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The positive opinion includes important survival data from the AZA-001 trial in higher-risk MDS patients. The CHMP, which reviews applications for all 27 Member States in the European Union (EU) as well as Norway and Iceland, has recommended approval for azacitidine. The CHMP's positive opinion will be forwarded to the European Commission, which generally follows the recommendation of the CHMP and typically issues final marketing approval within two to three months.

Calando Pharmaceuticals, a majority-owned subsidiary of Arrowhead Research Corporation (NASDAQ:ARWR), announced today completion of the IT-101 Phase I clinical study conducted at City of Hope in Duarte, California. The company expects the entire study data to be published in early 2009. IT-101 is an experimental, nanoparticle therapeutic that consists of the drug camptothecin (CPT) conjugated to a cyclodextrin polymer.

Patients operated on by surgeons who do not routinely remove cancer from the lungs may be at a higher risk for complications, according to a study conducted by researchers at Duke University Medical Center. "Our study found that hospitals that do higher volumes of these types of surgeries have correspondingly lower mortality rates than those who do fewer of the procedures," said Andrew Shaw, M.D., an anesthesiologist at Duke and lead investigator on the study.

(Mayo Clinic) Viruses -- long regarded solely as disease agents -- now are being used in therapies for cancer. Concerns over the safety of these so-called oncolytic viruses stem from their potential to damage healthy tissues. Now Mayo Clinic researchers have discovered a way of controlling the viruses behind potential cancer therapeutics.

(Catholic University) Researchers from the John Innes Centre in Norwich, Great Britain, in collaboration with other European centers participating to the FLORA project, have obtained genetically modified tomatoes rich in anthocyanins, a category of antioxidants belonging to the class of flavonoids. These tomatoes, added to the diet of cancer-prone mice, showed a significant protective effect by extending the mice lifespan. The research has been published in the Oct. 26 issue of Nature Biotechnology.

HealthDay - SUNDAY, Oct. 26 (HealthDay News) -- Tomatoes genetically modified to be rich in antioxidants called anthocyanins appeared to extend the life spans of cancer-prone mice, a European study finds.

Reuters - A purple tomato genetically engineered to contain nutrients more commonly seen in dark berries helped prevent cancer in mice, British researchers said on Sunday.

AFP - Singer Kylie Minogue's public battle with breast cancer prompted more women to have screening checks, even though some of these were ineffective, an Australian expert said Monday.