Treatment

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FDA Grants Orphan Drug Status For Personalized Lymphoma Vaccine

In case you can’t see from where you’re sitting, I’m doing the happy dance. Why?

Because Biovest International, Inc. (Other OTC: BVTI) announced TODAY that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Orphan Drug Designation to BiovaxID®, Biovest's personalized lymphoma vaccine. BiovaxID represents a new class of active immunotherapy and is one of the few select late-stage patient-specific cancer vaccines vying to be among the first to reach market.

Cancer Survivor Takes Control of Insurance Nightmare

James Mannett’s cancer has cost around $600,000, including travel and other expenses, with about $100,000 of that coming from his own pocket. Mr. Mannett, who now lives in a recreational vehicle and is supported mainly by federal disability benefits, is doing well now, but continues to receive periodic chemotherapy to contain the cancer in his liver.

Dr. Kaplan's Revolutionary Death Ray for Kids

The image of a child undergoing modern anticancer treatments is especially jarring—little bald-headed androgynous rascals, so cherubic you can't help but marvel at the cruelty of a world that permits gangly tumors to spread through such innocence, and the heart bleeds at the thought of poisonous chemotherapy wreaking its havoc on their growing bodies.

New Findings at American Society of Hematology

Researchers funded by The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) presented exciting new findings at the annual American Society of Hematology (ASH) conference in New Orleans earlier this month. Highlights presented by LLS-funded research teams included some promising advances in targeted therapies for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients.

One early clinical trial showed encouraging results for a novel antibody-like drug called TRU-016 which targets a molecule in CLL cells. The drug may prove to be an effective treatment for patients with relapsed or refractory disease.

Milk Thistle and Chemo: Questions Continue

The medicinal herb milk thistle may reduce the liver inflammation often caused by chemotherapy, researchers say.

A recent study, reported in the December 14 online edition of the journal Cancer, examined how the herb affected liver inflammation over a 28 day period in 50 children undergoing chemotherapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia, HealthDay News reports.

Get those Sunglasses, Baby: B Cell Lymphoma and Vitamin D

I don’t know about you, but I love reading good news about cancer treatment – especially when it offers a cheap, painless solution. Solution may be too strong a word, so let’s say – encouraging sign. A new study was just released that looked at 374 patients who had been newly diagnosed with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

Let's Make a Deal

One of the frustrating aspects of struggling with a serious illness is dealing with financial matters. Insurance companies are notoriously difficult to work with and it requires hours and hours to comb through policies, bills, and statements to stay on top of it.

High-dose temsirolimus shows promise against mantle cell lymphoma

OFFICIAL TRIAL NAME

"An Open-Label, Randomized, Phase 3 Trial of Intravenous Temsirolimus (CCI-779) at Two Dose Levels Compared to Investigator's Choice Therapy in Relapsed, Refractory Subjects With Mantle Cell Lymphoma (MCL)."

PUBLICATION

The Journal of Clinical Oncology, official journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

LEAD STUDY AUTHOR

Georg Hess, MD, Department of Hematology/Oncology, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Langenbeckstr 1, Mainz, DE 55101.

FDA approves immunotherapy for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved GlaxoSmithKline's monoclonal antibody ofatumumab (to be marketed as Arzerra) for the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) in patients whose cancer is considered relapsed or refractory.

The FDA approved ofatumumab under its accelerated approval process.

Question Checklist – Treatment Questions

Being prepared for office visits assists your doctor in determining your medical needs and most appropriate treatment plan; helps you receive timely access to medical care and related services, and created a mutually respectful and supportive relationship. Besides bringing along a companion, one if the best ways to prepare for a visit is prepare a concise list of written questions. Provide a copy for your doctor.