Oncology News

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network Oncology Research Program announced it awarded a grant to study the efficacy of an immunotherapeutic drug and other therapeutic methods as it relates to hepatocellular carcinoma.

A data linkage study from New South Wales, Australia showed hepatitis B-associated hepatocellular carcinoma rates declined in recent years, whereas hepatitis C-associated HCC rates increased.

Using CT and gadolinium ethoxybenzyl-diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid enhanced MRI to determine remnant functional liver volume can predict morbidity after hepatic resection due to hepatocellular carcinoma, according to a study published in Hepatology Research.

Discovering links between hepatocellular carcinoma and direct-acting antivirals, exploring risk factors for HCC, conducting clinical trials of new medications for the disease — these are just some of the ways researchers are working towards finding a cure for liver cancer. Hepatocellular carcinoma — according to one report — will take 27,000 lives this year and another 40,000 cases will be diagnosed. Earlier this year, the Annual Report to the Nation on the Status of Cancer reported deaths by hepatocellular carcinoma held the highest rate of all common cancers between 2003 and 2012.

October is Liver Cancer Awareness Month, and Bayer and the American Liver Foundation announced the third consecutive year of a shared initiative to draw attention to the disease, according to a press release.

Magnetic resonance imaging — as opposed to ultrasound — offers a significantly greater chance of detecting hepatocellular carcinoma early, according to a prospective surveillance study published in JAMA Oncology.

The Asian Liver Center and twoXAR announced a new cooperation in treating hepatocellular carcinoma, with the ultimate goal of finding an alternative to Nexavar.

Elderly patients with hepatocellular carcinoma taking sorafenib fared as well as younger patients, according to results published in the European Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology.

Allergan plc announced agreements with two different biopharmaceutical companies — a move it said significantly increases its nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and gastrointestinal research and development capacities.

Blueprint Medicines Corporation announced a new drug discovery program intended for patients with a rare form of liver cancer, according to a press release issued by the company.