In a nutshell This article reviewed data from recent clinical trials investigating the drug pertuzumab (perjeta) as treatment for metastatic HER2+ breast cancer. Some background HER2 (human epidermal growth factor receptor 2) is a protein found on the surface of some cancer cells. This complex responds to molecules called growth factors, and...
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In a nutshell This study examined the benefits of nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel in combination with bevacizumab as first-line treatment (the first treatment of choice) for metastatic breast cancer patients. Some background Paclitaxel is one of several chemotherapy drugs used to treat cancer. However, treatment is often associated with...
Read MoreIn a nutshell This study compared the safety and efficacy of open versus laparoscopic (robotic) surgery in patients with advanced cancer of the colon or rectum (colorectal cancer). Some background For patients with CRC, the first treatment option usually is surgery to remove the cancer along with part of the large intestine. In more advanced...
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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...
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In a nutshell This study evaluated the survival benefits of repeated removal of lung metastases in patients with colorectal cancer. Additionally, the authors aimed to identify which patients would benefit the most from this treatment. Some background Colorectal cancer is an abnormal growth of cells in the colon (large intestine) or rectum...
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In a nutshell This phase II clinical trial investigated the addition of bevacizumab to two chemotherapy regimens for the first line treatment of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC). Some background Cancer cells need blood supply in order to grow. They do so by forming new blood vessels, thus feeding themselves. Bevacizumab (Avastin)...
Read MoreIn a nutshell This review analyzed data from several recent trials, and determined the benefit of liver resection (surgery to remove part or all of the liver) in patients with metastatic melanoma. Some background Melanoma is an uncontrolled growth of skin cells, but this cancer may also spread to other organs (referred to as metastatic melanoma)....
Read MoreIn a nutshell This study explored whether cetuximab (erbitux) can benefit patients with unresectable colorectal liver metastases. The ability to perform surgery to remove part or all of the tumor growth in the liver (the resection rate) was compared between patients receiving cetuximab in combination with chemotherapy, to those receiving chemotherapy...
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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 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...
Read MoreIn a nutshell This article looks at two treatment options for people who have obtained a complete, partial or stable state disease after first round combination chemotherapy for metastatic breast cancer. Some background Metastatic breast cancer is cancer that has spread from the breast to distant organs or tissues in the body. Treatment for...
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In a nutshell This phase III clinical trial examined whether the combination of capecitabine (Xeloda) and paclitaxel (Taxol) is as effective as the combination of epirubicin (Ellence) and paclitaxel (Taxol) as a chemotherapy treatment for patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC). Some background One of the current treatment options for...
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