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Prostate Cancer Immunotherapy Works Better
for African-American Men
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Dr. Oliver Sartor, C.E. and Bernadine Laborde Professor for Cancer Research at Tulane University School of Medicine, presented the study results at the 112th American Urological Association annual meeting in Boston. Story by Keith Brannon; photo by Paula Burch-Celentano.
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New study results released by Tulane University oncologist Dr. Oliver Sartor hold promising news for African-American men fighting advanced prostate cancer.
African-American men treated with immunotherapy drug sipuleucel-T had a median nine-month overall survival advantage compared to Caucasian men with the disease, according to an analysis of 1,900 patients who received the treatment between 2011 and 2013.
Sartor, C.E. and Bernadine Laborde Professor for Cancer Research at Tulane University School of Medicine, presented the results at the 112th American Urological Association annual meeting in Boston.
“This is the first time that I have ever seen a prostate cancer treatment seemingly work better in African Americans,” said Sartor, lead author of the study. “These new findings are very encouraging given that African-American men with prostate cancer have a mortality rate more than twice as high as Caucasian men and historically have presented with aggressive disease and have had worse outcomes in both real-world settings and controlled clinical trials.”
Sipuleucel-T is a cancer treatment that boosts the immune system to help it attack prostate cancer cells. It is used for advanced prostate cancer that no longer responds to hormone therapy.
The analysis found that African-American patients in the study had a median overall survival of 37.3 months compared to 28 months for Caucasian patients. Among the group of patients with the lowest median prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels at the time of treatment, African-American patients demonstrated over 16 months improved survival compared with Caucasian patients (54.3 months vs. 37.4 months, respectively).
“The fact that we saw an even greater benefit in African-American patients within the lower PSA quartile ranges is also important and provides further evidence that sipuleucel-T is best used early for those with metastatic hormone-resistant disease.”
Sartor was part of the steering committee that led the study registry and headed up the analysis focusing on African-American patients’ results.
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“These new findings are very encouraging given that African-American men with prostate cancer have a mortality rate more than twice as high as Caucasian men."
Dr. Oliver Sartor
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Cancer Crusaders Present Check for $210K
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The Answer to Cancer is Research!
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That’s been the mission statement of the
Cancer Crusaders since their founding in 1976. And at their May 2 Board Meeting, in further support of that mission, the organization’s 2016 co-presidents, Dianne Breaux and Diane Hollis, presented
Prescott Deininger, Ph.D., director of the Tulane Cancer Center, and Augusto Ochoa, M.D., director of LSU’s Stanley S. Scott Cancer Center, with a check for $210,145 - the proceeds of fundraising events and programs held throughout 2016.
Cancer Crusaders is a non-profit, all volunteer organization dedicated to supporting cancer research in the Greater New Orleans area independently from any other cancer organization, locally or nationally. Their 600 members work out of our homes, do their own marketing, and try to get everything they need to hold their events donated or underwritten to keep all costs to a minimum.
Funds raised - over
$3 million since 1978 - are distributed annually to the LSU Stanley S. Scott Cancer Center and Tulane Cancer Center to support important cancer research initiatives.
“To say that the Cancer Crusaders annual gift is critical to our mission is an understatement," said Deininger. "It not only provides vital discretionary funds that we can use where needed most at any given time - a hugely important resource in this economy especially - but equally as important, it represents a vote of confidence - a nod that we are not alone on this important journey to cure cancer. It is with deepest possible gratitude that I thank them for the faith they have placed in our work."
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Free Skin Cancer Screenings Offered at
Downtown Dermatology Clinic
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National Cancer Survivor's Day
Celebration Planned
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Tulane Comprehensive Cancer Clinic, 150 S. Liberty St., will host a
National Cancer Survivor's Day Celebration on Tuesday, June 6, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. The event is open to cancer patients, family members, caregivers and staff and will feature music, food, crafts, a photo booth, nutritional samples and other giveaways.
National Cancer Survivors Day is an annual event, held in hundreds of communities nationwide, and around the world, typically on the first Sunday in June. It is a CELEBRATION for those who have survived, an INSPIRATION for those recently diagnosed, a gathering of SUPPORT for families, and an OUTREACH to the community. On National Cancer Survivors Day, thousands gather to honor cancer survivors and to show the world that life after a cancer diagnosis can be fruitful, rewarding, and even inspiring. Please join our celebration!
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Second Annual Pink Bra Run -
Great Fun for a Great Cause
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Krewe de Pink Board Vice President Carol Osborne (second from left) and President James Stucker (second from right) get into the spirit of their New Orleans-style party with a purpose as they greet participants near the starting line. They are pictured here with Vinnie Buezo (far left) and Shaunder Stucker (far right).
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The
Second Annual Pink Bra Run was a great success - a uniquely New Orleans-style event that helped to raise important funds for Tulane Cancer Center's Breast Cancer Research Program. Approximately 200 walkers and runners participated in the fun run and festival, planned by
Krewe de Pink, a local volunteer organization
dedicated to fighting back against breast cancer.
The event was held Mother's Day Weekend and provided participants with a beautiful view of the New Orleans skyline as they walked or ran the 5K route along the Mississippi River levee in Algiers. Guests also enjoyed a finish line street party complete with music, dancing, food, awards, a best-decorated bra contest and more!
"We couldn't be more grateful to the members of Krewe de Pink," said Prescott Deininger, Ph.D., director of the Tulane Cancer Center. "We are very fortunate to have community members who are so passionate about supporting the research that can bring us all closer to a cure. The funds they raise are incredibly important to our mission, and we simply can't thank them enough."
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