Merck Serono: Study Published In JCO Shows Erbitux Enhances Efficacy In MCRC Patients With KRAS Wild-Type Tumors In 1st-Line Setting
A study published today in the Journal of Clinical Oncology demonstrates that the addition of Erbitux® (cetuximab) to standard oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy (FOLFOX-4) in previously untreated metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients with KRAS wild-type tumors results in significantly higher efficacy than chemotherapy alone.

Inflammation Contributes To Colon Cancer
Researchers led by Dr. Brian Iritani at The University of Washington found that mice that lack the immune inhibitory molecule Smad3 are acutely sensitive to both bacterially-induced inflammation and cancer. They report these findings in the January 2009 issue of The American Journal of Pathology. Bacteria contribute to the development of certain cancers, in some measure, by stimulating chronic inflammation.

Stem Cells May 'ignite' Bowel Cancer Development
Cancer Research UK scientists have discovered for the first time that stem cells could be the root cause of bowel cancer, according to a study published in Nature* today (Wednesday). Scientists at Cancer Research UK's Beatson Institute for Cancer Research in Glasgow, Cardiff University and the Hubrecht Institute in the Netherlands - isolated stem cells in the bowels of mice and 'knocked out' a gene called APC from them.

Drinkers With The Alcohol Dehydrogenase 1C*1 Gene Are At Greater Risk Of Colorectal Cancer
Chronic drinking is a risk factor for colorectal cancer, possibly through the effects of acetaldehyde, which is created by the alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) enzyme. This study investigated if a polymorphism of the ADH1C gene that is found in Caucasians may effect acetaldehyde concentrations. Findings confirm ADH1C*1 as a genetic risk marker for colorectal tumors among people who drink more than 30 grams of alcohol per day.

Colonoscopy Significantly Reduces Death From Left-Sided Colon Cancer But Not From Right-Sided Colon Cancer
Colorectal cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death in North America. Colonoscopy is the "gold standard" for evaluation of the colon. Now, a new study published in Annals of Internal Medicine finds colonoscopy may not be as effective as previously believed. Researchers reviewed health records for persons aged 52 to 90 who received a colorectal cancer diagnosis between 1996 and 2001 and died of colorectal cancer by 2003.

Newly Identified Gene Powerful Predictor Of Colon Cancer Metastasis - Low Gene Activity - Higher Survival Rate
Cancer Researchers at the Max Delbruck Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC) Berlin-Buch and the Charite - Universitats Medizin Berlin (Germany) have identified a gene which enables them to predict for the first time with high probability if colon cancer is going to metastasize. Assistant Professor Dr. Ulrike Stein, Professor Peter M.

Gilda's Club Worldwide Spells 'HOPE' To Colon Cancer Patients And Survivors
Cancer advocacy organization Gilda's Club Worldwide offers a message of hope this holiday season to the millions touched by colon cancer with a one-of-a-kind mosaic mural at its New York City headquarters. The 15X6 foot mural was created by more than 165 colon cancer survivors from around the nation as part of a new MOSAIC of Colon Cancer Survivorship program celebrating the strides that have improved colon cancer treatment.

Prozac: Not Just For Depression
Prozac is regularly prescribed to ease the emotional pain of patients who are being treated for cancer. But can this common anti-depressant help to fight cancer itself? Dr. Dan Peer of the Department of Cell Research and Immunology at Tel Aviv University is proving that it can. A study he and his colleagues recently completed validates that Prozac (chemical name fluoxetine) dramatically enhances the effectiveness of a widely used anti-cancer drug.

Race And Insurance Status Impact Presentation And Treatment Of Diverticulitis
While race may be associated with the level of presentation and mortality for diverticulitis, but insurance status is associated with other aspects of treatment, according to an article released on December 15, 2008 in Archives of Surgery, one of the JAMA/Archives journals. Diverticulitis is the inflammation and infection of the colon within small extensions called diverticula; the colon wall may break or perforate as a result.

Maslinic Acid, Isolated From Olive Pomace, Provides A Natural Defence Against Colon Cancer
Researchers from the University of Granada and the University of Barcelona have shown that treatment with maslinic acid, a triterpenoid compound isolated from olive-skin pomace, results in a significant inhibition of cell proliferation and causes apoptotic death in colon-cancer cells. Maslinic acid is a novel natural compound and it is able to induce apoptosis or programmed death in human HT29 colon-cancer cells via the intrinsic mitochondrial pathway.

Fruit, Veggie Intake Doubled With Switch To Mediterranean Diet Plan
In a new study led by the University of Michigan Health System, women more than doubled their fruit and vegetable intakes and dramatically increased their consumption of "good" fats when they were counseled by registered dietitians and provided with a list of guidelines on the amount of certain foods they should eat each day. The six-month study of 69 women divided the participants into two groups.

Colonoscopy Study Underscores Importance Of Quality Standards
A study by Baxter, et al. scheduled to be published in the Jan. 6, 2009, edition of Annals of Internal Medicine, concluded that while screening colonoscopy is associated with fewer deaths from colorectal cancer, the association is primarily limited to deaths from cancer developing in the left side of the colon. This confirms the value of colonoscopy as a screening test and clarifies a possible weakness: detecting polyps on the right side of the colon.

Study Looks At Association Between Sexual Orientation, Race/Ethnicity And Prostate, Colon Cancer Screening Rates
"Sexual Orientation and Testing for Prostate and Colorectal Cancers Among Men in California," Medical Care: The study, led by Kevin Heslin, an assistant professor at the

Death From Left-Sided Colon Cancer Significantly Reduced By Colonoscopy
A new study finds that colonoscopy is strongly associated with fewer deaths from colorectal cancer. However, the risk reduction appears to be entirely due to a reduction in deaths from left-sided cancers. According to the study, colonoscopy shows almost no mortality prevention benefit for cancer that develops in the right side of the colon. Colorectal cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death in North America.

Colonoscopy Significantly Reduces Death From Left-Sided Colon Cancer But Not From Right-Sided Colon Cancer
A new study finds that colonoscopy is strongly associated with fewer deaths from colorectal cancer. However, the risk reduction appears to be entirely due to a reduction in deaths from left-sided cancers. According to the study, colonoscopy shows almost no mortality prevention benefit for cancer that develops in the right side of the colon. Colorectal cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death in North America.