Here are a few worthy news items in the world of cancer research:

• Scientists at the Cleveland Clinic have discovered a new gene associated with Cowden Syndrome, an inherited condition that carries risks for thyroid cancer and other cancers. The new gene SEC23B was discovered by Charis Eng. Read more about this discovery in the American Journal of Human Genetics.
• In a new study in mice, researchers at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center have found that a special type of immunotherapy can boost survival rates from pancreatic cancer. Results of their study were published in Cancer Cell.
• Researchers in Florida have developed a handheld optical scanner which offers the potential to perform breast cancer imaging in real time. The device uses a near-infrared laser. The results are published in journal Biomedical Physics and Engineering Express.
• An international panel of experts at the World Health Organization announced that there was sufficient evidence from epidemiological studies to show that processed meats are carcinogenic to humans. The group also concluded there was strong, but still limited, evidence of an association between eating red meat and colorectal cancer. In a New York Times article in response to the WHO’s announcement, Dr. Ioannidis, who was not involved in the new report, stated: “There’s some risk involved, but it’s much less than smoking or alcohol. I think it would be an exaggeration to say based on this that no one should be eating red or processed meat.”
• An international team of researchers have enrolled over 10,000 women in an NIH sponsored clinical trial with the aim of identifying which breast cancer tumors would benefit from chemotherapy. Findings are published in NEJM.
• The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) has updated the guidelines on use of antiemetics to prevent nausea and vomiting in patients undergoing chemotherapy. The recommendations are published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.