In a nutshell This study examined the effectiveness of a blood test (commercially known as VeriStrat) used for predicting the benefit of EGFR inhibitors in non-small cell lung cancer. Some background The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is involved in cell growth. Increased levels of EGFR can increase non-small cell lung...
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In a nutshell The authors reviewed the effectiveness of a group of drugs called epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKI) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) brain metastasis (cancer that has spread from the lungs to the brain). Some background There is a 20-40% risk that NSCLC will spread from the lung to the brain....
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In a nutshell The authors evaluated the safety and efficacy of combining three different types of treatment in non-small-cell lung cancer. Some background Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for the majority (80%) of lung cancers. Surgery is the typical treatment, however patient outcomes are typically poor without a second...
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What’s ASCO? Why should I care? The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) is an organisation representing physicians who specialise in the care and treatment of cancer patients. Approximately 30,000 visitors from around the world gather each year for the ASCO Annual Meeting to discuss recent advancements in the treatment of cancer. Visitors include...
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In a nutshell The authors evaluated the outcomes of stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT; very precise radiation therapy) for isolated lung metastasis (cancer that has only spread to the lungs) arising after surgery for lung tumors. Some background Lung metastasis is one of the most common problems in cancer irrespective of the origin of...
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In a nutshell This study looked at the association between the lymphocyte-monocyte ratio (LMR) in patients' blood and their lung cancer outcome. Some background Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide. Despite improvements in treatment outcomes are still quite poor. Therefore early detection and treatment is...
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In a nutshell The authors assessed the effectiveness of paclitaxel (Taxol)-based chemo-radiotherapy (combination of chemotherapy and radiation therapy) in non-small cell lung cancer patients (NSCLC) with presence of tumor after surgery. Some background The primary treatment for NSCLC is the surgical removal of the affected lobe of...
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In a nutshell The authors evaluated the benefits of preventive radiation therapy in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who have high risk of developing brain metastases (spreading of cancer from the lungs to the brain). Some background NSCLC is the most common type of lung cancer, accounting for 85% of all lung cancers. In...
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In a nutshell The authors evaluated the relationship between the levels of a protein called TIMP-2 and overall survival in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Some background NSCLC is the most common type of lung cancer. Survival rates in NSCLC are poor despite recent developments in its treatment. Early diagnosis is...
Read MoreIn a nutshell This study evaluated the long-term effects of stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT; very precise radiation therapy) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. Some background In the early stage of NSCLC (stage I), surgery is the preferred method of treatment. However, patients often have heart or respiratory...
Read MoreIn a nutshell The authors compared the overall survival benefits of two chemotherapy-based combination treatments in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The combination treatments were S1 plus cisplatin (Platinol) and docetaxel (Taxotere) plus cisplatin. Some background NSCLC is the most common type of lung cancer. In the...
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In a nutshell This study compared three different treatment strategies for early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in the elderly. Some background The occurrence of early-stage NSCLC in the elderly is expected to rise by 2030. This will be due to the general increase in an older population as well as the rise in lung-cancer screening for...
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