In this
issue.....
Articles:
Research Advocacy
Network Announces Availability of New Publications
Genomics Module
The Research Advocacy
Network has introduced a new education module for advocates interested in
learning more about genetics and genomics and the role of this emerging field
in cancer research.
The module
covers the science behind genomics, including scientific concepts and examples
of how genomic technology is currently being incorporated into clinical
research. To help bring this information to life, the module also includes
basic definitions, diagrams, and graphics - all in an effort to de-mystify the
science and technology. The module was supported by an educational grant from
Genomic Health. To order the printed workbook click for the Genomics
Module Order Form
Tissue Donation
for Research Education Booklets
Research Advocacy Network has
developed booklets for prospective donors and institutional review boards to
understand the importance and implications of donating tissue for research
purposes. Thanks to a grant from Eli Lilly and Company, we have been able
to reprint these booklets and they are now available in English and Spanish for
your use. Please click here to access the Tissue
Booklets Order Form.
Coming soon: Fact Sheets on
Research Results
in Non Small Cell Lung Cancer and
Kidney Cancer
HER2 Testing for Breast
Cancer Patients
The
results of HER2 testing for breast cancer patients can make a difference in the
treatment and outcome, it is very important that HER2 testing produces accurate
results. Recently several reports have been published on the reliability of current methods to measure HER2 expression
or gene amplification in the laboratory and the ability of the level of HER2 to
serve as a prognostic and a predictive factor in metastatic and adjuvant
treatment of breast cancer.
- The National Comprehensive Cancer Network Task Force
- The
American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and the College of American Pathologists
(CAP) issued a joint clinical practice guideline about human epidermal growth
receptor 2 (HER2) testing for breast cancer.
Return to "In this issue....."
Data from
San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium Offers
Hope
and Highlights Surprising Results
At the recent 2006 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium
(SABCS) a myriad of new studies were revealed, offering some insights into the
future direction of breast cancer research, diagnosis, prevention, and
treatment. With thousands of abstracts
shared at the conference, there is an almost overwhelming amount of new
information and data for the advocate community to get a handle on. We have highlighted a handful of the studies
that seem particularly significant to breast cancer advocates and the patients
that they serve. Please click to access
the full article.
For additional information on the wealth of data that was
presented at the conference, we encourage you to view the full abstracts at www.sabcs.org.
Return to "In this
issue....."
FDA Public Meeting February 8, 2007
on IVDMIA Guidance
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announcing
a public meeting on In Vitro Diagnostic Multivariate Index Assays. The meeting
is intended to provide a public forum during which FDA will hear presentations
and comments from interested stakeholders regarding the draft guidance entitled
"Draft Guidance for Industry, Clinical Laboratories, and FDA Staff on In Vitro
Diagnostic Multivariate Index Assays." This draft guidance is intended to
provide clarification on FDA's approach to regulation of in vitro diagnostic
multivariate index assays. FDA is seeking comments on this draft guidance. The public meeting will be held on February 8,
2007, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m at the Grand Ballroom of the Hilton Washington
DC/Gaithersburg Hotel located at 620
Perry Pkwy., Gaithersburg, MD 20877.
RAN is scheduled to present at the meeting and encourage other advocates to join us. The
comment period on this draft guidance closes on March
5, 2007.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sousan Altaie, Center for
Devices and Radiological Health (HFZ-440), Food and Drug Administration, 2098
Gaither Rd., Rockville, MD 20850, 240-276-0450, ext . 106, e-mail:
Sousan.Altaie@fda.hhs.gov or go to http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/oivd/news.html#010907.
Return to "In this
issue....."
Patient Education
Materials Available for TAILORx
TAILORx stands for "Trial Assigning
IndividuaLized
Options for Treatment (Rx)" and is a clinical research trial for women
with early-stage breast cancer. The purpose of the clinical trial is to
individualize cancer treatment by using modern diagnostic tests that have not
previously been routinely used in clinical practice.
More than 10,000 women are required to answer the questions
posed by this trial. We hope the information available on this page will help
answer your questions about TAILORx. Visit this page
(http://www.ecog.org/general/tailorx.html)
frequently to see new materials that will be made available. New on the site:
If you have a question about TAILORx, contact nconnelly@ecogchair.org.
Other clinical trial news/announcements:
Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis has a research
program specifically for young women with breast cancer. The title of this
program is Identification of Novel Genetic Factors that Contribute to the Risk
of Breast Cancer. The goal is to identify genetic factors which contribute to
breast cancer initiation and progression among young women.
Women who have been diagnosed with invasive breast cancer
< 40 are eligible to participate. The age at diagnosis, not a woman's
current age, is used to determine eligibility.
Women who participate will be asked to:
- have a blood sample drawn,
- release a copy of their cancer related records,
- provide family history information, and
- may be asked to invite their parents to participate as
controls.
You do not have to live in St. Louis in order to participate. All study
related materials can be mailed to you. Please contact Jennifer Ivanovich at
314-454-5076 or by email at jen@ccadmin.wustl.edu
if you are interested in learning more about participating in this national
research program.
Return to "In this
issue....."
Research Advocacy Network
Activities
and
Events of Interest to Research Advocates
2007
January 19, 2007 NCCN Breast Guidelines and SABCS2006 Update, Chicago, IL www.nccn.org
February 5-7, 2007 caBIG Annual
Meeting
February 2 -4, 2007 Radiation Therapy Oncology Group www.rtog.org
February 8, 2007 FDA Public Meeting, IVDMIA
February 8, 2007 TAILORx Interactive Web Conference, 1pm (Eastern), Free Registration link
February 10, 2007 Reves Symposium, University of Texas
Southwestern Medical Ctr
February 10, 2007 Amelia Project, Indianapolis,
IN
February, 2007
Breast Cancer Research Consortium
Meeting
March 14-18, 2007 National
Comprehensive Cancer Network Annual Conference
Ft. Lauderdale, FL www.nccn.org
April 14-18, 2007 American Association of Cancer
Research, Los Angeles, CA www.aacr.org
April 17 - 10, 2007 North Central Cancer Treatment
Group Meeting
April 24-27, 2007 Oncology Nursing Society, Las Vegas,
NV
June 1-5, 2007
American Society of Clinical
Oncology, Chicago, IL www.asco.org
January is cervical cancer awareness month.
For an update on cervical cancer go to: Oncolink
http://www.oncolink.org/types/article.cfm?c=6&s=17&ss=129&id=8226
Also of interest:
We need your help!
Your Donation Makes a Difference! If you believe in the hope of research
and the power of advocacy, you can help the Research Advocacy Network (RAN) by
sending a donation. RAN is an exempt 501 c 3 organization and dependent on your
support to keep going.
