Onco Actu du 1er mars 2018

	1. Biologie
Upgrade makes genome editor CRISPR more muscular, precise [Science] The new work, reported online in the 28 February issue of Nature, modifies the Cas9 enzyme, creating at least four times as many potential docking sites. In theory, this could allow researchers to, say, cripple or replace many parts of genes associated with human disease that CRISPR currently cannot touch.
	1.1 Biologie - Gènes
Pediatric Pan-Cancer Studies Uncover Distinct Childhood Tumor Features [Genome Web] The researchers are making the somatic variants used for this study available through the National Cancer TARGET Data Matric and their ProteinPaint portal, which has an interactive heat map viewer for exploring mutations, genes, and pathways across the six histotypes, noting that the site also houses somatic alterations identified in the 961 tumors profiled for the ICGC-led pediatric pan-cancer analysis.
Genome studies unlock childhood-cancer clues [Nature] The work, published by two teams on 28 February in Nature1,2, is part of a growing movement to harness genomics against childhood cancers. Around the world, researchers are banding together to share genomics data, techniques and cell lines that can be used to study these diseases.
	2.11 Etiologie - Alimentation
Yes, bacon really is killing us [The Guardian] What this means, in plain English, is that nitrites make bacon more carcinogenic. But instead of spelling this out, the WHO moves swiftly on to the question of how both red and processed meats might cause cancer, after adding that “it is not yet fully understood how cancer risk is increased”.
	2.6 Etiologie - Environnement
US judge blocks weed-killer warning label in California [AP] A U.S. judge blocked California from requiring that the popular weed-killer Roundup carry a label stating that it is known to cause cancer, saying the warning is misleading because almost all regulators have concluded there is no evidence that the product’s main ingredient is a carcinogen.
WHO cancer agency “left out key findings” in benzene review [Reuters] Emails from its own scientists show the International Agency for Research on Cancer failed to comprehensively review evidence on human exposure to the cancer-causing chemical benzene. The agency has not remedied matters, despite its findings being used in U.S. court cases and relied upon around the world.
	3. Prévention
Common human skin bacteria could protect against cancer, say researchers [The Guardian] The scientists say the surprise discovery regarding a strain of Staphylococcus epidermidis highlights the importance of the community microbes found on and in the body in preventing disease.
	4.10 Dép., diag. & prono. - Poumon
Lung Cancer Screening Most Beneficial for Those at Highest Risk, Analysis Suggests [NCI] “The simple message from this analysis is that the balance of benefits and harms varied substantially across individuals,” said Dr. Caverly. “Interpreting what that variation means is harder.”
	4.12 Biopsies liquides
New blood test could quickly predict if the drug palbociclib will help breast cancer patients [Institute of Cancer Research] The researchers found that they could predict if the palbociclib treatment would work by comparing the amount of a gene PIK3CA detected in a blood test before treatment and 15 days after starting treatment. In the study, 73 women had the PIK3CA mutation and were given blood tests before and after starting palbociclib treatment.
Bezos-Backed Cancer Screening Startup Pursues Hong Kong for IPO [Bloomberg] Grail said in December that its first product, a screening test for a type of cancer that’s prevalent in Southeast Asia and southern China, would be launched this year in Hong Kong. The company’s backers include Tencent Holdings Ltd., China’s biggest Internet company, as well as Bristol-Myers Squibb Co., Celgene Corp., Johnson & Johnson Innovation and Merck & Co.
	4.7 Dép., diag. & prono. - Col de l'utérus
Surveillance may be appropriate for some precancerous lesions – Expert Reaction [Science Media Center] The science is based on the histology interpretation and we know there is inevitable observer variability. What is CIN2 to one person in one country may not be CIN2 in another country. The lesions called CIN 2 in this study might, in fact, have already been CIN 3 in the 15 women who developed invasive cancer.
	4.9 Dép., diag. & prono. - Sein
The biggest Breast Cancer risk that women are not aware of [The Telegraph] Mammograms are obviously the main method of national screening and, while considered the gold standard, evidence shows that they are not as effective for women with dense breasts.
	5.1 Traitements - Pré-clinique
Genome Sequencing Uncovers Therapy for Rare Brain Tumor [UCSF] Solomon’s team sequenced the genomes of 13 chordoid glioma tumors and identified a single mutation in one gene, PRKCA, that was consistent across all 13 samples. Because the MAP kinase pathway is so commonly implicated in cancer, drugs that target it are already available and approved by the FDA. The researchers tested trametinib, a drug used to treat melanoma, on brain cells with the PRKCA mutation.
	5.12 Immunothérapies
Endocrinopathies Induced by Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Regimens [ESMO] The authors concluded that their study provides more precise data on the incidence of endocrine dysfunctions among patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors. Patients on combination therapy are at increased risk of thyroid dysfunction and hypophysitis.
	5.2 Pharma
Dialing down the toxic effects of radiation on cancer patients, Galera gets breakthrough status on Phase IIb data [EndPoints] The FDA has granted breakthrough therapy designation for Galera’s drug, coined GC4419, based on the data from a 223-patient, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled Phase IIb clinical trial in patients with head and neck cancer.
	5.2.3 Pharma - économie
How Bad Is Celgene's FDA Foul-Up? Two Decades Of Biotech History Say It Can't Be Good [Forbes] Both analysts say that the most important issue facing Celgene is negotiating with generic companies to hold off competition for its top seller, the cancer drug Revlimid.
	5.3 Traitements - FDA, EMA, NICE...
Management Board initiates building approval process for EMA premises in Amsterdam [EMA] New permanent building to be completed by 15 November 2019.
	6. Lutte contre les cancers
Earliest Picture Of Breast Cancer Discovered In A Renaissance Painting [Forbes] Signs of breast cancer can clearly be seen in "The Night", painted by Michele di Rodolfo del Ghirlandaio, and "The Allegory of Fortitude", depicted by Maso di San Friano.
Rare Disease Day and the promises of personalized medicine [The Mermaid's Tale] This is one personal story for Rare Disease Day, but I think it's very relevant to all the promises of "personalized medicine" being made these days. Having your DNA sequenced isn't a magic answer. Sometimes the technology is limiting, sometimes the problem is actually impossible to solve.
	6.1 Observation
Only a third of pancreatic cancer patients receive treatment [The Guardian] Having a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer is devastating for all patients, but seven in 10 are then completely shattered by the news that there is no way of treating their cancer. All they are offered is some relief for their symptoms, and they face an awful prognosis.
	6.6 Publications
Where Are We With the Replication “Crisis” [Science-Based Medicine] The replication problem is not as bad as the sensational reporting has suggested. But it is still a legitimate issue that needs to be addressed.