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Genomic Subtypes in Choosing Adjuvant Therapy for Breast CancerAdditional insight into the biology of ER-positive breast cancers, particularly the higher risk luminal B cancers, could aid in identifying potential targets and new, effective therapies. And though the majority of triple-negative breast cancers are the “basal-like” subtype, significant proportions are in other subtypes.
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Doxorubicin and Paclitaxel (Sequential Combination) in the TreatmentBased on preclinical data, we designed a phase I/II clinical trial to determine the efficacy and toxicity of doxorubicin followed by paclitaxel in the treatment of advanced breast cancer (either untreated or relapsed after
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Propelling Immunotherapy Combinations Into the ClinicThis review summarizes promising new targets and immunotherapy combination strategies currently under clinical development.
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Radical Radiotherapy for Prostate Cancer Is the ‘Only Way To Go’In 2008, approximately 186,000 American men were diagnosed with prostate cancer, resulting in about 28,600 deaths.[1] It is the most commonly diagnosed cancer, and second only to lung cancer as the leading cause of cancer death in men.
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Anorexia and CachexiaMany patients with advanced cancer undergo a wasting syndrome associated with cancer anorexia/cachexia and asthenia. In defining these terms a bit further, anorexia is associated with a marked loss of appetite and/or an aversion to food.
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Management of Locally Advanced or Unresectable Head and Neck CancerIn the following sections, we will first review the radiotherapy techniques that have been investigated. We will then review the progressive advances achieved with the addition of chemotherapeutic strategies to RT in an attempt to achieve better outcomes.
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Cardiovascular Toxicity of Newer Chemotherapeutic Agents: The Heart of the MatterStandard heart failure regimens remain the mainstay of therapy for chemotherapy-related cardiac dysfunction until newer randomized trials suggest otherwise, and earlier detection of toxicity through judicious surveillance with biomarkers and noninvasive imaging remains the cornerstone of management for the foreseeable future.
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Systemic Approaches for Multifocal Bronchioloalveolar Carcinoma: Is There an Appropriate Target?Bronchioloalveolar carcinoma (BAC) is a subset of pulmonary adenocarcinoma characterized by distinct and unique pathological, molecular, radiographic, and clinical features. While the incidence of pure BAC is rare, comprising only 1% to 4% of non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), mixed subtypes (including BAC with focal invasion and adenocarcinoma with BAC features) represent as much as 20% of adenocarcinomas-and that figure may be increasing. Despite the longstanding recognition of this entity, there is no established treatment paradigm for patients with multifocal BAC, resulting in competing approaches and treatment controversies. Current options for multifocal BAC include both surgery and systemic therapies. Unfortunately, prospective data on systemic approaches are limited by study design and small patient numbers; there are only seven phase II studies involving four therapies. This article evaluates key characteristics of BAC, including the current understanding of histopathology and tumor biology. In addition, it comprehensively reviews the systemic phase II studies in an attempt to clarify the therapeutic challenges in this disease. It also includes the first proposed treatment paradigm that integrates both EGFR mutational status and the sub-histologies, mucinous and nonmucinous BAC.
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Commentary (Arora/Freifeld): Infectious Complications of Lung CancerThe article by Dr. Seo providesa comprehensive review of theepidemiology, presentation, andtreatment of infection in lung cancerpatients. Infection is a significant causeof morbidity and mortality in cancerpatients, as a consequence of immunologicabnormalities that result from thecancer itself as well as from cytotoxiccancer therapies. Granulocytopenia andlymphocyte dysfunction commonlyoccur following intensive therapy formany solid tumors such as lung cancer,and these cellular deficiencies particularlypredispose patients to certain infections.Respiratory infections arecommon during the course of lung cancer,often as a result of direct effects onthe lung including radiation therapy andtumor burden causing obstruction, especiallywith bronchogenic carcinomasor carcinoid tumors. Postsurgical infections,following biopsy or thoracotomyfor resection, are also common.Infectious complications are problematicfor both patient and oncologistsbecause they may delay treatment andimpair quality of life.
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Commentary (Patnaik/Rowinsky)-Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Inhibitors for the Treatment of Colorectal Cancer: A Promise Fulfilled?The past decade has given rise toan explosion of rationally designed,molecularly targetedtherapeutic agents. The epidermalgrowth factor receptor (EGFR) hasserved as the principal platform forthe development of such novel targetedtherapies, resulting in a paradigmshift in the treatment of a vast array ofsolid malignancies. Damjanov andMeropol have provided a comprehensiveand insightful overview of the roleof EGFR-directed therapeutics in colorectalcancer. They have chosen tofocus their discussion on the compoundsthat are furthest along in clinicaldevelopment and, hence, havereviewed the monoclonal antibodiescetuximab (Erbitux), ABX-EGF, andEMD 72000, as well as the small-moleculetyrosine kinase inhibitors gefitinib(Iressa) and erlotinib (Tarceva).
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New Questions About Transplantation in Multiple Myeloma: Review 1Multiple myeloma is now the most common indication for autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) in North America, with over 5,000 transplants performed yearly (Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research [CIBMTR] data). While the role of ASCT as initial therapy in multiple myeloma has been established by randomized studies, newer therapies are challenging the traditional paradigm. The availability of novel induction agents and newer risk stratification tools, and the increasing recognition of durability of remissions are changing the treatment paradigm. However, even with arduous therapy designed to produce more complete remissions—for example, tandem autologous transplants—we have seen no plateau in survival curves. A tandem autologous procedure followed by maintenance therapy may be performed in an attempt to sustain remission. Sequential autologous transplants followed by nonmyeloablative allotransplants are pursued with the hope of "curing" multiple myeloma. We examine how the key challenges of increasing the response rates and maintaining responses are being addressed using more effective induction and/or consolidation treatments and the need for maintenance therapies after ASCT. We argue that given the biologic heterogeneity of multiple myeloma, risk-adapted transplant approaches are warranted. While the role of curative-intent, dose-intense toxic therapy is still controversial, conventional myeloablative allogeneic transplants need to be reexamined as an option in high-risk aggressive myeloma, given improvements in supportive care and transplant-related mortality.
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Amitkumar Mehta, MD, on Compelling Data From ASH in the Treatment of LymphomaAmitkumar Mehta, MD, detailed encouraging data presented at the 63rd ASH Annual Meeting for treating mantle cell lymphoma.
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POINT: Surgical Management of Lymph Node Basin in Sentinel Lymph Node–Positive MelanomaCLND as standard of care for patients with SLN-positive metastatic melanoma is supported by a wealth of compelling prospective data.
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Operationalizing Step-Up Dosing in Outpatient and Inpatient/Outpatient Hybrid SettingPanelists discuss how step-up dosing has successfully transitioned from inpatient-only to hybrid and outpatient models using prophylactic tocilizumab and standardized protocols for managing cytokine release syndrome.
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Implementing Survivorship Care Plans Within an Electronic Health RecordSurvivorship care is “a distinct phase of care for cancer survivors that includes four components: (1) prevention and detection of new cancer or recurrent cancer; (2) surveillance for cancer spread, recurrence, or second cancers; (3) intervention for consequences of cancer and its treatment; and (4) coordination between specialists and primary care providers to ensure that all of the survivor’s health needs are met.”
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Molecular Profiling Assays in Breast Cancer: Beyond Prime Time and Into SyndicationFuture randomized studies should focus on determining which patients benefit most from the inclusion of molecular diagnostics in treatment decision making and on the development of treatment algorithms that incorporate patient factors, histologic and biologic findings, and molecular markers.
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AIDS Malignancies in the Era of Highly Active Antiretroviral TherapyThe introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has had a dramatic impact on the morbidity and mortality of individuals living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). In addition to contributing to dramatic
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Current Clinical Trials of FlavopiridolFlavopiridol [2-(2-chlorophenyl 5 ,7-dihydroxy-8-[cis-(3-hydroxy-1-methyl-4-piperidinyl)-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one, hydrochloride] is a semisynthetic flavone with a novel structure compared with that of polyhydroxylated flavones, such as quercetin and genistein.[1] It is derived from rohitukine, an alkaloid isolated from the stem bark of Dysoxylum binectariferum, a plant indigenous to India.[2] Originally synthesized and supplied by Hoechst India Limited, flavopiridol is provided to the Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) by Aventis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
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The Role of LHRH Antagonists in the Treatment of Prostate CancerPhysicians have known since 1941 that testosterone suppression benefits patients with symptomatic metastatic prostate cancer.[1] The pioneering study in this regard showed that estrogen therapy achieved comparable efficacy to castration by improving acid and alkaline phosphatase levels associated with relief of cancer-related symptoms. More than 6 decades later, however, many of the therapies subsequently developed for achieving androgen deprivation still suffer from serious limitations.
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Marker May Predict Immunotherapy Benefit in High-Risk NeuroblastomaThis video examines how a specific combination of KIR/KIR-ligand genotypes in high-risk neuroblastoma patients may be predictive of outcomes when adding dinutuximab to isotretinoin.
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Management of Asymptomatic Rising PSA After Prostatectomy or Radiation TherapyControversy exists over the optimal management of patients with an asymptomatic rising prostate-specific antigen (PSA) following definitive therapy for clinically localized prostate adenocarcinoma.
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It's Time to Have ‘The Talk’: Cost Communication and Patient-Centered CareBarriers to cost discussions fall into three categories: inaccessible cost data, ethical concerns, and insufficient training.
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Using Nuclear Medicine Imaging in Clinical Practice: Update on PET to Guide Treatment of Patients With Metastatic Breast CancerWe review how radiolabeled glucose and estrogen analogs can be used in breast cancer patients. We focus this review on the application of positron emission tomography imaging to ER-positive metastatic breast cancer as an example of how imaging can guide breast cancer treatment.
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Unmet Needs and Future Perspectives on Treating Patients With Multiple MyelomaConcluding their comprehensive discussion on treating patients with multiple myeloma, the expert panel discusses unmet needs and looks to the future of treatment.
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Polypoid Lesions of the Lower Female Genital TractA 46-year-old multiparous (gravida 3, para 3) woman presented to her primary care provider with a palpable vulvar polypoidal mass, measuring 7 cm in greatest dimension. The mass was painless and had been growing in size over the past 2 years. Her medical history was remarkable for obesity, hypothyroidism, and an appendectomy at age 17. Her family history was significant for a sister with breast cancer, diagnosed at age 34. A core biopsy was performed.
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Frontline Chemo-Free Regimen Supported in HR+/HER2+ Breast Cancer TherapyCombining anastrozole with palbociclib, trastuzumab, and pertuzumab as a frontline therapy for hormone receptor–positive, HER2-positive breast cancer may avoid some of the toxicities associated with chemotherapy, says Amy Tiersten, MD.
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Management of Locally Advanced or Unresectable Head and Neck CancerIn the following sections, we will first review the radiotherapy techniques that have been investigated. We will then review the progressive advances achieved with the addition of chemotherapeutic strategies to RT in an attempt to achieve better outcomes.
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Chronic Diarrhea in Post-treatment Colorectal Cancer SurvivorsEarly detection of cancer and novel chemotherapy agents have resulted in longer survival following a colorectal cancer diagnosis.
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A Shifting Paradigm for Patients with Head and Neck Cancer: Transoral Robotic Surgery (TORS)This paper by Drs. Bhayani, Holsinger, and Lai describes a new approach to an old problem. Advances in the management of head and neck cancer over the past few decades have been made predominantly in the area of non-surgical therapy. Starting with the Veterans Affairs Cooperative Trial for laryngeal cancer in the early 1990’s,[1] advances in the administration of chemotherapy and radiation therapy have enabled patients to forego traditional extensive resections that compromised speech and swallowing function.[2] The advances in combined chemoradiation for advanced head and neck cancer have come with a detriment to some patients in survival and quality of life.[3] Effective treatment, but with decreased morbidity was needed.
