Future oncology
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Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is an aggressive cancer with poor prognosis. Systemic chemotherapy is the primary treatment modality for the majority of patients. VEGF plays a key mitogen for MPM cells physiopathology. ⋯ Based on the results of the Phase III IFCT-0701 mesothelioma avastin cisplatin pemetrexed study, cisplatin-pemetrexed-bevacizumab is now the accepted standard in France. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines have also included this combination as an option for standard front-line therapy. This review summarized the efficacy and safety data of bevacizumab in the treatment of patients with MPM.
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CD30-positive primary cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) includes mycosis fungoides, anaplastic large-cell lymphoma and lymphomatoid papulosis type A. Brentuximab vedotin (BV) consists of an antibody targeting CD30 with a protease-cleavable linker to vedotin. ⋯ Phase II studies in CD30-expressing CTCL followed and showed similar efficacy, which was ratified in a Phase III trial of BV versus physician's choice (methotrexate or bexarotene) showing significant improved responses without increase in severe adverse effects although peripheral neuropathy is frequent. BV provides an effective targeted therapy for CD30-expressing cutaneous lymphomas and welcome addition to our anti-CTCL armory.
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Chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) are genetically engineered proteins that combine an extracellular antigen-specific recognition domain with one or several intracellular T-cell signaling domains. When expressed in T cells, these CARs specifically trigger T-cell activation upon antigen recognition. ⋯ This special report discusses the concept of exploiting natural killer cell receptors as an approach that could broaden the specificity of CAR T cells and potentially enhance the efficacy of this therapy against solid tumors. New data demonstrating feasibility of this approach in humans and supporting the ongoing clinical trial are also presented.