Fox Chase Cancer Center News

CHICAGO, IL (May 29, 2013)—Monoclonal antibodies represent a promising treatment strategy for a range of cancers because they harness the immune system to specifically target and kill cancer cells while sparing normal cells, thereby reducing harmful side effects. Many monoclonal antibodies have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and in combination with standard chemotherapy or radiotherapy regimens, they can help to prevent tumor growth and metastasis and prolong patient survival.

CHICAGO, IL (May 29, 2013)—Patients with metastatic or recurrent forms of head and neck cancer respond better to systemic treatments if their tumors arise in association with the human papillomavirus (HPV), according to new findings to be presented by Fox Chase Cancer Center researchers at the 49th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology on Sunday, June 2.

CHICAGO, IL (May 29, 2013)—A high-dose of ultrasound targeted to painful bone metastases appears to quickly bring patients relief, and with largely tolerable side effects, according to new research presented by Fox Chase Cancer Center scientists at the 49th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology on Monday, June 3.

CHICAGO, IL (May 29, 2013)—Researchers from Fox Chase Cancer Center and other institutions have completed a phase II clinical trial that may help identify those patients with HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancer who do not require the full radiation dose given in a standard regimen of Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT).

CHICAGO, IL (May 29, 2013)—Researchers from Fox Chase Cancer Center will present data at the 49th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology on Saturday, June 1, which shows the discovery of potential biomarkers that may be used to identify patients with head and neck cancer whose tumors are unlikely to respond to treatment by the targeted therapy cetuximab—a type of monoclonal antibody. The FDA approved the drug, in combination with radiation or as a second-line drug after chemotherapy had failed, in 2006.

CHICAGO, IL (May 29, 2013)—A new study by Fox Chase Cancer Center researchers—which will be presented at the 49th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology on Monday, June 3—has identified a disconnect between clinical trials that look at new treatments for metastatic pancreatic cancer and the patient population most likely to be diagnosed with the disease. Clinical trials typically enroll, and base their findings on, patients in their 50's and 60's, but the median age at diagnosis is 72.

CHICAGO, IL (May 29, 2013)—A promising new therapy for the most common form of lung cancer appears to produce largely manageable side effects, and an ongoing clinical trial is determining whether the compound treats tumors more effectively than what's on the market, according research that scientists at Fox Chase Cancer Center will present at the 49th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology on Saturday, June 1.

CHICAGO, IL (May 29, 2013)—Nearly two-thirds of solid tumors carry at least one mutation that may be targeted, or medicated, by an existing compound, according to new findings from researchers Fox Chase Cancer Center that will be presented at the 49th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology on June 3. The results suggest that it may one day become commonplace for doctors to sequence tumors before deciding on a treatment regimen.