In a nutshell This study investigated the use of anthracycline-based chemotherapy according to different breast cancer subtypes. Some background Breast cancer is classified into different subtypes depending on the presence or absence of certain receptors (proteins found on the surface of the cancer cells). Some breast cancers grow in response to...
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In a nutshell This study compared quality of life among advanced melanoma patients receiving either trametinib (Mekinist) or chemotherapy. Some background Until recently, chemotherapy was the treatment of choice in the treatment of wide spread melanoma. Since the identification of commonly occurring genetic mutations in melanoma tumors, several...
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In a nutshell This study compared the outcomes of patients treated with laparoscopic (keyhole) or robotic surgery for mid-low rectal cancer after long-term chemo-radiotherapy treatment. Some background A long course of chemo-radiotherapy (a combination between cytotoxic drugs and radiotherapy) before surgery for the treatment of colorectal cancer...
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In a nutshell This review examined the cognitive difficulties experienced by breast cancer survivors following chemotherapy treatment. Some background Chemotherapy has been associated with cognitive (conscious mental activities such as thinking, reasoning, learning and remembering) impairments in breast cancer (BC) survivors up to two years...
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In a nutshell This trial assessed whether chemotherapy based on ERCC1 and RRM1 levels is more beneficial than the conventional carboplatin and gemcitabine (GemCarbo) chemotherapy, in patients with advanced non-small-cell-lung cancer (NSCLC). Some background ERCC1 and RRM1 are proteins found in human cells and are a part of the cell's cycle of...
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In a nutshell This study analyzed the occurrence and risk of peripheral neuropathy due to docetaxel treatments. Some background Docetaxel is a chemotherapy drug commonly used in the treatment of cancer, usually in combination with other chemotherapy agents. However, a number of side effects have been associated with the use of docetaxel....
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In a nutshell This phase III clinical trial evaluated the impact continuing pemetrexed (Alimta) therapy in patients with advanced Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) after an initial treatment with pemetrexed plus cisplatin (Platinol). Some background In patients with advanced NSCLC, when the cancer has begun to spread beyond the lungs, the...
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In a nutshell This review examined the prognosis of rectal cancer patients exhibiting a partial response to treatment. Some background Treatment of rectal cancer generally includes chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy before surgical removal of the tumor. Response to these treatments is measured by assessing shrinkage of the tumor on a scale referred...
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In a nutshell This review examined the combination of several chemotherapy agents with bevacizumab (Avastin) in the treatment of patients with advanced colorectal cancer. Some background Advanced cases of colorectal cancer (CRC) are generally treated with chemotherapy in addition to surgery. A combination of three drugs, 5-fluorouracil,...
Read MoreIn a nutshell In this study researchers reviewed the adverse effects of the chemotherapy drug ixabepilone for patients with metastatic breast cancer and how these can be managed by reducing the dosage. Some background Ixabepilone (Ixempra) is a chemotherapy drug approved by the U.S. FDA as treatment for metastatic breast cancer (breast cancer that...
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In a nutshell This study examined the benefits of nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel in combination with bevacizumab as first-line treatment (the first treatment of choice) for metastatic breast cancer patients. Some background Paclitaxel is one of several chemotherapy drugs used to treat cancer. However, treatment is often associated with...
Read MoreIn a nutshell This trial investigated whether chemotherapy drugs belonging to the class of camptothecins (such as irinotecan or topotecan) used together with platinum analog chemotherapy (such as cisplatin or carboplatin) were better than the standard regimens in treating extensive disease small-cell lung cancer. Some background Standard treatment...
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