ASCO 43rd Annual Conference Jun 1-5, 2007
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Agreed, Jeff. There are several brilliant minds working tirelessly to find an answer. I wish they had already found it, but I’m encouraged to see the forward progression as well as the dedication. I have faith that one day we’ll have a break through. Maybe our break through will fuel all the other cancers as well…
My best to you, Jeff.
Hi Sara …. Thanks for the ASCO links. I really think the world of oncology is moving in the right direction. Many different approaches being taken is good.
Jeff G.Another thing that I found interesting were some of the trials involving bevacizumab (Avastin). There were a couple of different cancer types that looked at the benefit of including bevacizumab with the chemo regime. I know colon cancer was one, and I believe lung cancer was another. There was an increase in overall survival witnessed in these studies, but I believe these were retroactive studies so there should be more data to come in the future. (based on randomized samples)
I’m editing this post to say that I’m not suggesting there is a link between the findings from the colon and lung cancer studies and treating cholangio. I’m just saying the oncologists are starting to see evidence that bevacizumab may offer benefits when combined with chemotherapy. Hopefully this will ring true for cholangio as well, but there has not been a study conducted to give any evidence to this hope…
Jeff –
ASCO really offers some great resources. Another fantastic resource that ASCO provides is the People Living With Cancer website. (http://www.plwc.org) I had the opportunity to meet with several ASCO members who work with advocates, and they are doing some great things.
In regards to cholangio trials that were presented at ASCO, there were few. But I thought I’d link some of the abstracts that I did have the opportunity to see and visit with the main authors. I hope these links work:
Somatic mutations of EGFR signal transducers and expression of tumor suppressor PTEN in biliary tract carcinoma.
http://www.asco.org/portal/site/ASCO/menuitem.34d60f5624ba07fd506fe310ee37a01d/?vgnextoid=76f8201eb61a7010VgnVCM100000ed730ad1RCRD&vmview=abst_detail_view&confID=47&abstractID=33293Phase II study of gemcitabine, oxaliplatin in combination with bevacizumab (GEMOX-
in patients with unresectable or metastatic biliary tract and gallbladder cancers.
http://www.asco.org/portal/site/ASCO/menuitem.34d60f5624ba07fd506fe310ee37a01d/?vgnextoid=76f8201eb61a7010VgnVCM100000ed730ad1RCRD&vmview=abst_detail_view&confID=47&abstractID=36038SWOG 0514: A phase II study of sorafenib (BAY 43-9006) as single agent in patients (pts) with unresectable or metastatic gallbladder cancer or cholangiocarcinomas.
http://www.asco.org/portal/site/ASCO/menuitem.34d60f5624ba07fd506fe310ee37a01d/?vgnextoid=76f8201eb61a7010VgnVCM100000ed730ad1RCRD&vmview=abst_detail_view&confID=47&abstractID=35266What’s interesting is the study presented on liver cancer and sorafenib. Liver cancer patients treated with sorafenib experienced a greater overall survival. (median overall survival increased from 7.9 months to 10.7 months) This increase in overall survival was significant enough that sorafenib is being contemplated to be the first line of treatment for liver cancer. However, studies involving sorafenib and cholangio did not see similar benefits. I have a question into one of the doctors asking him to elaborate on this further, as the study on liver cancer is probably very different from the study on cholangio. As soon as I get an answer, I’ll update this message thread. In the mean time, here’s the study on liver cancer:
Sorafenib improves survival in advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC): Results of a Phase III randomized placebo-controlled trial (SHARP trial)
http://www.asco.org/portal/site/ASCO/menuitem.34d60f5624ba07fd506fe310ee37a01d/?vgnextoid=76f8201eb61a7010VgnVCM100000ed730ad1RCRD&vmview=abst_detail_view&confID=47&abstractID=32716Jeff
Thanks for your comments. Yes I see where you are coming from and I do agree that CC patients may ultimately benefit from drugs being developed for other cancer types. I get a bit frustrated sometimes that CC is generally neglected/ignored by cancer drug developers but I guess that’s the way market forces work. Sorry if my previous comments were a bit negative.
Geoff
Hi Geoff, I don’t mean this post to be confrontational what-so- ever, but I look at any /all actions being taken to support finding a cure for cancer as advancement. FDA recently approving a new drug even if not CC specific gives me hope for the future as that new drug may work as stand-alone or in combination with another drug for someone with CC. History of oncology from how I see it, is that drugs previously used for one type of cancer has gradually been approved for other cancer types and has shown better results for some people even remission for others. I find the news that 50-60 of my U.S. Senators signed a letter going to the appropriations committe supporting a funding increase of 6.7% for the NIH and NCI a good thing. I found that the Advocacy tools on the ASCO site to be impressive. I myself did not know that tool was available. No Geoff I did not see anything specific right now news for Cholangiocarcinoma. However I guess I’m looking at a broader picture as well as whats happening now. I feel finding a cure or a new chemo combatant there has to be many tools working at the same time. U.S. Senate awareness, additional funding, FDA approvals. Getting a new Chemo drug available, to me means basic marketing has to take place. Researching, testing, promoting awareness to the public. It takes lobbying and advocacy of the people, and the pharmacuetical companies. It takes government cooperation, support and initiative. Also organizations such as Cholangiocarcinoma.ORG and many many others are contributing immensley to this process. This site and others have really allowed the education of battling cancer to get to so many who have been blind-sided with such a terrible disease. Geoff, I am so sorry for going on like this, as I would like to see tomorrow and the next day just like you. Looking at the big picture and seeing all the contributaries just keeps me in a some what positive state of mind. Yes, I wish they would plug in to my port-a cath tomorrow and fill me full of the magic solution. I will continue to have hope until my demise but I will also accept reality as it is today. Again I’m sorry for getting on my soap box and yes venting my frustrations. My intentions was not to offend anyone in any shape or form. God Bless!
Jeff G.Like everyone on this site I’m desperate for good news regarding new breakthroughs and trials. But I saw my UK oncologist last week, after his return from the ASCO conference, and he told me there was nothing new in relation to cholangiocarcinoma. And I must admit I can’t see anything after a brief look at Jeff’s link. Am I missing something ?
Geoff
This is very welcome news, that they’re making headway in some way – very encouraging. Thanks for sharing, Jeff! As someone else on this board said, you are an inspiration to us all!
– JoyceA lot of new information to digest at the following site: http://www.asco.org/portal/site/ASCO
Jeff G.
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