Onco Actu du 1er février 2018

	1. Biologie
Technology to watch in 2018 [Nature] Thought leaders reveal the technologies and topics likely to transform life-science research in the year ahead.
	2.7 Etiologie - Obésité
Disrupting a Link Between Obesity and Cancer [Cancer Research Catalyst] Inflammation is one of the main mechanisms believed to link obesity and cancer, and it was the focus of one of the conference’s plenary sessions. During this session, titled “Inflammation as a Consequence of Obesity,” two early-career researchers provided new insight into preclinical studies investigating whether it might be possible to disrupt this link between obesity and cancer.
	3.1 Prévention - Tabac
CDC director’s investment in tobacco, drug companies baffles ethics experts [STAT] That Fitzgerald had holdings that presented possible conflicts in her stock portfolio before starting as director of the CDC was a fixable problem. That she added to them after starting at the CDC last July was something else.
Who’s Still Smoking: Report Highlights Populations Still at Risk [ACS] Although tobacco control measures have reduced overall smoking rates in the United States (from 42% in 1965 to 15% in 2015), a new report says several vulnerable subpopulations continue to smoke at high rates.
CDC director resigns after report on tobacco stock purchase [Science] Financial conflicts surrounding Brenda Fitzgerald had also frustrated lawmakers.
Exclusive: With Roman law doctrine, India moves to stub out tobacco industry rights [Reuters] If applied, the doctrine - which harkens back to Roman law - would have far reaching implications: in denying an industry’s legal standing to trade, it gives authorities more leeway to impose restrictions.
	3.1.1 Prévention - Tabac - e-cigs
Two U.S. lawmakers voice concerns over Philip Morris tobacco trials [Reuters] Two Democratic U.S. senators said they have fresh concerns over clinical trials conducted by Philip Morris International Inc as it seeks U.S. clearance to market its iQOS electronic tobacco product as less risky than cigarettes, according to statements both senators provided to Reuters.
	3.6 Prévention - Activité physique
Even obese breast cancer survivors may cut heart disease risk with exercise [Reuters] “This process is critical for breast cancer survivors who may be obese but also suffering from treatment side effects such as fatigue, depression, and sedentary behavior.”
	5.1 Traitements - Pré-clinique
Blocking cancer stress signal shows promise in bone marrow cancer [Institute of Cancer Research] The researchers now plan to carry out clinical studies to look into the possible benefits of an HSF1 inhibitor in people, and to further investigate the benefits of combination therapy with bortezomib.
	5.12.2 Immunothérapies - CAR-T
Novartis announces NEJM publication of updated analysis from ELIANA trial showing longer-term durable remissions with Kymriah(TM) in children, young adults with r/r ALL [Novartis] Analysis of 75 patients with median follow-up of more than a year demonstrated an overall remission rate of 81%.
	5.2 Pharma
Roche silently scraps two one-time blockbuster hopefuls as $725M Seragon deal craters [EndPoints] This morning, their follow-up breast cancer program for RG-6047 — also known as GDC-0927 — got cut. There’s no word why, though Roche considered it their best shot at a best-in-class drug in the field, declaring it was a good shot at redefining “the standard of care for hormone receptor-positive breast cancer.”
Analysis: Pfizer tallies an impressive array of late-stage catalysts for cancer, gene therapies and more [EndPoints] Pfizer execs ran through their 2018 late-stage pipeline plan on Tuesday, highlighting the key catalysts that await during their Q4 call with analysts. And cancer drugs figured prominently in the discussion.
	5.2.2 Pharma - Fusions & Acquisitions
Seattle Genetics to Acquire Cascadian Therapeutics, Adding Late-Stage Breast Cancer Program to Its Oncology Pipeline [Seattle Genetics] Enhances Seattle Genetics’ Portfolio of Solid Tumor Programs with Potential Rapid Registrational Pathways.
Seattle Genetics sets $614M buyout of Cascadian and its breast cancer program [FierceBiotech] Beyond breast cancer, we believe there may be opportunities for tucatinib in other tumor types, such as HER2-positive metastatic colorectal cancer.
Restless Seattle Genetics snaps up a pivotal-stage cancer drug with $614M Cascadian buyout pact [EndPoints] You may remember this company better under its old name, Oncothyreon, after it executed a series of painful missteps — Stimuvax, for example, one of several cancer vaccine duds — that made a new name and a new CEO in Scott Myers logical.
	5.2.3 Pharma - économie
Startup with Johns Hopkins roots raising $40.5 million to develop cancer metabolism drugs [EndPoints] The drug they tweaked is called 6-diazo-5-oxo-L-norleucine, or DON for short. It’s been used to shrink advanced tumors in clinical trials, but its damage to the gastrointestinal system prevented it from moving forward.
	5.3 Traitements - FDA, EMA, NICE...
How to better apply the paediatric legislation to boost development of medicines for children [EMA] EMA and European Commission invite stakeholders to register for joint workshop and support development of an action plan.
EU decision on EMA move to Amsterdam is done: EU Commissioner [Reuters] “Sorry but me personally, I think the whole Commission also is not a part of Italian election debates. It will be a crystal clear answer. The Council decision is done,” Vytenis Andriukaitis told a briefing in Brussels.
	5.4 Traitements - Economie
NICE approves Perjeta for routine use on NHS [Pharmafile] NICE has given the nod to Roche’s Perjeta for routine first-line use, alongside Herceptin and chemotherapy, in patients with HER2-positive breast cancer.
Q&A: Commission proposal on Health Technology Assessment [European Commission] The proposal includes provisions for the use of common HTA tools, methodologies and procedures across the EU. It sets out four pillars for joint work of Member States at EU-level.
EU proposes joint studies to speed acceptance of new medicine [Reuters] A group of representatives from national authorities would be responsible for overseeing joint work. National HTA authorities will still be responsible for determining pricing and reimbursement, albeit using the joint assessments.
Nice approves life-extending drug for patients with incurable breast cancer [The Guardian] The decision by Nice, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, to give the green light for NHS doctors to use pertuzumab, sold under the brand name of Perjeta by the Swiss drug company Roche, was enthusiastically welcomed by breast cancer charities.
	6. Lutte contre les cancers
NHS radiotherapy changes could see more patients having modern treatment [Cancer Research UK] While we support NHS England’s new radiotherapy plans, they won’t work if the NHS doesn’t have enough resources, or the right staff, to carry them out.
	6.1 Observation
Cancer survival improving globally, but UK lagging behind [Cancer Research UK] Cancer survival is improving in the UK, with several cancers showing big increases in 5-year survival between 2000 and 2014: breast 80% to 86%, prostate 82% to 89%, bowel 52% to 60%, lung 7% to 13%.
	6.11 Patients
After a Cancer Diagnosis, Playing the Odds [NY Times] So nearly a decade after I was first given a cancer diagnosis, this is my declaration: I’m done with the statistics. I could continue to obsess over cold and unforgiving facts, or I could choose to be present and enjoy all the beautiful moments that make life worth living.
	6.13 Soins palliatifs
I’m a doctor with end-stage cancer. I support medical aid in dying [STAT] We asked the medical society to drop its opposition to medical aid in dying and establish a policy of “neutral engagement.” That means if the state authorizes medical aid in dying because of our court case, legislation, or ballot initiative, the society will train its doctors about the practice of medical aid in dying and other end-of-life care options, including hospice and palliative care.
	6.6 Publications
The serendipity test [Nature] By following the publications and patents that emerge from grants, he hopes to find out how often serendipity arises, and to understand its significance and nature. The hunt will start in biomedicine, but could grow to examine other disciplines.
	6.7 DMP, Big Data & applis
Elekta Taps IBM Watson Health to Bring AI to Comprehensive Oncology Field [Elekta] Under the terms of a new agreement, Elekta will sell Watson for Oncology beginning in early 2018 as a clinical decision support solution paired within Elekta's digital cancer care solutions, including the MOSAIQ® Oncology Information System.
	6.8 Communication
Heart group warns of cardiovascular risks after treatment for breast cancer [STAT] In most cases, however, the absolute risk is fairly low, said Dr. Laxmi Mehta, lead author of the AHA’s statement. Herceptin studies have found a heart failure incidence of up to 4 percent, for instance.
Breast cancer treatments can raise risk of heart disease, American Heart Association warns [Washington Post] While much of the information is known to oncologists, the report could be a helpful reference tool for patients as well as primary care, emergency room and other doctors who treat breast cancer patients.
	6.9 Controverses
Take peer pressure out of peer review [Nature] My own and others’ observations show that a peer-review panel is not like some collaborative mural, where everyone contributes a piece to the picture. It is more like a tug of war — with a rope that has many ends.