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(University of Iowa) Essential to good health, vitamin D requires activation to function properly in the body. Until recently, this activation was thought to occur primarily in the kidneys. A new study finds it can occur in lung airway cells. The investigation also links the vitamin D produced in the lung airway cells to activation of infection-fighting genes.

CuraGen Corporation (Nasdaq: CRGN) announced preliminary data from an ongoing Phase II trial of CR011-vcMMAE, an antibody-drug conjugate that targets GPNMB, for the treatment of patients with unresectable Stage III or Stage IV melanoma. Dr. Patrick Hwu, Co-Principal Investigator, and Professor and Chairman of the Department of Melanoma Medical Oncology, at The University of Texas M. D.

Linda Creed, an affiliate of Public health Management Corporation (PHMC), was recently awarded the American cancer Society's Project Award for their program "A Day in the Life of the breast Cancer Research Laboratoryâ?¦A Workshop for Breast Cancer Advocates." "A Day in the Life underscores the importance of a grassroots network of volunteers to the success of American Cancer Society initiatives," explains Marie DeStefano, RN, president, American Cancer Society Southeast Region.

About one-half of men and one-third of women in the United States will receive a cancer diagnosis during their lifetimes. That diagnosis often comes with little warning. After a cancer diagnosis, patients may feel anxious, afraid or overwhelmed and wonder how they can cope during the days to come. MayoClinic.com suggests some ways to cope: -- Get the facts about the cancer diagnosis. Try to obtain as much basic, useful information as possible.

If you have a cough that won't go away, feel out of breath and more tired than normal or have lost weight but don't know why - see your doctor straight away as it could be the early signs of lung cancer. November is Lung cancer Awareness Month and the aim of this year's campaign is to raise awareness about the importance of early detection - it really can save your life.

Adding an artificial tumor-specific receptor to immune system cells called T-lymphocytes that target a particular virus extended and improved the cells' ability to fight a form of childhood cancer called neuroblastoma, said researchers form Baylor College of medicine and Texas Children's hospital in a report that appears online today in the journal Nature medicine. "This is a way to convert a naturally occurring problem into a benefit in treating cancer," said Dr.

The Center for health Enhancement Systems Studies (CHESS) has been awarded a second grant from the National cancer Institute, (NCI) a division of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), to continue its role as a leader in cancer communication research. The five-year, $8.6 million grant for the Center of Excellence in Cancer Communication Research II (CECCR II) will investigate problems associated with cancer communication in a rapidly changing communication environment.

A call to explore a broader use of HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccines and the validation of a simple oral screening test for HPV-caused oral cancers are reported in two studies by a Johns Hopkins Kimmel cancer Center investigator. Leading HPV expert Maura Gillison, M.D., Ph.D.

(American Association for cancer Research) The CTRC-AACR San Antonio breast Cancer Symposium features the latest findings in laboratory, translational and clinical breast cancer research. This year's meeting focuses on new and promising therapeutic approaches, as well as strides being made in diagnosing and preventing breast cancer.

DxS Ltd, a personalised medicine company and leader in the provision of companion diagnostics, have today announced an agreement with US-based Oncology diagnostic and biopharmaceutical services company AltheaDx, Inc., which will provide US study centres with access to DxS' K-RAS mutation detection assays. The deal will see AltheaDx use DxS's K-RAS Mutation Test Kit to support clinical research where cancer patients are assessed for their K-RAS mutation status.