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ALK rearrangement found in nearly 10 percent of patients in Lung Cancer Mutation Consortium

ALK rearrangement has been found in 9.6% of lung cancer patients tested in the Lung Cancer Mutation Consortium, and MET amplification in another 4.1%, reflecting how many patients might benefit from targeted therapies such as crizotinib, according to research presented at the 14th World Conference on Lung Cancer in Amsterdam, hosted by the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC).

The Lung Cancer Mutation Consortium (LCMC), involving 14 U.S. cancer centers, was established to evaluate genetic alterations in 1,000 patients with advanced lung adenocarcinoma.

Lung tumors in never-smokers show greater genomic instability than those in smokers

Lung adenocarcinomas in people who have never smoked show greater genome instability than those in smokers, supporting the theory that lung cancer in never smokers arises through different pathways, according to research presented at the 14th World Conference on Lung Cancer in Amsterdam, hosted by the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC).

EURTAC Phase III study: Erlotinib nearly doubles progression-free survival vs. chemotherapy

In the first phase III study to include Western lung cancer patients, first-line treatment with erlotinib (Tarceva) nearly doubled progression-free survival compared with chemotherapy, according to research presented at the 14th World Conference on Lung Cancer in Amsterdam, hosted by the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC).

Erlotinib is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) that targets the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with EGFR activating mutations tend to respond well to TKI therapy.

PET scan with [11C]erlotinib may provide noninvasive method to identify TKI-responsive lung tumors

A non-invasive PET imaging technique may identify lung cancers that respond best to tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), allowing doctors to better select patients for personalized therapy, according to research presented at the 14th World Conference on Lung Cancer in Amsterdam, hosted by the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC).

COMBINATION ANTITHROMBOTIC THERAPY MAY INCREASE BLEEDING RISK

A new study in CHEST suggests that the use of combination antithrombotic therapy may increase the risk of clinically relevant bleeding in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Researchers from the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and France compared outcomes in 3,728 patients with AF receiving anticoagulation alone and 848 patients with AF receiving combination antithrombotic therapy (anticoagulant and antiplatelet therapy).

Research in fish provides new clues about deadly form of liver cancer

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common type of liver cancer, is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Although there are several treatment options available, they are largely unsuccessful because the disease is so poorly understood. Clinical studies of patients with HCC, combined with studies using mice and other animal models, have provided some clues, but many questions about how to diagnose and treat this deadly form of cancer remain.

Couples report gender differences in relationship, sexual satisfaction over time

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Cuddling and caressing are important ingredients for long-term relationship satisfaction, according to an international study that looks at relationship and sexual satisfaction throughout committed relationships, but contrary to stereotypes, tenderness was more important to the men than to the women.

Sitting for long periods doubles risk of blood clots in the lungs

Women who sit for long periods of time everyday are two to three times more likely to develop a life-threatening blood clot in their lungs than more active women, finds a study published on bmj.com today.

The new study is the first to prove that a sedentary lifestyle increases your risk of developing a pulmonary embolism – a common cause of heart disease.

Exposure to anti-depressants in pregnancy may increase autism risk

OAKLAND, Calif. – Exposure to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors anti-depressants in early pregnancy may modestly increase risk of autism spectrum disorders, according to a Kaiser Permanente study published online in the current issue of Archives of General Psychiatry. However the researchers cautioned that the number of children exposed prenatally to SSRIs was low and that further studies are needed to validate these results

Length of parental military deployment associated with children's mental health diagnoses

Children with a parent who was deployed in the U.S. military efforts Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) for longer periods were more likely than children whose parents did not deploy to receive a diagnosis of a mental health problem, according to a report published Online First today by Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

In homes with substantiated child abuse reports, study identifies groups at higher risk for reabuse

Children who remain in the home after a substantiated report of abuse may have more or less risk of further abuse depending on certain characteristics of their caregivers, according to a report published Online First today by Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

Study examines trends in withholding treatment for infants in neonatal intensive care units

Withdrawal of life-sustaining support and withholding lifesaving measures (such as CPR) appear to be the primary modes of infant deaths in a neonatal intensive care unit, according to a report in the July issue of Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

Study of twins suggests genetic component of autism spectrum disorders may be moderate

After evaluating twin pairs in which at least one child has autism or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), researchers suggest that the shared environment may play a more substantial role in development of the condition than shared genes do, according to a report published Online First today by Archives of General Psychiatry, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

Prenatal exposure to certain antidepressants may modestly increase risk of autism spectrum disorders

Prenatal exposure to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, especially during the first trimester, is associated with a modest increase the risk of developing an autism spectrum disorder, according to a report published Online First in the Archives of General Psychiatry, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

Study finds pregnancy and birth environment may affect development of autism in twins

NEW YORK, N.Y. (July 4, 2011) – Autism Speaks, the world's largest autism science and advocacy organization, joined in announcing significant findings from the largest known study of twins with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This work, conducted by a consortium of renowned researchers and using material from Autism Speaks Autism Genetic Resource Exchange (AGRE) was published online today in the Archives of General Psychiatry.