The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has given clearance to Ikonisys’ oncoFISH HER2 test, a fully computerized microscopy application to determine HER2 status in human specimens of breast cancer developed with Abbott’s PathVysion® HER2 DNA Probe Kit. The company’s proprietary CellOptics® platform which features the Ikoniscope® drives the test by providing an earlier and precise indication for amplification of gene. This diagnosis reveals whether a patient is a candidate for Herceptin (trastuzumab) treatment. Higher quantity of HER2 protein can lead to rapid growth of tumor, resistance to some types of treatment, prolonged illness and reduced survival period.

The joint venture of Biocon in Abu Dhabi, NeoBiocon has launched Abraxane, the drug for breast cancer, based on nanotechnology, in the UAE. Developed by Abraxis BioScience, Inc., Abraxane will be marketed in South Asia and West Asia by Biocon,  as per the agreement they signed in 2007. The drug will be effective for patients who did not benefit from combination therapy. A chemotherapy agent, the drug combines paclitaxel with a naturally occurring human protein, albumin. The drug can be delivered without the use of solvents, allowing for a higher dosage. Also, the time to administer is 6 times lesser.

A research conducted at Wayne State University has found a breast cancer vaccine that completely eliminates cancers that are resistant to current anti-HER2 therapy - without any toxicity in mice. The study suggests the vaccine could treat women with HER2-positive breast cancer. The vaccine has the potential to eliminate the need to depend on use of current therapies. It consists of naked DNA - genes that produce the HER2 receptor along with an immune stimulant.

Pro-Pharmaceuticals Inc., on the 30th of August, 2008, announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted an Investigational New Drug (IND) application for use of DAVANAT® in combination with 5-FU to treat a patient of breast cancer at the Brown Cancer Center in Louisville, Kentucky. Also, DAVANAT is being administered in Phase II clinical trials for first-line treatment of colorectal and biliary cancer patients. Studies showed that DAVANAT®, when given along with chemotherapy, reduced tumor growth and toxicity considerably in mice implanted with metastatic human breast cancer. It also lowered the levels of side effects.

Xoft Inc. has received clearance from the FDA for applicators to be used with the Axxent electronic brachytherapy system for the treatment of endometrial cancer. Previously cleared for accelerated treatment of early stage breast cancer, the system also recently received expanded approval for use in the treatment of other cancers or conditions where radiation therapy is indicated. The system that delivers electronic, X-ray-based radiation treatment may reduce external radiation therapy from seven weeks to five days.

According to the Wichita Eagle, the operating funds of the Kansas Early Detection Works program, which provides uninsured low-income women in the state with breast cancer and cervical cancer screenings at no cost, have depleted, resulting in a delay of almost all cancer screenings until July 1. The program officials have, however, reserved some funding for women who display symptoms of breast or cervical cancer. Apart from receiving about $2.3 million per annum from CDC, the program receives some funding from the state and the Mid-Kansas affiliate of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation.

The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) is set to honor individuals who have consistently worked towards making tremendous advancements in the field of cancer. Among those being rewarded for their lifetime commitment to improving the lives of people living with cancer are Dr. Jordan, the first scientist to demonstrate tamoxifen’s effectiveness in the prevention of breast cancer, and Mary-Claire King, who was the first to provide proof of the genetic inheritance of breast cancer.