December 2009

Ramucirumab is an investigational immunoglobin G1 (IgG1) monoclonal antibody (mAb) currently under development. It uses only human cells, allowing it to avoid many of the adverse effects associated with murine or chimeric mAbs. Ramucirumab binds to human VEGFR-2, thus blocking VEGF binding and thwarting the angiogenic process.

Capsule summaries of current issues and developments in breast cancer, kidney disease, supportive care, and melanoma are presented, as well as timely updates on FDA actions and approvals.

A selection of essays and articles that discusses such issues as breast cancer screening recommendations, the oncologist's role in how mass media reports about cancer, patients' increased risk of cancer from CT scans, insomnia in cancer patients, and the association of advanced care planning with more practical coping skills in patients with hematologic malignancies.

The National Cancer Institute, in collaboration with the CDC and the American Cancer Society, recently reported that fewer men and women are dying from cancer each year in the United States.