Today, Cougar Biotechnology, Inc. (NASDAQ:CGRB) unveiled the results from its ongoing Phase II clinical trial drug CB7630 (abiraterone acetate). The data was presented at the Prostate Cancer Foundation Scientific Retreat in Lake Tahoe, Nevada. The clinical trial, which is centered at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Texas and was designed to look at the [...]
U.S. News and World Review, in their HealthDay section reported an interesting aspect of the continuing debate about treatment vs. “watchful waiting” (active surveillance). The article, written by Karen Pallarito “Rethinking Prostate Cancer in Older Men” suggests aggressive treatment is viable, even for patients in their late 70s! Her premise, that increasing life expectancies, improved [...]
According to data published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology (2008; 26:4426-34), once a week, bisphosphonate therapy improves bone density and improves turnover in prostate cancer patients with nonmetastatic disease who are on androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). A second year of bisphosphonate therapy provides additional skeletal benefit, whereas discontinuation results in bone loss and increased [...]
On the advanced prostate cancer group I moderate there has been a discussion about the health risks of using Fosamax for an extended period of time. The risks of long term therapy remains unclear and mixed. The Physicans Desk Reference (PDR) indicates they have no idea what effects Fosamax may have after four years! Fosamax [...]
On July 23, 2008 I wrote an article on deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a hidden danger for men with prostate cancer. Studies show more than 90 percent of patients with cancer may experience an increase in the blood’s clotting activity, which can lead to a Deep Vein Thrombosis, or DVTs. DVTs can be a life [...]
As I have discussed many times there is very little consensus about standard definitions or treatments for prostate cancer. Go to any doctor who supplies primary treatment and ask about their erectile or incontinence rates. Then ask them how they define those rates. The results will be all over the place with no consistency among [...]
At 9 am this morning, Dendreon Corporation (Nasdaq: DNDN) announced the long awaited interim analysis of the Phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled IMPACT (Immunotherapy for Prostate AdenoCarcinoma Treatment, also known as D9902B). The clinical trial is designed to assess the safety and efficacy of the investigational active cellular immunotherapy Provenge® (sipuleucel-T) in men with metastatic [...]
The Department of Urology at the Hospital São João in Portugal examined the intermediate-term outcome (up to 4 years) of a bone-anchored perineal sling (InVance(TM), produced by American Medical Systems, Minnetonka, MN, USA) in men with stress urinary incontinence (SUI) after prostate surgery. Sixty two men with SUI after prostate cancer surgery were given the [...]
Recent studies have raised a red flag of caution; it may not be wise also to be taking aspirin while on a hormone blockade (ADT). Recent findings show that for some men taking aspirin, which is commonly used in low daily doses for prevention of heart attack and stroke, may result in liver toxicity. Liver [...]
GTx, Inc. (Nasdaq: GTXI) has conducted a number of clinical trials using toremifene citrate in both the treatment of breast and prostate cancer. Older women and men as well as women and men being treated for both breast and prostate cancers are subject to bone loss leading to an increased risk of falls and fractures. [...]
