Table of contents
August 2008 Volume 5 No 8
Editorial
Clinical evidence does not support the use of adjuvant radiotherapy in pancreatic cancer
431doi:10.1038/ncponc1188 | Full Text | PDF (102K)
Research Highlights
CARD11—a new therapeutic target in activated B cell-like diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
432Daily aspirin use is associated with a reduced risk of ER-positive breast cancer
432MicroRNA signature predicts outcome in acute myeloid leukemia
432Practice Points
Radiation therapy improves survival in patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma
434doi:10.1038/ncponc1176 | Full Text | PDF (130K)
Bevacizumab plus interferon 
in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma
436doi:10.1038/ncponc1162 | Full Text | PDF (132K)
Adjuvant EBRT improves survival in patients with lymph-node-negative pancreatic cancer
438doi:10.1038/ncponc1163 | Full Text | PDF (128K)
The CCR9–CCL25 axis mediates melanoma metastasis to the small intestine
440doi:10.1038/ncponc1174 | Full Text | PDF (124K)
Viewpoint
Who should receive myeloablative therapy for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma?
442Over half of all newly-diagnosed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma patients can be cured with first line treatment based on the combination of rituximab with anthracycline-based chemotherapy regimens. The authors of this Viewpoint discuss the use of high-dose therapy and autologous hematopoietic stem cell support in patients with DLBCL who have relapsed or are refractory to first line treatment.
doi:10.1038/ncponc1175 | Full Text | PDF (123K)
Reviews
Chemotherapy for muscle-invasive bladder cancer treated with definitive radiotherapy: persisting uncertainties
444There is a paucity of phase III data comparing chemoradiation with radiation alone for treating invasive bladder cancer; however, an ongoing Australian trial is attempting to address this lack of data. Strategies that combine systemic chemotherapy and radiotherapy have been explored and have yielded better local control than either modality alone. The role of systemic chemotherapy and the controversies surrounding the use of radical surgery versus chemoradiation are discussed.
doi:10.1038/ncponc1159 | Full Text | PDF (231K)
Predictive factors for chemotherapy-related toxic effects in patients with colorectal cancer
455Many drugs are used to treat colorectal cancer but there is little information about how predictive factors can be used to improve treatment response and reduce toxic effects related to anticancer treatment. The authors of this Review analyse the main data in this investigation field, and highlight the most important predictive factors that relate to toxic effects in patients with colorectal cancer who are treated with anticancer chemotherapy, both in adjuvant and in advanced setting.
doi:10.1038/ncponc1137 | Full Text | PDF (245K)
Do stress-related psychosocial factors contribute to cancer incidence and survival?
466Although many studies have investigated the associations between stress-related psychosocial factors and cancer outcomes, the results have been inconclusive. The authors of this Review use meta-analytical methods from 165 studies to determine if there is an association, and discuss the results indicating that stress-related psychosocial factors have an adverse effect on cancer incidence and survival.
doi:10.1038/ncponc1134 | Full Text | PDF (319K)
Mechanisms of Disease: temozolomide and glioblastoma—look to the future
476Until recently, the standard of care for the treatment of glioblastoma involved surgical resection followed by radiation therapy with or without nitrosourea-based chemotherapy. In 2005, a large trial established adjuvant temozolomide chemotherapy and radiotherapy as a new standard therapy. This Review summarizes new developments in the treatment of glioblastoma and speculates on possible future treatment strategies for managing this aggressive cancer.
doi:10.1038/ncponc1155 | Full Text | PDF (243K)
Case Study
Audiologic and radiographic response of NF2-related vestibular schwannoma to erlotinib therapy
487The tumor suppressor syndrome neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) is transmitted in an autosomal dominant fashion. Plotkin et al. report the case of a 48-year-old man who was diagnosed with progressive NF2-related vestibular schwannomas and received erlotinib therapy, which resulted in improved audiologic and radiographic responses. The authors discuss the potential effectiveness of targeted therapies for progressive vestibular schwannoma in NF2 patients.
doi:10.1038/ncponc1157 | Full Text | PDF (342K)
