Annals of oncology : official journal of the European Society for Medical Oncology
-
Letrozole after 5 years of adjuvant tamoxifen results in a significant reduction in risk of recurrence from estrogen receptor (ER) positive breast cancer. An individualized estimate of the risk of relapse and death after 5 years of tamoxifen could improve decisions regarding extended hormonal therapy. ⋯ T and N stages predicted late relapse and death from breast cancer in a population-based cohort of postmenopausal women. Risk estimates reported herein may be used to optimize decision making regarding adjuvant therapy after 5 years of tamoxifen.
-
Pivotal studies indicate a role of excision repair cross-complementation 1 (ERCC1) gene and ribonucleotide reductase M1 (RRM1) gene in conferring a differential sensitivity to cytotoxic chemotherapy and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene has been recently extensively investigated in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). ⋯ This retrospective study further validates ERCC1 and RRM1 genes as reliable candidates for customized chemotherapy and shows a higher impact on the survival of NSCLC patients treated with cisplatin/gemcitabine for ERCC1. Prospective pharmacogenomic studies represent a research priority in early and advanced NSCLC.
-
This pilot study was conducted to evaluate the feasibility, activity, and safety of an induction dose of epoetin alpha in cancer patients with moderate or severe anemia who were receiving chemotherapy. ⋯ We conclude that a higher initial dosing of epoetin alpha appears to be an efficient schedule for treating anemia in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, conferring higher response rates than those seen with standard doses. Further evaluation of these and other epoetin alpha dosage regimens is warranted.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Randomised study of sequential versus combination chemotherapy with capecitabine, irinotecan and oxaliplatin in advanced colorectal cancer, an interim safety analysis. A Dutch Colorectal Cancer Group (DCCG) phase III study.
Results on overall survival in randomised studies of mono- versus combination chemotherapy in advanced colorectal cancer patients may have been biased by an imbalance in salvage treatments. This is the first randomised study that evaluates sequential versus combination chemotherapy with a fluoropyrimidine, irinotecan and oxaliplatin. ⋯ Both treatment arms had an acceptable safety profile. These data imply that the results on survival will be the major determinant for the selection of either strategy. Capecitabine plus irinotecan appears to be a feasible first-line treatment for patients with advanced colorectal carcinoma.
-
Multicenter Study
Dose-intensified bi-weekly temozolomide in patients with asymptomatic brain metastases from malignant melanoma: a phase II DeCOG/ADO study.
Temozolomide has shown some efficacy in metastatic melanoma and recently received extended approval to treat brain tumours. The purpose of this study was to test a dose-intensified regimen of temozolomide in melanoma patients with brain metastases in a prospective, open-label, multicentre phase II trial. ⋯ Oral administration of temozolomide given bi-weekly is well-tolerated in melanoma patients with cerebral involvement. However, the efficacy is limited, with lower than 5% objective responses observed in brain and extracerebral metastases.