Molecular Pathology Laboratory Network

Congress passed an FY 2012 omnibus spending bill that includes a nearly $300 million increase in research funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The proposal also protects funding for cancer prevention and control programs at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).Christopher W. Hansen, president of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) commented:

Liandong Ma and colleagues with Eli Lilly and company presented Phase I data at the 53rd Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH) on a potential selective targeted therapy LY2784544 for certain myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs). The janus kinase 2 (JAK2) mutation found in patients with MPN constantly activates cells causing proliferation and resistance to apoptosis.

Breast cancer treatment decisions are usually based on one biopsy of the primary tumor. New research indicates changes in hormonal marker status occur throughout the course of disease. Estrogen (ER) or progesterone (PR) hormone receptor status in breast cancer patients undergoing multiple relapses may require a change in treatment management.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Xalkori® (crizotinib) for late stage advanced or metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with Vysis ALK Break Apart FISH Probe Kit. The FDA's accelerated approval program allows drug approval for serious diseases and provides earlier access to patients for new drugs shown to provide clinical benefit. This is the second companion diagnostic and targeted therapy approved by the FDA this year.