In a nutshell This article evaluated the use of bevacizumab alongside chemotherapy in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer after the progression of the disease following treatment with bevacizumab. Some background Cancer cells need blood supply in order to grow. They do so by forming new blood vessels thereby feeding...
Read MoreConfined or spread disease-Spread with distant metastasis Posts on Medivizor
Comparing combined versus sequential chemotherapy for patients with advanced colorectal cancer
In a nutshell This trial compared the effect on disease progression and survival of different chemotherapy combinations used in the treatment of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. Some background Metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) is cancer that has spread from the large intestine to other organs and tissues. Chemotherapy...
Read MoreAre there any benefits to continuing trastuzumab after disease progression in patients with HER2+ metastatic breast cancer?
In a nutshell This article evaluated the benefits of continuing trastuzumab treatment after disease progression in patients with HER2+ metastatic (spread to distant organs and tissues) breast cancer. Some background Breast cancer cells have on their surface some proteins called receptors. Hormones bind to these receptors causing changes in the...
Read MoreEvaluating chemotherapy options for patients with triple negative breast cancer
In a nutshell This article looked at the use of a platinum based chemotherapy (cisplatin) to a non-platinum based chemotherapy for patients with triple negative breast cancer. Some background Most breast cancers have on their surface some proteins called receptors that help the breast cancers grow. These can be hormone receptors (estrogen or...
Read MorePhase 3 clinical trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of 12-weekly zoledronic acid in breast cancer patients with bone metastases
In a nutshell This phase 3 clinical trial examined whether zoledronic acid (ZA) given at a lower frequency (every 12 weeks) has the same effects as the previous frequency (every 4 weeks) in breast cancer patients with bone metastases (cancer that has spread from the breast to the bones). Some background Over half of patients with advanced...
Read MoreEvaluating long-term survival in patients with metastatic melanoma treated with ipilimumab
In a nutshell This study examined the long-term survival rates in patients with metastatic melanoma treated with ipilimumab. Some background A melanoma that has metastasized (spread) to other areas of the body is called metastatic melanoma. Patients with metastatic melanoma have had, in general, low rates of survival. Currently, researchers are...
Read MorePhase 3 clinical trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of adding pertuzumab to trastuzumab and docetaxel therapy in patients with HER2+ metastatic breast cancer
In a nutshell This phase 3 clinical trial evaluated the safety and efficacy of adding pertuzumab to trastuzumab and docetaxel for the treatment of patients with HER2+ metastatic breast cancer (mBC). Some background Some breast cancer cells have on their surface some proteins called human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) that help...
Read MoreEvaluating the benefits of higher doses of fulvestrant in breast cancer patients
In a nutshell This review analyzed the results from several clinical trials which compared the benefits of the standard dose of 250mg of fulvestrant (Ful) once a month to higher doses in breast cancer patients. Some background Some breast cancers need estrogen (a female sex hormone) to grow. Cancer cells respond to estrogen via...
Read MorePhase 3 clinical trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of adding everolimus to exemestane therapy in patients with hormone receptor-positive advanced breast cancer
In a nutshell This phase 3 clinical trial tested whether everolimus (a non-hormonal treatment) added to hormone therapy with exemestane improved survival in patients with advanced breast cancer (BCa). Some background Some BCa are fueled by female sex hormones (estrogen or progesterone) that help them grow. These types of cancer are called...
Read MoreFactors that influence long term survival in patients with lung metastases from colorectal cancer
In a nutshell This article looks at results from 8 clinical studies where patients had surgery to remove lung metastases. Using patient data from these studies, the authors identified risk factors which can predict the 5 year survival rate. Some background Oligometastasis defines the spread of a primary cancer (in this case colorectal cancer) to a...
Read MoreCombination of Anastrozole and Fulvestrant therapy in hormone receptor positive metastatic breast cancer
In a nutshell This study compared the effect of two regimens for hormone-positive, metastatic breast cancer on disease progression and survival: a combination of two drugs, namely anastrozole (Arimidex) and fulvestrant (Faslodex), versus anastrozole alone. Some background Breast cancers often require estrogen (the female sex...
Read MoreThe role of low lymphocytes and circulating tumor cells as prognostic factors in metastatic breast cancer
In a nutshell The aim of this study was to asses the prognostic significance of lymphocytopenia (very low lymphocytes-cells involved in the immune response), circulating tumor cell (CTC) count in patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC). Lymphocytopenia and CTC measurement seem to be independent factors for predicting overall survival in patients...
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