In a nutshell The authors aimed to determine the effect of docetaxel (Taxotere – a type of chemotherapy) and hormone therapy in patients with metastatic (cancer that has spread) prostate cancer. Some background Chemotherapy and hormone therapy are common treatments used in prostate cancer. Chemotherapy drugs, such as docetaxel, target cancer...
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In a nutshell The authors assessed the role of amputation (removal) in the management of melanoma in limbs (arms or legs). Some background There are many treatment options available for patients with limb melanoma. Isolated limb perfusion (ILP) is one of the most common and effective treatments for limb melanoma. In ILP, high doses of chemotherapy...
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In a nutshell This trial looked at the safety and efficacy of alectinib (Alecensa) in the treatment of patients with ALK-rearranged non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that had progressed after treatment with crizotinib (Xalkori). This trial concluded that alectinib was safe and effective in these patients. Some background Some NSCLCs...
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In a nutshell This study investigated whether age influenced the effectiveness and safety of radioembolization in patients with colorectal cancer which had spread to the liver. Some background There is a lack of research on treatment options for elderly colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. Elderly patients in the U.S. and Europe are 70-90%...
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In a nutshell The authors aimed to determine the effect of afatinib (Gilotrif) in lung cancer patients with advanced (cancer has spread), uncommon epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations. Some background EGFR mutations are found in 15% of lung cancer patients. Certain EGFR mutations can predict whether drugs, such as tyrosine...
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In a nutshell This trial investigated the effectiveness and safety of a combination treatment for colorectal cancer resistant to chemotherapy. Some background Cancer evolves as it progresses in patients. Sometimes, this leads to resistance to treatment. In this case, the cancer is termed “refractory”. TAS-102 (Lonsurf) is a...
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In a nutshell The authors analyzed the effectiveness of continued treatment with dabrafenib (Tafinlar) and vemurafenib (Zelboraf) in advanced melanoma after disease progression despite treatment with these drugs. Some background In advanced melanoma (stage 3/4), cancer spreads from the skin to other parts of the body. BRAF genes are...
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Dr. Michael Wong from the University of Southern California, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center considers the correlation between patients’ responses to treatment and the eventuality of stopping treatment. Dr. Wong argues disease and treatment differ from patient to patient. Tune in to learn more. Transcript Donna: I’m Donna...
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Recorded on June 1, 2015 Sapna Patel, MD, Assistant Professor, Department of Melanoma Medical Oncology The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Carol Preston: We talk about targeted therapies, immunotherapies. I'm also wondering about patient access to these therapies. I know it's been a hot topic at ASCO...
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In a nutshell This review discussed the use of nintedanib (Vargatef) in non-small cell lung cancer that has progressed despite treatment. Some background Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is often not diagnosed until the disease is advanced (spread to the lymph nodes or other areas of the body). Chemotherapy is the first-line treatment, but the...
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In a nutshell This phase 1 clinical trial recruiting in Buffalo, New York aims to evaluate the side effects and best dose of a vaccine therapy for patients with advanced (stage III/IV) melanoma that has spread from the skin to other parts of the body. The primary outcome to be investigated is the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and treatment-related...
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In a nutshell The authors investigated the effectiveness and patient response (tolerance) to vemurafenib (Zelboraf) treatment in advanced melanoma. Some background In advanced melanoma (stage III/ IV), cancer spreads from the skin to other parts of the body (metastasis). BRAF genes are often mutated (permanently...
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