In a nutshell This trial assessed whether the anti-cancer drug crizotinib (Xalkori) leads to decreased kidney function as a side effect. The trial concluded that while taking crizotinib kidney function is decreased; however, function recovers once drug administration is stopped. Some background Several non-small cell lung ancers...
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Hope lies in dreams, in imagination, and in the courage of those who dare to make dreams into reality. ~Jonas Salk Hope Filled Update In 2014, Emily Bennett Taylor’s story was featured in November in the post Hope, Mice and Lung Cancer. At 28, the former college athlete was about to celebrate her second wedding anniversary when she learned that she...
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In a nutshell This trial examined the effectiveness of combining brachytherapy (a type of radiation) and chemotherapy for the treatment of locally recurrent non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that has already been treated. The trial concluded that the combination of treatments was more effective than chemotherapy alone. Some background Locally...
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In a nutshell This trial looked at the safety and efficacy of alectinib (Alecensa) in the treatment of patients with ALK-rearranged non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that had progressed after treatment with crizotinib (Xalkori). This trial concluded that alectinib was safe and effective in these patients. Some background Some NSCLCs...
Read MoreIn a nutshell The current study examined whether targeted radiotherapy benefited survival in patients with stage 3 (spread to the lymph nodes) non-small cell lung cancer. The authors found that 3-dimensional (3D) conformal radiotherapy was associated with increased survival rates in these patients. Some background Many lung cancers are not...
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In a nutshell The authors aimed to determine the effect of afatinib (Gilotrif) in lung cancer patients with advanced (cancer has spread), uncommon epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations. Some background EGFR mutations are found in 15% of lung cancer patients. Certain EGFR mutations can predict whether drugs, such as tyrosine...
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In a nutshell The authors aimed to determine the effect of erlotinib (Tarceva) in delaying treatment change in patients with progressive lung cancers with and without epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations (changes to the cell). Some background Erlotinib is a biological therapy (drug used to stimulate or restore the body's...
Read MoreIn a nutshell This article reviewed published data concerning treatment options for patients who develop resistance to EGFR targeting drugs, such as erlotinib (Tarceva). Some background The EGFR gene is responsible for building a specific protein needed by cancer cells to multiply. Mutations (changes) in this gene lead to more...
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On location at the World Conference on Lung Cancer (WCLC), we caught up with Dr. Edward Kim, Chair of the Solid Tumor Oncology Investigational Therapy Department at Carolina's Levine Cancer Institute. Dr. Kim highlighted three of the most exciting changes occurring in the lung cancer field: new options and tools for patients, updated tumor...
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Bridging the Gap Between Community Hospitals and Academic Medical Center Care for Lung Cancer Patients from Patient Power on Vimeo. Recorded on September 7, 2015 Maen Abdelkarim Hussein, MD Hematologist and Medical Oncologist Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute Tamara-Lobban-Jones: Some patients are...
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Awareness Ribbons What does white symbolize? It depends on where you live. In some countries, white is the color of purity, in others; it is the color of mourning. In November in the US, white is the color for the lung cancer awareness ribbon. As an awareness color, it represents a characteristic of lung cancer; lung cancer symptoms often go...
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In a nutshell This review discussed the use of nintedanib (Vargatef) in non-small cell lung cancer that has progressed despite treatment. Some background Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is often not diagnosed until the disease is advanced (spread to the lymph nodes or other areas of the body). Chemotherapy is the first-line treatment, but the...
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