Onco Actu du 24 janvier 2019

	1. BIOLOGIE
Research raises hope for new therapies for chordoma, a rare bone cancer [Broad Institute] Chordoma is literally a one in a million cancer, with few effective treatment options. A new understanding of the biology behind this tumor type is bringing novel opportunities to light.
Key signalling protein linked to aggressive cancers [Institute of Cancer Research] The researchers found that the DKK3 protein in cancer-associated fibroblasts promotes tumour growth and spread. Instead of interfering with the Wnt signalling pathway, it enhances it. This in turn leads to increased activation of the YAP/TAZ proteins, as well as the cancer-associated protein β-catenin.
	2.6 ETIOLOGIE - ENVIRONNEMENT
The concept of a “chemical-free lifestyle” is absurd [The Logic of Science] If someone tries to scare you about a chemical, ask them for the dose at which it is present in the item in question and the dose at which it becomes toxic. If they cannot answer both of those questions, then they either don’t know what they are talking about, or they are intentionally trying to mislead you.
	4. DÉPISTAGE, DIAGNOSTIC ET PRONOSTIC
Test for Esophageal Cancer Could Save Millions of Lives [Johns Hopkins] A tiny capsule, a string and a 2-centimeter sponge are the future of screening for deadly disease.
Should we rename low risk cancers? [BMJ] Laura J Esserman argues that patients are unnecessarily alarmed by calling low risk tumours cancer, but Murali Varma argues that alternative names can also be confusing and better education is the answer.
	4.1 DÉP., DIAG. & PRONO. - PROSTATE
Thirty percent fewer prostate cancer deaths with PSA screening [University of Gothenburg] Frånlund’s thesis work originates from a large, population-based study that started in Gothenburg in 1995. The study is unique in many ways, and currently has the longest follow-up period of all screening studies on prostate cancer worldwide.
	4.12 BIOPSIES LIQUIDES
To detect cancer, these researchers are turning to an unlikely source [STAT] Tumors produce certain proteins that eventually make their way into a person’s urine. Moses’ team is identifying these proteins and working on diagnostic tests that can detect elusive malignancies, like pancreatic and ovarian cancers.
	5.1 TRAITEMENTS - PRÉ-CLINIQUE
Cancer-slaying virus may fight childhood eye tumor [Science] Oncology researcher Ángel Montero Carcaboso of the Sant Joan de Déu Research Institute in Barcelona, Spain, and colleagues used a type of virus known as adenovirus that typically causes only mild respiratory infections in people. It had been genetically modified so it was missing a key gene and could only reproduce inside cells in which the retinoblastoma pathway had malfunctioned.
	5.10 TRAITEMENTS - ESSAIS
Modernizing Clinical Trials for Patients With Cancer [JAMA] Cancer clinical trials have important and increasing challenges. In response, NCI, as the leading funder of academic cancer clinical trials, has made modernizing clinical trials a key area of focus.
	5.12 IMMUNOTHÉRAPIES
New findings may help oncologists determine effectiveness of checkpoint inhibitors [University of Alabama] A receptor co-discovered by the team several years ago — FCRL6 — may serve as a new checkpoint target in these patients, identifying it as a potential immunotherapy option in the future.
Turning the table on CD47, Penn team primes macrophages to ignore ‘don’t eat me’ signal [EndPoints] “It turns out macrophages need to be primed before they can go to work, which explains why solid tumors may resist treatment with CD47 inhibitors alone.”
	5.12.10 IMMUNOTHÉRAPIES - FUSIONS ET ACQUISITIONS
BioNTech buys MAB antibody unit to expand tech portfolio [Fierce Biotech] BioNTech is best known as a rival to Moderna and CureVac in the mRNA space, but has expanded into other areas in recent years.
BioNTech buys MAB Discovery's antibody research unit [Biopharma Dive] BioNTech's focus is on how messenger RNA can be used to spur a therapeutic response from the body, and the biotech has developed a pipeline with seven candidates in clinical testing. Phase 1 results on one such mRNA treatment, an individualized immunotherapy for metastatic melanoma, were published in Nature in 2017.
BioNTech to Acquire Antibody Generation Unit of MAB Discovery [BioNTech] “Having exclusive access to MAB Discovery’s finely-tuned proprietary know-how dramatically expands BioNTech’s targeting ligand repertoire and enables us to directly, rapidly and efficiently produce new mAb candidates.”
	5.12.5 IMMUNOTHÉRAPIES - PHARMA
FDA forces troubled Advaxis to halt enrollment on its PhIII study for lead drug axalimogene [EndPoints] Advaxis is advancing therapies that use live attenuated Listeria monocytogenes which are engineered to secrete antigen/adjuvant fusion proteins. And they’re not simple to develop. The therapy uses bacteria to kick up an immune response by triggering a T cell attack on cancer cells.
	5.2.2 PHARMA - FUSIONS & ACQUISITIONS
GlaxoSmithKline's investors have come around on Tesaro deal, executive says [Fierce Pharma] The treatment paradigm in ovarian cancer, the first PARP battleground, “has still got a long way to evolve,” Redfern said, and “it’s not really clear” yet what’s best in terms of treatment. And the idea that Tesaro's Zejula could make a bigger splash than anticipated has “definitely started to resonate with investors,” he said.
	5.2.3 PHARMA - ÉCONOMIE
Merck KGaA chief Oschmann 'absolutely certain' a biopharma major will rise from China [Fierce Pharma] Merck KGaA chairman and CEO Stefan Oschmann has made bullish comments about China’s biopharma sector on several occasions. But now, he's going a step further, counting China among three of the world’s best-working ecosystems for innovation. And his home continent of Europe is not even close, Oschmann said.
	5.3 TRAITEMENTS - FDA, EMA, NICE...
European regulators shackle Lilly's Lartruvo after surprise trial failure [Fierce Pharma] Meanwhile, as the U.S. government is still in a partial shutdown, it remains to be seen how the FDA will react to Lartruvo's phase 3 failure.
With the FDA running out of funds, healthcare groups warn that the drug approval process will soon be derailed [EndPoints] The group includes ASCO and the National Organization for Rare Diseases, which play a role in focusing attention on important new scientific developments in their respective fields.
EMA wants docs to stop prescribing Eli Lilly’s cancer drug Lartruvo — and here’s why [EndPoints] Even with the transatlantic setback for Lilly, which has been working to build some momentum in its cancer division with the recent $8 billion Loxo buyout, the failure in Phase III is unlikely to blunt the FDA’s pedal-to-the-medal approach on cancer drug reviews. Unless, of course, the government shutdown forces the FDA to slow and stop.
No new patients should start treatment with Lartruvo after study shows cancer medicine does not prolong life [EMA] For patients currently being treated with Lartruvo, their doctor may consider continuing treatment with the medicine if they appear to benefit from it. It is estimated that around 1,000 patients are currently treated with Lartruvo in the EU.
	6. LUTTE CONTRE LES CANCERS
Managing Cancer Pain: Are Better Approaches on the Horizon? [NCI] Understanding cancer pain is a challenging problem, and the universe of researchers working in this area is small, said Ann O’Mara, who recently retired as head of palliative research in NCI’s Division of Cancer Prevention.
	6.7.1 IA/BIOINFORMATIQUE
News Feature: What are the limits of deep learning? [PNAS] The much-ballyhooed artificial intelligence approach boasts impressive feats but still falls short of human brainpower. Researchers are determined to figure out what’s missing.