Health News

Children With Leukemia Have New Rx
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common blood cancer found in children. It’s diagnosed in nearly 3,000 children in the United States every year and can progress quickly if left untreated. These kids now have a new treatment option.
FDA Approves Gleevec for Children With Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
The US Food and Drug Administration today approved a new use of Gleevec ( imatinib ) to treat children newly diagnosed with Philadelphia chromosome positive ( Ph +) acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).
Cancer Trends Nobody’s Talking About
The cancer statistical bibles have been released this year. The American Cancer Society focused on the outstanding news – that cancer deaths declined 20 percent between 1991 and 2009. What wasn’t mentioned is the rising number of different types of cancers and increasing numbers of deaths estimated for this year – 2013.
New Vaccine Recommendation for Adults
Adults with certain immune system conditions often require different recommendations for the vaccines they can and should receive. A new vaccine has been added to these recommendations.
Age Matters When Treating Leukemia
Unless a child is involved, age usually isn’t considered when prescribing cancer treatment. A new study finds that might need to be changed for certain leukemia patients.
One Rx Better Than Another For Melanoma?
Two medications are approved in the US to treat advanced melanoma. Zelboraf ( vemurafenib ) was approved in September, 2012. DTIC-Dome ( dacarbazine ) is used to treat Hodgkin's lymphoma as well as melanoma. Which is the better medication?
The Wild Card in Lymphoma
Cancer in one person can behave very differently than it might in another person. That’s because each person’s genes are unique. So some new cancer treatments can target the individual’s unique genetic fingerprint. Scientists are exploring possible new targets in lymphoma.
Rx Shortages Affecting Kids With Cancer
There has been a shortage of certain medications for about three years now. Particularly hard hit have been generic injectable drugs. The shortage of one medication has affected kids with cancer.
At the Heart of Genetic Shenanigans
There has been lots of really good news about a rare blood cancer. Several new drugs have been approved to treat all stages of chronic myeloid leukemia ( CML ). There’s also work happening to go after the disease at deeper levels.
Experimental Blood Cancer Rx is Showing Positive Results
There is excellent news for people with mantle cell lymphoma, a rare blood cancer. An experimental drug is demonstrating impressive results in a phase II clinical trial. But this is a limited research study, and the product is not yet available.