“Make it a great day!”

The Beacham Family In Their Cover Your Butt Shirts at the 2009 Philadelphia Insurance Triathlon

When Brian Beacham decided to run in his second triathlon he knew that this one would have a more significant meaning but he wasn’t able to anticipate what an emotional experience it would become.

On February 13, 2008, Brian’s future brother-in-law, Billy, as family and friends referred to him, was diagnosed with colon cancer that had also spread to his lymph nodes and liver.  After originally deciding to participate in the 2009 Philadelphia Insurance Triathlon for a second time, Brian decided that he also wanted to dedicate his efforts to help raise awareness and money for the fight against colorectal cancer in Billy’s honor. Continue reading…

Posted by Joe Arite on July 1st, 2009
Posted in: Uncategorized | No Comments »

C3 Comments on Transparency at the FDA

An FDA task force has been formed to examine transparency at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). “President Obama has pledged to strengthen our democracy by creating an unprecedented level of openness and public participation in government, and the FDA looks forward to participating in this process,” said FDA Commissioner Margaret A. Hamburg, M.D. “I have asked the Transparency Task Force to deliver recommendations to me for ways to make more information available and foster better understanding of decision-making.”

One public meeting has been held, and a request for public comments has been posted. C3 provided comments urging FDA to review transparency requirements to ensure that the public is given accurate information both pre- and post-approval. Continue reading…

Posted by Joe Arite on July 1st, 2009
Posted in: Policy & Advocacy News | No Comments »
Tags: Drug Development, FDA

Phase III Sutent Trial for Colorectal Cancer Discontinued

Pfizer announced yesterday, June 30, 2009, that they are discontinuing a phase III trial comparing FOLFIRI chemotherapy alone to FOLFIRI with added Sutent® (sunitinib).

Based on results so far, the independent Data Monitoring Committee (DMC) determined that a significant reduction in progression-free survival was not statistically possible.  No new safety concerns were identified. Continue reading…

Posted by Kate Murphy on July 1st, 2009
Posted in: Research & Treatment News | No Comments »
Tags: clinical trials, sunitinib, Sutent

What is the Best Treatment in the Neoadjuvant Setting for Rectal Cancer?

At ASCO a number of studies showed the efficacy data of combining 5-FU or Xeloda with oxaliplatin in combination with radiation therapy in patients with rectal cancer. Continue reading…

Posted by Heinz-Josef Lenz, MD on June 30th, 2009
Posted in: From the Desk of Dr. Lenz | 2 Comments »
Tags: chemoradiation, rectal cancer

Colorectal Cancer News in Brief: June 25

Farrah Fawcett died on Thursday, June 25, 2009 of anal cancer that had spread to her liver.  She was 62.  Anal cancer is much more rare than either colon or rectal cancer, affecting about 5,300 Americans in 2009. 710 will die from it.

In other headlines, the Caterpillar company works with Peoria hospitals and doctors to ensure quality colonoscopy for their employees and a Swiss laboratory will be the first to offer a blood screening test for colorectal cancer.

In research, MRI colonography is useful for patients who can’t have a full colonoscopy before surgery, screening colonoscopies are increasing for Medicare enrollees, and scientists have found factors in tumors that make nerves more sensitive to pain.

Continue reading…

Posted by Kate Murphy on June 27th, 2009
Posted in: Research & Treatment News | 1 Comment »
Tags: cancer pain, Epigenomics, Farrah Fawcett, magnetic resonance colonography, Medicare