In the Literature

The BCR-ABL inhibitor nilotinib (Tasigna) was developed as a selective treatment for patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) who are not responding appropriately to imatinib (Gleevec) therapy.

In phase 1 and 2 clinical trials, olaparib, a small-molecule poly(ADPribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor, has demonstrated objective responses in women with breast or ovarian cancer and BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations.

Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) has traditionally been an important tool in nonclinical research. Recently, however, the potential clinical value of the technique was demonstrated in a patient with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) that was hard to identify (Welch JS, et al. JAMA. 2011;305: 1577-1584).

Results of a phase 3 trial comparing that drug with the investigational agent vemurafenib show promise for patients with BRAF V600E mutation (Chapman PB, et al. N Engl JMed. 2011; 364:2507-2516).

Black women who undergo mastectomy or lumpectomy for advanced breast cancer have shorter survival duration than their white, Hispanic, and Asian counterparts, regardless of whether they undergo radiation therapy after the procedure, according to a new study (Martinez SR, et al. Cancer. Epub ahead of print. June 20, 2011).

A new large clinical trial funded by the National Cancer Institute has demonstrated the best approach to therapy for men with intermediaterisk, early-stage prostate cancer that can prolong survival.

A new study suggests that removing financial incentives for screening for cervical cancer, diabetic retinopathy, and hypertension and diabetes control reduces performance, including screening rates. The study was published online in May in the British Medical Journal (2010;340:c1898).