Dr. Howard Scher on circulating tumor cells

A new article by Dr. Howard Scher of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center on the OncologySTAT web site discusses recent developments in the application of levels of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in clinical practice and in the assessment of outcomes in clinical trials. … READ MORE …

Can CTC levels predict progression of hormone-sensitive prostate cancer?

The levels of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) — as evaluated using Cellsearch technology — is becoming accepted as a prognostic marker for disease progression among men with  metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), and may even be accepted soon as a surrogate marker for prostate cancer-specific mortality in clinical trials of new agents. … READ MORE …

Could new test for CTSCs help prostate cancer patients?

To date there has only been one test available for assay of levels of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in men with prostate cancer: the CellSearch test made by Veridex. This test is widely recognized to come with a variety of challenges, and the potential of CTCs in assessing risk for progression of prostate cancer (and other cancers) has therefore been limited. … READ MORE …

New, chip-based technology can isolate, identify prostate cancer cells in blood

According to an Associated Press story that came out this morning, Johnson & Johnson and “Boston scientists” are working together on “A blood test so sensitive that it can spot a single cancer cell lurking among a billion healthy ones.” … READ MORE …

The prognostic value of CTCs in low-volume prostate cancer

Circulating tumor cell (CTC) levels have clearly been shown to have relevance to the prognosis of men with metastatic, castration-resistant prostate cancer, but we still know little about their potential importance in men with early stage disease. … READ MORE …

Wednesday’s news reports: February 25, 2009 — Part 3

Our third report today covers such topics as:

  • A positive biopsy risk nomogram for men in New Zealand
  • A review of current trends and priorities in surgical technique for radical prostatectomy
  • A review of the potential of functional MRI-based systems for the diagnosis of prostate cancer
  • Demonstration of a relationship between circulating tumor cells and circulating tumor-associated DNA in blood
  • Evaluation of a new, biologically based IMRT treatment planning system … READ MORE …

Tuesday’s news reports: February 16, 2009

For the engineers, the scientists, and other technically minded readers, there are a number of very “dense” scientific news reports today. … READ MORE …

Can CTC counts be used as surrogate endpoints in clinical trials?

Intermediate or surrogate endpoints for survival can shorten timelines for drug approval. A paper just published on line in Lancet Oncology aimed to assess the value of circulating tumor cell (CTC) counts as a prognostic factor for survival. … READ MORE …

Thursday’s other news reports: February 5, 2009

There are a number of additional reports in today’s news (above and beyond the reports on risks associated with disseminated tumor cells and a new review of PSA and PCA3 testing as aids to diagnosis): … READ MORE …