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NCI, NHGRI Announce First Cancers Studied in Genome Project: Lung, Brain, OvaryThe National Cancer Institute and National Human Genome Research Institute have announced that lung, brain, and ovarian cancers will be the first studied in the Cancer Genome Atlas project.
The genome atlas is designed to examine the genetic changes involved in cancer. The project will assess biological specimens from several large tissue banks, including specimens from major cancer centers around the country. Researchers involved in the project hope that it will provide a comprehensive genomic reference of the molecular changes involved in cancer growth and metastasis.
Michigan Legislation May Require Sixth-Grade Cervical Cancer Vaccination For Girls
Michigan may be the first state to require all girls in the sixth grade to receive a cervical cancer vaccine, according to the Associated Press. A bill by State Senator Beverly Hammerstrom is the first of its kind proposed in the United States. it has met with some opposition.
The three-shot vaccine was approved for use by the FDA in June, and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommended that all 11- and 12-year-old girls be vaccinated. The vaccine protects against two strains of human papillomavirus linked to 70% of all cervical cancers.
Some conservatives have said that they will oppose the legislation because they think requiring the vaccine might suggest that legislators approve of underage sex.
FDA Guides Regulation for New Medical Tests
The FDA issued new regulatory guidelines for laboratories using a type of medical test that interprets large amounts of gene and protein data.
These tests, called In Vitro Diagnostic Multivariate Index Assays (IVDMIAs), use an algorithm to evaluate a patient's test results to diagnose, cure, treat, or prevent disease. The tests have been used for breast and prostate cancer patients. The FDA hopes that the new guidelines will assure the public that the tests are safe and effective.
Raloxifene May Reduce Invasive Breast Cancer Risk
Raloxifene can keep high- and low-risk postmenopausal women from developing advanced breast cancer, according to a new study.
Marc E. Lippman, M.D., of the University of Michigan, and colleagues identified 7,705 postmenopausal women in the Multiple Outcomes of Raloxifene Evaluation study who were taking raloxifene to prevent bone fractures and reduce invasive breast cancer incidence. Results announced in 1999 suggested that the drug reduced the risk of invasive breast cancer by 72%. After 4 more years of treatment, the results showed that raloxifene reduced invasive breast cancer risk by 66%.
The study was published in the September 1 issue of Clinical Cancer Research.
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