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Data from three phase II trials of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes demonstrate high and durable complete response rates in patients with stage IV melanoma. Improved clinical outcomes might be achieved by combining tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes with other novel immunotherapeutic agents.
A randomized phase III study has reported significant improvements in R0 resection rate and overall survival associated with perioperative cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil treatment compared with surgery alone in patients with gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma. These data support the results of the randomized phase III MAGIC study that reported a 13% 5-year survival benefit from perioperative chemotherapy.
In the phase III ACCORD 11 trial, FOLFIRINOX was associated with the longest survival ever reported for patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer (11.1 months). However, toxicities associated with the four-drug regimen will limit its use to patients with a good performance status.
For many patients with invasive bladder cancer, regional or systemic metastases are present at the time of presentation. Owing to the risk of micrometastatic disease, preoperative neoadjuvant cisplatin-based chemotherapy before radical cystectomy or radiation has been assessed and shown to provide a survival advantage.
Changes in the bone marrow (BM) stroma can create an environment that favors neoplastic cell growth and survival. The authors of this Review examine the contribution of the BM stroma to several hematological neoplasms and describe the processes that are responsible for remodeling the BM stroma. Approaches that target components of the altered BM stroma and prevent the crosstalk between BM stromal cells and neoplastic cells are also discussed.
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) is an exciting and fast-moving field in cancer diagnosis and therapeutics. This Review highlights the use of circulating miRNAs in body fluids as a noninvasive diagnostic tool and as a treatment-response predictor. It also explores the concept that body-fluid-based miRNAs possibly originated as the first 'hormones'.
The numerous active agents and possible drug combinations for the treatment of multiple myeloma present challenges in terms of the best regimens for first-line therapy, role of transplantation, and maintenance therapy. Should treatment approaches achieve cure or disease control? This Review provides an update on the treatment of multiple myeloma, with a focus on recent advances and newly diagnosed disease.
Overexpression of human EGFR family receptors is associated with a poor prognosis of patients with esophagogastric cancer. The authors of this Review discuss the preclinical rationale of EGFR inhibition in this setting and summarize recent clinical trials involving EGFR-targeting drugs.
Patients with metastatic disease are usually treated initially with systemic therapy alone. Morgan and Parker review clinical data suggesting that the local treatment of the primary tumor might retard progression of distant metastases, making the case for the conduct of more randomized clinical trials that investigate this hypothesis.
