In a nutshell This study reports the long term data on the use of panitimumab-FOLFIRI in metastatic colorectal cancer. Some background Many agents are now available for the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer. FOLFIRI is a treatment method consisting of 5-flurouracil (slows or stops cell growth), leucovorin (Fusilev;...
Read MoreTreatment(s) already received-Chemotherapy Posts on Medivizor
Is delay of surgery after neo-adjuvant chemo-radiotherapy an effective treatment procedure?
In a nutshell The meta-analysis assessed whether a longer interval between the end of neo-adjuvant chemo-radiotherapy and surgery leads to better outcomes in treatment of rectal cancer. Some background Rectal cancer involves the final part of the large intestine, or rectum. The first choice for treatment of rectal cancer is usually surgery....
Read MorePreoperative chemo-radiotherapy: is there an associated distal resection margin in rectal cancer?
In a nutshell This study examined what constitutes an acceptable length of distal resection margin when performing sphincter saving surgery for rectal cancer in patients receiving preoperative chemo-radiotherapy. Some background A resection margin is the edge or border of normal tissue removed with a tumor during surgery. A...
Read MoreChemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy
In a nutshell This review explored recent evidence regarding chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy following treatment with different types of chemotherapeutic agents. Some background Chemotherapy, often used in the treatment of cancer, is well-known for its short-term toxic side-effects such as nausea or hair loss. However, symptoms of...
Read MoreTiming of adjuvant chemotherapy after surgery
In a nutshell This study examined whether the timing of adjuvant chemotherapy affects survival among women with breast cancer. Some background Surgical resection to remove all cancerous tissue is the standard of care for the treatment of breast cancer. After surgery, many patients also undergo adjuvant treatments (additional therapy following...
Read MoreNew and current second-line treatments
In a nutshell This review discusses current second-line treatment options for metastatic colorectal cancer, as well as new advances in colorectal cancer therapy. Some background Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer in the world, and up to 40% of CRC patients will experience metastasis, or spread, of the disease. Advances in...
Read MoreCan maintenance therapy improve survival?
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...
Read MorePathologic complete response to neoadjuvant therapy predicts prognosis in HER2-positive breast cancer
In a nutshell This study assessed the impact of pathologic complete response (pCR) to neoadjuvant chemotherapy and trastuzumab (herceptin) on survival of HER2-positive breast cancer patients. Some background Neoadjuvant therapy refers to treatments given before surgery in order to shrink the tumor and allow for complete surgical removal of the...
Read MoreAcetyl-l-carnitine supplements worsen nerve damage in chemotherapy treated breast cancer patients
In a nutshell This study evaluated whether a dietary supplement called acetyl-l-carnitine (ALC) improves chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy or CIPN (nerve damage caused by chemotherapy drugs) in breast cancer patients. Some background Many chemotherapy agents have undesirable side effects. Taxane (such as paclitaxel or docetaxel)...
Read MoreMaintenance therapy after bevacizumab and chemotherapy treatment in advanced non–small cell lung cancer patients
In a nutshell This phase III trial compared two maintenance therapy strategies in the treatment of advanced non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. The effect of bevacizumab (Avastin) was compared to that of combined bevacizumab and pemetrexed (Alimta) treatment. Some background Chemotherapy is one of the main strategies applied in the...
Read MoreCrizotinib improves progression-free survival in advanced ALK-positive lung cancer patients
In a nutshell This phase III trial investigated the benefits of crizotinib (Xalkori) as treatment for ALK-positive lung cancer patients. Patient outcome with crizotinib treatment was compared to that of treatment with standard chemotherapy. Some background Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells may contain different...
Read MoreEarly post-operative intraperitoneal chemotherapy (EPIC) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) after cytoreductive surgery (CRS) for cancers of the appendix, colon or rectum
In a nutshell This study will compare two procedures to deliver chemotherapy into the abdominal cavity following surgery to remove colorectal cancer spread to the peritoneum (the lining of the abdominal cavity). The primary outcome of the study is disease-free survival, or the length of time without any evidence of cancer. The details...
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