Ovarian Cancer

NASHVILLE-In a phase II study of an investigational monoclonal antibody, OvaRex MAb, in advanced recurrent ovarian cancer, 6 of 13 patients survived 50 weeks or longer from entry into the trial, Thomas G. Ehlen, MD, said at a poster session of the 32nd Annual Meeting of the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists (SGO).

A wealth of data indicates that certain genetic abnormalities can target specific cytotoxic drugs and intervene at an early step as a mechanism of resistance in the treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer. Therefore prescribing

NEW YORK-With new tests, it is easy to identify certain gene mutations associated with a predisposition to cancer. But it is more difficult to deal with the social and legal consequences of those tests, a panel of experts said at a briefing organized by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and entitled "The Human Genome and its Implications for Cancer." Kenneth Offit, MD, MPH, discussed a case that he faced at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, where he is chief of the Clinical Genetics Service, Department of Human Genetics.

A study headed by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) human genome scientists on the genetic patterns of inherited breast cancer has uncovered unexpected findings regarding nonhereditary breast and ovarian cancers. These unanticipated findings,

Despite advances in surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, survival of patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck has not significantly improved over the past 30 years. Locally recurrent or refractory disease is particularly difficult to treat. Repeat surgical resection and/or radiotherapy are often not possible, and long-term results for salvage chemotherapy are poor. Recent advances in gene therapy have been applied to recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Many of these techniques are now in clinical trials and have shown some efficacy. This article discusses the techniques employed in gene therapy and summarizes the ongoing protocols that are currently being evaluated in clinical trials. [ONCOLOGY 15(3):303-314, 2001]

SAN ANTONIO-ZD1839 (or Iressa), an orally active, selective epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor, slows proliferation of cancer cells that overexpress EGFR and erbB2 (also known as HER-2/neu), according to a study reported by Neil G. Anderson, PhD, of the University of Manchester.

Many active cytotoxic agents exist for breast cancer therapy, and numerous combination chemotherapy regimens are derived from them. Creating these combinations is sometimes empirically motivated by non-overlapping

In recent years, the clinical application of paclitaxel (Taxol), docetaxel (Taxotere), vinorelbine (Navelbine), and trastuzumab (Herceptin) has improved the management of advanced breast cancer. With the introduction of

Despite the fact that there are only a few controlled trials demonstrating the benefits associated with the use of corticosteroids in specific situations, these agents are administered frequently to patients with advanced cancer. Corticosteroids may be used alone or as adjuvants in combination with other palliative or antineoplastic treatments. For example, corticosteroids may help prevent nausea, vomiting, and hypersensitivity reactions to treatment with chemotherapy or radiation. They are also commonly used as appetite stimulants in patients with advanced cancer. In the adjuvant setting, corticosteroids help to alleviate pain in advanced cancer patients, including specific situations such as back pain related to epidural compression. This article reviews the evidence supporting the use of corticosteroids in a broad range of situations seen in patients with advanced cancer. [ONCOLOGY 15(2):225-236, 2001]

WASHINGTON-A scientific advisory panel has recommended that steroid estrogens be listed as "known" to cause human cancers. However, the group made no recommendation or suggestion that the commonly used drugs be restricted or eliminated.

Oral chemotherapy has evolved with several new agents such as capecitabine, UFT, eniluracil, etc. in active clinical trials or already approved for use in the western world. Several distinct issues, apart from the usual criteria

Phase I and II clinical trial data have demonstrated the safety, pharmacokinetic advantage, and potential for enhanced cytotoxicity associated with the intraperitoneal administration of antineoplastic agents in the

Phase I and II clinical trial data have demonstrated the safety, pharmacokinetic advantage, and potential for enhanced cytotoxicity associated with the intraperitoneal administration of antineoplastic agents in the

Phase I and II clinical trial data have demonstrated the safety, pharmacokinetic advantage, and potential for enhanced cytotoxicity associated with the intraperitoneal administration of antineoplastic agents in the

Irinotecan (Camptosar) has shown activity in several solid tumor malignancies, including gastric and pancreatic cancer. In vitro studies suggest antitumor activity in esophageal cancer cell lines. Sequence-dependent synergy

Investigators at the Royal Marsden Hospital and University College in London have studied thalidomide (Thalomid) as both low-dose (100 mg orally, every night) and high-dose (600 mg, given as 300 mg twice per day)

The world’s population is aging. Older age is associated with an increase in the incidence of cancer, especially cancer of the breast, lung, prostate, and colon. The management of older patients with cancer is biased by the

Oxaliplatin (Eloxatin) has demonstrated significant activity in a variety of tumor types in addition to colorectal cancer. Several studies have reported on the effectiveness of oxaliplatin as single-agent treatment or in

The fastest growing segment of the US population is the group over the age of 65 years. In the next 30 years, this group will comprise over 20% of the population. Because 60% of all cancers occur in this age group, there will be an expected rise in the total cancer burden.

PHILADELPHIA-To date, epidemiologic studies looking for a link between adult diet and cancer risk have proved disappointing. But research focusing on in utero nutrition and preschool and adolescent diet may be more fruitful, suggests Karin Michels, ScD, an epidemiologist and assistant professor of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive biology at Harvard Medical School.

The majority of women with ovarian cancer present with advanced-stage disease. Women with early-stage ovarian cancer have a much better chance of achieving a cure than do women with late-stage disease. This

The majority of women with ovarian cancer present with advanced-stage disease. Women with early-stage ovarian cancer have a much better chance of achieving a cure than do women with late-stage disease. This

The majority of women with ovarian cancer present with advanced-stage disease. Women with early-stage ovarian cancer have a much better chance of achieving a cure than do women with late-stage disease. This

WASHINGTON-New diagnostic tests and effective second-line chemotherapeutic agents may transform ovarian cancer from a certain killer into a chronic disease capable of being managed with medications that are easy to administer, provide good quality of life, and reliably quash recurrences of disease, said Patricia Goldman and Agustin Garcia, MD.

The majority of women with ovarian cancer present with advanced-stage disease. Women with early-stage ovarian cancer have a much better chance of achieving a cure than do women with late-stage disease. This

The palliation of symptoms and improvement of quality of life are important aspects of therapy in patients with incurable metastatic cancer. This article describes the preliminary results of a phase I study of uracil and tegafur, an orally available fluorouracil (5-FU) derivative combined with oral leucovorin plus weekly intravenous paclitaxel.

Taxanes are the most active drugs in the treatment of metastatic breast and ovarian cancer. Weekly therapy with paclitaxel produces notable activity, with remarkably low toxicity.

The Second Annual Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center Health Policy Symposium, held last year in Chicago, was entitled “Cancer, Reaching Medically Underserved Populations: Low Literacy and Culturally Specific Barriers.”This is the fourth in a series of reports on the conference presentations, prepared for ONI by researchers at Northwestern Medical School, that will put the discussions into a broader context. This month’s article reviews a presentation by Chanita Hughes, PhD, Georgetown University Medical Center, Lombardi Cancer Center, Washington, DC.

BETHESDA, Md-The National Cancer Institute has launched a randomized, 3,000-person study to determine the feasibility of doing a larger scale trial to test whether spiral CT screening improves lung cancer survival. Six centers began recruiting volunteers in early September and hope to enroll 500 subjects each by the end of October.

NEW ORLEANS-In women undergoing second-line therapy for advanced ovarian cancer after failure of a platinum-based regimen, paclitaxel (Taxol) alone was as effective as epiru-bicin (Ellence) plus paclitaxel. Valter Torri, MD, coordinator of clinical trials, Mario Negri Institute, Milan, Italy, presented the research at the American Society of Clinical Oncology annual meeting.