(NewsUSA) – Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is the most common form of adult leukemia. Last year, the American Cancer Society estimated that nearly 16,000 Americans were diagnosed with this disease.

Jason Whiting, Sr. never imagined he would be one of them.

Several years ago, 36 year-old Jason, a Baltimore-based father of two, visited his doctor to see why the lymph nodes in his neck were enlarged. He was immediately referred to Dr. Stephen Noga, director, medical oncology/hematology at Alvin & Lois Lapidus Cancer Institute, who completed blood and bone marrow tests, which confirmed that Jason had CLL. with the diagnosis came mixed emotions — fear, shock and relief that it was detected early.

Given the early-stage diagnosis, Jason experienced minimal symptoms, and he and Dr. Noga decided to initially take a “watch and wait” approach to treatment — a common practice for CLL patients. Over the next several years, Jason had blood tests and CAT scans to monitor his disease progression.

In may 2009, Jason experienced discomfort in his chin and neck, and a CAT scan showed that the cancer had spread to lymph nodes in his abdomen and chest. both Jason and Dr. Noga agreed — it was now time to begin treatment and the fight against cancer.

“It was important that Jason be comfortable with his treatment approach, and we spent a lot of time discussing options,” said Dr. Noga.

Dr. Noga prescribed TREANDA, and after six cycles of TREANDA, Jason has achieved partial remission.

Jason didn’t fight this battle alone. Throughout his treatment, Jason relied on the support of his family and his coworkers.

“When I was diagnosed, I made a decision to beat CLL,” said Jason. “I knew I had to stay positive and motivated so the cancer would not get the best of me. I am thankful for everyone who supported me through the experience.”

Grateful to have achieved partial remission, Jason can be found practicing martial arts and spending time with his children — something that he never takes for granted.

Individual results may vary.

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In a move that threatens to further inflame concerns about the rationing of medical care, the nation’s leading association of cancer physicians issued a list on Wednesday of five common tests and treatments that doctors should stop offering to cancer patients.

The list emerged from a two-year effort, similar to a project other medical specialties are undertaking, to identify procedures that do not help patients live longer or better or that may even be harmful, yet are routinely prescribed.

As much as 30 percent of health-care spending goes to procedures, tests, and hospital stays that do not improve a patient’s health, according to a 2008 analysis by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget office.

“Our goal was to improve care and improve the value of the care we deliver,” said Dr. Lowell Schnipper, a cancer physician at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center who led the task force assembled by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO). the group of more than 200 oncologists released the list from a report in its Journal of Clinical Oncology.

Although the task force emphasized that its recommendations — winnowed from about 10 suggestions by oncologists — were driven by medical considerations, the report makes clear that expense was a major factor. a number of cancer drugs cost nearly $100,000 but extend life a few months or not at all. Widely-used imaging tests cost up to $5,000 yet do not benefit patients.

The list has been closely guarded, with public announcements scheduled for Wednesday. Patients, advocacy groups, and policy experts contacted by Reuters were mixed in their reaction to the recommendations.

“The American people have a much higher opinion of doctors than of government bureaucrats,” said Kate Nix, a policy analyst at the free-market Heritage Foundation. whether the ASCO recommendations to withhold some tests and treatments will be seen as rationing “depends on how they are used. Will they inhibit the ability of doctors and patients to make the best decision in each case?”

Patients vs. financial interests

Advocates for cancer patients applauded the recommendations.

“I think this is a great effort from ASCO,” said Dr. Otis Brawley, chief medical officer of the American Cancer Society. “They are putting their patients ahead of their own financial interests,” since in the existing fee-for-service health-care system physicians make money on every test and treatment they order.

Brawley does not see the effort as leading to health-care rationing. “This is the rational use of health-care, not rationing,” he said.

Other advocates agreed. “I am shocked, surprised, and pleased,” said Fran Visco, president of the National Breast Cancer Coalition and a breast-cancer survivor. “Shocked because ASCO has long been loath to say, ‘do less.’ pleased because it appears that they are trying to follow the science, which is nice.”

Following the science, however, can lead to conclusions that do not sit well with all patients. Shari Baker, who was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer eight years ago and has been in remission since 2007, has already felt the brunt of one of the recommendations: that patients who have been successfully treated for breast cancer and have no symptoms of cancer not undergo CT, PET, other imaging, or bone scans to check for a recurrence or spread of the disease, known as metastasis.

“As a survivor of bone metastasis — the breast cancer had spread to my spine — after my doctor told me I was clear those PET scans were my peace of mind,” said Baker, a jewelry designer in Scottsdale, Ariz. “By the time you have symptoms it’s too late.”

Her insurer, guided by the same kind of studies that served as the basis for the ASCO list, would not cover the scan, citing that it provides no benefit.

ASCO recommends against routine use of four other procedures: chemotherapy for patients with advanced cancers who are unlikely to benefit; advanced imaging technologies such as CT and PET or bone scans to determine the precise stage of both early breast and prostate cancers at low risk for metastasis; and drugs to stimulate white blood cell production in patients receiving chemotherapy if they have a risk of febrile neutropenia, an often-fatal condition marked by fever and abnormally low numbers of certain white blood cells.

The supporting evidence for each recommendation is expected to surprise patients and even some physicians, since these very widely-used tests and treatments have little or no scientific basis, said Schnipper.

Withholding chemotherapy

One recommendation likely to stir controversy, and even revive charges of “death panels,” is to not use chemotherapy and other treatments in patients with advanced solid-tumor cancers such as colorectal or lung who are in poor health and did not benefit from previous chemo.

Such treatment is widespread. at one large health maintenance organization, for instance, 49 percent of patients with a common form of lung cancer but with poor “performance status” (they were largely confined to a bed or chair and capable of only limited self-care) received chemo. Research shows, however, that it is unlikely to extend their life or improve its quality.

Similarly, many patients receive three and even four kinds of chemo after not responding to earlier rounds. Yet in the largest study of its kind, only 2 percent of lung-cancer patients responded to a third form of chemo; 0 percent responded to a fourth form. In another study, withholding fourth-line chemotherapy from patients with non-small-cell lung cancer or colorectal cancer did not shorten their lives compared to that of similar patients receiving last-ditch treatments.

ASCO therefore recommends that such very ill, weak, and non-responsive patients receive only palliative and other end-of-life care. an important exception: a cancer whose molecular fingerprint makes it vulnerable to a targeted therapy such as AstraZeneca’s Iressa for non-small-cell lung cancer.

“In no way do we want to deprive a desperately-ill patient of something that might be helpful,” said Schnipper. and every oncologist should continue to base medical decisions on the individual patient, he said.

“But if nature is telling us that something will not help, it is our obligation to do no harm,” he added. Giving chemo to a seriously ill patient whose cancer has not responded to earlier treatment “might let grandma live another few weeks. but she is very likely to be made toxic by the chemo and suffer big time. There is a real risk it will make a patient worse.”

The challenge for physicians as well as insurers will be balancing the needs of the vast majority of patients against the rare cases. Studies have shown that when very ill lung-cancer patients were given a common chemotherapy, the average survival was half that of stronger patients, but nevertheless, 3.4 months.

Finding metastasis

The recommendation that physicians not perform advanced imaging or bone scans in patients with early-stage breast or low-grade prostate cancer that is unlikely to spread also reflects research that contradicts what many patients believe.

In these patients, imaging such as PET and CT to search for metastasis does not improve detection of metastases or extend survival. moreover, said Schnipper, “finding metastases early does not improve survival in breast cancer.” but the expensive imaging ($2,500 to $5,000) does misdiagnose some harmless changes as cancer, leading to unnecessary invasive procedures or treatments that can shorten lives.

Again, there are exceptions. the most authoritative review found that 99 percent of patients with early-stage, seemingly low-risk prostate cancer do not benefit from imaging or bone scans. That suggests 1 percent might.

In breast-cancer patients who have been successfully treated, such as Shari Baker, neither the advanced imaging nor blood tests for molecules associated with tumors improve survival. (The tests do help patients treated for colorectal cancer, however.) Most recurrences are found through a physical exam or mammogram. Yet the advanced tests are routine.

“Why do doctors keep doing them?” Schnipper asks. “Most of them are aware of the evidence that these tests don’t benefit patients. but in my own experience treating breast-cancer patients, sometimes when I go through the explanations of how these things don’t help a patient will say, ‘but it will help me sleep at night.’ and I do it.”

It is way too soon to know whether the recommendations will affect how ASCO’s 30,000-plus members treat cancer patients. the group is launching a program to educate physicians as well as patients to understand which tests and treatments are more likely to be harmful than helpful.

04/23/2012 | 03:39am

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tokyo, April 23, 2012 Top-line results of the JTT-751 Phase 3 clinical study in Japan (GBA4-1) for the treatment of hyperphosphatemia Tokyo, April 23, 2012 — Japan Tobacco Inc. (JT) (TSE:2914) and Torii Pharmaceutical co., Ltd. (Torii) (TSE:4551) have announced the top-line results of GBA4-1. this study is a part of the Phase 3 program for JTT-751 (ferric citrate), conducted in Japan, for the treatment of hyperphosphatemia.

GBA4-1 was an open-label, randomized, parallel-group, active comparator study, designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of JTT-751 in comparison to sevelamer hydrochloride. the study was carried out over a 12 week period, among patients diagnosed with chronic kidney disease (CKD) on hemodialysis, experiencing symptoms of hyperphosphatemia. In the top-line results, non-inferiority of JTT-751 to sevelamer hydrochloride was confirmed, in regard to the primary endpoint of the trial. In order to meet the primary endpoint, the levels of serum phosphorus from patients were measured, comparing baseline levels with those at the end of the trial. furthermore, there were no clinically significant findings on safety and tolerability of JTT-751 within the treatment period. JT will aim to submit a marketing application for JTT-751 in Japan, in the fiscal year ending March 31 2013, based on the results of GBA4-1 and other Phase 3 studies for JTT-751 which are currently being conducted. JT and Torii hold the exclusive rights to develop and commercialize JTT-751 in Japan, which were licensed from Keryx Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. in September 2007.

About Hyperphosphatemia

Patients with CKD often suffer from hyperphosphatemia, as a result of lower phosphorous excretion from the kidney. Persisting hyperphosphatemia leads to calcareous deposition in various organs, including the blood vessels, heart, lung and kidney as well as periarticular tissues. In particular, a calcified blood vessel wall causes arterial sclerosis and increases the risk of cardiac infarct and angina. furthermore, bone lesions can be caused by secondary hyperparathyroidism associated with the increase in secretion of parathyroid hormone, negatively affecting activities of daily living and quality of life.

Contacts for Japan Tobacco Inc.: Contact for Torii Pharmaceutical co., Ltd.:Hideyuki Yamamoto, General Manager planning Department (Public Relations) Ryohei Sugata, Associate General Manager Torii Pharmaceutical co., Ltd.

Media and Investor Relations Division Tokyo: +81-3-3231-6814

Japan Tobacco Inc. Tokyo: +81-3-5572-4292

E-mail: jt.media.relations@jt.com

Japan Tobacco Inc. is a leading international tobacco product company. Its products are sold in over 120 countries and its internationally recognized cigarette brands include Winston, Camel, Mild Seven and Benson & Hedges. With diversified operations, JT is also actively present in pharmaceuticals and foods. the company’s adjusted net sales(*) were ?1.946 trillion (US$23,415 million(**)) in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011.

* Adjusted net sales on a consolidated basis do not include excise tax and revenue from the imported tobacco, domestic duty free, the China Division and other peripheral businesses in the Japanese domestic tobacco business. nor does it include excise tax and revenue from distribution, contract manufacturing and other peripheral businesses in the international tobacco business.

**Translated at the rate of ?83.15 per $1, as of March 31, 2011

HIS football talent was a chance discovery and his rise to captain of Kerala?s under-13 team swift. but two months ago, it all threatened to unravel as quickly for 14-year-old M Prem Singh Boharah whose family hails from Nepal.

He was diagnosed with aplastic anaemia, a blood disorder in which the bone marrow does not make enough new blood cells. His father, a retired security guard in Tamil Nadu, had little hope of raising the Rs 15 lakh required for the treatment ? until Kerala football fans chipped in. last week, Boharah?s treatment began at the Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore.

Since bone marrow transplantation could not be done because of the lack of a matching donor, he has been receiving injections, and the course will be completed in a couple of days. Boharah will then have to stay in Vellore for three months for check-ups.

It was Kozhikode-based Sports and Education Promotion Trust (SEPT), which initially groomed Boharah, that stepped forward to raise the money. Launched in 2004 by a group of football players, SEPT aims to help players from impoverished families and is currently training 1,200 children in 41 centres spread across 11 districts of Kerala.

SEPT chairman and former national-level football referee Arunkumar Nanu said: ?Soon after Boharah was diagnosed with severe symptoms of blood disorder, he was taken to CMC. His father could come up with little, so we approached kind-hearted individuals to save the life of the boy.?

Having managed to put together Rs 11.75 lakh on its own, SEPT pooled in contributions from its sub-centres as well as individuals and institutions. besides, students and faculty of IIM-Kozhikode, which helps SEPT as part of its course?s social development component, contributed Rs 1.5 lakh, while Boharah?s Al-Farook Residential School in Kozhikode gave Rs 3.50 lakh.

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Vitamin a supplements could reduce the risk of developing the deadly skin cancer melanoma, according to a new study.

The results show that people takingvitamin a were 60 percent less likely to develop melanoma over the six-year study. People who had taken the vitamin, but weren’t currently taking it, did not gain any protective effect. 

The reduced risk was more pronounced in women than men.

“This is promising evidence that in addition to sun protection, there’s another option that can help prevent melanoma,” said Dr. Mary Gail Mercurio, a dermatologist at the University of Rochester Medical Center, who was not involved with the study.  

Vitamin a is found in foods such as sweet potato, carrots, spinach, milk, eggs and liver. The vitamin plays an important role in vision, bone health, immune function and reproduction, but high doses of it can be toxic. 

The study appears today (March 1) in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology.

Genetics could increase melanoma risk

Melanoma is the sixth leading cause of cancer in the U.S., according to the American Cancer Society. About 76,000 cases of melanomas will be diagnosed this year, based on recent estimates.

In the study, researchers examined about 69,000 men and women, and after about six years, 566 had developed melanoma.

Among the 59,000 people in the study who had never taken vitamin a supplements, there were 506 cases of melanoma, while among the 5,800 people who were currently taking it and had used it regularly over the past 10 years, there were 28 cases.

Study researcher Dr. Maryam Asgari, a dermatologist and research scientist at Kaiser Permanente in Oakland, said the protective effect might be stronger in women than men because men may be more susceptible to skin damage from ultraviolet radiation.

She pointed to a recent animal study that suggests females may have more natural antioxidant protection in the skin than males.

The new study also found the melanoma risk was reduced the most in those who took high doses of the supplement. But Asgari cautioned that takingtoo much vitamin a could lead to such harmful conditions   as birth defects, liver problems and bone loss.

“There are limits to how much vitamin a a person can consume,” she said.

The recommended daily amount of vitamin a is 700 micrograms for adult women and 900 micrograms for adult men, according to the National Institutes of Health. Taking more than 2,800 micrograms of vitamin a could lead to toxic symptoms in adults.

Genetic risk

Reducing sunlight exposure has long been recommended to reduce the risk of melanoma. this includes limiting time in direct sunlight, wearing sun block and avoiding tanning beds. 

Unfortunately, not all melanoma is a result of sun exposure. there is also a strong genetic component, Mercurio said. “Even the most vigilant sun-avoider is at risk, especially if they are fair-skinned, freckle easily and have red or blonde hair.”

Although she said the study’s findings were compelling, she cautioned it’s not clear how much vitamin a might bring a benefit.

“We don’t know yet the optimal dosage,” Mercurio said. “Further studies will clarify how much vitamin a in the form of a supplement would be of benefit for melanoma prevention.” 

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Nelson missed his seventh game of the season — one to neck spasms and the other five to concussion-like symptoms.

Nelson has had an up-and-down season averaging 9.3 points and 5.3 assists per game in 28 starts.

Chris Duhon will start in his place against the Hawks, who were missing PG Joe Johnson (knee tendinitis).

The Magic welcomed back SG Jason Richardson. Richardson, who missed the past three games because of a pain in his chest, started against Atlanta.

Richardson sat out Sunday afternoon’s game in Miami, complaining of chest pains, fearing at first that the pains were related to his heart. Doctors have told him he has a lung inflammation.

J-Rich cleared to play

Richardson warmed up before the game without difficulty and was cleared to play.

on the first play against the Hawks, Richardson grabbed a rebound and fed Dwight Howard for a dunk, then scored on a post move against Kirk Hinrich.

J-Rich was not only active, but well-rested and full of energy. he then knocked a loose ball off Hawks PF Josh Smith, diving into the stands.

Richardson had similar energy after missing three games while recovering from a bone bruise on his knee.

Van Gundy wants is players to take the all-star break to rest, although he can only make suggestions. “Every guy in there knows what’s best for him … don’t be out all night, eat right,” Van Gundy said.

but Van Gundy laughed, admitting that he also knows what’s best for his body but doesn’t follow his own advice. “It’s not like I don’t know cheeseburgers are bad for me,” he said.

Layups

Van Gundy said that PF Ryan Anderson has made strides defensively. “No question he’s gotten better defensively,” Van Gundy said. “He still has a long way to go.”

Van Gundy said he plans to visit with Fredi Gonzalez, manager of the Atlanta Braves, today at Disney’s Wide World of Sports, where the Braves are conducting spring training.

Atlanta C Zaza Pachulia, former Magic C, said before the game that he was headed to Orlando for the break, taking his family “to Disney World and the All-Star Game. a two-for-one,” he laughed.

By Lewis Mehl-Madrona (about the author) Become a Fan  (22 fans)   — Page 1 of 1 page(s)

Mind and body are inexplicably linked.   I suppose it is an artifact of the linearity of language and the way the use of language conditions our perception that we come to believe that body is somehow separate from the other aspects of our selves.   I have an example.   I came to have the opportunity to interview a woman who had defied medical diagnosis and continued to suffer.   her story is common.   many people feel poorly and defy diagnosis.   our medicalized system of beliefs (or stories) fail to match the stories people tell about their suffering.   Pattern recognition by doctors just doesn’t occur.

Sandra had some confusing lab results as is often enough the case.   Most of her laboratory studies, however, were normal.   her free T4 (a thyroid hormone) was low, though her total T4 levels and her TSH levels (thyroid stimulating hormone, which is high when the thyroid is not responding to the signals sent by the pituitary and very low when the thyroid is overactive) were normal.   her sedimentation rate (a measure of inflammation as it affects the red blood cells — literally, how rapidly they settle to the bottom of a jar) was just slightly elevated, as was her platelet count (which is also seen in states of inflammation).   Platelets are the small cells in the blood that facilitate clotting when we are cut.   her hematocrit (the percentage of red blood cells in a cubic centimeter of blood) was also minimally low.   Hormonal studies showed a slightly low estradiol (an estrogen) but normal progesterone, estrogen to progesterone ratio, testosterone, and dihydroepiandosterone (DHEA).   These are molecules that reflect the functioning of the pituitary through the reproductive system and the adrenal glands.   her night cortisol was slightly elevated, evidence of perhaps some stress and increased adrenal activity.

Sandra’s symptoms were varied, from vaginal dryness to a feeling of being severely stressed.   she believed she was sensitive to chemicals (which are, of course, everywhere).   Extra ovarian follicles (which release eggs to be fertilized) had been found along with irritation of the duodenum, the first part of her small intestine.   Conventional medicine had offered her the usual medications to calm the intestine, which are called protein pump inhibitors.   seeing nothing else they could treat, they had offered her fluoxetine (originally marketed as Prozac) and had referred her to a psychiatrist, which had incensed her to no end.   she believed all the doctors she had seen were incompetent to not discover what was wrong with her.

Sandra had been seeing an acupuncturist for the past 8 months, believing that this treatment had improved her canker sores, but little else.   she had also taken probiotics, which are tablets full of the healthy bacteria that line our intestinal walls.   she had added the help of a reflexologist (person who treats the body by massaging the feet) who wanted to heal her stomach first and then her reproductive organs.   the Chinese Medicine doctor gave her herbs for her menstrual periods which didn’t help and gave her stomach pain.   A nutritionist then altered her diet to eliminate all sugar, pork, spice, sauces, dairy, soy, and wheat, which also didn’t help.   recently she had begun eating dairy and bread again and was no worse for the wear.   she had even gained some needed weight as she was too thin even by body mass index standards.   by the time I saw her, stomach pain was coming and going.   the last few weeks of eating more rich food had bloated and constipated her, increasing her stomach area discomfort.  

Eighteen months previously a podiatrist had operated on her foot for pain there which the reflexologist blamed for the stomach and small intestinal symptoms, since the surgery was in that area of the foot.   the reflexologist associated pain in her heel with the problems in her reproductive organs.   However, Sandra couldn’t tell if reflexology was changing anything.   she had also taken Yaz and Accutane, on which any number of her symptoms could be blamed.     Sandra graded her Chinese Medicine doctor as having earned a solid “B”.   No one else had earned a grade higher than a “C” and conventional medicine was a dismal “F”.   she was also taking a variety of supplements.   what should she do?

Sandra was an enigma to her health care providers.   I asked her about the quality of her life over the past three years.   “I’m so stressed,” she said.   “I’m so full of worry.   I’m so high-strung.   I worry all the time.”   I learned that she was a highly successful optometrist who was opening practices and employing other optometrists to run them all around the city.   the more successful her business became, the worse her symptoms were.   Then I asked Sandra is we could invite her husband to a meeting to help us with the inquiry into her symptoms.   she agreed and he came to our next meeting.

Daniel was a tall, handsome, muscular man.   he confidently sat in the chair next to Sandra.   Compared to her nervousness, his self-assurance and comfort was even more extraordinary.   I asked Daniel what sense he made of Sandra’s illness.   “It’s stress,” he said.   “She stresses herself over nothing.   she worries continually and incessantly about the business, though it’s never been better.”   Daniel, it turned out, was an accountant, who carefully administered the financial aspects of the business.   he ran the numbers and was confident in how well the numbers were working.   Sandra, on the other hand, was forever worrying about what could go wrong with the business.   Success, in one sense, had “gone to her head”.   when she had nothing, she worried about nothing.   the more she had, the more worries there were.   Buddha, of course, told a story about this probably more than once, but the one I remember came on a lovely summer day in which he and his disciples were lounging in the shade beside a brook while a farmer frantically ran up and down the road looking for his lost cows.   the monks had not seen his cows and knew not which way they had gone, so could not help.   Over the course of the month they remained in that place, the farmer lost his cows several times.   Finally, Buddha couldn’t help but notice that cows were perhaps not a good thing to have.

In my story about the world, Daniel was probably accurate since our loved ones usually know us pretty well.   Excessive worry through the body’s stress mechanisms produces inflammation, which is associated with dysfunction in just about every organ system from the ovaries to the adrenals to the bone marrow to the stomach to the heart.   Pro-inflammatory molecules make us feel like we do when we have the flu but without the sneezing.   They make us more allergically reactive.   Stress and worry makes us tense which can lead to injuries.   I explained this theory to a skeptical Sandra and an enthusiastic Daniel.   Perhaps Sandra didn’t need yet more medical tests and procedures which are in themselves stress-provoking.   Perhaps, for the first time really in her life, she needed to learn how to be still.   she needed to learn to relax.   she needed to learn how to turn her attention away from all the possible negative outcomes and dwell on some of the very real positive outcomes or even to think about no outcome at all.   the Harvard psychologist William James wrote that the one thing we can control about our brains is where we direct our attention.   Sandra might need to learn how to direct her attention differently.

What medicine does is primarily treat the end product of the inflammation with symptom suppressors rather than look to the source of the inflammation, which in this case, appeared to be excessive worry brought on by too much success!   Of course it’s confusing when we look at the body as if each part were totally separate.   We look at nouns instead of verbs, organs instead of processes.   when we think of process, we think of inflammation affecting multiple organs in a variety of ways that are as individual as the person herself.

The hard sell is to convince people that their bodies respond to the events of their lives.   We have been trained that an impenetrable wall separates body from life.   so long as we believe this, our symptoms are mysterious and undiagnosable.  

As Sandra learned to worry less, her symptoms lessened.   Eventually she was much more comfortable in both her body and her life.   Diagnosis no longer mattered to her for she had an explanatory story that worked, that gave her a path to follow to feel better, and that had support in science, though not perhaps as much in culture

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Cannabis Science Issues first Market and Revenue Guidance in regards to the top 10 Cancer Formulations the Company Intends Focus on over next Ten Years

DENVER–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Cannabis Science, Inc. (OTCBB: CBIS.ob), a pioneering US biotech company developing pharmaceutical cannabis products, is pleased to announce that we have a variety of cannabis-based formulations that target critical ailments worldwide. Illnesses ranging from cancer to pain management give the company a large market and revenue base potential. as outlined on the company website cannabisscience.com our initial target of self-administered cancer formulations proves to be the fastest to market application as prompted by recent successful cannabis-based treatments outlined in earlier press releases issued by the Company.

Marketresearch.com says cancer is the second-leading cause of death in the United States, and the world market for cancer therapy is growing at a brisk double-digit pace of over 10% per year, with total treatments revenues surpassing $40 billion this year in the USA alone.

Current market research and analysis shows Cannabis Science in a position to capitalize on the current annual cancer revenues at the low end of scale at approximately 1% market share giving the company a projected $400 million total revenues per year less associated costs.

the top Ten Cancers and their respective markets Cannabis Science intends to focus on in regards to their formulations are Basal Cell Carcinoma and Squamous Cell Carcinoma (Skin Cancers), Ductal Carcinoma (Breast Cancer), Colon Cancer, Glioma (Brain Tumor), Lung Cancer, Multiple Myeloma (Bone Marrow), Ovarian Cancer, Pheochromocytoma (Adrenal Gland), and Prostate Cancer.

Cannabis Science estimates that there are over 7 million patients who suffer from these cancers in the USA alone and who could potentially benefit from the Cannabis Science Based Extract formulations as they initially become available in states with appropriate medical marijuana laws.

Robert Kane, Investor Relations Manager stated, “Our primary goals here at Cannabis Science in regards to increasing shareholder value started with more efficient communication and increased guidance in regards to the revenue and earnings potential of their business model. with the establishment of the Facebook and Twitter accounts, and the incredible support they have given me, it has allowed Cannabis Science to answer and respond to shareholder inquiries much more efficiently than in the past. Now, with this release of this market and revenue guidance, I applaud Dr. Melamede and his team for accomplishing these goals, and doing it so in such an efficient manner. Cannabis Science vigilantly continues to work on their projections and forecasts of their products for potential conditions that Cannabis Science will focus on in the future these projections and forecasts include different global geographical market and different medical conditions going forward over the next ten years. I look forward to sharing that guidance as it approved.”

Dr. Robert Melamede, President of Cannabis Science stated, “This information contained in this guidance demonstrates that we have a viable business model. we will generate revenues from our strategic alliance with MEDBOX, as well as from our Cannabis Extract Based Formulations. these revenue streams, as well as additional ones that we are currently working on, will allow us to fund our FDA efforts on a national level while we test and develop products on the medical marijuana state level.”

About Cannabis Science, Inc. Cannabis Science, Inc. is at the forefront of pharmaceutical grade medical marijuana research and development. the Company works with world authorities on phytocannabinoid science targeting critical illnesses, and adheres to scientific methodologies to develop, produce and commercialize phytocannabinoid-based pharmaceutical products. in sum, we are dedicated to the creation of cannabis-based medicines, both with and without psychoactive properties, to treat disease and the symptoms of disease, as well as for general health maintenance.

forward looking Statements This Press Release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Act of 1934. a statement containing works such as "anticipate," "seek, "intend," "believe," "plan," "estimate," "expect," "project," "plan," or similar phrases may be deemed "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. some or all of the events or results anticipated by these forward-looking statements may not occur. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include the future U.S. and global economies, the impact of competition, and the Company's reliance on existing regulations regarding the use and development of cannabis-based drugs. Cannabis Science, Inc. does not undertake any duty nor does it intend to update the results of these forward-looking statements.

Contact: Cannabis Science Inc. Robert Kane, 561-234-6929 Investor Relations This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. or Dr. Robert Melamede, President cannabisscience.com This e-mail address is being protected from spambots.

Today marks Black Friday – the unofficial start of the holiday shopping season across America. many of our readers may still be sleeping off a turkey coma, and maybe some of you are just getting back from a first round of shopping that started with midnight openings. But no matter where you are in your holiday gift-buying scramble, CBR News is here to help!

Below, we’re happy to present our Black Friday Comics Shopping Guide – over 50 new and popular items that you can get for the faboy or fangirl in your life (or maybe forward on to your family to avoid some embarrassing returns).

But before we get started, be sure to check out Robot 6′s guide to the cyber deals hitting the web this weekend on items from digital comics to creator-designed T-Shirts. And keep in mind that those deals will continue through the weekend as top Shelf Productions tipped us off that they’ll have big deals in their Web Store starting Monday with a special promo code going out to e-mail subscribers Sunday night!

Now without further adieu…on to the items!

FOR THE COMICS E-CONSUMER

There’s no denying it. We’re living in a digital age, and comics are at the forefront of the hottest items on sale this holiday season. of course, the reigning champ of the tablet market is still an option as Apple’s iPad 2 is retailing for around $499. If you or one of your already has an iPad or tablet and you’re looking for comics to download, there’s no better place to start than Robot 6′s round up of digital offerings outside the Big Two.

Then again if superheroes are your bread and butter, the two hottest eReaders of the season both feature their own comics content and some prices more friendly to the non-techie crowd.

Right now, Amazon’s Kindle Fire is retailing for $199. Already one of the more dominant platforms for digital books, the full color tablet also carries 100 highly publicized DC Comics graphic novels exclusively throughout the holidays and into the new year. for more on the Kindle and Amazon’s DC storefront, see CBR’s interview with DC SVP of Digital Hank Kanalz.

Not to be outdone, Barnes & Noble are offering their new NOOK Tablet for $249. the device is already getting strong reviews and has partnered with Marvel Comics for digital graphic novel offerings as the publisher ramps up to a full-on day-and-date release slate for its superhero comics in early 2012.

FOR THE LIFELONG SUPERHERO READER

Looking for some under-the-radar superhero comics to stuff your stockings with?

Start with BOOM! Studios “Irredeemable” Vol. 1 for $9.99. the trade kick-starting mark Waid’s ongoing superhero opus is something entirely different. Waid’s story of a hero-gone-bad is great for introducing new readers to the flexibility of the superhero genre without trotting out the excellent but well-worn go-to books. “Irredeemable” is dark, dark stuff, but is also possibly more accessible than deconstructions like “Dark Knight Returns” and “Watchmen.” Comic fans will enjoy seeing superpowers put to horrifying and inventive new uses in a series that subverts without mocking the standard superhero tropes.

For a more classic flavor, don’t miss DC’s “Tales of the Batman: Gene Colan, Volume 1″ for $39.99 in hardcover. one of the great artists in comics tackling one of the great characters in comics…what’s not to like? And Colan’s moody and expressive take on the dark Knight is the perfect reintroduction to the character for longtime fans and casual Batman buffs, and provides a great refresher on Batman 101 before next year’s “The dark Knight Rises.”

On the more recent end of the nostalgia hardcover market, you can’t go wrong with Marvel’s “X-Men: X-Cutioner’s Song Hardcover” for $49.99. the tale of ’90s X-Men madness as Stryfe attacks the team from the future, the volume presents a great, big action story that encapsulates everything that was good about that decades superheroes – gorgeously packaged with strikingly crisp colors throughout and entertaining and comprehensive backmatter.

For fans looking for items on the higher end of the collected market, DC has unleashed a new printing of Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely’s “Absolute All Star Superman” for $99.99. It’s a pricey present, but certainly one of the most beautiful and impressive Superman collections you’ll ever get a chance to read. All done in a stunning over-sized edition.

And perhaps the biggest collection of the year (literally), Marvel’s “Thor by Walter Simonson Omnibus” for $124.99 stands above the rest. It is amazing the world that we live in that you can actually acquire the entirety of Walter Simonson’s Thor run in one giant comic book! Oversized with roughly FIFTY pages of bonus material, this comic is a delight for fans of the Thor film or really, for fans of comic books period. plus, the updated coloring looks great.

FOR THE CUTTING EDGE COMICS READER

If you’re leaning more towards the strange, independent and thought-provoking edges of the comics medium, there’s plenty to be on the lookout for as well.

Start out with a comic for you or any of your smart, snarky family members with Drawn & Quarterly’s collection of “Hark! A Vagrant!” for $19.99. Kate Beaton’s hilariously offbeat look at history and popular culture will delight pretty much everyone…except, possibly, people too dumb to get any of the jokes. Do not get this as a present for people who are too dumb to get jokes.

For something COMPLETELY different from the same great art comics publisher, be sure to track down Brian Ralph’s stunning zombie epic “Daybreak” for one of the scariest turns on the genre in recent memory. Only $17.56!

Grant Morrison and Sean Murphy’s somewhat overlooked “Joe the Barbarian” is out in Deluxe Hardcover for $29.99. the series is great for new and old comic readers alike and contains mind-bending twists on childhood fantasy wrapped in a heart-wrenching story of a boy trying to cope with the loss of his father and a debilitating case of diabetes.

For more sci-fi madness, there’s no better time to pick up either the first volume or the second installment of Matt Fraction’s acclaimed “Casanova.” at $15.99 a pop, the series spi-fi stylings make high concept genre fiction as personal and impressive as anything on the stands.

And finally, for the “Lost” fan who’s still trying to get back to the island in your life, why not try the Deluxe Hardcover of Nick Spencer’s “Morning Glories” for $39.99? one of the biggest debuts of the past year, the epic series of time travel, teenagers and school cults (at least we think that’s what it’s really all about) is just getting started.

FOR THE COMICS HISTORIAN

It’s been said many times before, but we truly live in the golden age of comics reprint projects, and 2011 has seen tons of wonderful archival material hit the stands.

Fantagraphics is all over the legacies of some of the best artists ever to work for the Walt Disney company with Floyd Gottfredson’s Mickey Mouse, vol. 1 ($29.99) and Carl Barks’ Donald Duck ($24.99). Disney’s most famous characters need no introduction, but their modern incarnations are so far from their roots that these collections will surprise anyone seeing these strips for the first time. any of these volumes is a guaranteed smile.

From a more modern era of newspaper cartooning comes IDW’s “Bloom County: the Complete Library Volume 5″ for $39.99. the final volume of Berkeley Breathed’s classic comic strip is a can’t miss event. Fortunately next year there will be collections of “Outland and Opus,” so you won’t have to worry about withdrawal symptoms for a year.

For a more heroic offering, look into “Kamandi, the Last Boy on Earth Omnibus Volume 1 by Jack Kirby” from DC for $49.99. If you’re a Kirby nut, a fan of the feature in “Wednesday Comics” by Dave Gibbons and Ryan Sook or just someone curiously excited to see Kirby’s madcap vision of this bizarre world, the collection can’t be beat.

On a different nostalgia trip, it’s hard to ignore “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: the Ultimate Collection, Volume 1″ from IDW for $49.99. If you think about it for three seconds, you’ll come up with the name of someone you know who grew up with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, but has never read the original comics that those insanely popular cartoons and movies came from. Here’s your opportunity to fix that.

And of course, if you’re interested in reading about the history of comics as much as you are in reading the comics themselves, don’t forget that TwoMorrows Publishing holds a 50% off sale on items through December 5. the pop culture history rich books, Pierre Comtois’ Marvel Comics of the 1960s and Marvel Comics of the 1960s can be had at the combined price of what you would normally pay for each individual volume. Also, fans of Frazier Irving (a group getting larger with every year, and deservedly so) would be savvy to scoop up the 26th installment in Twomorrows’ Modern Masters Series – at $7.98 it is a bona fide bargain.

FOR THE FAMILY OF FANBOYS & GIRLS

For comic-reading families with little ones on hand, there are any number of totally rad kids comics on the market.

For a quick fix of classic comics reinvisioned for the 21st Century, stop by Ape Entertainments web store for single issues of their “Richie Rich” series for $3.95.

A great big chunk of family friendly comics at a great price comes in the form of “The Best of Archie Comics” for $9.95. from Bob Montana to Dan DeCarlo to Dan Parent, some of the best in the publisher’s history are on display with stories of Archie, Betty, Veronica, Jughead and the whole Riverdale gang.

The comics-crazy Middle Schooler in your life will sing your praises if you’re the first to buy them “Diary of A Wimpy Kid: Cabin Fever” for $13.95. the latest volume in Jeffy Kinney’s comics/novel mash-up is yet another hilarious and clever tale – this time a perfect entry to crack open on Winter break.

Kids and parents interested in some classic comics Americana can do no wrong with “Pogo: the Complete Syndicated Strips, Volume 1: through the Wild Blue Wonder” from Fantagraphics for $39.99. not to mention: you may not know it yet, but your parents or grandparents really liked Pogo and would love to read those strips again in a nice hardback.

Finally, don’t forget the most acclaimed all-ages comic of the past 20 years. “Bone: 20th Anniversary Full Color one Volume” retails for $150.00. the beautifully designed hardcover slipcased volume collects all the full color books. the popularity of Jeff Smith’s saga with both kids and grown-ups has proven that black-and-white art isn’t an impediment to a lot of people’s enjoying it. Now, the rest of them can enjoy it too. There’s a child in your life who really needs to read this book. Worth every penny.

FOR THE TOY COLLECTOR

Looking to garnish some drab shelf space with a few plastic protectors? well, there are tons of new toys aimed at comic fans on the shelves this season.

Tokidoki has Marvel keychain/zipper pull blind boxes for $5.95 a figure. They’re super affordable, and they’re super awesome.

Folks hitting Toys R’ Us today can check out Diamond Select Toy’s Marvel vs. Capcom 3 Minimates exclusively for $14.99 and recreate some cute little battles whenever they want.

On a similar note, the $8 Funko DC PoP! Vinyl figures have been selling pretty strong with fans. the Pop! line is fun and inexpensive, filling the gap left when Hasbro stopped making their Mighty Muggs. right now, you can get Marvel and DC characters, as well as Disney, horror icons, rock and hip-hop artists, etc.

For a fun toy throwback, Mattel’s Batman Legacy Wave 2 sports a Golden Age grinning Batman, Silver Age Batgirl and Catman! Retailing between $10 and $40 depending on which assortment you track down.

NECA’s Gremlins figures are so cool they’ll make you want to pour water on my Mogwai AND feed him after midnight with selections ranging from $14 to $20.

Finally, over at Hasbro they have a GI Joe collector’s club you can subscribe to that have 12 awesome exclusive figures including Big Boa who was supposed to be the Rocky figure’s enemy.

FOR THE COMICS LOVING GAMER

It seems like ages since we’ve had a good video game outing with the Man of Steel, but Chillingo manages to get it done with their suave “Superman” side-scrolling adventure for $0.99. Featuring a wide variety of Superman’s techniques, the game also benefits from a solid comic book style presentation and a killer price point – it’s currently on sale for just under a buck. up up and away with you to the App Store!

Got an iPad or iPhone that’s in need of some Spidey justice? Gameloft has you covered with the extraordinary “Spider-Man: Total Mayhem” accessible for $2.99. Featuring a wide assortment of cool web-slinging abilities, great touch-screen controls and a number of classic villains to take on, Total Mayhem is a blast. And it’s currently on sale for just under a buck. Use your Spidey Sense and buy this immediately.

While the Thor game left us cold, Sega’s take on “Captain America: Super Soldier” fared quite well for PlayStation at $39.99. Featuring an original storyline centering more around a castle owned by Baron Zemo, Super Soldier has excellent gameplay, especially with close-quarters combat and shield throwing, and also has terrific production quality, particularly with the graphics and voicework. It’s good stuff.

Of course, the ultimate game of the year also comes in the ultimate package as “Batman: Arkham City Collector’s Edition” is $100, but it comes with a kick-ass hardcover art book with an awesome Batman statute by Kotobukiya. the packaging is really, really slick and makes for a great display piece in addition to being possibly the best Batman game of all time.

FOR THE BOOB TUBER

With Warner Bros. “Batman: Year One” animated movie at $19.50, you can feel pretty safe that the person you’re giving it to has not yet seen it, unlike DVDs for the comic book movie blockbusters like “Captain America: first Avenger” and “X-Men first Class.” But if you’re sure the person you’re giving the gift to hasn’t seen those two films, get them those DVDs too.

People who love “Doctor Who” loooooove “Doctor Who,” and people who don’t love Doctor Who probably haven’t watched it. So getting them either Series 5 (introducing the current Doctor, Matt Smith) or the new Series 6 for $42.99 a piece will serve as a great introduction for new viewers. And, of course, regular fans will want to own the collections for repeated viewings.

FOR THE FAMILY JAPANOFILE

With “Drops of God” by Tadashi Agi and Shu Okimoto from Vertical for $9.79, you can get something for the wine lover in your life. Or, on the other side, if your other half likes comics but needs schooling on the finer points of tasting, “Drops” can be a valuable tool. this is an immensely fun series that will undoubtedly make the reader want to try every wine mentioned – or at least those “hidden gems” in the $20 range. Wrap it with a choice bottle for an added holiday treat.

FOR THE FASHION FORWARD NERD

While not completely comic related, but perfect for anyone who went to the movies this weekend: Threadless recently posted the winners of their Muppets T-Shirt design contest and the shirts are really cool.

And fans of general pop culture snarkiness can do well by a T-Shirt of gift card to We Love Fine where they can find everything from Cthulhu to My little Pony to Marvel, Star Wars, and GI Joe!

FOR THE ART LOVER

Original art may be a bit pricey for some fans to shell out on at the holidays, but there are plenty of hand made or wall-hangable bits to pick up for friends and family alike.

Why not give to a good cause and give the gift of rad original comics with “Terry Moore’s Echo: CBLDF Personalized Edition” for $100? Anything by Terry Moore is a gateway comic, and long-time comic fans can appreciate both the action and the character-driven heart of “Echo.” get a personalized book by ordering from the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund.

For some more public display-ready goods, check out these “Firefly” art nouveau prints to show off your Whedon love for $29.95!

For a final, amazingly strange holiday gift, You can have your face (or your kids face, or whatever) put into a superhero poster! the weird part is that the faces are all quite photorealistic, but the bodies are all fantasies, so they look oddly striking. Forget the holidays! can you imagine how great this would be as a wedding present? Or for the birth of a new child? It gets much funnier if you can pick really inappropriate people to be superheroes, like your grandma or something.

Many thanks to CBR Contributors Brian Cronin, TJ Dietsch, Alex Dueben, Stephen Gerding, Sonia Harris, Shaun Manning, Michael may, JK Parkin, Tim O’Shea, Brett White and Robert Workman for contributing entries to this guide!

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