Audio Medica News - Medical News Interviews

Audio Journal of Oncology, December 10th, 2007

Reporting from: American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting, December 8-11 2007, Atlanta

Ibritumomab Provides Benefit in Patients with Follicular Lymphoma

ANTON HAGENBEEK, University Medical Centre Utrecht

REFERENCE: ABSTRACT 643, ASH 2007

For patients with advanced-stage follicular non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, ibritumomab tiuxetan seems to prolong progression free survival by two years with favourable toxicity. Sarah Maxwell spoke to study author Anton Hagenbeek at the ASH meeting in Atlanta while George Canellos provided comment.

Audio Journal of Oncology, December 10th, 2007

Reporting from: American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting, December 8-11 2007, Atlanta

Oblimersen Extends Survival in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

SUSAN O'BRIEN, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston

REFERENCE: ASH 2007

For patients with relapsed or refractory CLL, oblimersen extends survival when added to standard fludarabine/cyclophosphamide chemotherapy. Susan O’Brien presented data from this phase III trial to the American Society of Hematology meeting in Atlanta. Sarah Maxwell reports.

Audio Journal of Oncology, December 9th, 2007

Reporting from: American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting, December 8-11 2007, Atlanta

Dasatinib Effective At Two Years’ Follow Up in Chronic Phase CML

RICHARD STONE, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston

GEORGE CANELLOS, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston

REFERENCE: ABSTRACT 734, ASH 2007

New data shows that dasatinib is giving durable responses in patients with chronic phase chronic myeloid leukemia who have failed, or who cannot tolerate imatinib. So where does dasatinib stand as an emerging CML therapy? Richard Stone of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston explained all to Derek Thorne, while George Canellos, of the same institute, gave another perspective on the data.

Audio Journal of Oncology, December 9th, 2007

Reporting from: American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting, December 8-11 2007, Atlanta

Azacitidine ‘New Standard’ In High Risk Myelodysplastic Syndromes

PIERRE FENAUX, Paris 13 University

REFERENCE: ABSTRACT 817, ASH 2007

Results from a phase III study presented at ASH suggest that the hypomethylating agent azacitidine should be the new standard of care for patients with high-risk MDS. Pierre Fenaux of Paris 13 University gave the details to Derek Thorne.

Audio Journal of Oncology, December 9th, 2007

Reporting from: American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting, December 8-11 2007, Atlanta

Interleukin-2 For Acute Myeloid Leukemia In First Remission?

JONATHAN KOLITZ, Monter Cancer Center, Lake Success, NY

GEORGE CANELLOS, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

REFERENCE: ABSTRACT 157, ASH 2007

New data shows that dasatinib is giving durable responses in patients with chronic phase chronic myeloid leukemia who have failed, or who cannot tolerate imatinib. So where does dasatinib stand as an emerging CML therapy? Richard Stone of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston explained all to Derek Thorne, while George Canellos, of the same institute, gave another perspective on the data.

Audio Journal of Oncology, December 8th, 2007

Reporting from: American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting, December 8-11 2007, Atlanta

New Drug AMG 531 Effective in Splenectomized Patients with Chronic Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura

TERRY GERNSHEIMER, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle

REFERENCE: ABSTRACT 2, ASH 2007

An investigational drug AMG 531 has increased and sustained platelet counts in splenectomized patients with chronic immune thrombocytopenia purpura or ITP. This was in a placebo controlled phase III trial that randomized patients to receive either the novel agent or a placebo. The new drug increased platelet counts and was also well tolerated. Sarah Maxwell spoke to study author Terry Gernsheimer from the University of Washington during the American Society of Hematology meeting in Atlanta.

Audio Journal of Global Health Issues, December 8th, 2007

Reporting from: American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting, December 8-11 2007, Atlanta

No Use Of Hydroxyurea In Country With Most Sickle Cell Anemia

ZAKARI ALIYU, Howard University, Washington DC

REFERENCE: Late Breaking Special Session, AHA 2007

Nigeria has the highest incidence of sickle cell anemia in the world, with over 150,000 children being born each year with the disease. But a new study has shown that no one is using the standard therapy hydroxyurea to treat it. Derek Thorne got more from Zakari Aliyu of Howard University in Washington DC.

Audio Journal of Medicine, December 8th, 2007

Reporting from: American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting, December 8-11 2007, Atlanta

Large Risk Reduction For Rivaroxaban In Blood Clot Prevention

BENGT ERIKSSON, Gothenburg University

REFERENCE: Abstract 6

In a large phase III trial of patients having a hip replacement, the oral anticoagulant rivaroxaban has shown significant benefit when compared to enoxaparin. Derek Thorne heard more from Bengt Eriksson of Gothenburg University.

Audio Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine, November 6th, 2007

Reporting from: American Heart Association Scientific Sessions, 4-7 November, 2007, Orlando, Florida

Protective Cardiovascular Benefit for Women on HRT For Natural Menopause

GEORGE SOPKO, National Heart, Lung And Blood Institute, Bethesda, Maryland

COMMENT: JENNIFER MIERES, New York University

REFERENCE: Abstract 3771

A new study presented to the American Heart Association meeting found women taking hormone replacement therapy since the menopause had a protective cardiovascular benefit. This was greater the earlier HRT was initiated and the women who took HRT had lower rates of coronary artery disease. Chief study author George Sopko spoke with Sarah Maxwell at the Orlando meeting.

Audio Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine, November 6th, 2007

Reporting from: American Heart Association Scientific Sessions, 4-7 November, 2007, Orlando, Florida

Oral Contraceptive Use: More Carotid and Femoral Atheroschlerosis Later in Life

ERNST RIETZSCHEL, University of Ghent, Belgium

COMMENT: JENNIFER MIERES, New York University

REFERENCE: News Briefing

Women who used the contraceptive pill had increases in atherosclerotic plaque in their carotid and femoral arteries of between 20 and 30 percent by the time they reached late middle age. This is the finding of the ASKLEPIOS study conducted by the University of Ghent in which plaque was measured by ultrasound in 2 500 healthy men and women. Ernst Rietzschel presented data from the study to the 2007 Sessions of the AHA, and afterwards discussed the findings with Peter Goodwin.