Latest news with #NationalComprehensiveCancerNetwork
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Helix releases pharmacogenomics tests for use in neurology and oncology
US-based genomics company Helix has released a new suite of pharmacogenomics (PGx) tests, widening its portfolio to offer personalised patient care in neurology and oncology. The suite includes a PGx Fluoropyrimidines DPYD test to detect individuals with dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPYD) gene variants at risk for side effects from certain chemotherapies, aligning with the recent guidelines from the National Comprehensive Cancer Network. The DPYD test provides insights into a patient's metabolism of cancer treatments. It targets therapies used in treating breast, pancreatic, head and neck, colorectal, and oesophageal cancers. Additionally, the suite includes the PGx APOE test to evaluate the status of apolipoprotein E (APOE) relevant to Alzheimer's drugs. It assesses the risk of serious adverse effects such as amyloid-related imaging abnormalities (ARIA) for individuals treated with Leqembi or Kisunla. These drugs have US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) boxed warnings for individuals with two copies of the APOE ε4 allele. With these tests, Helix now covers all neurology and oncology-associated PGx haplotypes cited in the agency's warnings. The company noted that its PGx tests offer accuracy across varied populations, utilising its Exome+ assay and comprehensive star allele caller. Its Sequence Once, Query Often model allows for exomes to be sequenced just once, with subsequent genetic tests not requiring additional samples. This facilitates rapid results, enabling genetic insights at the point of care. Helix's latest PGx tests encompass medications for cancer, cardiovascular diseases, pain management, gastrointestinal conditions, and anaesthesia guidance. These tests add to the company's existing PGx offerings for blood clotting, mental health, and immune suppression treatments. In addition, Helix has also developed the Helix Research Network in collaboration with its partners. This precision clinical research network comprises health systems focused on integrating genomics into routine care and advancing human health through genomics research. It also creates real-world evidence to support a wide range of initiatives, including studies showing the genomics' clinical use. Helix chief science officer Will Lee said: 'By focusing on patients with neurodegenerative conditions and cancer, and actively identifying those at higher risk for adverse outcomes, we can help providers treat vulnerable patients more precisely and effectively.' "Helix releases pharmacogenomics tests for use in neurology and oncology" was originally created and published by Medical Device Network, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Time of India
7 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Why it's tough to detect prostate cancer
Former US president 's health was a matter of intense focus while he was in office due to his episodes of forgetfulness and verbal slip-ups. But amid the speculation over his alleged cognitive decline, a far more serious illness was silently progressing inside his body. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Biden, 82, was diagnosed with prostate cancer last week, and the disease has already metastasised to his bones. His condition has been characterised by a Gleason score of 9, near the top of the 6-10 scale used to grade prostate cancer severity. 'While this represents a more aggressive form of the disease, the cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive, which allows for effective management,' his office said. Usual, But Unexpected Delayed diagnosis, experts say, is common in people who skip regular health check-ups or overlook clear signs of the disease. However, they add that late detection in someone as high-profile as Biden, who was president of the US until Jan this year and, therefore, was regularly monitored by a team of doctors, is unexpected and concerning. While some have questioned whether Biden's cancer could have been detected earlier, experts stress that his doctors were likely following standard protocol. Specialists note that prostate cancer is usually easy to detect early through a simple blood test — Serum PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen). 'Early detection is possible in 99% of cases through PSA testing,' said Dr Amrendra Pathak, senior urologist at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Delhi. However, PSA screening isn't routinely recommended for men over 70, as the risk of overdiagnosis and unnecessary treatment may outweigh the benefits, according to reports on Medium, the online publishing platform. Leading medical bodies — including the US Preventive Services Task Force and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network — recommend discontinuing routine PSA testing after a certain age, unless the patient is in exceptionally good health. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Given Biden's age and prior treatment for an enlarged prostate, the absence of a PSA test during his 2024 physical appears to be in line with the guidelines. A Tricky Customer Even with regular screening, however, prostate cancer can evade early detection. In some cases, the disease is metastatic from the outset, leaving no window for early diagnosis. In others, it may progress rapidly between PSA tests or fail to trigger elevated PSA levels at all. Studies also show that roughly 15% of men with prostate cancer may have normal PSA levels, especially since what is considered a 'normal' range increases with age. Dr Manav Suryavanshi, senior consultant and head of the urology division at Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Faridabad added: 'PSA is a critical marker, and in men who are predisposed to prostate cancer — due to family history, genetic mutations like BRCA1/2, or ethnicity — stricter and more frequent screening protocols are essential. In most clinical cases, if these protocols are followed rigorously, prostate cancer is usually detected at an early, localised stage where treatment is not only effective but also potentially curative. ' In early stages, when the disease is localised to the prostate, it can be cured by surgically removing the gland. But doctors say if it reaches a locally advanced stage, that is, if it spreads outside of the prostate gland into nearby tissues, multimodal therapy including surgery, radiotherapy, and hormonal treatment is required. Prostate cancer in India is on the rise, with nearly five lakh new cases being reported every year, said Dr Harit Chaturvedi, chairman, Max Institute of Cancer Care. The burden is expected to rise further due to population growth, increasing life expectancy, and an aging male population in the country.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
NCCN Joins Global Cancer Organizations for First-Ever International Training/Mentoring Meeting on Cancer Control Plans
The United States-based National Comprehensive Cancer Network is among groups from up to 75 countries taking part in the Cancer Planners Forum in Geneva, Switzerland. GENEVA, May 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Comprehensive Cancer Network® (NCCN®)—a not-for-profit alliance of leading cancer centers in the United States that publishes evidence-based expert consensus-driven guidelines—is joining global organizations for the first-ever Cancer Planners Forum in Geneva, Switzerland on May 14-16. "We strive every day to improve access to high-quality, high-value, patient-centered cancer care for all people globally," said Crystal S. Denlinger, MD, Chief Executive Officer, NCCN. "We are proud to not only attend but also sponsor this important meeting as part of our commitment to international collaboration against cancer. It is crucial that every country or region has access to cancer plans based on the best available evidence to optimize care for people touched by cancer everywhere." The Cancer Planners Forum is the first meeting of its kind dedicated to training, mentoring and supporting individuals responsible for developing and implementing National Cancer Control Plans (NCCPs). It is organized and led by The Union for International Cancer Control (UICC)—of which NCCN is a member—with the partnership support of World Health Organization (WHO), the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and the International Cancer Control Partnership (ICCP). A recent study published in Lancet Oncology focused on a global review of NCCPs. The study involved more than 70 international experts—including from NCCN—analyzing 98 NCCPs and 58 non-communicable disease (NCD) plans from countries across all resource levels. While results show progress in overall national cancer strategies, there continue to be persistent gaps in funding, access, and integration of evidence-based interventions within NCCPs. The Cancer Planners Forum aims to address these gaps by fostering collaboration, promoting data-driven decision-making, and ensuring that cancer control plans are comprehensive, well-funded, and effectively implemented. Some topics that will be addressed include: Best practices in developing and implementing NCCPs The investment case for national cancer control planning Case studies on successful national cancer responses The role of cancer registries and data-driven decision-making The impact of law and policy on cancer control "This landmark forum is happening in an important year where NCDs, like cancer, are a focus for the global health agenda," said Katy Winckworth-Prejsnar, MPH, Director of NCCN's Global Program. "Critical upcoming global future meetings this year include the World Health Assembly (WHA) and the Fourth High-level Meeting of the UN General Assembly on the prevention and control of NCDs (HLM4). We hope that the learnings from this forum can be utilized by member states when advocating for NCCPs in the context of achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC), NCD Global Action Plan targets, and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)." NCCN is well-positioned to contribute to this mission. Nearly half of the two million registered users for the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®) are located outside the United States, representing more than 190 different countries. NCCN's Global program frequently collaborates with local and regional experts to create cancer control guidelines and resources tailored for the specific needs of that population. This includes International Adaptations of the NCCN Guidelines®, NCCN Framework for Resource Stratification of NCCN Guidelines (NCCN Framework™), and Translations of NCCN Guidelines and NCCN Guidelines for Patients®. All of NCCN's global cancer resources are available for free at or via the Virtual Library of NCCN Guidelines App. Visit to learn more. About the National Comprehensive Cancer NetworkThe National Comprehensive Cancer Network® (NCCN®) is marking 30 years as a not-for-profit alliance of leading cancer centers devoted to patient care, research, and education. NCCN is dedicated to defining and advancing quality, effective, equitable, and accessible cancer care and prevention so all people can live better lives. The NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®) provide transparent, evidence-based, expert consensus-driven recommendations for cancer treatment, prevention, and supportive services; they are the recognized standard for clinical direction and policy in cancer management and the most thorough and frequently-updated clinical practice guidelines available in any area of medicine. The NCCN Guidelines for Patients® provide expert cancer treatment information to inform and empower patients and caregivers, through support from the NCCN Foundation®. NCCN also advances continuing education, global initiatives, policy, and research collaboration and publication in oncology. Visit for more information. Media Contact:Rachel Darwin267-622-6624darwin@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE National Comprehensive Cancer Network
Medscape
14-05-2025
- Health
- Medscape
Hormone Therapy Safe After Early Salpingo-Oophorectomy
Younger women carrying BRCA 1/2 mutations and intact breasts but with no personal history of breast cancer who undergo bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (BSO) before age 45 years can safely start systemic menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) and continue it at least up to the average age of menopause (about 52 years). Andrew M. Kaunitz, MD, FACOG, MSCP This was the recommendation of a narrative review in Obstetrics & Gynecology led by Andrew M. Kaunitz, MD, FACOG, MSCP, associate chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the College of Medicine — Jacksonville, University of Florida, Jacksonville, Florida. In addition to reducing menopausal symptoms and enhancing quality of life, MHT appears to help prevent coronary events and improve bone health and quality of life. Moreover, estrogen-only MHT appears to substantially reduce breast cancer risk. In patients older than 45 years at surgery, however, MHT has been associated with a threefold higher risk for breast cancer, underscoring the importance of factoring in age during risk assessment. To reduce future risk for ovarian, tubal, and peritoneal cancer, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidance recommends BSO for BRCA1 or BRCA2 carriers between age 35 years and 40 years and between age 40 years and 45 years, respectively. Many BRCA mutation carriers, however, are reluctant to undergo lifesaving BSO, recognizing that hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms will likely result and having concerns about the safety of MHT. 'Keep in mind that many of these women have relatives who were diagnosed with and sometimes died from breast cancer,' Kaunitz told Medscape Medical News. ' Given that the general population of women — and clinicians — feel that MHT is dangerous, it's understandable that high-risk women would have even greater concerns regarding its safety.' Although most appropriately counseled mutation carriers proceed with risk-reducing surgery — about 67% according to Kauntiz — 'a substantial minority do not, with one prominent reason being concerns regarding the safety of MHT.' Molly J. Pederson, MD Nevertheless, 'it's critical to raise clinician awareness and confidence in prescribing MHT to this group,' commented Molly J. Pederson, MD, a professor of medicine at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine and the clinic's director of medical breast services in Cleveland, who was not involved in the review. As observational data suggest MHT is safe and long-term prospective studies have not raised concerns, 'depriving a young surgically menopausal woman without contraindications to MHT can be devastating both in terms of quality of life and in preservation of bone and cardiovascular health,' she said. Compared with natural menopause, surgical menopause involves a more rapid decline in serum estrogen levels and more severe vasomotor symptoms, as well as higher rates of sleep disturbances, mood disorders, arthralgias, sexual dysfunction, and impaired quality of life. On the therapeutic front, the comprehensive review covered a range of systemic and topical treatments, both hormonal and nonhormonal, for multiple problems including vasomotor and genitourinary symptoms and sexual dysfunction. Treatments comprised testosterone therapy, antidepressants, fezolinetant, and elinzanetant, which are now under review by the US Food and Drug Administration. Lingering Impact of the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) Some of the MHT safety concerns stem from the WHI clinical trials, which assessed oral conjugated equine estrogens (CEEs) and the synthetic progestational agent medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) — primarily for cardiovascular outcomes. 'These were the MHT formulations most in use in the 1990s, when WHI was conceived,' Kaunitz said. 'Statistically, the most important adverse impact of MHT was a more than doubling of the risk of venous thromboembolism. Moving beyond WHI, we now recognize that in contrast with oral estrogens, transdermal estradiol does not elevate risk of venous thromboembolism, including pulmonary embolism.' In the WHI, women with an intact uterus were randomized to CEE/MPA vs placebo. 'Good-quality observational data suggest that in contrast with CEE/MPA, which modestly elevates risk of invasive breast cancer, estrogen plus micronized progesterone appears to have little if any impact on risk,' he said. 'In my practice, most of my patients with an intact uterus who are using MHT are using transdermal estradiol plus micronized progesterone.' According to Pederson, MHT use plummeted following the WHI's erroneous announcement in 2002 that 'hormones increased the risk of developing breast cancer by 26%.' 'The publicity around this statistic regarding relative riskhas had dangerous consequences for both patients and providers, creating a bias against MHT that clearly persists.' Reflecting this bias, she added, only about 5% of US women now use MHT, a decline from about 27% in 1999, despite widespread menopause-related quality of life issues. Fortunately, said Kaunitz, attitudes are changing. 'My sense is that my colleagues are receptive to learning about newer data pointing the way toward safer approaches to MHT.' But there remains a significant unmet need for educating clinicians to provide appropriate care for individuals at highest risk for breast cancer, including underserved minority populations underrepresented in clinical trials and observational studies.
Time Magazine
08-05-2025
- Health
- Time Magazine
Andre Esteva
Andre Esteva is pioneering a future where AI can personalize therapies to improve health. 'Doctors are the first to tell you they could use help with this,' Esteva says. The company he co-founded and leads as CEO, ArteraAI, has created an AI tool that predicts which prostate cancer treatment will work best for a patient. Prostate cancer is the second-most common cancer in men, and Esteva's efforts became personal last year when his co-founder died of cancer at age 48. The AI is trained on images of tumors—detailed at the cellular level from more than 100,000 patients—and compares these patterns to an individual patient's images to choose the right treatment option. The AI uses some additional patient information, but '98% of the signal comes from the tumor images,' Esteva says. In 2024, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, a nonprofit group of cancer centers that develops best practice guidelines, recommended the tool to cancer clinicians in the U.S., and ArteraAI has already helped nearly 20% of these clinicians integrate it into patient care, Esteva says. The tool was approved for Medicare reimbursement last year, and Esteva expects it will work for other cancer types in the next 12-18 months. 'It will save many lives,' Esteva says.
