Latest news with #cancertreatment
Medscape
8 hours ago
- Health
- Medscape
Deaths From Prostate Cancer vs Other Causes: Long-Term Data
Men treated for nonmetastatic prostate cancer under current guidelines are up to 6 times less likely to die from their cancer than from other causes, according to data from a Swedish cancer registry. The study estimated long-term outcomes over up to 30 years in men who received treatment for nonmetastatic prostate cancer that was in line with current National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines. Overall, nearly 90% of men with low-risk or favorable intermediate-risk disease were likely to survive their cancer and die from other causes over their life expectancy. While men with high-risk disease had higher death rates from prostate cancer, they were still at least twice as likely to die from other causes. 'Our data support adherence to guideline recommendations for treatment of prostate cancer,' lead author Pietro Scilipoti, MD, of Uppsala University in Uppsala, Sweden, and IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital in Milan, Italy, said in a news release. 'If guideline-recommended treatment is used,' Scilipoti added, 'most people with prostate cancer will live for many years after diagnosis. That includes active surveillance as an excellent treatment strategy for appropriately selected people.' Kyrollis Attalla, MD, a urologic oncologist at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, emphasized the findings among low-risk patients, most of whom underwent active surveillance. The data offer a 'strong and welcome addition to the existing and growing body of evidence demonstrating the superior clinical outcomes among men with low-risk prostate cancer managed with data-driven active surveillance protocols,' Attalla, who wasn't involved in the study, told Medscape Medical News . The analysis was published online earlier this month in the Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network. Addressing a Data Gap Men with nonmetastatic prostate cancer have a long disease trajectory, and it's well known that the competing risk for death from other causes is high. However, there are only limited data on long-term outcomes for men treated for prostate cancer according to current guideline recommendations. To investigate, Scilipoti and colleagues used Swedish registry data to identify 62,839 men diagnosed with nonmetastatic prostate cancer between 2000 and 2020. At diagnosis, their median age was 67 years and median life expectancy was 18 years. All had a defined risk category and received primary treatment consistent with current NCCN guidelines (v4.2023): Most often that meant radical prostatectomy (42%), radiotherapy with or without androgen deprivation therapy (22%), or active surveillance (20%). Among the 15,531 men with low-risk disease, 71% underwent active surveillance. The researchers simulated patients' risk of dying from prostate cancer or other causes at 15 and 30 years, according to risk category and life expectancy at diagnosis. For men with low-risk prostate cancer, the simulated 15-year prostate cancer mortality rate was 5.5%, whereas mortality from other causes was 37%. Prostate cancer mortality was highest among men with very high-risk disease, at 22%, but the rate of death from competing causes was still higher (36%). At 30 years, the simulated estimate for prostate cancer mortality was 12% among low-risk men, whereas the mortality rate from other causes was 77%. Estimates for men with favorable intermediate-risk cancer were almost identical. Even for men with higher-risk disease, the likelihood of dying from causes other than prostate cancer was two to three times higher: At 30-years, researchers estimated a 20% mortality rate from prostate cancer vs 67% from other causes among men with high-risk disease, and 30% vs 63% among men with very high-risk disease. Within each risk category, deaths due to prostate cancer and other causes varied by life expectancy. For example, when men with low-risk disease had a life expectancy of over 15 years, their estimated 15-year prostate cancer mortality was just 2.5%. That rose to 10% among low-risk men with a life expectancy of < 10 years. Mortality from other causes was higher and ranged from 20% to 81%, respectively, in men with a life expectancy of > 15 years and < 10 years. 'This study offers a big sigh of relief for many men facing a prostate cancer diagnosis,' Ahmad Shabsigh, MD, with The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio, and member of the NCCN guidelines panel for prostate cancer, said in the news release. 'What's truly striking is that for patients with low-risk prostate cancer, many of whom were on active surveillance, the 30-year mortality risk from the cancer itself was only about 11%,' said Shabsigh, who was not involved in the research. 'It really underscores the power of evidence-based treatment plans and the importance of focusing on a person's overall health, not just their cancer.' Attala noted that while the overtreatment of prostate cancer has long been an issue, active surveillance has more than doubled over the last decade in the US. 'As our understanding of tumor biology and our ability to risk-stratify men with prostate cancer improved, the rates of offering and implementation of active surveillance for appropriate candidates were seen to increase in tandem,' Attala said. Still, he added, rates of active surveillance vary widely across practices and individual providers. The new data 'should serve to further attest to the long-term safety of active surveillance for men with low-risk prostate cancer,' Attala said. He cautioned, however, that patient safety depends on adherence to the quality protocol detailed in the guidelines — and that does not always happen in current practice. For example, Attala pointed out that confirmatory testing is recommended following a diagnosis of low-risk disease, to facilitate early identification of men who may be at higher risk for future grade reclassification or progression. However, recent data suggest that only a little over half of urologists are offering confirmatory testing following the initial biopsy. 'The rates of grade reclassification with confirmatory testing are not insignificant — upwards of 25% in some studies,' Attala pointed out. 'Altogether, this study and others highlight that optimal outcomes on active surveillance are derived from optimal guideline-driven practices.'
BBC News
2 days ago
- Health
- BBC News
Letterkenny and Sligo: New surgical hubs proposed for hospitals
The minister for health in the Republic of Ireland has now backed the development of two new surgical hubs in the north west, insisting the decision is based on announcement comes after concerns were raised by some Donegal-based clinicians when the regional Health Service Executive (HSE) initially identified Sligo as the preferred location for a new surgical hub in the Jennifer Carroll MacNeill confirmed on Monday a second unit will also be developed at Letterkenny University Hospital and dismissed claims this decision was politically motivated. It remains unclear whether patients from Northern Ireland will be able to access services at either site once operational. "This is the right thing for Donegal - it is the right thing for the north west," the minister said. "From a data perspective and a planning perspective, this was simply the right decision."The investment at Letterkenny University Hospital will include the development of a new surgical hub, along with expanded cancer treatment Sligo, a new stand-alone surgical hub with two operating theatres will be constructed near the town's university MacNeill described the announcement as "an important milestone" in delivering improved care for patients at both said the projects would make "a real and lasting difference" to people's lives in the region and emphasised that increasing surgical capacity in both locations was a priority for the Irish government."These investments align with our Ambulatory Elective Day Care Strategy and the National Cancer Control Programme," Carroll MacNeill said."They will ensure that patients in the northwest have timely access to high-quality surgical and oncology care." Hope to be operational 'within two years' The minister visited Letterkenny University Hospital on Monday to make the announcement. "This was the right decision— not because of a series of meetings, but because, from a data perspective and from a future planning perspective, this was simply the right decision," Carroll MacNeill said. "It's not anything political - this is the right thing for Donegal - this is the right thing for the north west and I hope we'll see the benefits of these two surgical hubs which will deliver quicker surgeries for people in a very short time."Carroll MacNeill said she hoped both hubs would be operational within two years. Regional executive officer for HSE west and north west, Tony Canavan, said the new units could help reduce waiting lists for elective procedures in Donegal and Sligo, but said questions remained over staffing the facilities. "In Letterkenny, the hub we're proposing to develop will also include day beds for people receiving oncology treatments—15 brand new beds, along with 15 replacement beds," he explained."That will mean people from Donegal can receive their chemotherapy close to home and will be able to plan for that in the future as well."However, Mr Canavan cautioned that staffing the new units would be a "challenge".
Globe and Mail
4 days ago
- Business
- Globe and Mail
AstraZeneca's Latest Study: Evaluating Ceralasertib's Impact on Cancer Drug Pharmacokinetics
AstraZeneca ((AZN)), Parexel International ((PRXL)), AstraZeneca plc ((GB:AZN)), AstraZeneca ((DE:ZEGA)), AstraZeneca plc US ((AZNCF)) announced an update on their ongoing clinical study. Elevate Your Investing Strategy: Take advantage of TipRanks Premium at 50% off! Unlock powerful investing tools, advanced data, and expert analyst insights to help you invest with confidence. AstraZeneca, in collaboration with Parexel International, is conducting a Phase I clinical study titled 'A Phase I, Open-label, Fixed-sequence Study to Evaluate the Effect of Ceralasertib on Pharmacokinetics of Drug X, Drug Y and Drug Z in Participants With Advanced Solid Tumours.' The study aims to assess how ceralasertib affects the pharmacokinetics of three other drugs in patients with advanced solid tumors, potentially offering new insights into cancer treatment. The intervention involves administering ceralasertib, alongside Drugs X, Y, and Z. Ceralasertib is given twice daily over a week, with single doses of the other drugs administered on specific days to evaluate interactions. This open-label study follows a single-group assignment model with no masking, focusing on treatment as its primary purpose. It includes multiple visits and wash-out periods to ensure accurate results. The study began on May 21, 2025, with the latest update submitted on July 22, 2025. These dates are crucial for tracking the study's progress and ensuring transparency. For investors, this study could influence AstraZeneca's stock performance by potentially expanding its oncology portfolio. The collaboration with Parexel highlights a strategic partnership that could enhance research capabilities, impacting investor sentiment positively. Competitors in the oncology sector may also be closely monitoring these developments. The study is currently recruiting, with further details available on the ClinicalTrials portal.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Phio Pharmaceuticals Announces Exercise of Warrants for Approximately $2.5 Million Gross Proceeds
King of Prussia, Pennsylvania--(Newsfile Corp. - July 25, 2025) - Phio Pharmaceuticals Corp. (NASDAQ: PHIO), a clinical-stage siRNA biopharmaceutical company developing therapeutics using its proprietary INTASYL® gene silencing technology to eliminate cancer, today announced the entry into definitive agreements to exercise certain outstanding warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of 928,596 shares of common stock of the Company originally issued in December 2024 and January 2025, having exercise prices between $2.00 and $3.00 per share. Warrants to purchase 100,000 shares of common stock at the existing exercise price of $2.00 per share will be exercised at their existing exercise price of $2.00 per share and warrants to purchase 828,596 shares of common stock will be exercised at a reduced exercise price of $2.485 per share. The shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants are registered pursuant to effective registration statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-284381). The gross proceeds to the Company from the exercise of the warrants are expected to be approximately $2.5 million, prior to deducting placement agent fees and offering expenses. H.C. Wainwright & Co. is acting as the exclusive placement agent for the offering. In consideration for the immediate exercise of the warrants for cash and the payment of additional $0.125 per new unregistered warrant (additional $232,149 in the aggregate, which are included in the gross proceeds to the Company), the exercising holders will receive new unregistered warrants to purchase shares of common stock in a private placement pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"). The new warrants will be exercisable for an aggregate of up to 1,857,192 shares of common stock, at an exercise price of $2.485 per share and will be immediately exercisable upon issuance and (i) will have a term of twenty-four months with respect to new warrants to purchase up to 1,538,596 shares of common stock and (ii) will have a term of five years with respect to new warrants to purchase up to 318,596 shares of common stock, in each case, following the effective date of the resale registration statement registering the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the new warrants. The offering is expected to close on or about July 28, 2025, subject to satisfaction of customary closing conditions. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the offering for working capital and other general corporate purposes. The new warrants described above were offered in a private placement pursuant to an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the 1933 Act and, along with the shares of common stock issuable upon their exercise, have not been registered under the 1933 Act, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration with the SEC or an applicable exemption from such registration requirements. The securities were offered only to accredited investors. The Company has agreed to file a registration statement with the SEC covering the resale of the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the new warrants. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction. About Phio Pharmaceuticals Corp. Phio Pharmaceuticals Corp. (NASDAQ: PHIO) is a clinical-stage siRNA biopharmaceutical company advancing its INTASYL® gene silencing technology focused on immuno-oncology therapeutics. Phio's INTASYL compounds are designed to enhance the body's immune cells to more effectively kill cancer cells. Phio's lead clinical program is an INTASYL compound, PH-762, that silences the PD-1 gene implicated in various forms of skin cancer. The on-going Phase 1b trial (NCT# 06014086) is evaluating PH-762 for the treatment of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma and Merkel cell carcinoma. PH-762 is a potential non-surgical treatment for skin cancers. For additional information, visit the Company's website, Forward-Looking Statements completion of the offering, the satisfaction of customary closing conditions related to the offering and the anticipated use of proceeds therefrom. This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as "intends," "believes," "anticipates," "indicates," "plans," "expects," "suggests," "may," "would," "should," "potential," "designed to," "will," "ongoing," "estimate," "forecast," "target," "predict," "could" and similar references, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. Examples of forward-looking statements contained in this press release include, among others, the completion of the offering, the satisfaction of customary closing conditions related to the offering and the anticipated use of proceeds therefrom. These statements are based only on our current beliefs, expectations and assumptions and are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. Our actual results may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of important factors, including, but not limited to, the impact to our business and operations by inflationary pressures, rising interest rates, recession fears, the development of our product candidates, results from our preclinical and clinical activities, our ability to execute on business strategies, our ability to develop our product candidates with collaboration partners, and the success of any such collaborations, the timeline and duration for advancing our product candidates into clinical development, the timing or likelihood of regulatory filings and approvals, the success of our efforts to commercialize our product candidates if approved, our ability to manufacture and supply our product candidates for clinical activities, and for commercial use if approved, the scope of protection we are able to establish and maintain for intellectual property rights covering our technology platform, our ability to obtain future financing, market and other conditions and those identified in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q under the caption "Risk Factors" and in other filings the Company periodically makes with the SEC. Readers are urged to review these risk factors and to not act in reliance on any forward-looking statements, as actual results may differ from those contemplated by our forward-looking statements. Phio does not undertake to update forward-looking statements to reflect a change in its views, events or circumstances that occur after the date of this release, except as required by law. Contact:Phio Pharmaceuticals Phillips: jphillips@ Affairs To view the source version of this press release, please visit 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
Reuters
6 days ago
- Health
- Reuters
GSK's blood cancer drug gets EU approval
July 24 (Reuters) - The European Union has approved GSK's (GSK.L), opens new tab drug Blenrep to treat relapsed or treatment-resistant forms of a cancer affecting blood plasma cells, the British drugmaker said on Thursday. EU regulators approved Blenrep after phase III trials showed the drug, when used in combination with standard treatments, extended progression-free survival and improved overall survival in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma, GSK said. The approval comes a day after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration extended its review of the drug as a combination treatment for the same illness. The FDA's panel of independent experts had last week recommended against the drug, citing concerns about previously documented risks of eye-related side effects. The EU approval marks the sixth regulatory nod for Blenrep combinations, with applications still under review across all major markets. The drug delivers a cell-killing agent directly to tumour cells while limiting damage to healthy tissue — unlike conventional chemotherapy. Multiple myeloma is the third most common blood cancer globally and is generally considered treatable but not curable. It affects the immunity-boosting plasma white blood cells.
