Supportive Care News

Yoga Improves Sleep Quality in Cancer Survivors (September 11, 2013)

Cancer survivors who participated in a special yoga program reported better sleep quality and less reliance on sleep medication, according to the results of a study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. Sleep problems and fatigue are among the... Continue Reading

Antidepressant Cymbalta May Reduce Pain from Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy (May 24, 2013)

The antidepressant Cymbalta® (duloxetine) appears to reduce the numbness and tingling associated with taxane or platinum-based chemotherapy, according to the results of a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Peripheral... Continue Reading

Neulasta Significantly Reduces Febrile Neutropenia Among Colorectal Cancer Patients Receiving Chemotherapy Plus Avasatin (February 25, 2013)

Neulasta® (pegfilgrastim) significantly reduced the incidence of grade 3/4 febrile neutropenia among patients with locally advanced or metastatic colorectal cancer who received chemotherapy with FOLFOX or FOLFIRI followed by Avastin® (bevacizumab),... Continue Reading

Exercise Reduces Cancer-Related Fatigue (November 30, 2012)

Aerobic exercise can relieve the fatigue associated with cancer and its treatment, according to an updated systematic review published in The Cochrane Library. Fatigue is one of the most common side effects of cancer and its treatment. There are many... Continue Reading

Naproxen May Relieve Bone Pain Associated with Neulasta (August 2, 2012)

Twice-daily naproxen is effective in reducing the incidence and severity of bone pain associated with the use of Neulasta® (pegfilgrastim), according to the results of a study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. Neulasta is a blood cell growth... Continue Reading

Nplate Produces Rapid Response in Adults with ITP (December 20, 2011)

Among adults with low platelet counts or bleeding symptoms from primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), treatment with Nplate® (romiplostim) produces a rapid increase in platelet counts. These results were presented at the 53rd Annual Meeting of the American... Continue Reading

Flaxseed Not Effective Against Hot Flashes (June 7, 2011)

Flaxseed does not reduce hot flashes among postmenopausal women. These results were presented at the 2011 annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology. Menopause—when menstrual cycles end and ovarian hormone production drops dramatically—produces... Continue Reading

Fish Oil May Help Patients Maintain Weight During Chemotherapy (March 8, 2011)

Fish oil, taken as a dietary supplement, may help prevent muscle and weight loss among cancer patients who are undergoing chemotherapy. These findings were reported in the journal Cancer. Loss of muscle and weight is a potential side effect of chemotherapy... Continue Reading

Xgeva Reduces Bone Complications From Prostate Cancer (February 25, 2011)

Among men with bone metastases from prostate cancer, Xgeva™ (denosumab) was more effective than Zometa® (zoledronic acid) at delaying or preventing bone complications such as fracture. Results from this Phase III clinical trial were published in The... Continue Reading

ASCO Calls for Improved Palliative Care (February 9, 2011)

The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) has released a new policy statement that calls for improvement of quality of life among patients with advanced disease (defined here as incurable disease). Specifically, these measures aim to increase... Continue Reading

Latest Supportive Care News By Stage

Management and Prevention of Anemia Supportive Care

Exercise Reduces Chemotherapy-related Fatigue (October 21, 2009)

Exercise reduces fatigue and improves strength, physical functioning, and emotional well-being in men and women undergoing chemotherapy, according to the results of a study published in the British Medical Journal.[1] While exercise has long been associated... Continue Reading

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Management and Prevention of Anorexia and Weight Loss Supportive Care

Fish Oil May Help Patients Maintain Weight During Chemotherapy (March 8, 2011)

More Management and Prevention of Anorexia and Weight Loss Supportive Care

Management and Prevention of Bone Complications Supportive Care

Xgeva Reduces Bone Complications From Prostate Cancer (February 25, 2011)

Xgeva Delays Bone Complications in Women with Metastatic Breast Cancer (December 21, 2010)

In a study of women with bone metastases from breast cancer, Xgeva™ (denosumab) delayed bone complications for five months longer than Zometa® (zoledronic acid). These updated results from a Phase III clinical trial were presented at the 2010 San Antonio... Continue Reading

Denosumab Delays Bone Complications in Women with Metastatic Breast Cancer (November 23, 2010)

Among women with bone metastases from breast cancer, denosumab may be more effective than Zometa® (zoledronic acid) at delaying or preventing bone complications such as fracture. The results of this Phase III clinical trial were published in the Journal... Continue Reading

Denosumab More Effective Than Zometa at Delaying Bone Complications (October 15, 2010)

Among patients with multiple myeloma or bone metastases from breast cancer, prostate cancer, or other solid tumors, denosumab was more effective than Zometa® (zoledronic acid) at delaying or preventing bone complications such as fracture. Results from... Continue Reading

Denosumab More Effective Than Zometa in Prostate Cancer Patients with Bone Metastases (February 10, 2010)

Among men with bone metastases from prostate cancer, the investigational drug denosumab was more effective than Zometa® (zoledronic acid) at delaying or preventing bone complications such as fracture. Results from this Phase III clinical trial will... Continue Reading

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Management and Prevention of Fatigue Supportive Care

Yoga Improves Sleep Quality in Cancer Survivors (September 11, 2013)

Exercise Reduces Cancer-Related Fatigue (November 30, 2012)

Yoga Improves Sleep and Quality of Life (May 26, 2010)

A four-week yoga program that included breathing, meditation, postures, and other techniques improved sleep and quality of life among cancer survivors. The results of this study will be presented at the 2010 annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical... Continue Reading

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Management and Prevention of Mucositis Supportive Care

Kepivance Reduces Toxicity of High-dose Therapy for Multiple Myeloma (March 24, 2010)

Among patients undergoing high-dose therapy and autologous stem cell transplantation for multiple myeloma, a three-day short course of Kepivance® (palifermin) reduces the toxicity of treatment. These results were published in the Annals of Oncology. Multiple... Continue Reading

Oral Spray Reduces Mouth Sores (July 21, 2009)

Among patients treated with radiation therapy for head and neck cancer, mouth sores (oral mucositis) were reduced by use of an oral spray containing epidermal growth factor (EGF). These results were published in Cancer. Mouth sores are one of the most... Continue Reading

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Management and Prevention of Nausea and Vomiting Supportive Care

Study Suggests Long-acting Patch that Prevents Nausea and Vomiting Can Be Given in Combination with Intravenous Medication (February 9, 2010)

Use of a combination of Sancuso® (granisetron transdermal system; a patch that delivers granisetron through the skin for up to five days) and intravenous granisetron appears to be safe and feasible. This approach may provide immediate and extended... Continue Reading

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Management and Prevention of Neutropenia Supportive Care

Neulasta Significantly Reduces Febrile Neutropenia Among Colorectal Cancer Patients Receiving Chemotherapy Plus Avasatin (February 25, 2013)

Naproxen May Relieve Bone Pain Associated with Neulasta (August 2, 2012)

Celebrities Stand Up to Cancer (September 14, 2009)

Celebrities and Amgen are joining forces to Stand Up to Cancer™—in the form of a public service campaign designed to educate cancer patients and caregivers about managing the increased risk of infection during cancer treatment. Chemotherapy is an... Continue Reading

Amgen Helps Reduce Out-of-pocket Costs for Neulasta® (July 2, 2009)

Amgen’s Neulasta FIRST STEP™ Program provides assistance to eligible, low-income, commercially-insured chemotherapy patients who need help with their co-insurance or co-payment requirement for Neulasta® (pegfilgrastim). Neulasta is a blood cell growth... Continue Reading

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Management and Prevention of Thrombocytopenia Supportive Care

Nplate Produces Rapid Response in Adults with ITP (December 20, 2011)

Nplate Active for More than Five Years in Adults with Chronic ITP (December 13, 2010)

Nplate® (romiplostim) appears to maintain platelet counts among adult patients with chronic immune (idiopathic) thrombocytopenia purpura (ITP) for more than five years. These results were presented at the 52nd Annual Meeting and Exposition of the American... Continue Reading

Nplate Reduces Treatment Failure and Splenectomy in Patients with ITP (November 17, 2010)

Compared with standard therapies, Nplate® (romiplostim) appears to reduce the risk of treatment failure and need for splenectomy among adult patients with chronic immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). These results were published in the New England Journal... Continue Reading

Nplate Evaluated in Children with Chronic ITP (December 8, 2009)

Among children with chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP; an autoimmune disorder characterized by low platelet counts), treatment with Nplate® (romiplostim) stimulates platelet production and appears to be well tolerated. These results were presented... Continue Reading

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Pain Management Supportive Care

Over Regulation of Opioids May Leave Cancer Patients in Pain (December 2, 2013)

A worldwide trend toward over-regulation of opioid-based painkillers such as morphine and fentanyl is leaving billions of cancer patients to suffer intolerable pain, according to the results of a study published in the Annals of Oncology. Many cancer... Continue Reading

Antidepressant Cymbalta May Reduce Pain from Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy (May 24, 2013)

Acupuncture Relieves Pain, Improves Functioning After Neck Surgery (April 28, 2010)

Acupuncture may reduce pain and improve functioning among patients with cancer who have undergone surgery to the neck, according to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.[1] As well, acupuncture may relieve xerostomia (dry mouth) among... Continue Reading

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