Clinical lung cancer
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Angiogenesis is a rational target for the treatment of patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In the E4599 trial, the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-targeted antibody bevacizumab combined with carboplatin/paclitaxel improved both progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) compared with chemotherapy alone. However responses to bevacizumab are usually transient and resistance inevitably develops. ⋯ Several multitargeted receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) such as sorafenib, cediranib, and BIBF 1120, with activity against vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) and other proangiogenic pathways (eg, fibroblast growth factor [FGF] and platelet-derived growth factor [PDGF] pathways) are in clinical development for NSCLC. Many of these TKIs have shown clinical activity in early trials, both alone and in combination with chemotherapy. Other promising agents in development include inhibitors of the angiopoietin/TIE2 pathway, integrin-targeted agents, vascular disrupting agents, and delta-like ligand-4/Notch pathway inhibitors.
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Clinical lung cancer · Sep 2012
Comparative StudyDelay between the initial symptoms, the diagnosis and the onset of specific treatment in elderly patients with lung cancer.
The proportion of elderly patients with lung cancer is increasing. The objectives of this study were to describe the initial symptoms in elderly patients (≥ 70 years) with lung cancer and to describe the diagnostic and treatment delays. ⋯ We identified no differences regarding the initial symptoms in elderly patients with lung cancer compared with those in younger patients. The delays in diagnosis and treatment were similar between the 2 groups.
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Clinical lung cancer · Sep 2012
ReviewPersonalized medicine for non-small-cell lung cancer: implications of recent advances in tissue acquisition for molecular and histologic testing.
In light of recent advances in individualized therapy for non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), molecular and histologic profiling is essential for guiding therapeutic decisions. Results of these analyses may have implications for both response (eg, molecular testing for EGFR [epidermal growth factor receptor] mutations) and safety (eg, contraindications for squamous histology) in NSCLC. ⋯ Due to the need for increasing histologic and molecular information and increasingly smaller tissue sample sizes, efforts must be focused on optimizing tissue acquisition and the development of more sensitive molecular assays. Recent advances in tissue acquisition techniques and specimen preservation may help to address this challenge and lead to enhanced personalized treatment in NSCLC.