In a nutshell This review examined intermittent and continuous docetaxel (Taxotere) treatment for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). Researchers concluded that intermittent docetaxel treatment can be a feasible treatment option in the management of mCRPC. Some background Chemotherapy with docetaxel is often the first-line...
Read MoreCurrent disease status-First occurrence of the cancer Posts on Medivizor
Advice for Moving Beyond the Shock of an Advanced Prostate Cancer Diagnosis
Diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer at age 53, Joe felt like he was hit by a Mac truck and prepared for the worst. Now, five years later, Joe is doing well and his PSA is undetectable. Joe and his wife, Yolanda, share their story and explain the tools that helped Joe move past the initial fear of his diagnosis. Transcript Please...
Read MoreSearching for small-cell lung cancer patients to test pembrolizumab combined with chemotherapy and radiation
In a nutshell This phase 1 trial aims to determine the dosage of the anti-cancer drug pembrolizumab (Keytruda, or MK-3475) and whether it is effective at treating small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) when combined with both chemotherapy and radiation therapy. The main outcome of the trial will be the maximum tolerated dose (MTD – the highest dose of a...
Read MoreThe predictive value of immune cells in prostate cancer
In a nutshell This review examined whether the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) was useful in predicting the prognosis of prostate cancer. Researchers reported a strong link between the NLR and overall survival and cancer recurrence. Some background Neutrophils are cells that are involved in inflammation (reaction to injury or infection)....
Read MoreOverview of first-line treatments for advanced prostate cancer
In a nutshell This review evaluated first-line treatments for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). Authors recommend chemotherapy with docetaxel (Taxotere) for mCRPC with high tumor burden or at high risk of rapid progression. Alternative hormonal therapy or chemotherapy may be effective in other cases. Some background...
Read MoreInvestigation of the effectiveness and safety of treatment with neratinib
In a nutshell This study investigated the effectiveness and safety of neratinib treatment in patients with early-stage HER2+ breast cancer. The study concluded that neratinib significantly improved 2-year invasive disease-free survival in women with HER2+ breast cancer. Some background HER2 positive (HER2+) breast cancer is dependent on the...
Read MoreGnRH agonists or GnRH antagonists: The risks and benefits
In a nutshell This review compared the potential risks and benefits of two hormone therapies available for androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). Authors concluded that GnRH antagonists offer a safe and effective alternative to GnRH agonists. Some background ADT is a type of hormone therapy commonly used to treat advanced prostate cancer. ADT targets...
Read MoreHormone therapy and localized prostate cancer: Risk factors examined
In a nutshell This study examined factors important in the treatment of localized prostate cancer with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). Researchers reported a number of specific markers that can help determine the risk of cancer progression after ADT. Some background Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is a type of hormone therapy that targets...
Read MoreIs robotic assisted prostate surgery a suitable treatment for high-risk prostate cancer?
In a nutshell This study examined robotic assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) in the treatment of high-risk localized prostate cancer. Researchers reported that the number of risk factors did not increase the risk of cancer recurrence after RARP. Some background Prostate surgery (also called radical prostatectomy) is a common treatment for...
Read MoreXELOX combined with bevacizumab in older metastatic colorectal cancer patients
In a nutshell This study investigated the safety and efficacy of chemotherapy (capecitabine and oxaliplatin, or XELOX) combined with bevacizumab (Avastin) as treatment for metastatic (spread to other areas of the body) colorectal cancer in patients 75 or more years old. Researchers suggested that XELOX plus bevacizumab was effective in patients aged...
Read MoreCan treatment with palbociclib affect a person’s quality of life?
In a nutshell This study examined the effect of the drug combination, palbociclib (Ibrance) plus fulvestrant (Faslodex) on the quality of life of breast cancer patients. The study concluded that palbociclib plus fulvestrant allowed patients to maintain a good quality of life while experiencing delayed disease progression. Some background...
Read MoreAspirin and COX-2 inhibitors improve survival in colon cancer patients
In a nutshell This study investigated whether aspirin and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors improved the survival outcomes of colon cancer patients. The authors found that in comparison to non-users, patients who took aspirin or COX-2 inhibitors had better survival outcomes. Some background Studies have shown that the drugs aspirin and...
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