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The following reflects new findings and outcomes in medical research as presented at major medical meetings and published peer-reviewed medical journals. In this section members can view reports from important congresses as well as summaries of some recently published journal articles. Please let us know if you have a particular area of interest you would like to see covered. PRIORITY PRESS - 26th International Papillomavirus Conference Reducing the Burden of HPV-related Disease in Men and WomenMontreal, Quebec / July 3-8, 2010 Montreal - Genital warts are the earliest manifestation of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. A rapid decline in their incidence with widespread uptake of the quadrivalent vaccine in Australia is the first concrete proof of its efficacy. Trial data discussed here this week during the scientific sessions continue to confirm exceptional efficacy rates in women and men. This was demonstrated against not only genital warts but also other manifestations of HPV infection, including low- and (...) Read more... PRIORITY PRESS - 23rd International Symposium on Supportive Care in Cancer New Data in the Prevention of CINVVancouver, British Columbia / June 24-26, 2010 Vancouver - Prior to the modern era of emetic prophylaxis, chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) was one of the most worrisome side effects from chemotherapy. Significant improvement has been achieved since the introduction of the serotonin antagonists (5-HT3 receptor antagonists [RA]) plus corticosteroids. Yet with even moderately emetogenic chemotherapy regimens, standard antiemetic regimens often fail to achieve complete emesis control in all patients. Promising results (...) Read more... PRIORITY PRESS - 12th Milan Breast Cancer Conference The ATAC Trial: 10-year AnalysisMilan, Italy / June 16-18, 2010 Milan - Studies have now established the efficacy of adjuvant third-generation aromatase inhibition over the antiestrogen tamoxifen in reducing the risk of breast cancer recurrence among postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive tumours. The efficacy of anastrozole after five years compared to tamoxifen, for example, has also been shown to improve disease-free survival (DFS) and reduce early distant metastasis, which may ultimately translate into improved overall survival. As (...) Read more... PRIORITY PRESS - 15th Congress of the European Hematology Association Novel Agents Significantly Improve Outcomes in Multiple MyelomaBarcelona, Spain / June 10-13, 2010 Barcelona - Novel agents, including a proteasome inhibitor and two immunomodulatory drugs, are changing the therapeutic landscape for multiple myeloma. Unlike in the past, the goal of treatment today is to attain complete remission. Treatment is still highly individualized, based on both patient and disease characteristics; but some novel agents may be able to overcome classic resistance to treatment and triple therapy. Combinations that include at least one novel agent are leading to (...) Read more... MEDI-NEWS - Based on: Mateos et al. Bortezomib plus melphalan and prednisone compared with melphalan and prednisone in previously untreated multiple myeloma: Updated follow-up and impact of subsequent therapy in the phase III VISTA trial. J Clin Oncol 2010;28(13):2259-66. Emerging Standard for Previously Untreated Multiple Myeloma PatientsJune 2010 The standard first-line regimen for symptomatic multiple myeloma patients ineligible for high-dose chemotherapy preserves its survival advantage over the previous standard even when patients are followed across subsequent rescue regimens, according to new long-term data from a phase III study. In the new data set, median survival from the start of subsequent therapy was almost 50% greater (30.2 vs. 21.9 months) among those initially randomized to the newer regimen. The advantage was (...) Read more... MEDICAL FRONTIERS - 46th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology Update on Optimal Long-term Control of GIST with Targeted TherapiesChicago, Illinois / June 4-8, 2010 Chicago - The efficacy of imatinib, an oral small molecule inhibitor in the long-term control of metastatic or unresectable gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GIST), has provided an impressive demonstration of the potency of targeted therapy in malignant diseases. Recently, the indication for its use in GIST was expanded in Canada and elsewhere to include adjuvant treatment after primary resection. The new indication was based on results of a phase III study published in 2009 which (...) Read more... PRIORITY PRESS - 46th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology Enhancing Quality of Life for Metastatic Breast Cancer PatientsChicago, Illinois / June 4-8, 2010 Chicago - New phase III comparative data have provided evidence for a rational first-line selection of a single-agent cytotoxic drug in the treatment of HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer (MBC). In guidelines such as those issued by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network and the European Society of Medical Oncology, sequential use of single agents has been identified as the standard, but the guidelines have not identified a preferable first-line choice among several candidate drugs. (...) Read more... PRIORITY PRESS - 105th Annual Meeting of the American Urological Association GnRH Antagonists: Advances in Androgen Deprivation Therapy for Prostate CancerSan Francisco, California / May 29-June 3, 2010 San Francisco - GnRH agonists effectively suppress testosterone in over 90% of patients with advanced prostate cancer but can require as much as 30 days to achieve full suppressive effects, during which time testosterone levels actually increase. In contrast, GnRH antagonists are a class of compounds that achieve immediate receptor blockade, thus avoiding testosterone surge. Data from the pivotal phase III trial of the new-generation GnRH antagonist degarelix showed that after 12 months of (...) Read more... PRIORITY PRESS - 25th Congress of the European Association of Urology Androgen Deprivation Therapy in Prostate CancerBarcelona, Spain / April 16-20, 2010 Barcelona - New data have reinforced the utility of a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) receptor blocker for slowing progression of advanced prostate cancer. Following a previous phase III study in which this agent compared favourably to a GnRH agonist as first-line therapy, a new multicentre study has demonstrated that this same GnRH receptor blocker is also highly effective as a second-line therapy. In the study, 88% of patients achieved undetectable luteinizing hormone (LH) levels (...) Read more... PRIORITY PRESS - 36th Annual Meeting of the European Group for Blood and Bone Marrow Transplantation (EBMT) New Antifungal Strategies in High-risk Stem Cell Transplant RecipientsVienna, Austria / March 21-24, 2010 Vienna - Although Candida infection is still probably the most widespread fungal infection in a surgical setting, Aspergillus and other mold pathogens are a substantial cause of morbidity and mortality in immunosuppressed patients. In allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), patients are at particular risk of mold infections, which are often fatal. Novel formulations of existing strategies and new azoles—active against Aspergillus species, all with different spectrums of (...) Read more... PRIORITY PRESS - 36th Annual Meeting of the European Group for Blood and Bone Marrow Transplantation (EBMT) Progress in Infection Management of Allogeneic Stem Cell RecipientsVienna, Austria / March 21-24, 2010 Vienna - In the last 10 years, widespread use of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation has decreased the risk of recurrence in patients with aggressive hematological malignancies. However, the associated conditioning and immunosuppressive regimens have given rise to extremely neutropenic patients who are at risk of a range of opportunistic infections or reactivation of infectious processes. On recovery from neutropenia, patients may suffer graft-vs.-host disease (also (...) Read more... MEDICAL FRONTIERS - ESMO Conference on Sarcoma and GIST Advances in GIST Treatment: The Evolving Role of Tyrosine Kinase InhibitorsMilan, Italy / March 9-10, 2010 Milan - A series of major advances in the treatment of gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GIST) continues with progress in determining when to conduct mutational analyses to better target tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). Although surgery is the only curative treatment for GIST, TKIs have produced a revolution in the management of GIST by extending survival in those who are not surgical candidates and, more recently, demonstrating a steep reduction in the risk of recurrence when used as an (...) Read more... PRIORITY PRESS - 3rd World Congress on Controversies in Urology An Enhanced Medical Approach to Androgen Suppression in Prostate CancerAthens, Greece / February 25-28, 2010 Athens - It has been 70 years since investigators first understood that prostate cancer is hormone-sensitive and that medical suppression of testosterone production can control the tumour and affect long-term disease outcomes. Yet there are still questions concerning the best form of androgen-deprivation therapy as well as the specific patient groups who will gain the most benefit from treatment. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists have been extensively used for treatment of (...) Read more... Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology Volume 62, Issue 2, February 2010, Pages 227-232 A population-based study of cutaneous melanoma in Alberta, Canada (1993-2002)Andrei I. Metelitsa MDa, , , Douglas C. Dover MScc, Michael Smylie MDd, Chris J. de Gara MBBS, MSb and Gilles J. Lauzon MD, PhDa a Division of Dermatology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada b Department of Surgery, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada c Alberta Health and Wellness, Public Health Division, Surveillance and Environmental Health, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada d Department of Medicine, Cross Cancer Institute, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Background There is evidence to suggest that melanoma incidence rates continue to rise in Canada and the United States. Objective Our objective was to determine cutaneous melanoma trends from 1993 to 2002 in the province of Alberta and to compare the results to previously published provincial analyses for the decade of 1967-1976. Methods A retrospective study of 3479 patients with cutaneous melanoma diagnosed in Alberta between 1993 and 2002 was conducted. Estimates of relative survival (...) Read more... Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics Volume 31 Issue 4, Pages 493 - 501 Impact of evidence-based medicine on the treatment of patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinomaE. G. GIANNINI*, G. BODINI*, M. CORBO*, V. SAVARINO*, D. RISSO†, M. A. DI NOLFO‡, P. DEL POGGIO§, L. BENVEGNÙ, F. FARINATI**, M. ZOLI††, F. BORZIO‡‡, E. CATURELLI§§, M. CHIARAMONTE & F. TREVISANI†† FOR THE ITALIAN LIVER CANCER (ITA.LI.CA.) GROUP *Cattedra di Gastroenterologia, Dipartimento di Medicina Interna, Università di Genova, Genova, Italy ; †Cattedra di Statistica Medica, Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Università di Genova, Genova, Italy ; ‡Divisione di Medicina, Ospedale Bolognini, Seriate, Italy ; §Divisione di Medicina, Ospedale Treviglio-Caravaggio, Treviglio, Italy ; Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale, Università di Padova, Padova, Italy ; **Dipartimento di Scienze Chirurgiche e Gastroenterologiche, Università di Padova, Padova, Italy ; ††Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica, Alma Mater Studiorum-Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy ; ‡‡Dipartimento di Medicina, Unità di Gastroenterologia, Ospedale Fatebenefratelli, Milano, Italy ; §§Unità di Gastroenterologia, Ospedale Belcolle, Viterbo, Italy ; Cattedra di Gastroenterologia, Università dell’Aquila, L’Aquila, Italy ABSTRACT Background A randomized controlled trial performed by the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) published in 2002 demonstrated that transcatheter arterial chemoembolisation (TACE) is an effective treatment for well-selected patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Aim To access whether this information has modified the use of TACE in clinical practice. Methods From 2042 HCC patients included in the Italian Liver Cancer database, we selected 336 cases diagnosed over (...) Read more... Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics Volume 31 Issue 4, Pages 461 - 476 Review article: the management of hepatocellular carcinomaR. CABRERA & D. R. NELSON Section of Hepatobiliary Diseases, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA Correspondence to Dr R. Cabrera, Section of Hepatobiliary Diseases, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Department Of Medicine, University of Florida, PO Box 100277, Gainesville, FL 32610-0277, USA. ABSTRACT Background Hepatocellular carcinoma is the leading cause of death in cirrhosis. A majority of patients present at an advanced stage with poor prognosis. Aim To review the current screening, diagnosis and management strategies involved in hepatocellular carcinoma. Methods A literature search was performed using PubMed for publications with a predetermined search string to identify relevant studies. Results Hepatocellular carcinoma is dramatically increasing in incidence that is (...) Read more... Current Opinion in Pediatrics: February 2010 - Volume 22 - Issue 1 - p 2–11 Immunotherapy of childhood cancer: from biologic understanding to clinical applicationWayne, Alan S; Capitini, Christian M; Mackall, Crystal L Abstract Purpose of review: Most children with cancer can be cured with combination regimens of chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, or all. However, standard therapies are toxic to normal tissues, cancer cells commonly develop resistance to chemotherapy, and relapsed malignancy is a leading cause of mortality in pediatrics. Elucidation of the principles of the normal immune response and tumor biology, coupled with technological developments, have led to important advances in the field of (...) Read more... Journal of Pain and Symptom Management Volume 39, Issue 1, January 2010, Pages 100-115 Core Aspects of Satisfaction with Pain Management: Cancer Patients’ PerspectivesSusan L. Beck PhD, APRN, FAANa, , , Gail L. Towsley PhDa, Patricia H. Berry PhD, APRNa, Karen Lindau MSa, Rosemary B. Field MS, APRN, ACONSb and Shantelle Jensen BS, RNc a University of Utah College of Nursing, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA b Nursing Department, Marymount Hospital, Garfield Heights, Ohio, USA c Nursing Department, Primary Children’s Medical Center, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA Context The coexistence of high levels of satisfaction and high levels of pain has been perplexing. Objectives The aims of this study were to 1) describe patient expectations related to the experience of cancer-related pain, 2) explore the cognitive processes and meaning that underlie patient judgments about satisfaction and dissatisfaction with pain management, and 3) explore the discrepancies between ratings of high satisfaction with pain management with high pain intensity. Methods The (...) Read more... BJU International Volume 105 Issue 2, Pages 166 - 169 Other biomarkers for detecting prostate cancerLucas Nogueira*†, Renato Corradi ‡ and James A. Eastham* *Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, NY, USA, † Urology, Hospital das Clinicas da UFMG, and ‡ Hospital Israel Pinheiro, Belo Horizonte, Brazil ABSTRACT Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) has been used for detecting prostate cancer since 1994. Although it is the best cancer biomarker available, PSA is not perfect. It lacks both the sensitivity and specificity to accurately detect the presence of prostate cancer. None of the PSA thresholds currently in use consistently identify patients with prostate cancer and exclude patients without cancer. Novel approaches to improve our ability to detect prostate cancer and predict the course of (...) Read more... MEDICAL FRONTIERS - 32nd San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium Examining Cardiac Safety of Anthracyclines in Breast CancerSan Antonio, Texas / December 10-13, 2009 San Antonio - Anthracyclines have withstood the test of time, and despite a long history of clinical use, the drug class remains among the most active therapies available for breast cancer. However, cumulative dose-related cardiotoxicity has limited their use. Initial subclinical heart damage in the form of permanent loss of cardiomyocytes leads to progressive impairment in cardiac function, appearance of symptoms and, ultimately, chronic heart failure and even death (Swain et al. Cancer (...) Read more... PRIORITY PRESS - 51st Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology Enhanced Directives for Anticoagulation in Cancer PatientsNew Orleans, Louisiana / December 5-8, 2009 New Orleans - Prophylaxis for venous thromboembolism (VTE) has now been endorsed for hospitalized cancer patients without a bleeding contraindication by a broad array of influential medical organizations, including the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO). The guidelines are driven by evidence that VTE is one of the leading causes of preventable death in this population. To prevent VTE in hospitalized patients or to treat patients who develop a VTE, the guidelines identify low (...) Read more... PRIORITY PRESS - 51st Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology Optimizing Multiple Myeloma Induction and Maintenance Therapies in the ElderlyNew Orleans, Louisiana / December 5-8, 2009 New Orleans - The standard of care for the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM) in elderly patients, who cannot usually tolerate high-dose therapy, was recently revised from a two-drug combination of melphalan and prednisone (MP) to a three-drug combination with the addition of the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib. The change in the standard was based on a survival benefit from the three-drug regimen in a landmark trial. However, new studies have generated additional information about the (...) Read more... Integrative Cancer Therapies, Vol. 7, No. 4, 295-310 (2008) Exogenous Proteases Confer a Significant Chemopreventive Effect in Experimental Tumor ModelsMartin Wald, MD Department of Surgery, 2nd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic, martin.wald@telecom.cz In this monograph, the chemopreventive effects of enterally administered proteases (trypsin, chymotrypsin, and papain) have been documented in a series of animal experimental tumor models. The experimental evidence demonstrates a significant inhibition of growth of both the primary tumor and the metastatic disseminations. Survival in animals treated with proteases is significantly longer than in untreated animals. The results confirm the fundamental correlation between early initiation of (...) Read more... FRONTLINE - Based on presentations from the Second Eastern Ontario Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumours (GIST) Consensus Meeting Second Eastern Ontario Conference on the Management of GISTOttawa, Ontario / November 6, 2009 Two years ago, the first eastern Ontario consensus conference on the detection, staging and treatment of gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs) provided a summary of current management in the context of regional resources. A second conference was recently held to accommodate several advances important to the definition of optimal care that have occurred since that initial meeting. This summary, like the summary of the previous conference, is expected to be relevant to other regions of (...) Read more... PRIORITY PRESS - Society of Urologic Surgeons of Ontario Meeting Improving Survival in Prostate Cancer Through Enhanced Androgen SuppressionToronto, Ontario / October 21, 2009 Toronto - Therapeutic options for the treatment of prostate cancer continue to expand, from orchiectomy, the first effective treatment, through to a variety of formulations of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists and now, more recently, a GnRH antagonist. The GnRH agonists lower testosterone effectively but not immediately and testosterone is prone to surge on initiation of treatment and on subsequent injections. In contrast, the GnRH antagonist is not associated with testosterone (...) Read more... PRIORITY PRESS - 15th European Cancer Conference and 34th ESMO Multidisciplinary Congress New Perspectives on mTOR Inhibition in Advanced Renal Cell CarcinomaBerlin, Germany / September 20-24, 2009 Berlin - Prior to 2000, the only treatment for advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) was cytokine-based therapy with either interferon-alpha or interleukin-2. Only a minority of patients with RCC responded and the outlook remained poor. A deeper understanding of molecular pathways involved in the pathogenesis of RCC led to the development of targeted therapies with significant clinical benefit. The relative risks and benefits of one such class of targeted agents, the mTOR inhibitors, received (...) Read more... PRIORITY PRESS - 15th European Cancer Conference (ECCO) and 34th ESMO Multidisciplinary Congress Six-year IES Results: New Evidence Regarding Long-term ER+ Breast Cancer StrategiesBerlin, Germany / September 20-24, 2009 Berlin - In the longest follow-up of any adjuvant breast cancer trial, women who were switched to the aromatase inhibitor exemestane from tamoxifen therapy after two to three years of treatment had a lower disease-free survival event rate and better overall survival than women who remained on standard anti-estrogen therapy. Results from this trial provide evidence that switching therapy is a viable treatment strategy for women with hormone receptor-positive, early breast cancer.
PRIORITY PRESS - 15th European Cancer Conference and 34th ESMO Multidisciplinary Congress Towards Extended Survival for Patients with GliobastomaBerlin, Germany / September 20-24, 2009 Berlin - Gliomas are the most common type of primary brain tumour in adults and among them, glioblastoma is both the most common and aggressive as discussed here during ECCO-ESMO. A pivotal phase III trial in which chemoradiotherapy followed by adjuvant chemotherapy is continuing to change the landscape for patients with gliobastoma, as some live out to five years and beyond. Researchers are now looking for strategies to further improve prognosis, including dose intensification of the same (...) Read more... PRIORITY PRESS - 15th European Cancer Conference and 34th ESMO Multidisciplinary Congress Optimizing Benefit of TKI Therapy in Metastatic Renal Cell CarcinomaBerlin, Germany / September 20-24, 2009 Berlin - Tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy remains the reference standard of care for first-line treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma. Different dosing regimens of this therapy are currently being explored, as are studies evaluating its use in combination with other proven agents in advanced breast cancer. Evidence from clinical trials presented here at ECCO-ESMO indicates that patients should receive the same dose of TKI therapy given in the same schedule used in pivotal (...) Read more... RESOURCE LINE VACCINEJuly/August 2009 Vaccination against high-risk HPV types to reduce lesions and cervical cancer
Gynecologic Oncology Volume 114, Issue 3, September 2009, Pages 448-451 Young patients with endometrial cancer: How many could be eligible for fertility-sparing treatment?Isabelle Navarriaa, , , Massimo Uselb, Elisabetta Rapitib, Isabelle Neyroud-Casparb, Marie-Françoise Peltec, Christine Bouchardyb and Patrick Petignata aDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Surgical Gynecologic Oncology Unit, Geneva University Hospitals, 1211 Geneva 14, Switzerland Geneva Cancer Registry, Institute for Social and Preventive Medicine, Geneva University, Geneva, Switzerland cDepartment of Clinical Pathology, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland Objectives To assess the characteristics of young women with endometrial carcinoma, and evaluate those potentially eligible for conservative therapy. Methods We identified women diagnosed with endometrial cancer between 1970 and 2005 at the population-based Geneva Cancer Registry (n = 1365). We classified patients into two age groups (≤ 45 and > 45 years old). Differences in demographic, tumor, diagnostic and treatment characteristics were tested with chi square. Kaplan–Meier analysis was (...) Read more... Gynecologic Oncology Volume 114, Issue 3, September 2009, Pages 395-398 Presumed previous human papillomavirus (HPV) related gynecological cancer in women diagnosed with anal cancer in the province of OntarioWaldo Jiméneza, Lawrence Paszatb, c, d, Rachel Kupetsa, e, Andrew Wiltonb and Jill Tinmouthb, f, g, aDivision of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Toronto, Canada bInstitute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences, Canada cDepartment of Health Policy Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Canada dDepartment of Radiation Oncology, Sunnybrook Health Science Centre and University of Toronto, Canada eDivision of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sunnybrook Health Science Centre, Canada fDivision of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Canada gDivision of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Sunnybrook Health Science Centre, 2075 Bayview Ave., Rm HG40 Toronto, Ontario, Canada M4N 3M5 Objective The oncogenic HPV subtypes responsible for gynecologic malignancies have also been implicated in the development of squamous cell cancer of the anus (SCAC). SCAC is more common in women, typically presenting at an older age than gynecologic cancers. The aim of this study was determine whether women diagnosed with anal cancer are more likely to have a history of HPV-related gynecological cancer as compared to a matched control group. Methods We performed a population-based, (...) Read more... Clinical Immunology Volume 131, Issue 1, April 2009, Pages 1-10 FOCUS on FOCIS: Combined chemo-immunotherapy for the treatment of hormone-refractory metastatic prostate cancerDaniela Rožkováa, Hana Tišerováa, Jitka Fučíkováa, Jan Lašt’ovičkaa, Michal Podrazila, Hana Ulčováa, Vít Budínskýa, Jana Prausováb, Zdeněk Linkeb, Ivo Minárika, c, Anna Šediváa, Radek Špíšeka, 1 and Jiřina Bartůňkováa, , 1, aInstitute of Immunology, Charles University, 2nd Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Motol, Prague, Czech Republic, FOCIS Center of Excellence bDepartment of Oncology and Radiotherapy, Charles University, 2nd Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Motol, Prague, Czech Republic cDepartment of Urology, Charles University, 2nd Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Motol, Prague, Czech Republic Abstract Immunotherapy has emerged as another treatment modality in cancer. The goal of immunotherapy in advanced cancer patients does not have to be the complete eradication of tumor cells but rather the restoration of a dynamic balance between tumor cells and the immune response. Appropriate combination of tumor mass reduction (by surgery and/or chemotherapy) and neutralization of tumor-induced immunosuppression might set the right conditions for the induction of anti-tumor immune (...) Read more... Colorectal Disease Volume 11 Issue 3, Pages 291 - 295 Improving patient survival with the colorectal cancer multi-disciplinary teamE. MacDermid*, G. Hooton*, M. MacDonald†, G. McKay*, D. Grose‡, N. Mohammed‡ and C. Porteous* Objective There is little information on the impact of the colorectal multi-disciplinary team (MDT) in the United Kingdom. Our single operator presented his patients before and after the inception of an MDT meeting in June 2002. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of this on his patients’ survival, and trends in the use of adjuvant chemotherapy. Method Data were collected on all patients (n = 310) undergoing colectomy for colorectal cancer by one surgeon. Excluding patients with (...) Read more... MEDICAL FRONTIERS - XXII Congress of the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis VTE Treatment and Prophylaxis: Strategies for Improved InterventionBoston, Massachusetts / July 11-16, 2009 Boston - Thromboprophylaxis is considered a high priority safety intervention in hospitalized patients. In patients with cancer, the incidence and recurrence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) are more common. While several studies have demonstrated that prophylaxis significantly reduced VTE in hospitalized and surgical oncology patients, adequate prophylaxis in this patient group is still reported to be at an average of 16%. Recent recommendations state that all hospitalized cancer patients (...) Read more... MEDICAL FRONTIERS - 64th Annual Meeting of the Canadian Urological Association Prostate Cancer Risk Reduction with 5-alpha Reductase InhibitorsToronto, Ontario / June 28-July 1, 2009 Toronto - Research efforts continue to examine the possible role of risk reduction initiatives in prostate cancer and there have been several important new developments in the field. For example, recent analyses of the initial PCPT (Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial) results reaffirmed the reduction in rate of prostate cancer diagnosis with the selective type 2 5-alpha reductase inhibitor (5-ARI) finasteride compared to placebo and results of a second large trial of another 5-ARI, (...) Read more... PRIORITY PRESS - Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC) Emerging Trends and Clinical Advances in CINV ControlRome, Italy / June 25-27, 2009 Rome - Cancer patients rate nausea and vomiting as among the most distressing side effects of chemotherapy. Despite substantial progress in the control of acute and delayed chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) since the introduction of 5-HT3- and NK1-receptor antagonists (RAs) and development of new guidelines for using them, a significant proportion of clinicians continue to markedly under-estimate its prevalence. As reported here this week, treatment remains suboptimal when (...) Read more... PHYSICIAN PERSPECTIVE - Viewpoint based on presentations from the 26th International Congress of Chemotherapy and Infection AMMI Canada/CACMID Annual Conference Monotherapy or Combination Therapy in Invasive Fungal Infections: A DebateToronto, Ontario / June 18-21, 2009 INTRODUCTION
PRIORITY PRESS - 45th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology Reintroducing Chemotherapies in Metastatic Breast Cancer: New Evidence from Clinical TrialsOrlando, Florida / May 29-June 2, 2009 Orlando - In the treatment of breast cancer and other malignancies, there is a reluctance to reintroduce chemotherapies to which patients have been previously exposed. The concerns include diminished efficacy and increased adverse events even when these risks have not been well documented. Several recent studies discussed here this week have expanded objective information about the feasibility of chemotherapy rechallenges in breast cancer patients. The data generated by these studies (...) Read more... MEDICAL FRONTIERS - 45th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology Advanced Hepatocellular and Renal Cell Carcinomas: Assessment of Survival Benefits with Targeted TherapiesOrlando, Florida / May 29-June 2, 2009 Orlando - In separate sets of studies, small-molecule multikinase inhibitors have altered the clinical course of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Meaningful improvements in outcome in each malignancy with these targeted therapies have led to an expansion of clinical investigation with the goals of better characterizing treatment effect and long-term safety. The efficacy of these therapies has also permitted studies designed to build on the (...) Read more... PRIORITY PRESS - 45th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology Update on Emesis Control for Chemotherapy Patients: Improving Quality of LifeOrlando, Florida / May 29-June 2, 2009 Orlando - The failure to understand and aggressively manage the risk of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting represents an unnecessary and avoidable burden for patients with cancer. The frequency with which clinicians underestimate the risk of nausea and emesis is well documented; however, this rate rises for regimens that produce a biphasic pattern of vomiting because of an increased likelihood of inadequate prophylaxis for the second peak. New controlled trials presented here (...) Read more... PRIORITY PRESS - 45th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology Novel Maintenance Strategies in the Care of Patients with Non-small Cell Lung CancerOrlando, Florida / May 29-June 2, 2009 Orlando - Evidence of meaningful clinical benefit from maintenance therapy in advanced non-small cell lung cancer has led to a paradigm shift in the treatment of this malignancy. In a series of three consecutive studies, maintenance treatment initiated in patients with advanced disease in order to extend the benefit to previous treatment extended progression-free survival with acceptable tolerability. There were important differences in the study designs and outcomes as well as in practical (...) Read more... PHYSICIAN PERSPECTIVE - Viewpoint based on presentations from the Toronto Myelodysplastic Syndromes Symposium: Progress and Challenges Pathophysiology of Myelodysplastic Syndromes and Treatment Strategies to Change its Natural HistoryToronto, Ontario / May 21-22, 2009 INTRODUCTION
PRIORITY PRESS - 104th Annual Meeting of the American Urological Society Relearning and Refining the Lessons from the Prostate Cancer Prevention TrialChicago, Illinois / April 25-30, 2009 Chicago - Few clinical trials have met with such diverse reactions as those that followed the findings of the PCPT (Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial). The trial represented an unprecedented triumph in cancer prevention, demonstrating a 25% reduction in the incidence of prostate cancer among healthy men who received the 5-alpha reductase inhibitor (5-ARI) finasteride for seven years. However, a small, but statistically significant increase in the incidence of high-grade prostate cancers (...) Read more... PRIORITY PRESS - 104th Annual Meeting of the American Urological Association Androgen Deprivation Therapy for Prostate Cancer: From Hormonal Agonism to AntagonismChicago, Illinois / April 25-30, 2009 Chicago - Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) has become an integral component of treatment for many patients with hormone-sensitive advanced prostate cancer. Multiple studies have shown that ADT blunts the progression of prostate cancer, and several investigations have provided evidence of improved survival. However, the evidence has not been uniformly consistent. One recent study showed an increased mortality hazard among older men with advanced prostate cancer treated with ADT. Laboratory (...) Read more... MEDICAL FRONTIERS - 6th Annual ENETS Conference for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Neuroendocrine Tumor Disease Paradigm Shift in the Treatment of Well-differentiated Neuroendocrine TumoursGranada, Spain / March 5-7, 2009 Granada - The treatment of choice for primary neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) is surgery, but once metastatic disease occurs, options are limited. Management has generally focused on controlling symptoms using somatostatin analogues. Importantly, results from a phase III trial first presented at ASCO GI in January 2009 demonstrate solid evidence that underlying disease progression can now be slowed using the somatostatin analogue octreotide LAR, as confirmed here during the scientific (...) Read more... MEDI-NEWS Based on 2009 ASCO/AUA Guideline Prostate Cancer Prevention with 5-alpha Reductase Inhibitors: Clinical Guideline and RecommendationsMarch 2009 For many types of cancer, prevention remains a challenge because of an incomplete understanding of potentially modifiable risk factors. With respect to prostate cancer, an opportunity for chemoprevention arose from the recognition that dihydrotestosterone (DHT) drives the development and progression of the disease. The opportunity came in the form of finasteride, an inhibitor of 5-alpha reductase, the enzyme required to convert testosterone into DHT. The landmark PCPT (Prostate Cancer (...) Read more... The Oncologist, Vol. 13, No. 12, 1246-1254, December 2008 Cancer and Immune Response: Old and New Evidence for Future ChallengesLuis de la Cruz-Merinoa, Enrique Grande-Pulidob, Ana Albero-Tamarita, Manuel Eduardo Codes-Manuel de Villenaa aMedical Oncology Department, Virgen de la Macarena University Hospital, Seville, Spain; bPfizer Medical Department, Madrid, Spain Cancer may occur as a result of abnormal host immune system tolerance. Recent studies have confirmed the occurrence of spontaneous and induced antitumor immune responses expressed as the presence of tumor-infiltrating T cells in the tumor microenvironment in some cancer models. This finding has been recognized as a good prognostic factor in several types of tumors. Some chemotherapy agents, such as anthracyclines and gemcitabine, are effective boosters of the immune response through (...) Read more... European Journal of Cancer Volume 45, Issue 2, January 2009, Pages 228-247 New response evaluation criteria in solid tumours: Revised RECIST guideline (version 1.1)E.A. Eisenhauera, , , P. Therasseb, J. Bogaertsc, L.H. Schwartzd, D. Sargente, R. Fordf, J. Danceyg, S. Arbuckh, S. Gwytheri, M. Mooneyg, L. Rubinsteing, L. Shankarg, L. Doddg, R. Kaplanj, D. Lacombec and J. Verweijk aNational Cancer Institute of Canada – Clinical Trials Group, 10 Stuart Street, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON, Canada bGlaxoSmithKline Biologicals, Rixensart, BelgiumcEuropean Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer, Data Centre, Brussels, Belgium dMemorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA eMayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA Background Assessment of the change in tumour burden is an important feature of the clinical evaluation of cancer therapeutics: both tumour shrinkage (objective response) and disease progression are useful endpoints in clinical trials. Since RECIST was published in 2000, many investigators, cooperative groups, industry and government authorities have adopted these criteria in the assessment of treatment outcomes. However, a number of questions and issues have arisen which have led to the (...) Read more... European Journal of Cancer Volume 45, Issue 2, January 2009, Pages 281-289 Recommendations for the assessment of progression in randomised cancer treatment trialsJ.E. Danceya, , , L.E. Doddb, R. Fordc, R. Kapland, M. Mooneyb, L. Rubinsteinb, L.H. Schwartze, L. Shankarb and P. Therassef aNational Cancer Institute of Canada – Clinical Trials Group, 10 Stuart Street, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON, Canada bDivision of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USAcRadPharm, Princeton, NJ, USA dNational Cancer Research Network, Leeds, UK eMemorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA Abstract Progression-free survival (PFS) is an increasingly important end-point in cancer drug development. However, several concerns exist regarding the use of PFS as a basis to compare treatments. Unlike survival, the exact time of progression is unknown, so progression times might be over-estimated (or under-estimated) and, consequently, bias may be introduced when comparing treatments. In addition, the assessment of progression is subject to measurement variability which may introduce (...) Read more... Integrative Cancer Therapies, Vol. 7, No. 4, 311-316 (2008) Proteolytic Enzyme Therapy in Evidence-Based Complementary Oncology: Fact or Fiction?Josef Beuth, MD Systemic enzyme therapy was recently subjected to experimental investigations and to rigorous clinical studies in cancer patients. The designs of the relevant clinical cohort studies followed the guidelines of Good Epidemiological Practice and represent level IIB in evidence-based medicine (EBM). Scientifically sound experimental in vitro and in vivo investigations are far advanced and document promising immunological, anti-inflammatory, anti-infectious, and antitumor/antimetastatic (...) Read more... Journal of Clinical Oncology, Vol 27, No 1 (January 1), 2009: pp. 127-145 American Society of Clinical Oncology 2008 Clinical Practice Guideline Update: Use of Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy ProtectantsMartee L. Hensley, Karen L. Hagerty, Tarun Kewalramani, Daniel M. Green, Neal J. Meropol, Todd H. Wasserman, Gary I. Cohen, Bahman Emami, William J. Gradishar, R. Brian Mitchell, J. Tate Thigpen, Andy Trotti, III, Daniel von Hoff, Lynn M. Schuchter Purpose: To update a clinical practice guideline on the use of chemotherapy and radiation therapy protectants for patients with cancer. Methods: An update committee reviewed literature published since the last guideline update in 2002. Results: Thirty-nine reports met the inclusion criteria: palifermin and dexrazoxane, three reports (two studies) each; amifostine, 33 reports (31 studies); and mesna, no published randomized trials identified since 2002. Recommendations: Dexrazoxane is not (...) Read more... Annals of Internal Medicine 6 January 2009 6 January 2009 | Volume 150 Issue 1 | Pages 1-8 Association of Colonoscopy and Death From Colorectal CancerNancy N. Baxter, MD, PhD; Meredith A. Goldwasser, ScD; Lawrence F. Paszat, MD, MS; Refik Saskin, MSc; David R. Urbach, MD, MSc; and Linda Rabeneck, MD, MPH Background: Colonoscopy is advocated for screening and prevention of colorectal cancer (CRC), but randomized trials supporting the benefit of this practice are not available. Objective: To evaluate the association between colonoscopy and CRC deaths. Design: Population-based, case–control study. Setting: Ontario, Canada. Patients: Persons age 52 to 90 years who received a CRC diagnosis from January 1996 to December 2001 and died of CRC by December 2003. Five controls matched by age, sex, (...) Read more... Therapeutic Advances in Gastroenterology, Vol. 2, No. 1, 45-57 (2009) Review: Current status of therapy for hepatocellular carcinomaKathleen E. Corey Massachusetts General Hospital, GI Unit, Boston, MA, USA Daniel S. Pratt Massachusetts General Hospital, GI Unit, Boston, MA, USA, The incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is increasing worldwide. A multidisciplinary approach is required for its management. Screening high-risk patients allows for earlier diagnosis and the use of potentially curative therapies. Current recommendations for HCC screening for patients with cirrhosis are an abdominal ultrasound and serum alpha fetoprotein level every 6 to 12 months. Treatment choice depends on tumor stage, liver function and the patient’s overall functional status. (...) Read more... The Breast Journal Volume 15 Issue 1, Pages 4 - 16 Proceedings of the International Consensus Conference on Breast Cancer Risk, Genetics, & Risk Management, April, 2007Gordon F. Schwartz, MD, Kevin S. Hughes, MD, Henry T. Lynch, MD, Carol J. Fabian, MD, Ian S. Fentiman, MD, Mark E. Robson, MD, Susan M. Domchek, MD, Lynn C. Hartmann, MD, Roland Holland, MD, PhD, David J. Winchester, MD and The Consensus Conference Committee* ABSTRACT Abstract: A consensus conference including thirty experts was held in April, 2007, to discuss risk factors for breast cancer and their management. Four categories of risk were outlined, from breast cancer "average" through "very high" risk, the latter including individuals with high penetrance BRCA1/2 gene mutations. Guidelines for management of patients in each of these categories were discussed, with the major portion of the conference being devoted to individuals with BRCA1/2 (...) Read more... MEDICAL FRONTIERS San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium TEAM Trial: Update on Adjuvant Therapy in Early Breast CancerSan Antonio, Texas / December 10-14, 2008 San Antonio - More than 20 years ago, the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project B-09 (NSABP B-09) trial showed that adding tamoxifen to adjuvant chemotherapy significantly improved disease-free survival (DFS) in patients with node-positive early breast cancer (Fisher B. J Clin Oncol. 1986;4:459-471). The B-09 trial also showed that tamoxifen improved overall survival in postmenopausal patients. Subsequent NSABP studies extended the DFS and survival benefits of adjuvant (...) Read more... 9th Annual Society of Urologic Oncology Winter Meeting Advances in Androgen-deprivation Therapy for Prostate CancerBethesda, Maryland / December 4-6, 2008 Bethesda - In advanced prostate cancer, androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT) is achieved through bilateral orchidectomy or by administration of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists. While the latter may be a preferred option for many patients, the desired effects take time and testosterone surges may occur that can stimulate the hormone-dependent tumours. A new class of agents, the GnRH antagonists, produces rapid androgen suppression without the testosterone surge. However, (...) Read more... MEDICAL OPTIONS in Neuro-Oncology Currrent Trends and Future Perspectives in Glioblastoma Multiforme - Reviews from published literatureRecurrence Patterns in Gliomas
JOURNAL CLUB - Oncology Enhancing Progression-free Survival in Metastatic Breast Cancer: Efficacy of VEGF Inhibition and Taxane-based TherapyAt the end of this report, you can view Prof. David Miles’ ASCO presentation on the AVADO study. Editorial Overview:
European Journal of Cancer Volume 44, Issue 13, September 2008, Pages 1799-1806 Do phytoestrogens reduce the risk of breast cancer and breast cancer recurrence? What clinicians need to knowLouiza S. Velentzisa, , , Jayne V. Woodsideb, Marie M. Cantwellb, Anthony J. Leathema and Mohammed R. Keshtgarc aUniversity College London, Department of Surgery, Breast Cancer Research Group, Charles Bell House, 67-73 Riding House Street, London W1W 7EJ, UK Abstract Oestrogen is an important determinant of breast cancer risk. Oestrogen-mimicking plant compounds called phytoestrogens can bind to oestrogen receptors and exert weak oestrogenic effects. Despite this activity, epidemiological studies suggest that the incidence of breast cancer is lower in countries where the intake of phytoestrogens is high, implying that these compounds may reduce breast cancer risk, and possibly have an impact on survival. Isoflavones and lignans are the most (...) Read more... Current Opinion in Internal Medicine. 7(6):633-637, December 2008. Vaccines against cervical cancer.Rogers, Linda J; Eva, Lois J; Luesley, David Michael Abstract: Purpose of review: The purpose of this review is to give an overview of recent developments relating to human papillomavirus vaccines and their effect on cervical cancer. Original research publications from the last year (2007) have been reviewed and summarized to present an up to date synopsis of relevant trials, and the impact they will have on clinical practice. Comparisons of the two vaccines on the market are made, and details of each are given. The effect of vaccination on (...) Read more... Annals of Oncology 2008 19(11):1821-1828 The effects of surgery on tumor growth: a century of investigationsR. Demicheli1,*, M. W. Retsky2, W. J. M. Hrushesky3, M. Baum4 and I. D. Gukas5 1 Department of Medical Oncology, Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milano, Italy A few clinical investigations suggest that while primary breast cancer surgical removal favorably modifies the natural history for some patients, it may also hasten the metastatic development for others. The concepts underlying this disease paradigm, i.e. tumor homeostasis, tumor dormancy and surgery-driven enhancement of metastasis development, have a long history that is reviewed. The review reveals the context in which these concepts were conceived and structured to explain experimental (...) Read more... National Oncology Pharmacy Symposium 2008 Prevention and Management of Chemotherapy-induced Nausea and VomitingCalgary, Alberta / October 17-19, 2008 Calgary - Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) is a troublesome side effect of many cancer therapies. It affects almost all chemotherapy patients, some to the point where they discontinue their chemotherapy rather than suffer this distressing and debilitating condition. Clinicians often underestimate the risk of CINV, particularly the delayed form, which does not manifest itself until a day or more post-therapy. Consensus guidelines by the Multinational Association of Supportive (...) Read more... National Oncology Pharmacy Symposium 2008 Cardiac Management During Adjuvant Breast Cancer Therapy: Canadian Working Group RecommendationsCalgary, Alberta / October 17-19, 2008 Calgary - For women with the aggressive HER2 form of breast cancer, trastuzumab has become the foundation of care. However, it is associated with a form of cardiotoxicity which, although largely reversible, can lead to congestive heart failure in a minority of patients (0.4% to 3.8%). This risk is compounded by the fact that the anthracyclines, which are commonly used for breast cancer treatment, are also cardiotoxic, and can potentially cause permanent myocardial damage. The Canadian (...) Read more... 33rd Congress of the European Society for Medical Oncology Optimizing Efficacy and Manageable Toxicity in Metastatic Breast CancerStockholm, Sweden / September 12-16, 2008 Stockholm - New results of a multicentre phase III clinical trial have demonstrated that an encapsulated form of doxorubicin is highly effective and is associated with a low level of toxicity when administered to women with metastatic breast cancer. In the study, patients were randomized to maintenance therapy with pegylated liposomal doxorubicin or observation following initial induction therapy with three cycles each of doxorubicin and docetaxel. Time to progression was increased by 3.4 (...) Read more... 33rd Congress of the European Society for Medical Oncology Optimizing Targeted Therapy of Renal Cell CarcinomaStockholm, Sweden / September 12-16, 2008 Stockholm - After two decades with nothing new to offer patients, oncologists now have four new approved drugs for treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Although the role of these agents in RCC and other types of cancer is supported by evidence from large phase III clinical trials, these studies included highly-selected patient populations that may not represent people seen in real-world settings. In clinical practice, no single therapy is likely to be optimal for all patients, (...) Read more... 33rd Congress of the European Society for Medical Oncology High Activity Rates Establish Targeted Therapies as Standard in Renal Cell Carcinoma and GISTStockholm, Sweden / September 12-16, 2008 Stockholm - The survival rates associated with therapies targeted at specific molecular processes in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GIST) are unprecedented. The activity in these two malignancies provides some of the best examples of the clinical utility of inhibiting specific molecular processes employed by malignancies for survival and growth. In addition to their immediate clinical role, targeted agents are also providing insight into the fundamental (...) Read more... 33rd European Society for Medical Oncology Congress Redefining Optimal Breast Cancer Management: Progress with Adjuvant Endocrine Therapy and Targeted AgentsStockholm, Sweden / September 12-16, 2008 Stockholm - Evolving breast cancer strategies are being driven from two ends of disease control. Of immediate relevance, a consensus about how to best employ adjunctive endocrine therapy is being driven by a series of large studies conducted with aromatase inhibitors. This consensus is expected to permit a greater number of women who are disease-free after initial treatment to remain recurrence-free over subsequent follow-up. For breast cancer patients with advanced disease, there is also (...) Read more... 33rd Congress of the European Society for Medical Oncology Guidelines Support for Low Molecular-weight Heparin for Long-term Recurrent VTE Prevention in Cancer PatientsStockholm, Sweden / September 12-16, 2008 Stockholm - The risk posed by cancer for venous thromboembolism (VTE) and pulmonary embolism appears to be insufficiently appreciated. In patients hospitalized for cancer, anticoagulation is a recognized standard of care, but the much longer periods of prophylaxis required in patients who develop VTE appear to be offered less frequently. According to guidelines issued by both the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO), six months of (...) Read more... Journal of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology. 30(8):584-591, August 2008. New Roles for Mononuclear Phagocytes in Cancer Biology.Jubinsky, Paul T. MD, PhD *; Dickens, David S. MD +; Short, Mary K. PhD * Abstract: The primary focus in the pathogenesis and treatment of human malignancies has been the tumor cell. However, the biologic properties of a malignancy are not all intrinsically determined. Interactions between heterogeneous cell populations influence the growth and survival of both normal and malignant cells. Studies defining the origin of endothelial cells involved in tumor angiogenesis first demonstrated the contributions of normal cellular environment. Recently, the mononuclear (...) Read more... BJU International Volume 102 Issue 5, Pages 556 - 562 Vascular-targeted photodynamic therapy (padoporfin, WST09) for recurrent prostate cancer after failure of external beam radiotherapy: a study of escalating light dosesJohn Trachtenberg 1 , Robert A. Weersink 2,3 , Sean R.H. Davidson 2 , Masoom A. Haider 4,5 , Arjen Bogaards 2 , Mark R. Gertner 2,3 , Andrew Evans 6 , Avigdor Scherz 7 , Joanne Savard 8 , Joseph L. Chin 9 , Brian C. Wilson 2 and Mostafa Elhilali 8 1 Surgical Oncology, 2 Division of BioPhysics and BioImaging, 4 Department of Medical Imaging, 6 Department of Pathology, Ontario Cancer Institute/Princess Margaret Hospital/University Health Network, 3 Department of Physics, Ryerson University, and 5 Department of Medical Imaging, Mt. Sinai Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Departments of Urology, 8 McGill University, Montreal, QC, 9 University of Western Ontario, London, Canada, and 7 Department of Plant Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel ABSTRACT To report on the efficacy of TOOKAD® (WST 09; NegmaLerads, Magny-Les-Hameaux, France) vascular-targeted photodynamic therapy (VTP) as a method of whole-prostate ablation in patients with recurrent localized prostate cancer after the failure of external beam radiotherapy (EBRT). PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients received a fixed photosensitizer dose of 2 mg/kg and patient-specific light doses as determined by computer-aided treatment planning. Up to six cylindrical light-diffusing (...) Read more... American Journal of Clinical Oncology. 31(4):352-362, August 2008. PET-CT in Radiation Oncology: The Impact on Diagnosis, Treatment Planning, and Assessment of Treatment Response.Heron, Dwight E. MD, FACRO; Andrade, Regiane S. MD; Beriwal, Sushil MD; Smith, Ryan P. MD Abstract: Objective: To review the role of hybrid positron emission tomography (PET)-computed tomography (CT) systems in the design and management of cancer patients in the modern radiation oncology practice. PET is co-registered with CT and incorporated into a systematic approach to the staging, management, and assessment of response and surveillance of a variety of oncologic diagnoses. Methods: A review of the literature of functional imaging such as PET-CT in staging, treatment plan (...) Read more... American Journal of Clinical Oncology. 31(4):335-339, August 2008. Prognostic Significance and Diagnostic Value of Protein S-100 and Tyrosinase in Patients With Malignant Melanoma.Andres, Raquel MD; Mayordomo, Jose I.; Visus, Carmen; Isla, Dolores; Godino, Javier; Escudero, Pilar; Saenz, Alberto; Ortega, Eugenia; Lastra, Rodrigo; Lambea, Julio; Aguirre, Elena; Elosegui, Luis; Marcos, Ivan; Ruiz-Echarri, Manuel; Millastre, Esther; Saez-Gutierrez, Berta; Asin, Laura; Vidal, Maria J.; Ferrer, Ana; Giner, Armando; Larrad, Luis; Carapeto, Francisco J.; Tres, Alejandro Abstract: Objectives: The utility of many molecules as tumor markers in melanoma has been investigated with different results. The aims of this study was to compare the value of tyrosinase mRNA by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in peripheral blood and of serum S-100 protein in patients with melanoma at different stages of disease. Methods: We have studied 90 peripheral blood samples corresponding to 90 patients that had been diagnosed with melanoma. The clinical (...) Read more... Current Opinion in Oncology. 20(5):509-516, September 2008. PET scanning and prognosis in Hodgkin’s lymphoma.Brepoels, Lieselot; Stroobants, Sigrid Abstract: Purpose of review: Risk-adapted treatment strategies are currently under investigation in the management of patients with lymphoma. This review presents the latest evidence for the use of early interim [18F]-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography for risk-adapted treatment in Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Recent findings: In recent years, PET after two cycles of ABVD (adriamycin, bleomycin, vincristin, and dexamethasone) was shown to be the only independent prognostic factor for (...) Read more... Current Opinion in Oncology. 20(5):502-508, September 2008 Follicular non-Hodgkin lymphoma: long-term results of stem-cell transplantation.Barr, Paul M; Lazarus, Hillard M Abstract: Purpose of review: Hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation is an effective treatment option for follicular lymphoma. This review summarizes recent updates of the literature focusing on the available long-term follow-up of high-dose therapeutic approaches. Recent findings: Autologous transplantation can prolong overall survival in relapsed disease and can extend progression-free survival in first remission. With more than 10 years of follow-up, the survival curves demonstrate a (...) Read more... Future Oncology August 2008, Vol. 4, No. 4, Pages 501-513 New diagnostic techniques for breast cancer detectionVineeta Singh , Christobel Saunders , Liz Wylie & Anita Bourke University of Western Australia, School of Surgery, QEII Medical Centre, Perth 6009, Australia. drvineeta123@yahoo.com Breast imaging has made huge advances in the last decade, and along with newer techniques to diagnose primary breast cancer, many novel methods are being used and look promising in detecting distant metastasis, recurrent disease and assessing response to treatment. Full-field digital mammography optimizes the lesion–background contrast and gives better sensitivity, and it is possible to see through the dense tissues by altering computer windows; this may be particularly useful in younger (...) Read more... Future Oncology August 2008, Vol. 4, No. 4, Pages 483-500 Epothilones: a novel class of microtubule-stabilizing drugs for the treatment of cancerMeghana Trivedi , Imawati Budihardjo , Kirsten Loureiro , Tony R Reid & Joseph D Ma UCSD Moores Cancer Center, Skaggs School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 3855 Health Sciences Dr., #0698 La Jolla, CA 92093-0698, USA. joema@ucsd.edu Microtubule-targeted anticancer drugs are effective in treating various cancers but are limited in use due to development of resistance and unacceptable toxicities. The epothilones are a novel class of microtubule-stabilizing anticancer drugs and may have a role in treating taxane-resistant cancers. Revised and updated data from several clinical studies for ixabepilone were recently published and subsequently resulted in ixabepilone becoming the first epothilone approved as monotherapy or (...) Read more... European Urology Volume 53, Issue 6, June 2008, Pages 1129-1137 Progress in Understanding Androgen-Independent Prostate Cancer (AIPC): A Review of Potential Endocrine-Mediated MechanismsFritz H. Schröder , a, aDepartment of Urology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, PO Box 2040, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands This review is triggered by recent developments that offer new explanations for the mechanism of progression of prostate cancer to androgen independence. Established and hypothetical mechanisms, which have been described in the past, are put into perspective with recent progress in the field. A total of seven mechanisms can be identified that relate to progression to androgen independence. Five of those are dependent on the androgen receptor, which is present or over-expressed in (...) Read more... Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. May 1, 2008, 14(4): 347-349. Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Patients with Gynecologic Cancer: Is this Usage More Prevalent?Sultan Kav, R.N., Ph.D. Department of Nursing, Baskent University Faculty of Health Sciences, Ankara, Turkey Gul Pinar, R.N., M.S.N. Department of Nursing, Baskent University Faculty of Health Sciences, Ankara, Turkey Fatma Gullu, R.N. Ministry of Health, Ankara Etlik Training and Research Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ankara, Turkey Tulay Turker, R.N. Ministry of Health, Ankara Etlik Training and Research Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ankara, Turkey Sibel Elibol, R.N. Ministry of Health, Ankara Etlik Training and Research Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ankara, Turkey Nevin Dogan, R.N., M.S.N. Cancer Letters Volume 265, Issue 2, 8 July 2008, Pages 167-176 Dietary agents for chemoprevention of prostate cancerDeeba N. Syeda, Yewseok Suha, Farrukh Afaqa and Hasan Mukhtar , a, aDepartment of Dermatology, University of Wisconsin, Medical Sciences Center, Room #B25, 1300 University Avenue, Madison, WI 53706, USA Prostate cancer (CaP) is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in American men, responsible for over 29,000 deaths in the year 2007. Chemoprevention is a plausible and cost-effective approach to reduce cancer morbidity and mortality through inhibition of precancerous events before the occurrence of clinical disease. Indeed, CaP is an ideal candidate disease for chemopreventive intervention as it is typically diagnosed in the elderly population with a relatively slower rate of growth (...) Read more... Clinical Radiology Volume 63, Issue 8, August 2008, Pages 856-863 Can FDG-PET be used to predict growth of stage I lung cancer?M. Tanna, K. Sandrasegarana, , , H.T. Winer-Muramb, S.G. Jenningsa, M.E. Wellinga and J.W. Fletchera aDepartment of Radiology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, USA bDepartment of Radiology, Richard L. Roudebush Veterans’ Association Medical Center, Indianapolis, USA Aim To determine the relationship between the metabolic activity measured by 2-[18F]-fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) and computed tomography (CT)-derived tumour growth rates for stage 1 lung cancer. Methods Stage I lung cancer patients at our institution who underwent FDG PET, and who had at least two pre-treatment chest CT examinations (n = 51), were retrospectively identified. Metabolic activity was defined by maximum lesion standardized uptake value (...) Read more... Clinical Radiology Volume 63, Issue 8, August 2008, Pages 843-852 Indeterminate lesions in cancer imagingJ.A. Spencer , a, aDepartment of Clinical Radiology, St James’s University Hospital, Leeds, UK Indeterminate lesions are detected on cancer imaging examinations at all points along the patient pathway. Decisions made about indeterminate lesions may have profound impact on patient management, particularly when these may represent solitary sites of metastasis. In this process of decision making the radiologist, having detected a potential metastasis, must attempt to characterize the abnormality and then to make a judgement about its impact on management based on knowledge of the (...) Read more... 63rd Annual Meeting of the Canadian Urological Association 5-alpha Reductase Inhibitors in Prostate Cancer Prevention: The PCPT RevisitedEdmonton, Alberta / June 22-25, 2008 Edmonton - The PCPT (Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial) was a large independent randomized trial designed to answer whether long-term treatment with the 5-alpha reductase inhibitor (5ARI) finasteride could prevent prostate cancer in men ³55 years of age with an entry prostate-specific antigen level of 3 ng/mL. Seven years later, that answer was an unequivocal yes. Yet uptake of the 5ARI for prostate cancer prevention has been modest due to what was perceived to be a small increase in (...) Read more... ABSTRACTS in PERSPECTIVE based on presentations from the 10th International Conference on Malignant Lymphoma Follicular Lymphoma: A Heterogeneous Disease with Improving Prognosis - Editorial Overview: Dr. Joseph Connors / New Perspectives in the Treatment of Aggressive B-Cell Lymphomas - Editorial Overview: Dr. Michael CrumpLugano, Switzerland / June 4-7, 2008 EDITORIAL OVERVIEW:
44th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology Updated Anti-emetic Regimens Reduce Emesis Risk from Cisplatin to Carboplatin Levels: Patients Benefit from Survival AdvantageChicago, Illinois / May 30-June 3, 2008 Chicago - A small but significant survival advantage has been demonstrated for cisplatin in regimens used for the treatment of a number of malignancies, including non-small-cell lung cancer. In actual practice, physicians often avoid using cisplatin out of concern that it is associated with difficult toxicities, most notably chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV), a side effect that occurs in most patients in the absence of good anti-emetic control. However, a meta-analysis of (...) Read more... 44th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology Manipulating Active Therapies to Prolong Survival in Brain Malignancies: Phase II and III Study ResultsChicago, Illinois / May 30-June 3, 2008 Chicago - New data from phase II and III studies have documented incremental progress in the management of common brain malignancies from the standpoint of both efficacy and tolerability. In a multicentre trial conducted in Canada, previously treated patients with progressing malignant gliomas were rescued with the same chemotherapeutic agent used in a front-line regimen, substantiating a benefit observed when the same strategy was attempted empirically. In a phase III study, a chemotherapy (...) Read more... ABSTRACTS IN PERSPECTIVE based on presentations from the 44th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) The Role of mTOR in Cancer Etiology and TreatmentChicago, Illinois / May 30-June 3, 2008 EDITORIAL OVERVIEW:
ABSTRACTS IN PERSPECTIVE based on presentations from the 44th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Advanced Hepatocellular and Renal Cell Carcinomas: Updated Data in Specific Patient PopulationsChicago, Illinois / May 30-June 3, 2008 EDITORIAL OVERVIEW:
103rd Annual Meeting of the American Urological Association Paradigm Shift in the Primary Prevention of Prostate Cancer: Reanalysis of the PCPT DataOrlando, Florida / May 17-22, 2008 Orlando - Approximately 200,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer in the US annually and over 90% of them receive treatment for it. Reducing the frequency of diagnosed cancer could spare a substantial proportion the consequences of such a diagnosis, including treatment that can be associated with considerable morbidity. New analyses from the Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial clearly demonstrate that the 5-alpha reductase inhibitor (5ARI) finasteride is not associated with an excess (...) Read more... International Journal of Cancer Volume 122, Issue 12 , Pages 2647 - 2655 Apple polyphenols modulate expression of selected genes related to toxicological defence and stress response in human colon adenoma cellsSelvaraju Veeriah 1, Claudia Miene 1, Nina Habermann 1, Thomas Hofmann 1, Stefanie Klenow 1, Julia Sauer 1, Frank Böhmer 2, Stefan Wölfl 3, Beatrice Louise Pool-Zobel 1 * Apples contain significant amounts of flavonoids that are potentially cancer risk reducing by acting antioxidative or antiproliferative and by favorably modulating gene expression. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether polyphenols from apples modulate expression of genes related to colon cancer prevention in preneoplastic cells derived from colon adenoma (LT97). For this, LT97 cells were treated with effective concentrations of apple extracts (AEs). RNA was isolated and used (...) Read more... Anti-Cancer Drugs. 19(5):447-464, June 2008. Capecitabine: an overview of the side effects and their management.Saif, Muhammad Wasif a; Katirtzoglou, Nikos A. b; Syrigos, Kostas N. a b Xeloda (capecitabine), a thymidine phosphorylase activated fluoropyrimidine carbamate, is currently the only universally approved orally administered 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) prodrug. It belongs to a newer generation of orally administered fluoropyrimidines. It has been developed because of the clinical need for efficient, tolerable and convenient agents, which do not require continuous infusion. Capecitabine is not a cytotoxic drug in itself, but via a three-step enzymatic cascade, it is (...) Read more... BMJ 2008;336:610-612 (15 March), doi:10.1136/bmj.39498.525706.AD Diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer: summary of NICE guidanceJohn Graham, lead consultant in clinical oncology1, Mark Baker, lead cancer clinician2, Fergus Macbeth, director3, Victoria Titshall, project manager3, on behalf of the Guideline Development Group Prostate cancer is one of the commonest cancers in men. Each year there are about 35 000 new cases in England and Wales and over 9000 deaths. The clinical course can extend over many years and often involves many different healthcare professionals. Evidence exists of practice variation around the country and of patchy availability of certain treatments and procedures. This article highlights a selection of the most recent recommendations from the National Institute for Health and Clinical (...) Read more... BMJ 2008;336:590-593 (15 March), doi:10.1136/bmj.39506.601053.BE Genetic tests for common diseases: new insights, old concernsDavid Melzer, professor1, Stuart Hogarth, research fellow2, Katherine Liddell, lecturer3, Tom Ling, professor4, Simon Sanderson, research fellow 5, Ron L Zimmern, director5 Genome-wide studies have recently identified many new variants associated with common diseases. Findings point mainly to sets of variants with modest effects, with many more markers still to be discovered. Some variants are shedding new light on disease mechanisms and on previously unsuspected parts of the genome. Much more work is needed, however, to define the clinical relevance and value to patients of testing for these new genetic markers. It is worrying that in the absence of this (...) Read more... The American Journal of Gastroenterology Volume 103 Issue 3 Page 510-514, March 2008 Gastric Cancer Consensus Conference Recommends Helicobacter pylori Screening and Treatment in Asymptomatic Persons From High-Risk Populations to Prevent Gastric CancerNicholas J. Talley, M.D., Ph.D., Kwong Ming Fock, M.D. Paul Moayyedi, M.D. Gastric adenocarcinoma remains a common cause of death worldwide, and there is convincing evidence that this cancer is causally linked to Helicobacter pylori. The first Asian-Pacific Gastric Cancer Consensus brought together leading authorities in the field including the authors, and systematically reviewed all of the available evidence for the role of H. pylori, diet and other risk factors in this malignancy. The consensus conference boldly recommended population-based screening and (...) Read more... Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Volume 23 Issue 3 Page 351-365, March 2008 Asia–Pacific consensus guidelines on gastric cancer preventionKwong Ming Fock, Nick Talley, Paul Moayyedi, Richard Hunt, Takeshi Azuma, Kentaro Sugano, Shu Dong Xiao, Background and Aim: Gastric cancer is a major health burden in the Asia–Pacific region but consensus on prevention strategies has been lacking. We aimed to critically evaluate strategies for preventing gastric cancer. Methods: A multidisciplinary group developed consensus statements using a Delphi approach. Relevant data were presented, and the quality of evidence, strength of recommendation, and level of consensus were graded. Results: Helicobacter pylori infection is a necessary but not (...) Read more... Oncology February 2008 • Volume 22 Number 2 Emerging Role of HIFU as a Noninvasive Ablative Method to Treat Localized Prostate CancerAL B. BARQAWI, MD, E. DAVID CRAWFORD, MD The use of high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) as a method for ablation of a localized tumor growth is not new. Several attempts have been made to apply the principles of HIFU to the treatment of pelvic, brain, and gastrointestinal tumors. However, only in the past decade has our understanding of the basic principles of HIFU allowed us to further exploit its application as a radical and truly noninvasive, intent-to-treat, ablative method for treating organ-confined prostate cancer. (...) Read more... European Urology Volume 53, Issue 3, March 2008, Pages 497-513 European Consensus Conference on Diagnosis and Treatment of Germ Cell Cancer: A Report of the Second Meeting of the European Germ Cell Cancer Consensus Group (EGCCCG): Part IISusanne Krege1, , , Jörg Beyer2, Rainer Souchon3, Peter Albers4, Walter Albrecht5, Ferran Algaba6, Michael Bamberg7, István Bodrogi8, Carsten Bokemeyer9, Eva Cavallin-Ståhl10, Objectives The first consensus report that had been presented by the European Germ Cell Cancer Consensus Group (EGCCCG) in 2004 has found widespread approval by many colleagues throughout the world. In November 2006, the group met a second time under the auspices of the Department of Urology of the Amsterdam Medical Center, The Netherlands. Methods Medical oncologists, urologic surgeons, radiation oncologists as well as pathologists from several European countries reviewed and discussed (...) Read more... European Urology Volume 53, Issue 3, March 2008, Pages 478-496 European Consensus Conference on Diagnosis and Treatment of Germ Cell Cancer: A Report of the Second Meeting of the European Germ Cell Cancer Consensus group (EGCCCG): Part ISusanne Krege1, , , Jörg Beyer2, Rainer Souchon3, Peter Albers4, Walter Albrecht5, Ferran Algaba6, Michael Bamberg7, István Bodrogi8, Carsten Bokemeyer9, Eva Cavallin-Ståhl10, Johannes Classen11, Christoph Clemm12, Gabriella Cohn-Cedermark13, Stéphane Culine14, Gedske Daugaard15, Pieter H.M. De Mulder16, Maria De Santis17, Maike de Wit18, Ronald de Wit19, Hans Günter Derigs20, Klaus-Peter Dieckmann21, Objectives The first consensus report presented by the European Germ Cell Cancer Consensus Group (EGCCCG) in the year 2004 has found widespread approval by many colleagues throughout the world. In November 2006, the group met a second time under the auspices of the Department of Urology of the Amsterdam Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Methods Medical oncologists, urological surgeons, radiation oncologists as well as pathologists from several European countries reviewed and (...) Read more... European Urology Volume 53, Issue 3, March 2008, Pages 468-477 Early Detection of Prostate Cancer in 2007 Part 1: PSA and PSA KineticsFritz H. Schrödera, , , H. Ballentine Carterb, Tineke Woltersa, Roderick C.N. van den Bergha, Claartje Gosselaara, Chris H. Bangmaa and Monique J. Roobola Objective This is the first of two review papers attempting to clarify the best way to detect prostate cancer (PCa) in 2007. Screening for PCa has not yet been shown to lower PCa mortality. Still, opportunistic screening is wide spread in Europe and in most other parts of the world. Methods Current literature and data from screening studies are reviewed and discussed. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) has been and remains one of the corner stones of early detection of PCa. Traditionally used (...) Read more... Clinical Oncology Volume 20, Issue 2, March 2008, Pages 142-147 Time and Chemotherapy Treatment Trends in the Treatment of Elderly Patients (Age ≥ 70 Years) with Non-small Cell Lung CancerM.E.R. O’Brien , a, , T. Yaua, J. Cowarda, S. Hughesa, P. Papadopoulosa, S. Popata, A. Nortona and S. Ashleya Aims Palliative chemotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has been established since 1995 and little chemotherapy treatment was given to these patients before 1990. This retrospective study investigates the treatment outcome of elderly patients (age ≥ 70 years) with NSCLC over the past 13 years in a large UK cancer centre. Materials and methods A comparison of all-cause survival between the time periods 1990–1994, 1995–1999 and 2000–2004 was adjusted for age, gender, stage and (...) Read more... European Journal of Cancer Volume 44, Issue 3, February 2008, Pages 353-365 The impact of new European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer guidelines on the use of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor on the management of breast cancer patientsChristoph C. Zielinskia, , , Ahmad Awadab, David A. Cameronc, Tanja Cuferc, Miguel Martind and Matti Aaproe Febrile neutropenia (FN) is a severe consequence of myelosuppressive therapy. The European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer recently published guidelines on the use of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) to prevent FN in patients with malignant disease. In this review, the impact of these guidelines on breast cancer treatment is discussed. A brief summary of FN in breast cancer is given, and patient-related and treatment schedule-related risk factors for FN are (...) Read more... 6th European Breast Cancer Conference New Treatment Standards in HER2-positive Early Breast CancerBerlin, Germany / April 15-19, 2008 Berlin - Treatment advances for breast cancer in the last decades, including endocrine therapy with aromatase inhibitors and chemotherapy with taxanes, have spearheaded reductions in mortality. Yet breast cancer remains the most common cancer, affecting women worldwide with more than a million new cases diagnosed annually. HER2-positive breast cancer is an especially aggressive form of the disease, associated with a greater likelihood of recurrence following initial treatment and a (...) Read more... 6th European Breast Cancer Conference Novel Formulation an Improved Breast Cancer Treatment OptionBerlin, Germany / April 15-19, 2008 Berlin - Taxanes have become well known for their significant activity against metastatic breast cancer (MBC) and other solid tumours. However, the polyoxyethylated castor oil (CrEL) and ethanol solvents needed to emulsify paclitaxel, and the polysorbate 80 and ethanol used as vehicles in docetaxel formulations, possess biologic and pharmacologic properties that cause or contribute to severe toxicities. CrEL also adversely affects drug bioavailability and decreases unbound drug fraction, (...) Read more... 6th European Breast Cancer Conference Managing Endocrine-responsive, Early Breast CancerBerlin, Germany / April 15-19, 2008 Berlin - Experts here confirmed that determining endocrine responsiveness is of primary importance as a first approach to choosing systemic therapy for postmenopausal women with early breast cancer and estrogen receptor-positive tumour. This issue has grown in magnitude because present-day aromatase inhibitors (AIs) are adding significantly to treatment choices available after more than two decades of tamoxifen. Debate persists over the relative merits of AIs and the anti-estrogen tamoxifen (...) Read more... XXIIIrd Annual Congress of the European Association of Urology CombAT and Prostate Health: Combination Strategies for Long-term EfficacyMilan, Italy / March 26-29, 2008 Milan - The combination of an alpha blocker to relieve symptoms and improve flow plus a 5a-reductase inhibitor (5ARI) to reduce prostate volume is a rational strategy for men with lower urinary tract symptoms secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and an enlarged prostate. In an ongoing randomized study, the combination of dutasteride, a potent 5ARI, plus tamsulosin, an alpha blocker, was compared to either agent alone in men with a baseline prostate volume of at least 30 cc and an (...) Read more... 6th World Congress on the Aging Male The Role of 5-Alpha Reductase Inhibition in Prostate Cancer and BPH: Lessons From Clinical TrialsTampa, Florida / February 21-24, 2008 Tampa - In the 1990s, widespread acceptance of the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) assay led to a sharp increase in the detection and subsequent treatment of prostate cancer. The advent of PSA testing coincided with the introduction of the first 5-alpha reductase inhibitor for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia, giving clinical researchers the opportunity to explore whether such agents could also reduce the risk of prostate cancer. The result was the landmark PCPT study, (...) Read more... 2008 Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumours and Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors: New Strategies to Reduce the Risk of RecurrenceOrlando, Florida / January 25-27, 2008 Orlando - Gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs) are the most common mesenchymal tumours in the GI tract. In 1998, Hirota et al. (Science 1998;279:577-80) were the first to identify gain-of-function mutations in the KIT receptor as the prime oncogenic transformation giving rise to GIST and this discovery is the basis upon which GISTs are treated today. Prior to the era of tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy, median overall survival (OS) in metastatic GIST was approximately 15 months (...) Read more... The Lancet Oncology Volume 9, Issue 1, January 2008, Pages 45-53 Effect of anastrozole and tamoxifen as adjuvant treatment for early-stage breast cancer: 100-month analysis of the ATAC trialThe Arimidex, Tamoxifen, Alone or in Combination (ATAC) Trialists’ Group‡ Background Little data exist on whether efficacy benefits or side-effects persist after 5 years of adjuvant treatment with an aromatase inhibitor. We aimed to study long-term outcomes in the Arimidex, Tamoxifen, Alone or in Combination (ATAC) trial that compares anastrozole with tamoxifen after a median follow-up of 100 months. Methods We analysed postmenopausal women with localised invasive breast cancer. The primary endpoint disease-free survival (DFS), and the secondary endpoints time (...) Read more... Urology Volume 70, Issue 6, Supplement 1, December 2007, Pages S22-S26 Is There a Better Way to Biopsy the Prostate Prospects for a Novel Transrectal Systematic Biopsy ApproachGerald L. Andriolea, , 1, , Travis L. Bullocka, 3, Jay S. Belania, 4, Erica Traxela, 5, Yan Yana, 6, David G. Bostwickb, 2 and Peter A. Humphreyc, 7 The study reported here was undertaken to investigate a novel method of systematic, 3-dimensional, template-guided, transrectal ultrasound–guided prostate biopsy. The TargetScan transrectal ultrasound and prostatic biopsy system (Envisioneering Medical Technologies, St. Louis, MO) uses a stationary transrectal ultrasound probe that acquires 3-dimensional and simultaneous biplanar ultrasound imaging. With the use of prostate-specific measurements, targeted transrectal biopsy specimens of the (...) Read more... Anti-Cancer Drugs. 19(2):99-113, February 2008. Cetuximab, its clinical use and future perspectives. REVIEWRivera, Fernando; Vega-Villegas, Maria Eugenia; Lopez-Brea, Marta Francisca Abstract: Increase in the expression of epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFRs) has been observed in many tumours. EGFR overexpression usually correlates with a more advanced stage of the disease, a poorer prognosis and a worse chemotherapy response. For all the aforementioned reasons, EGFR inhibition can be considered an attractive approach in cancer treatment. One strategy has been extracellular domain receptor inhibition, using monoclonal antibodies. In this review, we summarize the (...) Read more... European Journal of Cancer Care Volume 17 Issue 1 Page 19-25, January 2008 Impact of neutropenia on delivering planned chemotherapy for solid tumoursS. KHAN, MBCHB (HONS), MRCP, DM, MSC ONCOLOGY11Department of Oncology, Nottingham City Hospital, Nottingham, Dr Sarah Khan, Department of Oncology, Nottingham City Hospital, Nottingham NG5 1PB, UK (e-mail: sarahkhan@doctors.org.uk). , A. DHADDA, B.MED.SCI (HONS), MBCHB (HONS), MSC ONCOLOGY, FRCP11Department of Oncology, Nottingham City Hospital, Nottingham, , D. FYFE, BA (HONS), MBBS, MRCP22Department of Oncology, Royal Lancaster Infirmary, Lancaster, & S. SUNDAR, MBBS, MRCP, MSC, FRCR33Department of Oncology, Nottingham City Hospital, Nottingham, UK1Department of Oncology, Nottingham City Hospital, Nottingham, 2Department of Oncology, Royal Lancaster Infirmary, Lancaster, 3Department of Oncology, Nottingham City Hospital, Nottingham, UK The ability to deliver the planned dose and intensity of chemotherapy (the amount of drug administered/unit of time) is important for tumour control and survival. In clinical practice, neutropenic events are the main limiting factors towards achieving this aim. We assessed the impact of neutropenic events [defined as either hospital admission due to febrile neutropenia (FN), dose delay ≥7 days due to neutropenia or dose reduction of ≥15% due to neutropenia] on dose intensity (DI) in a random (...) Read more... Radiotherapy and Oncology Volume 85, Issue 3, December 2007, Pages 336-345 Responses to concurrent radiotherapy and hormone-therapy and outcome for large breast cancers in post-menopausal womenMarc A. Bolleta, , , Youlia M. Kirovaa, Guillemette Antonib, Jean-Yues Piergac, Brigitte Sigal-Zafranid, Fatima Lakie, François Campanaa, Rémi Dendalea, Rémy Salmone, Paul Cottuc, Alain Fourqueta and for the Institut Curie Breast Cancer Study Group Introduction This study aimed to evaluate responses and outcome of hormone-therapy (HT) and radiotherapy (RT) given concurrently for large breast cancers in post-menopausal women. Material and methods Forty-two breast carcinomas in 41 women were treated with HT and concurrent RT to the breast ± lymph node bearing areas. For 30 tumours this was followed by breast surgery (with axillary lymph node dissection when the axilla had not been irradiated). RT delivered a median dose to the tumour of (...) Read more... European Urology Volume 53, Issue 1, January 2008, Pages 68-80 EAU Guidelines on Prostate CancerAxel Heidenreicha, , , Gunnar Ausb, Michel Bollac, Steven Joniaud, Vsevolod B. Matveeve, Hans Peter Schmidf and Filliberto Zattonig Objectives To present a summary of the 2007 version of the European Association of Urology (EAU) guidelines on prostate cancer (PCa). Methods A literature review of the new data emerging from 2004 to 2007 was performed by the working panel. The guidelines have been updated, and the level of evidence/grade of recommendation was added to the text based on a systematic review of the literature, which included a search of online databases and bibliographic reviews. Results A full version is (...) Read more... European Urology Volume 53, Issue 1, January 2008, Pages 37-44 Screening for Prostate Cancer: An UpdateRichard J. Bryanta and Freddie C. Hamdy , a, Objectives To review evidence regarding the potential introduction of prostate cancer screening programmes and highlight issues pertinent to the management of screen-detected prostate cancer. Methods Screening for prostate cancer is a controversial health care issue in general and urological practice. A PubMed database search was performed, followed by a systematic review of the literature, to examine the evidence base underlying prostate cancer screening. Results A prostate cancer (...) Read more... Thrombosis Research Volume 120, Supplement 2, 2007, Pages S29-S40 Targeting patients for anticoagulant prophylaxis trials in patients with cancer: Who is at highest risk?Richard H. White , a, , Helen Chewa and Ted Wuna Introduction It is not clear which cancer patients are at highest risk for developing venous thromboembolism (VTE). Materials and Methods: The epidemiology of VTE in cancer patients was investigated by linking the California Cancer Registry database to the discharge records of all patients hospitalized in California public hospitals between 1993–1999. Nineteen types of cancer were studied, four in detail. Results and Conclusions The incidence of VTE was highest in patients who presented (...) Read more... Cancer Treatment Reviews Volume 33, Issue 8, December 2007, Pages 681-687 Reducing the risk of distant metastases in breast cancer patients: Role of aromatase inhibitorsLucia Del Mastroa, , , Matteo Clavarezzaa, and Marco Venturinib, 1, aDepartment of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Research Institute, L.go R. Benzi 10, 16132 Genoa, Italy Summary Breast cancer continues to be one of the most prominent causes of cancer death among women worldwide. Mortality in breast cancer is most commonly caused by the occurrence of distant metastases. Thus, treatments that reduce the risk of distant metastases are likely to improve survival. The third-generation aromatase inhibitors (AIs), including anastrozole, letrozole, and exemestane, have been investigated as alternatives to tamoxifen for the adjuvant treatment of early, (...) Read more... Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy December 2007, Vol. 8, No. 17, Pages 2979-2990 Growing opportunities for adjuvant therapy of renal cell carcinoma: targeted drugs and vaccinesAlejandro R Rodriguez 1 MD & Mayer N Fishman 2 MD PhD 1Fellow University of South Florida, Department of Interdisciplinary Oncology, Division of Genitourinary Oncology, H Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, 12902 Magnolia Drive, Tampa, Florida 33612-9497, USA +1 813 3175033; alejandro.rodriguez@moffitt.org The management of advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is undergoing a revolution, with the introduction of new agents and surgical paradigms. Thoughtful integration of diagnostic, surgical and medical approaches to the patient is paramount for disease control. Methods of risk stratifying kidney cancers are reviewed, as well as mechanisms of action of newer drugs approved in advanced metastatic kidney cancer. These drugs present opportunities for application to patients in an earlier stage (...) Read more... The Lancet Volume 370, Issue 9599, 10 November 2007-16 November 2007, Pages 1609-1621 Cervical cancer and hormonal contraceptives: collaborative reanalysis of individual data for 16 573 women with cervical cancer and 35 509 women without cervical cancer from 24 epidemiological studiesInternational Collaboration of Epidemiological Studies of Cervical Cancer Background Combined oral contraceptives are classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as a cause of cervical cancer. As the incidence of cervical cancer increases with age, the public-health implications of this association depend largely on the persistence of effects long after use of oral contraceptives has ceased. Information from 24 studies worldwide is pooled here to investigate the association between cervical carcinoma and pattern of oral contraceptive use. (...) Read more... The Lancet: Infectious Disease Volume 7, Issue 7, July 2007, Pages 473-480 Endometrial volume as predictor of malignancy in women with postmenopausal bleedingG.M. Mansoura, I.K.I. El-Lamiea, M.A. El-Kadya, S.F. El-Mekkawia, M. Labanb, , and A.I. Abou-Gabala Objective To assess endometrial volume as a predictor of endometrial malignancy in women with postmenopausal bleeding. Methods Endometrial volume was measured by virtual organ computer-aided analysis in 170 women with postmenopausal bleeding, and histopathologic results of endometrial biopsies were obtained for all. A group of 100 women without postmenopausal bleeding was used for control. Results There were 90 cases of benign disease, 53 cases of atypia, and 27 cases of endometrial (...) Read more... 30th Annual San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium Improving Treatment Outcomes in HER2-positive Breast CancerSan Antonio, Texas / December 13-16, 2007 San Antonio - Approximately 20% to 30% of breast cancers exhibit overexpression of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), a cell surface protein involved in the regulation of cell growth and division. HER2 activation in cancer cells is associated with more aggressive disease and a worse prognosis in the absence of treatment. In HER2-positive breast cancer patients, trastuzumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody against HER2, significantly improves survival. In the metastatic (...) Read more... 30th Annual San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium Issues in Endocrine Therapy for Early-stage Breast CancerSan Antonio, Texas / December 13-16, 2007 San Antonio - Hormonal therapy has a long history of efficacy in the treatment of breast cancer. Tamoxifen represented a breakthrough in management of breast cancer, demonstrating in several large clinical trials the ability to reduce the risk of recurrence after primary therapy and subsequently the ability to prevent breast cancer in high-risk patients. However, it also conferred a risk of several notable adverse events, particularly endometrial cancer and venous thromboembolism (VTE). The (...) Read more... 49th Annual Meeting and Exposition of the American Society of Hematology Less Toxic Broad-Spectrum Antifungals: Facilitating Infection Control in Hematological MalignanciesAtlanta, Georgia / December 8-11, 2007 Atlanta - The substantial morbidity and mortality imposed by invasive fungal infections in patients with hematological malignancies can be largely contained by a high index of suspicion and early use of broad-spectrum antifungal drugs. While amphotericin B was once the empirical treatment of choice when virulent pathogens were considered likely, numerous studies have now demonstrated that newer azole antifungals are at least as effective but better tolerated. Due to a shift in prevalence (...) Read more... 49th Annual Meeting and Exposition of the American Society of Hematology From First-line to Consolidation Therapies: Exploring Options in Hematologic MalignanciesAtlanta, Georgia / December 8-11, 2007 Editorial Overview Joseph M. Connors, MD, ABIM, FRCPC
49th Annual Meeting and Exposition of the American Society of Hematology Treatment of Newly-diagnosed Multiple Myeloma Patients and the Role of Stem Cell TransplantationAtlanta, Georgia / December 8-11, 2007 Atlanta - The standard of care is evolving rapidly in multiple myeloma (MM) due to a series of studies that have associated new treatment regimens with higher objective response rates and prolonged survival. These studies have been conducted in an array of populations defined by suitability for stem cell transplantation (SCT). While current anticancer agents include some combination of a proteasome inhibitor, thalidomide, steroids or melphalan, the cumulative data demonstrate incremental (...) Read more... 49th Annual Meeting and Exposition of the American Society of Hematology Extending Time to Progression in Refractory Multiple Myeloma with Novel RegimensAtlanta, Georgia / December 8-11, 2007 Atlanta - After substantial progress in the development of more effective front-line therapies for multiple myeloma (MM), the standard for treatment of refractory disease is now also evolving. New findings indicate that meaningful improvements in outcome can be achieved with combination regimens over those achieved with a single agent. On the basis of a multicentre phase III study, a novel two-drug regimen has been newly established in refractory MM, but other protocols, including a (...) Read more... 49th Annual Meeting and Exposition of the American Society of Hematology Clinical Challenges in Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma: The Use of Monoclonal Antibodies in 2008Atlanta, Georgia / December 8-11, 2007 Studies presented at the American Society of Hematology reinforce the increasingly important role of therapies targeted at the CD20 surface protein in hematologic malignancies. In indolent non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL), final results of a multicentre study confirmed a survival benefit from the addition of rituximab to standard chemotherapy. In follicular lymphoma, the advantage of maintenance rituximab over observation was again demonstrated and validates a practice already widely adopted. (...) Read more... FRONTLINE Based on presentations from the Eastern Ontario Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumours (GIST) Consensus Meeting The Management of GIST: Achieving Consensus for Improved CareOttawa, Ontario / November 29, 2007 Reviewed by
Cancer Volume 110, Issue 9 , Pages 1889 – 1899 Prostate cancer prevention: Past, present, and futureNeil Fleshner, MD, MPH 1 * , Alexandre R. Zlotta, MD, PhD 2 1Division of Urology, University Health Network, and Department of Surgery (Urology), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada Prostate cancer is the most common male malignancy and the second or third leading cause of cancer death among men in the West. The descriptive epidemiology of prostate cancer suggests that it is a preventable disease. Prevention has the theoretical advantage of not only saving lives, but also reduce the morbidity of radical prostate cancer therapy. This article reviews the past, present, and future of prostate cancer prevention. In particular, the evidence and scientific data of a variety (...) Read more... Gynecologic Oncology Volume 107, Issue 2, November 2007, Pages 159-162 Society of Gynecologic Oncologists Education Committee Statement on Risk Assessment for Inherited Gynecologic Cancer PredispositionsJohnathan M. Lancastera, C. Bethan Powellb, Noah D. Kauffc, Ilana Cassd, Lee-May Chenb, Karen H. Lue, David G. Mutchf, Andrew Berchuckg, Beth Y. Karland, Thomas J. Herzogh, , and for the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists Hereditary Cancer Education Resource Panel aH. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA bUCSF Comprehensive Cancer Center, San Francisco, CA, USA cMemorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA dUCLA Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA eThe University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA fWashington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA gDuke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA hColumbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA Women with germline mutations in the cancer susceptibility genes, BRCA1 or BRCA2, associated with Hereditary Breast/Ovarian Cancer syndrome, have up to an 85% lifetime risk of breast cancer and up to a 46% lifetime risk ovarian cancer. Similarly, women with mutations in the DNA mismatch repair genes, MLH1, MSH2 or MSH6, associated with the Lynch/Hereditary Non-Polyposis Colorectal Cancer (HNPCC) syndrome, have up to a 40–60% lifetime risk of both endometrial and colorectal cancer as well as (...) Read more... European Journal of Cancer Volume 43, Issue 15, October 2007, Pages 2203-2210 Quality-of-life in elderly patients with cancer: A short reviewUlrich Weddinga, b, , , Ludger Pientkab and Klaus Höffkena Background Prolongation of survival and maintenance or improvement of health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL) are the two important goals within the treatment of individual patients. Due to the severity of symptoms and the toxicity of treatment, HRQoL has become a major area of concern when treating cancer patients in general and elderly patients in particular. Patients and methods We present a literature review of HRQoL aspects in elderly patients with cancer and especially address the (...) Read more... Gynecologic Oncology Volume 107, Issue 1, Supplement 1, October 2007, Pages S175-S179 Impact of an HPV diagnosis on the quality of life in young womenT. Magginoa, , , D. Casadeib, E. Panontinb, E. Faddab, M.C. Zampierib, M.A. Donàb, M. Soldàa and G. Altoèc Objective To evaluate the impact of the communication of an HPV diagnosis on the cognitive-behavioural aspect, emotional experiences, psychic-physical well-being, and psychosexual sphere in young women between the ages of 20 and 45. Method During the period between February 2006 and March 2007, at the U.O. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the ULSS 13 of Mirano (VE), we distributed three self-evaluating questionnaires (the CBA-20, the SAT-P, and the BISF-W) to 36 women who had (...) Read more... 15th International Meeting of the European Society of Gynecological Oncology Ovarian Cancer: Treatment Challenges and Decision-MakingBerlin, Germany / October 28-November 1, 2007 Berlin - Ovarian cancer remains the leading cause of death from gynecologic malignancies. Generally asymptomatic in its early stages, this disease is diagnosed in most women at advanced stages which correlate negatively with survival. While conventional first-line cisplatin/paclitaxel chemotherapy can induce some degree of remission in most advanced-stage ovarian cancer patients, the majority develop recurrence after a relatively short median time to progression. Pegylated liposomal (...) Read more... 49th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology Glioblastoma Multiforme Prognosis: Improving Survival RatesLos Angeles, California / October 28-November 1, 2007 Los Angeles -The most common brain tumour in adults, glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), accounts for almost half of all brain malignancies and has a 70% annual mortality. Few effective treatment options exist for GBM. Surgical resection followed by radiation therapy has represented the standard of care, but has resulted in only modest improvement in median survival, which ranges from 12 to 15 months in most studies. Adjuvant use of conventional chemotherapeutic agents, in addition to radiation, (...) Read more... 15th United European Gastroenterology Week Ulcerative Colitis: Maintenance of Remission and Prevention of Colorectal CancerParis, France / October 27-31, 2007 Paris - In ulcerative colitis (UC), a pooled analysis of studies has associated 5-aminosalicylate (5-ASA) maintenance therapy with an almost 50% reduction in the risk of colorectal cancer. At least some of the protection provided can be assumed to be independent of the anti-inflammatory effect because other anti-inflammatory agents do not offer similar protection. Agreement that 5-ASA should be considered a standard in maintenance was unanimous among experts participating in a symposium on (...) Read more... American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology Volume 197, Issue 4, October 2007, Pages 346-355 Consensus guidelines for the management of women with abnormal cervical cancer screening testsThomas C. Wright Jr MDa, , , L. Stewart Massad MDb, Charles J. Dunton MDc, Mark Spitzer MDd, Edward J. Wilkinson MDe, Diane Solomon MDf and 2006 American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology–sponsored Consensus Conference aDepartment of Pathology, College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University, New York, NY bDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO cDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Lankenau Hospital, Wynnewood, PA dDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Brookdale University Hospital and Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY A group of 146 experts representing 29 organizations and professional societies met September 18-19, 2006, in Bethesda, MD, to develop revised evidence-based, consensus guidelines for managing women with abnormal cervical cancer screening tests. Recommendations for managing atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance and low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) are essentially unchanged. Changes were made for managing these conditions in adolescents for whom cytological (...) Read more... American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology Volume 197, Issue 4, October 2007, Pages 340-345 Consensus guidelines for the management of women with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia or adenocarcinoma in situThomas C. Wright Jr MDa, , , L. Stewart Massad MDb, Charles J. Dunton MDc, Mark Spitzer MDd, Edward J. Wilkinson MDe, Diane Solomon MDf and 2006 American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology–sponsored Consensus Conference aDepartment of Pathology, College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University, New York, NY bDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO cDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Lankenau Hospital, Wynnewood, PA dDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Brookdale University Hospital and Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY eDepartment of Pathology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL fNational Institutes of Health and National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD. A group of 146 experts representing 29 organizations and professional societies met Sept. 18-19, 2006, in Bethesda, MD, to develop revised evidence-based, consensus guidelines for managing women with abnormal cervical cancer screening tests. The management of low-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) grade 1 has been modified significantly. Previously, management depended on whether colposcopy was satisfactory and treatment using ablative or excisional was acceptable for all women (...) Read more... Cancer Treatment Reviews Volume 33, Issue 6, October 2007, Pages 542-564 Arsenical-based cancer drugsPierre J. Dilda1, a, and Philip J. Hogg , a, Abstract Arsenic is a semi-metal or metalloid with two biologically important oxidation states, As(III) and As(V). As(III), in particular, reacts with closely spaced protein thiols, forming stable cyclic dithioarsinite complexes in which both sulfur atoms are bound to arsenic. It is this reaction that is mostly responsible for arsenics cytotoxicity. Arsenic compounds have been used as medicinal agents for many centuries for the treatment of diseases such as psoriasis, syphilis, and (...) Read more... Cancer Treatment Reviews Volume 33, Issue 5, August 2007, Pages 407-418 Impact of antioxidant supplementation on chemotherapeutic efficacy: A systematic review of the evidence from randomized controlled trialsKeith I. Blocka, b, , Amanda C. Kocha, b, , , Mark N. Meada, , Peter K. Tothya, , Robert A. Newmanc, d, and Charlotte Gyllenhaala, b, Purpose Much debate has arisen about whether antioxidant supplementation alters the efficacy of cancer chemotherapy. Some have argued that antioxidants scavenge the reactive oxygen species integral to the activity of certain chemotherapy drugs, thereby diminishing treatment efficacy. Others suggest antioxidants may mitigate toxicity and thus allow for uninterrupted treatment schedules and a reduced need for lowering chemotherapy doses. The objective of this study is to systematically (...) Read more... Urologia Internationalis 2007;79:145-151 Metastasectomy without Systemic Therapy in Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma: Comparison with Conservative TreatmentCheol Kwaka, Yong Hyun Parka, Chang Wook Jeonga, Sang Eun Leea, Ja Hyeon KubDepartments of Urology, Aim: The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of metastasectomy after nephrectomy in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma who had not received systemic therapy. Patients and Methods: A total of 62 patients were included in the study. The patients were categorized according to their surgical treatment: the metastasectomy group (n = 21) and the nonmetastasectomy group (n = 41). Results: In the metastasectomy group, the median overall survival was 36.5 (range (...) Read more... EUROGIN 2007 7th International Multidisciplinary Congress Clinical Implications of the New Quadrivalent Human Papillomavirus VaccineMonte Carlo, Monaco / October 4-6, 2007 Monte Carlo - The link between infection with human papillomavirus (HPV) and vulvar/vaginal and cervical cancer is well established. Screening programs, which can detect low-grade cervical cancer before it progresses to invasive disease, have reduced the number of deaths due to this cancer. The low-grade disease detected is, however, a source of great distress and the costs of monitoring patients with positive findings are high, therefore, prevention of HPV infection is an attractive (...) Read more... 14th European Cancer Conference (ECCO-14) Targeting Multiple Molecular Pathways: A New Era in OncologyBarcelona, Spain / September 23-27, 2007 Barcelona - Despite major strides in treating most forms of cancer over recent decades, liver cancer remains largely resistant to standard approaches. Current treatments for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are almost wholly palliative. Moreover, incidence of the disease is rising rapidly in economically developed countries: in the US, it doubled between 1975 and 1998; in Canada, Canadian Cancer Society statistics indicate that liver and kidney cancers are two of the three cancers (...) Read more... 47th Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy Results from Follow-up Studies of the Quadrivalent Human Papillomavirus Vaccine: Continued ProtectionChicago, Illinois / September 17-20, 2007 Chicago - Large-scale, placebo-controlled trials in young females showed the quadrivalent vaccine against human papillomavirus (HPV) types 6, 11, 16 and 18 was resoundingly effective in the prevention of vaccine-type HPV-related disease, including genital warts, high-grade dysplasias and adenocarcinomas in situ (AIS). Approximately three years of follow-up later, reports of the vaccine’s effectiveness against HPV-related disease caused by types contained in the vaccine, as well as many that (...) Read more... Radiotherapy and Oncology Volume 84, Issue 2, August 2007, Pages 114-120 High dose rate brachytherapy in combination with external beam radiotherapy in the radical treatment of prostate cancer: initial results of a randomised phase three trialPeter J. Hoskin , a, , Kate Motohashia, Peter Bownesa, Linda Bryanta and Peter Ostlera Background and purpose: A randomised phase III trial has compared external beam radiotherapy alone with a dose escalated schedule using high dose rate brachytherapy. Patients with histologically confirmed prostate cancer, no evidence of metastases, a PSA 50, no previous TURP and fit for general anaesthetic were included. Methods: Patients were randomised to receive either standard radiotherapy 55 Gy in 20 fractions treating Monday to Friday over 4 weeks or a combined schedule comprising (...) Read more... European Journal of Cancer Volume 43, Issue 13, September 2007, Pages 1967-1975 Childhood and adolescent cancer survival: A period analysis of data from the Canadian Cancer RegistryLarry F. Ellisona, , , Lisa Poganyb and Leslie S. Meryc Abstract This study provides up-to-date estimates of childhood and adolescent (ages 0–19) cancer survival in Canada using data from the Canadian Cancer Registry (CCR). Cases were classified according to the third edition of the International Classification of Childhood Cancer classification scheme. Follow-up for vital status was determined through record linkage to the Canadian Mortality Data Base, and from information reported by provincial/territorial cancer registries. Observed survival (...) Read more... 29th Congress of the Société Internationale d’Urologie Improving Biopsy Detection and Reducing Prostate VolumeParis, France / September 2-6, 2007 Paris - The majority of North American men have had a serum prostate-specific antigen test in their lifetime, with half being tested annually, yet more than 17% will be diagnosed with prostate cancer. Moreover, up to 30,000 men will die each year from their disease even though nearly 95% undergo prostate cancer treatment. Accordingly, the concept of prostate cancer prevention has become manifest in several large-scale clinical trials, notably the recent PCPT trial focusing on the 5-alpha (...) Read more... Based on articles from: CMAJ August 2007;177(5):Online 1-4 Maclean’s Magazine August 27, 2007, pp. 38-42 Addressing the Real Burden of Disease: Supporting Current and Future Vaccination Against Human PapillomavirusAugust 2007 INTRODUCTION
Gastroenterology Volume 133, Issue 2, August 2007, Pages 393-402 Risk of Colorectal Cancer in Patients Prescribed Statins, Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs, and Cyclooxygenase-2 Inhibitors: Nested Case-Control StudyYana Vinogradova , , , Julia Hippisley–Cox , Carol Coupland and Richard F. Logan‡ Background & Aims: Several studies suggest that statins prevent some cancers, with one study finding a 47% reduction in colorectal cancer risk after ≥5 years of regular use. Methods: A nested case-control study was conducted within 454 general practices in the United Kingdom using the QRESEARCH database. Cases with colorectal cancer were diagnosed between 1995 and 2005. The effects of statins, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors, and aspirin on colorectal cancer (...) Read more... Liver International Volume 27 Issue 7 Page 879-890, September 2007 Traditional Chinese herbal medicines for treatment of liver fibrosis and cancer: from laboratory discovery to clinical evaluationJohn M. Luk11 Department of Surgery, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong*, Xiaoling Wang44 Department of Cell Biology, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China*, Ping Liu44 Department of Cell Biology, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China, Kwong-Fai Wong11 Department of Surgery, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, Kwong-Leung Chan11 Department of Surgery, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, Yao Tong33 School of Chinese Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, Chi-Kin Hui22 Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, George K. Lau22 Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong and Sheung-Tat Fan11 Department of Surgery, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Liver disease afflicts over 10% of the world population. This includes chronic hepatitis, alcoholic steatosis, fibrosis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which are the most health-threatening conditions drawing considerable attention from medical professionals and scientists. Patients with alcoholism or viral hepatitis are much more likely to have liver cell damage and cirrhosis, and some may eventually develop HCC, which is unfortunately, and very often, a fatal malignancy (...) Read more... Basic & Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology Volume 101 Issue 3 Page 143-150, September 2007 Anti-Emetic Therapy in Cancer Chemotherapy: Current StatusJørn Herrstedt and Per Dombernowsky Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital Herlev, Herlev, Denmark Abstract: Nausea and vomiting are ranked as the most severe side effects to chemotherapy by cancer patients. Twenty years ago, treatment of nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy only had moderate effect and often unpleasant side effects. The drugs used included dopamine2-receptor antagonists and corticosteroids alone or combined. This review summarizes the development of anti-emetic therapy, but will focus on the importance of two new classes of anti-emetics: the serotonin3- and the (...) Read more... The New England Journal of Medicine Volume 357:299-300 Rational Design of Cancer-Drug CombinationsSridhar Ramaswamy, M.D. Advanced tumors cannot be cured with single drugs. They often are resistant to single agents, and even if they are initially sensitive, their molecular heterogeneity usually guarantees the secondary outgrowth of rare cells that are resistant. In contrast, drug combinations can cure specific types of cancers even at advanced stages; this observation has spurred the development of combination chemotherapy for most types of cancer during the past half century. Examples of effective therapeutic (...) Read more... Acta Oncologica, Volume 46, Issue 6 2007 , pages 717 - 722 Qigong for cancer treatment: A systematic review of controlled clinical trialsAuthors: Myeong Soo Lee a; Kevin W. Chen b; Kenneth M. Sancier c; Edzard Ernst a Abstract Qigong is a mind-body integrative exercise or intervention from traditional Chinese medicine used to prevent and cure ailments, to improve health and energy levels through regular practice. The aim of this systematic review is to summarize and critically evaluate the effectiveness of qigong used as a stand-alone or additional therapy in cancer care. We have searched the literature using the following databases from their respective inceptions through November 2006: MEDLINE, AMED, (...) Read more... Arch Dermatol. 2007;143:854-859. Incidence of Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma in the United States, 1973-2002Vincent D. Criscione, AB; Martin A. Weinstock, MD, PhD Objective To describe incidence trends for cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) in the United States. Design Population-based study. Setting Data were obtained from 13 population-based cancer registries of the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program of the National Cancer Institute from 1973 through 2002. Participants A total of 4783 cases of CTCL were identified for the period 1973 through 2002. Main Outcome Measure Diagnosis of CTCL. Results The overall annual (...) Read more... Urology Volume 70, Issue 1, July 2007, Pages 86-90 Clinical Implications of Tumor Size and Local Extent of Primary Prostatic Lesions in Prostate Cancer Patients with Metastases: Value of Endorectal Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Patients with MetastasesJun Nakashimaa, , , Akihiro Tanimotob, Eiji Kikuchia, Akira Miyajimaa, Ken Nakagawaa, Mototsugu Oyaa, Takashi Ohigashia and Masaru Muraia Objectives To investigate the clinical significance of local assessment by endorectal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in prostate cancer patients with metastases. Methods The local extent and tumor size were determined by endorectal MRI in 95 prostate cancer patients with metastases, and their clinical implications were assessed. Results The maximum diameter and tumor volume significantly correlated with the local extent of disease but not with extent of disease (EOD) on bone scan. In (...) Read more... Journal of the American College of Cardiology Volume 50, Issue 5, 31 July 2007, Pages 409-418 Effect of the Magnitude of Lipid Lowering on Risk of Elevated Liver Enzymes, Rhabdomyolysis, and Cancer Insights From Large Randomized Statin TrialsAlawi A. Alsheikh-Ali MDa, Prasad V. Maddukuri MDa, Hui Han MDa and Richard H. Karas MD, PhD1, , a, Molecular Cardiology Research Institute and Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Tufts-New England Medical Center and Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts. Objectives We sought to assess the relationship between the magnitude of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) lowering and rates of elevated liver enzymes, rhabdomyolysis, and cancer. Background Although it is often assumed that statin-associated adverse events are proportional to LDL-C reduction, that assumption has not been validated. Methods Adverse events reported in large prospective randomized statin trials were evaluated. The relationship between LDL-C reduction and rates (...) Read more... Radiotherapy and Oncology Volume 83, Issue 3, June 2007, Pages 238-248 EGFR-targeted anti-cancer drugs in radiotherapy: Preclinical evaluation of mechanismsMichael Baumanna, b, c, , 1, , Mechthild Krausea, b, 1, Ekkehard Dikomeyd, Klaus Dittmanne, Wolfgang Dörra, b, c, Ulla Kasten-Pisulad and H. Peter Rodemanne Preclinical and clinical results indicate that the EGFR can mediate radioresistance in different solid human tumours. Combination of radiotherapy and EGFR inhibitors can improve local tumour control compared to irradiation alone and has been introduced into clinical radiotherapy practice. So far several mechanisms have been identified in preclinical studies to contribute to improved local tumour control after radiation combined with EGFR inhibitors. These include direct kill of cancer stem (...) Read more... Critical Reviews in Oncology/Hematology Volume 63, Issue 2, August 2007, Pages 91-99 Critical appraisal of scientific posters comparing anemia treatments for cancer patients: Applying ispor task force guidelines on methodological quality of retrospective studiesNadia Demarteaua, , , Karen Moeremansa and Lieven Annemansa, b aIMS Health, Brussels, Belgium bGhent University and Brussels University Two independent reviewers used the methodological criteria published by the ISPOR Task Force on Retrospective Data to assess the quality of four posters presenting the results of retrospective database studies on the use of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (epoetin alfa, epoetin beta, or darbepoetin alfa) for treating patients with cancer. A third reviewer consolidated the results. Overall, from the information reported in the four posters, their methodological quality ranged from poor to (...) Read more... BJU International Volume 100 Issue 2 Page 295-302, August 2007 Cryotherapy for the prostate: an in vitro and clinical study of two new developments; advanced cryoneedles and a temperature monitoring systemBharat Gowardhan and Damien Greene Department of Urology, Sunderland Royal Hospital, Sunderland, UK OBJECTIVES To assess the characteristics of two new developments in cryotherapy for the prostate, IceRodsTM (Oncura, Amersham, UK; 17 G cryoneedles with an advanced heat exchanger which produces a precise ice-ball comparable in size to those with larger diameter cryoneedles) and the MultitempTM 1601 temperature monitoring system (TMS, InvivoSense, Trondheim, Norway) probes, in an in vitro model and in a clinical setting, to assess their usefulness, focusing in particular on the TMS (...) Read more... Trends in Pharmacological Sciences Volume 28, Issue 7, July 2007, Pages 326-333 Viruses as anticancer drugsStephen J. Russella, and Kah-Whye Penga aMolecular Medicine Program, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA Oncolytic viruses are being developed as anticancer drugs. They propagate selectively in tumor tissue and destroy it without causing excessive damage to normal non-cancerous tissues. When used as drugs, they must meet stringent criteria for safety and efficacy and be amenable to pharmacological study in human subjects. Specificity for neoplastic tissue is the key to safety, and this goal can be achieved through a variety of ingenious virus-engineering strategies. Antiviral immunity remains (...) Read more... European Journal of Cancer Volume 43, Issue 10, July 2007, Pages 1514-1528 Cytotoxic therapy for the elderly with metastatic breast cancer: A review on safety, pharmacokinetics and efficacyP. Hamberg , a, , J. Verweija and C. Seynaevea aDepartment of Medical Oncology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Daniel den Hoed Cancer Center, P.O. Box 5201, 3008 AE Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands Abstract As the incidence of invasive breast cancer, mainly developing at older age, is rising, the absolute number of elderly developing metastatic disease is also increasing. In view of improved life expectancy, sociocultural changes and better supportive measures for chemotherapy-induced toxicity, there is an increasing request for the administration of chemotherapy in elderly. At the moment, medical oncologists are still reluctant to use chemotherapy in elderly partly because of (...) Read more... Urology Volume 69, Issue 6, June 2007, Pages 1143-1146 Assay Standardization Bias: Different Prostate Cancer Detection Rates and Clinical Outcomes Resulting from Different Assays for Free and Total Prostate-Specific AntigenRene J. Soteloa, , , K. Elias Moraa, L. Hermes Péreza, John Novoaa, Oswaldo Carmonaa, Robert De Andradea, Rafael E. Borgesa, David Paradaa, Stacy Loebb and William J. Catalonac, 1 aInstituto Medico La Floresta, Cauro Foundation, Caracas, Venezuela bDepartment of Urology, Georgetown School of Medicine, Washington, DC cDepartment of Urology, Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois Objectives Numerous commercial assays are available for measuring total and free prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels in serum. These assays can be referenced to different laboratory standards, and interassay variability occurs. Patients and physicians might be affected by the variability between PSA assays that results from the use of different PSA standards. Methods We prospectively compared the free and total PSA measurements obtained using two commercially available PSA assays in (...) Read more... 62nd Annual Meeting of the Canadian Urological Association Optimizing Prostate Health: Implications of PCPT and MTOPS TrialsQuebec City, Quebec / June 24-27, 2007 Quebec City - In order to better manage patients with elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, determine which patient with an elevated PSA to biopsy and decide when to prescribe a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor (5ARI) for men at high risk for prostate cancer, clinicians can gain important information from two pivotal trials. The MTOPS (Medical Therapy of Prostatic Symptoms) study determined that especially for patients with a large prostate who were at highest risk of progression of (...) Read more... SPECIAL REPORT Chemotherapy-induced Nausea and Vomiting: Addressing Quality of LifeJune 21, 2007 With the introduction of the serotonin antagonists (5-HT3 RA) over the past decades, significant progress has been made in the control of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV). Yet as several studies have shown, acute and especially delayed nausea and vomiting are disturbingly prevalent after both moderately and highly emetogenic regimens, despite the use of effective antiemetics. The incidence of delayed nausea and vomiting is markedly underestimated by physicians and nurses (...) Read more... Based on the Protocole d’immunisation du Québec Update published on-line June 2007 Human Papillomavirus Vaccine: Implications and RecommendationsThe Protocole d’immunisation du Québec (PIQ) was updated in June of this year to reflect recently issued recommendations of the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) and the Comité sur l’immunisation du Québec on the use of a new prophylactic vaccine against human papillomavirus (HPV). According to provincial and national advisory committees comprising experts in numerous fields including pediatrics, immunology, infectious disease and public health, the HPV vaccine constitutes an (...) Read more... Pain Practice Volume 7 Issue 2 Page 163Issue 2 - 177 - June 2007 Management Strategies for Pain in Breast Carcinoma Patients: Current Opinions and Future PerspectivesAshok KR. Saxena, MD, DA, FAMS ; Sanjeev Kumar, MD Pain Clinic, Department of Anesthesiology, University College of Medical Sciences & G.T.B. Hospital, Delhi, India Breast cancer is the most frequently encountered carcinoma in women worldwide. Pain is the most distressing symptom in patients with breast carcinoma and can occur at all stages of the disease due to the cancer per se as well as due to various diagnostic and treatment modalities. A proper pain assessment helps in identification of pain syndromes and guides in formulating analgesic strategies. Primary therapies of breast carcinoma like surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy for bony (...) Read more... Future Oncology June 2007, Vol. 3, No. 3, Pages 299-306 Cancer vaccines: a promising cancer therapy against all oddsAnn Willman Silk & Olivera J Finn Medical Student University of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Office of Medical Education, M-211 Scaife Hall, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA. silk.ann@medstudent.pitt.edu Professor and Chair University of Pittsburgh, Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, E1040 Biomedical Science Tower, Pittsburgh, PA 15262, USA. ojfinn@pitt.edu Vaccination as an approach to control cancer growth and recurrence, also known as active-specific immunotherapy (ASI), has been successful at inducing immune responses, even in patients with advanced or metastatic disease. Clinical responses, as detemined by the criteria set for chemotherapy and radiation, have been much more difficult to assess. In general, the effectiveness of ASI in advanced disease is expected to be limited. The lack of toxicity in thousands of vaccinated patients with (...) Read more... Leukemia Research Volume 31, Issue 6, June 2007, Pages 727-736 Consensus report Definitions and standards in the diagnosis and treatment of the myelodysplastic syndromes: Consensus statements and report from a working conferencePeter Valenta, , , Hans-Peter Hornyb, John M. Bennettc, Christa Fonatschd, Ulrich Germinge, Peter Greenbergf, Torsten Haferlachg, Detlef Haaseh, Hans-Jochen Kolbi, Otto Kriegerj, Michael Lokenk, Arjan van de Loosdrechtl, Kiyoyuki Ogatam, Alberto Orfaon, Michael Pfeilstöckero, Björn Rüterp, Wolfgang R. Sperra, Reinhard Stauderq and Denise A. Wellsk Abstract The classification, scoring systems, and response criteria for myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) have recently been updated and have become widely accepted. In addition, several new effective targeted drugs for patients with MDS have been developed. The current article provides a summary of updated and newly proposed markers, criteria, and standards in MDS, with special reference to the diagnostic interface and refinements in evaluations and scoring. Concerning the diagnostic (...) Read more... American Journal of Clinical Oncology. 30(3):239-244, June 2007. A Randomized Study of Involved-Field Irradiation Versus Elective Nodal Irradiation in Combination With Concurrent Chemotherapy for Inoperable Stage III Nonsmall Cell Lung Cancer.Yuan, Shuanghu PhD *+; Sun, Xindong MD *; Li, Minghuan PhD *+; Yu, Jinming MD *; Ren, Ruimei PhD *; Yu, Yonghu MD *; Li, Jianbin MD *; Liu, Xiuqing MD *; Wang, Renben MD *; Li, Baosheng MD *; Kong, Li MD *; Yin, Yong MS * Background: Radiation dose escalation is limited by the high incidence of pulmonary and esophageal toxicity, leading to calls for the omission of elective nodal irradiation (ENI) and the willingness to use involved-field irradiation (IFI) in patients with nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods and Materials: A total of 200 eligible patients with inoperable stage III NSCLC were treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy and randomized into either an IFI or ENI arm. A total of 4 to 6 (...) Read more... Cancer Volume 109, Issue 12 , Pages 2405 – 2409 Reported drop in mammography Is this cause for concern?Nancy Breen, PhD 1 * §, Kathleen A. Cronin, PhD 2 , Helen I. Meissner, PhD 2 , Stephen H. Taplin, MD 2 , Florence K. Tangka, PhD 3 , Jasmin A. Tiro, PhD 2 , Timothy S. McNeel, BA 4 1Health Services and Economics Branch, Applied Research Program, Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland 2Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, National Cancer Institute; Bethesda, Maryland 3Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Bethesda, Maryland BACKGROUND Timely screening with mammography can prevent a substantial number of deaths from breast cancer. The objective of this brief was to ascertain whether recent use of mammography has dropped nationally. METHODS The authors assessed the trend in mammography rates from 1987 through 2005. Then, they used the 2000 and 2005 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) estimates to characterize trends and current patterns in mammography use. RESULTS
BJU International Volume 100 Issue 1 Page 199Issue 1 - 203 - July 2007 Phytoestrogens from Belamcanda chinensis regulate the expression of steroid receptors and related cofactors in LNCaP prostate cancer cellsPaul Thelen , Thomas Peter , Anika Hünermund , Silke Kaulfuß**Institute of Human Genetics and , Dana Seidlová-Wuttke††Department Clinical and Experimental Endocrinology, Georg-August-University, Göttingen, Germany , Wolfgang Wuttke††Department Clinical and Experimental Endocrinology, Georg-August-University, Göttingen, Germany , Rolf-Hermann Ringert and Florian Seseke Department of Urology, *Institute of Human Genetics and †Department Clinical and Experimental Endocrinology, Georg-August-University, Göttingen, Germany OBJECTIVE To investigate the changes in expression underlying the marked reduction of tumour growth in vivo, by analysing the effect of Belamcanda chinensis extract (BCE) on LNCaP cells in vitro, as phytoestrogens are chemopreventive in prostate cancer, and in previous studies we examined the effects of the isoflavone tectorigenin isolated from B. chinensis on LNCaP prostate cancer cells, and a BCE consisting of 13 phytoestrogenic compounds on tumour-bearing nude mice. MATERIALS AND (...) Read more... BJU International Volume 100 Issue 1 Page 37Issue 1 - 41 - July 2007 Distribution of prostate specific antigen (PSA) and percentage free PSA in a contemporary screening cohort with no evidence of prostate cancerFelix K.-H. Chun , Georg C. Hutterer*†*Cancer Prognostics and Health Outcomes Unit, University of Montreal Health Center, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Departments of Urology, †Graz Medical University, Austria, , Paul Perrotte‡‡University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, and , Andrea Gallina**Cancer Prognostics and Health Outcomes Unit, University of Montreal Health Center, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Departments of Urology, Vita-Salute University San Raffaele, Milan, Italy, and , Luc Valiquette‡‡University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, and , Francois Benard‡‡University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, and , Michael McCormack‡‡University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, and , Alberto BrigantiVita-Salute University San Raffaele, Milan, Italy, and , Constantin Ionescu**Cancer Prognostics and Health Outcomes Unit, University of Montreal Health Center, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Departments of Urology, , Claudio Jeldres**Cancer Prognostics and Health Outcomes Unit, University of Montreal Health Center, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Departments of Urology, , Jean-Pierre Guay§§Department of Radiation-Oncology, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada , Fred Saad‡‡University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, and and Pierre I. Karakiewicz*‡*Cancer Prognostics and Health Outcomes Unit, University of Montreal Health Center, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Departments of Urology, ‡University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, and Pierre I. Karakiewicz, Cancer Prognostics and Health Outcomes Unit, University of Montreal Health Center (CHUM), 1058, rue St-Denis, Montréal, Québec, Canada, H2 X3J4. OBJECTIVE To explore the distribution of total prostate specific antigen (PSA) and percentage free/total PSA (%f/tPSA) in healthy volunteers with no clinical evidence of prostate cancer, who participated in prostate cancer screening. SUBJECTS AND METHODS PSA and %f/tPSA values from 2323 men, who participated in one of three annual prostate cancer screening events between 2004 and 2006, were tabulated according to age strata of 40–49, 50–59, 60–69 and 70–79 years. Local regression smoothing (...) Read more... American Journal of Preventive Medicine Volume 32, Issue 6, June 2007, Pages 517-524 Melanoma Early Detection With Thorough Skin Self-Examination The “Check It Out” Randomized TrialMartin A. Weinstock MD, PhDa, b, c, , , Patricia M. Risica DrPHc, d, Rosemarie A. Martin PhDc, e, William Rakowski PhDc, Catherine Dubé EdDc, d, Marianne Berwick PhDh, Michael G. Goldstein MDf, Suddhasatta Acharyya PhDc, d, g and Thomas Lasater PhDc, d aDermatoepidemiology Unit, VA Medical Center Providence, Brown University Providence, Rhode IslandbDepartment of Dermatology, Brown University Providence, Rhode IslandcDepartment of Community Health, Brown University Providence, Rhode IslanddInstitute for Community Health Promotion Brown University, Brown University Providence, Rhode IslandeCenter for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Brown University Providence, Rhode IslandfInstitute for Health Care Communication, Brown University Providence, Rhode IslandgCenter for Statistical Sciences, Brown University Providence, Rhode IslandhDepartment of Epidemiology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico Background Monthly thorough skin self-examination (TSSE) is an important practice for early melanoma detection that is performed by a small minority of the population. Design A randomized trial was conducted to determine whether a multicomponent intervention can increase TSSE performance and to describe the effects on performance of skin surgeries compared with a similar control intervention focused on diet. Setting/Participants One thousand three hundred fifty-six patients attending a (...) Read more... JAMA. 2007;297:2351-2359. Folic Acid for the Prevention of Colorectal AdenomasBernard F. Cole, PhD; John A. Baron, MD; Robert S. Sandler, MD; Robert W. Haile, DrPh; Dennis J. Ahnen, MD; Robert S. Bresalier, MD; Gail McKeown-Eyssen, PhD; Robert W. Summers, MD; Richard I. Rothstein, MD; Carol A. Burke, MD; Dale C. Snover, MD; Timothy R. Church, PhD; John I. Allen, MD; Douglas J. Robertson, MD; Gerald J. Beck, PhD; John H. Bond, MD; Tim Byers, MD, MPH; Jack S. Mandel, PhD, MPH; Leila A. Mott, MS; Loretta H. Pearson, MPhil; Elizabeth L. Barry, PhD; Judy R. Rees, BM, BCh, MPH, PhD; Norman Marcon, MD; Fred Saibil, MD; Per Magne Ueland, MD; E. Robert Greenberg, MD; for the Polyp Prevention Study Group Context Laboratory and epidemiological data suggest that folic acid may have an antineoplastic effect in the large intestine. Objective To assess the safety and efficacy of folic acid supplementation for preventing colorectal adenomas. Design, Setting, and Participants A double-blind, placebo-controlled, 2-factor, phase 3, randomized clinical trial conducted at 9 clinical centers between July 6, 1994, and October 1, 2004. Participants included 1021 men and women with a recent history (...) Read more... 43rd Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology Focus on Renal Cell and Hepatocellular CarcinomaChicago, Illinois / June 1-5, 2007 Editorial Overview:
43rd Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology Improved Safety of Anthracycline Regimens for More Effective Metastatic Breast Cancer ManagementChicago, Illinois / June 1-5, 2007 Chicago - Several important new strategies have been developed to circumvent the dose-limiting toxicities of anthracyclines in metastatic breast cancer. Although the anti-tumour activity of doxorubicin, a common chemotherapy in metastatic breast cancer, is well-established, the unacceptable rate of irreversible, cumulative, dose-limiting cardiotoxicity has been a persistent hurdle. New strategies include better tolerated anthracyclines and substitution of alternative agents in heavily (...) Read more... 43rd Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology Improving Treatment Response and Tolerability in Metastatic Breast CancerChicago, Illinois / June 1-5, 2007 Chicago - While taxanes have made a major contribution to the treatment of breast cancer, they are associated with a number of toxicities, some of which are attributed to the solvent-based platform required to make the agents bioavailable. A nanoparticle albumin-bound form of paclitaxel (nab-paclitaxel) has recently become available which minimizes toxicities associated with taxane therapy, facilitates uptake of the agent into cancer cells and improves efficacy. In a study carried out in (...) Read more... 43rd Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology Molecular Defects: New Targets for Novel Anti-tumour AgentsChicago, Illinois / June 1-5, 2007 Chicago - As new targets in the tumourogenesis pathway are identified, new agents that manipulate these pathways are being developed to help stop cancer from advancing. The novel histone deacetylase inhibitors are one such class, and their development is being hailed as an important new step in the treatment of both solid and hematologic malignancies. The tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are another important new class of anti-tumour agents. Second-generation TKIs are usually able to (...) Read more... 43rd Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology Prophylaxis Against Venous Thromboembolism: Repercussions on Cancer CareChicago, Illinois / June 1-5, 2007 Chicago - The incremental improvements in outcome for several cancers, made possible by advancing chemotherapy and radiation protocols, are persistently threatened by inadequate prophylaxis against venous thromboembolism (VTE). Published data indicate that about half of cancer patients managed surgically and more than 90% of patients managed medically do not receive adequate prophylaxis. Often, prophylaxis is offered but at an inadequate intensity for an inadequate period of time. In (...) Read more... Critical Reviews in Oncology/Hematology Volume 63, Issue 1, July 2007, Pages 53-64 Role of colony stimulating factors (CSFs) in solid tumours: Results of an expert panelCesare Gridellia, , , Matti S. Aaprob, Sandro Barnic, Giordano Domenico Berettad, Giuseppe Coluccie, Bruno Danielef, Lucia Del Mastrog, Massimo Di Maioh, Luigi De Petrisi, Francesco Perroneh, Nick Thatcherj and Filippo De Marinisi Abstract Febrile neutropenia is a relatively frequent event in cancer patients treated with chemotherapy. A relevant body of scientific evidence has been produced in the last 2 decades, through clinical trials addressing the efficacy of colony stimulating factors (CSFs) in the prevention and treatment of febrile neutropenia. The correct use of CSFs needs to be optimized, and several guidelines have been produced and periodically updated, in order to uniform and guide clinical practice. The (...) Read more... The Lancet:Oncology Volume 8, Issue 6, June 2007, Pages 488-499 Microvessel density as a prognostic factor in non-small-cell lung carcinoma: a meta-analysis of individual patient dataMarialena Trivella DPhila, Francesco Pezzella MDb, Ugo Pastorino MDc, Prof Adrian L Harris FRCPd, Prof Douglas G Altman DScb, , and for the Prognosis In Lung Cancer (PILC) Collaborative Study Group aCancer Research UK/NHS Centre for Statistics in Medicine, Oxford, UK bCancer Research UK Pathology Unit, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK cDepartment of Research on Solid Tumours, National Tumour Institute, Milan, Italy dCancer Research UK Oncology Unit, Churchill Hospital, Oxford, UK Background Angiogenesis is a potential prognostic factor that has been investigated in patients with non-small-cell lung carcinoma. However, published studies of the role of angiogenesis as a prognostic factor are inconclusive. We aimed to collect individual patient data to assess microvessel-density counts (ie, a measure of angiogenesis) as a prognostic factor in non-small-cell lung carcinoma. Methods We obtained published and unpublished datasets and extracted appropriate data, taking (...) Read more... The Lancet:Oncology Volume 8, Issue 6, June 2007, Pages 475-487 Escalated-dose versus standard-dose conformal radiotherapy in prostate cancer: first results from the MRC RT01 randomised controlled trialDr David P Dearnaley FRCRa, , Matthew R Sydes CStatb, John D Graham FRCRg, k, Edwin G Aird PhDh, David Bottomley FRCRj, Richard A Cowan FRCRf, Robert A Huddart FRCRa, Chakiath C Jose FRACRd, John HL Matthews FRACRd, Jeremy Millar FRACRi, A Rollo Moore MSca, Rachel C Morgan MScb, J Martin Russell FRCRg, Christopher D Scrase FRCRe, Richard J Stephensb, Isabel Syndikus FRCRc, Mahesh KB Parmar DPhilb and on behalf of the RT01 collaborators In men with localised prostate cancer, conformal radiotherapy (CFRT) could deliver higher doses of radiation than does standard-dose conventional radical external-beam radiotherapy, and could improve long-term efficacy, potentially at the cost of increased toxicity. We aimed to present the first analyses of effectiveness from the MRC RT01 randomised controlled trial. Methods The MRC RT01 trial included 843 men with localised prostate cancer who were randomly assigned to standard-dose CFRT (...) Read more... Current Opinion in Pulmonary Medicine. 13(4):256-260, July 2007. Positron emission tomography in nonsmall cell lung cancer.Dooms, Christophe; Vansteenkiste, Johan Purpose of review: [18F]2-Fluoro-2-deoxy-glucose positron emission tomography is an important functional imaging technique for the diagnosis, staging and follow-up of patients with nonsmall cell lung cancer. We review recent developments with the emphasis on impact of positron emission tomography in early diagnosis, staging, restaging and prognosis of nonsmall cell lung cancer. Recent findings: Data on the use and interpretation of positron emission tomography became available for small (...) Read more... Current Opinion in Pulmonary Medicine. 13(4):243-248, July 2007. Lung cancer screening: has there been any progress? Computed tomography and autofluorescence bronchoscopy.Lee, Pyng; Sutedja, Tom G Purpose of review: Advances in imaging technologies are currently being explored in the attempt to reduce lung cancer morbidity and mortality by achieving stage shift. We reviewed recent important publications on lung cancer screening. Recent findings: Autofluorescence bronchoscopy has established its important role in the intervention of early central airway lesions. Multidetector computed tomography (CT) and CT-positron emission tomography may facilitate diagnosis of early parenchymal (...) Read more... Respirology 2007; 12: 320–325 Non-small cell lung cancer: Adjuvant and neo-adjuvant chemotherapyJULIE R. BRAHMER AND DAVID S. ETTINGER Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, Maryland, USA Abstract: Of all cancers, non-small cell lung cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed and is the deadliest. With a dismissal survival rate even in the early stages of disease, investigations of adjuvant and neo-adjuvant therapy have not had much impact until the 21st century. Starting in 2004, several randomized trials have shown significant improvements in survival treating patients with stage II and III disease. Adjuvant chemotherapy remains controversial in patients with stage I (...) Read more... Association of Residents in Radiation OncologyCANADIAN PROSTATE HEALTH COUNCIL (CPHC)UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA PROSTATE CLINICInternational Immunopharmacology Volume 7, Issue 6, June 2007, Pages 701-724 Immunomodulating and anticancer agents in the realm of macromycetes fungi (macrofungi)Mohammad-Fata Moradalia, Hossein Mostafavib, , Shirin Ghodsa and Ghorban-Ali Hedjaroudea aPlant Protection Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Tehran University, Karaj, Iran bOrganic Chemistry and Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Chemistry, Tabriz University, Tabriz, Iran Nowadays macrofungi are distinguished as important natural resources of immunomodulating and anticancer agents and with regard to the increase in diseases involving immune dysfunction, cancer, autoimmune conditions in recent years, applying such immunomodulator agents especially with the natural original is vital. These compounds belong mainly to polysaccharides especially β-d-glucan derivates, glycopeptide/protein complexes (polysaccharide-peptide/protein complexes), proteoglycans, proteins (...) Read more... Drugs of the Future Drugs Fut 2007, 32(4): 367 Viral oncology and development of preventive vaccinesRomano, G. Viruses can be considered as parasitic genetic elements that need to infect cells to replicate. Cell proliferation is a major requirement to support viral replication. To this end, viruses have acquired the ability to induce the proliferation of infected cells via various mechanisms. In addition, many viruses can establish a transformed cell phenotype in in vitro systems and form tumors in animal models. More importantly, certain viruses are associated with some human malignancies. These (...) Read more... BMJ 2007;334:1040 (19 May), Alarm symptoms in early diagnosis of cancer in primary care: cohort study using General Practice Research DatabaseRoger Jones, Wolfson professor of general practice1, Radoslav Latinovic, database manager2, Judith Charlton, research assistant2, Martin C Gulliford, senior lecturer in public health2 Objective To evaluate the association between alarm symptoms and the subsequent diagnosis of cancer in a large population based study in primary care.
European Journal of Cancer Supplements Volume 5, Issue 1, January 2007, Pages 23-28 Improving outcome in the first-line management of advanced ovarian cancerIgnace Vergote Toon Van Gorpa, Isabelle Cadrona, Karin Leunena, Patrick Nevena and Frederic Amanta Division of Gynecological Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium Carboplatin plus paclitaxel is the standard first-line chemotherapy for ovarian carcinoma. Primary debulking surgery is likely to remain the standard of care for advanced disease until results from the EORTC trial on neoadjuvant chemotherapy are available. A number of methods of improving chemotherapy treatment have been investigated. However, few trials have been conducted and insufficient data collated to date to support intraperitoneal (IP) delivery as standard first-line chemotherapy, (...) Read more... European Journal of Cancer Supplements Volume 5, Issue 1, January 2007, Pages 3-10 Developments in the systemic therapy of early-stage breast cancerJoyce O’Shaughnessy aBaylor-Sammons Cancer Center, Texas Oncology, PA, US Oncology, Dallas, Texas, USA Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease classified by variations in gene expression, and as such, concepts regarding treatment recommendations according to molecular classification are being explored. Retrospective data from hypothesis-generating subset analyses of adjuvant clinical trials have shown that patients with lower oestrogen receptor (ER) expression are more likely to benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy compared with patients who have intermediate or high ER expression. In (...) Read more... Cancer Volume 109, Issue 11 , Pages 2239 - 2247 Quality of life after surgery, external beam irradiation, or brachytherapy for early-stage prostate cancerMark S. Litwin, MD, MPH 1 2 3 * , John L. Gore, MD 1, Lorna Kwan, MPH 3, Judson M. Brandeis, MD 1, Steve P. Lee, MD, PhD 4, H. Rodney Withers, MD, DSc 4, Robert E. Reiter, MD 1 BACKGROUND. The primary treatments for clinically localized prostate cancer confer equivalent cancer control for most patients but disparate side effects. In the current study, the authors sought to compare health-related quality of life (HRQOL) outcomes after the most commonly used treatments. METHODS. A total of 580 men completed the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36, the University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA) Prostate Cancer Index, and the American Urological (...) Read more... International Journal of Urology 14 (5), 393–397. Diabetes mellitus and kidney cancer risk: The results of Japan Collaborative Cohort Study for Evaluation of Cancer Risk (JACC Study)Masakazu Washio, Mitsuru Mori, Mmh Khan, Fumio Sakauchi, Yoshiyuki Watanabe, Kotaro Ozasa, Kyohei Hayashi, Tsuneharu Miki, Masahiro Nakao, Kazuya Mikami, Yoshinori Ito, Tatsuhiko Kubo, Kenji Wakai, Akiko Tamakoshi, The JACC Study Group (2007) For The JACC Study Group Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is reported as being a risk factor associated with kidney cancer in Western countries. The incidence of both kidney cancer and DM is lower in Japan than the other developed countries, albeit on the rise. Methods: We evaluated the risk factors for kidney cancer mortality using the database of the Japan Collaborative Cohort Study for Evaluation of Cancer Risk (JACC) study. The analytic cohort included 46 462 males and 64 326 females aged 40–79 years old. (...) Read more... The Lancet Volume 369, Issue 9574, 19 May 2007-25 May 2007, Pages 1742-1757 Metastasis: recent discoveries and novel treatment strategiesDr Suzanne A Eccles PhDa, and Prof Danny R Welch PhDb Summary Most cancer deaths are due to the development of metastases, hence the most important improvements in morbidity and mortality will result from prevention (or elimination) of such disseminated disease. Some would argue that treatments directed against metastasis are too late because cells have already escaped from the primary tumour. Such an assertion runs contrary to the significant but (for many common adult cancers) fairly modest improvements in survival following the use of (...) Read more... The Lancet Volume 369, Issue 9574, 19 May 2007-25 May 2007, Pages 1711-1723 Use of luteinising-hormone-releasing hormone agonists as adjuvant treatment in premenopausal patients with hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer: a meta-analysis of individual patient data from randomised adjuvant trialsLHRH-agonists in Early Breast Cancer Overview group‡, Summary Background Several trials have been done to assess treatment of premenopausal breast cancer with luteinising-hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) agonists, but results have been inconclusive, especially for patients with hormone-receptor-positive cancer. Methods We collected individual patients’ data from published trials and did analyses focused on women with tumours positive for oestrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, or both. The main endpoints were recurrence and (...) Read more... The Lancet Volume 369, Issue 9574, 19 May 2007-25 May 2007, Pages 1703-1710 Ovarian cancer and hormone replacement therapy in the Million Women StudyValerie Beral and Million Women Study Collaborators‡ Background Ovarian cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women in the UK, with about 6700 developing the malignancy and 4600 dying from it every year. However, there is limited information about the risk of ovarian cancer associated with the use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Methods 948 576 postmenopausal women from the UK Million Women Study who did not have previous cancer or bilateral oophorectomy were followed-up for an average of 5·3 years for incident (...) Read more... 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Urological Association Strategies to Optimize Prostate HealthAnaheim, California / May 19-24, 2007 Anaheim - Recent studies have provided valuable insight into the management of prostate disease, including benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and the prevention of prostate cancer. BPH is commonly treated with alpha-adrenergic-receptor antagonists (alpha-blockers) or with of 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors (5-ARIs), namely, dutasteride and finasteride. There are two crucial elements in this disease to contend with: the prevention of BPH progression and of prostate cancer. Current trials are (...) Read more... 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Urological Association Reducing Prostate Cancer Risk and Improving Prostate Health: More Lessons from the PCPTAnaheim, California / May 19-24, 2007 Anaheim – In 1985, before the era of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing, men had a 9% lifetime risk of a prostate cancer diagnosis. The advent and widespread use of screening tests for PSA revealed the true magnitude and impact of prostate cancer: by 2006, the risk had doubled to 18%. Earlier diagnosis and aggressive treatment have reduced prostate cancer mortality, however, no one would dispute that preventing prostate cancer and obviating the need for treatment is a more attractive (...) Read more... European Journal of Haematology Volume 78 Issue 6 Page 477 - June 2007 Long-term outcome of intensive chemotherapy for adults with de novo acute myeloid leukaemia (AML): the nationwide AML-92 study by the Finnish Leukaemia Groupfor the Finnish Leukaemia Group 1Department of Medicine, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu; 2Department of Medicine, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki; 3Department of Medicine, Turku University Central Hospital, Turku; 4Department of Medicine, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio; 5Department of Medicine, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere; 6Department of Clinical Chemistry, Turku University Central Hospital, Turku; 7Department of Clinical Chemistry, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland Abstract Objective: To investigate the long-term outcome of idarubicin- and cytarabine-based intensive chemotherapy in adult acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). Patients and methods: A total of 327 consecutive patients with de novo AML (promyelocytic leukaemia excluded) aged 16–65 yr were recruited into the study between September 1992 and December 2001. The latest follow-up data were collected in October 2006. After remission achievement with the first (conventional cytarabine) or second (...) Read more... Infectious Diseases in Clinical Practice. 15(3):145-148, May 2007. Association Between Schistosomiasis and Cancer: A Review.Review Articles
Society of Gynecologic Oncologists (SGO)European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC)Cancer Research Foundation of AmericaAngel Flight provides air transportationBlood & Marrow TransplantThe Leukemia Society of AmericaY-ME National Breast Cancer OrganizationNational Alliance of Breast Cancer Organizations.CancerNet (NCI)American Medical AssociationAmerican Cancer SocietyAmerican Association for Cancer ResearchNational Alliance of Breast Cancer OrganizationsPDQ — NCI Comprehensive Cancer DatabaseProstate Cancer FoundationSociety for Radiation Oncology AdministratorsESTRO, The European Society for Therapeutic Radiology and OncologyAmerican Society for Therapeutic Radiology And OncologyAmerican Association of Physicists in MedicineCancer Services, IncGeneral Cancer InformationAmerican Cancer SocietyNational Cancer CenterThe Leukemia and Lymphoma SocietyOncoLink-The University of PennsylvaniaJohn Hopkins Oncology CenterCancerLinks USAASCO OnlineAmerican Institute for Cancer ResearchCancer Treatment Prediction ToolsOncology OnlineCancer.gov Clinical Trial SearchNational Cancer Institute (NCI)European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology Volume 131, Issue 2 , April 2007, Pages 203-208 Compliance to clinical guidelines for early-stage epithelial ovarian cancer in relation to patient outcomeEdith A. Sijmonsa, Marieke A.L. van Lankveldb, Petronella O. Witteveenc, Petra H.M. Peetersb, Veronica C.M. Kootb, d and Jules Schagen van Leeuwene, aUniversity Medical Center Utrecht, Department of Gynaecology, Box 85500, 3508 GA Utrecht, The Netherlands bJulius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Box 85500, 3508 GA Utrecht, The Netherlands cUniversity Medical Center Utrecht, Department of Intern al Medicine, Box 85500, 3508 GA Utrecht, The Netherlands dComprehensive Cancer Center Middle Netherlands, Box 19079, 3501 DB Utrecht, The Netherlands Abstract Objectives To assess compliance to current surgical staging and adjuvant treatment guidelines for patients with early-stage epithelial ovarian carcinoma and its impact on overall survival. Methods Patients diagnosed between 1991 and 1997 with early-stage ovarian cancer were recruited from the Regional Cancer Registry of the central region in the Netherlands. Demographic data, tumour characteristics, surgical findings and therapeutic data were abstracted from medical (...) Read more... Steroids Volume 72, Issue 4 , April 2007, Pages 375-380 Tissue and serum levels of principal androgens in benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancerJiri Heraceka, , Hampl Richardb, Hill Martinb, Starka Luboslavb, Sachova Janaa, Kuncova Jitkac, Eis Vaclavd, Urban Michaela and Mandys Vaclavd aDepartment of Urology, 3rd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague, Ruska 87, 100 00 Prague 10, Czech Republic bInstitute of Endocrinology, Prague, Czech Republic cDepartment of Surgery, Division of Urology, St. Chiara Hospital, University of Pisa Italy dDepartment of Pathology, 3rd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic Abstract Androgens are considered to play a substantial role in pathogenesis of both benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer. The importance of determination of androgen levels in tissue and serum for cancer progression and prognosis has been poorly understood. The aim of study was to find out hormonal differences in both diseases, their correlations between intraprostatic and serum levels and predictotory value of their investigation. Testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, (...) Read more... American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology Volume 196, Issue 4 , April 2007, Pages 342.e1-342.e9 Reduced incidence of distant metastases and lower mortality in 1072 patients with breast cancer with a history of hormone replacement therapyFlorian Schuetz MD1,, Ingo J. Diel MD1, 3, Marit Pueschel MD1, Thomas von Holst MD1, Erich F. Solomayer MD5, Stefan Lange MD4, Peter Sinn MD2, Gunther Bastert MD1 and Christof Sohn MD1 1Breast Unit, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany. Objective Substitution of estrogens (hormone replacement therapy [HRT]) is the most common therapy and prophylaxis of postmenopausal complaints. However, in most studies, long-term HRT has been associated with an increased risk for breast cancer, but the influence on a prognosis of breast cancer has been examined rarely. Study Design For further investigation, we analyzed 1072 patients aged 45-70 years at the time of first diagnosis of breast cancer with and without preoperative HRT (...) Read more... Health Canada - Canadian Health NetworkCanadian Medical AssociationCancer Detection and Prevention Volume 31, Issue 2, 2007, Pages 149-153 Pretreatment total testosterone levels in patients with prostate cancer in the past two decades in JapanYoshitaka Sekine MDa, Kazuto Ito MDa, Takumi Yamamoto MDa, Haruki Nakazato MDa, Yasuhiro Shibata MDa, Motoaki Hatori MDa and Kazuhiro Suzuki MD aDepartment of Urology, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, 3-39-22 Showa-machi, Maebashi, Gunma-pref 371-8511, Japan Background: Many studies have shown the relationship between pretreatment serum testosterone levels and the clinical stage or histological grade, but the clinical significance of pretreatment testosterone levels is controversial. We studied the association of pretreatment total testosterone levels with the clinical stage and histological grade of prostate cancer. Methods: We evaluated 2914 patients whose pretreatment testosterone levels were recorded from 1982 to 2002. Serum testosterone (...) Read more... Cancer Letters Volume 251, Issue 2, 28 June 2007, Pages 330-338 Relationship of cellular immunity, cytokines and CRP with clinical course in breast cancer patients with endocrine-dependent distant metastases treated with immunotherapyAndrea Nicolinia, , Angelo Carpib and Giuseppe Rossic aDepartment of Internal Medicine, University of Pisa, via Roma 67, 56126 Pisa, Italy bDepartment of Reproduction and Ageing, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy cUnit of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Institute of Clinical Physiology, CNR., Pisa, Italy We have reported important benefits and survival with an immunotherapy schedule in patients with endocrine-dependent breast cancer and distant metastases. Here clinical outcome is updated and its correlation with new immunological data is shown. In 32 evaluated breast cancer patients with endocrine-dependent distant metastases treated with a new immunotherapy schedule (cyclic administration of β-interferon and interleukin-2), cellular immunity, cytokines and CRP were related to the clinical (...) Read more... Cancer Letters Volume 251, Issue 2, 28 June 2007, Pages 296-301 Significant decrease in angiopoietin-1 and angiopoietin-2 after radical prostatectomy in prostate cancer patientsGraham J. Cainea, Peter Ryanb, Gregory Y.H. Lipa and Andrew D. Blann aHaemostasis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology Unit, University Department of Medicine, City Hospital, Birmingham B18 7QH, UK bDepartment of Surgery, City Hospital, Birmingham B18 7QH, UK Background Abnormalities in coagulation/platelet activation and angiogenesis are present in all common human cancers. We hypothesized that surgical treatment of prostate cancer would modulate these abnormalities. Methods Forty-two men with biopsy-proven prostate cancer were recruited of whom 24 had radical prostatectomy (RP), 12 other treatments and 6 had no treatment. RP patients were followed up from baseline, and samples were collected at 3- and 12-month intervals to assess the (...) Read more... Urologic Oncology: Seminars and Original Investigations Volume 25, Issue 3, May-June 2007, Pages 196-200 Does a delay in initiating definitive therapy affect biochemical recurrence rates in men with clinically localized prostate cancer?Joseph J. Phillips M.D.a, M. Craig Hall M.D.b, W. Robert Lee M.D., M.S., M.A.Ed.c and Peter E. Clark M.D. aDepartment of Urology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA bPiedmont Urological Associates, High Point, NC 27262, USA cDepartment of Radiation Oncology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA dDepartment of Urology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232-2765, USA Purpose To assess whether a delay in initiating definitive therapy for clinically localized prostate cancer affects outcome. Methods We retrospectively reviewed 393 men with localized prostate cancer treated with radiation therapy or surgery without systemic therapy between 1991 and 2004. Data included: time from diagnosis to treatment initiation (more or less than 3 months); biopsy Gleason score grouped by low (2–6), intermediate (7), or high risk (8–10); clinical stage grouped by (...) Read more... Critical Reviews in Oncology/Hematology Volume 62, Issue 3, June 2007, Pages 179-213 Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling in tumor progressionRobert Roskoski, Jr. aBlue Ridge Institute for Medical Research, 3754 Brevard Road, Suite 116A, Box 19, Horse Shoe, NC 28742, USA Vascular endothelial cells are ordinarily quiescent in adult humans and divide less than once per decade. When tumors reach a size of about 0.2–2.0 mm in diameter, they become hypoxic and limited in size in the absence of angiogenesis. There are about 30 endogenous pro-angiogenic factors and about 30 endogenous anti-angiogenic factors. In order to increase in size, tumors undergo an angiogenic switch where the action of pro-angiogenic factors predominates, resulting in angiogenesis and tumor (...) Read more... Critical Reviews in Oncology/Hematology Volume 62, Issue 3, June 2007, Pages 251-267 Quality of life research in head and neck cancer: A review of the current state of the scienceBarbara A. Murphya, , , Sheila Ridnerb, Nancy Wellsb and Mary Dietrichb aDivision of Hematology and Oncology, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, 777 Preston Research Building, Nashville, TN 37215, USA bVanderbilt University School of Nursing, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, USA Quality of life (QOL) has become an increasingly important outcome measure for patient’s undergoing treatment for a wide array of illnesses. QOL is a global construct that reflects a patient’s general sense of well being. It is by definition multi-dimensional and reflective of the patient’s point of view. Health related issues are among the many factors that may influence QOL. Since head and neck cancer (HNC) affects structures that are critical for normal functions such as speech and (...) Read more... European Journal of Internal Medicine Volume 18, Issue 3, May 2007, Pages 175-184 Role of tumor markers in patients with solid cancers: A critical reviewMichael J. Duffy aDepartment of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, St Vincent’s University Hospital, Dublin 4, UCD School of Medicine and Medical Science, Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin and Dublin Molecular Medicine Institute, Dublin 4, Ireland The measurement of tumor markers is currently one of the most rapidly growing areas in laboratory medicine. Lack of sensitivity and specificity preclude the use of most existing markers for the early detection of malignancy. For patients with diagnosed malignancy, however, markers are potentially useful in determining prognosis, predicting therapeutic response, maintaining surveillance following curative surgery and monitoring therapy in advanced disease. Clinically useful markers include (...) Read more... The Lancet Volume 369, Issue 9573, 12 May 2007-18 May 2007, Pages 1603-1613 Effect of aspirin on long-term risk of colorectal cancer: consistent evidence from randomised and observational studiesEnrico Flossmann DPhila, Prof Peter M Rothwell FRCPa, and on behalf of the British Doctors Aspirin Trial and the UK-TIA Aspirin Trial aStroke Prevention Research Unit, University Department of Clinical Neurology, Radcliffe Infirmary, Oxford OX2 6HE, UK Background Randomised trials have shown that aspirin reduces the short-term risk of recurrent colorectal adenomas in patients with a history of adenomas or cancer, but large trials have shown no effect in primary prevention of colorectal cancer during 10 years’ follow-up. However, the delay from the early development of adenoma to presentation with cancer is at least 10 years. We aimed to assess the longer-term effect of aspirin on the incidence of cancers. Methods We studied (...) Read more... http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1525-1438.2006.00846.x A meta-analysis of the efficacy of intraperitoneal cisplatin for the front-line treatment of ovarian cancerL.M. HESS**Arizona Cancer Center, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, ArizonaLisa M. Hess, MA, MS, Arizona Cancer Center, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, P.O. Box 245024, 1515 N Campbell Avenue, 2964A1, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA. Email: hess@u.arizona.edu, M. BENHAM-HUTCHINS*†*Arizona Cancer Center, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona†College of Nursing, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, T.J. HERZOG‡‡New York Presbyterian Medical Center, Columbia University, New York, New York, C.-H. HSU**Arizona Cancer Center, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, D.C. MALONE§§College of Pharmacy, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, G.H. SKREPNEK§§College of Pharmacy, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, M.K. SLACK§§College of Pharmacy, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona & D.S. ALBERTS**Arizona Cancer Center, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona Ovarian cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer death among women in the United States. First-line chemotherapy offered to patients with ovarian cancer generally consists of an intravenous (IV) platinum plus taxane regimen and has remained virtually unchanged for the past 10 years. A number of recently completed phase III randomized trials in the United States have reported improved progression-free survival (PFS) and/or overall survival (OS) with the intraperitoneal (IP) (...) Read more... International Journal of Gynecological Cancer Volume 17 Issue 3 Page 589 - May/June 2007 Early CA-125 fluctuations in patients with recurrent ovarian cancer receiving chemotherapyP. SABBATINI**Gynecologic Medical Oncology Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New YorkPaul Sabbatini, MD, Gynecologic Medical Oncology Service, Department of Medicine, Howard 906, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10021, USA. Email: sabbatip@mskcc.org, The objective of this study was to analyze retrospective populations with recurrent ovarian cancer to assess differences in CA-125 patterns during chemotherapy. The populations included all patients treated between January 1994 and January 2004, who received liposomal doxorubicin and topotecan, and all patients treated between July 1997 and June 2001, who received carboplatin. Prognostic variables were abstracted from the medical records. Eighty-nine patients received liposomal doxorubicin (...) Read more... Gastroenterology Volume 132, Issue 6, May 2007, Pages 2208-2225 The Role of Obesity and Related Metabolic Disturbances in Cancers of the Colon, Prostate, and PancreasEdward Giovannucci , ‡, §, and Dominique Michaud‡, § ‡Department of Epidemiology, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts Department of Nutrition, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts Recent evidence indicates that obesity and related metabolic abnormalities are associated with increased incidence or mortality for a number of cancers, including those of the colon, prostate, and pancreas. Obesity, physical inactivity, visceral adiposity, hyperglycemia, and hyperinsulinemia are relatively consistent risk factors for colon cancer and adenoma. Also, patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus have a higher risk of colon cancer. For prostate cancer, the relationship to obesity (...) Read more... Colorectal Disease Volume 9 Issue 5 Page 393 - June 2007 Colorectal cancer prevention: choosing the most effective population strategy using bio-mathematical approachesA. G. Renehan**Department of Surgery, Academic Division of Cancer Studies, Christie Hospital NHS Trust, Wilmslow Road, Manchester M20 4BX, UK and G. Luebeck††Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA *Department of Surgery, Academic Division of Cancer Studies, Christie Hospital NHS Trust, Wilmslow Road, Manchester M20 4BX, UK and †Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA Abstract Colorectal cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related death globally, though in theory at least, it is eminently preventable in many cases. Preventive strategies are either primary or secondary, but for population strategists, choosing the ‘best’ approach is not straightforward. Here, we summarize the potential role of bio-mathematical modelling, specifically focusing on a model that combines known details of crypt cell kinetics with stochastic models of cell birth and death (...) Read more... Colorectal Disease Volume 9 Issue 5 Page 397 - June 2007 Chemoprevention of colorectal cancer – a new target needed?M. Spychalski, L. Dziki and A. Dziki Department of General and Colorectal Surgery, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland Objective Novel treatments for colorectal cancer (CRC) include chemoprevention. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) were the first to be studied and an inverse association was proven between their use and the development of invasive CRC. The numerous side effects of NSAIDs led, however, to the search for safer drugs. These have included Coxibs (selective COX-2 inhibitors). In this study, the role of coxibs in the chemoprevention of CRC is reviewed. Results Numerous in-vitro and (...) Read more... European Journal of Cancer Care Volume 16 Issue 3 Page 222 - May 2007 Differences in prevalence rates of psychological distress and mental disorders in inpatients and outpatients with breast and gynaecological cancerK. REUTER, PHD, SENIOR RESEARCHER11Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Freiburg University Medical Center, Freiburg, Germany & K. Reuter, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Freiburg University Medical Center, Hauptstr. 5, 79104 Freiburg, Germany (e-mail: katrin.reuter@uniklinik-freiburg.de). , S. RAUGUST, MA, PSYCHOLOGIST11Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Freiburg University Medical Center, Freiburg, Germany & , N. MARSCHNER, MD, ONCOLOGIST22Practice for Oncology and Haematology, Freiburg , M. HÄRTER, MD, PHD, PROFESSOR11Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Freiburg University Medical Center, Freiburg, Germany & 1Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Freiburg University Medical Center, Freiburg, Germany & 2Practice for Oncology and Haematology, Freiburg Research has demonstrated that in a significant number of patients, mental disorders occur with cancer. However, it is not known whether there is a difference for comorbidity in patients who are treated in hospitals versus outpatient care. The present study initially screened patients for psychological distress and quality of life with breast and gynaecological cancer. Instruments used were the General Health Questionnaire-12 and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and for quality of (...) Read more... Melanoma Research. 17(3):177-183, June 2007. Recombinant interferon [alpha]-2b and coenzyme Q10 as a postsurgical adjuvant therapy for melanoma: a 3-year trial with recombinant interferon-[alpha] and 5-year follow-up.Rusciani, Luigi a; Proietti, Ilaria a; Paradisi, Andrea a; Rusciani, Antonio c; Guerriero, Giuseppe a; Mammone, Alessia d; De Gaetano, Andrea d; Lippa, Silvio b Abstract: Early surgical intervention remains the most successful therapy for melanoma. Despite better outcomes observed in soft tissue and lymph node metastases, the results of pharmacological therapies are still disappointing. Currently, there is no standard adjuvant therapy for melanoma. Low concentrations of coenzyme Q10 have been demonstrated in melanoma cell lines and in sera of melanoma patients. These data and the results of clinical trials of patients with other advanced cancers (...) Read more... Based on the following published articles: N Engl J Med May 10, 2007;356(19):1915-27, 1938-43 FUTURE I and FUTURE II: Vaccination Against Human PapillomavirusTwo studies involving over 17,000 women have demonstrated that the new quadrivalent vaccine containing human papillomavirus (HPV) types 6, 11, 16 and 18 offers 98 to 100% protection against cervical, vaginal and vulvar disease caused by the four HPV vaccine types in women not already infected with any of these four strains. Findings also show that the same vaccine significantly lowers the occurrence of high-grade dysplasias and adenocarcinomas in situ related to HPV 16 and 18, and not (...) Read more... Based on the following published article: Cancer Treat Rev 2007;33(2):161-76 Updated Lymphoma Management Guidelines from Cancer Care OntarioThe core activity of the editorially independent CCO-PEBC (Cancer Care Ontario Program in Evidence-Based Care) is the development of clinical practice guidelines based on a systematic literature review as well as data synthesis and input from practitioners in the field. Their most recent efforts involved a literature review evaluating rituximab in the treatment of lymphoma in all of its variations and stages. The review was undertaken specifically by 25 members of the Hematology Disease (...) Read more... 33rd Annual Meeting of the European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation Targeted Therapy in Lymphoid Malignancies: The Changing Face of TransplantationLyon, France / March 25-28, 2007 Lyon - Treatment of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma generally involves chemotherapy. Autologous or allogeneic stem cell transplantation is often considered in patients who are refractory to chemotherapy. Despite intensive research in previous decades, prognosis had only slightly improved, but the recent advent of monoclonal antibodies has had a significant impact on approaches to disease management and patient survival. Delegates here learned of the role of monoclonal antibodies at different stages (...) Read more... 33rd Annual Meeting of the European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation Update on Antifungal Treatment Strategies in Stem Cell TransplantationLyon, France / March 25-28, 2007 Lyon - Patients with hematological malignancies who undergo stem cell transplantation (SCT) are at high risk of developing invasive fungal infections such as aspergillosis. Although mortality in patients with SCT has decreased in recent years, in large part because of better management of these infections, there is still much room for improvement. During the scientific sessions here this week, delegates learned how the echinocandin caspofungin is a useful addition to the therapeutic options (...) Read more... 22nd Annual European Association of Urology Congress New Trends in Preserving Prostate HealthBerlin, Germany / March 21-24, 2007 Berlin - Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) affects more than 13% of men over 50 years of age. Malignant processes are also highly prevalent although not all prostate cancers are aggressive; in fact, many patients with prostate cancer die of other causes. Screening programs can effectively help detect more cases of prostate cancer, but we still need to be able to distinguish between aggressive tumours and less aggressive ones, where a watch-and-wait approach can be adopted. At this meeting, (...) Read more... 22nd European Association of Urology Annual Congress Targeted Therapy in Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma: Extending Patients’ LivesBerlin, Germany / March 21-24, 2007 Berlin - A better understanding of the pathological processes implicated in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) has enabled the development of targeted therapies. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) represent a particularly promising class of compounds that offer an alternative to cytokine therapy. Two products currently in use for RCC are sunitinib and sorafenib. A number of presentations here during the scientific sessions dealt with subgroup analyses of populations from the TARGET (Treatment (...) Read more... RESOURCE LINE VACCINEJanuary/February 2007 Proposing compulsory HPV vaccination in preadolescent girls
Based on the Canada Communicable Disease Report (CCDR) Online publication 15 February 2007;33(ACS-2):1-32 National Advisory Committee on Immunization Statement on the Human Papillomavirus Vaccine: New Recommendations for Females 9 to 26 Years of AgeFebruary 15, 2007 February - The recently approved human papillomavirus (HPV) quadrivalent vaccine protects against infection from HPV types 6, 11, 16 and 18. Its approval and recent recommendation for use in females 9 to 26 years of age was based on efficacy data showing the vaccine to be 100% effective against HPV 16- and 18-related cervical cancer surrogates and 99% effective against genital warts, vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia and vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia from HPV types 6, 11, 16 and 18. (...) Read more... Based on the following published article: N Engl J Med 2007;356(2):125-34 Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Antagonists in Advanced Renal Cell CarcinomaUntil recently, the cytokines interleukin-2 and interferon-alfa have been the only systemic treatments available for patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC). With few exceptions, neither treatment produced robust or durable responses. Results from a phase II randomized trial suggested that the multitargeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor sorafenib inhibited vascular endothelial growth factor, among other tumour-promoting factors, and demonstrated genuine activity in metastatic RCC. (...) Read more... 2nd CSSAM / ISSAM North American Congress on the Aging Male Enduring Implications of the Prostate Cancer Prevention TrialMontreal, Quebec / February 8-10, 2007 Montreal - Given its ubiquitous but typically slow-growing nature, prostate cancer is considered an appropriate target for chemoprevention. The Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial (PCPT) confirmed the efficacy of the 5-alpha reductase inhibitor finasteride as preventive therapy in men at risk. The PCPT and follow-up studies continue to provide heuristic information on prostate cancer epidemiology, diagnosis and monitoring of patients with prostate-specific antigen testing. Additional data were (...) Read more... 48th Annual Meeting and Exposition of the American Society of Hematology Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: Novel Algorithms in Early DiseaseOrlando, Florida / December 9-12, 2006 Orlando - New data suggest that both treatments and treatment goals are evolving in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). While recent studies have associated new strategies with incremental improvements in anti-CLL activity, particularly a lengthening of progression-free survival, negative minimal residual disease status is emerging as a more rigorous end point that may better predict long-term outcome than traditional measures of complete response. In studies presented here at ASH, several (...) Read more... 48th Annual Meeting and Exposition of the American Society of Hematology Low Molecular-weight Heparins for High-risk Patients in Context of Clot MechanismsOrlando, Florida / December 9-12, 2006 Orlando - The multiple mechanisms that promote venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients with acute illnesses or cancer has been the basis for considering broader indications for prophylaxis. In a new meta-analysis of studies, low molecular-weight heparins (LMWHs) were associated with a 37% (P=0.001) reduction in the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) relative to placebo. The relative reduction in pulmonary embolism and DVT was 36% (P=0.01) when an LMWH was used instead of unfractionated (...) Read more... 48th Annual Meeting and Exposition of the American Society of Hematology Improved Outcomes with Immunochemotherapy in Indolent and Related LymphomasOrlando, Florida / December 9-12, 2006 Orlando - A comparison of two consecutive studies in advanced follicular lymphoma showed that response rates, time to treatment failure and overall survival were significantly improved with rituximab/cyclophosphamide/doxorubicin/vincristine/prednisone (R-CHOP) vs. CHOP alone and also with R-CHOP vs. mitoxantrone/chlorambucil/prednisone (MCP). Researchers reported that the strongest contributor to improved outcomes was the addition of rituximab. Its addition to chemotherapy produces durable, (...) Read more... 48th Annual Meeting and Exposition of the American Society of Hematology New Hope for Patients with Advanced, Resistant Cutaneous T-cell Lymphomas and Chronic Myeloid LeukemiaOrlando, Florida / December 9-12, 2006 Orlando - Cutaneous T-cell lymphomas (CTCLs) are rare tumours but when they become advanced, treatment options are limited. A novel treatment class, the histone deacetylase inhibitors, which includes vorinostat, have produced meaningful clinical improvement in a large proportion of patients and provide significant relief of pruritus, an important symptom in CTCL patients. The emerging aurora kinase inhibitors show significant promise in a variety of hematologic malignancies, even in (...) Read more... 48th Annual Meeting and Exposition of the American Society of Hematology Novel Agents Offer New Promise in Relapsed, Refractory Multiple Myeloma and Newly Diagnosed DiseaseOrlando, Florida / December 9-12, 2006 Orlando - Novel agents that target pathways other than those affected by traditional chemotherapy agents are emerging as promising new options in second-line relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (MM) as well as induction agents or as front-line therapy. These agents include the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib, which has been successfully paired with pegylated liposomal doxorubicin, lenalidomide and liposomal doxorubicin/thalidomide in relapsed/refractory MM. Coupled with dexamethasone, (...) Read more... 9th Congress of the European Society for Sexual Medicine Penile Rehabilitation Following Radical ProstatectomyVienna, Austria / December 3-6, 2006 INTRODUCTION
28th Congress of the Société Internationale d’Urologie Issues in Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia and Prostate Cancer Diagnosis and PreventionCape Town, South Africa / November 12-16, 2006 Cape Town - There is an increasing prevalence of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) with advancing age. According to the American Urological Association, approximately 50% of men aged 51 to 60 are affected. The aging male population is also at risk for prostate cancer, which is the most common cancer in men in the US and the third most common cause of cancer mortality in men, according to the American Cancer Society. The projected incidence for prostate cancer for 2006 is 234,460 cases, (...) Read more... 28th Congress of the Société internationale d’urologie Optimizing Prostate Health Through Disease Risk ReductionCape Town, South Africa / November 12-16, 2006 Cape Town - The prevalence of age-related diseases including bening prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer continues to rise. The focus of this symposium was current evidence on dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in prostate disease and the therapeutic role of 5-alpha reductase inhibition. New evidence suggests that inhibiting the two isoenzymes of 5-alpha reductase may be clinically relevant. In men with BPH, 5-alpha reductase inhibition helps prevent disease progression and relieves (...) Read more... Urology Update 2006 Prostate Health: Early Intervention and Prevention in Older MenToronto, Ontario / November 3-4, 2006 Toronto - Men’s health is an emerging issue and strategies are required to reduce the risk of common medical sequelae that affect the elderly male population. Mild symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) may be managed with lifestyle modification alone but more pronounced symptoms require a combination approach using an alpha-blocker and a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor. Prostatitis often occurs in men with BPH, and these compounds may be helpful in men who have both conditions. Findings (...) Read more... 14th United European Gastroenterology Week New Insights on Prevention of Colorectal Cancer in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel DiseaseBerlin, Germany / October 21-25, 2006 Berlin - There is mounting evidence that 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) can lower the risk of developing colorectal cancer (CRC) in both Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis among patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), yet the explicit mechanisms by which that molecule inhibits carcinogenesis remain uncertain. New in vitro results presented here at the UEGW suggest those mechanisms may be the consequence of novel modes of 5-ASA action involving preservation of DNA integrity during (...) Read more... The National Oncology Pharmacy Symposium 2006/Canadian Association of Pharmacy in Oncology Applying Novel Therapeutic Strategies for Chronic Lymphocytic LeukemiaMontreal, Quebec / October 13-15, 2006 Montreal - Recent developments in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) include a focus on immunophenotyping rather than strict cell counts for establishing the diagnosis, cytogenetic prognostic factors that enhance clinical staging to ascertain individual disease course, and novel treatments for patients whose disease has failed to respond to conventional chemotherapy regimens. At this symposium chaired by Venetia Bourrier, Director, Provincial Oncology Drug Program, CancerCare Manitoba, (...) Read more... 44th Annual Meeting of the Infectious Diseases Society of America Vaccine Protection Against Human Papillomavirus: Extending the ExperienceToronto, Ontario / October 12-15, 2006 Toronto - While many sexually transmitted infections are declining worldwide, the exception is sexually transmitted viral infections. Now that there is a vaccine against human papillomavirus (HPV), there is hope for greater control of HPV transmission as well. According to investigators, the public health benefits from widespread uptake of the new quadrivalent HPV vaccine would be substantial. HPV infection is not only ubiquitous, but its main oncogenic types 16 and 18 are also linked to (...) Read more... PRIORITY PRESS - XIX World Congress of the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics Targeting Cervical Cancer WorldwideCape Town, South Africa / October 4-9, 2009 Cape Town - Natural infection with human papillomavirus (HPV) evades the body’s protective immune response against future infection, thereby supporting the need for more potent immune priming with HPV vaccines. Findings from a recent comparison suggested that the bivalent HPV vaccine may elicit stronger immune responses than the quadrivalent vaccine across all age groups. Evidence represented here from large international trials also demonstrated that the bivalent vaccine is highly (...) Read more... 31st Congress of the European Society for Medical Oncology Expanding the Attack on Kidney Cancer with Multikinase InhibitorsIstanbul, Turkey / September 29-October 3, 2006 Istanbul – A considerable proportion of patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) develop metastasis and long-term survival is low for those with advanced disease. Although the cytokines interferon-alpha (IFN-a) and interleukin-2 (IL-2) have been the mainstay of first-line advanced RCC therapy throughout recent decades, a Cochrane review recently indicated that patient response to IFN-a treatment was only 12.9%. With a median survival benefit in good-prognosis patients of less than four (...) Read more... 31st Congress of the European Society for Medical Oncology Hormone-sensitive Breast Cancer Therapy Update: Long-term Findings from BIG 1-98Istanbul, Turkey / September 29 - October 3, 2006 Istanbul - The greater efficacy of the third-generation aromatase inhibitors (AIs) letrozole, anastrozole and exemestane over tamoxifen in reducing the risk of breast cancer recurrence in the adjuvant setting has now been clearly established. Nevertheless, some doubts have been expressed about the long-term efficacy and safety of AI treatment because of an absence of long-term studies. The 51-month data comparing two arms of the Breast International Group (BIG) 1-98 trial presented here (...) Read more... 31st Congress of the European Society of Medical Oncology Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: New Directions in Systemic TreatmentIstanbul, Turkey / September 29-October 3, 2006 Istanbul - Delegates here learned about promising new chemotherapy regimens and biologic combinations during the scientific sessions. An important development in the chemotherapy regimens themselves for the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer is the confirmation of the efficacy of capecitabine, an oral prodrug that is preferentially converted into a cytotoxic agent in tumour cells. Results from a large, randomized clinical trial confirmed that the oral agent was just as effective as (...) Read more... 31st Congress of the European Society of Medical Oncology Treating Elderly Patients with Multiple MyelomaIstanbul, Turkey / September 29-October 3, 2006 Istanbul - More than half of all cancer patients are over 65 years old at diagnosis and the proportion of elderly cancer patients will increase as the population ages. Treatment of the elderly presents unique challenges; for example, the elderly have a lower life expectancy and, consequently, their treatment goals may be different from those for younger patients. They also have greater comorbidity and therefore may be more susceptible to toxicity. Experts agree that there is a need to (...) Read more... 61st Annual Meeting of the Canadian Urological Association Preventing Prostate Cancer and Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia ProgressionHalifax, Nova Scotia / June 25-28, 2006 Halifax - As discussed here this week, two pivotal trials that examined the effects of using 5-alpha reductase inhibitors in the management of patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) are influencing clinical practice. The MTOPS (Medical Therapy of Prostatic Symptoms) study looked at how doxazosin, finasteride or combination therapy affected the end points of BPH progression, acute urinary retention or surgery. For a patient with a large prostate and high prostate-specific antigen (...) Read more... 11th Congress of the European Hematology Association Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma: Building on the EvidenceAmsterdam, The Netherlands / June 15-18, 2006 Amsterdam - Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) encompasses a diverse group of malignancies, some of which are aggressive in nature, such as diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, as well as slower-growing indolent ones, such as follicular lymphoma. Accounting for about 70% of indolent lymphomas, the follicular type comprises more than a quarter of all cases of NHL. In recent decades, NHL has grown in incidence by 80% and is considered incurable with present-day therapies. Indolent NHL responds very well (...) Read more... 83rd Canadian Paediatric Society Annual Conference Reducing Disease Transmission and the Burden of Illness of Rotavirus and Human PapillomavirusSt. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador / June 13-17, 2006 St. John’s - According to investigators, rotavirus is the most important cause of diarrhea in children in all regions of the world and across all socio-economic classes. Strict hygiene control, including fastidious hand washing, can help prevent infection but once it affects a child, household members are at high risk for infection, especially siblings. New vaccines have been developed against the rotavirus, one being a pentavalent vaccine which has efficacy against most strains found in (...) Read more... 42nd Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology Targeted Therapy: A Treatment Advance in Renal Cell CarcinomaAtlanta, Georgia / June 2-6, 2006 Atlanta - For the past two decades, the treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma has been limited to two cytokines: interferon alpha (IFNa) and interleukin-2 (IL-2). IFNa is associated with an 11% response rate, while IL-2 has a response rate of about 14%. While both cytokine therapies have toxicities, IL-2 is highly toxic and requires inpatient administration. Insights into the biology of cancer have led to the emergence of targeted therapies, several of them useful in renal cell (...) Read more... 42nd Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology Treatment Strategies for B-cell Chronic Lymphocytic LeukemiaAtlanta, Georgia / June 2-6, 2006 Atlanta - Chlorambucil, cyclophosphamide and fludarabine are considered first-line therapies for B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL). The goal of treatment is complete remission, with no evidence of minimal residual disease (MRD). Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) reduce CLL levels to a much lower level than is possible with conventional chemotherapy, and a deeper remission that eliminates MRD should translate into improved survival. As a single agent, rituximab has limited activity in (...) Read more... 42nd Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology The Role of Biomarkers and Monoclonal Antibodies in Lung CancerAtlanta, Georgia / June 2-6, 2006 Atlanta - Identifying patients who are more likely to respond to treatment is an important guiding principle in oncology, sparing those who are less likely to respond any unnecessary toxicity. In a subset of patients enrolled in the ECOG 4599 trial, findings showed that certain biomarkers can identify which patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer are more likely to respond to the addition of treatment with the monoclonal antibody (MAb) bevacizumab. Another study in which two (...) Read more... 42nd Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology Progress in the Search for Improved Prognosis in Malignant GliomaAtlanta, Georgia / June 2-6, 2006 Atlanta - Brain tumours account for only 1.5% of all cancers but cause substantial morbidity and mortality. The American Cancer Society estimates that approximately 19,000 malignant brain tumours are diagnosed in the US each year, and almost 70% of the patients eventually will die of the cancer. Glioblastoma multiforme is the most aggressive form of primary brain cancer and also the most common, accounting for 45% of all brain cancers. Standard therapy of surgical resection followed by (...) Read more... 42nd Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology Update on New Strategies for the Treatment of Gastrointestinal CancersAtlanta, Georgia / June 2-5, 2006 Atlanta - When added to standard chemotherapy regimens for metastatic colorectal cancer, bevacizumab, a monoclonal antibody against vascular endothelial growth factor, demonstrated improved progression-free and overall patient survival. The safety profile of this anti-angiogenesis agent when used in real-life observational settings was also consistent with the known safety profile, with no new unexpected toxicities. This is reassuring, as patients with metastatic colorectal disease treated (...) Read more... 42nd Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology Update on Targeted Therapies for Non-small Cell Lung CancerAtlanta, Georgia / June 2-6, 2006 Atlanta - The first real improvement in the treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) to emerge in decades has been the development of targeted therapies. One of these is erlotinib, an orally active, potent and selective inhibitor of epidermal growth factor receptor (HER1/EGFR) tyrosine kinase activity. Studies presented here indicate that erlotinib is active in recurrent or refractory non-squamous NSCLC either alone or in combination with bevacizumab. Never-smokers respond (...) Read more... 42nd Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology Refining Targeted Strategies for the Treatment of Chronic and Acute Myeloid LeukemiaAtlanta, Georgia / June 2-6, 2006 Atlanta - Current Canadian recommendations indicate that imatinib should be initiated as first-line therapy for patients in chronic-phase chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Despite the tyrosine kinase inhibitor’s (TKI’s) excellent activity in newly diagnosed CML, patients often develop resistance over time, and when they enter accelerated phase or blast crisis, many may no longer respond to standard-dose imatinib. When patients do develop resistance or prove intolerant, two treatment (...) Read more... 42nd Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology Lymphoma Update: Reviewing Maintenance and Induction-phase TherapyAtlanta, Georgia / June 2-6, 2006 Atlanta - Outcomes for patients with follicular lymphoma had changed very little over four decades of treatment until the emergence of chemoimmunotherapy. Studies presented here this year confirmed earlier findings that the anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody rituximab—used either in the induction phase together with chemotherapy or as maintenance therapy—prolongs both progression-free and overall survival for patients with refractory or relapsed follicular lymphoma as well as those with mantle (...) Read more... 42nd Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology Chemopreventive Strategies in Prostate Cancer: Resolving an EnigmaAtlanta, Georgia / June 2-5, 2006 Atlanta - The Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial showed that treatment with the 5-alpha reductase inhibitor finasteride reduced the period prevalence of prostate cancer by 25% over its seven-year span compared with placebo. However, questions remained concerning whether or not treatment potentiated the development of high-grade tumours, which were more numerous in the treatment arm. A systematic evidence review is currently being carried out by a joint panel from the American Society of (...) Read more... 42nd Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology Metastatic Breast CancerAtlanta, Georgia / June 2-6, 2006 Atlanta - Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in Canadian women, accounting for about 30% of all new cancer cases each year. Fortunately it is one of the most responsive of all treatable malignancies, and patients typically receive multiple-line chemotherapy that can often keep the disease under control for relatively prolonged intervals of time. Here at the 2006 Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), researchers presented a wide range of (...) Read more... 101st Annual Meeting of the American Urological Association (AUA) Novel Findings and Therapy Strategies in Prostate DiseaseAtlanta, Georgia / May 20-25, 2006 Atlanta - With the aging of western populations, the spectre of prostate disease emerges as a major health issue, with an estimated 12 million men in the US who have enlarged prostates and another 1.6 million who have prostate cancer. The clinical landscape of prostate disease also has undergone considerable evolution. Recent research has led to improved understanding of the etiology and pathogenesis of enlarged prostate, particularly the role of inflammation and the inter-relations among (...) Read more... 101st Annual Meeting of the American Urological Association The Evolution of 5-alpha Reductase Inhibition in Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia and Prostate Cancer PreventionAtlanta, Georgia / May 20-25, 2006 Atlanta - Prostate disease poses a major health issue whose scope and consequences will continue to grow as Western populations age. According to the National Cancer Institute of Canada, in 2006, almost 21,000 Canadian men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer and 4200 men will die of the disease. The risk and prevalence of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) also increases with age. According to the American Urological Association, half of men between the ages of 51 and 60 have BPH, (...) Read more... 10th Conference of the Canadian Blood and Marrow Transplant Group CML Standard of Care: Reviewing the Updated RecommendationsEdmonton, Alberta / April 21-24, 2006 Edmonton - In patients with Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), the tyrosine kinase inhibitior (TKI) imatinib has become the gold standard of therapy. Long-term results from IRIS (International Randomized Trial of Interferon vs STI571) with first-line imatinib in chronic-phase CML patients continue to show a high rate of response. More than four years after randomization, patients who achieved a good early response to imatinib continue to do exceptionally well, (...) Read more... EUROGIN 2006 6th International Multidisciplinary Congress Emerging Issues on Human Papillomavirus Prophylactic VaccinesParis, France / April 23-26, 2006 Paris - Among important issues addressed here during the scientific sessions was the durability of long-term protection by human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination and how women infected prior to vaccination with one or more of the HPV types included in the vaccine can be protected against the remaining types. Of two new HPV vaccines, one has demonstrated efficacy against all four HPV genotypes 16, 18, 6 and 11 that cause cervical cancer and genital warts. It has been shown to prevent 88% of (...) Read more... 10th Biennial Meeting of the Canadian Blood and Marrow Transplant Group Expanding Therapeutic Options for Chronic Myeloid LeukemiaEdmonton, Alberta / April 21-24, 2006 Edmonton - The arrival of imatinib as a targeted therapeutic option for chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) has been a highly encouraging development for the prognosis for this disease, and for patients who achieve a good early response to first-line therapy, who are likely to maintain that response for a number of years to come. Nevertheless, resistance to imatinib does occur, especially in the later stages of the disease, at which point other therapeutic options need to be considered. Because (...) Read more... 31st Annual Meeting Association des médecins hématologues et oncologues du Québec New Prognostic and Therapeutic Opportunities in Chronic Lymphocytic LeukemiaVaudreuil, Quebec / April 20-23, 2006 Vaudreuil - Once considered nearly exclusively an indolent disease of the elderly, chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is becoming more common in younger individuals. Aggressive therapy may be more desirable for patients in this age group. New information on the biology of CLL has provided options for earlier and improved prognostic evaluation and novel targets for treatment. Along with new biological prognostic factors, practical considerations help guide the choice of treatment. Ongoing (...) Read more... 21st Annual Congress of the European Association of Urology Finding the Key to Dihydrotestosterone Control in Prostate Cancer PreventionParis, France / April 5-8, 2006 Paris - Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) plays a central role in both normal and abnormal prostate growth. Manipulation of DHT levels via inhibition of the enzyme 5 alpha-reductase (5AR) has proven to be an effective means of treating benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The type 1 and 2 isoenzyme forms of 5AR are expressed in normal and BPH tissue, but the type 2 isoenzyme form predominates. In prostate cancer, expression of 5AR type 1 increases while expression of type 2 decreases. Currently, (...) Read more... 21st Annual Congress of the European Association of Urology Multikinase Inhibition in the Management of Renal Cell Carcinoma: The Role of UrologistsParis, France / April 5-8, 2006 Paris - Greater understanding of molecular biology and the impact of genetic mutations on intracellular pathways in kidney cancer cells has led to the identification of several receptors and signalling molecules as targets for the treatment of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) with new-generation tumour-specific compounds. Since multiple pathways are dysfunctional in most cancers and accumulate new oncogenic mutations as they progress, the greatest and most durable therapeutic benefit will likely (...) Read more... 21st Annual Congress of the European Association of Urology A Relevant Therapeutic Target for Patients with Benign Prostatic HyperplasiaParis, France / April 5-8, 2006 Paris - Despite a sustained increase in the use of medical therapy for symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in recent years, watchful waiting has remained the North American treatment of choice for BPH below the threshold for surgical intervention. Most leading urologists at this meeting, however, agreed that observation, except among young low-risk individuals, may not be an adequate approach to management of a disease that can progress to obstructive nephropathy and surgery. (...) Read more... Based on the following article: J Am Soc Nephrol 2006;17(2):581-9 Immunosuppressive Regimens and Cancer Risk: Are All Anti-rejection Treatments the Same?Transplantation March 2006 INTRODUCTION
2nd European Congress on Hematologic Malignancies Improving Survival in Follicular LymphomaBarcelona, Spain / February 24-26, 2006 Barcelona - The natural history of follicular non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) following initial therapy is characterized by repeated relapses of increasingly shorter duration leading ultimately to death from progressive disease. Several recent randomized phase III trials have demonstrated substantial improvements in clinical outcomes with the addition of the monoclonal antibody (MAb) rituximab to chemotherapy in first-line treatment. Benefits in overall survival have been reported among (...) Read more... 7th International Conference on New Trends in Immunosuppression and Immunotherapy Immunosuppression and Malignancy: Directions for Positive ChangeBerlin, Germany / February 16-19, 2006 Berlin - The recurrence and development of cancer are among the most serious complications of immunosuppressive therapy in human organ transplantation patients. The calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs) cyclosporine and tacrolimus have been associated in varying degrees with the development of de novo cancers and/or the recurrence of neoplastic tumours and metastasis. International experts in organ transplantation at this meeting concurred that clinical strategies are needed to reduce the risks of (...) Read more... |
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