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Targeting EGFR in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in addition to chemotherapy might provide survival benefits in patients with EGFR-positive tumors. Indeed, results from the FLEX trial demonstrate that cetuximab in combination with platinum-based chemotherapy is a new treatment strategy for patients with advanced NSCLC.
Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents are widely used in patients with cancer; however, uncertainty persists over their effect on survival. This article discusses the results of a meta-analysis of randomized, controlled trials of these agents in patients with cancer.
In the past, myelodysplastic syndromes were managed primarily by supportive care measures, which had limited effects on symptomatic cytopenias or on the rate of leukemic transformation of these disorders. A new study reports that administration of the hypomethylation agent azacitidine significantly increases overall survival in patients with high-risk myelodysplastic syndromes compared with conventional care.
Peptide vaccines to PRI, WT1, and BCR-ABL have shown promising results in early trials of patients with leukemia. We discuss vaccine strategies that have been developed against leukemia, and the potential of a vaccine and stem-cell transplant combination for the cure of patients with leukemia.
Sorafenib is the standard treatment for patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma who are not eligible for locoregional therapy. Although significant improvement in overall survival has been demonstrated in patients with Child-Pugh A cirrhosis, information is lacking on the benefits, if any, in patients with compromised liver function and Child-Pugh B or C cirrhosis.
Bevacizumab has improved survival outcomes in patients with various solid tumors when combined with chemotherapy. The authors discuss the rationale for using bevacizumab and other large-molecule agents that target the VEGF system, and the unanswered questions regarding the use of bevacizumab in the adjuvant setting. The challenges and opportunities in developing new strategies and understanding molecular mechanisms are highlighted.
Cetuximab and panitumumab have been approved for the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer when used alone or in combination with irinotecan. Although EGFR is expressed in most metastatic colorectal tumors, only a subset of patients derive clinical benefit from treatment with EGFR inhibitors. The experimental and clinical evidence supporting the use ofKRAStesting for selecting patients for treatment with anti-EGFR monoclonal antibodies is discussed.
KRASmutations can be predictive of resistance to anti-EGFR monoclonal-based therapy in patients with colorectal cancer. Only limited studies, however, have assessed the predictive value ofKRAS mutations in response to conventional chemotherapy. In this Review, the authors assess the available literature and propose that KRASmutations have no value in response prediction to conventional chemotherapy in colorectal cancer, non-small-cell cancer and other solid tumors.
Imatinib is the standard frontline therapy for patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML); however, a substantial number require alternative therapy owing to imatinib intolerance or imatinib resistance. Studies have shown that second-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors are efficacious in restoring cytogenetic responses in patients who require subsequent therapy. Quintás-Cardama et al. discuss the second-generation and third-generation targeted agents that have restored cytogenetic response in patients unresponsive to imatinib, and the strategies being explored to improve the long-term outcome.
This case study discusses two patients with locally advanced Merkel cell carcinoma. The authors describe how neoadjuvant polychemotherapy was used to treat these patients allowing curative-intent surgery plus radiotherapy.
The costs associated with innovative cancer therapeutics are excessive, placing a barrier between drug discovery and healthcare. The article discusses several strategies that might be effective in reducing the escalating costs and their impact on innovative cancer drug discovery.
