- MSK together with the International Federation of Head and Neck Oncologic Societies (IFHNOS) and the American Head and Neck Society (AHNS) declared July 27th as “World Head and Neck Cancer Day.” This occasion will launch an international initiative to promote awareness, education and training in the diagnosis, treatment, outcomes and research in head and neck cancer, said Dr. Jatin Shah, Chief of the Head and Neck Service at MSK.
- Research carried out by Sloan Kettering Institute and Plymouth University Peninsula Schools of Medicine and Dentistry in the UK, has shed light on how cells in the brain and nervous system turn into cancer. They studied a tumor suppressor named Merlin and discovered how the loss of Merlin leads to tumors in the nervous system. The discovery can lead the way to drug therapy which may combat the process.
- Sunitinib, a VEGF inhibitor, is the preferred first-line treatment for metastatic renal cell carcinoma as compared with the mTor inhibitor, everolimus. RECORD-3, a phase two trial, evaluated progression of disease on everolimus vs sunitinib and found that progression free survival was longer for patients treated with first-line sunitinib, as reported by Dr. Robert J. Motzer of the MSK Dept. of Medicine.
- Patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma showed an improved response rate and significant duration of response when they received a higher than standard dose of carfilzomib in a study headed by Dr. Nikoletta Lendvai, of MSK’s Dept. of Medicine. At least a partial response was achieved in 55% of patients in the study.