Studies Show Benefit of Advance Detection and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Cancers

A great number of the world's preeminent gastroenterologists will gather during the seventh annual Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium (ASCO GI) from January 22-24, 2010, at the Orlando World Center Marriott to discuss new research on the treatment of gastrointestinal cancers.


Presentations at the meeting will focus on detection and treatment of gastrointestinal cancers, which includes cancers of the colon/rectum, stomach, pancreas, esophagus, small intestine, anus and other digestive organs. More than 275,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with these cancers each year, and nearly 136,000 people die from them. The Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium is co-sponsored by the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) Institute, the American Society for Clinical Oncology (ASCO), the American Society for Radiology Oncology (ASTRO) and the Society of Surgical Oncology (SSO).

Highlights from this year Scientific Meeting include the result of four significant studies:

Simple blood test detects colorectal cancer and colorectal adenomas
A new test for blood levels of the CD24 protein is more than 90 percent sensitive and specific for detecting colorectal cancer, and more than 80 percent accurate at detecting potential precancers, called adenomas. These findings may prove useful for identifying patients who would benefit most from colonoscopy.

New test for early detection of pancreatic cancer
Researchers report on a promising immunoassay that detects early-stage pancreatic cancers with a high degree of accuracy. The assay identifies and quantifies blood levels of the PAM4 protein – a unique antigen present in almost 90 percent of pancreatic cancers and precancers. Pancreatic cancer is typically diagnosed at a late stage, when it is more difficult to treat.
Inherited gene variation predicts aggressive gastric cancer
For the first time, researchers report the identification of an inherited genetic variation – located on the CD44 gene – that is linked to increased risk of recurrence in patients with gastric (stomach) cancer.

Adjuvant XELOX chemotherapy regimen slows colon cancer progression in patients of all ages, including those 70+
Adjuvant (post-surgical) treatment with capecitabine and oxaliplatin (XELOX) is more effective than standard 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin (5-FU/LV) for slowing the progression of stage III colon cancer among patients of all ages, including those age 70 and older – findings that may prompt more aggressive treatment for older patients in otherwise good health.
“Growing understanding of molecular biology has helped us make enormous progress in screening, detection and treatment for gastrointestinal cancers,” said Robert P. Sticca, MD, Chairman of the Department of Surgery and Professor at the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences. “These studies describe long-awaited approaches, such as an early detection test for pancreatic cancer and a blood test for colon cancer. Other studies presented during the annual symposium will help us to better personalize treatment for gastric and colon cancers based on patients’ age and genetic factors.”

Also:

• Onco’Zine – The International Cancer Network

Growing Attendance for International GI Cancer Congress Demonstrates Importance and Increased Impact.

The 11th World Congress on Gastrointestinal Cancer, organized by ESMO, the European Society for Medical Oncology, opens today in Barcelona, Spain, with a substantial increase in registered attendees over previous years.

The conference is expected to provide important practice updates and promising new research into the numerous types of cancers that affect the gastrointestinal tract.

“Ongoing study and changing standards in the treatment of gastrointestinal cancers have made it mandatory for clinicians to continually update their knowledge to keep up with advances in the field,” says Congress co-chair Dr. Eric Van Cutsem. “The World Congress on Gastrointestinal Cancer addresses the immediate practice implications of these changes.”

Researchers will present studies indicating prolonged progression-free survival and focusing on the importance of personalized cancer care.

Gastrointestinal cancers include anal cancer, colorectal cancer, esophageal cancer, gallbladder cancer, gastric cancer, liver cancer (hepatoma), pancreatic cancer, and small intestine cancers. The most prevalent of these is colorectal cancer in the Western world and gastric cancer in Eastern World.

Colorectal cancer is a major public health problem in Western countries, with the highest incidence rates in North America, Western Europe, Australia and New Zealand. It is the third most common cancer in both men and women, and the third most common cause of cancer death in both sexes. About 630,000 deaths from colorectal cancer are expected this year worldwide, accounting for 8% of all cancer deaths. Gastric is the second most frequent cause of cancer related mortality, accounting for nearly 800,000 deaths each year worldwide.

Over 400 studies will be presented at the world’s largest GI cancer conference and published in the Annals of Oncology, the official journal of the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO), outlining research taking place across the globe. Some of the most important work in the field outlines improved patient outcomes through novel drug therapies including combination therapies and new applications of existing therapies.

Six abstracts have been selected by the congress chairs as “top abstracts”. A common thread of these recognized papers is prolonged progression-free survival, enabling patients to live longer with the disease and with a better quality of life. Moreover, the experts will discuss the changing paradigm in gastrointestinal cancer toward a more personalized treatment approach for patients with gastrointestinal cancers.

Also being recognized at the congress are researchers from developing nations who received grants based on the scientific merit of their submitted work.

The ESMO Conference: 11th World Congress on Gastrointestinal Cancer, developed and managed by Imedex, will be held from 24-27 June at the CCIB convention center in Barcelona. The internationally recognized faculty will include 72 experts, chaired by Mario Dicato, MD of the Luxembourg Medical Center in Luxembourg and Eric Van Cutsem, MD, PhD of the University Hospital Gasthuisberg in Leuven, Belgium. 3,500 people from nearly 100 countries are expected to attend.

Designed to promote a multidisciplinary approach to treatment, the scientific agenda offers targeted sessions for oncology surgeons and nurses as well as a comprehensive range of topics for researchers, gastroenterologists, as well as medical and radiation oncologists.

The conference has received endorsements from leading professional societies and organizations, solidifying the reputation of the Congress as the premier platform for specialists in cancer research, leading oncologists and practicing clinicians to review the state-of-the-art advances in gastrointestinal cancer and share the latest information on its multidisciplinary management. Specialized sessions for nurses, surgeons and young medical oncologists provide enhanced educational opportunities.

The 11th World Congress on Gastrointestinal Cancer Congress is endorsed by:

• The Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation
• ENETS (European Neuroendocrine Tumor Society)
• EONS (European Oncology Nursing Society)
• EORTC (European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer) – GI Tumor Group
• ESO (European School of Oncology)
• ESSO (European Society of Surgical Oncology)
• Europacolon

For more information:

• 11th World Congress on Gastrointestinal Cancer.
• ESMO: The European Society for Medical Oncology

For more information, read these PubMed abstract:

• ESMO Conference: 11th World Congress on Gastrointestinal Cancer, 24-27 June, 2009, Barcelona, Spain. Abstracts. Ann Oncol. 2009 Jun;20 Suppl 7:vii7-127 (Annals of Oncology Online)
• Abstracts of the ESMO International Symposium: 10th World Congress on Gastrointestinal Cancer. June 25-28, 2008. Barcelona, Spain. Ann Oncol. 2008 Jun;19 Suppl 6:vi9-105 (Annals of Oncology Online)
• Koh HC, Page B, Black C, Brown I, Ballantyne S, Galloway DJ. Ectopic pancreatic-type malignancy presenting in a Meckel's diverticulum: a case report and review of the literature. World J Surg Oncol. 2009 Jun 22;7(1):54. [Epub ahead of print]
• Beswick EJ, Reyes VE. CD74 in antigen presentation, inflammation, and cancers of the gastrointestinal tract. World J Gastroenterol. 2009 Jun 21;15(23):2855-61.
• Caracino V, Maggi G, Altobelli S, Lambiase C, Danza C, D'Amico G. Voluminous bleeding stomach GIST: reflections on aetiopathogenesis, diagnosis and therapy. Chir Ital. 2009 Mar-Apr;61(2):255-9.
• Schulze-Bergkamen H, Weinmann A, Moehler M, Siebler J, Galle PR. Novel ways to sensitise gastrointestinal cancer to apoptosis. Gut. 2009 Jul;58(7):1010-24.

Photos courtesy of the American Society of Clinical Oncology

New studies answer key questions about the treatment of gastrointestinal cancers

Findings from a number of large clinical trials of new treatment regimens for gastrointestinal cancers were released today at the 45th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), being held in Orlando, May 29 - June 2, 2009 and will be highlighted in Onco’Zine – The international Cancer Blog.

“The studies presented today answer many important questions about the best care for people with gastrointestinal cancers,” said Nicholas Petrelli, MD, medical director of the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center in Wilmington, Delaware. “These large, conclusive trials tell us what works, and importantly, tell us what doesn’t work. Some settle long-time debates in the field, others demonstrate that the current standard of care is actually superior to experimental treatments, and others will allow patients to avoid unnecessary side effects or surgery.”

The results presented include:

• First-ever data on bevacizumab as adjuvant therapy finds no benefit in colon cancer: A phase III trial finds that adding the targeted therapy bevacizumab (Avastin, Roche), to standard adjuvant chemotherapy did not improve disease free survival for patients with locally advanced colon cancer.
• Surgery unnecessary for majority of patients with advanced colorectal cancer: Most patients with metastatic colorectal cancer can safely avoid surgery on their primary tumors.
• A trial compares common adjuvant treatments for pancreatic cancer: A phase III trial comparing the adjuvant treatments most commonly used for pancreatic cancer in the United States and Europe, gemcitabine (Gemzar, Eli Lilly and Company) and 5-FU/FA, respectively, found that there is no difference in survival between the two regimens, though gemcitabine was associated with fewer side effects.
• The largest study to date on anal cancer supports the current standard: A phase III study finds that the current standard of care for anal cancer should not be changed, and that ongoing maintenance therapy after initial treatment is not effective.
• Oxaliplatin does not improve outcomes for rectal cancer: Adding oxaliplatin (Eloxatin, Sanofi-Aventis) to standard treatment in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer does not improve tumor response. However, a preliminary analysis seems to suggests that the treatment may reduce distant metastases.

For more information:

• American Society of Clinical Oncology
• 2009 ASCO annual meeting abstracts

Reference:

• Medical-Oncology (at Boomja.com)