Antiangiogenesis as a Mechanism for the Antitumor Effects of Octreotide
September 1st 2002Octreotide acetate (Sandostatin), a somatostatin receptor subtype 2 (sst 2)-preferring somatostatin analog, inhibits angiogenesis in a dose-dependent fashion in the chicken chorioallantoic membrane model (CAM) and in the human placental vein angiogenesis model (HPVAM).[1,2] To explain these antiangiogenic effects, sst 2 gene expression in normal (resting) full-thickness human placental vein segments was compared to tissue-matched counterparts that initiated an angiogenic response in culture. Using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques, the sst 2 gene was found to be uniquely up-regulated in the angiogenic vessels, but not present in the tissue-matched resting (nonproliferative) vein segments.
Long-Acting Octreotide LAR Depot in the Treatment of Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma
September 1st 2002Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third most frequent cause of cancer death worldwide, causing 549,000 deaths in 2000-10% of all cancer deaths. There are strong etiologic associations with hepatitis C, hepatitis B, alcohol, other causes of cirrhosis, and dietary aflatoxins. The US incidence of HCC is 2.4/100,000 persons/year and rising due to the increased prevalence of hepatitis C.[1] After the current cohort of patients infected with the chronic hepatitis C virus passes, there will likely be a continued increase in the US incidence of HCC due to increasing rates of obesity-related nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, which causes many cases of "cryptogenic cirrhosis."
Resection of Liver Metastases: State of the Art
September 1st 2002Surgery has evolved to become the standard of care for a defined subset of patients with hepatic colorectal metastases. Hepatic resections are now well-controlled procedures, with several centers reporting very low perioperative mortality rates.
Resection of Liver Metastases: State of the Art
September 1st 2002In this article, Ravikumar and Gallos nicely summarize the current understanding of liver resection for metastases. My comments here will be limited to resection of colorectal metastases, as this is the most common and best characterized of the procedures described.
Heat Shock Protein Vaccines Target Tumor Cell’s ‘Antigenic Profile’
September 1st 2002Experts in cancer immunology and vaccine therapies discussed recent progress in cancer vaccine development at a satellite symposium of the 38th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO). More than 300
Irinotecan and Other Agents in New Combinations and Other Tumor Types
August 1st 2002The 4th Investigators’ Workshop sponsored by The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center was held on July 25-29, 2001, in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The purpose of these annual workshops has been to review the latest data on new agents, with a particular focus on the broadly used agent irinotecan (CPT-11, Camptosar).
Medicaid Gives New Protections to Beneficiaries in Managed Care Plans
August 1st 2002WASHINGTON-Final regulations issued by the Department of Health and Human Services guarantee Medicaid beneficiaries enrolled in managed care plans the same protections granted to people in private plans under legislation pending
New Edition of Cancer Care’s Helping Hand Available
August 1st 2002Cancer Care has published the fourth edition of its handbook-A Helping Hand: The Resource Guide for People With Cancer. The 148-page booklet contains listings and descriptions of organizations that offer a wide variety of services, support, and information for people with cancer. In general, the booklet shows cancer patients what types of help are available to them and where they can find it, both nationally and regionally. Listings include cancer centers, commercial services that offer products of particular interest to people with cancer (such as wigs and prostheses), state pharmaceutical assistance programs, pharmaceutical manufacturers’ indigent drug programs, and useful tips on what to ask when contacting such services.
Results Similar With Weekly or Every-3-Week Irinotecan Dosing Regimens
August 1st 2002ORLANDO-Irinotecan, also known as CPT-11 (Camptosar), administered every 3 weeks to patients with fluorouracil (5-FU)-refractory colorectal cancer produced response rates and toxicity profiles similar to irinotecan given weekly in a phase
Single-Dose Palonosetron Prevents Acute, Delayed Emesis
August 1st 2002BOSTON-A single dose of a new long-acting 5-HT3 receptor antagonist called palonosetron matched the effectiveness of a single dose of dolasetron (Anzemet) against acute emesis and was more effective against delayed emesis in a phase III clinical trial conducted in patients receiving moderately emetogenic chemotherapy.
New Agent May Help Overcome Imatinib Resistance
August 1st 2002SAN FRANCISCO-In vitro studies suggest that a new anticancer agent, SCH66336, can slow cell proliferation in drug-resistant forms of Philadelphia (Ph)-positive leukemia, according to a presentation by Japanese researchers at the 93rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research (abstract 4235). When used in combination with antileukemic agents, SCH66336 induced apoptosis in leukemia cells resistant to imatinib mesylate (Gleevec).
Earlier Palliative Care Improves QOL and Cuts Cost
August 1st 2002ORLANDO-Allowing advanced cancer patients to start palliative care without giving up aggressive treatment substantially increased end-of-life hospice enrollment in one study and reduced cost of care in another. Both studies were presented at the
Gemcitabine Plus Carboplatin Offers Survival Advantage Over Three-Drug Combination
August 1st 2002LONDON, UK-The combination of gemcitabine (Gemzar)/carboplatin (Paraplatin) was found to be better tolerated and associated with longer survival than MIP (mitomycin [Mutamycin], ifosfamide [Ifex], and cisplatin [Platinol]) in patients with
A New Look, New Direction for Society of Nuclear Medicine
August 1st 2002LOS ANGELES-The Society of Nuclear Medicine (SNM) has changed its logo for the first time in its 49-year history. The new logo is designed to create a bright, fresh look for SNM, Alan Maurer, MD, said at the Society’s 49th Annual Meeting. Dr. Maurer, director of nuclear medicine, Temple University, is the immediate past president of the SNM.
Advectus Life Sciences Begins Preclinical Trials of P80DOX-NP
August 1st 2002VANCOUVER, Canada-Ad-vectus Life Sciences Inc. has begun preclinical testing of its patented nanoparticle-based technology (Nanocure) at the University of North Carolina Brain Tumor Center. This series of studies will test the Nanocure
Mathematical Modeling for Breast Cancer Risk Assessment
August 1st 2002Rubinstein and colleagues provide an excellent review of mathematical models for estimating breast cancer risk, including the risk of carrying inherited mutations of BRCA1 and BRCA2. Since we and others reviewed early models to predict the likelihood of inherited susceptibility to breast cancer,[1] newer quantitative tools, most notably by Parmigiani and colleagues,[2] have been developed. These models have been made available on CD-ROM, over the Internet, and in other electronic versions that are accessible to most clinicians and researchers. These quantitative resources constitute useful and important aids in genetic counseling.
Current Management of Depression in Cancer Patients
August 1st 2002In their paper, Schwartz and colleagues review the risk factors for depression and suicide in patients with cancer and argue convincingly that screening for depression can be simply and quickly performed. They also delineate the efficacy and potential adverse effects of psychotherapeutic or psychopharmacologic treatments for these patients. Buttressing the identification and treatment of depression in the cancer patient are vital, ongoing scientific developments that flow from an increased understanding of interactions among the brain, endocrine system, and immune system. This rapidly evolving body of neurobiological knowledge has catalyzed fundamental changes in how we conceptualize depression in cancer patients and has important ramifications regarding the treatment and prevention of depressive syndromes in this setting.
Irinotecan in Relapsed or Refractory Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphomas
Because irinotecan (CPT-11, Camptosar) is a topoisomerase I inhibitor with a broad spectrum of antitumor clinical activity, we investigated its activity in relapsed or refractory non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas (NHLs). Irinotecan at 300 mg/m² IV was administered every 21 days with intensive loperamide management of diarrhea.
Mathematical Modeling for Breast Cancer Risk Assessment
Women at increased risk of breast cancer have important opportunities for early detection and prevention. There are, however, serious drawbacks to the available interventions. The magnitude of breast cancer risk is a crucial factor in the optimization of medical benefit when considering the efficacy of risk-reduction methods, the adverse effects of intervention, and economic and quality-of-life outcomes. Breast cancer risk assessment has become increasingly quantitative and is amenable to computerization. The assembly of risk factor information into practical, quantitative models for clinical and scientific use is relatively advanced for breast cancer, and represents a paradigm for broader risk management in medicine. Using a case-based approach, we will summarize the major breast cancer risk assessment models, compare and contrast their utility, and illustrate the role of genetic testing in risk management. Important considerations relevant to clinical oncology practice include the role of risk assessment in cancer prevention, the logistics of implementing risk assessment, the ramifications of conveying risk information with limited genetic counseling, and the mechanisms for genetics referral. Medical professionals can embrace new preventive medicine techniques more effectively by utilizing quantitative methods to assess their patients’ risks. [ONCOLOGY 16:1082-1099, 2002]
Influence of Anticonvulsants on the Metabolism and Elimination of Irinotecan
August 1st 2002The hepatic metabolism and biliary secretion of irinotecan (CPT-11, Camptosar) and metabolites is complex and involves cytochrome P450 isoenzymes, carboxylesterases, glucuronosyltransferase, and the ATP-dependent export pumps MRP-2 and MXR. Enzyme-inducing antiepileptic drugs (EIAEDs) such as phenytoin and carbamazepine are known to induce several of the metabolic pathways relevant to ininotecan’s elimination. The North American Brain Tumor Consortium phase I study is designed to determine the maximum tolerated dose and pharmacokinetics of irinotecan given every 3 weeks to patients who are receiving EIAEDs.
Mitomycin as a Modulator of Irinotecan Anticancer Activity
August 1st 2002Irinotecan and mitomycin (Mutamycin) possess significant single-agent activity against several tumor types, and mitomycin activates topoisomerase I, the cellular target of irinotecan. We conducted a phase I dose-escalation study of irinotecan and mitomycin in 37 evaluable patients with solid tumors. Antitumor responses included 2 complete responses, 5 partial responses, 10 minor responses, and a CA 19-9 tumor marker response.
Translational Research, Early Clinical Trials Support Xeloda/RT in GI Cancers
July 2nd 2002ORLANDO-Capecitabine (Xeloda) might one day replace infusional fluorouracil (5-FU) as a radiosensitizing platform in the chemoradiation of advanced gastrointestinal malignancies, according to Tyvin A. Rich, MD, professor of radiation oncology, University of Virginia Health Sciences Center, Charlottesville. The oral fluoropyrimidine simplifies chemoradiation, is well tolerated, and is highly appealing to patients and physicians alike, he said.