Onco Actu du 20 mai 2019

	1. BIOLOGIE
The Coming Decade of Cell Death Research: Five Riddles [Cell] Active cell death, in its many forms, is a fundamental biological process. Studies over the past several decades have explored the functions and consequences of cellular demise and elucidated several of the key cell death pathways. Here, I pose five questions, or riddles, that might provide a guide to the next decade of cell death research.
Nerve cells from the brain invade prostate tumours [Nature] The authors’ findings suggest a previously unsuspected and intriguing role for brain-derived neuroblasts in influencing tumour development and progression. However, more investigation will be needed to address the key question of whether this phenomenon has clinical relevance for human prostate cancer.
	2.6 ETIOLOGIE - ENVIRONNEMENT
Does RoundUp cause cancer? [Genomics, Medicine, and Pseudoscience] At a minimum, they should have reported what their findings would be if they used the other time periods. I suspect that they'd have found no increased risk of cancer–but this wouldn't make for such a catchy headline. This omission on their part is a serious flaw, indicating that they (and their results) might have been unscientifically biased.
	3.2 PRÉVENTION - OBÉSITÉ
Why Eating Processed Foods Might Make You Fat [NY Times] A small but rigorous new study provides strong evidence that these foods not only tend to make people eat more. They may result in dramatic and relatively rapid weight gain and have other detrimental health effects.
	4.12 BIOPSIES LIQUIDES
Scientists develop technology to capture tumor cells [University of Georgia] While most efforts to capture circulating tumor cells focus on identifying and isolating the few CTCs lurking in a blood sample, the iFCS takes a completely different approach by eliminating everything in the sample that’s not a circulating tumor cell.
	4.2 DÉP., DIAG. & PRONO. - GÉNOME
Uncovering Insights in Pancreatic and Prostate Cancers [Foundation Medicine] The pancreatic cancer study, published in Gastroenterology and the prostate cancer study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology Precision Oncology (JCO PO), evaluated the landscape of genomic alterations identified in each disease type by comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP), providing an in-depth view of possible targets for both treatment planning and future drug development.
	4.3 DÉP., DIAG. & PRONO. - INDUSTRIELS
QIAGEN and Inovio collaborate to develop companion diagnostic for novel immunotherapy targeting precancerous cervical lesions [Qiagen] The Precision Medicine partnership focuses on Inovio’s VGX-3100, a late-stage investigational product candidate with potential to become the first treatment for HPV infection of the cervix and the first non-surgical treatment for precancerous cervical lesions associated with the virus.
	5. TRAITEMENTS
A Rare Genetic Mutation Leads to Cancer. The Fix May Already Be in the Drugstore. [NY Times] A common dietary supplement may help overcome mutations in the Pten gene. Should patients take it?
	5.10 TRAITEMENTS - ESSAIS
Cancer Research UK to test targeted drug in pancreatic cancer [Cancer Research UK] The study will use PLX7486 to target Trk kinases, which are believed to help cancer cells invade nerves. It’s hoped that PLX7486, in combination with the chemotherapy drug gemcitabine, could improve progression-free survival and reduce pain for pancreatic cancer patients.
Primary Endpoint of L-MIND, a Combination Study of Tafasitamab (MOR208) and Lenalidomide, has been met, Confirming Previously Published Activity [MorphoSys] The primary endpoint, defined as best ORR compared to published data on the respective monotherapies, has been met. The ORR was 60% (48 out of 80 patients), and the CR rate was 43% (34 out of 80 patients).
	5.12 IMMUNOTHÉRAPIES
U.S. District Court rules Dana-Farber scientist is an inventor on six critical immunotherapy patents [Dana-Farber Cancer Institute] The decision will enable Dana-Farber to license the technology, which is currently embodied in several of the newest immunotherapy drugs, to additional companies seeking to develop PD-1 and PD-L1 antibody therapeutics for a wide range of cancers.
	5.12.2 IMMUNOTHÉRAPIES - CAR-T, THÉRAPIES CELLULAIRES
Friends, Parker Institute call for more flexibility in early T cell therapy development [BioCentury] In a white paper, the institutions recommended early use of small, exploratory clinical studies to narrow down candidates and better understand cell biology, given the limited ability of animal models to predict safety and efficacy of T cell-based therapies.
	5.12.3 IMMUNOTHÉRAPIES-COMBINAISONS
Ipilimumab and nivolumab immunotherapy combination produces high response rate in metastatic bladder cancer [MD Anderson Cancer Center] The 38 percent overall response rate is higher than any previously reported in studies of single-agent immunotherapies, which ranged from 13.4 to 21.1 percent for metastatic bladder cancer, the investigators note. The clinical trial, called Checkmate 032, was the first combination immunotherapy trial for metastatic bladder cancer.
	5.2 PHARMA
Glioblastoma claims another pharma victim as AbbVie's ADC fails to boost survival [Fierce Biotech] The odds were against the company from the start, given the large level of flops against this difficult-to-to-treat disease, alongside the difficulty of getting an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) to hit its survival goals.
AbbVie brain cancer drug fails late-stage study in another oncology setback [Biopharma Dive] The pharma did not disclose specific results, but said they would be submitted for publication. Bristol-Myers Squibb also announced a Phase 3 trial failure in glioblastoma for its flagship immunotherapy, Opdivo (nivolumab).
AbbVie Provides Update on Depatuxizumab Mafodotin (Depatux-M), an Investigational Medicine for Newly Diagnosed Glioblastoma, an Aggressive Form of Brain Cancer [AbbVie] Independent Data Monitoring Committee responsible for interim analysis data review recommended stopping the study due to lack of survival benefit.
AbbVie halts enrollment after brain cancer trial misses goal, shares fall [Reuters] Depatux-M, when added to the standard regimen of radiation and temozolomide, failed to meet the main goal of achieving overall survival in newly diagnosed patients when compared to patients given a placebo along with radiation and temozolomide.
	5.2.3 PHARMA - ÉCONOMIE
Actuate raises $22M to expand GSK-3β cancer trial [Fierce Biotech] 9-ING-41 is designed to bind to GSK-3β, disrupting cancer pathways associated with the invasion of tumor cells and resistance to chemotherapeutic agents and radiation. In preclinical tests, the intravenous small molecule showed promise against diseases including urothelial cancer and renal cell carcinoma, leading Actuate to move it into humans late last year.
All in on novel target GSK-3β, Actuate Therapeutics raises $21M+ to bankroll ambitious PhI/II [EndPoints] Actuate is fixated on glycogen synthase kinase-3β, an enzyme associated with a range of diseases from bipolar disorder to diabetes. Overexpression of GSK-3β is “heavily implicated in chemo- and radioresistance in tumor cells,” making it a promising target for tough-to-treat cancers such as glioblastoma, ovarian, breast and pancreatic cancers.
	5.3 TRAITEMENTS - FDA, EMA, NICE...
FDA to Launch Expanded Access Pilot ‘Project Facilitate’ by End of May [RAPS] Under Project Facilitate, FDA staff will operate a call center for oncology expanded access requests that will help patients and healthcare providers find expanded access contacts at drug or biotechnology companies, complete the expanded access request form (Form 3296) and identify Institutional Review Board (IRB) resources.
	5.4 TRAITEMENTS - ECONOMIE
Multiple myeloma (newly diagnosed) - lenalidomide [NICE] The most plausible cost-effectiveness estimate for lenalidomide plus dexamethasone for people unable to take thalidomide is within the range that NICE normally considers a cost-effective use of NHS resources.
NICE grants Celgene long-awaited thumbs-up for Revlimid in untreated myeloma [Fierce Pharma] NICE’s latest endorsement of Revlimid will make a small contribution toward Celgene’s ongoing effort to expand the market for the drug. The company has also been testing the drug in combination regimens, and Thursday, the European Commission approved Revlimid plus bortezomib and dexamethasone in some multiple myeloma patients.
Cancer drug approved for NHS use in England gives some multiple myeloma patients another option [Cancer Research UK] The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommended the drug, lenalidomide (Revlimid), be offered in combination with the steroid dexamethasone. But only for those who cannot take the current thalidomide-based standard of care or are not able to have a stem cell transplant. They say the decision will benefit approximately 2,100 patients a year.
Four years after EU approval, NICE finally backs Revlimid use in certain first-line multiple myeloma patients [EndPoints] Although the blockbuster drug is routinely used as a backbone treatment in much of the developed world, until now, the drug was only cleared for third-line use by NICE.
	6. LUTTE CONTRE LES CANCERS
U.S. cancer institute cancels nanotech research centers [Science] In total, CCNEs received about $330 million over 15 years, Grodzinski says, with an additional $70 million in funding for training and other types of nanotechnology research centers. That, he says, represents between 10% to 20% of NCI’s funding for nanotechnology research, depending on the specific 5-year phase.
‘This terrible disease’: Ovarian cancer is deadly, but new tests, treatments start to emerge [Washington Post] Compared with other cancer success stories, the disease historically has had a shortage of good news. Until recently, it hasn’t benefited from new treatments for decades.
	6.1 OBSERVATION
Bowel cancer rates are rising in young adults, but do we know what’s behind the increase? [Cancer Research UK] Risk factors like diet aren’t exclusive to under 50s, which suggests there may be something else going on. This could either be another factor contributing to the rise in this particular age group or something helping to stop any potential rise in older age groups.
	6.10.1 POLITIQUES (USA)
Has Trump Actually Done Anything About Drug Prices? [The Atlantic] The tension that undermines any cohesive progress on drug prices is evident in Trump’s populist rhetoric, which swings between protecting and demonizing American pharmaceutical corporations. On a global scale, he depicts the industry as a victim. Domestically, it is ripping people off.
	6.11 PATIENTS
Breast cancer survivor reclaims her body with striking tattoo following a double mastectomy [Cancer Research UK] Two years on from a double mastectomy, she decided it was time to celebrate her scars and transform her body into an incredible piece of art.
Sleeping With Cancer [NY Times] Ten years after diagnosis, could I finally dispense with chemical sleeping aids?
David Haslam and Nishma Manek: Whose illness is it anyway? [BMJ] Shared decision making is likely to become a permanent fixture in our medical toolbox. In an increasingly connected and information-hungry society, that feels entirely appropriate. But it is worth stopping to ask yourself: what would I want in this situation? Sometimes it is full control. But sometimes it’s not. Shared decision making must include the decision not to make a decision at all.
	6.8 COMMUNICATION
How to make health news interesting — without overselling the claims [The Conversation] For our latest research, we wanted to find a way to help writers accurately communicate research evidence, without diminishing reader interest in the claims. To do this, we teamed up with nine UK press offices, from journals, universities and funders, to run a randomised trial with health-related press releases.