Annals of oncology : official journal of the European Society for Medical Oncology
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extrathoracic malignancies metastasize to the mediastinum and/or pulmonary hilum. Mediastinoscopy and thoracoscopy are standard to obtain tissue proof of metastatic spread but are invasive. Endobronchial ultrasound with real-time-guided transbronchial fine-needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) is a minimally invasive alternative for surgical staging of lung cancer. ⋯ EBUS-TBNA is a minimally invasive method for M staging of patients with extrathoracic malignancies to confirm mediastinal or hilar spread. EBUS-TBNA therefore may qualify as an alternative for surgical staging.
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Advanced mucinous epithelial ovarian carcinoma (mEOC) has been associated with a worse prognosis than the more common serous epithelial ovarian carcinomas (sEOC), but it remains unclear whether this observation reflects a more aggressive clinical presentation and/or chemoresistance. ⋯ Advanced mEOC appears to be highly chemoresistant and complete resection of peritoneal metastases is unable to reverse its poor prognosis. New therapeutic options are needed.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Matuzumab plus epirubicin, cisplatin and capecitabine (ECX) compared with epirubicin, cisplatin and capecitabine alone as first-line treatment in patients with advanced oesophago-gastric cancer: a randomised, multicentre open-label phase II study.
Clinical data showed promising antitumour activity with feasible tolerability for matuzumab plus epirubicin, cisplatin and capecitabine (ECX) chemotherapy in untreated advanced oesophago-gastric (OG) cancer. The aim was to evaluate the efficacy of matuzumab plus ECX versus ECX alone. ⋯ Matuzumab 800 mg weekly combined with ECX chemotherapy does not increase response or survival for patients with advanced OG cancer. Therefore, ECX/matuzumab should not be examined further in phase III trials.
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Once castration resistance is documented and secondary hormone therapy is ineffective, standard treatment of metastatic prostate cancer is docetaxel, with bisphosphonates and radiopharmaceuticals administered to treat bone symptoms. To improve outcomes, numerous studies have evaluated docetaxel in combination with other agents. Here, results for docetaxel-based combination therapy in castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) are reviewed. ⋯ Docetaxel-based doublet therapy remains an active investigational strategy in CRPC. Further phase III data are awaited to determine whether survival can be extended compared with docetaxel alone.
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Comparative Study
High-dose therapy followed by autologous stem-cell transplantation with and without rituximab for primary treatment of high-risk diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.
We aimed to determine safety and efficacy of rituximab (R) in combination with repetitive high-dose therapy (HDT) as primary treatment for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). ⋯ The addition of rituximab to MegaCHOEP significantly improved outcome in young patients with high-risk DLBCL. The higher incidence of grade 3/4 infections needs consideration when rituximab and HDT regimens are combined.