There is some fascinating and potentially breakthrough news about cancer treatment vaccine trials that was reported in the National Cancer Institute Bulletin. Recent trials could reshape the field of cancer research and the quest for a cure. Whatever is accomplished is no doubt a long way off but it’s worth keeping your eyes on. I’ll continue to keep you informed as this topic develops but here is the lead on a new story…

Treatment vaccines that boost the immune system’s response to tumors may have important clinical benefits for patients with various types of cancer, according to results from several clinical trials presented at the 2009 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting in Orlando.

To many in the field, the findings represent an emergence of sorts for therapeutic cancer vaccines. Treatment vaccines have been the subject of intense study for more than 2 decades, but they have produced little in the way of FDA-approved cancer treatments. That could change based on the recent clinical trial results…

They’re here!! The UPS guy walked through the gate today with two boxes of Chasing Medical Miracles for me to send copies to friends and the many people who assisted in helping me write the book. The book looks great, if I do say so myself… I also have promotional copies to send to media and others so I can assist my publisher in getting the word out about the book. These copies come 9 days before the book is released to the public. If you have not yet ordered a copy for yourself, check out amazon.com, barnes & noble.com or go to your local bookstore and get your hands on one. If you have questions about where to locate a copy please shoot me an e-mail at alex@alexomeara.com.

Meanwhile, in other news about clinical trials around the world today… Biotech Stocks and the ASCO-Effect – Seeking Alpha – New York, NY, USA – Even more impressive, all of these products are either in human clinical trials or under review by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) … See all stories on this topic

Money money money! There’s lots and lots of business news about clinical trials today. It’s a good reminder that this is a $24 billion-a-year industry that, from all indications, is weathering the recession well. Investments in trials for a flu vaccine in the United States, the development of trials and green technology (a new and potentially fascinating aspect of trials emerging now), even the impact of good ‘ol aspect are all being studied around the world and can be found in today’s update.

Australia CSL: gets $180 mln US flu vaccine order – Reuters – USA – CSL expects its H1N1 vaccine to be ready within a few months, with the company planning to start clinical trials to make sure the vaccine is safe and … See all stories on this topic

A reporter for the Cleveland Plain Dealer participates in three clinical trials for post-cancer treatments and finds the experience uplifting, empowering and thoroughly positive. It’s a great story to read and enjoy so enjoy!

Participation in clinical trials empowering for reporter in fight – The Plain Dealer – cleveland.com – Cleveland, OH, USA – The Web site ClinicalTrials.gov gives easy access to information on clinical trials for a wide range of diseases and conditions. … See all stories on this topic

In February I posted on how the recession is causing more people to sign up for clinical trials either for money or for medical treatment because they recently lost their jobs and their health insurance. Today reporter Carley Thornell has a well-researched front page story in the Boston Herald regarding this phenomenon…

These trying times send more to medical studies – Boston Herald – United States -Interest in clinical trials has spiked among healthy people nationally as well, said Kristopher Sarosiek, president of clinicalconnection.com … See all stories on this topic

Lilly Advances Second Alzheimer’s Disease Treatment Candidate Into … PR Newswire (press release) – New York, NY, USA – In 2008, Lilly began enrolling patients in two Phase III clinical trials called IDENTITY and IDENTITY 2 for a different potential treatment for Alzheimer’s …

All the World’s a Laboratory – New York Times – United States – Clinical trials could easily be set up to include patients who show up for medical attention 72 or 96 or more hours after their symptoms appear … -

Clinical trials are my way to help others in their fight – The Plain Dealer – cleveland.com – Cleveland, OH, USA – A clinical trial (also called clinical research) is a study that uses human volunteers in an attempt to answer specific health questions. Two of the trials …