Reliable Cancer Therapies: News

Call for projects update: 15 more days to submit your project

RCT Editor — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 13:40:16 +0000

News source:

RCT

Due to the interest in our successful ‘call for projects’ regarding the repurposing of drugs for cancer therapy, RCT has decided to extend the submission date to July 15th.

If you are interested, but have not found the time yet to submit your project proposal, you now have 15 more days to do so. We are very much looking forward to your suggestions and hope to create some new and interesting collaborations.

You can retrieve all necessary information to submit your proposal via the ‘call for projects’ tab.

Please direct any technical questions to Ann-Christine Moenaert (info@reliablecancertherapies [dot] com). Please contact Gauthier Bouche, MD (info@reliablecancertherapies [dot] com) for any clinical or scientific questions.

European week against cancer: 25th-31th of May 2013

RCT Editor — Fri, 24 May 2013 09:19:51 +0000

News source:

RCT

Like every year in the week of 25^th-31th of May, the Association of European Cancer Leagues (ECL) organizes the European Week Against Cancer. This year the conference is hosted by the Irish Cancer Society (ICS), taking place in Dublin from 29^th until 30^thof May, and will deal with the theme of Healthy Lifestyle & Tobacco Control.

Belgians can show their support to cancer patients worldwide by participating to the flashmob in Brussels: Dance against cancer!

Place: Place de l’Albertine

When: Saturday 25^th of May , meeting at 04:00 PM, dance at 05:00 PM

In addition, you can also have a look at the “European code against cancer” which was originally drawn up in 1987 and may help you in the prevention of cancer.

Some of these ’11 commandments’ refer to the importance of a healthy diet and physical activity. RCT acknowledges these factors in the prevention of and recovery from cancer, and has therefore created a general Guide for cancer patients on nutrition and physical exercise both during and after treatment. This guide as well as other general or cancer specific guides can be downloaded for free on the RCT website.

Spread the word!

RCT supports the ‘Fluvabrex’ and ‘Ketorolac’ trials

RCT Editor — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 09:22:05 +0000

News source:

RCT

Reliable Cancer Therapies has decided to financially support the research of two promising cancer treatments, Fluvabrex and Ketorolac. What is particularly interesting about these studies, is the fact that both Fluvabrex and Ketorolac are already approved and are used in hospitals for other indications than cancer.

Fluvabrex will be evaluated for its use in treating children with a rare brain tumor called optic-pathway gliomas. The ‘Ketorolac in Breast Cancer trial’ will look at possible anti-cancer effects of the drug ketorolac in breast cancer. Despite persuasive arguments motivating the evaluation of the possible anti-tumor effect of these drugs, these projects experienced great difficulties in finding financial support. Two important explanations for these difficulties are not at all scientifically based. It is mainly due to a lack of interest for ‘old-fashioned’ drugs and the absence of potential return on investment that these trials could not find any financial support. Because these projects have clearly demonstrated and motivated their potential, RCT has chosen to take on the financial support of these trials.

Fluvabrex is a combination of celecoxib (Celebrex®), an anti-inflammatory drug, and fluvastatin, which is normally used in adults to treat high cholesterol. These drugs are now being repurposed as potential treatment in children with refractory optic-pathway gliomas. A clinical trial will start this Spring 2013 to assess the safety of this new drug combination. Results are expected in the 2nd half of 2016.

Ketorolac is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), sometimes used by anesthesiologists to prevent postoperative pain. It has been observed and suggested that ketorolac injection can be repurposed as an anti-cancer drug affecting the risk of recurrence of breast cancer patients. A trial to study this hypothesis has started in February of this year and will recruit patients over 2 years.

RCT is always looking for new studies evaluating existing and approved drugs as possible new cancer treatments. To submit projects or to request more information, please use the ‘call for projects’ button on our website.

New complementary cancer therapies online

RCT Editor — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 14:54:16 +0000

News source:

RCT

When it comes to lowering side effects of treatment or improving quality of life, patients often look for other treatment options or supportive care. One of these options is the use of natural products, which are moreover widely chosen for those indications. Some of them even claim to have anticancer properties. RCT therefore investigates these natural products and claims for evidence, and reports its findings in small summaries for patients as well as professionals (extended and more scientific information). Two natural products have been recently added to our website: Cat’s claw and Pomegranate. Consult our natural products section for more information.
Next to the natural products and other therapies, some other activities could have a beneficial effect on diseases such as cancer. Music therapy, for instance, has been found to promote wellbeing, stress management, pain alleviation, emotional expression, memory enhancement, improved communication, and physical rehabilitation. RCT therefore included information on this treatment to its website. Music therapy is part of the ‘mind-body interventions’ section on the RCT website.

New update available of Guide for Patients with Breast Cancer

RCT Editor — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 11:06:55 +0000

News source:

RCT

Last year was a productive year, as RCT managed to develop no less than 8 new Guides for Patients and updated another 2 in collaboration with the European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO). These updates are of vital importance, as they reflect the progress in the ever evolving treatment options in oncology. This year will be no different. The first update of the Breast Cancer Guide for Patients is already online on the RCT website. This update mainly encompasses an elaboration of the ‘treatment options’ section, as there have been new treatments made available for breast cancer. Next to this, some other changes have been made with respect to the possible side effects. Next to the topics of treatments and side effects, the Guides for Patients also discuss the following issues:

The frequency of the cancer type
The possible causes
The diagnostic methods
All details to understand what defines an optimal treatment
What to do after therapy has been terminated

Reliable Cancer Therapies seeks to provide reliable information on every cancer type, and with these Guides for Patients RCT wants to elaborate on the information that is already made available on their website. Yet the development of these guides takes time as they are a result of many critical reviews of professionals at both RCT and ESMO and of patients’ representatives of the ESMO’s Cancer patient Working Group. RCT is currently finalizing two new guides who will become available very soon. The topics of those guides are ovarian and colorectal cancer. As both are rather common cancer types, RCT believes that this information is truly necessary and will be of great help for patients in order to better understand their disease and be involved in all decisions.

Fresh seasonal fruit and vegetables represent the basis of many diets and a healthy lifestyle

RCT Editor — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 14:59:03 +0000

News source:

RCT

As March was proclaimed the Month of National Nutrition 2013 in the USA (http://www.eatright.org/nnm/), we believe now is the perfect time to focus on the information on nutrition that is available on our website. Because a healthy diet is very important and can also contribute to a smoother healing process for people with cancer, RCT pays attention to nutrients and investigates scientifically both positive and negative characteristics of a variety of nutrients, supplements, and diets.

A recent article ‘Eat Healthy, Feel Happy’ again demonstrated that daily consumption of fruit and vegetables makes people happier and protects them from diseases like cancer. Because they are full of vitamins and nutrients, it is not surprising that fresh fruit and vegetables are often part of diets. RCT provides reliable information on its website on various types of diets and describes their effect in a scientifically substantiated way.

Find more info on diets by name here.
This diets page has been extended recently with reliable information on the Moerman diet, the Lifestyle and Modification Programme of Ornish, and the Gerson therapy. All three diets recommend the consumption of fresh vegetables and fruit for the body to be able to absorb enough nutrients.

For more information on the Ornish diet, click here.
For more information on the Moerman therapy, click here.
For more information on the Gerson therapy, click here.

RCT celebrates Rare Disease Day

RCT Editor — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 10:57:29 +0000

News source:

RCT

Thursday, February 28, 2013 is Rare Disease Day (www.rarediseaseday.org) tending to people not given adequate attention and often not enough research for their disease. Reliable Cancer Therapies celebrates Rare Disease Day today and every day with their work to help people with all types of cancer, including those more rare in the cancer world.

“Cancer is very complex and impacts many locations in the body. Reliable Cancer Therapies recently made the decision to incorporate information about rare cancer types. We want to help as many cancer patients and discuss as many cancer types as possible, and not overlook rare cancers,” said Lydie Meheus, PhD, Executive Director of RCT.

Reliable Cancer Therapies, a non-profit in Europe to help cancer patients through their educational website with research-based information and selectively funding the development of promising cancer therapies, passionately strives to feature common cancer types such as breast cancer plus rare cancer types. Those rare cancer types addressed by RCT include malignant peritoneal mesothelioma, adrenal cortical cancer, eye cancer, kaposi’s sarcoma, merkel cell tumor, gestational trophoblastic disease, nasal cavity and paranasal sinus cancer, neuroblastoma, penile cancer, retinoblastoma, pituitary tumors, salivary gland cancer, small intestine cancer, thymus cancer, vaginal cancer, and vulvar cancer.

Cancer information from RCT has been developed in part from the National Cancer Institute and translated into Dutch and French.

Learn more about RCT, including rare cancer types addressed by them, at www.reliablecancertherapies.com.

New Guides for Patients available on Bladder Cancer and Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML)

Jessica Kiermeer — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 12:11:55 +0000

News source:

RCT

Reliable Cancer Therapies (RCT) and the European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO) have once again collaborated for the development of another two Guides for Patients on Bladder Cancer and Chronic Myeloid Leukemia, respectively. As is the case with the previous Guides for Patients, these documents may help patients in understanding their disease by means of providing them with patient-friendly information on cancer stages, medical procedures, possible side effects, and much more.

At this moment, bladder cancer is the 5th most common cancer in Europe, with 27 out of 100.000 men and 5 out of 100.000 women diagnosed every year. The occurrence number for Chronic Myeloid Leukemia, however, is lower as it is less common in Europe, with yearly only one or two people (men or women) diagnosed in every 100.000 people.

Reliable Cancer Therapies seeks to provide patients with the most up-to-date information available, and therefore yearly revises the guides as well as all other info on its website. The Guide on Chronic Myeloid Leukemia has been recently updated in all languages, containing the most recent therapeutic options and guidelines.

To find out more about these cancer types, visit the RCT website: Bladder cancer ; Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML). Both pages also provide direct links to clinical trials that are available for these cancer types in European countries.

The Alexine Clarysse Fund will fund RCT's research for cancer in children and teenagers

Jessica Kiermeer — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 15:25:01 +0000

News source:

RCT

The Alexine Clarysse Fund will fund RCT's research that will investigate Mindfullness with two supplements for children and teenagers.

The group of teenagers (14-19 years) that has completed its cancer treatment will take part in mindfulness therapy sessions during 8 weeks, this in combination with two supplements on the basis of curcumin and green tea.

The purpose of this study is to examine whether these two interventions can improve the quality of life of young people.

For more information on Alexine Clarysse Fund, please visit this site.[Dutch only]

Two new Guides for Patients available: NSCLC and Cervical Cancer

Jessica Kiermeer — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 08:26:58 +0000

News source:

RCT

Reliable Cancer Therapies is glad to announce that reliable patient-oriented information is now available on Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) and Cervical Cancer. Indeed, another successful collaboration with the European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO) resulted in two new Guides for Patients on two major cancer types that to this day have a high incidence rate and are amongst the main causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide.

Despite screenings and vaccinations protecting against the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), cervical cancer remains the third most frequent cancer in women worldwide, mainly because of problem of accessing screening programs and vaccines in developing countries. As for non-small cell lung cancer, it represents 80 to 85% of all lung cancers and is the most frequent cause of cancer-related deaths in both sexes worldwide.

Luckily, there are things you can do to early detect or even prevent these cancers. Cervical cancer, for instance, can be easily detected and treated at an early stage after a pap smear test, carried out by a gynecologist. As for lung cancer, approximately 90% of lung cancers among men and 80% among women are related to smoking. No need telling you quitting smoking is a very effective preventive action. So two ideas for good intentions for the New Year: quit smoking, and women: go see your gynecologist on a regular basis!

Please, read our guide by clicking here: NSCLC and Cervical cancer.

These guides will tell you more on the diagnosis procedure, causes, treatment options, and possible side effects of treatments.

New update of Breast Cancer Guide for Patients available!

Jessica Kiermeer — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 06:55:51 +0000

News source:

RCT

As breast cancer is still the most common of all cancers in women, Reliable Cancer Therapies (RCT) believes that keeping cancer patients and their close relatives well-informed about breast cancer, its stages and, what is most important, the possible treatment options per stage, is still a number one priority. October being the BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH therefore is the perfect time for RCT to update its Guide for Patients with Breast Cancer, which it has developed in cooperation with the European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO). The main reason for developing this new version, is to extend the information on the different types and stages of breast cancer. Indeed, all these different types need other, particular treatment procedures. This extensive information is, of course, crucial for cancer patients undergoing these treatments in order to fully understand the content of their treatment, the reason why they need it, and the possible results or side effects.

The update is now freely available from the RCT website (www.reliablecancertherapies.com), as is all other research-based information on therapies and cancer types.

A new Guide for Patients on Esophageal Cancer

Ann-Christine Moenaert — Fri, 22 Jun 2012 09:01:06 +0000

News source:

RCT

It’s that time of the year again: summer, an ideal time to throw garden parties and go outside for a drink. Reliable Cancer Therapies therefore thinks it is an appropriate moment to remind you about the dangers of excessive alcohol intake, as this remains a major risk factor for the development of various cancer types. This is also the case for esophageal cancer. The higher the intake of alcohol, the higher the chance of getting an esophageal cancer. Combine this with excessive smoking (one package a day), and you get a very dangerous carcinogenic cocktail.

Because esophageal cancer makes the top 10 of most common cancers worldwide (8th place) with a yearly approximately 500 000 new cases, RCT has created a Guide for Patients with Esophageal Cancer for patients and their relatives. This guide provides all kinds of information on, amongst other things, treatment modalities, risk factors, and follow-up. Next to this guide, RCT also provides information on clinical trials for this cancer type, which you can retrieve here.

31-MAY-2012: World No Tobacco Day

Ann-Christine Moenaert — Mon, 28 May 2012 23:15:04 +0000

News source:

RCT

The annual World No Tobacco Day, which will take place on Thursday 31th of May is an excellent moment to think about the impact of smoking. This is indeed one of the most important risk factors of lung cancer, a disease which in Belgium only is already diagnosed in an average of 5400 men and 1800 women each year. For lung cancer patients and their relatives the access to reliable information is of vital importance.

Reliable Cancer Therapies (RCT) has already collected some reliable information on this cancer type, both on Small-cell lung cancer (http://www.reliablecancertherapies.com/cancers/lung-cancer-small-cell-lung-cancer) and on Non-small-cell lung cancer (http://www.reliablecancertherapies.com/cancers/lung-cancer-non-small-cell-lung-cancer). RCT is also currently developing a Guide for Patients with Non-small-cell Lung Cancer, which will be published on our website by the end of August of this year.
Next to this cancer specific information, we also provide info on clinical trials that are ongoing or planned per cancer type. For lung cancer, you can find this information here.

Reliable Cancer Therapies needs Angels

Jessica Kiermeer — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 10:25:51 +0000

News source:

RCT

Retrieving reliable information on cancer types, stages, and possible treatments is without a doubt crucial for cancer patients when it comes to making the right treatment choices and dealing with the disease. However, one should not neglect the fact that patients and their relatives also need a lot of support, someone who listens to them, and practical advice which enables them to deal with the daily inconveniences of cancer, and to relieve them. Therefore, RCT would like to start a project with the cooperation of the non-profit organization Imerman Angels (www.imermanangels.org), which connects cancer patients, cancer survivors, and other volunteers in order to offer this necessary support.

About Imerman Angels:

Imerman Angels is a non-profit organization which is dedicated to helping cancer patients by means of providing personalized connections that enable one-on-one support among cancer patients and survivors of the same cancer type (called Angels). When making these one-on-one connections, they try to take into account as much as possible the resemblances between the cancer patient and the Angel (mostly a cancer survivor) with respect to cancer type, age, and family situation, so as to provide optimal one-on-one support. Given that the Angels have gone through (almost) the same thing, they are the most appropriate people to answer all kinds of specific and practical questions which cancer patients deal with. Through online skype and/or chat sessions both parties contact each other on a regular basis (e.g.: 2hrs/week). Contact by mail or e-mail is also possible.

The Angels project of RCT:

Given that in Belgium (or even throughout Europe) no such networks for one-on-one support are available, RCT would like to cooperate with Imerman Angels in order to also provide Belgian/European cancer patients and their relatives with this personal support tool. Therefore, RCT is looking for volunteers (cancer survivors) and cancer patients that are willing to make such one-on-one connections. You can enroll on the website of Imerman Angels as a patient or as an Angel. When all the information has been collected, the organization can provide optimal connections among the two groups and coordinate the one-on-one support. Because this project is accessible worldwide, although mostly successful in the U.S., this support is mostly given in English. However, it is also possible to receive this support in your own language provided that there are appropriate volunteers in your language or that there is an intervention of an interpreter. If necessary, RCT is also willing to train/support people who would like to present themselves as an Angel, but who are insecure about the exact approach.

For the time being, our intention is to evaluate the project and to check whether there is a need for a similar concept in Belgium/Europe. If this project shows good results, RCT will possibly develop a local project in the future. Therefore, RCT asks all participants to give feedback on this project and to share their experiences.

How to enroll?

Are you eager to be a volunteer who supports cancer patients, or do you, being a cancer patient yourself, need someone who can truly understand you, then send us an e-mail with your personal information to info@reliablecancertherapies [dot] com entitled “Imerman Angels Project”. We will provide you as soon as possible with the information that you will need to enroll as well as to give feedback.

Do not forget to mention the following information:

- Name
- Age
- Domicile
- Cancer type
- Family situation (e.g.: partner, number of children)
- Knowledge of English: Poor/little/good/perfect

On behalf of the Reliable Cancer Therapies team we thank you for your interest in the project.

The RCT website has a new therapy page

Jessica Kiermeer — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 07:20:22 +0000

News source:

RCT

Reliable Cancer Therapies (RCT) is pleased to announce the addition of a new page to its website: Energy-based therapies. This webpage will provide information about cancer therapies in the field of energy medicine. Energy medicine is a term generally used for holistic healing therapies that are focused on manipulating the human body’s energies to bring about balance and well-being. Energy-based therapies as defined by RCT, on the other hand, are practices that use instrument-generated energy to either kill cancer cells or stimulate the body to restore health. This more restricted concept of energy medicine encompasses all therapeutic cancer treatments based on the physical interaction of cancer cells with the energy delivered to the body. The instruments use electricity, ultrasound, magnetic and electromagnetic (EM) forces including radio waves, laser beams and rays from other parts of the EM spectrum. They may involve the use of specific, measurable wavelengths and/or frequencies to treat patients with cancer. The majority of these therapies, however, are still at clinical trial, preclinical experimental or purely experimental stage. Much remains to be learned about their mechanisms of action and efficacy. This preliminary outline of energy-based therapies should not be viewed as comprehensive or definitive. Rather, it is intended to provide you with a sense of the possibilities offered by energy-based approaches generally unknown to the broader public.

The information that you will find in this section is written by an RCT author and reviewed by experts in the field. The reviews are available in a format ‘for patients’ and a format ‘for professionals’. The latter is more extensive and contains information about the therapy’s mechanisms of action and recent clinical outcomes. For ease of reading PDFs can be downloaded from the site. RCT reviews currently available are “Hyperthermia in cancer treatment” and “Thermal ablation in cancer treatment”. At the moment we are assessing the role of Photodynamic therapy in cancer treatment and a summary will be added soon. This will be followed by two rather controversial therapies, namely Electrotherapy and Electromagnetic therapy. We would like to welcome everyone to share with us relevant information or comments particularly regarding these therapies at info@reliablecancertherapies [dot] com.

Liver Cancer: still the fifth most common cancer in men worldwide

Jessica Kiermeer — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 06:53:38 +0000

News source:

RCT

Given that liver cancer is the fifth most common cancer in men worldwide (523 000 cases per year, 7.9% of all cancer cases) and the seventh in women (226 000 cases per year, 6.5% of all cancer cases), we think that reliable information for patients on this cancer type is indispensable. Therefore, we are happy to announce that there is a new Guide for Patients available on our website: A Guide for Patients with Liver Cancer. This Guide has been written by Reliable Cancer Therapies (RCT) and is based on the ESMO guidelines.

As shown on the figure, the regions of high incidence (dark red) are Eastern and South-Eastern Asia, and Middle and Western Africa. Lower rates (light pink) are observed in developed regions, with the exception of Southern Europe where the incidence in men is significantly higher than in other developed regions.

In Belgium, 413 men and 192 women were diagnosed with liver cancer in 2008. The mean age at diagnosis is 66 years in males and 68 years in females. Under the age of 25 years, liver cancer is very rare.

RCT proposes this guide for free on its website to provide patients and their relatives with reliable information on liver cancer. In this guide, you can find, amongst other information, the diagnosis procedure, an enumeration of possible causes of the disease and treatment options, as well as some valuable advice to help patients and relatives cope with the diagnosis and treatment. This information is, moreover, written in an understandable and patient-friendly way. You can easily download this Guide for Patients in four languages (EN, NL, FR, ES).

New Guide for Patients with stomach cancer available

Reliable Cancer Therapies — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 13:27:25 +0000

News source:

RCT

On Saturday 4th of February 2012, it is World Cancer Day. Therefore, we think it is an excellent moment to inform you about the novelties on the Reliable Cancer Therapies (RCT) website. We are happy to announce that there is a new Guide for Patients available on our website: A Guide for Patients with Stomach Cancer. This Guide has been written by RCT and is based on the ESMO guidelines.

Because stomach cancer is the fourth most common cancer worldwide, with a yearly death rate of 800.000, we think that reliable information for patients on this cancer type is indispensible. Although stomach cancer is rather rare in Belgium nowadays, and only occurs in less than 5%, mostly male, under 40 years of age, this cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death worldwide (after lung cancer), with Korea being the country with most cases of stomach cancer. The high death rate has no doubt to do with the fact that metastasis occurs in 80-90%, and the survival rate is less than 15% when the disease is only diagnosed in late stages.

RCT provides this guide for free on her website to inform patients and their relatives as good as possible about stomach cancer and the treatment options. This information is, moreover, written in an understandable and patient-friendly way. You can easily download this Guide for Patients in four languages (EN, NL, FR, ES).

ESMO presents its new President Dr. Martine Piccart

Reliable Cancer Therapies — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 10:27:58 +0000

News source:

RCT

We are proud to announce that Dr. Martine Piccart, an active member of our own Scientific Advisory Board, is now appointed ESMO President 2012-2013!

Being an active member of many professional organizations, Dr. Piccart has developed a lot of expertise with respect to drug development, clinical trials and oncology in general. She is, for instance, past-president of the European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) and recently served on the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Board.

We are certain that Dr. Piccart’s 2 years of ESMO presidency will make a real difference in cancer care in Europe. This is illustrated in the video where she briefly explains her priorities, of which the following three have a high priority level:

Reduce the inequalities in cancer care in Europe
Prepare the next generation of medical oncologists
Increase the number of patients included in clinical trials in Europe to at least 5% of all cancer patients

For more information on Dr. Martine Piccart, click here.

The symposium on non-conventional therapies and cancer was successful!

Reliable Cancer Therapies — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 15:28:23 +0000

News source:

RCT

We are glad to announce that the symposium on non-conventional therapies and cancer, organised by Reliable Cancer Therapies and the Foundation Against Cancer (Belgium) on the 9th (Dutch) and 16th (French) of December 2011, was very successful!.

We like to thank everyone who participated and we hope to see you again at our future informative events.

For more information, click here (website available in Dutch and French only).

You can also take a look at the program booklet or some pictures.

New project: Adoptive T cell transfer and vaccination as treatment for stage IV melanoma in patients

Reliable Cancer Therapies — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 09:09:32 +0000

News source:

RCT

RCT starts financing a new project of the Leids University Medical Centre (Netherlands). These Dutch researchers investigate Adoptive T cell transfer and vaccination as treatment for stage IV melanoma in patients. The activation and expansion of tumor reactive T cells outside a patient’s body and their subsequent re-infusion (adoptive cell transfer (ACT)) is at this moment the most effective approach to induce objective anti-tumor responses in end-stage metastasized melanoma patients. In this study patients will also be vaccinated with their own tumor cells in order to increase the in vivo effectiveness of transferred T cells even more.

For more information on this project, click here.

The RCT Advisory Board has a new member!

Reliable Cancer Therapies — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 15:31:24 +0000

News source:

RCT

We are proud to present Mr. Jan Geissler as the newest member of our Advisory Board!

Being a leukemia survivor who participated in various clinical trials himself, Mr. Geissler founded an online patient community for leukemia patients and started devoting his professional life entirely on patient advocacy in 2008. Given that he actively participates as a patient’s representative in a variety of important steering committees and advisory boards of cancer-related organizations, clinics and universities, he is the right person to reinforce our Advisory Board and provide us with the advice, support and knowledge that will be very useful in fulfilling our mission.

For more information on Mr. Jan Geissler, click here.

RCT offers new guides for patients with general information.

Jessica Kiermeer — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 08:09:29 +0000

News source:

RCT

To celebrate the first anniversary of the website, Reliable Cancer Therapies (RCT) launches new guides for patients with general information in the hope of offering cancer patients, as well as their relatives, some answers to a wide range of questions and problems concerning treatment types, changes to lifestyle habits, the relationship with the oncologist, and many other concerns which cancer patients have to deal with.

Moreover, all of these guides are easy to download and print.

For more information, read the entire press release here:

RCT offers general guides for cancer patients

Verbier - Reliable Cancer Therapies (RCT) celebrates the first anniversary of its website in style. The Swiss non-for-profit organization has completed comprehensive guides for cancer patients and their relatives, which are now available on its website, www.reliablecancertherapies.com/guides/general.

“When you’re diagnosed with cancer, your world falls apart”, says Lydie Meheus, Executive Director of RCT. “Therefore, we wanted to offer these patients clear guides that can help them to better understand what they are going through and guide them along this difficult journey. Clear and reliable information is crucial in relieving anxiety and panic, which are common feelings amongst cancer patients and their relatives.”

Given that most cancer patients deal with the same issues and have the same questions, RCT now offers two new guides with general information next to the existing ones per cancer type to address these common concerns. These concerns may include the following topics: questions to ask your oncologist, the pros and cons of participating in clinical research, looking after quality of life, information retrieval, second opinions, etc. There are currently two general guides available: one for patients who are just diagnosed with cancer, and another one for patients with advanced cancer.

Other new general guides are available on the following topics:
• Non-conventional therapies
• Conventional therapies
• Integrative cancer care
• Nutrition & physical activity
• Energy-based therapies
• Supplements
• Mind-Body Medicine

“Based on our experience in dealing with patient questions, we realized that there is an unmet need for guidance in the jungle of cancer information”, explains Meheus. “Having this information available in the mother tongue is a must.”
The guides are evidence-based, written in a clear, comprehensible language, and provide definitions and explanations.

Website makeover
The guides can be downloaded from the RCT website, which has expanded considerably since its launch in November 2010. It is also certified with the HONcode label since September 2011. The Health on the Net Foundation (HON) acknowledges through this label that the health information provided on www.reliablecancertherapies.com is scientifically correct, reliable and used efficiently. By means of verifying the quality, objectivity and transparency of the medical information available on the Worldwide Web, the organization can help people distinguish between reliable and unreliable information.

“Having the ethical HONcode label on our website means a lot to us”, acknowledges Luc Verelst, founder and chairman of RCT. “People can be sure that the information has been thoroughly evaluated and has been deemed reliable and accurate. This was what we wanted to offer in the first place: reliable information on cancer types and therapies.”

About RCT
RCT investigates the information on cancer therapies for evidence, so that evidence-based treatment choices can be made. RTC helps patients to structure and absorb the complex nature of information on registered, complementary or alternative therapies.
The RCT team is independent and open-minded, supported by a high level advisory board, collaborates with international organizations (ESMO, CAM-CANCER), and consults reliable sources (NCI, MSKcc, Natural Standard, a.o.).

RCT is constantly looking for cancer therapies that – based on measurable results – seem successful, but have never been investigated thoroughly. If in the course of these investigations promising new cancer treatments are identified, the development of such therapies can be funded.
The RCT website provides research-based information for both patients and their relatives, and professionals so that it can be used to discuss treatment options.

Contact Information:

Reliable Cancer Therapies

Head office Switzerland:
1936 Verbier - Switzerland

Representative office Belgium:
Boechoutlaan 221
1853 Strombeek-Bever - Belgium

info@reliablecancertherapies [dot] com
www.reliablecancertherapies.com

The RCT website has a new QUESTIONS page

Jessica Kiermeer — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 13:57:25 +0000

News source:

RCT

From now on you can find a list of questions our team received from cancer patients and their relatives in the QUESTIONS tab. If you click on these questions you can immediately retrieve the answers to the questions you might have been dealing with for a long time. All answers have been carefully written by professionals of our team with the goal of being as accurate, clear and reliable as possible.

If you have a question that has not yet been included in this list, please send us an e-mail with your question to info@reliablecancertherapies [dot] com.

Recommendation against routine PSA test

Ann-Christine Moenaert — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 14:29:28 +0000

News source:

RCT

The medical world reacts startled to the leaked draft recommendation written by the USPSTF regarding the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) Test. The adapted version of an earlier recommendation states that the PSA Test has no remarkable benefits and should, therefore, not be recommended to men, including men younger than 75. The USPSTF argues that the PSA screening is often used inappropriately, causing men with a low-risk profile to undergo unnecessary treatments for prostate cancer and, consequently, to expose themselves to the risks associated to those treatments (such as erectile dysfunction, urinary incontinence, and bowel dysfunction).

The recommended change is based on a review of 5 randomized trials of screening and 3 trials and 23 cohort studies of treatments. Included in the review were the 2 largest trials of PSA screening, which reported conflicting results, the USPSTF notes. The European study found a reduction in mortality after 9 years of screening, but the American trial found no reduction in mortality after 10 years of screening.

Proponents of the PSA screening acknowledge the imperfection of the test (as it is not specific for prostate cancer and it cannot differentiate between aggressive and indolent forms of the disease), but stress the importance of the test for early diagnosis primarily.

A summarized paper of the recommendation, which appeared in the Annals of Internal Medicine, is available here.

Great breakthrough in cancer research

Ann-Christine Moenaert — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 08:05:33 +0000

News source:

RCT

Researchers have revealed a new cancer drug for patients with HER2- positive metastatic breast cancer at the European Multidisciplinary Cancer Congress 2011 in Stockholm. T-DM1, trastuzumab emtansine, is a cytotoxic agent linked to an antibody, that specifically targets HER2- positive metastatic cancer cells. Patients who have received this drug during the phase II- trials had significantly fewer side effects and had a longer time to live without their disease worsening in comparison to patients who have received standard chemotherapy treatment.

For more information, consult the ESMO (European Society for Medical Oncology) website

New therapies on the website: Autogenic therapy, Biofeedback and Progressive Muscle Relaxation

Ann-Christine Moenaert — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 19:48:00 +0000

News source:

RCT

The CAM-cancer summaries for Autogenic therapy, Biofeedback and Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR) are now available on the website.

Therapeutic claims of Autogenic therapy for cancer patients include a reduction in state anxiety, pain, depressed mood symptoms, improved sleep parameters and generic quality of life. However, the assessed studies have not been reproduced and have considerable methodological limitations.

The professional version of this information has been written by Helen Cooke and reviewed by the CAM-cancer consortium. The version for patients has been based on this review and is available here.

Proponents believe that Biofeedback is a process that enables an individual to learn how to change physiological activity. Therapeutic claims of Biofeedback for cancer patients involve an improvement in pain relief and chemotherapy-related nausea and anxiety. Yet, the evidence for the use of this therapy remains insufficient due to the considerable methodological limitations of the conducted studies.

The professional version of this information has been written by Helen Cooke and reviewed by the CAM-cancer consortium. The version for patients has been based on this review and is available here.

There is only limited evidence for the effectiveness of PMR for cancer patients suffering from pain, anxiety, depression, sleep disorders and chemotherapy-induced nausea. Due to the low number of published studies and the methodological weaknesses it is almost impossible to test the efficacy of PMR.

The professional version of this information has been written by Helen Cooke and reviewed by the CAM-cancer consortium. The version for patients has been based on this review and is available here.

The RCT website is HON-code certified

Ann-Christine Moenaert — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 11:57:26 +0000

News source:

RCT

RCT is proud to inform you that our website is from this day on, September 5^th 2011, HONcode certified. This means that the Health on the Net Foundation (HON), acknowledges that the health information provided on our website is scientifically correct, reliable and used efficiently. The HON Foundation, founded in 1995, is a non-profit, non-governmental organization, which wants to protect citizens from misleading information concerning health. By means of verifying the quality, objectivity and transparency of the medical information available on the Worldwide Web, the organization can help people distinguish between reliable and unreliable information. If a website has received such an ethical HONcode seal, people can be sure that the information has been thoroughly evaluated and has been deemed reliable and accurate. Apart from our website, a good example of a reliable, HONcode certified health website is the American Cancer Society website.

RCT signs partnership with Preclinical Oncology Services Ltd

Ann-Christine Moenaert — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 14:30:09 +0000

News source:

RCT

Precos is a leading preclinical research and development service provider based in the UK. The company has a specific focus on oncologic research, evaluating oncology therapies for major pharmaceutical and biotech companies worldwide, making it an ideal partner for the Artemisia annua project of RCT.

With its broad experience and vast reputation in the scientific field, Precos will provide a scientific evaluation of several products based on the plant Artemisia annua (or Sweet Wormwood) for its anticancer activity in mice. RCT can use this information to select the best candidate for further studies in humans.

Since RCT wants to bring reliable information on cancer therapies to both patients and professionals, extended research is necessary. With the dedicated help of Precos, they will bring RCT closer to achieving its goals.

Ipilimumab receives EMA-approval for treatment of metastatic melanoma

Klara Rombauts — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 12:24:49 +0000

News source:

RCT

On March, 28th, 2011 the FDA has approved ipilimumab for the treatment of metastatic (late-stage) melanoma, the most dangerous type of skin cancer.
The EMA approved this drug on July, 14th 2011.
Ipilimumab is a drug helping the immune system to kill cancer cells. The drug is further undergoing clinical trials to evaluate treatment possibilities for other cancer types.
RCT-information about ipilimumab is available here.

31 May 2011: 'World No Tobacco Day'

Ann-Christine Moenaert — Tue, 31 May 2011 07:02:15 +0000

News source:

RCT

Today, May 31, is World No Tobacco Day, an initiative of the World Health Organization (WHO). This has been a tradition ever since 1988.
Tobacco use is still increasing widely, even though it can cause stroke, cardiovascular disease and a variety of cancers.

The tobacco endemic kills over 6 million people every year. Among the victims are not only active tobacco users, but also second-hand smokers, people who are forced to breathe in tobacco smoke of smokers in their vicinity.
Because children in many countries remain unprotected from smoke in public spaces such as schools and restaurants, half of the children worldwide regularly have to breathe in tobacco smoke. Furthermore, 40 % has at least one smoking parent. Thus, a lot of the deaths caused by smoking are children, children who have just smoked second-hand smoke or who have had a mother smoking during pregnancy.

Needless to say, tobacco use is one of the biggest public health threats.

The WHO is committed to keep fighting tobacco use, for instance by offering people help to cease smoking and by protecting people from tobacco use.

More information about the World No Tobacco Day can be found here.

Find help giving up smoking here.

RCT is launching ‘Guides for Patients’ on its website

Ann-Christine Moenaert — Mon, 16 May 2011 19:43:43 +0000

News source:

RCT

Reliable Cancer Therapies (RCT) is launching ‘Guides for Patients’ on its website. The creation of these Guides is the result of a collaboration of RCT with the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO). The Guides for Patients are documents containing detailed information relevant for their disease, written in a way that can be easily understood. This information is based on ESMO clinical practice guidelines, used by doctors as a reference for the best standard of care.

Click here for access to the Guides for patients.

RCT has prepared the Guides for Patients in close collaboration with ESMO and its Cancer Patients Working Group. RCT hopes to achieve its goal to expand evidence-based treatment options for patients.

Dr. Martine Piccart, Head of Medicine Department at the Jules Bordet Institute in Brussels, Belgium, ESMO President-Elect and member of RCT’s Advisory Board, concludes: “I view the initiative of the Guides for Patients by RCT and ESMO as an extremely valuable one, to be viewed not as a substitution for personal interaction but as a new tool for clear communication to patients about their disease, its treatment, and its follow-up.”

The Guides for patients are also available on the ESMO-website as part of a new online service which provides cancer patients a wide range of reference resources.

Read the full press release here.

press release

The role of the vagus nerve in cancer prognosis

Ann-Christine Moenaert — Mon, 09 May 2011 15:09:49 +0000

News source:

RCT

On April, 28th 2011 RCT signed a contract with Professor Yori Gidron, a psychologist at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel, and rector Professor De Knop. RCT will support Professor Gidron and his team in their research concerning the vagus nerve and its role in cancer.

This research, consisting of four studies, will indicate the potential role of vagus nerve stimulation in cancer treatment and in cancer prognosis.

Read about the project here.

RCT present at the first launch of an Independent Community Advisory Board

Ann-Christine Moenaert — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 12:53:57 +0000

News source:

RCT

On Tuesday, 22nd march, the launch of the Melanoma Independent Community Advisory Board (M-icab) marked a historic moment in cancer advocacy. Gauthier Bouche from RCT was present at the launch meeting of this Advisory Board.

The European Cancer Patient Coalition has decided to launch a series of Independent Cancer Advisory Boards, patient-led advisory panels contributing to identifying innovative cancer solutions, especially for rare and underserved cancer types.

The mission of M-icab is foursome, aiming:

To offer patients with melanoma a community identity, creating cohesion and empowering patients to be involved in decision making concerning melanoma.
To offer industry, researchers and clinicians a unique way of relating to each other and of communicating with melanoma patients.
To communicate to patients about initiatives taken by the industry and by researchers and clinicians working in the melanoma field.
To develop partnership between European and non-European Melanoma Patient associations

For more information about the Advisory Board, please visit www.m-icab.org.

New therapies on the website: aromatherapy, fermented wheat germ extract and reflexology

Ann-Christine Moenaert — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 09:46:02 +0000

News source:

RCT

The CAM-cancer summaries for fermented wheat germ extract, aromatherapy and reflexology are now available on the website.

Therapeutic claims of aromatherapy for cancer patients include a reduction of emotional stress, pain, muscular tension and fatigue. A recent study that has assessed the possible benefits of aromatherapy found short-term improvements (up to 8 weeks) in the psychological well-being, anxiety and depression, but no long-term effects.

The professional version of this information has been written by Katja Boehm and Thomas Osterman and reviewed by the CAM-cancer consortium. The version for patients has been based on this review and is available here.

Proponents believe that orally administered FWGE is able to increase the efficacy of chemo- and/or radiotherapy, decrease its side effects and improve quality of life. Although clinical trials have consistently shown positive results, the evidence for its use in anti-cancer therapy remains weak due to the flaws and limitations of the conducted studies.

The professional version of this information has been written by Alexander Kalisch and Markus Honeber and reviewed by the CAM-cancer consortium. The version for patients has been based on this review and is available here.

Research evidence suggest that definitive conclusions on the efficacy of the treatment cannot be reached because of methodological limitations. Although reflexology has a good safety record, there is concern that some reflexologists may attempt to diagnose conditions as part of their treatment package with insufficient competence.

The professional version of this information has been written by Helen Cooke and reviewed by the CAM-cancer consortium. The version for patients has been based on this review and is available here.

RCT present at the Annie Appleseed conference

Ann-Christine Moenaert — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 14:17:03 +0000

News source:

RCT

In March, 2011, the Annie Appleseed Project hosted a conference in West Palm Beach, Florida, USA. The Annie Appleseed Project is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization providing support and information on complementary and alternative treatment to cancer patients and survivors.

Since the subject of this conference, evidence-based complementary and alternative cancer therapies, is of great interest RCT, our organization was invited to present our work. Klara Rombauts, one of the scientists working for RCT, gave a lecture on Saturday March 5, 2011. This lecture, on the effectiveness of both conventional and non-conventional treatments, has interested many listeners, both patients and survivors as well as professionals from the medical field.

For many patients, it was encouraging to learn that RCT is willing to fund projects that lack funding from the pharmaceutical industry because of potential low profit margins.

Impressions of the conference can be found here.

Belgian company Galapagos starts phase 1b clinical study in cancer patients

Ann-Christine Moenaert — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 13:59:17 +0000

News source:

RCT

On March 14, 2011, Galapagos NV announced that it has started a phase 1b clinical study for GLPG0187, a novel drug being developed for metastatic cancer. Metastatic cancer is responsible for the majority of cancer-related deaths in the USA.
In this clinical trial, Galapagos plans to assess the safety and explore the preliminary efficacy of GLPG0187 in cancer patients.

GLPG0187, an integrin receptor antagonist, has already been studied in animal studies, where oral administration of GLPG0187 has been shown to inhibit multiple processes involved in the spread and growth of metastatic tumors. Following a phase 1a study in healthy volunteers, this phase 1b study is being conducted in patients with solid tumors. Patients with a confirmed diagnosis of advanced, recurrent or metastatic cancer for whom no standard therapy exists or who are refractory to standard treatment, are eligible to enroll in the trial.

Galapagos is a Belgian biotechnology company specialized in the discovery and development of small molecules and antibody therapies with novel modes-of-action.

For more information, please send an e-mail to ir@glpg [dot] com.
For detailed information about the clinical trial, click here.

New therapies on the website: intravenous high-dose vitamin C and homeopathy

Ann-Christine Moenaert — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 09:48:29 +0000

News source:

RCT

The CAM-Cancer summaries for intravenous high-dose vitamin C and homeopathy are now available on the website.

There is limited evidence that high-dose intravenous vitamin C might improve the quality of life of patients with advanced cancers. Although high-dose intravenous vitamin C is safe, causing only minor side effects, it may also reduce the therapeutic effects of conventional anti-cancer therapy.

The professional version of this information has been written by Luc Geeraert and reviewed by the CAM-Cancer Consortium. The version for patients has been based on this review and is available here.

Homeopathy is a system of medicine based on the similia (‘treating like with like’) principle. There are no serious direct risks associated with homeopathy but there are indirect risks if homeopathic preparations are used in place of conventional cancer treatment. Overall, the benefit-risk balance of homeopathy fails to be positive.

The professional version of this information has been written by Edzard Ernst and reviewed by the CAM-Cancer Consortium. The version for patients has been based on this review and is available here.

New therapies on the website: melatonin and selenium

Ann-Christine Moenaert — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 13:25:09 +0000

News source:

RCT

The new CAM-cancer summaries for melatonin and selenium are now available on the website.

Melatonin is produced naturally in the body. Evidence from clinical trials suggests melatonin might have positive effects on tumour remission and survival time, and might protect against side effects from anticancer treatment. Melatonin supplements are generally considered to be safe, at least in short-term use.

The professional version of this information had been written by Markus Horneber and reviewed by the CAM-Cancer Consortium. The version for lay persons had been based on this review and is available here.

The role of selenium in treatment of cancer, as well as in treatment and prevention of therapy-associated adverse effects, is unclear. Although selenium is an essential trace element, it is also toxic in high doses and may cause adverse effects when taken at high doses for a longer time period.

The professional version of this information had been written by Gabrielle Dennert and reviewed by the CAM-Cancer Consortium. The version for lay persons had been based on this review and is available here.

Mindfulness training for cancer patients and their relatives

Ann-Christine Moenaert — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 11:19:54 +0000

News source:

RCT

After a cancer diagnosis, tension and intense emotions are bound to arise. This kind of emotional stress can seriously undermine the recuperation process and the quality of life of cancer patients.

The University Hospital of Brussels conducts the clinical trial ’Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction: Supportive Treatment for Adult Patients with Cancer and Their Partner’, in people who have been confronted with cancer, as a patient or as a partner. The mindfulness trial asks participators to be engaged for an hour a day, for home exercise with the aid of audio-cd’s and a workbook. The parts of the trial held at the hospital in Brussels take place on weekdays and last about two hours.

The trial is held under guidance of Ineke Van Mulders, a clinical psychologist in the university hospital in Brussels. She has been trained at the Institute for mindfulness in The Netherlands.
Mindfulness involves dealing consciously, with an opened mind, with one’s own experiences. The ability to approach experiences in a clear and moderate way, whether pleasant experiences or painful and difficult ones, is developed during mindfulness courses.

For more information about the clinical trial: click here.
For more specific information about the mindfulness training, please contact: ineke [dot] vanmulders@uzbrussel [dot] be or www.uzbrussel.be

Conference on Integrative Care for the Future

Ann-Christine Moenaert — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 15:14:46 +0000

News source:

RCT

RCT is sponsoring the first conference on Integrative Care for the Future. Conference chair is Barrie R. Cassileth, MS, PhD, Laurance S. Rockefeller Chair in Integrative Medicine and Chief of Integrative Medicine Service, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. The conference will be held in Arnhem, the Netherlands, on March, 11 and 12, 2011. Attendance is open to those professionally involved in oncology or related fields.

On the first day, a round table conference will be held in the afternoon (invitation only). Health policy leaders will discuss regulatory affairs, education, economic and political aspects, and challenges for the future. On the second day, which is open for public, there will be presentations on how Integrative Oncology is organized in different parts of the world by international leaders in the field, such as Prof. George Lewith from the University of Southampton medical school.

Integrative Care for the Future is an international organization devoted to the support, study, and dissemination of evidence-based, complementary therapies that are used to control the symptoms associated with cancer and other serious illnesses.

More information can be found on http://www.integrativecareftfuture.org/

Professor Volker Diehl, member of RCT's advisory board, was granted a prestigious award

Ann-Christine Moenaert — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 13:50:03 +0000

News source:

RCT

On December 20, 2010, Volker Diehl, MD PhD, member of RCT’s advisory board and a pioneer in the field of Hodgkin’s lymphoma received the Wallace H. Coulter award for lifetime achievement in Hematology by the American Society of Hematology. This award is granted to an individual who has demonstrated a lifetime commitment and outstanding contribution to hematology and who has made a significant impact on education, research or practice.

Dr. Diehl’s scientific achievements include the discovery of the role of the Epstein-Barr virus in causing infectious mononucleosis and its association with Hodgkin’s lymphoma. He also cultured the first Hodgkin’s cell lines and led the development of the BEACOPP (Bleomycin, Etoposide, Adriamycin, Cyclophosphamide, Oncovin, Procarbazin, Prednisone) chemotherapy regimen for the treatment of Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Upon accepting the award, Dr. Diehl attributed his achievements to his stubbornness not to give up in spite of 427 failures in attempting to culture Hodgkin cell in vitro. He also told the audience that the sight of young patients struggling with Hodgkin’s lymphoma made him determined to fight the disease. According to Dr. Diehl, these many patients are the real heroes of science.

Dichloroacetate (DCA) under clinical evaluation

Ann-Christine Moenaert — Sun, 05 Dec 2010 08:28:27 +0000

News source:

RCT

DCA is a chemical compound that does not occur naturally in the body or in nature. DCA is considered as a potentially dangerous element, even as a possible carcinogen, but it is currently being tested for the treatment of cancer.
More info on DCA, click here.

There is some evidence suggesting that DCA may work in treating glioblastoma multiforme, a type of brain tumor. A recent study indicated that DCA could cause the death of glioblastoma multiforme cells. The dose given to the patients with glioblastoma appeared not to be toxic for the renal, cardiac, hepatic and hematologic system. However, since this experiment included only five patients, no definite conclusion can be made. Therefore, the University of Alberta (Canada) is carrying on clinical trials to further evaluate the effect of DCA.
More info on the work of the University of Alberta: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20463368

In addition, Reliable Cancer Therapies is supporting a clinical trial investigating, firstly, the safety and tolerability of oral DCA in the treatment of recurrent malignant brain tumors and, secondly, the metabolic profile of recurrent malignant brain tumors and the effect of DCA thereon. This trial takes place at the University of Florida, where DCA has been investigated clinically for decades.
This trial is now open for patients. There are no limitations to the number of prior recurrences or to the number of types of prior therapies. Responsible for this trial are Dr. Erin Dunbar and Dr. Peter Stacpoole.
More info on this clinical trial: http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01111097?term=DCA&recr=Open&state1=NA%3AUS%3AFL&rank=1

Reliable Cancer Therapies launches global cancer therapy website

Ann-Christine Moenaert — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 08:29:57 +0000

News source:

RCT

Press Release

Strombeek-Bever, Belgium, November 30, 2010 – Reliable Cancer Therapies (RCT) is a Swiss non-profit organization that provides research-based information on cancer therapies and selectively funds the development of promising therapies.
Reliable Cancer Therapies today launched a global online database (http://www.reliablecancertherapies.com/) that provides scientifically verified information on cancer treatments. With this online database, RCT hopes to broaden the reliable treatment options for patients with cancer.

“Our online database provides patients and medical professionals with free and qualitative information on cancer, treatments, guidelines and clinical trials” states Lydie Meheus, PhD, executive director of RCT. “This website is an answer to the growing need for a comprehensive repository of reliable, trustworthy information on cancer treatments and investigational drugs. We give specific, verified information on conventional as well as non-conventional cancer therapies, and we want to focus on the resulting patient outcomes. We hope that this database will help people find their way through overwhelming, confusing and much too often unverified information. However, it should be emphasized that RCT does not provide medical advice and that our website does not replace a medical consultation.”

Allowing balanced choices
The RCT team is convinced that providing access to the verified information bridges the gap between conventional and non-conventional health care and facilitates their integration. RCT information cited on the website has been screened for evidence, allowing evidence-based treatment choices to be made.

For patients and healthcare professionals
The RCT website provides research-based information in different wordings for patients and their relatives and for professionals so that it can be used to discuss treatment options. The non-professional information is available in English, French, Spanish and Dutch. The website is constantly expanding and updated on a regular basis. Navigation and search allows direct access to the requested topic.

Advisory board
The RCT team is independent and open-minded. International organizations (ESMO, CAM-CANCER, …)collaborate with the challenging effort of getting the best verified data available to the online database. RCT can count on the support of a high level advisory board, composed of renowned members:
o Prof. Bert Aertgeerts, Belgium
o Prof. Marc Bracke, Belgium
o Prof. Volker Diehl, Germany
o Prof. Moshe Frenkel, Israël
o Prof. Robert Gatenby, USA
o Prof. Martine Piccart, Belgium
o Prof. Eric Van Cutsem, Belgium

RCT is also constantly looking for cancer therapies that – based on measurable results – seem successful, but have never been investigated thoroughly. If in the course of these investigations, promising new cancer treatments are identified that are lacking support from industry or from institutional organizations, the development of such therapies can be funded. Information about the projects currently supported by RCT is available on the website.

Call for help
Patients or doctors, who want to contribute to the creation of this online knowledge center, can still do so by providing details on their cancer treatment and outcome using the registry form on the RCT website.

Cooperation between CAM-Cancer and Reliable Cancer Therapies

RCT Editor — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 09:14:51 +0000

News source:

RCT

On 5 May this year a historical agreement for funding and cooperation was made between Reliable Cancer Therapies (RCT) and the National Research Center in CAM (NAFKAM) in Norway. NAFKAM runs the CAM-Cancer website www.cam-cancer.org together with the National Information Center for CAM (NIFAB) and both are based at the University of Tromsø.

The two non-profit projects, CAM-Cancer and Reliable Cancer Therapies, provide information on evidence-based cancer therapies and will be working closely together. RCT has kindly agreed to financially support the CAM-Cancer project until the end of 2011.

The CAM-Cancer project is under the direction of Professor Vinjar Fønnebø, whereas RCT is under the direction of Dr. Lydie Meheus (RCT Executive Director).