In a nutshell The authors aimed to highlight treatments available for bone tumors resulting from prostate cancer. Some background When prostate cancer spreads outside of the prostate, tumors can form all over the body, particularly on the bone. Bone tumors can significantly affect patients by causing joint pain, nerve pain and fractures....
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In a nutshell This paper studied the safety and effectiveness of a weekly low dose treatment with gemcitabine (Gemzar) and cisplatin (Platinol) in patients with breast cancer that is metastatic (has spread to other parts of the body). Some background Gemcitabine is a chemotherapy drug that is inhibits cell growth. It can be administered...
Read MoreIn a nutshell The authors aimed to determine the safety profile of vemurafenib in patients with BRAFV600 mutated metastatic melanoma with few treatment options remaining. Some background BRAF (protein in the body that controls cell growth) mutations are one of the key factors that lead to melanoma development. In particular, BRAFV600 (a...
Read MoreIn a nutshell The authors aimed to determine the tumor activity and safety of cabazitaxel (Jevtana) and abiraterone (Zytiga) when used in metastatic castrate-resistant patients (patients whose cancer has spread and no longer responds to hormone therapy) who had previously received docetaxel (Taxotere, Docecad) treatment. Some...
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In a nutshell This study investigated using levels of the proteins MUC1 and VEGF to predict the benefit of gefitinib in patients with advanced NSCLC. Some background Non small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a common type of lung cancer that can be difficult to treat. 65-75% of cases are presented at an advanced stage. Chemotherapy is often...
Read MoreIn a nutshell This review explored the use of insulin-like growth factor receptor blockers as treatment for castration-resistant prostate cancer. Some background Prostate cancer is dependent on androgens, male hormones such as testosterone, for growth. Therefore androgen deprivation therapy, which blocks the production or action of testosterone...
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In a nutshell This review summarizes the common adverse effects of everolimus (afinitor) treatment and covers the recommend management of each of these. Some background Everolimus is a drug sometimes used to treat hormone receptor positive (HR+) breast cancer patients in addition to standard hormonal treatment. Everolimus inhibits the immune...
Read MoreIn a nutshell This study explored whether cetuximab (erbitux) can benefit patients with unresectable colorectal liver metastases. The ability to perform surgery to remove part or all of the tumor growth in the liver (the resection rate) was compared between patients receiving cetuximab in combination with chemotherapy, to those receiving chemotherapy...
Read MoreIn a nutshell This study looked at the effect, and specifically drug related toxicities, of cabazitaxel (jevtana) plus prednisone treatment in metastatic prostate cancer patients. Some background Prostate cancer grows in response to the hormone testosterone. In order to reduce the effect of testosterone, castration is the mainstay of advanced...
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In a nutshell This study looks at the use of panitumumab and irinotecan as a combination treatment in patients with KRAS wild-type (non-mutated) metastatic colorectal cancer which has continued to progress while on standard chemotherapy (oxaliplatin, fluoropyrimidines, irinotecan, bevacizumab). Some background Cancer cells can have...
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In a nutshell This study presents the results of a phase III clinical trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of the drug trametinib for the treatment of metastatic melanoma patients with BRAF mutations. Some background BRAF is a protein from a chain of proteins in the cell called the MAP kinase pathway. These play a role in cell division and...
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In a nutshell This article presents the results of a phase II clinical trial that evaluated the efficacy and safety of the combination of two targeted therapies – cetuximab and erlotinib – for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). Some background Colorectal cancer that has spread outside the large...
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