In a nutshell This study examined the effectiveness of encorafenib (Braftovi) alone or in combination with binimetinib or vemurafenib (Zelboraf) alone in BRAF-mutant melanomas. Researchers suggested that the combined treatment showed improved cancer outcomes with manageable side effects. Some background Some melanoma patients have a...
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In a nutshell This study investigated the effectiveness of pembrolizumab (Keytruda) in the treatment of patients with stage 3 melanoma who underwent surgery. Researchers suggested that this drug is associated with longer recurrence-free survival with no new side effects. Some background The use of PD-1 antibodies, such as pembrolizumab, in patients...
Read MoreIn a nutshell This study compared two targeted therapy drugs gefitinib (Iressa) and erlotinib (Tarceva) in terms of effectiveness and safety at treating patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer. They concluded gefitinib was as effective as erlotinib but with fewer toxic side effects. Some background Current and newer treatment options...
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In a nutshell This study examined the effectiveness of the targeted therapy drug nivolumab (Opdivo) at treating advanced non-small-cell lung cancer, particularly for patients with cancer that has spread to the liver. The authors concluded that nivolumab led to an improved overall survival compared to chemotherapy for these patients. Some background...
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In a nutshell This study investigated the optimal time to start chemotherapy after colon surgery. Researchers suggested that patients should start chemotherapy within 8 weeks after surgery. Some background The recommended treatment for stage 3 colon cancer is surgery followed by chemotherapy. This reduces the risk of recurrence (when the cancer comes...
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In a nutshell This study examined whether loratadine (Claritin) or naproxen (Aleve) is better at treating bone pain associated with G-CSF treatment for patients undergoing chemotherapy for early stage breast cancer. This study concluded that there was no significant difference between the incidence of bone pain reported by patients...
Read MoreIn a nutshell This study looked at the effectiveness of the chemotherapy drug nedaplatin (Aqupla) to treat specific types of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The authors concluded that nedaplatin was effective at treating patients with squamous cell lung cancer. Some background Targeted therapy has improved the outcome of certain types of NSCLC...
Read MoreIn a nutshell This phase 1 trial is examining the safety and effectiveness of a new type of immunotherapy. The treatment involves genetically enhancing patients’ own immune cells to better fight advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) or head and neck cancer. The main outcome to be measured will be the highest safe dose of the treatment. This...
Read MoreIn a nutshell This study aimed to compare intense dose-dense adjuvant (after surgery) chemotherapy with conventionally scheduled chemotherapy. This study concluded that the dose-dense chemotherapy regime had a better 10-year survival and event free survival rates as compared to conventional chemotherapy. Some background Breast cancer...
Read MoreIn a nutshell The authors aimed to understand the effectiveness of anti-PD-L1 therapy in patients with previously treated non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) compared to current treatments. The authors concluded that anti-PD-L1 therapy could be more beneficial than the chemotherapy drug docetaxel (Taxotere) at treating patients with previously treated...
Read MoreIn a nutshell This trial aims to evaluate the use of omega-3 fatty acid supplements to prevent side effects caused by aromatase inhibitors. Aromatase inhibitors can cause arthralgia (bone and joint pain). The main outcomes to be investigated are the change in pain score and the change in joint symptoms. This trial is taking place in Cleveland and...
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In a nutshell This study investigated the effect of nivolumab (Opdivo) in patients with progressive melanoma after ipilimumab (Yervoy) treatment. Researchers suggested that nivolumab treatment is associated with better response compared with chemotherapy. Some background Recent new therapies, such as immunotherapy, have changed the treatment of...
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