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This Review discusses the advantages and disadvantages of weekly paclitaxel for the treatment of relapsed ovarian cancer. When compared with the 3 weekly schedule, weekly paclitaxel is better tolerated, with a reduced frequency of toxic effects; however, response duration can be short. Importantly, patients with tumors that are resistant to 3-weekly paclitaxel have responded to treatment with weekly paclitaxel. Current research focuses to increase response duration include the combination of weekly paclitaxel with molecular-targeted agents and the use of molecular profiling to better select patients for treatment.

Ongoing investigation into the use of thalidomide in the treatment of multiple myeloma has demonstrated efficacy as a combination treatment during induction and as maintenance therapy. Thalidomide–doxorubicin–dexamethasone combination therapy improved response rate; however, the development of drug resistance remains a concern.

The optimum approach for the treatment of rare anaplastic gliomas following surgical resection is uncertain. A recent study has now provided a greater understanding of the heterogeneous tumor biology of these tumors and has emphasized the prognostic importance of chromosome 1p19q deletion, IDH mutation and MGMT promoter methylation. The importance of radiotherapy and chemotherapy for treating these heterogeneous tumors is being elucidated for subgroups of patients.

Investigators found that denileukin diftitox, which targets the interleukin-2 receptor, achieves objective response rates in 44% of patients with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, with a median duration of response of 7.8 months and 2% incidence of severe vascular leak syndrome. The inclusion of a placebo arm in the study revealed several additional interesting observations.

A phase III trial investigated the efficacy of carboplatin and a taxane with and without cetuximab, a monoclonal antibody against EGFR, in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer. This trial did not reveal an improvement in the primary end point of progression-free survival (according to an independent radiological review committee) with the addition of cetuximab to the carboplatin and taxane regimen. A retrospective investigation of potential biomarkers did not reveal any significant association between these biomarkers and cetuximab efficacy.

Brain metastases are a frequent complication in patients with advanced breast cancer. Whole-brain radiation therapy (WBRT) is the standard treatment for these patients, but it can cause neurocognitive damage, and results are suboptimal. Therapies that reduce toxic effects, improve local control, and prevent recurrences are needed. The authors of this Review outline the current strategies and novel developments in WBRT, and discuss new irradiation modalities that are improving outcomes in breast cancer patients with brain metastases.

Modern cancer treatment is a complex process that requires the cooperation of individuals with a range of specialties and backgrounds. In this Perspective, a multidisciplinary team of authors propose a conceptual model to improve patient-centered cancer care. This model describes the roles of the active caregivers (for example, physicians), basic supportive caregivers (for example, psychologists) and community support (for example, advocacy groups) in providing the full continuum of the cancer treatment experience.

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia has long been regarded as an incurable disease of the elderly. Consolidation strategies using non-cross resistant agents have improved the success rates of patients with residual disease at the end of induction treatment. This Review discusses chemoimmunotherapy regimens that contain purine analogs and rituximab and considers new developments in induction and consolidation strategies that are leading the path towards cure.