Eileen T. Kennedy DSc, Dean of Tufts University’s Gerald J. and Dorothy R. Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy announced the 3rd Annual Friedman School Symposium, a conference for nutrition professionals that will examine critical issues facing industry, policy-makers, academics and thought leaders in the coming year.
The conference will be in Boston, September 24th to 26th, 2008.

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A new trial drug called abiraterone has shown a high success rate at treating men with an aggressive, drug resistant, and often fatal form of prostate cancer. 70 to 80 per cent of the men on the trial experienced dramatic reductions in PSA (a protein marker for prostate cancer) and tumour shrinkage, even in tumours that had spread to bone and other tissue.
The study, which is published in the 21st July online issue of the Journal of Clinical Oncology, was the work of researchers based at the Institute of Cancer Research (where the drug was discovered) and The Royal Marsden Hospital in London, and funded by Cougar Biotechnology, Inc of Los Angeles, California.

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Researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Pharmacy are collaborating with the Ohio State University and two other organizations to discover new cancer therapies derived from natural sources such as pond scum and plants from tropical rainforests.
UIC will receive nearly $3 million of the $8 million federal grant to complete multiple projects over five years. Along with Ohio State and UIC, Research Triangle Institute in North Carolina and Bristol-Myers Squibb will assist in the projects. The grant is funded by the National Cancer Institute.

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BARRX Medical, Inc. announced that 98.4 percent of patients having a precancerous condition of their esophagus called Barrett’s esophagus were free of the disease 2.5 years after non-surgical, endoscopic treatment with the HALO ablation system. The results were published this month in Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, a leading scientific publication for gastrointestinal physicians and researchers. Barrett’s esophagus develops as a result of chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and afflicts more than 3.3 million people in the United States.

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An abundant chromosomal protein that binds to damaged DNA prevents cancer development by enhancing DNA repair, researchers at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center report online this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
The protein, HMGB1, was previously hypothesized to block DNA repair, senior author Karen Vasquez, Ph.D., associate professor in M. D. Anderson’s Department of Carcinogenesis at the Science Park - Research Division in Smithville, Texas.

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The South is known for many things hot, steamy summers, iced tea laced with sugar and friendly people with a tendency to welcome strangers. But beneath the veneer of Southern hospitality and gracious living lurks a silent killer cancer. Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center researchers have their own name for the southern region of the United States The Cancer Belt.
Brain cancer is one of the most alarming malignancies disproportionately affecting people who live in this cancer hot-spot. Glioma, also known as glioblastoma, is lethal. Ninety-five percent of patients die within two years of diagnosis.

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The Royal College of Nursing is encouraged by the Government’s plans to increase its investment in training and development of health and social care professionals, as part of the End of Life Care Strategy.
Dr Peter Carter, Chief Executive & General Secretary of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), said:
“The RCN welcomes this important strategy but the Government now needs to take action and spell out how it intends to deliver the £286 million set aside to deliver high quality, compassionate and dignified end of life care.

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Scientists at The Institute of Cancer Research have found that the partnering of two genes could be responsible for up to 600 British men developing a drug resistant and potentially deadly form of prostate cancer each year.
The international study, published in the British Journal of Cancer, also outlines the discovery of a new prostate cancer gene, ACSL3.

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The Australian and Northern Territory Governments have reached another key milestone in the development of the Radiation Oncology Unit (ROU) with the announcement of Royal Adelaide Hospital as the preferred provider.
Royal Adelaide is a highly experienced and respected provider of radiation oncology services in Australia. They have been providing outreach specialist services to the NT for many years and have clearly demonstrated their commitment to Territorians.

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Commenting on the end-of-life care strategy, Steve Barnett, acting chief executive of the NHS Confederation, which represents over 95% of NHS Organisations, said:
“End-of-life care in the NHS needs to be improved - patients want and deserve the right to choose to die in the comfort their own home, as part of a comprehensive and dignified package of end-of-life care. This strategy is an important and overdue step forward and reflects the views of NHS organisations about the care that should be available. Health leaders have argued for an increased focus on palliative care and more support for patients, their family and carers*. We welcome the commitment to investment in services.”

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