In a nutshell This study investigated the role of trastuzumab (Herceptin) as part of standard care in patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 positive (HER2+) early breast cancer (BC). The study conclude that trastuzumab was effective in general practice, including patients not often included in clinical trials (such as the...
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In a nutshell This study compared long-term survival following breast conserving surgery or mastectomy in patients with T1-2N2 breast cancer. The authors concluded that breast conserving surgery plus radiation was as effective as mastectomy and radiation in these patients. Some background Breast cancer is staged depending on the severity and...
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In a nutshell This study examined whether the lymph node ratio could predict outcome in breast cancer patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy. This study concluded that the lymph node ratio could predict prognosis. Some background Lymph node involvement (cancer that has spread to the lymph nodes) affects prognosis (outcome) in...
Read MoreIn a nutshell This study investigated the effectiveness of ipilimumab (Yervoy) in patients with stage 3 melanoma with high risk of recurrence (when cancer comes back). Researchers suggested that ipilimumab (at a dose of 10mg/kg) significantly increased survival of these patients. Some background Ipilimumab is an antibody that helps the...
Read MoreIn a nutshell This review outlined the recommended treatment options for invasive breast cancer. Some background Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the world and it is the leading cause of cancer-related death in women. Breast cancer often begins in the milk ducts and lobules. In invasive breast cancer, the cancer moves...
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In a nutshell ?This phase 1/2 trial aims to test the safety and effectiveness of treatment with ipilimumab (Yervoy) in combination with granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) in patients with stage 3 or 4 melanoma. The main outcome to be measured will be the response of the tumors to treatment. This trial is recruiting in Louisville,...
Read MoreIn a nutshell The authors investigated the correlation between the level of PD-1, an important protein in immune system, and clinical response of melanoma patients treated with anti-PD1 therapy. The authors concluded that the level of PD-1 was significantly associated with clinical response in metastatic melanoma patients receiving anti-PD1...
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In a nutshell This study examined the impact of different breast cancer subtypes in elderly patients. The study concluded that HER2+ disease had the highest rate of metastatic spread in elderly breast cancer patients. Some background Breast cancer is classified into different subtypes depending on the presence or absence of certain receptors....
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In a nutshell This study examined the addition of everolimus (Afinitor) to exemestane (Aromasin) for the treatment of patients with hormone-receptor-positive (HR+) and HER2- breast cancer. The study concluded that adding everolimus (EVE) to exemestane (EXE) did not significantly improve overall survival. Some background EXE is a treatment...
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In a nutshell The authors aimed to analyze the factors that could predict resistance to BRAF inhibitor therapy in advanced melanoma. The authors found out that levels of certain proteins and the presence of a type of immune cell could predict the occurrence of resistance. Some background In advanced melanoma (stages 3 or 4), cancer spreads...
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In a nutshell The authors evaluated the effectiveness of combination therapy with dabrafenib (Tafinlar) and trametinib (Mekinist) on health-related quality of life in advanced melanoma patients. The authors found out that the combination therapy prolonged survival and decreased treatment-related adverse events. Some background...
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In a nutshell This study investigated predictors of response to therapy in patients with HER2-positive advanced breast cancer. The study concluded that mucocutaneous toxicities (those affecting the skin or mucous membranes) could be predictors of the response to lapatinib (Tykerb or Tyverb) in patients with HER2-positive advanced breast...
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