In a nutshell This study examined the effect of hepatic-artery infusion combined with systemic chemotherapy on patients with inoperable colorectal liver metastases. Some background Any cancer involving the colon or rectum is called colorectal cancer. Frequently, this cancer spreads to the liver (colorectal liver metastasis), and often in...
Read MoreIn a nutshell The authors evaluated the use of sorafenib and irinotecan-based combination chemotherapy in patients with KRAS-mutated metastatic colorectal cancer who had progressive disease despite prior treatment. Some background KRAS-mutated metastatic colorectal cancer is a cancer that has a mutated KRAS gene (an important gene...
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The article reviews drugs that were approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of Metastatic Breast Cancer (MBC) in the last 20 years. The authors summarize the clinical studies which lead to FDA approval. ‘First-line therapy’ is the initial treatment used to reduce cancer burden. It is usually the standard...
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In a nutshell This review provided information on surgical resection for liver metastasis in colorectal cancer. Some background Colorectal cancer patients can often present initially with metastasis (spread of the cancer), with many more developing metastasis during the course of the disease. The most common site of metastasis...
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In a nutshell The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of primary tumor removal and lymph node dissection on disease outcome in metastatic colorectal cancer. Some background Approximately 15-20% of patients with colorectal cancer are diagnosed with distant metastasis (spread of the cancer) despite widespread screening. While in some...
Read MoreIn a nutshell This study compared the effects of vemurafenib (Zelboraf) and dacarbazine on clinical outcomes in patients with BRAF-v600E or BRAF-v600K mutation-positive melanoma. Some background A mutated BRAF protein, important in directing cell growth, is believed to be responsible for 40% to 60% of all melanomas. Mutations in genes...
Read MoreIn a nutshell This study evaluated the timing of lymphadenectomy and its impact on the outcome of melanoma patients with lymph node metastasis. Some background Among melanoma patients, spread of the cancer to the regional lymph nodes (referred to as lymph node involvement or lymph node metastasis) is known to significantly increase the risk...
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In a nutshell The meta-analysis assessed whether a longer interval between the end of neo-adjuvant chemo-radiotherapy and surgery leads to better outcomes in treatment of rectal cancer. Some background Rectal cancer involves the final part of the large intestine, or rectum. The first choice for treatment of rectal cancer is usually surgery....
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In a nutshell This study evaluated survival benefit with the use of oxaliplatin (Eloxatin) in relation to KRAS gene status among patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. Some background Metastatic colorectal cancer (cancer that has spread from the large intestine to distant organs and tissues) is often treated by a combination of chemotherapy...
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In a nutshell This trial investigated the significance of circulating tumor DNA as a biomarker for monitoring response to treatment among metastatic breast cancer patients. Some background The management of metastatic breast cancer requires frequent monitoring of response to treatment in order to avoid ineffective therapies and prevent...
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In a nutshell This study examined the safety and efficiency of OX40 in inducing an immune response against tumors in advanced cancer patients. Some background T cells are a type of white blood cell which can activate or suppress the immune response. Studies have shown that blocking certain receptors on T cells can remove the normal inhibition...
Read MoreIn a nutshell This review examined the use of intralesional injections to deliver immunotherapy in the treatment of melanoma patients. Some background Immunotherapy is a therapeutic approach which stimulates the immune system to respond against cancer cells in the same way the body would normally fight an invading virus or bacteria. For example,...
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