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National Cancer Institute News - Events and More... Fact Sheets, Websites, & Publications National Cancer Institute Office of Advocacy Relations
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This free series, made possible by support from the National Cancer Institute and Lance Armstrong Foundation, offers cancer survivors, their families, friends and health care professionals practical information to help them cope with concerns and issues that arise after treatment ends. Part III entitled, Family, Friends and Loved Ones - Managing the Fatigue of Caregiving, will be held on Tuesday, June 23 from 1:30 – 2:30 pm (ET). The featured speakers for this program include:
These workshops are free – no phone charges apply. However, pre-registration is required. To register simply go to the CancerCare website and click on Register for a Telephone Education Workshop. Understanding NCI Toll-Free Teleconference Series Ends Spring Season The Understanding NCI Toll-Free Teleconference Series is one way the National Cancer Institute’s Office of Advocacy Relations facilitates dialogue between NCI and the community. The teleconference series informs the advocacy community about NCI’s important research activities and programs – and how advocates are involved. Callers will have the opportunity to ask questions.
Topic: This teleconference will explore how cancer research is much broader than cancer. Cancer research advances can lead to advances in other areas of research (i.e. HIV/AIDS, cardiovascular disease, diabetes). Speakers:
USA Toll-Free: 1-800-857-6584 Passcode: CCR Genetic Variant Associated with Resistance to Chemotherapy Drug in Women with Breast Cancer (6/9/09) Researchers have found links between an individual's genetics and their response to treatment with chemotherapy. The findings, by researchers at the National Cancer Institute and colleagues, show how a genetic variation, located in the SOD2 gene, may affect how a person responds to the chemotherapy drug cyclophosphamide. Cyclophosphamide is used in the treatment of breast and other cancers. Read more… Structure of Bacteria Related to Traveler's Diarrhea Could Have Implications for Cancer Vaccine Development (6/8/09) NCI researchers and colleagues have determined the structure of thin hair-like fibers on the surface of a type of E. coli bacteria that is the most common culprit in traveler's diarrhea. The scientists, from NCI's Center for Cancer Research, using atomic resolution technology, have elucidated the mechanics of assembly of these fibers as they exit cells through a pore on the bacterial surface. Read more… CDC Features – Cancer and Men (6/8/09) Every year, cancer claims the lives of nearly 300,000 men in America. There are ways to reduce the risk for some of the most common types of cancer in men. Read more… Sorafenib Delays Progression of Metastatic Kidney Cancer (6/8/09) The targeted drug sorafenib (Nevaxar®), which delays disease progression in patients with metastatic kidney cancer, may also improve survival of such patients. Read more… Adding Temozolomide (Temodar®) to Radiation Increases Survival in Glioblastoma Multiforme (6/7/09) The survival benefit obtained by adding the drug temozolomide (Temodar®) to postoperative radiation therapy in the treatment of a brain tumor called glioblastoma multiforme persists over time. Read more… FDA Approves First Drug to Treat Cancer in Dogs (6/3/09) The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced the approval of Palladia (toceranib phosphate), the first drug developed specifically for the treatment of cancer in dogs. Palladia is approved to treat canine cutaneous (skin-based) mast cell tumors, a type of cancer responsible for about 1 out of 5 cases of canine skin tumors. The drug is approved to treat the tumors with or without regional lymph node involvement. Read more… Thalidomide a Beneficial Option for Elderly Multiple Myeloma Patients (6/1/09) Patients aged 75 and over with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma who received the drug thalidomide in addition to standard therapy (melphalan and prednisone) survived longer than patients who received standard therapy plus a placebo, according to clinical trial results presented at the 2007 annual meeting of the American Society of Hematology. Read more… CDC Features – Cancer Survivorship (6/1/09) Millions of Americans are cancer survivors, living with, through, and beyond cancer. As the number of cancer survivors grows, CDC is working with partner organizations to help survivors throughout their cancer experience. Read more… Pesticide Use Linked to Higher Risk of Pre-Cancerous Multiple Myeloma (5/29/09) Investigators from NCI used data from the Agricultural Health Study to refine and expand a relationship between pesticide exposure and risk for multiple myeloma that they had established several years ago. They found that men who used pesticides occupationally, particularly farmers, had a nearly two-fold increased risk of a well-established precursor for multiple myeloma compared to men not exposed to pesticides through their job. Read more… HHS Secretary Sebelius Releases New Report on Health Disparities (6/9/09) U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius released a new report on health disparities in America and participated in a White House Health Care Stakeholder Discussion on the importance of reform that reduces disparities that exist in our current health care system. The new report Health Disparities: A Case for Closing the Gap is available at www.HealthReform.gov. Read more… NIH Receives 20,000 Applications for Challenge Grants Through the Recovery Act; More Than 18,000 Scientists to be Involved in Peer Review Process (6/8/09) Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius announced that the National Institutes of Health received approximately 20,000 applications for Challenge Grants, a new program under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). This large number of applications is approximately equal to the total number of applications NIH receives in one of the agency’s three major review rounds each year. Read more… Dr. Thomas R. Frieden Begins Role as CDC Director and ATSDR Administrator (6/8/09) Thomas R. Frieden, M.D., M.P.H., became the 16th director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and administrator for the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). Read more… Secretary Sebelius Makes Recovery Act Funding Available to Bolster Health Care in Needy Communities, Relieve Providers’ Student Debt (6/5/09) HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced the availability of nearly $200 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to support student loan repayments for primary care medical, dental and mental health clinicians who want to work at National Health Service Corps (NHSC) sites. In exchange for the loan repayments, clinicians serve for two years with the Corps. Read more… FDA Promotes Openness and Transparency to Public (6/2/09) FDA is announcing the formation of a Transparency Task Force to recommend ways to improve the openness and transparency of the agency’s information. This will help make useful and understandable information about FDA activities and decision making more readily available. Read more… HHS Releases $30 Million to Help Medicare Beneficiaries Access Their Benefits (6/1/09) HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius released $25 million in grants to help older people, individuals with disabilities and their caregivers apply for special assistance through Medicare, and an additional $5 million for a national resource center to support these important efforts. Read more… Secretary Sebelius Announces Appointment of Cindy Mann as Director of the Center for Medicaid and State Operations (5/29/09) U. S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced the appointment of Cindy Mann to serve as Director of the Center for Medicaid and State Operations (CMSO), part of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Mann most recently served as a research professor and executive director of the Center for Children and Families at Georgetown University’s Health Policy Institute. Read more… FDA Oncologist Receives Top Award for Contributions to Cancer Research (5/29/09) Dr. Richard Pazdur, a noted oncologist at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, was recently recognized by the American Society of Clinical Oncology. ASCO presented him with its Special Recognition Award for his achievements in cancer drug development and his “outstanding service to the oncology community.” Read more… Secretary Sebelius Marks 100 Day Anniversary of Recovery Act, Highlights Community Health Centers’ Work to Aid Rising Number of Uninsured Americans (5/28/09) U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius marked the first 100 Days of the Recovery Act and discussed the Act’s critical support for community health centers. Secretary Sebelius was joined by Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Administrator Mary K. Wakefield, Ph.D., R.N., and leaders from community health centers across the country. Read more… June NIH News In Health Now Available (6/09) Check out the June issue of NIH News in Health, the monthly newsletter bringing you practical health news and tips based on the latest NIH research. In this edition:
View the June NIH News In Health. Targeted Therapies Tutorial (6/09) Produced by NCI’s Center for Cancer Research, this animated tutorial for health professionals provides an overview of an emerging approach to cancer treatment called targeted therapies. The tutorial includes representative examples of the main types of targeted therapies and describes their mechanisms of action. It also explains how advanced research techniques, such as whole-genome profiling, contribute to the development of targeted therapies. Animated/Flash Version (Flash - 1:00 hr.) For more information about Targeted Therapies, please visit the Targeted Therapies web site. Fact Sheet – BRCA1 and BRCA2: Cancer Risk and Genetic Testing (5/29/09) This fact sheet is about the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, how BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations (changes) affect a person's risk of cancer, genetic testing for cancer risk, interpreting test results, and the benefits and risks of genetic testing. View fact sheet… Editor’s Note: All of these events, and more, are updated daily on the Office of Advocacy Relations website where you can view upcoming meetings, conferences, opportunities for public comment, programs open for applications, and teleconferences. Meeting – HIT Policy Committee Meeting (6/16/09) Washington, D.C. The meeting will include presentations from the Health Information Technology (HIT) Policy Committee Workgroups. More information… Meeting – Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection and Control Advisory Committee (6/16/09-6/17/09) Atlanta, GA The agenda will include discussion and review of the National Cancer Prevention and Control Program highlights; economic crisis in states and impact on the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP) and cancer treatment; HPV DNA testing; integration of colorectal cancer screening; performance based budgeting; using data to drive program planning; mammography use 2000-2006 study results; non-screening components of NBCCEDP public education and outreach, coalitions and partnerships, quality assurance and quality improvement. More information… Meeting – Medicare Evidence Development and Coverage Advisory Committee (6/17/09) Baltimore, MD This meeting will focus on the use of Bayesian statistics to interpret evidence in making coverage decisions. The meeting will introduce Bayesian concepts, contrast Bayesian approaches with frequentist approaches, and provide some examples of using Bayesian techniques for meta-analyses. Bayesian analysis is a statistical technique in which prior evidence is used to update or to newly infer the probability that a hypothesis may be true. More information… Meeting – Task Force on Community Preventive Services (6/17/09-6/18/09) Atlanta, GA The mission of the Task Force is to develop and publish the Guide to Community Preventive Services (Community Guide), which consists of systematic reviews of the best available scientific evidence and associated recommendations regarding what works in the delivery of essential public health services. Topics include: Interventions to increase vaccination coverage in children, adolescents, and adults: An update of the vaccination requirements review; Update on the Community Guide Web site; VPD Updates: School-based Vaccination Programs; Mass Media Campaigns to Increase Physical Activity; and Technology-based Strategies to Prevent and/or Control Obesity: Technology-based Multi-component Counseling. More information… Applications – Advisory Commission of Childhood Vaccines: Nominations Needed Health Resources and Services Administration – Comments must be submitted by June 22, 2009 HRSA is requesting nominations to fill three vacancies on the Advisory Commission on Childhood Vaccines (ACCV) - one vacancy is for a member of the general public. The ACCV advises the Secretary on the implementation of the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. The activities of the ACCV include: recommending changes in the Vaccine Injury Table; advising the Secretary in implementing section 2127 regarding the need for childhood vaccination products that result in fewer or no significant adverse reactions; surveying Federal, State, and local programs and activities related to gathering information on injuries associated with the administration of childhood vaccines; advising the Secretary on the methods of using credible data related to the frequency and severity of adverse reactions associated with childhood vaccines; consulting on the development or revision of the Vaccine Information Statements and recommending to the Director of the National Vaccine Program that vaccine safety research be conducted on various vaccine injuries. A curriculum vitae or resume should be submitted with the nomination. The agency must receive nominations on or before June 22, 2009. More information… Meeting – Board of Scientific Advisors (6/22/09 – 6/23/09) Bethesda, MD The agenda includes: a report from the NCI Director regarding ongoing and new business; reports of program review group; budget presentations; reports of special initiatives; RFA and RFP concept reviews; and scientific presentations. More information… Meeting – Public Consultation Meeting on Proposed Revisions to the NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant DNA Molecule (6/23/09) Arlington, VA Discussions will focus on the proposed revisions to the NIH Guidelines which include: (1) Broadening the scope of the NIH Guidelines, which currently cover laboratory and clinical research involving DNA molecules created via recombinant techniques (i.e., joining of DNA molecules), to apply to nucleic acids that are synthesized chemically or by other means without the use of recombinant technology; (2) Revising the criteria for determining when the introduction of a drug resistance trait into a microorganism must be reviewed by the Recombinant DNA Advisory Committee and approved by the NIH Director; and (3) Changing the level of review required for recombinant or synthetic experiments involving more than one-half but less than two-thirds of the genome of certain viruses in tissue culture as described in Section III-E-1 of the NIH Guidelines. More information… Meeting – Food and Drug Administration Transparency Task Force Meeting (6/25/09) Washington, D.C. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing a public meeting to solicit recommendations from interested persons on ways in which FDA can make useful and understandable information about FDA activities and decisionmaking more readily available to the public. The comments should focus on ways in which the agency should provide information to the public about what FDA is doing, the bases for the agency's decisions, and the processes used to make agency decisions. More information… Meeting – Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (6/24/09-6/26/09) Atlanta, GA The agenda will include discussions on general recommendations; Rabies Vaccine; Poliovirus Vaccine; Measles, Mumps and Rubella Vaccine; Pneumococcal Vaccines; Yellow Fever Vaccine; Meningococcal Vaccine; Japanese Encephalitis; MMRV Vaccine Safety; Haemophilus influenzae b (Hib) Vaccine; Vaccine Supply; Hepatitis; Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccines; Roles of Pharmacists in Vaccine Administration; Influenza Vaccines; and Novel Influenza A (H1N1). More information… Meeting – Public Meeting of the President's Council on Bioethics (6/25/09-6/26/09) Washington, D.C. The President's Council on Bioethics will hold its thirty-seventh and final meeting. Reports are forthcoming on organ transplantation, health care reform, and the future of national bioethics commissions. More information… Public Comment – Comments Needed: Positron Emission Tomography (FDG PET) to Identify Bone Metastasis of Cancer – Comments must be submitted by July 4, 2009 Positron emission tomography (PET) is a non-invasive imaging procedure used to assess metabolic activity in various organs or tissues in the human body. Images are obtained by processing emissions from positron-emitting radioisotopes that are usually administered intravenously. Sodium Fluoride F-18 (NaF-18) is a radioisotope used in PET imaging to detect bone metastasis of cancer. Section 220.6 of the National Coverage Determination Manual identifies 2-[F18] fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG) as the only nationally covered radioisotope for use in PET for cancer imaging. CMS is reconsidering Section 220.6 of the NCD Manual to review evidence on the use of NaF-18 to identify bone metastasis of cancer. CMS considers all public comments, and is particularly interested in clinical studies and other scientific information relevant to the technology under review. Submit comments online by July 4, 2009. More information… Public Comment – Comments Needed: Regulations for Financial Conflicts of Interest in Federally-Funded Research – Comments must be submitted by July 7, 2009 The National Institutes of Health is seeking comments from the public on possible changes to the federal regulations regarding Responsibility of Applicants for Promoting Objectivity in Research for which Public Health Service (PHS) Funding Is Sought (42 C.F.R. Part 50, Subpart F) and Responsible Prospective Contractors (45 C.F.R. Part 94). The existing regulations issued in 1995 were designed to promote objectivity in research by establishing standards to ensure there is no reasonable expectation that the design, conduct, or reporting of research funded under PHS grants or cooperative agreements will be biased by any conflicting financial interest on the part of the researcher. NIH invites public comment on all aspects of the regulation, with particular interest in potential for expanding the scope of the regulation and disclosure interests; the definition of "Significant Financial Interest" identification and management of conflicts by institutions; assuring institutional compliance; requiring institutions to provide additional information to the PHS; and broadening the regulations to address institutional conflicts of interest. Submit comments online by July 7, 2009. More information… Meeting – Advisory Panel on Medical Education (7/8/09) Washington, D.C. The Panel advises and makes recommendations to the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on opportunities to enhance the effectiveness of consumer education. More information… Meeting – Clinical Trials and Translational Research Advisory Committee (7/15/09) Bethesda, MD The agenda includes an update on the progress of the implementation of the Clinical Trials Working Group (CTWG) and the Translational Research Working Group (TRWG) reports. More information… Conference – caBIG Annual Meeting: Solving Basic and Clinical Challenges in Cancer and Beyond (7/20/09-7/22/09) Washington, D.C. Attendees will hear how caBIG® is accelerating biomedical research through interoperable tools, infrastructure, standards, and policies that enable data-sharing and collaborations that transcend institutional, geographical, and disciplinary boundaries. More information… Meeting – Soy Protein and Isoflavones Research: Challenges in Designing and Evaluating Intervention Studies Workshop (7/28/09 – 7/29/09) Bethesda, MD The purpose of this workshop is to provide guidance for the next generation of soy protein and isoflavone human research. Specifically, the workshop objectives are to identify (1) methodological issues relative to exposures and interventions that may confound study results and interpretation and (2) scientifically sound and useful options and solutions for dealing with these issues in the design, conduct, reporting of results, and interpretation of ongoing and future studies. NIH is seeking input from scientists from multiple disciplines. This highly participatory workshop will address issues related to population exposure to soy and other phytoestrogens, factors influencing variability of response to soy interventions and negative consequences of exposure, methods and tools to assess exposure, product composition, and analytic methods to assess soy product constituents and metabolites. More information… Conference – 6th EDRN Scientific Workshop: Interface Between Basic Science and Translational Research (8/31/2009 - 9/3/2009) Bethesda, MD The Early Detection Research Network (EDRN) of the Division of Cancer Prevention at the National Cancer Institute is sponsoring the 5th EDRN Scientific Workshop. This year the theme of the workshop is “Strengthening the Interface between Basic Science and Translational Research.” The broad purpose of this workshop is to examine the interface between basic science and translational research in the area of biomarkers for cancer. Specific sessions will emphasize the following: 1) Pre-invasive disease; 2) Cancer stem cells; 3) Tumor microenvironment; 4) Field cancerization; and 5) Cancer genome. This workshop will also include poster sessions. For registration, click here. More information… Conference – NIH State-of-the-Science Conference: Diagnosis and Management of Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS) (9/22/2009 - 9/24/2009) Bethesda, MD At the conference, invited experts will present information pertinent to key questions in the diagnosis and management of DCIS, and a systematic literature review prepared under contract with the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) will be summarized. Conference attendees will have ample time to ask questions and provide statements during open discussion periods. After weighing the scientific evidence, an unbiased, independent panel will prepare and present a consensus statement addressing the key conference questions. More information… Public Comment – Guidance on Determining Conflict of Interest for Participation in FDA Advisory Committees The purpose of this guidance is to simplify and streamline the process by which FDA considers meeting participation, increase the transparency, clarity, and consistency of the process, and enhance public trust in this important function. The guidance incorporates a progressively more stringent cap on the numbers of waivers issued per fiscal year in accordance with FDAAA. If an individual or his spouse or minor child has disqualifying financial interests whose combined value exceeds $50,000, she generally would not participate in the meeting, regardless of the need for her expertise. FDA will not issue a waiver in certain circumstances where the agency has determined that the conflict of interest is significant. Submit electronic comments using Docket number FDA-2007-D-0424 at any time. More information… Wednesday, June 03, 2009 Families and Health: New Directions in Research and Theory (Day 2) Tuesday, June 02, 2009 Families and Health: New Directions in Research and Theory (Day 1) Monday, June 01, 2009 New Grantee Workshop: Working Together to Advance Cancer Control Research (Day 2) Thursday, May 28, 2009 New Grantee Workshop: Working Together to Advance Cancer Control Research (Day 1) Wednesday, May 27, 2009 Wednesday, May 27, 2009 Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Clinical Trial Continues at NCI’s Center for Cancer Research, NIH Why is this phase II non-small cell lung cancer trial important? This trial is important because it will evaluate the role of chemotherapy before surgery for certain cases of lung cancer. By administering chemotherapy prior to surgery, we hope to decrease the size of the tumor in an effort to allow for easier and more complete resection of the tumor. For more information about this trial, please visit: http://bethesdatrials.cancer.gov/ola/giaccone/09c0107/default.aspx For information about other cancer clinical trials conducted at the Center for Cancer Research, please visit: http://bethesdatrials.cancer.gov There is no charge for medical care received at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Clinical Center. Patients will be responsible for travel costs for their initial screening visits. In most cases, once patients are enrolled in a trial, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) will pay the transportation costs for all subsequent trial-related visits for patients who do not live in the local area. In addition, these patients will receive a small per diem for food and lodging expenses if they are being treated as outpatients. It will be important to maintain your current insurance plan to cover all medical care that is provided away from the NIH Clinical Center. A Word on the NCI Nealon Digest The NCI Nealon Digest is a compilation of news from Federal cancer-related Web sites, including the National Cancer Institute. The contents are in the public domain. Readers are encouraged to duplicate this information in part or in its entirety in their newsletters, Web sites, etc. The NCI Nealon Digest is named in honor of Ms. Eleanor O’Donoghue Nealon, an advocate’s advocate who built bridges among the cancer advocacy community, the scientific community, and the federal government. Although Ms. Nealon, the first director of the National Cancer Institute’s (NCI) Office of Liaison Activities (now the Office of Advocacy Relations), passed away in 1999 from breast cancer, she continues to serve as an inspiration to those who strive to maintain and broaden the relationships among these organizations. As a cancer survivor, Ms. Nealon tirelessly engendered changes at the National Institutes of Health, so that cancer patients could have an expanded role in the decision-making process at NCI. At a time when the consumer advocate’s voice was not widely heard as it is today in the realm of scientific discovery, Ms. Nealon graciously persuaded many in the scientific community to open their minds, eyes, and ears to those who are affected by the work done at NCI and in research laboratories across the U.S. Ms. Nealon embodied a compassionate, devoted personality. Her kindness, loyalty, sincerity, and integrity are sorely missed and will never be forgotten. |
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Office of Advocacy Relations - Building 31, Room 10A28 - 31 Center Drive, MSC 2580 - Bethesda, MD 20892-2580 - Phone: 301-594-3194 - Fax: 301-480-7558 - http://advocacy.cancer.gov |
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NCI Co-Sponsors 7th Annual Survivorship Series with CancerCare, LAF & Others
