In a nutshell The current study examined long-term response and survival among advanced melanoma patients treated with the immunotherapy agent nivolumab. Some background Immunotherapies can stimulate the immune system to identify and destroy cancer cells, much in the same way it would fight invaders such as bacteria or viruses. Some cancer cells,...
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Intralesional immunotherapy in the treatment of melanoma
In a nutshell This review examined the use of intralesional injections to deliver immunotherapy in the treatment of melanoma patients. Some background Immunotherapy is a therapeutic approach which stimulates the immune system to respond against cancer cells in the same way the body would normally fight an invading virus or bacteria. For example,...
Read MoreIncreasing response to treatment with statins
In a nutshell This study examined whether statin use during cancer treatments can increase response rates and outcomes among rectal cancer patients before surgery. Some background Chemoradiation (chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy) is often used among rectal cancer patients before undergoing surgery (referred to as neoadjuvant therapy). Neoadjuvant...
Read MoreDoes depression influence survival?
In a nutshell This study evaluated the quality of life and prognosis of non-small cell lung cancer patients suffering from anxiety and depression. Some background Many cancer patients experience anxiety and depression following diagnosis or treatments. It is estimated that 25% of lung cancer patient suffer from depression. Depression and anxiety...
Read MoreThe benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy in the treatment of older patients with advanced colon cancer
In a nutshell In this study, researchers examined how adjuvant chemotherapy benefits colon cancer patients over the age of 75. Some background Adjuvant chemotherapy (the addition of chemotherapy to another treatment, such as surgery) has been shown to benefit survival in multiple trials and is considered common practice for patients with advanced...
Read MoreThe benefits of beta-blocker treatment in triple negative breast cancer patients
In a nutshell This study investigated the potential benefit of beta blocker treatment in triple negative breast cancer patients. In this study, patients already receiving long term treatment with beta blockers before the diagnosis of cancer were investigated to examine the effect on cancer outcome. Some background Beta blockers are a class of...
Read MoreObesity does not influence outcomes in patients treated for appendix and colon cancer that has spread to the abdominal cavity
In a nutshell This study evaluated whether obesity has any influence on survival in patients with peritoneal surface disease from colon or appendix cancers undergoing hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy after cytoreductive surgery. Some background Peritoneal surface disease (PSD) is a condition where cancer has spread to many spots on the...
Read MoreLocal therapies with continued EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (erlotinib or gefitinib) for resistant non-small cell lung cancer
In a nutshell This study examined the benefits of local therapies for patients with EGFR mutant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that has progressed despite tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) treatment. Some background Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells may contain different genetic mutations that cause these cells to divide and spread...
Read MoreThe cardiac risks of bevacizumab treatment in combination with chemotherapy
In a nutshell This study investigated the effects of bevacizumab (avastin) in combination with chemotherapy on the risk of cardiac related events, such as heart failure and cardiac related death. Some background Bevacizumab is a drug which targets a protein called vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A). By binding to VEGF-A...
Read MoreComparing survival rates in women diagnosed with cancer in one or both breasts
In a nutshell This study compared survival rates of patients who developed cancer in both breasts (called contralateral breast cancer or CBC) and patients who had cancer in one breast (unilateral breast cancer or UBC). Some background Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women. Breast cancer survivors are 3.5 times more likely to develop...
Read MoreImproved survival with vemurafenib in patients with metastatic melanoma
In a nutshell In this phase 3 clinical trial, researchers compared the safety and efficacy of vemurafenib to the standard chemotherapy drug for melanoma, dacarbazine. Some background A genetic defect (mutation) in protein called BRAF is present in approximately 50% of melanomas. BRAF helps cells grow and multiply, so BRAF mutations are responsible...
Read MoreIntermittent versus continuous chemotherapy in advanced colorectal cancer
In a nutshell The aim of this study was to assess the effects of pauses during chemotherapy in patients with advanced colorectal cancer (CRC). Some background In advanced CRC (cancer of the large bowel that has spread to the lymph nodes and other tissues and organs of the body) the cancer is more difficult to remove. Patients usually need...
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