Health Highlights: Sept. 8, 2016

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Here are some of the latest health and medical news developments, compiled by the editors of HealthDay:

Cancer ‘Moonshot’ Priorities Outlined in New Report

Immune-based therapy and genetically profiling patients’ tumors in order to provide more personalized treatment are among the research priorities needed to speed progress against cancer in the United States, according to new recommendations from a panel of cancer experts and patient advocates advising the White House’s cancer “moonshot” project.

Other suggestions include findings ways to minimize cancer treatment side effects, finding out what causes childhood cancer, and greater use of certain proven anti-cancer strategies, the Associated Press reported.

The moonshot initiative was proposed by Vice President Joe Biden after his son, Beau, died of brain cancer in 2015.

The panel’s recommendations offer a “bold but feasible scientific proposal,” and will be sent to the cancer moonshot task force, according to Dr. Doug Lowy, acting director of the National Cancer Institute, the AP reported.

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U.S. Senate Panel Will Examine EpiPen Price Hike

The massive price increase of EpiPens in recent years will be examined by a U.S. Senate panel.

EpiPens are used by millions of Americans to prevent deadly allergic reactions, but the price has risen from about $100 to more than $500 since 2008, NBC News reported.

A preliminary inquiry on Mylan Pharmaceuticals’ huge markup was announced by the Senate’s Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations.

“Our review of this matter will be robust, thorough, and bipartisan,” according to a joint statement from panels chairman Rob Portman of Ohio, and ranking member Claire McCaskill of Missouri, NBC News reported.

“Parents and school districts in Ohio, Missouri and across the country need affordable access to this life-saving drug, and we share their concern over Mylan’s sustained price increases,” the statement said.

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