medical, commercial, and personal re‐use of contaminated needles, syringes, sharp instruments, razors, and inadequately sterilized medical equipment; and ongoing collection and analysis of data about the prevalence of all forms of liver disease and the results of the expanded screening, vaccination, and tre...

HPV and the Increased Incidence of Oropharyngeal CancerHPV and the Increased Incidence of Oropharyngeal Cancer

Medscape Today Headlines — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 16:26:43 +0100

Dr. Maurie Markman reports on a study indicating that increased incidence of oropharyngeal cancer can be attributed to increased prevalence of HPV infection, underscoring the need for HPV vaccination. Medscape Hematology-Oncology (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)

Aspirin - Ability To Prevent Cervical Cancer In HIV Infected Women

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 16:00:00 +0100

According to a study published in the current issue of the journal Cancer Prevention Research, aspirin should be assessed for its ability to prevent cervical cancer developing in women infected with HIV. Aspirin has the potential to provide considerable benefit for women in Africa, the Caribbean and Latin America, regions where death rates from cervical cancer are extremely high. The study was conducted by global health investigators at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center and cancer specialists in New York, Haiti and Qatar... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Find the best January Sales in the UK.

Galena Biopharma Initiates Patient Enrollment in NeuVax(TM) Phase 3 PRESENT Trial to Prevent Breast Cancer Recurrence

Medical News (via PRIMEZONE) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 12:05:00 +0100

LAKE OSWEGO, Jan. 20, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Galena Biopharma, Inc. (Nasdaq:GALE), a biotechnology company focused on developing innovative, targeted oncology treatments, today announced the initiation of its Phase 3 PRESENT trial for NeuVax(tm) (E75 peptide plus GM-CSF) vaccine in HER2 1+ and 2+ breast cancer patients (often referred to as HER2 negative) in the adjuvant setting to prevent recurrence. (Source: Medical News (via PRIMEZONE))

Aspirin Merits Testing For Prevention Of Cervical Cancer In HIV-Infected Women

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 09:00:00 +0100

Research conducted by NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center global health investigators and cancer specialists in New York, Qatar and Haiti suggests that aspirin should be evaluated for its ability to prevent development of cervical cancer in HIV-infected women. The report, published in the current issue of journal Cancer Prevention Research, says this simple and inexpensive solution has the potential to provide enormous benefit for women in the Caribbean, Latin America and Africa, who suffer from a disproportionately high rate of cervical cancer death... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Estimation of the epidemiological burden of human papillomavirus-related cancers and non-malignant diseases in men in Europe: a review

BMC Cancer — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: The overall estimated epidemiological burden of HPV-related cancers and non-malignant diseases is high in men in Europe. Approximately 30% of all new cancer cases attributable to HPV16/18 that occur yearly in Europe were estimated to occur in men. As in women, the vast majority of HPV-positive cancer in men is related to HPV16/18, while almost all HPV-related non-malignant diseases are due to HPV6/11. A substantial number of these malignant and non-malignant diseases may potentially be prevented by quadrivalent HPV vaccination. (Source: BMC Cancer)

Recent developments in treatments targeting castration-resistant prostate cancer bone metastases.

Ann Oncol — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: With increasing data availability demonstrating tumor-bone microenvironment interactions and routine incorporation of bone-related end points into CRPC trials, bone microenvironment-targeted agents are likely to become an increasingly important component of CRPC treatment. PMID: 22267211 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Ann Oncol)

Potential New Approach For Treating Graft-Versus-Host-Disease Provided By Natural Enzyme

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 08:00:00 +0100

A natural enzyme derived from human blood plasma showed potential in significantly reducing the effects of graft-vs.-host disease, a common and deadly side effect of lifesaving bone marrow transplants. Researchers from the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center looked at the drug alpha-1-antitrypsin, which is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use in people who have a genetic mutation that makes them deficient in a certain enzyme. This drug has been used in many of these patients over extended periods of time and is known to cause minimal side effects... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Please support the Doctors In Chains campaign for the medics tortured and sentenced for up to 15 years in Bahrain. #FreeDoctors

Lentiviral vector followed by protein immunisation breaks tolerance against the self‐antigen Her1 and results in lung cancer immunotherapy

The Journal of Gene Medicine — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

ConclusionsThe ability of this vaccine protocol to break both T cell and B cell tolerance to a self‐antigen likely explains its effectiveness. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. (Source: The Journal of Gene Medicine)

Acceptability and uptake of HPV vaccine in Argentina before its inclusion in the immunization program: A population-based survey.

Vaccine — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

The objective was twofold: first to analyze socio-demographic determinants of women's knowledge on HPV vaccine and secondly, determinants of actual HPV vaccine uptake and acceptability in Argentina after the above-mentioned vaccine advertising shown in mass media in the year 2008. We analyzed vaccine uptake/acceptability separately for women and for their daughters aged 9-15, and willingness to vaccinate one's daughter younger than 9 to receive future HPV vaccination. Results of the 1200 women interviewed, 438 women (36.5%) knew the HPV vaccine and 303 (25%) remembered the mass media advertisement about HPV vaccination. When asked whether she would get vaccinated after having seen/heard the advertisement, around 75% (n=226) of women answered surely/probably yes. No significant differences ...

Time trends in cervical cancer epidemiology in the Slovak Republic: reflection on the non-implementation of screening with international comparisons.

Neoplasma — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 04:30:02 +0100

Time trends in cervical cancer epidemiology in the Slovak Republic: reflection on the non-implementation of screening with international comparisons. Neoplasma. 2012;59(2):121-8 Authors: Ondrusova M, Zubor P, Ondrus D Abstract Cervical cancer is a serious public health problem with high geographical variations in incidence, mainly due to historical patterns of risk factors and the influence of screening activities. To reduce both cervical cancer incidence and mortality is the primary objective of organized screening and annual reports of high quality utilising accepted interventional measures. Currently, the time-trends in overall incidence and mortality from cervical cancer in the Slovak Republic are implacable. The high incidence values of this condition that have stabi...

Perspective: Recent Advances in Therapeutic Cancer Vaccines

Cancer Biotherapy and Radiopharmaceuticals — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 04:04:07 +0100

Cancer Biotherapy & Radiopharmaceuticals , Vol. 0, No. 0. (Source: Cancer Biotherapy and Radiopharmaceuticals)

Listeria monocytogenes and Its Products as Agents for Cancer Immunotherapy.

Advances in Immunology — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 22:54:02 +0100

We describe their development as vectors to carry protein tumor antigen and eukaryotic DNA plasmids to antigen-presenting cells and efforts to harness their tumor-homing properties. We also describe their use as vectors of angiogenic molecules to induce an immune response that will destroy tumor vasculature. The background knowledge necessary to understand the biology behind the rationale to develop Listeria as a vaccine vector for tumor immunotherapy is included as well as a brief summary of the major therapies that have used this approach thus far. PMID: 22244580 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Advances in Immunology)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Find the best January Sales in the UK.

Immunology in the clinic review series; focus on cancer: glycolipids as targets for tumour immunotherapy.

Clinical and Developmental Immunology — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 21:39:06 +0100

Authors: Durrant LG, Noble P, Spendlove I Abstract OTHER THEMES PUBLISHED IN THIS IMMUNOLOGY IN THE CLINIC REVIEW SERIES Metabolic Diseases, Host Responses, Allergies, Autoinflammatory Diseases, Type 1 diabetes and viruses. Research into aberrant glycosylation and over-expression of glycolipids on the surface of the majority of cancers, coupled with a knowledge of glycolipids as functional molecules involved in a number of cellular physiological pathways, has provided a novel area of targets for cancer immunotherapy. This has resulted in the development of a number of vaccines and monoclonal antibodies that are showing promising results in recent clinical trials. PMID: 22235996 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Clinical and Developmental Immunology)

Vaccine Against Bacterial Meningitis Shows Promise

MedicineNet Cancer General — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 07:00:00 +0100

Title: Vaccine Against Bacterial Meningitis Shows PromiseCategory: Health NewsCreated: 1/18/2012 10:06:00 AMLast Editorial Review: 1/18/2012 (Source: MedicineNet Cancer General)

Cost-effectiveness of cervical cancer screening: cytology versus human papillomavirus DNA testing.

BJOG : An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions Increasing the interval between screening rounds and changing the primary test from cytology to HPV testing can improve the effectiveness and decrease the costs of cervical cancer screening in the Netherlands. PMID: 22251259 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: BJOG : An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology)

Cost‐effectiveness of cervical cancer screening: cytology versus human papillomavirus DNA testing

BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions Increasing the interval between screening rounds and changing the primary test from cytology to HPV testing can improve the effectiveness and decrease the costs of cervical cancer screening in the Netherlands. (Source: BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology)

Gynecologic Cancer

Hematology/Oncology Clinics of North America — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 12:47:50 +0100

Like many areas in oncology, gynecologic oncology has made several important recent advances in both the prevention and the treatment of reproductive malignancies. New knowledge related to risk factors for endometrial and ovarian cancer has led to novel strategies to reduce risks through diet, contraception choices, and other factors. Important advances have also occurred in the understanding of genetic risks for gynecologic cancers and genetic testing can now identify individuals at substantial risk. Patients at genetic risk can reduce their risk through the use of oral contraception and other choices if they have not completed their families or undergo definitive prophylactic surgery when they no longer desire future pregnancies. Cervical cancer is an area of particular advancement in pr...

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Please support the Doctors In Chains campaign for the medics tortured and sentenced for up to 15 years in Bahrain. #FreeDoctors

Potential New Therapy Approach For Hepatitis C Could Benefit 170 Million People Affected Worldwide

Health News from Medical News Today — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 10:00:00 +0100

Researchers at the University of British Columbia have found a new way to block infection from the hepatitis C virus (HCV) in the liver that could lead to new therapies for those affected by this and other infectious diseases. More than 170 million people worldwide suffer from hepatitis C, the disease caused by chronic HCV infection. The disease affects the liver and is one of the leading causes of liver cancer and liver transplant around the world. HCV is spread by blood-to-blood contact and there is no vaccine to prevent it... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Vaccination in children with cancer: a debate

Central European Journal of Medicine — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 07:07:12 +0100

Abstract Children with malignancy present an important alteration of the immune system functionality caused by the illness itself and by the therapy they undergo. Therefore, they are at high risk of contracting vaccine-preventable diseases and of developing important complications. Vaccinations represent valid devices against these infections but this condition involves two main problems: are vaccines safe in these patients? Are vaccines effective in these patients? The aim of this review is to discuss the principles of vaccination management in children with cancer. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Mini ReviewPages 1-5DOI 10.2478/s11536-011-0143-9Authors Andrea Battista, Pediatric Oncology Division, Catholic University, “A. Gemelli” Hospital, 00168 Rome, Ital...

Help prevent cervical cancer with HPV vaccine

Baylor College of Medicine News — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Getting the human papillomavirus, or HPV, vaccine provides an important preventative benefit against cervical cancer, said a gynecologic oncologist from Baylor College of Medicine . "Disease prevention and early detection are key in the battle against cancer," said Dr. Celestine Tung, an assistant professor in the department of obstetrics and gynecology in the division of gynecologic oncology at BCM. "With cervical cancer, now we have a way to prevent it with the HPV vaccine." HPV and cervical cancer Approximately 95 percent of cervical cancers are associated with HPV infections, and between 70 to 80 percent of cervical cancers are related to HPV 16 and HPV 18 viral subtypes or strains, Tung said. HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection affecting between 3...

Cancer burden in Africa and opportunities for prevention

Cancer — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

AbstractCancer is an emerging public health problem in Africa. About 715,000 new cancer cases and 542,000 cancer deaths occurred in 2008 on the continent, with these numbers expected to double in the next 20 years simply because of the aging and growth of the population. Furthermore, cancers such as lung, female breast, and prostate cancers are diagnosed at much higher frequencies than in the past because of changes in lifestyle factors and detection practices associated with urbanization and economic development. Breast cancer in women and prostate cancer in men have now become the most commonly diagnosed cancers in many Sub‐Saharan African countries, replacing cervical and liver cancers. In most African countries, cancer control programs and the provision of early detection and treatme...

HER‐2 pulsed dendritic cell vaccine can eliminate HER‐2 expression and impact ductal carcinoma in situ

Cancer — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS:Results suggest that vaccination against HER‐2/neu is safe and well tolerated and induces decline and/or eradication of HER‐2/neu expression. These findings warrant further exploration of HER‐2/neu vaccination in estrogen‐independent breast cancer and highlight the need to target additional tumor‐associated antigens and pathways. Cancer 2011. © 2011 American Cancer Society. (Source: Cancer)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Find the best January Sales in the UK.

Targeting EGFR for Treatment of Glioblastoma: Molecular Basis to Overcome Resistance.

Current Cancer Drug Targets — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Taylor TE, Furnari FB, Cavenee WK Abstract Glioblastoma (glioblastoma multiforme; GBM; WHO Grade IV) accounts for the majority of primary malignant brain tumors in adults. Amplification and mutation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene represent signature genetic abnormalities encountered in GBM. A range of potential therapies that target EGFR or its mutant constitutively active form, ΔEGFR, including tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), monoclonal antibodies, vaccines, and RNA-based agents, are currently in development or in clinical trials for the treatment of GBM. Data from experimental studies evaluating these therapies have been very promising; however, their efficacy in the clinic has so far been limited by both upfront and acquired drug resistance. Thi...

Whole-genome sequence of Schistosoma haematobium

Nature Genetics — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Neil D Young, Aaron R Jex, Bo Li, Shiping Liu, Linfeng Yang, Zijun Xiong, Yingrui Li, Cinzia Cantacessi, Ross S Hall, Xun Xu, Fangyuan Chen, Xuan Wu, Adhemar Zerlotini, Guilherme Oliveira, Andreas Hofmann, Guojie Zhang, Xiaodong Fang, Yi Kang, Bronwyn E Campbell, Alex Loukas, Shoba Ranganathan, David Rollinson, Gabriel Rinaldi, Paul J Brindley, Huanming Yang, Jun Wang, Jian Wang & Robin B Gasser Schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease caused by blood flukes (genus Schistosoma; schistosomes) and affecting 200 million people worldwide. No vaccines are available, and treatment relies on one drug, praziquantel. Schistosoma haematobium has come into the spotlight as a major cause of urogenital disease, as an agent linked to bladder cancer and as a predisposing factor for HI...

Talking to Korean Parents about the HPV Vaccine

Minority Nurse Magazine — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 20:20:08 +0100

(Source: Minority Nurse Magazine)

Gene therapy.

Herpes — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 11:30:16 +0100

Authors: Gomez-Manzano C, Jiang H, Alonso M, Yung WK, Fueyo J Abstract During the last 10 years, gene therapy for brain tumors has known peaks and valleys. The first attempts to induce therapeutic effect, using retrovirus to transduce the HSV-TK gene and adenovirus to transfer wild-type p53 cDNA, failed significantly to improve the survival of the patients. In both cases, the failure was attributed to vector deficiencies, also termed the 'vector gap'. To address the problem of delivery, investigators have moved from replication-deficient vectors to replication-competent, tumor-selective viruses. These viruses are currently being tested in the clinical setting. In this review, we discuss the progress made with herpes simplex viruses (G207), reoviruses that naturally target Ras pathw...

Immunology in the clinic review series; focus on cancer: glycolipids as targets for tumour immunotherapy

Clinical and Experimental Immunology — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 11:17:25 +0100

SummaryOTHER THEMES PUBLISHED IN THIS IMMUNOLOGY IN THE CLINIC REVIEW SERIESMetabolic Diseases, Host Responses, Allergies, Autoinflammatory Diseases, Type 1 diabetes and viruses.Research into aberrant glycosylation and over‐expression of glycolipids on the surface of the majority of cancers, coupled with a knowledge of glycolipids as functional molecules involved in a number of cellular physiological pathways, has provided a novel area of targets for cancer immunotherapy. This has resulted in the development of a number of vaccines and monoclonal antibodies that are showing promising results in recent clinical trials. (Source: Clinical and Experimental Immunology)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Please support the Doctors In Chains campaign for the medics tortured and sentenced for up to 15 years in Bahrain. #FreeDoctors

Novel immune-modulator identified by a rapid, functional screen of the Parapoxvirus ovis (Orf virus) genome

Proteome Science — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: A streamlined, functional approach to genome-wide screening of a biological activity in vivo is presented. Its application to screening in mice for an immune activity elicited by the pathogen genome of Parapoxvirus ovis yielded a novel immunomodulator. In this inverted discovery method, it was possible to identify the adjuvant responsible for a function of interest prior to a mechanistic study of the adjuvant. The non-specific immune activity of this modulator, B2, is similar to that associated with administration of inactivated particles to a host or to a live viral infection. Administration of B2 may provide the opportunity to significantly impact host immunity while being itself only weakly recognized. The functional genomics method used to pinpoint B2 within an ORFeome may ...

Surveillance for chronic hepatitis B virus infection - new york city, june 2008-november 2009.

MMWR Morb Mortal Wkl... — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

This report summarizes investigations of 180 randomly selected HBV cases reported during June 2008-November 2009. Approximately two thirds (67%) of patients were Asian, and the most commonly reported reason for HBV testing was the patient's birth country or race/ethnicity (27%). In 70% of cases, the clinician did not know of any patient risk factors. Sixty-nine percent of clinicians stated that they counseled their patients about notifying close contacts about their infection, and 75% counseled about transmission and prevention. Sixty-two percent did not know their patient's hepatitis A vaccination status despite recommendations. This surveillance effort provided quantitative data on health disparities useful for identifying opportunities for outreach and education, and it showed that not ...

Oncothyreon Awaits Key Lung Cancer Vaccine DataOncothyreon Awaits Key Lung Cancer Vaccine Data

Medscape Medical News Headlines — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 22:02:46 +0100

An interim look at a pivotal trial of Oncothyreon's experimental vaccine for lung cancer, expected this quarter, could signal whether its investment will ever pay off. Reuters Health Information (Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines)

Oncothyreon awaits key lung cancer vaccine data

Modern Medicine — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - An interim look at a pivotal trial of Oncothyreon's experimental vaccine for lung cancer, expected this quarter, could signal whether its investment will ever pay off. (Source: Modern Medicine)

Immunogenicity of an Inactivated Monovalent 2009 Influenza A (H1N1) Vaccine in Patients Who Have Cancer.

The Oncologist — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion. Cancer patients, whether taking myelosuppressive chemotherapy or not, are able to generate an immune response to the H1N1 vaccine similar to that of healthy controls. PMID: 22240540 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: The Oncologist)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Find the best January Sales in the UK.

Lenalidomide-Induced Immunomodulation in Multiple Myeloma: Impact on Vaccines and Antitumor Responses.

Clinical Cancer Research — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: This is the first clinical evidence demonstrating that lenalidomide augments vaccine responses and endogenous antitumor immunity in patients and as such may serve as an adjuvant for cancer and possibly infectious vaccines. PMID: 22241792 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Clinical Cancer Research)

Oncothyreon awaits key lung cancer vaccine data

Reuters: Health — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 21:05:19 +0100

Generation of autologous tumor-specific T cells for adoptive transfer based on vaccination, in vitro restimulation and CD3/CD28 dynabead-induced T cell expansion

Cancer Immunology, Immunotherapy — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 17:53:31 +0100

Abstract Adoptive cell transfer (ACT) of in vitro expanded autologous tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) has been shown to exert therapeutic efficacy in melanoma patients. We aimed to develop an ACT protocol based on tumor-specific T cells isolated from peripheral blood and in vitro expanded by Dynabeads® ClinExVivo™CD3/CD28. We show here that the addition of an in vitro restimulation step with relevant peptides prior to bead expansion dramatically increased the proportion of tumor-specific T cells in PBMC-cultures. Importantly, peptide-pulsed dendritic cells (DCs) as well as allogeneic tumor lysate-pulsed DCs from the DC vaccine preparation could be used with comparable efficiency to peptides for in vitro restimulation, to increase the tumor-specific T-cell response. ...

CIGB-247: A VEGF-based therapeutic vaccine that reduces experimental and spontaneous lung metastasis of C57Bl/6 and BALB/c mouse tumors.

Vaccine — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Bequet-Romero M, Morera Y, Ayala-Ávila M, Ancizar J, Soria Y, Blanco A, Suárez-Alba J, Gavilondo JV Abstract CIGB-247 is a novel cancer therapeutic vaccine that uses a mutated form of human VEGF as antigen. Being metastatic disease the most dramatic factor of tumor biology affecting patient survival and cure, preclinical evaluation of the impact of CIGB-247 vaccination on experimental metastasis mouse models is highly relevant, and constitutes the focus of this work. CIGB-247 was administered in a weekly schedule known to effectively reduce primary tumor growth. The vaccine was tested in experimental and spontaneous metastasis models of colon (CT26), lung (3LL-D122) and breast (F3II) carcinomas growing in C57Bl/6 or BALB/c mice. Primary tumor growth parameters, metastati...

Heparanase DNA vaccine delivered by electroporation induces humoral immunity and cytoimmunity in animal models.

Vaccine — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

In this study, humoral immunity was elicited using genetic vaccinations between C57BL/6J mice and Macaca fascicularis. The immunized serum neutralized HPA activity and attenuated the invasion of B16 cells in vitro. In addition, T lymphocytes from the splenic cells of the immunized mice induced HPA-specific cytotoxic lymphocytes (CTLs), which verified cytoimmunity. Prophylactic vaccination significantly suppressed tumor growth and metastasis in vivo and prolonged the survival rate in tumor-bearing murine models. In addition, RT-PCR and Western blot analyses of the primary tumors indicated less proliferation and angiogenesis and more apoptosis in the HPA-immunization immunotherapy groups. Simultaneously, the levels of IL-2, IL-4, and IFN-γ were not significantly greater in the HPA-immunized...

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Please support the Doctors In Chains campaign for the medics tortured and sentenced for up to 15 years in Bahrain. #FreeDoctors

Many Teen Girls Mistakenly Think HPV Vaccines Cut Risk for All STDs

Cancercompass News: Gynecological Cancer — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Doctors should stress limits of protection to patients, researcher says (Source: Cancercompass News: Gynecological Cancer)

Cancer Drugs Help The Hardest Cases Of Pompe Disease

Health News from Medical News Today — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 08:00:00 +0100

Kids with Pompe disease fail because of a missing enzyme, GAA, that leads to dangerous sugar build-up, which affects muscles and movement. An enzyme replacement treatment pioneered at Duke University has saved many lives, but some children with Pompe disease produce an immune reaction that blocks the benefits of the life-saving enzyme treatment. To date there has been no success in eliminating or suppressing this immune response... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

CD40‐targeted adenoviral cancer vaccines: the long and winding road to the clinic

The Journal of Gene Medicine — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

SummaryThe ability of Dendritic Cells (DC) to orchestrate innate and adaptive immune responses has been exploited to develop potent anti‐cancer immunotherapies. Recent clinical trials exploring the efficacy of ex vivo modified autologous DC‐based vaccines have reported some promising results. However, in vitro generation of autologous DC for clinical administration, their loading with tumor associated antigens (TAA) and their activation, is laborious and expensive, and, due to interindividual variability in the personalized vaccines, poorly standardized. An attractive alternative approach is to load resident DC in vivo by targeted delivery of TAA, using viral vectors and activating them simultaneously. To this end we have constructed genetically modified Adenoviral (Ad) vectors and bis...

January eFactor

Environmental Factor - NIEHS Newsletter — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 22:46:51 +0100

Tox21 begins screening 10,000 chemicals NIEHS collaborates on autism database federation Balbus discusses health adaptation at climate change summit Copeland named chief of Laboratory of Molecular Genetics Grantee honored by association of science teachers Birnbaum and staff hold conversation with NIEHS Partners Nano Grand Opportunities researchers share findings mHealth Summit highlights advances in mobile health technology NIEHS postdocs learn the value of options at NC biotech career day Award-winning summer intern accepted by Stanford Freedman represents NIEHS/NTP at conference in Peru NTP advisor named as fellow of the Collegium Ramazzini Volunteers translate NIEHS cookstove research in Guatemala 2011 papers of the year Distinguished lecturer discusses the mechanism of a...

CCL19 (ELC) improves TH1‐polarized immune responses and protective immunity in a murine Her2/neu DNA vaccination model

The Journal of Gene Medicine — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

ConclusionsCCL19 is able to induce a TH‐1 polarization of the anti Her2/neu immune response which can be further amplified by GM‐CSF. Clinical use of a pDNA(Her2/neu‐CCL19 ± GM‐CSF) vaccine might be promising in Her2/neu + breast cancer in the clinical situation of minimal residual disease. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. (Source: The Journal of Gene Medicine)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Find the best January Sales in the UK.

Antibody against Haemophilus influenzae protein D in patients with chronic conditions causing secondary immunodeficiency.

Vaccine — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Hawdon N, Biman B, McCready W, Brigden M, Malik S, Vergidis D, Kisselgoff O, Ulanova M Abstract Prevalence of non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) in the etiology of invasive infections in immunocompromised individuals is increasing. Serum IgG antibody levels to H. influenzae protein D (PD) were significantly lower in adults suffering from chronic conditions causing secondary immunodeficiency (COPD, cancer, chronic renal failure, and diabetes) compared to age-matched healthy controls. A lack of naturally acquired antibody against this highly conserved antigen may contribute to an increased susceptibility to invasive NTHi disease. As COPD patients frequently infected with NTHi during disease exacerbations were unable to develop antibody response to PD, such defect cou...

Novel brain tumor vaccine acts like bloodhound to locate cancer cells

ScienceDaily Headlines — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 19:24:24 +0100

A national U.S. clinical trial testing the efficacy of a novel brain tumor vaccine has begun. The vaccine will be tested in patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), the most aggressive and highest grade malignant glioma. (Source: ScienceDaily Headlines)

Experimental hepatitis C vaccine tested

NHS News Feed — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 16:15:00 +0100

Conclusion This was a small, early-stage human study into a new vaccine against the hepatitis C virus. While such research is required to determine the safety profile of a new therapy, little information on the effectiveness of the vaccine can be gleaned from the study. Phase I clinical trials are designed to determine the optimal dose of a new therapy, and to assess the safety and tolerability of treatments. This study shows that the developed vaccine is well tolerated and safe to use, and the preliminary results indicate that the immune response may be similar to that of people with a natural immunity to the virus. In addition to the small study size and the focus on safety and not effectiveness, there are other practical limitations to the study that should be considered before it is co...

Reducing HPV Infection - Single-Sex Vaccination Has Best Effect

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 16:00:00 +0100

According to a study in PLoS Medicine, the most effective strategy to protect against human papillomavirus (HPV) is single-sex vaccination. They also found that it was preferable to vaccinate females instead of men, given that females are the sex with the highest prevaccine prevalence of HPV infection. Johannes Bogaards, of the VU University in the Netherlands and his team decided to assess whether vaccinating either just females or males, or both sexes would be the best approach to achieve the most effective reduction of sexually transmitted infections amongst the general population... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Novel Hepatitis C vaccine shows some early promise

USATODAY.com Health — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 15:52:55 +0100

A hepatitis C vaccine might be likely but is years away, researchers report. The virus can cause severe liver damage and even liver cancer. (Source: USATODAY.com Health)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Please support the Doctors In Chains campaign for the medics tortured and sentenced for up to 15 years in Bahrain. #FreeDoctors

Today in health: herpes vaccine, cancer rates

USATODAY.com Health — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 15:23:18 +0100

A herpes vaccine fails a big test, cancer rates keep dropping and a study claims men and women are "different species." (Source: USATODAY.com Health)

Galena Biopharma Announces Investigational New Drug Approval for Phase 2 Trial for NeuVax(TM) (E75 + GM-CSF) Combined With Herceptin(R) (trastuzumab)

Medical News (via PRIMEZONE) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 12:05:00 +0100

LAKE OSWEGO, Ore., Jan. 5, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Galena Biopharma (Nasdaq:GALE), a biotechnology company focused on developing innovative, targeted oncology treatments addressing major unmet medical needs to advance cancer care, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the Investigational New Drug (IND) application for the Phase 2 combination trial with NeuVax(tm) (E75 plus GM-CSF) and Herceptin(r) (trastuzumab; Genentech/Roche). The trial is being funded by Galena Biopharma and Genentech/Roche through the Henry M. Jackson Foundation. Each company will provide their respective drugs for the 300 patient trial and approximately half of the funding necessary to complete the trial. The trial will be conducted at twenty sites worldwide and is expected to commen...

Novel Hepatitis C Vaccine Shows Some Early Promise

MedicineNet Cancer General — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 07:00:00 +0100

Title: Novel Hepatitis C Vaccine Shows Some Early PromiseCategory: Health NewsCreated: 1/4/2012 6:06:00 PMLast Editorial Review: 1/5/2012 (Source: MedicineNet Cancer General)

Novel brain tumor vaccine acts like bloodhound to locate cancer cells

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center) A national clinical trial testing the efficacy of a novel brain tumor vaccine has begun at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, the only facility in the Southeast to participate. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

Prevalence of infection by different genotypes of human papillomavirus in women with cervical pathology.

Gynecologic Oncology — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: In the population we studied, the proportion of women with infection by different genotypes of HPV 16 and HPV 18 was high. This finding confirms the need for further studies to compare the efficacy and protection of current vaccines against intraepithelial lesions and cervical cancer. PMID: 22226808 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Gynecologic Oncology)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Find the best January Sales in the UK.

Colon Cancer and Influenza

About.com Colon Cancer — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Image © Vicente Barcelo Varona/Dreamstime The majority of corner clinics and drugstores stopped promoting influenza (flu) vaccines at the conclusion of 2011, but the season is just now gearing up. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's FluView....Read Full Post (Source: About.com Colon Cancer)

Cancers That U.S. Physicians Believe the HPV Vaccine Prevents: Findings from a Physician Survey, 2009

Journal of Women — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 14:37:03 +0100

Journal of Women's Health , Vol. 0, No. 0. (Source: Journal of Women)

Targeting of macrophage galactose‐type C‐type lectin (MGL) induces DC signaling and activation

European Journal of Immunology — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

DCs sense the microenvironment through several types of receptors recognizing pathogen‐associated‐molecular patterns. In particular, C‐type lectins, expressed by distinct subsets of DCs, recognise and internalize specific carbohydrate antigen in a Ca2+‐dependent manner. Targeting of these receptors is becoming an efficient strategy of delivering antigens in DC‐based anticancer immunotherapy. Here we investigated the role of the macrophage galactose type C‐lectin receptor (MGL), expressed by immature (i) DCs, as a molecular target for GalNAc (Tn)‐carrying tumor‐associated antigens to improve DC performance.MGL expressed by ex vivo‐generated iDCs from healthy donors was engaged by a 60‐mer MUC1 9Tn‐glycopeptide as a Tn‐carrying TAA, and an anti‐MGL antibody, as a sp...

Serum indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase activity predicts prognosis of pulmonary tuberculosis.

Clinical and Vaccine Immunology — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Suzuki Y, Suda T, Asada K, Miwa S, Suzuki M, Fujie M, Furuhashi K, Nakamura Y, Inui N, Shirai T, Hayakawa H, Nakamura H, Chida K Abstract Tuberculosis (TB) continues to be a major health problem and there are few biomarkers for predicting prognosis. Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), a potent immunoregulartory molecule, catalyzes the rate-limiting step of tryptophan (Trp) degradation in the kynurenine (Kyn) pathway. An increase IDO activity determined by serum Trp:Kyn ratio has been shown to be associated with poor prognosis in cancers and bactremia. In TB, however, there are no studies to measure serum IDO activity and to determine its clinical significance. We evaluated serum IDO activity with 174 pulmonary TB (PTB) patients and 85 controls, using liquid chromatography/e...

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Please support the Doctors In Chains campaign for the medics tortured and sentenced for up to 15 years in Bahrain. #FreeDoctors

Preview of articles to be published Jan. 3, 2012

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(Journal of Clinical Investigation) This release contains summaries, links to PDFs, and contact information for papers to be published Jan. 3, 2012, in the JCI, including: "New technique to identify viral vaccine targets"; "Cooperation between two mutations drives ovarian cancer"; "Link between hypercholesterolemia and blood clots can be broken by statins"; and others. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

Some girls overestimate HPV vaccine protection

Modern Medicine — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

CHICAGO (Reuters) - Some adolescent girls who get the HPV vaccine to prevent cervical cancer wrongly think they no longer need to practice safe sex, U.S. researchers said on Monday. (Source: Modern Medicine)

Immune recognition of tumor-associated mucin MUC1 is achieved by a fully synthetic aberrantly glycosylated MUC1 tripartite vaccine [Chemistry]

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

The mucin MUC1 is typically aberrantly glycosylated by epithelial cancer cells manifested by truncated O-linked saccharides. The resultant glycopeptide epitopes can bind cell surface major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules and are susceptible to recognition by cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), whereas aberrantly glycosylated MUC1 protein on the tumor cell surface can be bound by antibodies to mediate antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC). Efforts to elicit CTLs and IgG antibodies against cancer-expressed MUC1 have not been successful when nonglycosylated MUC1 sequences were used for vaccination, probably due to conformational dissimilarities. Immunizations with densely glycosylated MUC1 peptides have also been ineffective due to impaired susceptibility to antigen proc...

Some girls overestimate HPV vaccine protection

Reuters: Health — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 21:01:27 +0100

Some Girls Overestimate HPV Vaccine Protection

MedlinePlus Health News — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 21:01:18 +0100

Some adolescent girls who get the HPV vaccine to prevent cervical cancer wrongly think they no longer need to practice safe sex, U.S. researchers said on Monday.Source: Reuters Health Related MedlinePlus Pages: HPV, Sexually Transmitted Diseases (Source: MedlinePlus Health News)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Find the best January Sales in the UK.

HPV for Pre-Teens?

Dr. Weil Q and A — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 10:43:35 +0100

I have a son and daughter ages 11 and 12, and I'm wondering about getting them the vaccine that protects against cancers caused by HPV. Is it really safe? (Source: Dr. Weil Q and A)

Immune Modulation by Regulatory T cells in Helicobacter pylori-Associated Diseases.

Endocrine, Metabolic and Immune Disorders Drug Targets — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Raghavan S, Quiding-Järbrink M Abstract Regulatory T cells (Treg) have the ability to suppress the activity of most other lymphoid cells as well as dendritic cells through cell-cell contact dependent mechanisms, which have not yet been fully defined. Treg are a key component of a functional immune system, and Treg deficiency is associated with severe autoimmunity and allergies. Antigen-specific Treg accumulate in gastric tissue during both Helicobacter pylori-induced gastritis and peptic ulcer disease (PUD). Several studies suggest that the local Treg response protects the gastric mucosa from exaggerated inflammation and tissue damage, and the risk of PUD is inversely related to Treg frequencies. At the same time the reduction of the inflammatory response achieved by Treg...

Self-Regulation Of The Immune System Suppresses Defense Against Cancer

Health News from Medical News Today — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 08:00:00 +0100

It is vital that the body's own immune system does not overreact. If its key players, the helper T cells, get out of control, this can lead to autoimmune diseases or allergies. An immune system overreaction against infectious agents may even directly damage organs and tissues. Immune cells called regulatory T cells ("Tregs") ensure that immune responses take place in a coordinated manner: They downregulate the dividing activity of helper T cells and reduce their production of immune mediators. "This happens through direct contact between regulatory cell and helper cell," says Prof... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

[Errata] Erratum

The Lancet Oncology — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Lehtinen M, Paavonen J, Wheeler CM, et al. Overall efficacy of HPV-16/18 AS04-adjuvanted vaccine against grade 3 or greater cervical intraepithelial neoplasia: 4-year end-of-study analysis of the randomised, double-blind PATRICIA trial. Lancet Oncol 2012;13: 89–99—In this Article (published online Nov 9, 2011), the author affiliations for Xavier Castellsagué and F Xavier Bosch did not include all relevant information. The affiliations have been corrected as follows: Biomedical Research Centre Network for Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBER-ESP; X Castellsagué PhD), Network on Cooperative Cancer Research (RTICC; F X Bosch PhD), and Unit of Infections and Cancer, Cancer Epidemiology Research Program, Institut Català d'Oncologia, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, IDIBELL, Catalonia, Spain (...

[Articles] Overall efficacy of HPV-16/18 AS04-adjuvanted vaccine against grade 3 or greater cervical intraepithelial neoplasia: 4-year end-of-study analysis of the randomised, double-blind PATRICIA trial

The Lancet Oncology — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

We report vaccine efficacy against CIN3+ and adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS) in the end-of-study analysis of PATRICIA (PApilloma TRIal against Cancer In young Adults). (Source: The Lancet Oncology)

[Articles] Cross-protective efficacy of HPV-16/18 AS04-adjuvanted vaccine against cervical infection and precancer caused by non-vaccine oncogenic HPV types: 4-year end-of-study analysis of the randomised, double-blind PATRICIA trial

The Lancet Oncology — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

SummaryBackgroundWe evaluated the efficacy of the human papillomavirus HPV-16/18 AS04-adjuvanted vaccine against non-vaccine oncogenic HPV types in the end-of-study analysis after 4 years of follow-up in PATRICIA (PApilloma TRIal against Cancer In young Adults).MethodsHealthy women aged 15–25 years with no more than six lifetime sexual partners were included in PATRICIA irrespective of their baseline HPV DNA status, HPV-16 or HPV-18 serostatus, or cytology. Women were randomly assigned (1:1) to HPV-16/18 vaccine or a control hepatitis A vaccine, via an internet-based central randomisation system using a minimisation algorithm to account for age ranges and study sites. (Source: The Lancet Oncology)

Assessment of serologic immunity to diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis after treatment of korean pediatric hematology and oncology patients.

J Korean Med Sci — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Kwon HJ, Lee JW, Chung NG, Cho B, Kim HK, Kang JH Abstract The aim of this study was to investigate the diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis antibody titers after antineoplastic treatment and to suggest an appropriate vaccination approach for pediatric hemato-oncologic patients. A total of 146 children with either malignancy in remission after cessation of therapy or bone marrow failure were recruited. All children had received routine immunization including diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis vaccination before diagnosis of cancer. The serologic immunity to diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis was classified as: completely protective, partially protective, or non-protective. Non-protective serum antibody titer for diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis was detected in 6.2%, 11.6%, and...

First clinical trial of cancer vaccine therapy with artificially synthesized helper/ killer‐hybrid epitope long peptide of MAGE‐A4 cancer antigen

Cancer Science — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

A patient with pulmonary metastasis of colon cancer was treated with artificially synthesized helper/killer‐hybrid epitope long peptide (H/K‐HELP) of MAGE‐A4 cancer antigen. The patient was vaccinated with MAGE‐A4‐H/K‐HELP combined with OK432 and Montanide ISA‐51. There were no severe side‐effects except for a skin reaction at the injection site. MAGE‐A4‐H/K‐HELP induced MAGE‐A4‐specific Th1 and Tc1 immune responses and the production of MAGE‐A4‐specific complement‐fixing IgG antibodies. Tumor growth and carcinoembryonic antigen tumor marker were significantly decreased in the final diagnosis. This is the first report that artificially synthesized MAGE‐A4‐H/K‐HELP induces Th1‐dependent cellular and humoral immune responses in a human cancer patient. ...

Adjuvant Breast Cancer Vaccine in Phase III Trial

Ob.Gyn. News — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

SAN ANTONIO – A phase III trial of an adjuvant breast cancer vaccine began enrollment before the end of 2011 as a result of favorable 5-year efficacy and safety data in a phase II study. (Source: Ob.Gyn. News)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Find the best January Sales in the UK.

Low risk of type‐specific carcinogenic HPV re‐appearance with subsequent cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2/3

International Journal of Cancer — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

AbstractCarcinogenic human papillomavirus (HPV) infections are very common after sexual debut and nearly all become undetectable (“clear”) within a few years. Following clearance, the long‐term risks of type‐specific HPV re‐appearance and subsequent risk of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 or worse (CIN2+) are not well defined.In the 7‐year, population‐based cohort study in Guanacaste, Costa Rica, we studied how often type‐specific carcinogenic HPV infections re‐appeared after clearance, and how often re‐appearance led to CIN2+. We considered 1740 carcinogenic HPV infections detected by MY09/11 PCR among 2805 women (18‐91 years old, median 34) who were actively followed at 6‐ or 12‐ month intervals. We identified women with 1 or more type‐specific HPV ...

2011: the year in review

Guardian Unlimited Science — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 22:59:00 +0100

Police stood by as Britain rioted, popular protests changed the face of the Middle East, European governments fell apart – and so did Fleet Street's reputation. 2011 has been an extraordinary yearIt wasn't the sight of a double-decker bus ablaze on Tottenham High Road that stunned Britain as it awoke one morning in August. It wasn't even the historic building smouldering in ruins, or the trail of burnt-out police cars. What chilled the country turning on the news that summer Sunday was footage of a young woman calmly trying on trainers before looting them while police stood by helplessly and watched.As night fell, violence spread across the capital as mobs of masked youths hurled missiles at riot police and ransacked shops, making off with trolley-loads of TVs, clothes, jewellery, grocer...

How Do You Aspire to Change the World in 2012?

Red Cross Chat — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 16:08:34 +0100

Editor’s note: This post is a response to Craig Newmark’s Social Good Blog Series call for posts on the topic, “How Will You Change the World in 2012?”. Gail McGovern talks to Adebayo Oguntayo at an aid station during her visit to the tornado hit areas in Joplin, MO on May 28, 2011. From the tornadoes in Joplin, Miss., to the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, this past year has been marked by devastating and deadly disasters that have killed thousands of people, destroyed whole communities and changed lives forever. It was one of the worst years for disasters, but it brought out the best in millions of people who gave generously to support their neighbors down the street, across the country and around the world. When people talk about changing the world, many will sa...

Abbott setback hits Emergent beyond just revenue

bizjournals.com Health Care:Pharmaceuticals headlines — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 20:00:09 +0100

This year was supposed to be a big one for Emergent BioSolutions Inc. and oncology. Cancer drugs represent Emergent’s best hope of becoming more than just a federal biodefense contractor. And TRU-016, a compound the biotech acquired last year, represents the brightest prospect of that new front. That’s why the news Wednesday that Abbott Laboratories (NYSE: ABT) — Emergent’s big-pharma partner in developing and commercializing TRU-016 — plans to wind down that program is so damaging. Damaging because of lost potential milestone payments, but also — and perhaps more importantly — because it will hinder Emergent’s goal of diversifying its revenues beyond the anthrax vaccine BioThrax... (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Pharmaceuticals headlines)

Scientists buzz Simon Cowell for promoting pseudoscience

Guardian Unlimited Science — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 07:30:00 +0100

Sense About Science publishes its annual review of celebrities' misleading claims, including Cowell's intravenous vitaminsWhere there's a celebrity, there's often a fad diet, miracle crystal bracelet or misunderstanding about science. In 2011, Simon Cowell thought it was best to get his vitamins delivered intravenously, American TV host Bill O'Reilly reckoned the Earth's tides were a mystery, and Gwyneth Paltrow championed expensive detox treatments.These celebrity missteps, and many others, are highlighted in the sixth annual review published by the charity Sense About Science (SAS). "We're seeing changes – people are contacting us, medical charities are briefing their celebrities more and working with us to follow up dangerous advice, and we now have over 5,000 scientists and hundreds ...

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Please support the Doctors In Chains campaign for the medics tortured and sentenced for up to 15 years in Bahrain. #FreeDoctors

Cellular MRI as a suitable, sensitive non-invasive modality for correlating in vivo migratory efficiencies of different dendritic cell populations with subsequent immunological outcomes

International Immunology — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

This study provides important information relevant to tracking the in vivo migration of ex vivo-prepared and stimulated DC. (Source: International Immunology)

JCI online early table of contents: Dec. 27, 2011

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

(Journal of Clinical Investigation) This release contains summaries, links to PDFs, and contact information for papers to be published Dec. 27, 2011, in the JCI: Another potential obstacle to developing an HIV vaccine; How obesity alters the brain area involved in body weight control; Beneficial or not beneficial: that is the question for IL-1 inhibition in atherosclerosis; Stopping the HuR(t) of inflammation-induced cancer; and Withstanding high pressure: a key role in the kidney for the protein CD151; and others. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

HPV Vaccine Does Not Alter Sexual Behavior

Health News from Medical News Today — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 08:00:00 +0100

According to a national study by The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, contrary to some people's belief, young women receiving recommended vaccinations for the prevention of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and related cancers do not engage in more sexually risky behavior. Nicole C. Liddon, Ph.D... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Anti-Sp17 monoclonal antibody with antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity and complement-dependent cytotoxicity activities against human ovarian cancer cells

Medical Oncology — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 16:54:29 +0100

In this study, the in vitro cytotoxicity, antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) and complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) activities of anti-Sp17 mAb were evaluated using Sp17-positive ovarian cancer cells as targets, Sp17-negative ovarian cancer cells as the control, and healthy human peripheral blood monocytes and healthy human serum as effectors. Our preliminary results indicate that the direct cytotoxicity of anti-Sp17 mAb against the investigated ovarian cancer cells was very weak. However, the cytotoxicity of anti-Sp17 mAb, mediated by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), as ADCC, or by human serum, as CDC, was relatively strong in the Sp17-positive ovarian cancer cells. This finding suggested that anti-Sp17 mAb could be a useful tool against ovarian can...