For a glimpse into what your oncologist can learn about prostate cancer this fall check out the agenda for this October 31, 2009 conference. Unfortunately, for prostate cancer this learning session reflects no rapid advancements in standard of care. But if your oncologist falls beneath this standard, find someone better:

Androgen-deprivation therapy is well-established for treating prostate cancer but is associated with bone loss and an increased risk of fracture. Matthew R. Smith and an international team investigated the effects of denosumab, a fully human monoclonal antibody against receptor activator of nuclear factor-{kappa}B ligand, on bone mineral density and fractures in men receiving androgen-deprivation therapy for nonmetastatic prostate cancer. In today’s New England Journal of Medicine, August 20, they report positive results:

Hispanics who move to the USA increase their risk of several types of cancer within the first generation. Increased risk of prostate, colorectal and endometrial cancer affect people who move to the USA from Cuba, Mexico, Puerto Rico and other Latin American nations, according to a study published August 1, 2009 in Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention.

Some cancers such as stomach cancer that are common in the countries of origin become less of a threat; but first generation Hispanic/Latino immigrants may find themselves at risk for types of cancer which never affected their families in the old country.

James Watson, the scientist who was one of the discoverers of the double-helical structure of DNA, says in an op-ed today that the National Cancer Institute (NCI) is “a largely rudderless ship in dire need of a bold captain.” Aside from that, Watson is optimistic:

Proton beam therapy for prostate cancer, a treatment that attracts more than an average numbers of engineers, scientists and pilots, is coming under intense scrutiny from reporters who expect it to be questioned by the Obama adminstration’s health-care reform team.

Drop Everything and fight cancers below the waist! is the slogan of Underwear Affair, a fundraising and awareness event initiated in Canada and now reaching Los Angeles and beyond.

People hit the streets of Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal, Toronto and Los Angeles dressed in everything from briefs and boy-shorts to t-shirts and tracksuits to help fund life-saving research for cancers like prostate, colorectal, cervical, ovarian, and others that occur below the waist.

Runners and walkers of all ages and athletic abilities join in dressed for hilarious fun. After the races, the Underwear Affair party features dancing and an outrageous costume contest.

For video of last year’s event in Vancouver …

Michigan voters legalized medical marijuana last year. Rules for the program went into effect Saturday. In Los Angeles the law remains an obstacle but a federal judge is unhappy with the law. In New York City, Mayor Michael Bloomberg is opposed but three Democratic candidates for district attorney have declared in favor of legalization for patients.

Hyam Levitsky

A four part interview with  Hy Levitsky M.D., professor of oncology and tumor immunology at Johns Hopkins Medical School and co-inventor GVAX anti-cancer vaccine, is posted on Dendreon Investor Village website.

Interview conducted by rufustoehee, a dentist and Dendreon investor, published 4/22/2009.

By way of introduction, Dr Levitsky’s bio is posted alphabetically downpage among those of other speakers at Cancer Immunology & Immunotherapy 2008: From Discovery to Development to Drug.

EXCERPTS FROM INTERVIEW

Conversation with Dr. Levitsky Part 1
“. . . . how this impacts on the field of tumor immunology, I feel it will very much depend on the nature of the data they present, assuming for the sake of discussion, that this is an unequivocal and unambiguous win, then I think it will have a very significant impact. Number one, I think that unless there are aspects to this that have not been made public, I think the FDA would in this instance need to move it forward in the approval process and I think that how it ultimately gets integrated into clinical practice will be a fascinating thing to watch.

“. . . . It is important to acknowledge that tumor response is a surrogate endpoint. It is a surrogate endpoint for perhaps 2 other endpoints that might be more meaningful. One is overall survival which is the gold standard and the other perhaps is the quality of life. No one can argue that those two things have sort of the paramount importance where as to an objective 50% or greater reduction in the mean diameter of all measurable tumor masses is an interesting yard stick, but it is only a yard stick.”

Kurt Donsbach, 73, who markets supplements including some for conditions of the prostate, was arrested April 8 during his internet radio show “Let’s Talk Health” on a warrant charging him with 11 felonies including treating patients without a license, misbranding drugs for sale, grand theft, unlawfully dispensing drugs as a cure for cancer and falsely representing a cure for cancer. Bail was set at $1,500,000.

A San Diego news site reports: “District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis said that Kurt Walter Donsbach, 73, “preyed on vulnerable patients who were looking for medical help.”

Arraigned April 13, Donsbach plead not guilty in San Diego’s downtown Superior Court. Bail was lowered to $250,00.

Discovery & Challenge: The State of Prostate Cancer Research
A Roundtable Discussion with Leading U.S. Experts

Alvin Chin, Prostate Cancer Survivor & Advocate, Virginia Prostate Coalition, joins  oncologists Howard Scher MD, Donald S. Coffey, PhD,  Peter S. Nelson, MD and representatives from research and the Pharma industry  for a round table discussion April 23.

You can make your voice heard by joining the conference by phone and emailing questions during the Q&A period.

Hosted by the Prostate Cancer Foundation, this round table discussion will feature commentary from eight U.S. experts in the field of prostate cancer research and treatment. The program will focus on the following areas:

* The current prevalence of prostate cancer
* Reaching beyond the PSA screening debate
* Promising scientific breakthroughs
* Challenges ahead for research and discovery
* Funding for continued research
* Models for furthering progress

WHERE:
The National Press Club – First Amendment Lounge
529 14th Street NW, Washington D.C.

and via telephone access