Onco Actu du 19 juin 2017

	1. Biologie
ER-beta For Breast Cancer: Think Again [In the Pipeline] Whoops. Bad antibodies have been a problem for a long time, but validation is a tedious business that’s too often glossed over. But this study shows how important it really is.
Researchers Gain Insight Into Cause of Infant & Treatment-Related Leukemias [Oncology Times] "This tool opens new possibilities to better understand and eventually be able to manipulate TOP2 cutting to prevent the rearrangements that give rise to leukemias," said Felix, the study's co-leader.
	2.5 Etiologie - Gènes
New concerns raised over value of genome-wide disease studies [Nature] Large analyses dredge up 'peripheral' genetic associations that offer little biological insight, researchers say.
The GWAS hoax....or was it a hoax? Is it a hoax? [The Mermaid's Tale] However, I think the first thing we really need to do is understand the futility of thinking of complex traits as genetic in the 'precision genomic medicine' sense, and the last thing we need is yet another slogan by which hands can remain clasped around billions of dollars for Big Data resting on false promises.
	2.6 Etiologie - Environnement
Monsanto Spin Doctors Target Cancer Scientist In Flawed Reuters Story [Huffington Post] The story contains at least two apparent factual errors that go to the credibility of its theme.
	4.12 Biopsies liquides
New three-in-one blood test opens door to precision medicine for prostate cancer [Institute of Cancer Research] “This test is particularly exciting because it is multi-purpose, designed for use both before and after treatment, and using both the absolute amounts of cancer DNA in the bloodstream and also a readout of the specific mutations within that genetic material."
Prostate cancer blood test could transform treatment, say scientists [The Guardian] “Our study identifies, for the first time, genetic changes that allow prostate cancer cells to become resistant to the precision medicine olaparib."
New test may turn AZ's Lynparza into precision drug for prostate cancer [Reuters] The ICR team believe their test could potentially be adapted to monitor treatment with PARP inhibitors for other cancers.
	5. Traitements
Why treating breast cancer with less may be more [The Conversation] Our analysis showed that conventionally fractionated radiation, in which women receive the radiation over six weeks, is not cost-effective under any scenario and should not be considered as a choice by physicians or patients. Our study is the first to evaluate this using the latest available data.
	5.12.1 Immunothérapies - partenariats
Billionaire-backed Parker Institute tackles the Holy Grail of cancer R&D — with a virtual unknown [EndPoints] Tessa’s Phase III will read out in 2018, says Connolly, giving them a pivotal chance to demonstrate how they can transform B cells with the Epstein-Barr virus, moving beyond random activation of T cells with chimeric antigen receptors to a potentially much more targeted cell therapy designed to continually hunt down and kill specific cancer cells.
	5.12.5 Immunothérapies - Pharma
Extended Follow-Up Data Evaluating Opdivo (nivolumab) Shows Durable Response in Adult Patients with Relapsed or Progressed Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma [BMS] Results show overall response rates of 65% or greater with median follow-up of at least 16 months, regardless of prior brentuximab vedotin therapies.
	5.2 Pharma
Clovis Oncology's cancer drug Rubraca succeeds in key study [Reuters] Based on the findings of the trial announced on Monday, Clovis plans to submit an application within the next four months to expand Rubraca's label.
Clovis Oncology Rucaparib Significantly Improved Progression-Free Survival in All Ovarian Cancer Patient Populations Studied in Phase 3 ARIAL3 Maintenance Treatment Trial [Clovis] “These results show that rucaparib has the potential to provide an enduring and important clinical benefit in women with advanced ovarian cancer, irrespective of their tumor genetics."
	5.2.1 Pharma - Partenariats
Merck KGaA taps Human Longevity to discover melanoma response biomarkers to MEK inhibitor following mixed data [FierceBiotech] HLI’s task is to sequence tumor and germline DNA from clinical trial participants. The large-scale genomics shop will then apply its data analysis capabilities to the results and other sources of information on survival and clinical outcomes.
	5.3 Traitements - FDA, EMA, NICE...
Sandoz receives approval in Europe for Rixathon® (biosimilar rituximab) to treat blood cancers and immunological diseases [Novartis] EC approval was based on a comprehensive development program, including analytical, preclinical, and clinical data, demonstrating biosimilarity of Rixathon to the reference medicine, MabThera.
Novartis throws down gauntlet to Roche with Rituxan copy [Reuters] Roche's three established blockbusters Rituxan, Herceptin and Avastin, which account for annual sales of 20 billion Swiss francs, all face increasing biosimilar competition by the end of the decade as their patents expire.
	5.3.4 Traitements - AMM (FDA, EMA)
DARZALEX® (daratumumab) Approved by the U.S. FDA in Combination with Pomalidomide and Dexamethasone for Patients with Multiple Myeloma Who Have Received At Least Two Prior Therapies [Janssen] DARZALEX is the first CD38-directed antibody approved anywhere in the world.
	5.4 Traitements - Economie
Breast cancer drug approved for NHS England [Cancer Research UK] The drug was approved for use in Scotland earlier this year. The NHS in Wales and Northern Ireland usually follow NICE decisions. NHS England chief executive Simon Stevens said that the decision between the NHS and Roche required tough negotiation and flexibility, but he believes it offers a good deal for both patients and taxpayers.
Gamechangers—who is playing, who is being played? [The Lancet USA Health Blog] It was clear at ASCO 2017 that the question is gaining momentum. From Twitter threads to posters to side conversations all challenging the cost of care and financial toxicity, there was a real sense that these considerations are finally receiving the attention they have long deserved.
	6.10.1 Politiques (USA)
White House Task Force Echoes Pharma Proposals [KHN] Some of the text in the document is cribbed directly from policy papers published by the pharmaceutical industry’s powerful lobby — Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers Association (PhRMA).
	6.5 Médecines alternatives
The sad but unexpectedly hopeful cancer saga of Cassandra Callender [Science-Based Medicine] I’ve frequently discussed the stories of teenagers with cancer who either refuse chemotherapy or whose parents refuse chemotherapy for them. The case of Cassandra Callender is the same, yet different, from many of these unfortunate and sad sagas in that she was older when diagnosed with cancer and that she realized her mistake. I can now only hope that it’s not too late for science-based medicine to save her.
	6.6 Publications
Biologists debate how to license preprints [Nature] Researchers have now shared more than 11,000 papers at the popular bioRxiv preprints site. But where some researchers allow their bioRxiv manuscripts to be freely redistributed and reused, others have chosen to lock them down with restrictive terms.
	6.7 DMP, Big Data & applis
Barriers and facilitators to linking and sharing routine health data for research [PHG Foundation] Interviewees pointed to substantial challenges in obtaining valid research results from routine health datasets – challenges which cross areas from organisational culture to governance, communication and the need for specialist technical expertise.