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University of Colorado Cancer Center Clinical Trial Framework Tests ‘Natural’ Cures for Cancer

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Preclinical promise leads to trial of grape seed extract against watch-and-wait prostate cancer.

AURORA, Colo. (PRWEB) May 16, 2017

A University of Colorado Cancer Center clinical trial is now recruiting prostate cancer patients who would otherwise be on a watch-and-wait protocol to test the ability of grape seed extract to slow the rise of prostate-specific antigen (PSA), a common marker of prostate cancer progression. The trial is the result of a series of CU Cancer Center studies demonstrating the promise of grape seed extract in preclinical models of prostate cancer, in collaboration with doctors at University of Colorado Hospital who treat the condition. In addition to testing grape seed extract, the trial provides the framework to test other promising compounds in this setting, potentially including additional compounds derived from natural sources.

“In this window, we would only be watching these patients – our trial is an alternative to observation, not an alternative to treatment – and we’ve shown that grape seed extract is unlikely to cause side effects. So why not take this opportunity to test some of these promising compounds, starting with grape seed extract?” says Paul Maroni, MD, investigator at the CU Cancer Center and associate professor of Surgery at the CU School of Medicine.

The trial will enroll 40 men with asymptomatic, non-metastatic prostate cancer with rising PSA, who will take 150 mg of grape seed extract by mouth twice daily. These men will then be evaluated every 6 weeks for a year to measure the progress of their cancer.

“Our hope it that the PSA will not rise as quickly as it has in the past for this patient,” says Maroni. “If we would expect it to go from 1 to 2 in next six months, but it only goes up to 1.5 in the grape seed extract group, that would be a significant improvement. This might help them avoid needing other treatments with side effects.”

Because prostate cancer tends to be an especially slow-growing form of the disease, it may only take slowing the disease’s acceleration by a small amount to push back the date at which the cancer would be expected to become problematic far past a patient’s predicted lifespan.

“For many prostate cancer patients, the goal is to die with the disease rather than from it. We see the potential for grape seed extract to help us reach this goal,” Maroni says.

His optimism is built largely on the laboratory work of CU Cancer Center investigator Rajesh Agarwal, PhD, professor in the CU Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. Agarwal’s lab has primarily focused on using the tools of molecular medicine to evaluate compounds derived from natural products in the same ways that researchers would evaluate any promising anti-cancer agent.

For example, Agarwal’s 2012 paper in the journal Carcinogenesis shows that grape seed extract creates oxidative stress that damages cancer cell DNA and also interrupts the pathways that would repair this damage (as seen by decreased levels of the DNA repair molecules Brca1 and Rad51 and DNA repair foci). A 2015 paper in the journal Molecular Carcinogenesis looks even closer at this mechanism to show how grape seed extract initiates this oxidative stress, namely by targeting the energy-producing mitochondria in cancer cells. Another 2015 paper, in Current Cancer Drug Targets, shows that grape seed extract targets prostate cancer progenitor cells by slowing their ability to grow new blood vessels needed to supply the cancer with nutrients.

“I think the whole point is that cancer cells have a lot of defective pathways and they are very vulnerable if you target those pathways. The same is not true of healthy cells,” Agarwal says.

The Agarwal lab has followed this line of reasoning to show that grape seed extract does indeed use these mechanisms to slow the growth of cancers in mouse models, setting the stage for the current clinical trial which will test, for the first time, the effect of grape seed extract in human cancer patients.

In fact, ongoing work at the Agarwal lab is unpacking mechanics of a few other compounds derived from natural sources including milk thistle extract and bitter melon.

“Ultimately, if grape seed doesn’t change how we approach these patients, then we’ve built a program to examine other complimentary or low-side-effect medicines. If grape seed extract doesn’t work, we can take this protocol, put in a new background – bitter melon, milk thistle, etc. – and examine that,” Maroni says.

Many drugs currently used against cancer originated from substances found naturally. Now this approach that uses the tools of Western medicine to evaluate what some would consider Eastern ideas may allow doctors to add to this list of naturally-derived compounds that aid our fight against cancer. Reported by PRWeb 7 hours ago.

Coroner identifies 20-year-old man fatally stabbed during fight at Aurora house party

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Authorities have identified the 20-year-old man stabbed to death early Sunday during a fight that broke out during an Aurora house party. Reported by Denver Post 6 hours ago.

Commport Communications International, inc. Supports Expert Panel Recommendations for Ontario's Healthcare Sector Supply Chain

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*AURORA, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - May 16, 2017) -* As a leading provider of Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) and as the only certified Canadian Global Data Synchronization Network data pool, Commport Communications International, inc. ("Commport") was pleased today with the recommendations of the government appointed Expert Panel in their review of Ontario's Healthcare Sector Supply Chain. Reported by Marketwired 4 hours ago.

Aurora launches programs aimed at helping immigrant community start art-related businesses

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The Aurora Cultural Arts District launched the Acadia Project to help refugee artisans start businesses and sell their artwork Reported by Denver Post 2 hours ago.

Aurora Crime Blotter: Burglar ransacks house, takes nothing

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A woman called police to her home because someone used a hammer that her husband left outside to pry the metal off the front door frame and break into the house. Inside, papers were scattered everywhere and dresser drawers were turned out, but no valuables were taken. Reported by Denver Post 11 hours ago.

In Sign of Closer Sino-Philippine Ties, US Naval Exercises Skip a Disputed Sea

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Annual exercises held by the Philippine and U.S. navies are skipping the South China Sea this year as the Southeast Asian nation’s leader takes another step toward a stronger political and economic relationship with China, the sea’s most ambitious claimant. The “Balikatan” military exercises May 8-19 include a disaster drill off Aurora province on the Pacific Ocean side of the main Philippine island, Luzon. They have kept clear of disputed tracts in the South China Sea. Beijing’s maritime... Reported by VOA News 7 hours ago.

Aurora Borealis detector to be installed in Shetland

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Aurora Borealis detector to be installed in Shetland BBC Local News: North-East Scotland and Northern Isles -- The equipment could offer earlier warnings of the potential to catch sight of the Northern Lights. Reported by BBC Local News 2 hours ago.

Aurora Receives Patent Allowance From Taiwan And Announces Results From An Independent Customer Validation

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*NORTH VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - May 17, 2017) -* Aurora Solar Technologies Inc. ("Aurora")("Company") (TSX VENTURE:ACU)(OTCBB:AACTF)(FRANKFURT:A82), a leader in inline measurement and control technology for the photovoltaic manufacturing industry, is pleased to announce that the Taiwan Intellectual Property Office has allowed its infrared-based measurement patent entitled "Non-Contacting System and Method for Measuring the Dopant Content of Semiconductor Material and Method of Determining the Impact of a Semiconductor Material Fabrication Line upon Semiconductor Wafer." Although the Company is currently focused on the photovoltaic industry, other applications covered under this patent include any process where impurities are added to semiconductor material for the purpose of modifying its electrical properties, such as light emitting diodes ("LEDs"), integrated circuits and flat panel displays. Reported by Marketwired 4 hours ago.

Aurora school board approves resolution to protect immigrant students, though some raise questions

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The Aurora school board unanimously approved a resolution Tuesday aimed at helping immigrant students feel safer, but not before fault lines emerged over its title and intent. Reported by Denver Post 3 hours ago.

Aurora scam artist gets 10-year prison sentence

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An Aurora man who bilked investors out of more than $900,000 in an elaborate patent fraud scam has been sentenced to 10 years in prison. Reported by Denver Post 3 hours ago.

Sharklet Technologies Announces Acquisition by Peaceful Union and New Partnership to Accelerate Development of Medical Devices and Surface Technologies Featuring Sharklet®

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Sharklet Technologies Announces Acquisition by Peaceful Union and New Partnership to Accelerate Development of Medical Devices and Surface Technologies Featuring Sharklet® AURORA, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sharklet Technologies Announces Acquisition by Peaceful Union and New Partnership to Accelerate Development of Medical Devices and Surface Technologies Featuring Sharklet® Reported by Business Wire 2 hours ago.

Aurora woman sentenced to 25 years after shooting man in driveway without provocation

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Joel Mary Felix, 37, was at a friend's house where she was drinking and smoking crack for several hours before she went outside and shot a man in the stomach. Reported by Denver Post 22 hours ago.

University of Colorado Cancer Center, Others, Show Brigatinib First Drug to Offer Over 1-year Control of ALK-Positive Lung Cancer Post-Crizotinib

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FDA approves brigatinib as a second-line therapy for ALK-positive non-small cell lung cancer.

AURORA, Colo. (PRWEB) May 17, 2017

About 3-5 percent of lung cancers are caused by changes in the gene ALK. In 2011, the FDA granted accelerated approval for the drug crizotinib to target these ALK changes. However, two major problems have remained: Crizotinib does not pass into the brain and so is unable to target ALK-positive lung cancer in the central nervous system, and the genetic diversity of cancer allows the later growth of subpopulations that can resist the drug, leading to renewed growth. In response, researchers have been actively developing next-generation ALK-inhibitors.

Results of a multi-center, 222-person phase 2 clinical trial of the next-generation ALK inhibitor, brigatinib at 180mg/day, used after failure of crizotinib showed a 54 percent response rate and 12.9 month progression-free survival. (Effects were lower at a lower dose.) Results are published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

“What brigatinib at this higher dose shows is comparable response rates to other next generation ALK inhibitors post-crizotinib but – and this is important – the duration of this benefit appears to be significantly longer,” says D. Ross Camidge, MD, PhD, Joyce Zeff Chair in Lung Cancer Research at the CU Cancer Center and director of Thoracic Oncology at the CU School of Medicine. Camidge is the paper’s senior author.

In fact, Camidge points out that at the time of publication, many patients enrolled on this trial continued to experience cancer control and that more recent results presented at academic conferences show that median progression-free survival with brigatinib against ALK-positive lung cancer may be closer to 16 months.

“Once a cancer resists crizotinib, other next-generation ALK inhibitors control cancer for about 7 months or about 9 months. This publication showing 12.9 month progression-free survival and our updated data showing even longer control suggest that these drugs are not all the same,” Camidge says.

This study along with data from the phase 1 trial showing comparable activity at the same dose and relatively few side-effects led to the FDA approval of brigatinib as a second-line therapy for ALK-positive non-small cell lung cancer on April 28, 2017.

Crizotinib, along with brigatinib and the other next ALK-inhibitors are members of a class of drugs called “kinase inhibitors” that seek to silence the signaling related to various cancer-causing proteins by restricting their access to energy. In this case, all ALK-inhibitors aim first to prohibit the signaling of a protein that results from the aberrant expression of an ALK fusion gene, which is the root cause of what is called ALK-positive lung cancer. The next generation ALK inhibitors all have better penetration into the brain than does crizotinib and work on a range of different mutations in ALK that emerge as mechanisms of resistance to crizotinib. However, they may not all penetrate the brain to the same extent and they may not all work on the same range of resistance mutations.

As the response rate from these next generation drugs after crizotinib tends to be similar, Camidge hypothesizes that all of the drugs work on the most common resistance mechanisms. “However, the duration of benefit, which really appears to differ between these newer agents, may be much more determined by their ability to suppress the less common ALK mutations – the second and third mechanisms of resistance that would otherwise emerge next month or the month after that,” Camidge says. “Brigatinib has a broader spectrum of coverage of resistance mechanisms than many of these other next generation drugs, especially at the higher dose. So the broader your spectrum of coverage of resistance mechanisms, the longer you control the disease.”

Camidge also sees potential promise in the fact that brigatinib’s benefit in the recent study increased with its dose. Because the drug is generally well-tolerated, with few side-effects, the obvious implication is that patients may be able to control their cancer longer with a higher dose. Also, “beyond just 90 and 180mg as in this trial, we may have the potential in the future to explore further intra-patient dose escalation,” Camidge says, meaning that if a cancer progresses after treatment with brigatinib, rather than discontinuing the drug, it may be possible to control the cancer again by increasing the dose even more (though more studies are needed).

This is in contrast with many other genetic changes that cause lung cancer. For example, “In EGFR lung cancer, resistance shifts sensitivity to targeted treatments by orders of magnitude – just doubling the dose of a drug wouldn’t make a difference. But with ALK, some of these resistance mechanisms are on the cusp of what you can inhibit and upping the dose may push cancer cells past the tipping point.”

As next-generation ALK-inhibitors offer more activity against ALK-positive lung cancer in the brain and better activity against the genetic changes that can help cancer resist crizotinib new questions arise, for example, “What if we don’t wait for resistance but go on a next-gen ALK inhibitor first?” Camidge asks. “Would that give the patient an advantage over using the drugs sequentially?” Reported by PRWeb 22 hours ago.

Colorado medical-tech company bought by Chinese firm; founder named chairman

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Sharklet Technologies Inc., an Aurora-based biotechnology company, said today it has been acquired by Peaceful Union, a medical device firm based in Hangzhou, China. Sharklet makes a textured product -- also called Sharklet -- that's designed to inhibits bacterial growth on surfaces. Terms of the deal were not announced. "The acquisition of the company will enable Sharklet Technologies to accelerate the development of Sharklet for medical devices where chemical-free bacterial inhibition is desired… Reported by bizjournals 20 hours ago.

Elle Fanning Shows Off Details of Vivienne Westwood Gown at Cannes

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Elle Fanning Shows Off Details of Vivienne Westwood Gown at Cannes Elle Fanning is having an amazing Cinderella moment at the 2017 Cannes Film Festival right now — or should we make that an Aurora moment? The 19-year-old actress was so happy to show off her custom Vivienne Westwood gown for the opening ceremony, letting everyone see the amazing painting on the train. “Thank you from [...] Reported by Just Jared Jr 20 hours ago.

Canopy Growth Corp. Is Overvalued: Here’s What to Buy Instead

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Canopy Growth Corp. (TSX:WEED) is arguably Canada’s most popular growth stock with astounding year-over-year revenue growth. If you are thinking of buying on the recent pullback, there is good reason to pause and consider better-valued names like Aurora Cannabis Inc. (TSXV:ACB) instead. Reported by Motley Fool 4 hours ago.

Disabled Veterans National Foundation Sends Over $175,000 Worth of Aid to Illinois Veterans

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The Disabled Veterans National Foundation (DVNF) (http://www.dvnf.org) has announced that it has sent a shipment of over $175,000 worth of necessities to assist veterans attending the Aurora Veterans Week in the Chicago area.

Washington, DC (PRWEB) May 18, 2017

The Disabled Veterans National Foundation (DVNF) (http://www.dvnf.org) has announced that it has sent a shipment of over $175,000 worth of necessities to assist veterans attending the Aurora Veterans Week in the Chicago area.

The Aurora Veterans Week is hosted by the Aurora Veterans Advisory Council (AVAC). Located in Aurora, IL, AVAC was founded in 1998 to address the most pressing issues impacting local veterans. Last year, they instituted the first annual “Vets Week Aurora,” which is an entire week dedicated to raising money for, and increasing awareness of, veterans in need.

This will be the second year DVNF has supported the event, and like last year, DVNF representatives will be on hand to help give out the shipment sent through its Health & Comfort program.

Items included in this year’s Health & Comfort shipment include: blankets, Comfort Kits, assorted clothing items, shoes, socks, and other helpful care items like sunscreen and soap.

These items will be given out on Tuesday, May 23rd for the Vet Week Day of Giving. DVNF and other local and national organizations will provide assistance to the veterans attending. DVNF staff members will represent the organization to hand out supplies to veterans and to help in any other way they can.

“This event was incredible last year, and we are so honored that AVAC wanted to work with DVNF again,” said DVNF CEO, Joseph VanFonda (USMC SgtMaj Ret.). “Having an entire week dedicated to recognizing, supporting, and honoring veterans truly brings new meaning to what it means to serve our heroes, and DVNF is humbled to aid veterans in need at this event.”

This year’s Veterans Week will take place from May 20-29th. You can find the full schedule of events, here.

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About DVNF:

The Disabled Veterans National Foundation exists to provide critically needed support to disabled and at-risk veterans who leave the military wounded—physically or psychologically—after defending our safety and our freedom.

We achieve this mission by:· Providing an online resource database that allows veterans to navigate the complex process of seeking benefits that they are entitled to as a result of their military service, as well as additional resources they need.
· Offering direct financial support to veteran organizations that address the unique needs of veterans, and whose missions align with that of DVNF.
· Providing supplemental assistance to homeless and low-income veterans through the Health & Comfort program and various empowerment resources.
· Serving as a thought leader on critical policy issues within the veteran community, and educating the public accordingly. Reported by PRWeb 23 hours ago.

5 years later, first two Colorado RTA projects on very different paths

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Five years to the day that the Colorado Economic Development Commission approved public funding for the first two projects in the controversial Regional Tourism Act program, one of them is exceeding expectations for its early efforts to attract new visitors to the state, while no work has begun on the other one. In fact, commissioners noted those substantial differences Thursday as they praised the efforts of officials connected to the Gaylord Rockies hotel and conference center in Aurora while… Reported by bizjournals 22 hours ago.

Congressman Says Journalists Are 'Inventing This Russia Story'

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Some Colorado conservatives are joining President Donald Trump in blaming the press for the daily eye-pop, head-spinning news stories streaming from the White House.

Leading the charge are local talk radio hosts, but conservative politicians are also mad at journalists.

Appearing on KOA 850-AM Mandy Connell show yesterday, U.S. Rep. Ken Buck (R-CO) lamented that the media are “inventing this Russia story.”

*Buck:* “When George Bush won, he was the dumbest human being alive, even though he’d gone to great schools and gotten great degrees. Every time he stumbled in a speech, it was a story for two or three days. He just wasn’t smart enough to be president “ Buck told Connell. “And then we get Barack Obama, and he’s the smartest person in the world. He’s just a savior. “And then we get Donald Trump. And they’ve got to find something with Donald Trump. He’s a very successful businessman. So obviously he’s not stupid. *So now now we’re inventing this Russia story, and just on and on.”*

Citing the anonymous sources used by the New York Times in its story about Trump pressuring Comey to not investigate former national security adviser Michael Flynn, KNUS radio host and (former Fox 31 Denver reporter) Julie Hayden said on air May 15.

*Hayden:* “I have been dismayed ― I mean, as a reporter― at just how they just make it ―. I mean, they really do just make it up, you know!”

Co-host Chuck Bonniwell jumped in with, “They don’t care. They just don’t care.”

You can always criticize journalists, and some people will never accept anonymous sources, but that’s why we have professional journalism. To utilize such sources in a responsible way. That’s not making stuff up―or not caring.

Colorado gubernatorial candidate George Brauchler*, *who gained fame as a prosecutor in the Aurora theater murders, also pointed to bias among reporters covering Trump. On KNUS 710-AM May 15, Brauchler said:

*Brauchler*:  [Journalists] don’t need Trump’s help. But he gives it to them anyway. That’s the only part that’s a little frustrating, is like, ‘If you, Mr. President, could just pull it back― just a little bit ―* it would expose, I think, how biased that they truly are*.’ Because right now, there’s just enough there that they make mountains out of molehills, and all this other stuff.  But if he can just pull it back, just a little bit.

To her credit, KOA host Mandy Connell faults Trump for blundering, but then she attacks the “viciousness” of the media and says the “media has picked [his blunders] up, [and] blown up into massive proportion.”

“Trump keeps giving the media ammunition with which to shoot him,” said Connell on air. “If he would shut his pie hole sometimes and not shoot from the hip, they would not have the ammunition that they currently have.”

In truth, the media are working sources and exposing serious dangers to us and our democracy. That’s what the fourth estate is supposed to do. Thank you, journalism. Listen to Buck on KOA May 18 here.

-- This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website. Reported by Huffington Post 14 minutes ago.

Butterball to close 600-employee meatpacking plant in Montgomery

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Butterball will shutter its Gusto meatpacking plant in Montgomery, where it employs about 600 full-time workers, marking another painful loss of jobs in the Aurora area.

The North Carolina-based company's announcement comes after Caterpillar announced last month it would close its manufacturing... Reported by ChicagoTribune 19 hours ago.
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