Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Biotech / Medical : Celgene-CELG -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: nigel bates who wrote (552)	7/9/2001 9:12:20 AM
From: nigel bates	Respond to of 804

NEW YORK, July 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Cancer patients are at high risk of potentially fatal blood clots that form in the large veins in the leg (venous thromboembolism) that, if unrecognized or untreated, can lead to a potentially fatal pulmonary (lung) embolism. In fact, as many as 1 in 7 hospitalized cancer patients die of a fatal thromboembolic event rather than their cancer(1). A major international initiative launching today -- Fundamental Research in ONcology and Thrombosis (FRONTLINE) -- will be the first global survey to collect information from physicians treating cancer patients with the goal of establishing the risk of venous thrombosis, documenting the prevention and treatment strategies currently employed, and seeking national treatment variations. Cancer specialists across Europe, North and South America and the Asia-Pacific region are expected to participate in FRONTLINE, and intensive efforts will be made to collect data from as large and representative a sample as possible. Importantly, participation will be encouraged from all types of medical centers, not only those that regularly take part in clinical trials. The results will help to build a picture of what is happening in routine clinical practice. The FRONTLINE Survey will collect information on: * The types of cancer patients who develop venous thromboembolism, and with which cancer treatments * Strategies physicians use for prophylaxis, its diagnosis and treatment * Factors that may influence treatment decisions. It is hoped that the FRONTLINE Survey may pave the way for future international registry of cases of cancer-associated thromboembolic disease. Why is the FRONTLINE survey and registry needed? People given chemotherapy or operated on to treat their cancer appear to be at higher risk for venous thromboembolism. Adding to the risk, cancer can cause abnormally high blood coagulation, and cancer patients may be sedentary for long periods of time. In fact, as many as one in ten women who receive chemotherapy for breast cancer develops a blood clot. It also appears that once clots form in cancer patients they are often more difficult to treat. Despite this, and the availability of drugs to prevent and treat thrombosis, it is not currently clear how often and how effectively these are being used in cancer patients. Venous thrombosis is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in cancer patients and yet the clinical impact is often underestimated. Little is known about prevention strategies, diagnosis and treatment in routine clinical practice. FRONTLINE is designed to help researchers understand current practice patterns and key issues surrounding this important clinical problem. It is hoped that as many clinicians treating cancer as possible will contribute, thus helping to provide much new information on current perceptions and practice. The FRONTLINE Survey is endorsed and led by a distinguished scientific steering committee chaired by Dr. Ajay Kakkar (Hammersmith Hospital, Imperial College, London, UK) and includes four other international opinion leaders in the field of oncology and thrombosis. The committee will act in an advisory capacity for the duration of the Survey. The committee includes: Professor Mark Levine (McMaster University, Canada); Professor Bob Pinedo (Free University Hospital, Amsterdam, The Netherlands); Professor John Wong (National University Hospital, Singapore), and Dr. Robert Wolff (MD Anderson Cancer Center, Texas, USA). The FRONTLINE Survey is supported by an unrestricted educational grant from the Pharmacia Corporation. For more information about FRONTLINE please visit frontlinesurvey.net or contact: The FRONTLINE Survey Co-ordinator Medical Action Communications PO Box 56 Egham Surrey TW20 8BR UK Tel: +44 (0) 1784 220220 Fax: +44 (0) 1784 220221 (1.) Shen VS et al. Fatal pulmonary embolism in cancer patients: Is heparin prophylaxis justified? South Med J 1980; 73: 841-3.