Medicare Ready to Offer CT Scans for Lung Cancer and more…

Medicare is proposing to offer annual CT scans for those who have smoked an average of a pack a day for 30 years, since studies have demonstrated that very small lung tumors, if found early, can be treated successfully. MSK’s Dr. Peter Bach, who has advocated for the screening, acknowledges that people who will never have lung cancer will be subjected to the test and follow-up evaluations which have risks.
Scientists soon will develop drugs that will relieve severe pain but will not be addictive as is the case with current opioid painkillers. MSK’s Dr. Gavril Pasternak who conducts research on opioids, reported that as many as 12 non-addictive or significantly less addictive drugs are in the development stage.
MSK researchers analyzed cancer DNA from melanoma patients who were treated with ipilimumab, an immunotherapy drug . The analysis revealed genetic mutations in some of the patients which cause the cancer cells to be visible to immune response. Once the cancer cells are identified, the body’s immune system can destroy them.

Prostate Cancer Patients Who Smoke Have Worse Outcomes and more…

Smoking while receiving radiotherapy for prostate cancer increases the risk of dying from the disease as compared with patients who never smoked. An MSK study demonstrated that compared with those who never smoked, the smokers had a 40% increased risk of PSA relapse, which is a reflection of disease recurrence.
The results of a study conducted at MSK under the leadership of Dr. Lee W. Jones, demonstrated that exercise can substantially reduce the risk of cardiovascular events in childhood lymphoma survivors. Patients who consistently exercised vigorously within the limits of national guidelines, decreased their risk of cardiovascular mortality or morbidity by 51%.
MSK carried out a trial that proved the safety of nanoparticles in humans. The particles, which attach to and light up cancer cells, were labeled with radioactive iodine and injected into metastatic melanoma patients. They can be monitored using positron emission tomography (PET) and their intended use is as a cancer diagnostic tool.

MSK researchers collaborated with their counterparts from Columbia University, MD Anderson Cancer Center and the University of Michigan, among others, to determine which complementary treatments are tops in effectiveness and safety for patients newly diagnosed with breast cancer. The evidence showed that meditation, yoga and relaxation with imagery were most effective.
An article published on 10-27-14 describes the results of a study which utilized the precise cancer monitoring technology of Trovagene, Inc., producer of cell-free molecular diagnostics. The study was carried out by Dr. Eli L. Diamond, an MSK neuro-oncologist. The technology makes possible a non-invasive determination of oncogene mutation status and tracks response to BRAF inhibitor therapy in patients with histiocytic disease, a malignant condition associated with BRAF mutations.
A project carried out to enhance the comfort levels of patients at MSK’s Kimmel Center won an award from the Building Commissioning Association. When completed, the work done provided the added benefit of reducing the building’s energy consumption.