The lancet oncology
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In healthy cells, controlled activation of aurora kinases regulates mitosis. Overexpression and hyperactivation of aurora kinases A and B have major roles in tumorigenesis, and can induce aneuploidy and genomic instability. ⋯ Early phase trials are beginning to assess the activity of small-molecule inhibitors of aurora kinases. We summarise trials of aurora kinase inhibitors in squamous-cell carcinomas of the head and neck, and discuss directions for future drug combination trials and biomarkers to use with drugs that inhibit aurora kinases.
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The lancet oncology · Sep 2013
ReviewBreast cancer in Arab populations: molecular characteristics and disease management implications.
Breast cancer is a major health problem in both developing and developed countries. It is the most frequently diagnosed female malignant disease in Arab populations. The incidence of breast cancer is lower in Arab countries than in Europe and the USA but is rising fast. ⋯ For example, affected patients are at least a decade younger, they have a more advanced stage of disease at first presentation, and their tumour size is larger. Moreover, in some Arab populations, reports suggest increased axillary-lymph-node invasion, a larger proportion of negative hormone receptors, and a higher tumour grade. These disparities are not only confined to clinicopathological features but also exist at the molecular level, as shown by findings of genome-wide association studies and expression profiling.
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The lancet oncology · Sep 2013
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyErlotinib versus docetaxel as second-line treatment of patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer and wild-type EGFR tumours (TAILOR): a randomised controlled trial.
Erlotinib is registered for treatment of all patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, its efficacy for treatment of patients whose tumours are EGFR wild-type-which includes most patients-is still contentious. We assessed the efficacy of erlotinib compared with a standard second-line chemotherapy in such patients. ⋯ Our results show that chemotherapy is more effective than erlotinib for second-line treatment for previously treated patients with NSCLC who have wild-type EGFR tumours.