This Week in the News
PC Research on Columbia
February 2, 2003: Columbia Space Shuttle mission included prostate cancer research - Along with more than 70 scientists back on Earth, the crew of the ill-fated Columbia conducted scientific experiments, including research of prostate cancer cells in weightlessness.
Also see: Emory researcher loses project in shuttle disaster - researchers hoped to use the zero-gravity environment to grow prostate cancer cells and bone stroma, or tissue framework.
January 29, 2003: Space Research - News on Columbia's progess with prostate cancer research.
PC Awareness
February 2, 2003: Coast-to-Coast in England for PC Awareness - Ian Smith from Ontario, Canada recounts several prominent points from his memorable journey.
January 31, 2003: Tournament to also benefit prostate cancer research and treatment - Virginia Governor announces the selection of Richmond, Va., as host site for the inaugural $1.5 million Jacobs Cup world championship of bass fishing and outdoor show Sept. 10-13.
Prevention
January 30, 2003: Massachusetts plan includes cuts for prostate cancer prevention programs - Lt. Gov Kerry Healey unveils details of Gov. Mitt Romney budget cuts to help close budget gap.
January 29, 2003: Prostate Cancer Thrives on Ignorance, Fear - article from the Wasington Post on prostate cancer in minorities, proposed legistation on prevention and the push for prostate cancer awareness.
January 22, 2003: Disease prevention urged - Health secretary, Tommy Thompson, says insurance firms focus too much on treatment; urges Congress to promote prevention.
PC Research in the News
January 31, 2003: AVI BioPharma receives $250,000 NCI grant to study prostate cancer usings its proprietary Neugene antisense drugs.
January 30, 2003: Neutron Brachytherapy - Promising new cancer treatment developed by Isotron and the Dept. of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory will help treat nearly 20 different types of cancer, including prostate cancer.
January 29, 2003: Interleukin-6 Receptor - news from Melbourne, Austrialia regarding proteins involved in the development of various diseases including prostate cancer.
January 28, 2003: African-Americans and clinical trials - article about the need for more African-American men to get involved with clinical trials.
January 27, 2003: Federal health agency gives $30M to center for 'nutrogenomics' - The National Center of Excellence in Nutritional Genomics receives grant to study disproportionately high incidences and death rates in minority populations from chronic diseases including prostate cancer.
Pharmaceutical News
February 1, 2003: Business news on Praecis Pharmaceuticals - Article includes brief information about plans for resubmission of its previously delayed application for Plenaxis to the FDA.
January 30, 2003: Celgene to begin Phase II Clinical trial of ACTIMID - Celgene has identified prostate cancer as the first solid tumor target indication for ACTIMID and expects to initiate a Phase II clinical trial of ACTIMID in metastatic hormone-refractory prostate cancer this quarter.
Testosterone Replacement Therapy
January 31, 2003: Testosterone Replacement Therapy - Federal advisers meet to determine if testosterone replacement therapy is beneficial for aging men; older men have begun using various forms of testosterone in hopes of reversing the aging process.
PC Surgery
February 1, 2003: UCLA study finds surgeon experience level critical - As reported in the Feb. 1 issue of the Journal of Clinical Oncology, experience of a surgeon impacts significantly on the success of prostate cancer surgery.
Alternative/Complementary Medicine
January 30, 2003: Red Clover Found to be Best Alternative Therapy for Treating Enlarged Prostate - reivew of article published in the current issue of Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine by Aaron Katz, M.D.
January 29, 2003: Doctors consider meditation as medicine - article about researchers at Duke University studying the benefits of meditation, including the ease of pain in men with prostate cancer.
January 29, 2003: Prostate Cancer Survivors May Benefit From Soy - report on the February edition of Tufts University's Health & Nutrition Letter that concludes soyfoods and supplements are reasonable.
Life after Diagnosis
January 29, 2003: Most Prostate Cancer Survivors Not Adversely Affected by Diagnosis - review of a recent study by researchers at the University of Connecticut.
Atrazine
February 1, 2003: EPAs preliminary ruling on controversial weedkiller atrazine - EPA agency reaffirming a 2-year-old conclusion by a scientific panel that atrazine is not a human carcinogen; a study of the St. Gabriel plant's work force showed a higher-than-expected rate of prostate cancer among employees, suggesting a possible atrazine-cancer link.
Also see: The Environmental Protection Agency gave a provisional green light Friday to farmers' continued use of the herbicide atrazine.