Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Large Studies ID Other Genes Linked To Breast Cancer
AP: New Studies Clarify Which Genes May Raise Breast Cancer Risk
Two large studies give a much sharper picture of which inherited mutations raise the risk of breast cancer for women without a family history of the disease, and how common these flawed genes are in the general population. Doctors say the results published Wednesday by the New England Journal of Medicine can help women make better decisions about screening, preventive surgery or other steps. (Marchione, 1/20)
In other cancer news —
News-Medical.net: Cancer Patients Have Higher Risk Of Severe COVID -19 Infection Than Non-Cancer Patients
Patients with inactive cancer and not currently undergoing treatments also face a significantly higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19, a new study from Penn Medicine published online today in JNCI Cancer Spectrum shows. Past reports have established an increased risk of severe disease and death for sick or hospitalized cancer patients with COVID-19 compared to patients without cancer, but less is known about patients in the general population. (1/21)
FierceBiotech: How A Gene Linked To The Circadian Clock Could Point To New Prostate Cancer Treatments
Studies have shown that disruptions in circadian rhythms caused by chronic sleep deprivation and other lifestyle-related issues are linked to an increased incidence of some cancers, including prostate cancer. Researchers at Sidney Kimmel Cancer - Jefferson Health (SKCC) analyzed that connection and landed on a circadian clock gene that seems to play a major role in prostate cancer progression. They believe their findings could inspire new treatments that target the gene, which is called CRY1, they reported in the journal Nature Communications. (Weintraub, 1/15)
News-Medical.net: Eliminating Key Gene Could Revive Exhausted Immune Cells To Battle Solid Tumors
Eliminating a single gene can turn exhausted cancer-fighting immune cells known as CD8+ T cells back into refreshed soldiers that can continue to battle malignant tumors, a new study led by UT Southwestern researchers suggests. The findings, published online this week in the Journal for Immunotherapy of Cancer, could offer a new way to harness the body's immune system to attack cancers. (1/20)
Modern Healthcare: CMS Finalizes Blood-Based Colon Cancer Screening Coverage
CMS has finalized a memo describing criteria for the coverage of blood-based colorectal cancer screening tests. The agency did deny coverage for Epigenomics' Epi ProColon assay, citing issues with sensitivity. The decision could impact companies developing genomic and epigenomic blood tests for colorectal cancer including Guardant Health, Freenome, and Exact Sciences. The draft national coverage decision memo, which was issued last October, has retained its main conclusions largely unchanged apart from the removal of a requirement for covered tests to be included in professional society guidelines or recommended by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. (1/20)
Also —
Houston Chronicle: Another Cancer Cluster Found In Houston Neighborhood
Another cancer cluster in Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens has been identified by a state investigation in a newly released report, which found that children contracted leukemia at nearly five times the expected rate of the general population. The Department of State Health Services report found the number of cases of leukemia in children was significantly higher in one census tract in particular -- a stretch of land where state environmental records show a toxic plume is located beneath more than 100 homes. Mayor Sylvester Turner, as well as current and former residents of the neighborhood, are asking for accountability from those responsible for the pollution. (Dellinger, 1/20)
The New York Times: A Living Legacy In Pediatric Cancer Research
Approximately 85 percent of children with cancer are cured. However, about 15 percent confront the sort of aggressive disease that cut short the life of Tyler Trent at the age of 20 on Jan. 1, 2019. “One hundred years down the line, maybe my legacy could have an impact”: so Tyler said about his efforts to raise awareness of the need for further research in pediatric oncology. Two years after his death, Tyler’s physicians continue to help incurable as well as cured children lead longer and better lives. (Gubar, 1/21)
