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Gastrointestinal stromal tumors that metastasize cannot be controlled by systemic chemotherapy or radiotherapy; however, tumor control in such patients can be achieved with imatinib. The author of this Viewpoint discusses whether imatinib should be used as adjuvant therapy in patients who are at risk for developing metastasis, and whether tumor size is an appropriate criterion for such therapy.
Allogeneic non-myeloablative stem-cell transplantation is feasible for patients with various refractory and advanced solid tumors. Current data suggest that the graft-versus-tumor effect associated with this approach might prolong survival of some patients with metastatic solid tumors. The authors discuss the latest results from the literature and recent data from the European Bone Marrow Transplantation Solid Tumors Working Party.
Several toxicities are associated with molecular-targeted drugs including gastrointestinal adverse effects. These adverse effects need to be considered carefully because they can lead to the discontinuation of oral treatment and subsequently compromise cancer control. The authors of this Review discuss the incidence and clinical patterns of the gastrointestinal toxic effects induced by these agents and propose some hypotheses for each adverse event.
Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a phenotypic conversion that facilitates organ morphogenesis and tissue remodeling. The authors of this Review discuss the phenomenon of EMT in relation to tumor development, and the function of EMT in promoting invasion and metastasis. The roles of ERK1, ERK2 and PI3-kinase, as microenvironmental responsive regulators of EMT are also highlighted.
Allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation is the only curative treatment for the majority of patients with high-risk or advanced hematologic malignancies. Schöttker et al. describe the case of a male patient with acute lymphoblastic leukemia who received cord-blood, third-party CD34+stem-cell, and T-cell transplantation after experiencing primary graft failure. The authors discuss the therapeutic potential of this combined non-HLA restricted transplantation for patients with hematologic disorders.
