Clinical oncology : a journal of the Royal College of Radiologists
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Trastuzumab (Herceptin) is the first monoclonal antibody to be approved for the treatment of a solid tumour and is directed against the c-erb-B2 receptor. c-erb-B2 is a member of the epidermal growth factor family and approximately 25% of breast cancers express such receptors, which appear to confer a poorer prognosis and may be an indicator of resistance to cytotoxic chemotherapy. This review assesses the mechanisms of action of trastuzumab, discusses the measurement of the HER-2/neu gene and its products, and describes the preclinical and clinical studies that have been instrumental to date in the emergence of trastuzumab in clinical practice.
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Clin Oncol (R Coll Radiol) · Jan 2000
Comparative StudyPalliative care activity in a medical oncology unit: the implications for oncology training.
There has been a nationwide reorganization of cancer services since publication of the Calman-Hine report, which encourages the integration of high-quality palliative care into all areas of cancer provision. Details of the daily clinical care activity for medical oncology inpatients are not collected routinely. ⋯ Palliative care activity accounted for 34% (169 bed-days) of daily activity, compared with 32% (163 bed-days) for the administration of chemotherapy. A high proportion of patients receive palliative care on medical oncology wards, consideration therefore needs to be given to the place of formal training in palliative medicine for oncology trainees.