In a nutshell This study examined whether a combination of paclitaxel, capecitabine, and bevacizumab was safe and effective in treating triple-negative, locally-advanced metastatic breast cancer. The three drugs taken together were safe and highly effective in treating these patients. Some background In recent years, many new...
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Hormonal therapy—also known as androgen deprivation therapy—has long been used to treat prostate cancer. But how does it work? And what are the potential side effects? Prostate cancer experts Drs. Jeri Kim and Sumit K. Subudhi, from MD Anderson Cancer Center, explore approved hormonal therapy...
Read MoreIn a nutshell This study investigated the factors associated with local recurrence (LR; when the cancer comes back) in melanoma patients. Researchers suggested that a surgical margin of greater than or equal to 1cm reduces the risk of LR. Some background Most patients with a primary melanoma (stage 1) have a tumor that is thin (equal to 1 mm or...
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In a nutshell This meta-analysis examined whether there were specific patient factors which would help predict the effectiveness of the anti-cancer drug pemetrexed (Alimta). The authors concluded that several factors including smoking status, genetic mutations, metastatic location and amount of tumors gave indications on whether or not pemetrexed would...
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In a nutshell This study examined predictors of survival for cancer patients with spinal bone metastases. Authors reported that stable and unstable spinal bone metastases had similar survival rates. However, factors predictive of survival were different between groups. Some background When cancer spreads outside of the breast (known as...
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In a nutshell This study investigated the outcomes of rectal cancer patients with complete or near-complete response to chemotherapy and radiation therapy (CRT) who do not undergo surgery. Researchers reported that not undergoing surgery, in selected patients, is a safe option for treatment of rectal cancer. Some background The standard...
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In a nutshell This study investigated whether the neutrophil-lymphocyte (NLR; types of white blood cells) ratio is an effective predictor of ipilimumab (Yervoy) response in metastatic (spread to other parts of the body) melanoma patients. Researchers suggested that the NLR is strongly associated with the outcome of patients treated with...
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In a nutshell This study examined two new predictors of prostate cancer recurrence – perineural invasion (PNI) and lymphovascular invasion (LVI). Researchers reported increased recurrence risk after prostate surgery if patients show PNI or LVI before surgery, particularly if both were present. Some background Localized (confined)...
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In a nutshell This study examined the effect of ethnicity on health outcomes with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). Researchers reported shorter survival among African American men receiving ADT for low- or intermediate-risk prostate cancer compared to men of other ethnicities. Some background ADT is a type of hormone therapy used to treat...
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In a nutshell This study compared long-term outcomes of open prostate surgery and robot-assisted laparoscopic prostate surgery. Researchers reported similar treatment outcomes at 10 years between the two surgical approaches. Some background Prostate surgery (also called radical prostatectomy) is a common treatment for localized (confined)...
Read MoreIn a nutshell This study investigated whether aspirin has an effect against rectal cancer during pre-surgery chemotherapy and radiation therapy (CRT). Researchers reported that the use of aspirin is associated with a better outcome and survival. Some background Pre-surgery CRT has been shown to improve the rate of local recurrences (when the...
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In a nutshell This study compared the effectiveness of the chemotherapies FOLFIRI plus bevacizumab (Avastin) and mFOLFOX6 plus bevacizumab in metastatic colorectal cancer. Researchers suggested that these two treatments are equally effective. Some background Roughly 20% of colorectal cancer patients have metastasis (spread to other...
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