In a nutshell In this study, researchers examined the effect of epoetin alfa (Epogen; Procrit) on anemia (low count of red blood cells) caused by chemotherapy in breast cancer patients. Some background Breast cancer is caused by a defect that makes some breast cancer cells grow and multiply rapidly. One of the treatment options for patients with...
Read MoreIn a nutshell In this study researchers examined whether ipilimumab is effective in the treatment of advanced melanoma. Treatment with ipilimumab plus dacarbazine was compared to treatment with dacarbazine plus a placebo, and the effect on survival and quality of life was reviewed. Some background For many years, dacarbazine (DTIC) was the only...
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In a nutshell This study analyzed the occurrence of distance metastasis (the spread of the cancer to distant organs) in early stage breast cancer patients after breast conservation therapy (BCT). This study also showed the pattern of spread to these distant organs. Some background Early-stage...
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In a nutshell In this trial researchers examined whether the use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (before surgery) influenced survival or recurrence rates in women undergoing breast conserving therapy for breast cancer. Some background Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NCT) refers to chemotherapy treatments received prior to surgery. This approach is often...
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In a nutshell This study investigated whether the PD-1 antibody lambrolizumab improves the condition of patients with advanced melanoma. Some background The programmed death 1 (PD-1) receptor is a structure normally found on cells of the immune system, and when activated inhibits their activity. Some cancer cells can activate the PD-1 receptor and...
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In a nutshell This trial compared treatment with trastuzumab (herceptin) in combination with docetaxel, to a new combination drug called trastuzumab emtansine. Some background Some breast cancer cells have certain receptors on their surface that respond to growth inducing molecules. These cancers are referred to as being human epidermal growth...
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In a nutshell In this study, researchers evaluated whether a genetic test called Oncotype DX, reduced the use of chemotherapy treatment for patients with node-positive and estrogen-receptor positive breast cancer. Some background Some breast cancers grow in response to estrogen, the main female sex hormone, via their receptor (a protein found on...
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In a nutshell This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of radiation treatment (RT) given after breast-conserving surgery. The main findings are that RT leads to a dramatic drop in cancer recurrences and a moderately improved survival rate 15 years after the operation. Some background Breast-conserving surgery (BCS) involves the removal of...
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In a nutshell This study tested the effect of complete axillary lymph node removal, on survival without recurrence of the cancer (called disease free survival or DFS) in patients with breast cancer. Some background Lymph nodes are small organs which are part of the immune system. They filter fluid called lymph. Lymph can be thought of as the...
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In a nutshell In this study, researchers investigated whether high-fat dairy products are linked to breast cancer recurrence (return of the cancer) in breast cancer patients. Some background High levels of estrogen (the main female sex hormone) represent one of the major causes of breast cancer. In Western cultures, most dairy cows have high...
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In a nutshell This article evaluated whether a reduction in tissue density at mammography after tamoxifen treatment can predict survival in breast cancer patients. Some background Mammography uses x-rays to look at the breasts for signs of cancer. This diagnostic method is generally used for women over the age of 50. Younger patients usually have...
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In a nutshell This review analyzed the association between breast cancer recurrence (return of the cancer) and the use of drugs for lowering blood pressure (beta blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers). Some background Many breast cancer patients also have other concurrent conditions such as high...
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